As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2020

Registration No. 333-236018

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Pennsylvania		25-1450605
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1 South Second Street, P.O. Box 42, Clearfield, PA 16830

Telephone: (814) 765-9621

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants’ principal executive offices)

 

 

Joseph B. Bower, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

CNB Financial Corporation

1 South Second Street, P.O. Box 42

Clearfield, PA 16830

Telephone: (814) 765-9621

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Richard A. Schaberg, Esq.

Leslie B. Reese, III, Esq.

Hogan Lovells US LLP

555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20004

Telephone: (202) 637-5600

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement as registrant determines based on market conditions and other factors.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the box.  ☐

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer		☐		Accelerated filer		☒
Non-accelerated filer		☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company		☐
				Emerging growth company		☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered		Amount to be Registered(1)		Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Security(1)		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2)		Amount of Registration Fee(1)(2)
Common Stock, no par value		(3)		(3)		(3)		(3)
Preferred Stock, no par value		(3)		(3)		(3)		(3)
Depositary Shares		(3)		(3)		(3)		(3)
Debt Securities(4)		(3)		(3)		(3)		(3)
Total						$150,000,000		$12,315(5)

(1)

There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of securities as may be sold by the registrant from time to time, which together shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $150,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with the other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock that provide for conversion or exchange or pursuant to the antidilution provisions of any of such securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(2)	Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act and based upon the maximum aggregate offering price of all securities being registered.

(3)	Omitted pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

(4)	The debt securities covered by this registration statement may be senior and/or subordinated debt securities of CNB Financial Corporation.

(5)

Pursuant to Rule 457(p) of the Securities Act, a registration fee of $7,155 has already been paid with respect to unsold securities registered pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-215449) and is being carried forward. As a result, $7,155 of the registration fee of $19,470 due for this offering is offset against the registration fee previously paid. The remaining balance of the registration fee, $12,315, was previously paid with respect to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-236018) on January 22, 2020.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject To Completion, Dated June 18, 2020

PROSPECTUS

CNB Financial Corporation

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

CNB Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, may offer and sell the securities identified above, from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities. When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities, including the price of the securities. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, carefully before you decide to invest. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that further describes the securities being delivered to you.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more agents, underwriters and dealers, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement with, between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” on page 29. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “CCNE.” On June 17, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $17.20 per share. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 South Second Street, P.O. Box 42, Clearfield, PA 16830 and our telephone number is (814) 765-9621.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before buying our securities, you should refer to the risk factors included in our periodic reports and in the other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, before making a decision to invest in our securities.

 

 

The offered securities are not deposits or obligations of a bank or savings associations and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

 

 

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			3
CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			4
ABOUT CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION			5
RISK FACTORS			6
USE OF PROCEEDS			7
THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER			8
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK			9
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK			11
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES			15
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			18
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			32
LEGAL MATTERS			34
EXPERTS			34

 

i

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process for the delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer and is not meant to provide a complete description of each security. As a result, each time we offer securities, to the extent required, a prospectus supplement will be provided, and it will be attached to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described below under the headings “Where to Find Additional Information,” “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference” and any additional information you may need before making an investment decision.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, with respect to the offered securities. You should rely only on the information provided or information to which we have referred you, including any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement prepared by us or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

You should read carefully the entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, which we have referred you to in “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” on page 3 of this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement as to the content of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement, as applicable, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Any information in such subsequent filings and any applicable prospectus supplement that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement.

As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “CNB” and “the Corporation” mean CNB Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, together with our subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term means only CNB Financial Corporation. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and/or debt securities as the “offered securities.”

 

1

WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities that may be offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. For further information with respect to the Corporation and the securities that may be offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in this prospectus are not necessarily complete and, where that contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement in this prospectus is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference related.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and, in accordance therewith, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement, are available to you on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Documents we have filed with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.cnbbank.bank. Except as expressly stated herein, information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

 

2

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it in this prospectus. This helps us disclose certain information to you by referring you to the documents we file. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference each of the documents listed below.

 

(a)

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2020;

 

(b)

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2020;

 

(c)

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2020 (solely to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019);

 

(d)

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2020, March 13, 2020, March 19, 2020, March  24, 2020, April  21, 2020 (excluding such information furnished under Item 7.01), May  12, 2020 and May 19, 2020; and

 

(e)

The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on April 17, 1985, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All filings filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to effectiveness of this registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents or reports. In addition, all documents and reports filed by us subsequent to the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents or reports. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

You may obtain any of the filings incorporated by reference into this prospectus through us or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the reports and documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should direct requests for those documents to:

CNB Financial Corporation

1 South Street

P.O. Box 42

Clearfield, PA 16830

Attn: Richard L. Greslick, Jr., Corporate Secretary

(814) 765-9621

 

3

CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in it, as well as any prospectus supplement that accompanies it, include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and future performance of our business. These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond our control). Forward-looking statements often include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “potentially,” “probably,” “projects,” “outlook” or similar expressions or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” and “could.” Such known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the statements, include, but are not limited to, (i) changes in general business, industry or economic conditions or competition; (ii) changes in any applicable law, rule, regulation, policy, guideline or practice governing or affecting financial holding companies and their subsidiaries or with respect to tax or accounting principles or otherwise; (iii) adverse changes or conditions in capital and financial markets; (iv) the duration, scope and impact of epidemics and/or other pandemics, including the current coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic, and the pace of recovery when such epidemics and/or pandemics subside; (v) changes in interest rates; (vi) higher than expected costs or other difficulties related to integration of combined or merged businesses; (vii) the effects of business combinations and other acquisition transactions, including the inability to realize expected cost savings or achieve other anticipated benefits in connection therewith; (viii) changes in the quality or composition of our loan and investment portfolios; (ix) adequacy of loan loss reserves; (x) increased competition; (xi) loss of certain key officers; (xii) deposit attrition; (xiii) rapidly changing technology; (xiv) unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings and liabilities and other costs; (xv) changes in the cost of funds, demand for loan products or demand for financial services; and (xvi) other economic, competitive, governmental or technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such developments could have an adverse impact on our financial position and our results of operations.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon management’s beliefs and assumptions. Any forward-looking statement made herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act.

 

4

ABOUT CNB FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CNB Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) is a bank holding company and a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. We were incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1983 for the purpose of engaging in the business of a financial holding company. On April 26, 1984, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of County National Bank, a nationally-chartered banking institution. In December of 2006, County National Bank changed its name to CNB Bank and became a state bank chartered in Pennsylvania and subject to regulation by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In October 2013, we acquired FC Banc Corp. and its subsidiary, The Farmers Citizens Bank. In July 2016, we acquired Lake National Bank. We are subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

In addition to CNB Bank, we have four other subsidiaries. CNB Securities Corporation is incorporated in Delaware and currently maintains investments in debt and equity securities. CNB Insurance Agency, incorporated in Pennsylvania, provides for the sale of nonproprietary annuities and other insurance products. CNB Risk Management, Inc. is a Delaware-based captive insurance company that insures against certain risks unique to the operations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible in today’s insurance marketplace. Holiday Financial Services Corporation, incorporated in Pennsylvania, offers small balance unsecured and secured loans, primarily collateralized by automobiles and equipment, to borrowers with higher risk characteristics.

