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Stephen D. Steinour Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Huntington Bancshares Incorporated | James D. “Dan” Rollins III Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Cadence Bank | ||

• | Proposal to approve the issuance of Huntington common stock pursuant to the merger agreement (the “Huntington share issuance proposal”). |
• | Proposal to adjourn the Huntington special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if, immediately prior to such adjournment, there are not sufficient votes to approve the Huntington share issuance proposal or to ensure that any supplement or amendment to the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus is timely provided to holders of Huntington common stock (the “Huntington adjournment proposal”). |
By Order of the Board of Directors | |||
![]() Marcy C. Hingst | |||
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |||
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated | |||

• | Proposal to approve the merger agreement (the “Cadence merger proposal”). |
• | Proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Cadence’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (the “Cadence compensation proposal”). |
• | Proposal to adjourn the Cadence special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if, immediately prior to such adjournment, there are not sufficient votes to approve the Cadence merger proposal or to ensure that any supplement or amendment to the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus is timely provided to holders of Cadence common stock (the “Cadence adjournment proposal”). |
By Order of the Board of Directors | |||
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James D. “Dan” Rollins III Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Cadence Bank | |||
• | “Huntington” refers to Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, a Maryland corporation; |
• | “Huntington common stock” refers to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Huntington; |
• | “Huntington National Bank” refers to The Huntington National Bank, a national bank and a wholly owned subsidiary of Huntington; |
• | “Huntington Parties” refers to Huntington and Huntington National Bank, collectively; |
• | “Huntington preferred stock” refers to Huntington’s serial preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, which has the following designations: (i) floating rate series B non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Huntington series B preferred stock”), (ii) 5.625% series F non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Huntington series F preferred stock”), (iii) 4.450% series G non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Huntington series G preferred stock”), (iv) 4.500% series H non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Huntington series H preferred stock”), (v) 5.70% series I non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Huntington series I preferred stock”), (vi) 6.875% series J non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Huntington series J preferred stock”), and (vii) 6.250% series K non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Huntington series K preferred stock”); |
• | “Huntington depositary shares” refers to the depositary shares each representing a 1/40th interest (or a 1/1000th interest, in the case of Huntington series H preferred stock, Huntington series I preferred stock, Huntington series J preferred stock and Huntington series K preferred stock) in a share of Huntington preferred stock; |
• | “New Huntington preferred stock” refers to the 5.50% Series [L] non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Huntington; |
• | “New Huntington depositary shares” refers to the depositary shares representing a 1/1000th interest in a share of new Huntington preferred stock; |
• | “Cadence” refers to Cadence Bank, a Mississippi state-chartered bank; |
• | “Cadence common stock” refers to the common stock, par value $2.50 per share, of Cadence; and |
• | “Cadence series A preferred stock” or “Cadence preferred stock” refers to the 5.50% Series A non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Cadence; |
Q: | Why am I receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus? |
A: | You are receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus because Huntington and Cadence have agreed to a merger of Cadence with and into Huntington National Bank (the “merger”), with Huntington National Bank as the surviving bank (the “surviving bank”). Following the merger of Huntington National Bank and Cadence, Huntington National Bank will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huntington. A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 26, 2025, by and between Huntington, Huntington National Bank and Cadence (as amended from time to time, the “merger agreement”) is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference herein. |
• | holders of Huntington common stock must approve the issuance of Huntington common stock pursuant to the merger agreement (the “Huntington share issuance proposal”); and |
• | holders of Cadence common stock must approve the merger agreement (the “Cadence merger proposal”). |
Q: | What will happen in the merger? |
A: | In the merger, Cadence will merge with and into Huntington National Bank. Each share of Cadence common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (the “effective time”) (other than certain shares held by Huntington or Cadence) will be converted into the right to receive 2.475 shares (the “exchange ratio” and such shares, the “merger consideration”) of Huntington common stock. After completion of the merger, Cadence will cease to exist, will no longer be a public company, and Cadence common stock and Cadence series A preferred stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), will be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and will cease to be publicly traded. Holders of Huntington common stock and holders of Huntington preferred stock will continue to own their existing shares of Huntington common stock and Huntington preferred stock. See the information provided in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Structure of the Merger” beginning on page 101 and the merger agreement for more information about the merger. |
Q: | When and where will each of the special meetings take place? |
A: | The Huntington special meeting will be held virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HBAN2026SM on January 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. The Cadence special meeting will be held virtually at www.meetnow.global/MDSTX6J on January 6, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time. |
Q: | What matters will be considered at each of the special meetings? |
A: | At the Huntington special meeting, holders of Huntington common stock will be asked to consider and vote on the following proposals: |
• | Huntington Proposal 1: The Huntington share issuance proposal. Approval of the issuance of Huntington common stock pursuant to the merger agreement; and |
• | Huntington Proposal 2: The Huntington adjournment proposal. Approval of the adjournment of the Huntington special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if, immediately prior to such adjournment, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Huntington special meeting to approve the Huntington share issuance proposal or to ensure that any supplement or amendment to this joint proxy statement/prospectus is timely provided to holders of Huntington common stock. |
• | Cadence Proposal 1: The Cadence merger proposal. Approval of the merger agreement; |
• | Cadence Proposal 2: The Cadence compensation proposal. Approval of, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Cadence’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and |
• | Cadence Proposal 3: The Cadence adjournment proposal. Approval of the adjournment of the Cadence special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if, immediately prior to such adjournment, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Cadence special meeting to approve the Cadence merger proposal or to ensure that any supplement or amendment to this joint proxy statement/prospectus is timely provided to holders of Cadence common stock. |
Q: | What will holders of Cadence common stock receive in the merger? |
A: | In the merger, holders of Cadence common stock will receive 2.475 shares of Huntington common stock for each share of Cadence common stock held immediately prior to the completion of the merger (other than certain shares held by Huntington or Cadence). Huntington will not issue any fractional shares of Huntington common stock in the merger. Holders of Cadence common stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of Huntington common stock in the merger will instead receive an amount in cash (rounded to the nearest cent) determined by multiplying the average of the closing sale prices per share of Huntington common stock on the NASDAQ as reported by The Wall Street Journal for the five (5) consecutive full trading days ending on the day preceding the day on which the closing of the merger is completed (the “Huntington share closing price”) by the fraction of a share (rounded to the nearest thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of Huntington common stock that such shareholder would otherwise be entitled to receive. |
Q: | What will holders of Cadence series A preferred stock receive in the merger? |
A: | In the merger, each share of Cadence series A preferred stock will be converted into the right to receive one (1) depositary share representing one one-thousandth (1/1000th) of a share of new Huntington preferred stock. Cadence series A preferred stock is currently listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CADE-PrA.” The new Huntington depositary shares representing the new Huntington preferred stock are expected to be listed on the NASDAQ upon completion of the merger. See the information provided in the section entitled “Description of New Huntington Preferred Stock” beginning on page 138 for more information. |
Q: | What will holders of Huntington common stock receive in the merger? |
A: | In the merger, holders of Huntington common stock will not receive any consideration, and their shares of Huntington common stock will remain outstanding. Following the merger, shares of Huntington common stock will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ. |
Q: | Will the value of the merger consideration change between the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the time the merger is completed? |
A: | Yes. Although the number of shares of Huntington common stock that holders of Cadence common stock will receive is fixed, the value of the merger consideration will fluctuate between the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the completion of the merger based upon the market value for Huntington common stock. Any fluctuation in the market price of Huntington common stock after the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus will change the value of the shares of Huntington common stock that holders of Cadence common stock will receive. Neither Huntington nor Cadence is permitted to terminate the merger agreement as a result, in and of itself, of any increase or decrease in the market price of Huntington common stock or Cadence common stock. |
Q: | How will the merger affect Cadence equity awards? |
A: | At the effective time: |
• | the portion of each award in respect of a share of Cadence common stock subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction granted under a Cadence stock plan that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (a “Cadence restricted stock award”) that was granted in September 2020 with a May 2027 vesting date and that pursuant to its existing terms would vest automatically at the effective time, if any, will fully vest and be converted automatically into the right to receive (without interest and less applicable taxes) the merger consideration in respect of each share of Cadence common stock subject to such portion of the Cadence restricted stock award immediately prior to the effective time; |
• | each other Cadence restricted stock award, or portion thereof, will be assumed and converted into a restricted stock award of shares of Huntington common stock subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction with the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Cadence restricted stock award immediately prior to the effective time (including vesting terms), and relating to the |
• | each restricted stock unit award in respect of shares of Cadence common stock granted under a Cadence stock plan that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (a “Cadence restricted stock unit award”) that is held by a non-employee member of the Cadence board of directors will fully vest and be converted automatically into the right to receive (i) a number of shares of Huntington common stock equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Cadence common stock subject to such Cadence restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time, multiplied by (B) the exchange ratio, with any fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share of Huntington common stock and (ii) an amount in cash equal to the dividend equivalent payments with respect to such Cadence restricted stock unit award that are accrued but unpaid as of the effective time; and |
• | each other Cadence restricted stock unit award will be assumed and converted into a restricted stock unit award (with any performance goals deemed satisfied at the greater of the target and actual level of performance through the latest practicable date prior to the effective time (provided that, with respect to any award that is subject to a relative total shareholder return (“rTSR”) modifier and has a performance period ending after December 31, 2025, the rTSR modifier will be determined based on performance measured as of October 21, 2025)) in respect of Huntington common stock (an “adjusted restricted stock unit award”) with the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Cadence restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time (including vesting terms) and relating to the number of shares of Huntington common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Cadence common stock subject to such Cadence restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time, multiplied by (ii) the exchange ratio, with any fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share of Huntington common stock; provided that each such adjusted restricted stock unit award will be subject to service-based vesting only and will no longer be subject to any performance conditions, and any accrued but unpaid dividend equivalent payments with respect to any Cadence restricted stock unit award will carry over to the adjusted restricted stock unit award. |
Q: | What if I own Cadence series A preferred stock? |
A: | If you are a holder of Cadence series A preferred stock, no action is required of you. You are not entitled to, and are not requested to, vote on the Cadence merger proposal, the Cadence compensation proposal or the Cadence adjournment proposal or to exercise appraisal or dissenters’ rights. |
Q: | How does the Huntington board of directors recommend that I vote at the Huntington special meeting? |
A: | The Huntington board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the Huntington share issuance proposal and “FOR” the Huntington adjournment proposal. |
Q: | How does the Cadence board of directors recommend that I vote at the Cadence special meeting? |
A: | The Cadence board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the Cadence merger proposal, “FOR” the Cadence compensation proposal and “FOR” the Cadence adjournment proposal. |
Q: | Who is entitled to vote at the Huntington special meeting? |
A: | The record date for the Huntington special meeting is the close of business on November 28, 2025. All holders of Huntington common stock who held shares at the close of business on the record date for the Huntington special meeting are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Huntington special meeting. |
Q: | Who is entitled to vote at the Cadence special meeting? |
A: | The record date for the Cadence special meeting is November 28, 2025. All holders of Cadence common stock who held shares at the close of business on the record date for the Cadence special meeting are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Cadence special meeting. |
Q: | What constitutes a quorum for the Huntington special meeting? |
A: | The presence virtually via the Huntington special meeting website or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting constitutes a quorum. Abstentions will be included in determining the number of shares present at the meeting for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. |
Q: | What constitutes a quorum for the Cadence special meeting? |
A: | Holders of a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Cadence common stock on the record date and entitled to vote at the Cadence special meeting must be present, either in attendance virtually via the Cadence special meeting website or by proxy, to constitute a quorum at the Cadence special meeting. If you fail to submit a proxy prior to the special meeting or to vote at the Cadence special meeting via the Cadence special meeting website, your shares of Cadence common stock will not be counted towards a quorum. Abstentions will be included in determining the number of shares present at the Cadence special meeting for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. |
Q: | If my shares of common stock are held in “street name” by my bank, broker, trustee or other nominee, will my bank, broker, trustee or other nominee vote my shares for me? |
A: | If you hold your shares in a stock brokerage account or if your shares are held by a bank, broker, trustee or other nominee (that is, in “street name”), please follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee. If you hold shares of Huntington common stock in “street name” and your voting instruction form indicates that you may vote those shares through the www.proxyvote.com website, then you may access, participate in, and vote at the Huntington special meeting with the 16-digit control number indicated on the voting instruction form. Otherwise, Huntington shareholders who hold their shares in “street name” should contact their bank, broker, or other nominee (preferably at least five (5) days before the Huntington special meeting) and obtain a “legal proxy” to attend, participate in or vote at the Huntington special meeting. With respect to the Cadence special meeting, please note that you may not vote shares of Cadence common stock held in “street name” by returning a proxy card directly to Cadence for |
Q: | What vote is required for the approval of each proposal at the Huntington special meeting? |
A: | Huntington Proposal 1: Huntington share issuance proposal. Approval of the Huntington share issuance proposal requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Huntington common stock at the Huntington special meeting. Accordingly, an abstention or a broker non-vote or other failure to vote or be present virtually or by proxy will have no effect on the outcome of the Huntington share issuance proposal. |
Q: | What vote is required for the approval of each proposal at the Cadence special meeting? |
A: | Cadence Proposal 1: The Cadence merger proposal. Approval of the Cadence merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Cadence common stock entitled to vote via the Cadence special meeting website or represented by proxy at the Cadence special meeting. |
Q: | Why am I being asked to consider and vote on the Cadence compensation proposal? |
A: | Under the applicable Federal Reserve and SEC rules, Cadence is required to seek a non-binding, advisory vote with respect to the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Cadence’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger, or “golden parachute” compensation. |
Q: | What happens if holders of Cadence common stock do not approve, by non-binding, advisory vote, the Cadence compensation proposal? |
A: | The vote on the proposal to approve the merger-related compensation arrangements for Cadence’s named executive officers is separate and apart from the votes to approve the other proposals being presented at the Cadence special meetings. Because the vote on the proposal to approve the merger-related executive compensation is advisory in nature only, it will not be binding upon Cadence or the combined company in the merger. Accordingly, the merger-related compensation will be paid to Cadence’s named executive officers to the extent payable in accordance with the terms of their compensation agreements and other contractual arrangements even if the holders of Cadence common stock do not approve the proposal to approve the merger-related executive compensation. |
Q: | What if I hold shares in both Huntington and Cadence? |
A: | If you hold shares of both Huntington common stock and Cadence common stock, you will receive separate packages of proxy materials for each. A vote cast as a holder of Huntington common stock will not count as |
Q: | How can I vote my shares while in attendance at my respective virtual special meeting? |
A: | Record Holders. Shares held directly in your name as the holder of record of Huntington common stock or Cadence common stock may be voted at the Huntington special meeting or the Cadence special meeting, as applicable. If you choose to vote your shares virtually at the respective special meeting via the applicable special meeting website, you will need the control number found on your proxy card. |
Q: | How can I vote my shares without attending my respective virtual special meeting? |
A: | Whether you hold your shares directly as the holder of record of Huntington common stock or Cadence common stock or beneficially in “street name,” you may direct your vote by proxy without virtually attending the Huntington special meeting or the Cadence special meeting, as applicable. |
Q: | What do I need to do now? |
A: | After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please vote as soon as possible. If you hold shares of Huntington common stock or Cadence common stock, please respond by completing, signing and dating the accompanying proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, or by submitting your proxy by telephone or through the Internet, as soon |
Q: | Why is my vote important? |
A: | If you do not vote, it will be more difficult for Huntington or Cadence to obtain the necessary quorum to hold its special meeting. In addition, your failure to submit a proxy or vote at the Cadence virtual special meeting, or failure to instruct your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee how to vote, will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Cadence merger proposal, and an abstention will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Cadence merger proposal. |
Q: | Can I revoke my proxy or change my vote? |
A: | Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is exercised at your meeting. You can do this by: |
• | submitting a written statement that you would like to revoke your proxy to the corporate secretary of Huntington or Cadence, as applicable; |
• | signing and returning a proxy card with a later date; |
• | attending virtually and voting at the Huntington special meeting via the Huntington special meeting website or attending virtually and voting at the Cadence special meeting via the Cadence special meeting website, as applicable (although attendance alone without voting will not revoke a previously authorized proxy); or |
• | voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time. |
Q: | Will Huntington be required to submit the Huntington share issuance proposal to its shareholders even if the Huntington board of directors has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation? |
A: | Yes. Unless the merger agreement is terminated before the Huntington special meeting, Huntington is required to submit the Huntington share issuance proposal to its shareholders even if the Huntington board of directors has withdrawn or modified the Huntington board recommendation (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Shareholder Meetings and Recommendation of Huntington’s and Cadence’s Boards of Directors”). |
Q: | Will Cadence be required to submit the Cadence merger proposal to its shareholders even if the Cadence board of directors has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation? |
A: | Yes. Unless the merger agreement is terminated before the Cadence special meeting, Cadence is required to submit the Cadence merger proposal to its shareholders even if the Cadence board of directors has withdrawn or modified the Cadence board recommendation (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Shareholder Meetings and Recommendation of Huntington’s and Cadence’s Boards of Directors”). |
Q: | Are holders of Huntington common stock entitled to appraisal or dissenters’ rights? |
A: | No. Holders of Huntington common stock are not entitled to appraisal or dissenters’ rights under the MGCL. |
Q: | Are holders of Cadence common stock entitled to appraisal or dissenters’ rights? |
A: | No. Holders of Cadence common stock are not entitled to appraisal or dissenters’ rights under the Mississippi Business Corporation Act (the “MBCA”). |
Q: | Are there any risks that I should consider in deciding whether to vote for the approval of the Huntington share issuance proposal or the approval of the Cadence merger proposal, or the other proposals to be considered at the Huntington special meeting and the Cadence special meeting, respectively? |
A: | Yes. You should read and carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 34. You also should read and carefully consider the risk factors of Huntington and Cadence contained in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q: | What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to holders of Cadence common stock? |
A: | The merger is intended to qualify as a “reorganization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it is a condition to our respective obligations to complete the merger that Huntington and Cadence each receive a legal opinion to the effect that the merger will so qualify. Accordingly, U.S. holders (as defined in the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger”) of Cadence common stock generally will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the exchange of their Cadence common stock for Huntington common stock in the merger, except for any gain or loss that may result from the receipt of cash instead of a fractional share of Huntington common stock. You should be aware that the tax consequences to you of the merger may depend upon your own situation. In addition, you may be subject to state, local or foreign tax laws that are not discussed in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should therefore consult with your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences to you of the merger. For a more complete discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger, see the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” beginning on page 121. |