We do not currently engage in any operating business activities, other than the ownership and management of CNB Bank, CNB Securities Corporation, CNB Insurance Agency, CNB Risk Management, Inc. and Holiday Financial Services Corporation.

CNB Bank was originally chartered as a national bank in 1934 and is now a Pennsylvania-chartered bank. ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, began operations in 2005. In July 2016, we acquired Lake National Bank, which operated two full-service branches in Mentor, Ohio, approximately 20 miles east of Cleveland, Ohio. CNB Bank continues to operate these two branch locations within its ERIEBANK franchise. In October 2013, we acquired FC Banc Corp. and its subsidiary, The Farmers Citizens Bank, in the central Ohio market area, which we operate today as FCBank, a division of CNB Bank. In 2016, CNB Bank received regulatory approval to conduct business in the state of New York as BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank. CNB Bank opened a loan production office in Buffalo, New York in May 2016, which we closed in February 2017 concurrently with the opening of a full-service location in downtown Buffalo in February 2017.

CNB Bank has one loan production office and 39 full-service branch offices located in various communities in its market area. CNB Bank’s primary market area includes the Pennsylvania counties of Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, and McKean. ERIEBANK, a division of CNB Bank, operates in the Pennsylvania counties of Crawford, Erie, and Warren and the Ohio counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, and Lake. FCBank, a division of CNB Bank, operates in the Ohio counties of Crawford, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Marion, Morrow, Knox, Delaware, and Franklin. BankOnBuffalo, a division of CNB Bank, operates in Erie and Niagara counties, New York.

CNB Bank is a full-service bank engaging in a broad range of banking activities and services for individual, business, governmental and institutional customers. These activities and services principally include checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; real estate, commercial, industrial, residential and consumer loans; and a variety of other specialized financial services. CNB Bank’s Private Client Solutions division offers a full range of client services, including private banking and wealth and asset management.

Corporate Information

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CCNE.” Our principal executive offices are located at 1 South Street, P.O. Box 42, Clearfield, PA 16830. Our telephone number is (814) 765-9621. We maintain a website at www.cnbbank.bank. The information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into, and you must not consider the information to be part of, this prospectus.

Additional information about us is included in documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” on page 3 of this prospectus.

 

5

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. In particular, you should consider the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, we may include additional risk factors in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities. For additional information, please see the sources described in “Where to Find Additional Information.”

 

6

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of offered securities for general corporate purposes, including:

 

•

expansion of the business;

 

•

investments in our subsidiary bank as regulatory capital to fund growth;

 

•

financing of possible acquisitions;

 

•

refinancing, reduction or repayment of debt; and

 

•

investments at the holding company level.

The prospectus supplement with respect to an offering of offered securities may identify different or additional uses for the proceeds of that offering.

Pending the application of the net proceeds, we expect to temporarily invest the proceeds from the sale of offered securities in short-term obligations.

 

7

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize certain material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. The particular material terms of the securities offered by a prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the offered securities may differ from the terms summarized below. The prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the offered securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the offered securities will be listed. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of the actual documents whose terms are summarized herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement, because those documents, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the relevant securities. For more information, please review the forms of these documents, which are or will be filed with the SEC and will be available as described under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information” above.

We may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and/or debt securities.

 

8

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following description is a general summary of the terms of our common stock. The description below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Charter”) and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”). The description below does not contain all of the information that you might find useful or that might be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of our Charter and Bylaws because they, and not the summaries, define the rights of holders of shares of our common stock. You can obtain copies of our Charter and Bylaws by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

General

Our Charter authorizes us to issue 50,000,000 shares of stock, no par value. As of June 17, 2020, there were 15,369,561 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and there were no outstanding options exercisable for shares of our common stock.

Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights and is identical in all respects to each other share of our common stock. Our common stock is non-withdrawable capital, is not of an insurable type and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental entity.

Voting Rights

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on each matter properly submitted to shareholders for their vote, including the election of directors. Holders of our common stock do not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors. Subject to certain exceptions, whenever any corporate action is to be taken by a vote of the shareholders, it will be authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon. Directors receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.

Liquidation Rights

The holders of our common stock, together with the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate with the holders of our common stock in the distribution of assets in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us, whether voluntary or involuntary, will be entitled to participate equally in the distribution of any of our assets remaining after we have paid, or provided for the payment of, all of our debts and liabilities and after we have paid, or set aside for payment to, the holders of any class of stock having preference over the common stock in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up the full preferential amounts to which they are entitled.

Dividends

The holders of our common stock and any class or series of stock entitled to participate with the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends declared by our board of directors out of any assets legally available for distribution. We may not pay dividends or other distributions unless we have paid, declared or set aside all accumulated dividends and any sinking fund, retirement fund or other retirement payments on any class of stock having preference as to payments of dividends over our common stock. As a holding company, our ability to pay distributions is affected by the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends. The ability of our bank subsidiary, and our ability, to pay dividends in the future is, and could in the future be further, influenced by bank regulatory requirements and capital guidelines.

Miscellaneous

The holders of our common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights for any shares that may be issued. Our common stock is not subject to additional calls or assessments, and all shares of our common stock currently outstanding are fully paid and nonassessable. All shares of common stock offered pursuant to a prospectus supplement, or issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any convertible securities, will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable, which means that the full purchase price of the shares will have been paid and the holders of the shares will not be assessed any additional monies for the shares.

Certain Important Charter Provisions

Our Bylaws provide for the division of our board of directors into three classes of directors, each class as nearly as equal as possible, with each serving staggered terms. Any amendment to our Bylaws must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon and, if any shareholders are entitled to vote thereon as a class, upon receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote as a class. Additionally, our Charter provides that the affirmative vote of at least 66% of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote is required to effect business combinations.

 

9

Some of the foregoing provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of us.

Since the terms of our Charter and Bylaws may differ from the general information we are providing, you should only rely on the actual provisions of our Charter and Bylaws. If you would like to read our Charter and Bylaws, you may request a copy from us by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

NASDAQ Stock Market Listing

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “CCNE.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the preferred stock that we may offer from time to time. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Charter and the applicable certificate of designations designating the terms of the related series of preferred stock and our Bylaws, each of which we will make available upon request. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of our Charter, the applicable certificate of designations and our Bylaws, because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of shares of our preferred stock. You can obtain copies of our Charter and Bylaws by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

General

We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of stock, no par value. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation, subject to limitations prescribed in such articles and subject to limitations prescribed by Pennsylvania law, authorize the board of directors, from time to time by resolution and without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and other rights of the shares and to fix the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. As a result of its broad discretion with respect to the creation and issuance of preferred stock without shareholder approval, the board of directors could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and, by issuing shares of preferred stock with certain voting, conversion and/or redemption rights, could discourage any attempt to obtain control of us.

Terms of the Preferred Stock That We May Offer and Sell to You

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the class or series of preferred stock being offered for the specific terms of that class or series, including:

 

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the title and stated value of the preferred stock being offered;

 

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the number of shares of preferred stock being offered, their liquidation preference per share and their purchase price;

 

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the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculating the payment date(s) applicable to the preferred stock being offered;

 

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whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the preferred stock being offered will accumulate;

 

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the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock being offered;

 

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the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock being offered;

 

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the provisions for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock being offered;

 

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any listing of the preferred stock being offered on any securities exchange or market;

 

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the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock being offered will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or rights, or a combination of the foregoing, including the name of the issuer of the securities or rights, conversion or exchange price, or the manner of calculating the conversion or exchange price, and the conversion or exchange date(s) or period(s) and whether we will have the option to convert such preferred stock into cash;

 

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voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock being offered;

 

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a discussion of any material and/or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock being offered;

 

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the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

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any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or equally with the series of preferred stock being offered as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

 

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any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock being offered.