Q: | When is the merger expected to be completed? |
A: | Huntington and Cadence expect the merger to close in the first quarter of 2026. However, neither Huntington nor Cadence can predict the actual date on which the merger will be completed, or if the merger will be completed at all, because completion is subject to conditions and factors outside the control of both companies. Huntington and Cadence must first obtain the approval of holders of Huntington common stock for the issuance of Huntington common stock pursuant to the merger agreement and holders of Cadence common stock for the merger, as well as obtain necessary regulatory approvals and satisfy certain other closing conditions. |
Q: | What are the conditions to completion of the merger? |
A: | The obligations of Huntington and Cadence to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions contained in the merger agreement, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the expiration of statutory waiting periods without the imposition of any materially burdensome regulatory condition (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Approvals”), tax opinions, approval by holders of Huntington common stock of the Huntington share issuance proposal and approval by holders of Cadence common stock of the Cadence merger proposal. For more information, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Completion of the Merger” beginning on page 116. |
Q: | What happens if the merger is not completed? |
A: | If the merger is not completed, holders of Cadence common stock will not receive any consideration for their shares of Cadence common stock in connection with the merger. Instead, Cadence will remain an |
Q: | Should I send in my stock certificates now? |
A: | No. Please do not send in your stock certificates with your proxy. After the merger is completed, an exchange agent designated by Huntington and reasonably acceptable to Cadence (the “exchange agent”) will send you instructions for exchanging Cadence stock certificates for the consideration to be received in the merger. See the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Cadence Stock Certificates” beginning on page 104. |
Q: | What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the same special meeting? |
A: | If you hold shares of Huntington common stock or Cadence common stock in “street name” and also directly in your name as a holder of record or otherwise or if you hold shares of Huntington common stock or Cadence common stock in more than one (1) brokerage account, you may receive more than one (1) set of voting materials relating to the same special meeting. |
Q: | What should I do if I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the Huntington special meeting website or the Cadence special meeting website? |
A: | If you encounter any difficulties accessing the Huntington special meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Huntington special meeting website. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the Cadence special meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Cadence special meeting website. |
Q: | Who can help answer my questions? |
A: | Huntington shareholders: If you have any questions about the merger or how to submit your proxy or voting instruction card, or if you need additional copies of this document or the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card, you should contact Huntington Investor Relations at (800) 576-5007 or Huntington’s proxy solicitor, Sodali & Co., by calling (203) 658-9400 or toll-free at (800) 662-5200, or via email to HBAN.info@investor.sodali.com. |
Huntington Common Stock | Cadence Common Stock | Implied Value of One Share of Cadence Common Stock | |||||||
October 24, 2025 | $16.07 | $36.49 | $39.77 | ||||||
November 28, 2025 | $16.30 | $39.84 | $40.34 | ||||||
• | each of Cadence’s directors and executive officers holds unvested equity incentive awards and, at the effective time of the merger, each outstanding equity incentive award will be treated in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement, as discussed in the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Cadence's Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger—Treatment of Outstanding Cadence Equity Awards” below; |
• | each Cadence executive officer is party to a change in control agreement (the “CIC Agreements”) that provides for severance payments and benefits in connection with a termination of employment without cause or for good reason within the one-year period following the effective time, and pursuant to the merger agreement, the executive officers will receive the value of the cash severance payments thereunder at the closing of the merger regardless of whether they experience a qualifying termination of employment; |
• | under the terms of the Cadence Executive Performance Incentive Plan (the “EPIP”), following the closing of the merger, each Cadence executive officer will be entitled to receive no less than the target amount of his or her then-current annual cash incentive bonus; |
• | Huntington entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Rollins concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, which provides for, among other things, certain compensation and benefits for his service with Huntington following the closing of the merger; |
• | three of Cadence’s directors (including Mr. Rollins) will be appointed to the board of directors of Huntington and Mr. Rollins will be appointed to the board of Huntington National Bank; and |
• | Cadence’s directors and executive officers are entitled to certain continued indemnification and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance under the merger agreement. |
• | approval of the issuance of Huntington common stock in connection with the merger by the shareholders of Huntington by the requisite Huntington vote and approval of the merger agreement by the shareholders of Cadence by the requisite Cadence vote; |
• | the shares of Huntington common stock and depositary shares in respect of new Huntington preferred stock issuable pursuant to the merger agreement having been authorized for listing on the NASDAQ, in each case subject to official notice of issuance; |
• | the effectiveness under the Securities Act of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, and the absence of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or proceedings for that purpose initiated or threatened by the SEC and not withdrawn; |
• | no order, injunction or decree issued by any court or governmental entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the merger being in effect, and no law, statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree having been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any governmental entity which prohibits or makes illegal consummation of the merger; |
• | all requisite regulatory approvals having been obtained and remaining in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof having expired, and no such requisite regulatory approval having resulted in the imposition of any materially burdensome regulatory condition (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Approvals”); |
• | the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each of the Huntington Parties and Cadence, generally as of the date on which the merger agreement was entered into and as of the closing date, subject to the materiality standards provided in the merger agreement, and the receipt by each party of a certificate signed on behalf of the other party by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer to the foregoing effect; |
• | the performance by each of the Huntington Parties and Cadence in all material respects of the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or prior to the closing date, and the receipt by each party of a certificate signed on behalf of Huntington and Cadence, as applicable, by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer to such effect; and |
• | receipt by each of the Huntington Parties and Cadence of an opinion of legal counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such party, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; in rendering such opinion, counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers of the Huntington Parties and Cadence reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel. |
• | by mutual consent of the Huntington Parties and Cadence in a written instrument; |
• | by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence if any governmental entity that must grant a requisite regulatory approval has denied approval of the merger and such denial has become final and nonappealable or any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction has issued a final nonappealable order, injunction or decree permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the merger, unless the failure to obtain a requisite regulatory approval is due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement to perform or observe its obligations, covenants and agreements set forth in the merger agreement; |
• | by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence if the merger has not been completed on or before October 26, 2026 (the “termination date”), unless the failure of the closing to occur by such date is due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement to perform or observe its obligations, covenants and agreements set forth in the merger agreement; provided, however, that if the conditions to the closing set forth in the fifth bullet under “Conditions to Completion of the Merger” have not been satisfied or waived on or prior to such date but all other conditions to the closing have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the closing (so long as such conditions are reasonably capable of being satisfied)), the termination date may be extended by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence to January 26, 2027, unless the failure of the closing to occur by the termination date shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to extend the termination date to perform or observe the obligations, covenants and agreements of such party set forth in the merger agreement, and such date, as so extended, shall be the “termination date;” |
• | by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence (provided that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, obligation, covenant or other agreement contained in the merger agreement) if there is a breach of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements or any of the representations or warranties (or if any such representation or warranty ceases to be true) set forth in the merger agreement on the part of Cadence, in the case of a termination by the Huntington Parties, or the Huntington Parties, in the case of a termination by Cadence, which breach or failure to be true, either individually or in the aggregate with all other breaches by such party (or failures of such representations or warranties to be true), would constitute, if occurring or continuing on the closing date, the failure of an applicable closing condition of the terminating party and which is not cured by the earlier of the termination date and forty-five (45) days following written notice to the Huntington Parties or Cadence, as applicable, or by its nature or timing cannot be cured during such period; |
• | by the Huntington Parties, prior to such time as the requisite Cadence vote is obtained, if Cadence or the Cadence board of directors (i) withholds, withdraws, modifies or qualifies in a manner adverse to the Huntington Parties the Cadence board recommendation (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Shareholder Meetings and Recommendation of Huntington’s and Cadence’s Board of Directors”), (ii) fails to make the Cadence board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) adopts, approves, recommends or endorses a Cadence acquisition proposal (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Agreement Not to Solicit Other Offers”) or publicly announces an intention to adopt, approve, recommend or endorse a Cadence acquisition proposal, (iv) fails to publicly and without qualification (A) recommend against any Cadence acquisition proposal or (B) reaffirm the Cadence board recommendation, in each case within ten (10) |
• | by Cadence, prior to such time as the requisite Huntington vote is obtained, if Huntington or the Huntington board of directors (i) withholds, withdraws, modifies or qualifies in a manner adverse to Cadence the Huntington board recommendation (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Shareholder Meetings and Recommendation of Huntington’s and Cadence’s Board of Directors”), (ii) fails to make the Huntington board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) adopts, approves, recommends or endorses a Huntington acquisition proposal (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Agreement Not to Solicit Other Offers”) or publicly announces an intention to adopt, approve, recommend, or endorse a Huntington acquisition proposal, (iv) fails to publicly and without qualification (A) recommend against any Huntington acquisition proposal or (B) reaffirm the Huntington board recommendation, in each case within ten (10) business days (or such fewer number of days as remains prior to the Huntington special meeting) after a Huntington acquisition proposal is made public or any request by Cadence to do so, or (v) materially breaches its obligations related to the Huntington shareholder approval. |
• | the Huntington share issuance proposal; and |
• | the Huntington adjournment proposal. |
• | the Cadence merger proposal; |
• | the Cadence compensation proposal; and |
• | the Cadence adjournment proposal. |
Transaction Accounting Adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | Historical Huntington | Historical Cadence | Reclassifications Note 2 | Pro forma Adjustments | Note 4 | Pro forma Condensed Combined | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash and due from banks | $1,696 | $840 | $— | $(103) | A | $2,433 | ||||||||||||
Interest-bearing deposits with banks | 11,536 | 1,049 | — | — | 12,585 | |||||||||||||
Trading account securities | 81 | — | — | — | 81 | |||||||||||||
Available-for-sale securities | 26,085 | 9,616 | — | — | 35,701 | |||||||||||||
Held-to-maturity securities | 15,597 | — | — | — | 15,597 | |||||||||||||
Other securities | 870 | — | 271 | — | 1,141 | |||||||||||||
Loans held for sale | 823 | 262 | — | — | 1,085 | |||||||||||||
Loans and Leases | 137,956 | 36,802 | — | (1,308) | B | 173,450 | ||||||||||||
Allowance for loan and lease losses | (2,374) | (496) | — | (78) | C | (2,948) | ||||||||||||
Net loans and leases | 135,582 | 36,306 | — | (1,386) | 170,502 | |||||||||||||
Bank-owned life insurance | 2,810 | 769 | — | — | 3,579 | |||||||||||||
Accrued income and other receivables | 1,819 | — | 301 | — | 2,120 | |||||||||||||
Premises and equipment | 1,112 | 855 | (243) | 20 | D | 1,744 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | 5,547 | 1,516 | — | 2,009 | E | 9,072 | ||||||||||||
Servicing rights and other intangible assets | 644 | 149 | 120 | 651 | F | 1,564 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | 6,026 | 1,920 | (449) | 191 | G | 7,688 | ||||||||||||
Total Assets | $210,228 | $53,282 | $— | $1,382 | $264,892 | |||||||||||||
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||
Deposits: | ||||||||||||||||||
Demand deposits - noninterest-bearing | $28,596 | $9,037 | $— | $— | $37,633 | |||||||||||||
Interest-bearing | 136,616 | 34,884 | — | 7 | H | 171,507 | ||||||||||||
Total deposits | 165,212 | 43,921 | — | 7 | 209,140 | |||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings | 252 | 955 | — | — | 1,207 | |||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 17,315 | 1,331 | — | 2 | I | 18,648 | ||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 5,163 | 992 | — | — | 6,155 | |||||||||||||
Total Liabilities | 187,942 | 47,199 | — | 9 | 235,150 | |||||||||||||
Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock | 2,731 | 167 | — | (16) | J | 2,882 | ||||||||||||
Common stock | 15 | 466 | — | (462) | J | 19 | ||||||||||||
Capital surplus | 15,537 | 2,813 | — | 4,760 | J | 23,110 | ||||||||||||
Less treasury shares, at cost | (87) | — | — | — | (87) | |||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (2,071) | (494) | — | 494 | J | (2,071) | ||||||||||||
Retained earnings | 6,123 | 3,131 | — | (3,403) | J | 5,851 | ||||||||||||
Total Shareholders’ Equity | 22,248 | 6,083 | — | 1,373 | 29,704 | |||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest | 38 | — | — | — | 38 | |||||||||||||
Total Equity | 22,286 | 6,083 | — | 1,373 | 29,742 | |||||||||||||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $210,228 | $53,282 | $— | $1,382 | $264,892 | |||||||||||||
Transaction Accounting Adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per share data) | Historical Huntington | Historical Cadence | Reclassifications Note 2 | Pro forma Adjustments | Note 5 | Pro forma Condensed Combined | ||||||||||||
Interest and fee income: | ||||||||||||||||||
Loans and leases | $5,926 | $1,668 | $— | $320 | A | $7,914 | ||||||||||||
Investment securities | 1,265 | 219 | — | — | 1,484 | |||||||||||||
Other | 454 | 52 | 7 | — | 513 | |||||||||||||
Total interest income | 7,645 | 1,939 | 7 | 320 | 9,911 | |||||||||||||
Interest expense: | ||||||||||||||||||
Deposits | 2,462 | 716 | — | (1) | B | 3,177 | ||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings | 40 | 29 | — | — | 69 | |||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 744 | 29 | — | — | C | 773 | ||||||||||||
Total interest expense | 3,246 | 774 | — | (1) | 4,019 | |||||||||||||
Net interest income | 4,399 | 1,165 | 7 | 321 | 5,892 | |||||||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 340 | 83 | — | — | D | 423 | ||||||||||||
Net interest income after provision for credit losses | 4,059 | 1,082 | 7 | 321 | 5,469 | |||||||||||||
Noninterest income: | ||||||||||||||||||
Payments and cash management revenue | 494 | 38 | — | — | 532 | |||||||||||||
Wealth and asset management revenue | 307 | 73 | — | — | 380 | |||||||||||||
Customer deposit and loan fees | 283 | 55 | 30 | — | 368 | |||||||||||||
Capital markets and advisory fees | 245 | — | — | — | 245 | |||||||||||||
Mortgage banking income | 102 | 20 | — | — | 122 | |||||||||||||
Leasing revenue | 47 | — | — | — | 47 | |||||||||||||
Insurance income | 59 | — | — | — | 59 | |||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on sales of securities | (58) | 4 | — | — | (54) | |||||||||||||
Other noninterest income | 114 | 87 | (37) | — | 164 | |||||||||||||
Total noninterest income | 1,593 | 277 | (7) | — | 1,863 | |||||||||||||
Noninterest expense: | ||||||||||||||||||
Personnel costs | 2,150 | 484 | (6) | — | E | 2,628 | ||||||||||||
Outside data processing and other services | 550 | 94 | (31) | — | 613 | |||||||||||||
Equipment | 201 | 90 | (24) | — | 267 | |||||||||||||
Net occupancy | 176 | — | 60 | 1 | F | 237 | ||||||||||||
Marketing | 91 | — | 13 | — | 104 | |||||||||||||
Deposit and other insurance expense | 66 | 27 | 6 | — | 99 | |||||||||||||
Professional services | 75 | — | 44 | — | E | 119 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles | 33 | 15 | — | 83 | G | 131 | ||||||||||||
Lease financing equipment depreciation | 10 | — | — | — | 10 | |||||||||||||
Merger-related expenses | — | 22 | (22) | — | — | |||||||||||||
Other noninterest expense | 243 | 120 | (40) | — | 323 | |||||||||||||
Total noninterest expense | 3,595 | 852 | — | 84 | 4,531 | |||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 2,057 | 507 | — | 237 | 2,801 | |||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 351 | 109 | — | 56 | H | 516 | ||||||||||||
Income after income taxes | 1,706 | 398 | — | 181 | 2,285 | |||||||||||||
Income attributable to non-controlling interest | 14 | — | — | — | 14 | |||||||||||||
Net income | 1,692 | 398 | — | 181 | 2,271 | |||||||||||||
Dividends on preferred shares | 81 | 10 | — | — | 91 | |||||||||||||
Net income applicable to common shares | $1,611 | $388 | $— | $181 | $2,180 | |||||||||||||
Basic earnings per common share | $1.11 | $2.10 | $1.14 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share | $1.09 | $2.07 | $1.12 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares (in thousands) | 1,456,979 | 185,148 | 273,093 | I | 1,915,220 | |||||||||||||
Diluted average common shares (in thousands) | 1,482,677 | 187,616 | 276,734 | I | 1,947,027 | |||||||||||||
Transaction Accounting Adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per share data) | Historical Huntington | Historical Cadence | Reclassifications Note 2 | Pro forma Adjustments | Note 5 | Pro forma Condensed Combined | ||||||||||||
Interest and fee income: | ||||||||||||||||||
Loans and leases | $7,481 | $2,165 | $— | $655 | A | $10,301 | ||||||||||||
Investment securities | 1,790 | 246 | — | — | 2,036 | |||||||||||||
Other | 650 | 136 | 1 | — | 787 | |||||||||||||
Total interest income | 9,921 | 2,547 | 1 | 655 | 13,124 | |||||||||||||
Interest expense: | ||||||||||||||||||
Deposits | 3,572 | 957 | — | (7) | B | 4,522 | ||||||||||||
Short-term borrowings | 69 | 141 | — | — | 210 | |||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 935 | 13 | — | (2) | C | 946 | ||||||||||||
Total interest expense | 4,576 | 1,111 | — | (9) | 5,678 | |||||||||||||
Net interest income | 5,345 | 1,436 | 1 | 664 | 7,446 | |||||||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 420 | 71 | — | 252 | D | 743 | ||||||||||||
Net interest income after provision for credit losses | 4,925 | 1,365 | 1 | 412 | 6,703 | |||||||||||||
Noninterest income: | ||||||||||||||||||
Payments and cash management revenue | 620 | 50 | — | — | 670 | |||||||||||||
Wealth and asset management revenue | 364 | 95 | — | — | 459 | |||||||||||||
Customer deposit and loan fees | 334 | 73 | 38 | — | 445 | |||||||||||||
Capital markets and advisory fees | 327 | — | — | — | 327 | |||||||||||||
Mortgage banking income | 130 | 17 | — | — | 147 | |||||||||||||
Leasing revenue | 79 | — | — | — | 79 | |||||||||||||
Insurance income | 77 | — | — | — | 77 | |||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on sales of securities | (21) | (3) | — | — | (24) | |||||||||||||
Other noninterest income | 130 | 125 | (39) | — | 216 | |||||||||||||
Total noninterest income | 2,040 | 357 | (1) | — | 2,396 | |||||||||||||
Noninterest expense: | ||||||||||||||||||
Personnel costs | 2,701 | 609 | (8) | 38 | E | 3,340 | ||||||||||||
Outside data processing and other services | 665 | 122 | (40) | — | 747 | |||||||||||||
Equipment | 267 | 114 | (31) | — | 350 | |||||||||||||
Net occupancy | 221 | — | 78 | 1 | F | 300 | ||||||||||||
Marketing | 116 | — | 14 | — | 130 | |||||||||||||
Deposit and other insurance expense | 114 | 40 | 8 | — | 162 | |||||||||||||
Professional services | 99 | — | 26 | 65 | E | 190 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles | 47 | 16 | — | 129 | G | 192 | ||||||||||||
Lease financing equipment depreciation | 15 | — | — | — | 15 | |||||||||||||
Other noninterest expense | 317 | 145 | (47) | — | 415 | |||||||||||||
Total noninterest expense | 4,562 | 1,046 | — | 233 | 5,841 | |||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 2,403 | 676 | — | 179 | 3,258 | |||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 443 | 152 | — | 42 | H | 637 | ||||||||||||
Income after income taxes | 1,960 | 524 | — | 137 | 2,621 | |||||||||||||
Income attributable to non-controlling interest | 20 | — | — | — | 20 | |||||||||||||
Net income | 1,940 | 524 | — | 137 | 2,601 | |||||||||||||
Dividends on preferred shares | 134 | 10 | — | — | 144 | |||||||||||||
Impact of preferred stock redemptions and repurchases | 5 | — | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||
Net income applicable to common shares | $1,801 | $514 | $— | $137 | $2,452 | |||||||||||||
Basic earnings per common share | $1.24 | $2.81 | $1.29 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share | $1.22 | $2.77 | $1.27 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares (in thousands) | 1,451,421 | 182,682 | 269,456 | I | 1,903,559 | |||||||||||||
Diluted average common shares (in thousands) | 1,476,442 | 185,592 | 273,748 | I | 1,935,782 | |||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per share data, shares in thousands) | October 24, 2025 | 10% Increase | 10% Decrease | ||||||
Shares of Cadence(a) | 186,307 | 186,307 | 186,307 | ||||||
Exchange ratio | 2.475 | 2.475 | 2.475 | ||||||
Huntington shares to be issued | 461,110 | 461,110 | 461,110 | ||||||
Price per share of Huntington common stock(b) | $16.07 | $17.68 | $14.46 | ||||||
Estimated consideration for common stock | $7,410 | $8,152 | $6,668 | ||||||
Estimated consideration for equity awards | 183 | 202 | 165 | ||||||
Estimated preferred stock fair value adjustment | (16) | (16) | (16) | ||||||
Estimated fair value of preliminary purchase price consideration | $7,577 | $8,338 | $6,817 | ||||||
Preliminary goodwill | $3,525 | $4,286 | $2,765 | ||||||
a. | As of October 24, 2025. |
b. | Based on the closing price of Huntington common stock on October 24, 2025. |
(dollars in millions) | |||
Cadence Net Assets at Fair Value | |||
Assets acquired: | |||
Cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits with banks | $1,889 | ||
Investment and other securities | 9,887 | ||
Loans held for sale | 262 | ||
Net loans and leases | 35,172 | ||
Core deposit and other intangible assets | 800 | ||
Other assets | 3,401 | ||
Total assets acquired | 51,411 | ||
Liabilities and equity assumed: | |||
Deposits | 43,928 | ||
Short-term borrowings | 955 | ||
Long-term debt | 1,333 | ||
Other liabilities | 992 | ||
Total liabilities assumed | 47,208 | ||
Preferred stock | 151 | ||
Total liabilities and equity assumed | 47,359 | ||
Preliminary fair value of net assets acquired | 4,052 | ||
Preliminary goodwill | 3,525 | ||
Estimated preliminary purchase price consideration | $7,577 | ||
(dollars in millions) | September 30, 2025 | ||
Estimate of lifetime credit losses on acquired loans and leases | $(574) | ||
Estimate of fair value related to current interest rates and liquidity | (1,056) | ||
Net fair value pro forma adjustments | (1,630) | ||
Gross up of Purchase Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”) loans and leases for credit mark | 322 | ||
Cumulative pro forma adjustments to loans and leases | $(1,308) | ||
(dollars in millions) | September 30, 2025 | ||
Reversal of historical Cadence allowance for loan and lease losses | $496 | ||
Estimate of lifetime credit losses for PCD loans and leases | (322) | ||
Estimate of lifetime credit losses for non-PCD loans and leases | (252) | ||
Net change in allowance for loan and lease losses | $(78) | ||
(dollars in millions) | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Capital Surplus | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Retained Earnings | ||||||||||
Elimination of Cadence historical equity balances | $(167) | $(466) | $(2,813) | $494 | $(3,131) | ||||||||||
Issuance of shares of Huntington common stock | 4 | 7,573 | |||||||||||||
Issuance of shares of Huntington preferred stock | 151 | ||||||||||||||
Establishment of allowance for loans and leases for non-PCD loans, net of tax | (193) | ||||||||||||||
Merger-related transaction fees and expenses, net of tax | (79) | ||||||||||||||
Net equity-related pro forma transaction accounting adjustments | $(16) | $(462) | $4,760 | $494 | $(3,403) | ||||||||||