 

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Ranking

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, rank:

 

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senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all equity securities the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities rank junior to the preferred stock being offered;

 

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equally with all equity securities issued by us other than those referred to in the first and last bullet points of this subheading; and

 

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junior to all equity securities issued by us the terms of which specifically provide that the equity securities rank senior to the preferred stock being offered.

For purposes of this subheading, the term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

Distributions

Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, out of our assets legally available for payment to shareholders, cash distributions, or distributions in kind or in other property if expressly permitted and described in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the rates and on the dates as we will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will pay each distribution to holders of record as they appear on our stock transfer books on the record dates determined by our board of directors.

Distributions on any class or series of preferred stock, if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our board of directors fails to declare a distribution payable on a distribution payment date on any class or series of preferred stock for which distributions are non-cumulative, then the holders of that class or series of preferred stock will have no right to receive a distribution in respect of the distribution period ending on that distribution payment date, and we will have no obligation to pay the distribution accumulated for that period, whether or not distributions on that series are declared payable on any future distribution payment date.

If any shares of the preferred stock of any class or series are outstanding, no full dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on our preferred stock of any other class or series ranking, as to dividends, equally with or junior to the preferred stock of the class or series for any period unless all required dividends are paid. The phrase “all required dividends are paid” when used in this prospectus with respect to class or series of preferred stock means that:

 

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if the class or series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock of the class or series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment is set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period; or

 

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if the class or series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of the class or series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment is set apart for the payment for the then current dividend period.

When dividends are not paid in full, or a sum sufficient for the full payment is not so set apart, upon the shares of preferred stock of any class or series and the shares of any other class or series of preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends with the preferred stock of the class or series, all dividends declared upon shares of preferred stock of the class or series and any other class or series of preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends with the preferred stock will be declared equally so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the preferred stock of the class or series and the other class or series of preferred stock will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of preferred stock of the class or series, which will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if the preferred stock does not have cumulative dividend, and the other class or series of preferred stock bear to each other. No interest, sum of money in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on preferred stock of the class or series which may be in arrears.

Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless all required dividends are paid, no dividends, other than in common stock or other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us, will be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distribution will be declared or made upon the common stock or any of our other stock ranking junior or equally with the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor will any common stock or any of our other capital stock ranking junior to or equally with preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration, or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any stock, by us except by conversion into or exchange for our other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us.

 

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Any dividend payment made on shares of a class or series of preferred stock will first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to shares of the class or series which remains payable.

Redemption

If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to a class or series of preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of the preferred stock that will be redeemed by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, which will not, if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, include an accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividends periods, to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of our stock, the terms of the preferred stock may provide that, if no stock will have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, the preferred stock will automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of our applicable stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless provided otherwise for any class or series of preferred stock, unless all required dividends are paid:

 

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no shares of the applicable class or series of preferred stock will be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of preferred stock of the class or series are simultaneously redeemed; and

 

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we will not purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any shares of the applicable class or series of preferred stock, except by conversion into or exchange for our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of the class or series as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us;

provided, however, that the above restrictions will not prevent the purchase or acquisition of shares of preferred stock of the class or series pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of preferred stock of the class or series.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or payment will be made to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of each series or class of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets legally available for distribution to shareholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of shares of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. If, upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding shares of preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of shares of our capital stock ranking equally with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other classes or series of shares of capital stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

If liquidating distributions will have been made in full to all holders of preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of shares of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective number of shares.

For those purposes, the consolidation or merger of us with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs.

 

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Voting Rights

Holders of preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law, or as otherwise provided in the articles of amendment or the resolutions establishing such series and as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any class or series of preferred stock are convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or rights or those of other issuers, including, without limitation, common stock, debt securities, trust preferred securities or another series of preferred stock, or any combination of the foregoing, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock. The terms will include the name of the issuer of the other securities or rights and the number or principal amount of the securities or rights into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable, the conversion or exchange price or rate or the manner of calculating the price, the conversion or exchange date(s) or period(s), provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be at the option of the holders of the preferred stock or at our or other issuer’s option, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price or rate and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the series of preferred stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

We will identify the transfer agent and registrar for any series of preferred stock offered by this prospectus in a prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares that we may offer from time to time. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Charter and the applicable certificate of designations designating the terms of the related series of preferred stock and our Bylaws, each of which we will make available upon request. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of our Charter, the applicable certificate of designations and our Bylaws, because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of shares of our preferred stock. You can obtain copies of our Charter and Bylaws by following the directions under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

In addition, specific deposit agreements and depositary receipts will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement which includes this prospectus before we issue any depositary shares. The descriptions herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement do not restate those agreements and receipts in their entirety and do not contain all of the information that you may find useful or that may be important to you. You should refer to the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and deposit certificate because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the depositary shares. For more information, please review the forms of these documents, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of depositary shares or depositary share units and will be available as described under the heading “Where to Find Additional Information.”

General

We may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If so, we will issue “depositary receipts” for these “depositary shares.” Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the fraction of preferred stock represented by that depositary share, to the rights and preferences of the preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, if any. We will enter into a deposit agreement with a depositary, which will be named in the related prospectus supplement.

In order to issue depositary shares, we will issue preferred stock and immediately deposit these shares with the depositary. The depositary will then issue and deliver depositary receipts to the persons who purchase depositary shares. Each whole depositary share issued by the depositary may represent a fraction of a share held by the depositary. The depositary will issue depositary receipts in a form that reflects whole depositary shares, and each depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, a depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts, which will temporarily entitle the holders to all the rights pertaining to the definitive depositary receipts. We will bear the costs and expenses of promptly preparing definitive depositary receipts and of exchanging the temporary depositary receipts for definitive depositary receipts.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash and non-cash dividends and distributions it receives with respect to the underlying preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they hold. In the case of non-cash distributions, the depositary may determine that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If so, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders. The amounts distributed by the depositary will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes.

Redemption

If we redeem the series of preferred stock that underlies the depositary shares, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the redemption of the preferred stock it holds. The depositary will redeem the number of depositary shares that represent the amount of underlying preferred stock that we have redeemed. The redemption price for depositary shares will be in proportion to the redemption price per share that we paid for the underlying preferred stock. If we redeem less than all of the depositary shares, the depositary will select which depositary shares to redeem by lot, or some substantially equivalent method.

After a redemption date is fixed, the depositary shares to be redeemed no longer will be considered outstanding. The rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except for the rights to receive money or other property upon redemption. In order to redeem their depositary shares, holders will surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary.