Amortization Expense | ||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | Estimated Fair Value | Estimated Useful Life (years) | Year ended December 31, 2024 | Nine-month period ended September 30, 2025 | ||||||||
Core deposit intangible | $800 | 10 | $145 | $98 | ||||||||
Cadence historical amortization expense | (16) | (15) | ||||||||||
Pro forma net adjustment to amortization expense | $129 | $83 | ||||||||||
Estimated amortization for the next five years: | |||
Remainder of 2025 | $33 | ||
2026 | 116 | ||
2027 | 102 | ||
2028 | 87 | ||
2029 | 73 | ||
• | changes in general economic, political, regulatory or industry conditions; |
• | deterioration in business and economic conditions, including persistent inflation, supply chain issues or labor shortages, instability in global economic conditions and geopolitical matters, as well as volatility in financial markets; |
• | changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs; |
• | the impact of pandemics and other catastrophic events or disasters on the global economy and financial market conditions and our business, results of operations, and financial condition; |
• | the impacts related to or resulting from bank failures and other volatility, including potential increased regulatory requirements and costs, such as Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) special assessments, long-term debt requirements and heightened capital requirements, and potential impacts to macroeconomic conditions, which could affect the ability of depository institutions, including us, to attract and retain depositors and to borrow or raise capital; |
• | unexpected outflows of uninsured deposits which may require us to sell investment securities at a loss; |
• | changing interest rates which could negatively impact the value of our portfolio of investment securities; |
• | the loss of value of our investment portfolio which could negatively impact market perceptions of us and could lead to deposit withdrawals; |
• | the effects of social media on market perceptions of us and banks generally; |
• | cybersecurity risks; |
• | uncertainty in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve; |
• | volatility and disruptions in global capital, foreign exchange and credit markets; movements in interest rates; |
• | competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success, impact, and timing of our business strategies, including market acceptance of any new products or services, including those implementing |
• | the nature, extent, timing, and results of governmental actions, examinations, reviews, reforms, regulations, and interpretations, including those related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, as well as those involving the SEC, the OCC, the Federal Reserve, FDIC, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state-level regulators; |
• | the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement between Huntington and Cadence; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Huntington or Cadence; delays in completing the proposed transaction involving Huntington and Cadence; |
• | the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals for the transaction (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect Huntington following the merger or the expected benefits of the transaction); |
• | the failure to obtain Huntington shareholder approval or Cadence shareholder approval or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the transaction on a timely basis or at all; |
• | the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas where Huntington and Cadence do business; |
• | the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; |
• | the ability of Huntington and Cadence to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatment of the transaction; |
• | diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; |
• | potential adverse reactions or changes to business, customer or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; |
• | the ability to complete the transaction and integration of Huntington and Cadence successfully; |
• | the dilution caused by Huntington’s issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the transaction; and |
• | other factors that may affect the future results of Huntington and Cadence. |
• | the Huntington share issuance proposal; and |
• | the Huntington adjournment proposal. |
• | Vote required: Approval of the Huntington share issuance proposal requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast on the Huntington share issuance proposal by holders of Huntington common stock at the Huntington special meeting. |
• | Effect of abstentions and broker non-votes: If you mark “ABSTAIN” on your proxy, fail to submit a proxy or vote at the Huntington special meeting via the Huntington special meeting website or fail to instruct your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee how to vote with respect to the Huntington share issuance proposal, you will not be deemed to have cast a vote with respect to the Huntington share issuance proposal and it will have no effect on the Huntington share issuance proposal. |
• | Vote required: Approval of the Huntington adjournment proposal requires a majority of the votes cast on the Huntington adjournment proposal by the holders of Huntington common stock at the Huntington special meeting. |
• | Effect of abstentions and broker non-votes: If you mark “ABSTAIN” on your proxy, fail to submit a proxy or vote at the Huntington special meeting via the Huntington special meeting website or fail to instruct your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee how to vote with respect to the Huntington adjournment proposal, you will not be deemed to have cast a vote with respect to the Huntington adjournment proposal and it will have no effect on the Huntington adjournment proposal. |
• | By telephone: by calling the toll-free number indicated on the accompanying proxy card and following the recorded instructions. |
• | Through the Internet: by visiting the website indicated on the accompanying proxy card and following the instructions. |
• | By completing and returning the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope: the envelope requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States. |
• | submitting a written notice of revocation to Huntington’s corporate secretary; |
• | granting a subsequently dated proxy; |
• | voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time, before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day before the Huntington special meeting; or |
• | attending virtually and voting at the Huntington special meeting via the Huntington special meeting website. |
• | the Cadence merger proposal; |
• | the Cadence compensation proposal; and |
• | the Cadence adjournment proposal. |
• | Vote required: Approval of the Cadence merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Cadence common stock entitled to vote thereon. |
• | Effect of abstentions and broker non-votes: If you mark “ABSTAIN” on your proxy, fail to submit a proxy or vote at the Cadence special meeting via the Cadence special meeting website or fail to instruct your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee how to vote with respect to the Cadence merger proposal, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Cadence merger proposal. |
• | Vote required: Approval of the Cadence compensation proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Cadence common stock entitled to vote via the Cadence special meeting website or represented by proxy at the Cadence special meeting. |
• | Effect of abstentions and broker non-votes: If you mark “ABSTAIN” on your proxy, fail to submit a proxy or vote at the Cadence special meeting via the Cadence special meeting website or fail to instruct your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee how to vote with respect to the Cadence compensation proposal, your shares will not be deemed to be a vote cast at the Cadence special meeting and it will have no effect on the Cadence compensation proposal. |
• | Vote required: Approval of the Cadence adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Cadence common stock entitled to vote via the Cadence special meeting website or represented by proxy at the Cadence special meeting. |
• | Effect of abstentions and broker non-votes: If you mark “ABSTAIN” on your proxy, fail to submit a proxy or vote at the Cadence special meeting via the Cadence special meeting website or fail to instruct your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee how to vote with respect to the Cadence adjournment proposal, your shares will not be deemed to be a vote cast at the Cadence special meeting and it will have no effect on the Cadence adjournment proposal. |
• | By telephone: by calling the toll-free number indicated on the accompanying proxy card and following the recorded instructions. |
• | Through the Internet: by visiting the website indicated on the accompanying proxy card and following the instructions. |
• | By completing and returning the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope: the envelope requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States. |
• | submitting a written notice of revocation to Cadence’s corporate secretary; |
• | granting a subsequently dated proxy; |
• | voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time, before 11:59 p.m., Central Time, on the day before the Cadence special meeting; or |
• | attending virtually and voting at the Cadence special meeting via the Cadence special meeting website. |
• | contacting your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee; or |
• | attending and voting your shares at the Cadence special meeting virtually via the Cadence special meeting website if you have your specific control number, which is included on your proxy card or the voting instruction form from your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee. Please contact your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee to obtain further instructions. |
• | each of Huntington’s and Cadence’s business, Huntington’s business following the merger, operations, financial condition, asset quality, earnings, and prospects. In reviewing these factors, including the information obtained through due diligence, the Huntington board of directors considered that Cadence’s business and operations and risk profile complement those of Huntington, and that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement would result in a combined bank with an expanded distribution and scale that would position Huntington to serve an expanded customer base through a distinctive customer experience; |
• | the strategic rationale for the merger, including that, together with the recently completed acquisition of Veritex Community Bank, it will provide Huntington with the fifth largest deposit market share in Dallas and Houston, as well as the eighth largest deposit market share across the State of Texas, and that it will expand Huntington’s franchise into 21 states including new high-growth markets that the Huntington board of directors believes will create a powerful platform for further organic growth and investment; |
• | the combined company’s position as one of the largest financial services organizations based in the United States in terms of market capitalization, loans, deposits and net income; |
• | the financially compelling nature of the transaction, including the expected positive impact on financial metrics, including the expected financial returns, earnings per share accretion, and the expectation that the tangible book value per share dilution from the merger would be earned back within a reasonable period following closing; |
• | the Huntington board of directors’ belief that Cadence’s earnings and prospects, and the synergies potentially available in the proposed merger, would significantly improve Huntington’s market position, increase scale and provide greater revenue growth opportunities and would create the opportunity for superior future earnings and prospects compared to Huntington’s earnings and prospects on a stand-alone basis; |
• | the complementary nature of the cultures of the two companies, including with respect to Cadence’s relationship-first, community based approach to banking that aligns with Huntington’s values and local approach to banking, and the Huntington board of directors’ belief that the complementary cultures will facilitate the successful integration and implementation of the transaction; |
• | the complementary nature of the products, customers and geographic markets of the two companies, which Huntington believes should provide the opportunity to mitigate risks and increase potential returns; |
• | the ability to bring Huntington’s leading digital capabilities and broader range of products and services to Cadence’s customers and communities; |
• | the expanded possibilities for growth that would be available to Huntington following the merger, given its larger size, asset base, capital and footprint; |
• | the expectation of significant cost savings resulting from the merger; |
• | the terms of the merger and the fact that the exchange ratio is fixed, with no adjustment in the merger consideration to be received by Cadence shareholders as a result of possible increases or decreases in the trading price of Cadence or Huntington stock following the announcement of the merger, which the Huntington board of directors believed was consistent with market practice for transactions of this type and with the strategic purpose of the transaction; |