 

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Voting the Preferred Stock

We will notify the depositary about any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, and the depositary will mail the information to the record holders of depositary shares related to that preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will vote the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with these instructions, provided the depositary receives these instructions sufficiently in advance of the meeting. If the depositary does not receive instructions from the holders of the depositary shares, the depositary will abstain from voting the preferred stock that underlies those depositary shares.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

When a holder surrenders depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, and pays any necessary taxes, charges or other fees, the holder will be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, if any, represented by the holder’s depositary shares. Once a holder exchanges depositary shares for whole shares of preferred stock, that holder cannot “re-deposit” these shares of preferred stock with the depositary, or exchange them for depositary shares. If a holder delivers depositary receipts that represent a number of depositary shares that exceeds the number of whole shares of related preferred stock the holder seeks to withdraw, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt to the holder that evidences the excess number of depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The Corporation and the depositary can agree, at any time, to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provisions of the depositary receipt and any provisions of the deposit agreement. However, if an amendment has a material adverse effect on the rights of the holders of related depositary shares, the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding must first approve the amendment. Every holder of a depositary receipt at the time an amendment becomes effective will be bound by the amended deposit agreement. However, subject to any conditions in the deposit agreement or applicable law, no amendment can impair the right of any holder of a depositary share to receive shares of the related preferred stock, or any money or other property represented by the depositary shares, when they surrender their depositary receipts.

We can terminate the deposit agreement at any time, as long as the depositary mails notice of termination to the record holders of depositary shares then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for termination. Upon termination, the depositary shall deliver to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts, together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to such depositary receipt.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and the government charges that relate solely to the depositary arrangements. We will also pay the charges of each depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering written notice of its decision to us. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect when we appoint a successor depositary. We must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company that has its principal office in the United States and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

We will be required to furnish certain information to the holders of the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares. The depositary, as the holder of the underlying preferred stock, will forward any report or information it receives from us to the holders of depositary shares.

 

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Neither the depositary nor the Corporation will be liable if its ability to perform its obligations under the deposit agreement is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control. Both the Corporation and the depositary will be obligated to use their best judgment and to act in good faith in performing their respective duties under the deposit agreement. Each of the Corporation and the depositary will be liable only for gross negligence and willful misconduct in performing their duties under the deposit agreement. They will not be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal proceeding with respect to any depositary receipts, depositary shares or preferred stock unless they receive what they, in their sole discretion, determine to be a satisfactory indemnity from one or more holders of the depositary shares. The Corporation and the depositary will evaluate any proposed indemnity in order to determine whether the financial protection afforded by the indemnity is sufficient to reduce each party’s risk to a satisfactory and customary level. The Corporation and the depositary may rely on the advice of legal counsel or accountants of their choice. They may also rely on information provided by persons they believe, in good faith, to be competent, and on documents they believe, in good faith, to be genuine.

The applicable prospectus supplement will identify the depositary’s corporate trust office. Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts, and if we redeem shares of preferred stock, the depositary will act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

Title

The Corporation, each depositary and any agent of the Corporation or the applicable depositary may treat the registered owner of any depositary share as the absolute owner of the depositary shares for all purposes, including making payment, regardless of whether any payment in respect of the depositary share is overdue and regardless of any notice to the contrary.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time. The description below does not contain all of the information that you might find useful or that might be important to you. The particular terms of any of the debt securities that we may offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities. You should review the provisions of the applicable indenture and debt securities because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the debt securities. For more information, you should refer to the relevant form of indenture and the relevant form of debt security, if any, which are or will be filed with the SEC.

We have summarized below general terms and conditions of the debt securities that we will offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms and conditions of the series in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement whether the general terms and conditions described in this prospectus apply to the series of debt securities. The terms and conditions of the debt securities of a series may be different in one or more respects from the terms and conditions described below. If so, those differences will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will issue senior or subordinated debt, which we refer together as the debt securities, in one or more series under one of two separate indentures between us and one or more trustees that we will designate in a prospectus supplement. Senior debt will be issued under a senior note indenture and subordinated debt will be issued under a subordinated note indenture, forms of which are filed as exhibits hereto. The senior note indenture and the subordinate note indenture are sometimes referred to in this prospectus individually as an “indenture” and collectively as “indentures.” The following summary of provisions of the indentures does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures, including, but not limited to, definitions therein of certain terms. This summary may not contain all of the information that you may find useful. The terms and conditions of the debt securities of each series will be set forth in those debt securities and in the applicable indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement. For a comprehensive description of any series of debt securities being offered to you pursuant to this prospectus, you should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

The indentures have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. A form of each debt security, reflecting the specific terms and provisions of that series of debt securities, will be filed with the SEC in connection with each offering and will be incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You may obtain a copy of each indenture and any form of debt security that has been filed in the manner described under “Where To Find Additional Information.”

Capitalized terms used and not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the indentures. For purposes of this section of this prospectus, references to “we,” “us” and “our” are to CNB Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries and their predecessors. References to the “applicable prospectus supplement” are to the prospectus supplement to this prospectus that describes the specific terms and conditions of a series of debt securities.

General

We may offer the debt securities from time to time in as many distinct series as we may determine. Neither of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities that we may issue. We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, issue additional debt securities ranking equally with, and otherwise similar in all respects to, the debt securities of the series (except for the public offering price and the issue date) so that those additional debt securities will be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of the series previously offered and sold.

The debt securities of each series will be issued in fully registered form without interest coupons. We currently anticipate that the debt securities of each series offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus will be issued as global debt securities as described under “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities” and will trade in book-entry form only.

Debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities of a series are denominated in a foreign or composite currency, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the denomination or denominations in which those debt securities will be issued.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will repay the debt securities of each series at 100% of their principal amount, together with any premium and accrued and unpaid interest thereon at maturity, except if those debt securities have been previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled.

 

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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of each series will not be listed on any securities exchange.

Provisions of Indentures

Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. For each series of debt securities, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms and conditions of that series of debt securities:

 

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the title of the series;

 

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the maximum aggregate principal amount, if any, established for debt securities of the series, provided, however, that such amount may from time to time be increased by a board resolution;

 

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the price or prices at which the debt securities will be sold;

 

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whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt;

 

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the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series will be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security (or one or more predecessor debt securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest;

 

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the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of any debt securities of the series will be payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;

 

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the rate or rates at which any debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the interest payment dates on which any such interest will be payable and the regular record date, if any, for any such interest payable on any interest payment date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;

 

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the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable, the place or places where the debt securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, the place or places where notices and demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities of such series may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;

 

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the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to redeem the debt securities will be evidenced;

 

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our obligation or right, if any, to redeem or purchase any debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of the holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the terms and conditions upon which any debt securities of the series will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

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if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which any debt securities of the series will be issuable;

 

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if other than the trustee, the identity of each security registrar and/or paying agent;

 

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if the amount of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to a financial or economic measure or index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

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if other than U.S. dollars, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series will be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars for any purpose;

 

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if the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable, at our election or the election of the holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such debt securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities as to which such election is made will be payable, the periods within which or the dates on which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount will be determined);

 

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if the provisions of the indenture relating to satisfaction and discharge thereof shall apply to the debt securities of that series as set forth therein, or if provisions for the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture other than as set forth therein shall apply to the debt securities of that series;

 

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if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities of the series which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the indenture or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

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if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount will be determined);

 

•

if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by us to defease any debt securities of the series pursuant to the indenture will be evidenced; whether any debt securities of the series other than debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate are to be subject to the defeasance provisions of the indenture; or, in the case of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and bearing interest at a fixed rate, if applicable, that the debt securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to the indenture;

 

•

if applicable, that any debt securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such global securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such global security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in the indenture and any circumstances in which any such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of such global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of persons other than the depositary for such global security or a nominee thereof;

 

•

any addition to, deletion from or change in the events of default applicable to any debt securities of the series and any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable;

 

•

any addition to, deletion from or change in the covenants applicable to debt securities of the series;

 

•

the terms of any right to convert or exchange debt securities of such series into any other securities or property of ours or of any other corporation or person, and the additions or changes, if any, to the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;

 

•

whether the debt securities of the series will be guaranteed by any persons and, if so, the identity of such persons, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors;

 

•

whether the debt securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be secured and, if applicable, upon which such liens may be subordinated to other liens securing other indebtedness of us or of any guarantor;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities of such series;

 

•

the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities may be listed; and

 

•

any other terms of the debt securities of the series (which terms will not be inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture, except as permitted thereunder).