• | the fact that following the merger, Huntington’s board of directors would include three (3) current Cadence directors, including Mr. Rollins, who will join Huntington as non-executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, which the Huntington board of directors believes enhances the likelihood that the strategic benefits that Huntington expects to achieve as a result of the merger will be realized; |
• | its understanding of the current and prospective environment in which Huntington and Cadence operate, including economic conditions, the interest rate environment, the accelerating pace of technological change in the banking industry, increased operating costs resulting from regulatory and compliance mandates, the competitive environment for financial institutions generally, and the likely effect of these factors on Huntington both with and without the merger; |
• | its review and discussions with Huntington’s management and advisors concerning Huntington’s due diligence examination of, among other areas, the operations, financial condition and regulatory compliance programs and prospects of Cadence; |
• | its expectation that Huntington will retain its strong capital position and asset quality upon completion of the merger; |
• | the oral opinion of Evercore rendered to the Huntington board of directors on October 26, 2025, which was subsequently confirmed in Evercore’s written opinion dated October 26, 2025, that as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions described in Evercore’s written opinion, the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to Huntington, as more fully described below in the section entitled “The Merger—Opinion of Huntington’s Financial Advisor,” beginning on page 65 and the full text of the written opinion of Evercore attached as Annex B to this proxy statement; |
• | its expectation that the required regulatory approvals could be obtained in a timely fashion; |
• | its review with Huntington’s outside legal advisor, Wachtell Lipton, of the terms of the merger agreement, including the representations, covenants, deal protection and termination provisions; and |
• | Huntington’s past record of integrating mergers and of realizing projected financial goals and benefits of acquisitions and the strength of Huntington’s management and infrastructure to successfully complete the integration process. |
• | the regulatory and other approvals required in connection with the merger and the risk that such regulatory approvals may not be received in a timely manner or at all or may impose unacceptable conditions; |
• | the possibility of encountering difficulties in achieving anticipated synergies and cost savings in the amounts estimated or in the timeframe contemplated; |
• | the possibility of encountering difficulties in successfully integrating Huntington’s and Cadence’s business, operations and workforce; |
• | the risk of losing key Huntington or Cadence employees during the pendency of the merger and thereafter; |
• | the dilution to current Huntington shareholders from the issuance of additional shares of Huntington common stock in the merger; |
• | certain anticipated merger-related costs; |
• | the possible diversion of management attention and resources from the operation of Huntington’s business towards the completion of the merger; |
• | the potential for legal claims challenging the merger; and |
• |
• | each of Cadence’s and Huntington’s business, operations, financial condition, stock performance, asset quality, earnings and prospects. In reviewing these factors, including the information obtained through due diligence on Huntington, the Cadence board of directors considered that Huntington’s and Cadence’s respective business, operations and risk profile complement each other and that the companies’ separate earnings and prospects, and the synergies and scale potentially available in the proposed transaction, create the opportunity for the combined company to leverage complementary and diversified revenue streams and to have superior future earnings and prospects compared to Cadence’s earnings and prospects on a stand-alone basis; |
• | the ability to leverage the scale and financial capabilities of the combined company to better manage risk and provide enhanced customer offerings and services across business lines; |
• | the combined company’s position as one of the largest financial services organizations based in the United States in terms of market capitalization, loans, deposits and net income; |
• | that the combined company’s expanded distribution channels and scale position it to serve an expanded customer base through a distinctive customer experience while driving enhanced financial performance; |
• | the ability of the combined company to leverage Huntington’s broader product and services offering, as well as its award-winning digital capabilities, across the expanded combined customer base and the complementary nature of Cadence’s and Huntington’s businesses; |
• | the fact that, upon the closing, the combined company’s board of directors would include three (3) legacy Cadence directors, including Mr. Rollins, and that Mr. Rollins would serve as non-executive vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Huntington and Huntington National Bank, each of which the Cadence board of directors believes enhances the likelihood that the strategic benefits Cadence expects to achieve as a result of the merger will be realized; |
• | the fact that Huntington has committed to honor Cadence’s existing community foundation contributions; |
• | its knowledge of the current environment in the financial services industry, including economic conditions and the interest rate and regulatory environments, increased operating costs resulting from regulatory and compliance mandates, increasing competition from both banks and non-bank financial and financial technology firms, current financial market conditions and the likely effects of these factors on Cadence’s and the combined company’s potential growth, development, productivity and strategic options; |
• | its views with respect to other strategic options potentially available to Cadence, including continuing as a standalone company and a transaction with another potential acquiror or merger partner; |
• | the exchange ratio in relation to the respective earnings contributions of Cadence and Huntington; |
• | Huntington’s record of integrating acquisitions and of realizing expected financial and other benefits of such acquisitions; |
• | the anticipated pro forma financial results of the merger for the combined company, including earnings, earnings per share accretion, dividends, including the substantial increase in dividend income to stockholders, return on equity, tangible book value, asset quality, operational efficiency, liquidity and regulatory capital levels; |
• | the complementary nature of Cadence’s and Huntington’s businesses and prospects given the markets they serve and products they offer, and the expectation that the transaction would provide economies of scale, expanded product offerings, cost savings opportunities and enhanced opportunities for growth; |
• | its belief that Cadence and Huntington have limited geographic overlaps, which would promote continuity with team members and customers and thereby limit distractions and other costs which could otherwise interfere with the combined enterprise’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger; |
• | its belief that the two companies’ purpose-driven corporate cultures are similar and compatible, including with respect to corporate purpose, management philosophy, banking philosophy, strategic focus, client service, credit cultures and community commitment, and the belief that the foregoing would facilitate successful integration and implementation of the transaction; |
• | Cadence’s and Huntington’s shared views regarding the best approach to combining and integrating the two companies, structured to maximize the potential for synergies and positive impact to local communities and minimize the loss of customers and employees and to further diversify the combined company’s operating risk profile compared to the risk profile of either company on a stand-alone basis; |
• | its review and discussions with Cadence’s management concerning Cadence’s due diligence examination of the operations, financial condition and regulatory compliance programs and prospects of Huntington; |
• | the expectation that the required regulatory approvals could be obtained in a timely fashion, including Huntington’s record of obtaining regulatory approvals; |
• | the expectation that the transaction will be generally tax-free for United States federal income tax purposes to Cadence’s shareholders; |
• | the fact that the exchange ratio would be fixed, which the Cadence board of directors believed was consistent with market practice for transactions of this type and with the strategic purpose of the transaction assured that Cadence shareholders would own a specified percentage of the combined company; |
• | the fact that 100% of the merger consideration would be in the form of Huntington common stock, which would allow Cadence shareholders the opportunity to participate in the future growth and opportunities of the combined enterprise and the anticipated pro forma impact of the merger and otherwise benefit from the financial performance of the combined enterprise and potential appreciation in the value of Huntington common stock; |
• | its expectation that, upon consummation of the merger, Cadence shareholders would own approximately 23% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis; |
• | the fact that Cadence’s shareholders will have an opportunity to vote on the approval of the merger agreement and the merger (and that approval would require a majority of all the outstanding shares of common stock); |
• | the impact of the merger on Cadence’s employees, including the benefits agreed to be provided by Huntington pursuant to the merger agreement; |
• | Huntington’s record of support for its customers and communities; |
• | the opinion of KBW, dated October 26, 2025, to the Cadence board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of the opinion, to the holders of Cadence common stock of the exchange ratio in the proposed merger. See the section entitled “The Merger—Opinion of Cadence’s Financial Advisor”; and |
• | the terms of the merger agreement, which Cadence reviewed with its legal advisor, including the representations, covenants, deal protection and termination provisions. |
• | the possible diversion of management attention and resources from other strategic opportunities and operational matters while working to implement the transaction and integrate the two companies; |
• | the risk of losing key Cadence employees during the pendency of the merger and thereafter; |
• | the restrictions on the conduct of Cadence’s business during the period between execution of the merger agreement and the consummation of the merger, which could potentially delay or prevent Cadence from undertaking business opportunities that might arise or certain other actions it might otherwise take with respect to its operations absent the pendency of the merger; |
• | the potential effect of the merger on Cadence’s overall business, including its relationships with customers, employees, suppliers and regulators; |
• | the fact that Cadence’s shareholders would not be entitled to appraisal or dissenters’ rights in connection with the merger; |
• | the possibility of encountering difficulties in achieving cost savings and synergies in the amounts currently estimated or within the time frame currently contemplated; |
• | certain anticipated merger-related costs that Cadence expects to incur, including a number of non-recurring costs in connection with the merger even if the merger is not ultimately consummated, including a potential $296 million termination fee if the merger agreement is terminated by Huntington under certain circumstances; |
• | the regulatory and other approvals required in connection with the merger and the risk that such regulatory approvals will not be received or will not be received in a timely manner or may impose burdensome or unacceptable conditions; |
• | the potential for legal claims challenging the merger or the decision of the Cadence board of directors to pursue and effect the merger; |
• | the risk that the merger may not be completed despite the combined efforts of Cadence and Huntington or that completion may be unduly delayed, including as a result of delays in obtaining the required regulatory approvals; |
• | the fact that the exchange ratio provides for a fixed number of shares of Huntington common stock and, as such, Cadence shareholders cannot be certain, at the time of the Cadence special meeting, of the market value of the merger consideration they will receive; |
• | the other numerous risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect Cadence’s and Huntington’s respective operating performance and financial results; and |
• | the other risks described under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” |
• | reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Cadence and Huntington that Evercore deemed to be relevant, including publicly available research analysts’ estimates; |
• | reviewed certain internal projected financial data relating to Cadence and furnished to us by the management of Huntington and certain internal projected financial data relating to Huntington prepared and furnished to us by the management of Huntington, each as approved for Evercore’s use by Huntington (the “Forecasts”), including certain operating synergies prepared by the management of Huntington expected to result from the merger, as approved for Evercore’s use by Huntington (the “Synergies”); |