 

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Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of CNB Financial Corporation. The subordinated debt securities will rank subordinated and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated note indenture, to all Senior Debt, as defined herein, of CNB Financial Corporation. See “—Subordination” below.

Some of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will contain any United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to discounted debt securities.

Interest and Interest Rates

General

In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the debt securities of a series as being either debt securities bearing interest at a fixed rate of interest or debt securities bearing interest at a floating rate of interest. Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date on which it is originally issued. Interest on each such debt security will be payable in arrears on the interest payment dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and as otherwise described below and at maturity or, if earlier, the redemption date described below. Interest will be payable to the holder of record of the debt securities at the close of business on the record date for each interest payment date, which record dates will be specified in such prospectus supplement.

As used in the indentures, the term “business day” means, with respect to debt securities of a series, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close in the place where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities are payable.

If any interest payment date, redemption date, repayment date or stated maturity of a debt security, or any date on which a holder has the right to convert such debt security, falls on a date that is not a business day, then payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest, or the redemption price or conversion of such debt security, will be made on the next succeeding business day at such place of payment with the same force and effect as if made on the interest payment date, redemption date or repayment date, or at the stated maturity, or on such conversion date. In the case, however, of debt securities bearing interest at a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), if the interest payment date (other than the redemption date, repayment date or stated maturity) falls on a date that is not a business day and the following business day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then the interest payment date for such debt securities shall be the business day immediately preceding the scheduled interest payment date. No interest shall accrue for the period from and after any such interest payment date, redemption date, repayment date, stated maturity or conversion date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment.

Optional Redemption

Redemption at Our Option

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect to redeem all or part of the outstanding debt securities of a series from time to time before the maturity date of the debt securities of that series. Upon such election, we will notify the trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of debt securities of the series to be redeemed. If less than all the debt securities of the series are to be redeemed, the particular debt securities of that series to be redeemed will be selected by the trustee by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate. If we shall so direct, debt securities registered in our name or the name of any of our affiliates or subsidiaries shall not be included in the debt securities for redemption. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the redemption price for the debt securities to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such price), in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of those debt securities.

Notice of redemption will be given to each holder of the debt securities to be redeemed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the date set for such redemption (or within such period as otherwise specified as contemplated by the indenture for debt securities of a series). This notice will identify the debt securities to be redeemed and will include the following information: the redemption date; the redemption price (or the method of calculating such price); if less than all of the outstanding debt securities of such series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the respective principal amounts) of the particular debt securities to be redeemed; the place or places where such debt securities are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price; and, if applicable, the CUSIP number of the debt securities to be redeemed.

By no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date, we will deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee or with a paying agent (or, if we are acting as our own paying agent with respect to the debt securities being redeemed, we will segregate and hold in trust as provided in the indenture) an amount of money sufficient to pay the aggregate redemption price of, and

 

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(except if the redemption date shall be an interest payment date or the debt securities of such series provide otherwise) accrued interest on, all of the debt securities or the part thereof to be redeemed on that date. On the redemption date, the redemption price will become due and payable upon all of the debt securities to be redeemed, and interest, if any, on the debt securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue from and after that date. Upon surrender of any such debt securities for redemption, we will pay those debt securities surrendered at the redemption price together, if applicable, with accrued interest to the redemption date. If the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the applicable interest payment date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed securities registered on the relevant regular record date.

Any debt securities to be redeemed only in part must be surrendered at the office or agency established by us for such purpose, and we will execute, and the trustee will authenticate and deliver to a holder without service charge, new debt securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by that holder, in a principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the debt securities that holder surrenders.

Repayment at Holder’s Option

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of the debt securities of a series will have the option to elect repayment of those debt securities by us prior to the stated maturity of the debt securities of that series at time or times and subject to the conditions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the holders of those debt securities have that option, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify the optional repayment date or dates on which the debt security may be repaid and the optional repayment price, or the method by which such price will be determined. The optional repayment price is the price at which, together with accrued interest to the optional repayment date, the debt security may be repaid at the holder’s option on each such optional repayment date.

Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of the debt securities, any tender of a debt security by the holder for repayment will be irrevocable unless waived by us. Any repayment option of a holder may be exercised by the holder of debt securities for less than the entire principal amount of the debt security; provided that the principal amount of the debt security remaining outstanding after repayment will be an authorized denomination. Upon such partial repayment, the debt securities will be canceled and new debt securities for the remaining principal amount will be issued in the name of the holder of the repaid debt securities.

If debt securities are represented by a global security as described under “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities,” the securities depository for the global security or its nominee will be the holder of the debt security and, therefore, will be the only person that can exercise a right to repayment. In order to ensure that the depository or its nominee will timely exercise a right to repayment relating to a particular debt security, the beneficial owner of the debt security must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect participant in the depository through which it holds an interest in the debt security to notify the depository of its desire to exercise a right to repayment by the appropriate cut-off time for notifying the participant. Different firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from their customers. Accordingly, you should consult the broker or other direct or indirect participant through which you hold an interest in a debt security in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which such an instruction must be given for timely notice to be delivered to the appropriate depository.

Payment and Transfer or Exchange

Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of each series will be payable, and the debt securities may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency maintained by us for such purpose (which initially will be the trustee’s office). Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a global security registered in the name of or held by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global security. If any of the debt securities is no longer represented by a global security, payment of interest on certificated debt securities in definitive form may, at our option, be made by check mailed directly to holders at their registered addresses. See “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities.”

A holder may transfer or exchange any certificated debt securities in definitive form at the same location given in the preceding paragraph. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before mailing of a notice of redemption of the debt security to be redeemed.

The registered holder of a debt security will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

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All amounts of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities paid by us that remain unclaimed two years after such payment was due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of such debt securities will thereafter look solely to us for payment.

Covenants

The indentures set forth limited covenants that will apply to each series of debt securities issued under the indentures, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, these covenants do not, among other things:

 

•

limit the amount of indebtedness or lease obligations that may be incurred by us and our subsidiaries;

 

•

limit our ability or that of our subsidiaries to issue, assume or guarantee debt secured by liens; or

 

•

restrict us from paying dividends or making distributions on our capital stock or purchasing or redeeming our capital stock.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Each indenture provides that we may consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, and may sell, transfer, or lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets to another person; provided that the following conditions are satisfied:

 

•

we are the continuing entity, or the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the “Successor”) is a person (if such person is not a corporation, then the Successor will include a corporate co-issuer of the debt securities) organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor (if not us) will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture and, for each security that by its terms provides for conversion, provide for the right to convert such security in accordance with its terms;

 

•

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing; and

 

•

the trustee receives from us an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel that the transaction and such supplemental indenture, as the case may be, complies with the applicable provisions of the indenture.

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other person or sell, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets in accordance with the indenture, the Successor will be substituted for us in the indenture, with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture. As a result, the Successor may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture, and we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities.

Any substitution of the Successor for us might be deemed for federal income tax purposes to be an exchange of the debt securities for “new” debt securities, resulting in recognition of gain or loss for such purposes and possibly certain other adverse tax consequences to beneficial owners of the debt securities. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of any such substitution.

For purposes of this covenant, “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Subordination

Any subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated note indenture will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Debt (including all debt securities issued under the senior note indenture) whether existing at the date of the subordinated note indenture or subsequently incurred. Upon any payment or distribution of our assets to creditors upon any:

 

•

liquidation;

 

•

dissolution;

 

•

winding-up;

 

•

receivership;

 

•

reorganization;

 

23

•

assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

•

marshaling of assets and liabilities;

 

•

bankruptcy;

 

•

insolvency; or

 

•

debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding,

the holders of Senior Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Senior Debt before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

Upon the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon, including any amounts due upon acceleration, before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

No payments on account of principal, or any premium or interest, in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be made if:

 

•

there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt; or

 

•

there has occurred and is continuing an event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the acceleration of, or permitting the holder or holders thereof to accelerate, the maturity thereof.

“Senior Debt” means the principal of, premium, if any and interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to us, whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on our Debt, whether incurred on, before or after the date of the subordinated note indenture, unless the instrument creating or evidencing the Debt or under which the Debt is outstanding provides that obligations created by it are not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

“Debt” means, with respect to any person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of that person and whether or not contingent:

 

•

every obligation of that person for money borrowed;

 

•

every obligation of that person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;

 

•

every reimbursement obligation of that person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of that person;

 

•

every obligation of that person incurred in connection with the acquisition of property or services, but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

•

every capital lease obligation of that person; and

 

•

every obligation of the type referred to above of another person and all dividends of another person the payment of which, in either case, such person has guaranteed or for which such person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.

The indentures will place no limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt that we may incur.

Events of Default

Each of the following events are defined in the indentures as an “event of default” (whatever the reason for such event of default and whether or not it will be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) with respect to the debt securities of any series:

 

24

(1)

default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt securities of such series for 30 days after becoming due;

 

(2)

default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration or otherwise;

 

(3)

default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of ours in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in the performance of which or a breach of which is elsewhere in the indenture specifically dealt with or that has expressly been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than such series), which continues for a period of 90 days after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series;

 

(4)

we pursuant to or within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Law:

 

•

commence a voluntary case or proceeding;

 

•

consent to the entry of an order for relief against us in an involuntary case or proceeding;

 

•

consent to the appointment of a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property;

 

•

make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;

 

•

file a petition in bankruptcy or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief;

 

•

consent to the filing of such petition or the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian; or

 

•

take any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

 

(5)

a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

•

is for relief against us in an involuntary case, or adjudicates us insolvent or bankrupt;

 

•

appoints a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property; or

 

•

orders the winding-up or liquidation of us (or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

 

(6)

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of such series occurs.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code or any similar federal or state or foreign law for the relief of debtors. “Custodian” means any custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series (other than an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us) occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series by notice to us and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of these holders will, declare the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us occurs and is continuing, the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the debt securities of such series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind a declaration of acceleration and its consequences, if we have deposited certain sums with the trustee and all events of default with respect to the debt securities of such series, other than the non-payment of the principal or interest which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived, as provided in the indentures.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture.

We are required to furnish the trustee annually within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year a statement by one of our officers to the effect that, to the best knowledge of such officer, we are not in default in the fulfillment of any of our obligations under the indenture or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default and the nature and status thereof.

 

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No holder of any debt securities of any series will have any right to institute any judicial or other proceeding with respect to the applicable indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy unless:

 

(1)

an event of default has occurred and is continuing and such holder has given the trustee prior written notice of such continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series;

 

(2)

the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series have requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default;

 

(3)

the trustee has been offered indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against its costs, expenses and liabilities in complying with such request;

 

(4)

the trustee has failed to institute proceedings 60 days after the receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

 

(5)

no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given for 60 days by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series or exercising any trust or power conferred to the trustee, and to waive certain defaults. The indentures provide that if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such of its rights and powers under the respective indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities of a series unless they will have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Modification and Waivers

Modification and amendments of the indentures and the debt securities of any series may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series affected thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that series affected thereby:

 

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or installment of interest on, any debt security;

 

•

reduce the principal amount of any debt security or reduce the amount of the principal of any debt security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or reduce the rate of interest on any debt security;

 

•

reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security or change the date on which any debt security may or must be redeemed;

 

•

change the coin or currency in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security is payable;

 

•

impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity of any debt security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date);

 

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required in order to take certain actions;

 

•

reduce the requirements for quorum or voting by holders of debt securities in the indenture or the debt security;

 

26

•

modify any of the provisions in the indenture regarding the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants by the holders of debt securities except to increase any percentage vote required or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby;

 

•

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any debt security or decreases the conversion or exchange rate or increases the conversion price of any convertible or exchangeable debt security, unless such decrease or increase is permitted by the terms of the debt securities; or

 

•

modify any of the above provisions.

We and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, modify or amend the terms of the indentures and the debt securities of any series with respect to the following:

 

•

to add to our covenants for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us;

 

•

to evidence the succession of another person to, and the assumption by the successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under, the indenture pursuant to the covenant described under “—Covenants—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

•

to add any additional events of default for the benefit of holders of the debt securities of all or any series;

 

•

to add one or more guarantees for the benefit of holders of the debt securities;

 

•

to secure the debt securities pursuant to the covenants of the indentures;

 

•

to add or appoint a successor or separate trustee or other agent;

 

•

to provide for the issuance of additional debt securities of any series;

 

•

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indentures;

 

•

to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository;

 

•

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

•

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indentures in respect of one or more series of debt securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (a) shall neither (1) apply to any debt security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (2) modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (b) shall become effective only when there is no debt security described in clause (a)(1) outstanding;

 

•

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

•

to change any other provision; provided that the change does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect;

 

•

to supplement any of the provisions of the indentures to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities pursuant to the indentures; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of such series or any other series of debt securities in any material respect;

 

•

to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the debt securities may be listed or traded; and

 

•

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indentures as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, provided that such action does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities in any material respect.

The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indentures.

 

27

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under the indentures with respect to the debt securities of that series, except a default (1) in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on debt securities of that series or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indentures that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security of that series. Upon any such waiver, such default will cease to exist, and any event of default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the indentures; however, no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any rights consequent thereon.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We may discharge certain obligations to holders of the debt securities of a series that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by depositing with the trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness including, but not limited to, the principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (if the debt securities have become due and payable) or to the maturity thereof or the redemption date of the debt securities of that series, as the case may be. We may direct the trustee to invest such funds in U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity of one year or less or in a money market fund that invests solely in short-term U.S. Treasury securities.