• | discussed with the managements of Huntington and Cadence their assessment of the past and current operations of Cadence, the current financial condition and prospects of Cadence and the Forecasts relating to Cadence, and discussed with the management of Huntington their assessment of the past and current operations of Huntington, the current financial condition and prospects of Huntington, and the Forecasts; |
• | reviewed the reported prices and the historical trading activity of Cadence common stock and Huntington common stock; |
• | compared the financial performance of Cadence and Huntington and their respective stock market trading multiples with those of certain other publicly traded companies that Evercore deemed relevant; |
• | compared the financial performance of Cadence and the valuation multiples relating to the merger with the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain other transactions that Evercore deemed relevant; |
• | reviewed the financial terms and conditions of a draft, dated October 24, 2025, of the merger agreement; and |
• | performed such other analyses and examinations and considered such other factors that Evercore deemed appropriate. |
• | U.S. Bancorp. |
• | The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. |
• | Truist Financial Corporation |
• | Citizens Financial Group, Inc. |
• | Fifth Third Bancorp |
• | M&T Bank Corporation |
• | KeyCorp |
• | Regions Financial Corporation |
• | Zions Bancorporation, National Association |
Benchmark | Median | ||
P / 2026E EPS | 9.9x | ||
P / TBVPS | 1.61x | ||
Multiple Reference Range | Implied Equity Values per Share of Huntington Common Stock | ||
P / 2026E EPS 10.0x – 11.0x | $16.53 – $18.19 | ||
P / TBVPS 1.50x – 1.80x | $14.31 – $17.17 | ||
• | Western Alliance Bancorporation |
• | Zions Bancorporation, National Association |
• | Webster Financial Corporation |
• | First Horizon Corporation |
• | East West Bancorp, Inc. |
• | UMB Financial Corporation |
• | Old National Bancorp |
• | Wintrust Financial Corporation |
• | SouthState Bank Corporation |
• | Valley National Bancorp |
• | Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. |
• | BOK Financial Corporation |
• | F.N.B. Corporation |
• | Associated Banc-Corp |
• | Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. |
• | Hancock Whitney Corporation |
• | BankUnited, Inc. |
• | Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. |
Benchmark | Median | ||
P / 2026E EPS | 9.8x | ||
P / TBVPS | 1.43x | ||
Multiple Reference Range | Implied Equity Values per Share of Cadence Common Stock | ||
P / 2026E EPS 9.5x – 11.5x | $32.38 – $39.20 | ||
P / TBVPS 1.40x – 1.70x | $31.95 – $38.79 | ||
Date Announced | Acquirer | Target | ||||
10/6/2025 | Fifth Third Bancorp | Comerica Incorporated | ||||
9/8/2025 | The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | FirstBank Holding Company | ||||
4/23/2025 | Columbia Banking System, Inc. | Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. | ||||
5/20/2024 | SouthState Corporation | Independent Bank Group, Inc. | ||||
4/29/2024 | UMB Financial Corporation | Heartland Financial USA, Inc. | ||||
9/16/2021 | First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. | Great Western Bancorp, Inc. | ||||
7/28/2021 | Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | Investors Bancorp, Inc. | ||||
2/22/2021 | M&T Bank Corporation | People’s United Financial, Inc. | ||||
12/13/2020 | Huntington Bancshares Incorporated | TCF Financial Corporation | ||||
6/17/2019 | Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. | LegacyTexas Financial Group, Inc. | ||||
7/24/2018 | Synovus Financial Corp. | FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. | ||||
Date Announced | Acquirer | Target | ||||
5/21/2018 | Fifth Third Bancorp | MB Financial, Inc. | ||||
Multiple Reference Range | Implied Equity Values per Share of Cadence Common Stock | ||
Transaction Value / Forward Earnings 12.0x – 14.0x | $40.90 – $47.72 | ||
Transaction Value / TBV 1.50x – 2.20x | $34.23 – $50.20 | ||
Methodology | Implied Exchange Ratio | ||
Selected Publicly Traded Companies | |||
P / 2026E EPS | 1.780x – 2.371x | ||
P / TBVPS | 1.860x – 2.711x | ||
Regression Analysis | |||
P / TBVPS vs. ROATCE Regression | 1.860x – 2.623x | ||
Discounted Dividend | |||
Terminal Multiple Method | 2.154x – 2.821x | ||
For Reference Only | |||
Selected Precedent Transaction | |||
Transaction Value / Forward Earnings | 2.249x – 2.886x | ||
Transaction Value / TBV | 1.993x – 3.508x | ||
Equity Research Analysts’ Price Targets | 1.857x – 2.733x | ||
52-Week Trading Range | 1.902x – 2.434x | ||
• | a draft of the merger agreement dated October 25, 2025 (the most recent draft then made available to KBW); |
• | the audited financial statements and the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 of Cadence; |
• | the unaudited quarterly financial statements and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025 of Cadence; |
• | certain unaudited financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2025 of Cadence (contained in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Cadence on October 20, 2025); |
• | the audited financial statements and the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 of Huntington; |
• | the unaudited quarterly financial statements and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025 of Huntington; |
• | certain unaudited financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2025 of Huntington (contained in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Huntington on October 17, 2025); |
• | certain regulatory filings of Cadence, Huntington and Huntington National Bank, including, as applicable, the quarterly reports on Form FR Y-9C and the quarterly call reports required to be filed (as the case may be) with respect to each quarter during the three-year period ended December 31, 2024 as well as the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025; |
• | certain other interim reports and other communications of Cadence and Huntington to their respective shareholders; and |
• | other financial information concerning the businesses and operations of Cadence and Huntington furnished to KBW by Cadence and Huntington or which KBW was otherwise directed to use for purposes of KBW’s analyses. |
• | the historical and current financial position and results of operations of Cadence and Huntington; |
• | the assets and liabilities of Cadence and Huntington; |
• | the nature and terms of certain other merger transactions and business combinations in the banking industry; |
• | a comparison of certain financial and stock market information for Cadence and Huntington with similar information for certain other companies, the securities of which were publicly traded; |
• | publicly available consensus “street estimates” of Cadence, as well as assumed Cadence long-term growth rates provided to KBW by Cadence management, all of which information was discussed with KBW by Cadence management and used and relied upon by KBW at the direction of Cadence management and with the consent of the Cadence board of directors; |
• | financial and operating forecasts and projections of Huntington that were prepared by Huntington management, provided to and discussed with KBW by Huntington management and used and relied upon by KBW based on such discussions, at the direction of Cadence management and with the consent of the Cadence board of directors; |
• | certain adjusted balance sheet and capital data of Huntington as of September 30, 2025, pro forma for the recently completed acquisition by Huntington of Veritex Holdings, Inc., incorporating adjustments that were publicly disclosed by Huntington or provided to and discussed with KBW by Huntington management and used and relied upon by KBW based on such discussions, at the direction of Cadence management and with the consent of the Cadence board of directors; and |
• | estimates regarding certain pro forma financial effects of the merger on Huntington (including, without limitation, the cost savings expected to result or be derived from the merger) that were prepared by Huntington management, provided to and discussed with KBW by such management and used and relied upon by KBW based on such discussions, at the direction of Cadence management and with the consent of the Cadence board of directors. |
• | that the merger and any related transactions would be completed substantially in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement (the final terms of which KBW assumed would not differ in any respect material to KBW’s analyses from the draft version reviewed by KBW and referred to above), with no adjustments to the exchange ratio and with no other consideration or payments in respect of Cadence common stock; |
• | that the representations and warranties of each party in the merger agreement and in all related documents and instruments referred to in the merger agreement were true and correct; |
• | that each party to the merger agreement and all related documents would perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by such party under such documents; |
• | that there were no factors that would delay or subject to any adverse conditions, any necessary regulatory or governmental approval for the merger or any related transactions and that all conditions to the completion of the merger and any related transactions would be satisfied without any waivers or modifications to the merger agreement or any of the related documents; and |
• | that in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory, contractual, or other consents or approvals for the merger and any related transactions, no restrictions, including any divestiture requirements, termination or other payments or amendments or modifications, would be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on the future results of operations or financial condition of Cadence, Huntington or the pro forma entity, or the contemplated benefits of the merger, including without limitation the cost savings expected to result or be derived from the merger. |
• | the underlying business decision of Cadence to engage in the merger or enter into the merger agreement; |
• | the relative merits of the merger as compared to any strategic alternatives that are, have been or may be available to or contemplated by Cadence or the Cadence board of directors; |
• | the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation to any of Cadence’s officers, directors or employees, or any class of such persons, relative to the compensation to the holders of Cadence common stock; |
• | the effect of the merger or any related transaction on, or the fairness of the consideration to be received by, holders of any class of securities of Cadence (other than the holders of Cadence common stock, solely with respect to the exchange ratio as described in KBW’s opinion and not relative to the consideration to be received by holders of the outstanding preferred stock of Cadence or any other class of securities) or holders of any class of securities of Huntington or any other party to any transaction contemplated by the merger agreement; |
• | the actual value of Huntington common stock to be issued in the merger; |
• | the prices, trading range or volume at which Cadence common stock or Huntington common stock would trade following the public announcement of the merger or the prices, trading range or volume at which Huntington common stock would trade following the consummation of the merger; |
• | any advice or opinions provided by any other advisor to any of the parties to the merger or any other transaction contemplated by the merger agreement; or |
• | any legal, regulatory, accounting, tax or similar matters relating to Cadence, Huntington, their respective shareholders, or relating to or arising out of or as a consequence of the merger or any related transaction, including whether or not the merger would qualify as a tax-free reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes. |
SouthState Bank Corporation | BankUnited, Inc. | ||
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. | United Bankshares, Inc. | ||
Bank OZK | Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. | ||
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. | United Community Banks, Inc. | ||
Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation | WesBanco, Inc. | ||
Hancock Whitney Corporation | Ameris Bancorp Renasant Corporation | ||
Selected Companies | |||||||||||||||
Cadence | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |||||||||||
MRQ Core Return on Average Assets(1) | 1.16% | 1.33% | 1.44% | 1.24% | 1.50% | ||||||||||
MRQ Core Return on Average Tangible Common Equity(1) | 14.9% | 14.7% | 14.8% | 13.3% | 18.9% | ||||||||||
MRQ Net Interest Margin | 3.46% | 3.66% | 3.67% | 3.49% | 3.83% | ||||||||||
MRQ Fee Income / Revenue Ratio(2) | 18.1% | 16.4% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 20.2% | ||||||||||
MRQ Efficiency Ratio | 54.8% | 51.0% | 52.1% | 55.9% | 47.0% | ||||||||||
(1) | Based on core income after taxes and before extraordinary items, excluding gain / (loss) on sale of securities, amortization of intangibles, and nonrecurring items as defined by S&P Capital IQ Pro. |
(2) | Excluded gain / (loss) on sale of securities. |
Selected Companies | |||||||||||||||
Cadence | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |||||||||||
Tangible Common Equity / Tangible Assets | 8.24% | 9.54% | 9.71% | 8.44% | 10.82% | ||||||||||
CET1 Ratio | 11.5% | 12.6% | 12.5% | 11.5% | 13.4% | ||||||||||
Total Capital Ratio | 13.1% | 15.3% | 15.0% | 14.6% | 15.9% | ||||||||||
Loans / Deposits | 83.8% | 84.7% | 88.0% | 82.3% | 89.2% | ||||||||||
Loan Loss Reserves / Loans | 1.34% | 1.29% | 1.23% | 1.13% | 1.54% | ||||||||||
Nonperforming Assets / Loans + Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) | 0.60% | 0.58% | 0.50% | 0.66% | 0.48% | ||||||||||