The indentures provide that we may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of a series (except for, among other things, obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency with respect to the debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust) (“legal defeasance”) or (2) to be released from our obligations to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of a series and clauses (3) and (6) under “—Events of Default” will no longer be applied (“covenant defeasance”). Legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will be conditioned upon, among other things, the irrevocable deposit by us with the trustee, in trust, of an amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, applicable to the debt securities of that series which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal or premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities on the scheduled due dates therefor.

If we effect covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of any series, the amount in U.S. dollars, or U.S. government obligations, or both, on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. However, we would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.

We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance will not cause the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of that series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will trade in the same-day funds settlement system of DTC until maturity or until we issue the debt securities in certificated form. DTC will therefore require secondary market trading activity in the debt securities to settle in immediately available funds. We can give no assurance as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the debt securities.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities, in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons, each of which we refer to as a “global security.” Each such global security will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC in New York, New York for the accounts of participants in DTC.

Investors may hold their interests in a global security directly through DTC if they are DTC participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants. Except in the limited circumstances described below, holders of debt securities represented by interests in a global security will not be entitled to receive their debt securities in fully registered certificated form.

 

28

DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with DTC (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.

Ownership of Beneficial Interests

Upon the issuance of each global security, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial interests represented by the global security to the accounts of participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to participants’ interests) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global security other than participants).

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered holder and owner of a global security, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner of the debt security represented by the global security for all purposes under the indentures, the debt securities and applicable law. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to receive certificated debt securities and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any debt securities represented by the global security. We understand that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any actions that DTC, as the holder of the global security, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take such action, and that participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. No beneficial owner of an interest in a global security will be able to transfer such interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indentures. Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn act on behalf of others, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a global security to pledge that interest to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of that interest, may be impaired by the lack of a physical certificate representing that interest.

All payments on the debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global security.

We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of a global security, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices as is now the case with securities held for accounts for customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. These payments, however, will be the responsibility of such participants and indirect participants, and neither we, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in any global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global security.

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for certificated debt securities, each global security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC. Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.

We expect that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of debt securities only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in a global security are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the debt securities, DTC will exchange each global security for certificated debt securities, which it will distribute to its participants.

Although we expect that DTC will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in each global security among participants of DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of we, the underwriters or the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

 

29

The indentures provide that the global securities will be exchanged for debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and of an equal principal amount, in authorized denominations in the following limited circumstances:

 

(1)

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or if DTC ceases to be eligible under the indentures and we do not appoint a successor depository within 90 days;

 

(2)

we determine that the debt securities will no longer be represented by global securities and execute and deliver to the trustee an order to such effect; or

 

(3)

an event of default with respect to the debt securities will have occurred and be continuing.

These certificated debt securities will be registered in such name or names as DTC will instruct the trustee. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in global securities.

The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for this information.

Euroclear and Clearstream

If the depositary for a global security is DTC, you may hold interests in the global security through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, which we refer to as “Clearstream,” or Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as “Euroclear,” in each case, as a participant in DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests, in each case, on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in the names of Euroclear and Clearstream on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities in the depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.

Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities made through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have no control over those systems or their participants, and we take no responsibility for their activities. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, would also be subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.

Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the debt securities through these systems and wish on a particular day, to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream may need to make special arrangements to finance any purchase or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those transactions may settle later than transactions within one clearing system.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Regarding the Trustees

We will designate the trustee under the senior and subordinated indentures in a prospectus supplement.

There may be more than one trustee under each indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. Any trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series.

 

30

If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indentures separate from the trust administered by any other such trustee. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus, any action to be taken by the trustee may be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the indentures.

The trustee is permitted to engage in transactions, including commercial banking and other transactions, with us and our subsidiaries from time to time; provided that if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of an event of default, or else resign.

 

31

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

•

directly to investors, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process;

 

•

to investors through agents;

 

•

directly to agents;

 

•

to or through brokers or dealers;

 

•

to the public through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters;

 

•

to one or more underwriters acting alone for resale to investors or to the public; or

 

•

through a combination of any such methods of sale.

We may also sell the securities offered by this prospectus in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise.

The prospectus supplement related to a particular offering will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

 

•

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

•

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale;

 

•

any over-allotment options under which the underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

•

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

•

any public offering price;

 

•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; or

 

•

any securities exchange or market on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed.

Only those underwriters identified in such prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities offered in the prospectus supplement. Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at prices determined as the applicable prospectus supplement specifies. The securities may be sold through a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from securities purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement information regarding any underwriting discounts or other compensation that we pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the securities offering, and any discounts, concessions or commissions which underwriters allow to dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the securities distribution may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions they receive and any profit they realize on the sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Shares of our common stock are listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any offered securities.

In connection with an offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in an offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities while an offering is in progress. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased securities sold by or for the account of

 

32

that underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering transactions. These activities by the underwriters may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of the securities may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. Underwriters may engage in over-allotment. If any underwriters create a short position in the securities in an offering in which they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing the securities in the open market.

Underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the offer of securities, or their affiliates or associates, may be customers of, have engaged or engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they may have received or receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

 

33

LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of securities in the future, the validity of any securities offered by this prospectus from time to time will be passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CNB Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, have been audited by Crowe LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated into this prospectus and into the registration statement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, in reliance upon their report and given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

34

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth an estimate (except in the case of the registration fee) of the costs and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All costs and expenses set forth below shall be borne by us.

 

Item		Amount
SEC registration fee		$	12,315
Legal fees and expenses			*
Accounting fees and expenses			*
Printing fees			*
Miscellaneous			*
Total		$	*

*These fees depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

Sections 1741 through 1743 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (the “BCL”), provide that a business corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such capacities provided certain standards are met, including good faith and the belief that the particular action is in the best interests of the corporation. In general, this power to indemnify does not exist in the case of actions against a director or officer by or in the right of the corporation if the person entitled to indemnification shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent a court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification. A corporation is required to indemnify directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such actions. Section 1746 of the BCL provides that the foregoing provisions shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification may be entitled under, among other things, any bylaw provision, provided that no indemnification may be made in any case where the act or failure or act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Section 1747 of the BCL authorizes a corporation to purchase insurance for directors and other representatives. The foregoing statement is subject to the detailed provisions of Sections 1741 through 1750 of the BCL.

As permitted by the BCL, the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of the registrant provide that the registrant shall, subject to certain authorizations and determinations, indemnify its directors and officers, including the advancement of expenses. The Bylaws contain the procedures pursuant to which such indemnification and advancement of expenses may be authorized and effectuated, including receipt of certain undertakings by the director or officer as a condition precedent to the advancement of expenses. The Bylaws provide, among other things, that indemnification shall not be made where the indemnification is expressly prohibited by law or where a final adjudication establishes that the director’s or officer’s conduct constitutes willful misconduct or recklessness or was based upon or attributable to the receipt from the registrant of a personal benefit to which the director or officer was not legally entitled.

As permitted by the BCL, the registrant maintains directors and officers liability insurance in amounts and on terms which the registrant’s board of directors deems reasonable. In the ordinary course of business, the registrant’s board of directors regularly reviews the scope and adequacy of such insurance coverage.

Any underwriting agreement that we might enter into will provide for indemnification by any underwriters of us, our directors, our officers who sign the registration statement and our controlling persons for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number		Description
* 1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement for Common Stock.
* 1.2		Form of Underwriting Agreement for Preferred Stock.

* 1.3		Form of Underwriting Agreement for Senior Debt Securities.
* 1.4		Form of Underwriting Agreement for Subordinated Debt Securities.
3.1		Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CNB Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2019).
3.2		Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of CNB Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2019).
* 3.3		Form of Certificate of Designations
* 4.1		Form of Common Stock Certificate.
* 4.2		Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.
** 4.3		Form of Senior Debt Indenture.
** 4.4		Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture.
* 4.5		Form of Senior Debt Security.
* 4.6		Form of Subordinated Debt Security.
* 4.7		Form of Deposit Agreement for Depositary Shares
* 4.8		Form of Depositary Receipt
5.1		Opinion of Hogan Lovells US LLP.
23.1		Consent of Hogan Lovells US LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2		Consent of Crowe LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, to CNB Financial Corporation.
**24.1		Power of Attorney.
* 25.1		Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for Senior Debt Securities.
* 25.2		Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 for Subordinated Debt Securities.

 

*	To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of specific securities.

**	Previously filed.

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

(a)	The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(d)	The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1)

For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)

For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(e)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Clearfield, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on this 18th day of June, 2020.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons, in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Joseph B. Bower, Jr.		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)		June 18, 2020
Joseph B. Bower, Jr.
/s/ Richard L. Greslick, Jr.		Secretary and Director		June 18, 2020
Richard L. Greslick, Jr.
/s/ Tito L. Lima		Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)		June 18, 2020
Tito L. Lima
*		Chairman of the Board of Directors		June 18, 2020
Peter F. Smith
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Robert W. Montler
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Joel E. Peterson
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Deborah Dick Pontzer
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Jeffrey S. Powell
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Nicholas N. Scott
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Richard B. Seager
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Francis X. Straub, III
*		Director		June 18, 2020
Peter C. Varischetti

*		Director		June 18, 2020
Julie M. Young

 

By:		/s/ Joseph B. Bower, Jr.
		Joseph B. Bower, Jr. Attorney-in-Fact

Exhibit 5.1

 

		Hogan Lovells US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hoganlovells.com

June 18, 2020

Board of Directors

CNB Financial Corporation

1 South Second Street

P.O. Box 42

Clearfield, Pennsylvania 16830

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to CNB Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Corporation”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the proposed public offering of up to $150,000,000 in aggregate amount of one or more series of the following securities of the Corporation: (i) shares of common stock, no par value per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, no par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) Preferred Stock represented by depositary receipts (the “Depositary Shares”); and (iv) unsecured debt securities, consisting of senior debt securities (the “Senior Debt Securities”) and/or subordinated debt securities (the “Subordinated Debt Securities” and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the “Debt Securities” and, together with the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock and the Depositary Shares, the “Securities”), all of which may be sold from time to time and on a delayed or continuous basis, as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including pdfs). As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that: (i) the issuance, sale, amount and terms of any Securities of the Corporation to be offered from time to time will have been duly authorized and established by proper action of the board of directors of the Corporation or a duly authorized committee of such board (“Board Action”) consistent with the procedures and terms described in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the Corporation’s charter and bylaws and applicable Pennsylvania corporate law, in a manner that does not violate any law, government or court-imposed order or restriction or agreement or instrument then binding on the Corporation or otherwise impair the legal or binding nature of the obligations represented by the applicable Securities; (ii) at the time of offer, issuance and sale of any Securities, the Registration Statement will have been declared effective under

 

Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the District of Columbia. “Hogan Lovells” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP, with offices in: Alicante Amsterdam Baltimore Beijing Birmingham Boston Brussels Colorado Springs Denver Dubai Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston Johannesburg London Los Angeles Luxembourg Madrid Mexico City Miami Milan Minneapolis Monterrey Moscow Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris Perth Philadelphia Rio de Janeiro Rome San Francisco São Paulo Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Sydney Tokyo Warsaw Washington DC Associated offices: Budapest Jakarta Shanghai FTZ Ulaanbaatar Zagreb. Business Service Centers: Johannesburg Louisville. For more information see www.hoganlovells.com

CNB Financial Corporation		June 18, 2020

 

the Act, and no stop order suspending its effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect; (iii) prior to any issuance of Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, a statement with respect to shares relating to such Preferred Stock shall be filed and accepted for record by the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; (iv) any Depositary Shares will be issued under one or more deposit agreements by the financial institution identified therein as a depositary, each deposit agreement to be between the Company and the institution identified therein as a depositary; (v) any Senior Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to a “senior indenture” and any Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to a “subordinated indenture,” substantially in the forms of such indentures filed as Exhibits 4.3 and 4.4, respectively, to the Registration Statement, with items shown in such exhibits as subject to completion completed in a satisfactory manner; (vi) the indenture under which any Debt Securities are issued will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (vii) if being sold by the issuer thereof, the Securities will be delivered against payment of valid consideration therefor and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Board Action authorizing such sale and any applicable underwriting agreement or purchase agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable prospectus supplement; and (viii) the Corporation will remain a Pennsylvania corporation.

To the extent that the obligations of the Corporation with respect to the Securities may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the other party under the deposit agreement for any Depositary Shares and the indenture for any Debt Securities, namely, the depositary or the trustee, respectively, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such other party is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such deposit agreement or indenture, as applicable; that such deposit agreement or indenture, as applicable, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other party enforceable against the other party in accordance with its terms; that such other party is in compliance with respect to performance of its obligations under such deposit agreement or indenture, as applicable, with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; and that such other party has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such depositary agreement or indenture, as applicable.

This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of the following, as currently in effect: (i) the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, and (ii) as to the opinions given in paragraphs (c) and (d), the laws of the State of New York (but not including any laws, statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision below the state level). We express no opinion herein as to any other statutes, rules or regulations (and in particular, we express no opinion as to any effect that such other statutes, rules or regulations may have on the opinions expressed herein).

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

(a)    The Common Stock (including any Common Stock duly issued upon the exchange or conversion of Debt Securities or shares of Preferred Stock that are exchangeable for or convertible into Common Stock and receipt by the Corporation of any additional consideration payable upon such conversion or exchange), upon due execution and delivery on behalf of the Corporation of certificates therefor, including global certificates, or the entry of the issuance thereof in the books and records of the Corporation, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(b)    The Preferred Stock (including any Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares), upon due execution and delivery on behalf of the Corporation of certificates therefor, including global certificates, or the entry of the issuance thereof in the books and records of the Corporation, as the case may be, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(c)    The depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, upon due countersignature thereof and issuance against a deposit of duly authorized and validly issued Preferred Stock in accordance with the deposit agreement relating thereto, will be validly issued and entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such depositary receipts and deposit agreement.

(d)    The Debt Securities, upon due execution and delivery of an indenture relating thereto on behalf of the Corporation and the trustee named therein, and upon authentication by such trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of the Corporation in accordance with the indenture and any supplemental indenture relating thereto, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Corporation.

 

2

CNB Financial Corporation		June 18, 2020

 

The opinions expressed in paragraphs (c) and (d) above with respect to the valid and binding nature of obligations may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers) and by the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity, good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the Securities are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Act.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Hogan Lovells US LLP

HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP

 

3

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 of CNB Financial Corporation of our report dated March 5, 2020, relating to the consolidated financial statements and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CNB Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2019, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

Cleveland

June 18, 2020