MRQ Net Charge-offs / Average Loans | 0.26% | 0.25% | 0.23% | 0.27% | 0.19% | ||||||||||
Selected Companies | |||||||||||||||
Cadence | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |||||||||||
One-Year Stock Price Change | 7.7% | 1.8% | 3.1% | (2.1%) | 7.0% | ||||||||||
One-Year Total Return | 11.2% | 4.8% | 7.0% | 0.8% | 9.6% | ||||||||||
Year-to-Date Stock Price Change | 5.9% | (2.1%) | (3.0%) | (7.4%) | 1.8% | ||||||||||
Price / Tangible Book Value per Share | 1.60x | 1.50x | 1.49x | 1.36x | 1.66x | ||||||||||
Price / 2025 EPS Estimate | 12.8x | 11.6x | 11.2x | 10.8x | 12.7x | ||||||||||
Price / 2026 EPS Estimate | 10.5x | 10.3x | 10.2x | 9.4x | 10.9x | ||||||||||
Dividend Yield | 3.0% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 3.9% | ||||||||||
LTM Dividend Payout Ratio | 38.9% | 41.6% | 37.3% | 32.8% | 44.4% | ||||||||||
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. | M&T Bank Corporation | ||
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | KeyCorp | ||
Fifth Third Bancorp | Regions Financial Corporation | ||
Selected Companies | |||||||||||||||
Huntington | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |||||||||||
MRQ Core Return on Average Assets(1) | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.14% | 1.04% | 1.38% | ||||||||||
MRQ Core Return on Average Tangible Common Equity(1) | 17.6% | 14.9% | 14.5% | 12.4% | 16.9% | ||||||||||
MRQ Net Interest Margin | 3.13% | 3.24% | 3.20% | 3.03% | 3.51% | ||||||||||
MRQ Fee Income / Revenue Ratio(2) | 28.6% | 32.2% | 31.7% | 28.8% | 34.9% | ||||||||||
MRQ Efficiency Ratio | 57.7% | 58.5% | 58.1% | 61.4% | 55.4% | ||||||||||
(1) | Based on core income after taxes and before extraordinary items, excluding gain / (loss) on sale of securities, amortization of intangibles, and nonrecurring items as defined by S&P Capital IQ Pro. |
(2) | Excluded gain / (loss) on sale of securities. |
Selected Companies | ||||||||||||||||||
Huntington | Huntington Pro Forma(1) | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |||||||||||||
Tangible Common Equity / Tangible Assets | 6.79% | 6.89% | 7.89% | 7.85% | 7.30% | 8.59% | ||||||||||||
Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio | 10.6% | 10.5% | 11.1% | 10.9% | 10.7% | 11.5% | ||||||||||||
Total Capital Ratio | 14.7% | 14.4% | 14.2% | 14.0% | 13.8% | 14.3% | ||||||||||||
Loans / Deposits | 83.5% | 83.9% | 78.1% | 76.1% | 73.8% | 82.4% | ||||||||||||
Loan Loss Reserves / Loans | 1.71% | — | 1.49% | 1.48% | 1.36% | 1.62% | ||||||||||||
Nonperforming Assets / Loans + OREO | 0.59% | — | 0.99% | 0.91% | 1.10% | 0.69% | ||||||||||||
MRQ Net Charge-offs / Average Loans | 0.22% | — | 0.60% | 0.51% | 0.63% | 0.43% | ||||||||||||
(1) | Pro forma metrics shown as of September 30, 2025 as adjusted for the acquisition of Veritex Holdings, Inc. (closed on October 20, 2025) based on publicly disclosed purchase accounting and other transaction adjustments and supplemental transaction adjustments provided by Huntington management. |
Selected Companies | ||||||||||||||||||
Huntington | Huntington Pro Forma(1) | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | |||||||||||||
One-Year Stock Price Change | 3.3% | — | 3.0% | 0.1% | (4.4%) | 3.4% | ||||||||||||
One-Year Total Return | 7.4% | — | 6.5% | 4.1% | (1.4%) | 8.3% | ||||||||||||
Year-to-Date Stock Price Change | (1.2%) | — | 1.8% | 2.4% | (0.9%) | 4.3% | ||||||||||||
Price / Tangible Book Value per Share | 1.68x | 1.69x | 1.55x | 1.53x | 1.37x | 1.78x | ||||||||||||
Price / 2025 EPS Estimate | 11.1x | — | 11.7x | 11.6x | 10.7x | 12.2x | ||||||||||||
Price / 2026 EPS Estimate | 9.7x | — | 10.2x | 10.0x | 9.7x | 10.3x | ||||||||||||
Dividend Yield | 3.9% | — | 3.3% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 4.2% | ||||||||||||
LTM Dividend Payout Ratio | 43.4% | — | 37.5% | 46.7% | 36.9% | 47.8% | ||||||||||||
(1) | Pro forma metrics shown as of September 30, 2025 as adjusted for the acquisition of Veritex Holdings, Inc. (closed on October 20, 2025) based on publicly disclosed purchase accounting and other transaction adjustments and supplemental transaction adjustments provided by Huntington management. |
Acquiror | Acquired Company | ||
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Columbia Banking System, Inc. SouthState Corporation U.S. Bancorp Citizens Financial Group, Inc. New York Community Bancorp, Inc. M&T Bank Corporation | FirstBank Holding Company Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. Independent Bank Group, Inc. MUFG Union Bank, National Association Investors Bancorp, Inc. Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. People’s United Financial, Inc. | ||
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated | TCF Financial Corporation | ||
• | Price per common share to tangible book value per share of the acquired company (in the case of two selected transactions involving a private acquired company, this transaction statistic was calculated as total transaction consideration divided by total tangible common equity); |
• | Pay to Trade ratio (calculated as the price to tangible book value multiple paid in the respective transaction divided by the acquiror’s standalone closing stock price to tangible book value multiple); |
• | Price per common share to LTM core EPS of the acquired company (in the case of two selected transactions involving a private acquired company, this transaction statistic was calculated as total transaction consideration divided by LTM core net income); |
• | Price per common share to estimated EPS of the acquired company for the first full year after the announcement of the respective transaction, referred to as FWD EPS, in the case of six selected transactions in which FWD EPS estimates for the acquired company were available at announcement from consensus “street estimates” or public filings of the transaction parties; and |
• | Tangible equity premium to core deposits (total deposits less time deposits greater than $100,000) of the acquired company, referred to as core deposit premium. |
Selected Transactions | |||||||||||||||
Huntington / Cadence | 75th Percentile | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | |||||||||||
Price / Tangible Book Value per Share | 1.74x | 1.54x | 1.47x | 1.40x | 1.24x | ||||||||||
Pay-to-Trade Ratio | 1.03x(1) | 0.98x | 0.87x | 0.86x | 0.79x | ||||||||||
Price / LTM Core EPS(2) | 13.4x | 15.3x | 13.7x | 13.9x | 13.1x | ||||||||||
Price / FWD EPS | 11.5x | 13.7x | 12.2x | 12.9x | 11.2x | ||||||||||
Selected Transactions | |||||||||||||||
Huntington / Cadence | 75th Percentile | Average | Median | 25th Percentile | |||||||||||
Core Deposit Premium | 9.5% | 5.6% | 4.5% | 4.9% | 2.1% | ||||||||||
One-Day Market Premium | 9.0% | 12.1% | 9.8% | 11.0% | 7.2% | ||||||||||
(1) | Huntington’s standalone closing stock price to tangible book value multiple was based on Huntington’s tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2025 pro forma for the acquisition of Veritex Holdings, Inc. (closed on October 20, 2025) based on publicly disclosed purchase accounting and other transaction adjustments and supplemental transaction adjustments provided by Huntington management. |
(2) | Core income after taxes and before extraordinary items, excluding gain / (loss) on sale of securities, amortization of intangibles, and nonrecurring items as defined by S&P Capital IQ Pro. If core income not available, stated income per S&P Capital IQ Pro used. |
Huntington % of Total | Cadence % of Total | |||||
Ownership:(1) | ||||||
Pro Forma Ownership at 2.475x exchange ratio | 77.3% | 22.7% | ||||
Balance Sheet: | ||||||
Total Assets | 80.7% | 19.3% | ||||
Gross Loans Held For Investment | 80.0% | 20.0% | ||||
Total Deposits | 80.0% | 20.0% | ||||
Tangible Common Equity | 77.8% | 22.2% | ||||
Income Statement: | ||||||
LTM Core Earnings(2) | 80.2% | 19.8% | ||||
2025 Estimated Earnings | 79.6% | 20.4% | ||||
2026 Estimated Earnings | 80.0% | 20.0% | ||||
2027 Estimated Earnings | 80.0% | 20.0% | ||||
Market Capitalization: | ||||||
Pre-Deal Market Capitalization | 78.8% | 21.2% |
(1) | Implied pro forma fully diluted ownership percentages of Huntington shareholders and Cadence shareholders in the combined company based on the 2.475x exchange ratio provided for in the merger agreement were 77.2% and 22.8%, respectively. |
(2) | Core income after taxes and before extraordinary items, excluding gain / (loss) on sale of securities, amortization of intangibles, and nonrecurring items as defined by S&P Capital IQ Pro. |
2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | |||||||||||||
Income Statement | ||||||||||||||||||
Net Income to Common ($ millions) | $2,124 | $2,603 | $2,807 | $3,028 | $3,267 | $3,525 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share ($) | $1.46 | $1.65 | $1.82 | $2.00 | $2.20 | $2.42 | ||||||||||||
Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets ($ billions) | $221.1 | $230.4 | $244.2 | $258.9 | $274.4 | $290.9 | ||||||||||||
Capital | ||||||||||||||||||
Risk-Weighted Assets ($ billions) | $163.7 | $173.9 | $184.3 | $195.4 | $207.1 | $219.5 | ||||||||||||
• | Net Income Available to Common: Reflects the product of consensus Wall Street research estimates for earnings per share and Huntington management’s view of average diluted shares outstanding for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming approximately 8% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
• | Earnings Per Share: Reflects consensus Wall Street research estimates for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming approximately 10% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
• | Total Assets: Reflects consensus Wall Street research estimates for 2025 and Huntington management’s view of total assets in 2026 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 6% annual growth in 2027 through 2030. |
• | Risk Weighted Assets: Reflects Huntington management’s view of risk weighted assets in 2025 through 2026 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 6% annual growth in 2027 through 2030. |
2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | |||||||||||||
Income Statement | ||||||||||||||||||
Net Income to Common ($ millions) | $570 | $644 | $722 | $794 | $874 | $961 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share ($) | $3.05 | $3.41 | $3.82 | $4.20 | $4.62 | $5.08 | ||||||||||||
Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets ($ billions) | $53.4 | $55.2 | $58.5 | $62.0 | $65.7 | $69.6 | ||||||||||||
Capital | ||||||||||||||||||
Risk-Weighted Assets ($ billions) | $42.0 | $43.4 | $46.0 | $48.8 | $51.7 | $54.8 | ||||||||||||
• | Net Income Available to Common: Reflects the product of consensus Wall Street research estimates for earnings per share and Huntington management’s view of average diluted shares outstanding for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 10% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
• | Earnings Per Share: Reflects consensus Wall Street research estimates for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 10% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
• | Total Assets: Reflects Huntington management’s view of total assets for 2025 through 2026 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 6% annual growth in 2027 through 2030. |
• | Risk Weighted Assets: Reflects Huntington management’s view of risk weighted assets for 2025 through 2026 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 6% annual growth in 2027 through 2030. |
2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | |||||||||||||
Income Statement | ||||||||||||||||||
Net Income to Common ($ millions) | $2,124 | $2,603 | $2,807 | $3,028 | $3,267 | $3,525 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share ($) | $1.45 | $1.65 | $1.82 | $2.00 | $2.20 | $2.42 | ||||||||||||
Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets ($ billions) | $221.1 | $230.4 | $244.2 | $258.9 | $274.4 | $290.9 | ||||||||||||
Capital | ||||||||||||||||||
Risk-Weighted Assets ($ billions) | $160.4 | $173.9 | $184.3 | $195.4 | $207.1 | $219.5 | ||||||||||||
2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | |||||||||||||
Income Statement | ||||||||||||||||||
Net Income to Common ($ millions) | $544 | $650 | $700 | $749 | $801 | $857 | ||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share ($) | $2.85 | $3.47 | $3.82 | $4.09 | $4.37 | $4.68 | ||||||||||||
Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets ($ billions) | $53.9 | $56.1 | $58.5 | $61.4 | $64.5 | $67.7 | ||||||||||||
Capital | ||||||||||||||||||
Risk-Weighted Assets ($ billions) | $41.9 | $43.7 | $45.6 | $47.9 | $50.3 | $52.8 | ||||||||||||
• | Net Income Available to Common: Reflects consensus Wall Street research estimates for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 7% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
• | Earnings Per Share: Reflects consensus Wall Street research estimates for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 7% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
• | Total Assets: Reflects consensus Wall Street research estimates for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 5% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
• | Risk Weighted Assets: Reflects Cadence’s risk weighted assets as a percentage of Cadence's total assets of 78% held constant for all periods, based on the percentage as of September 30, 2025, and consensus Wall Street research estimates of Total Assets for 2025 through 2027 and extrapolated thereafter assuming 5% annual growth in 2028 through 2030. |
($ in millions) | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | ||||||||||
Cost Synergies (after-tax) | $156 | $288 | $298 | $308 | $319 | ||||||||||
One-Time Merger Expenses (after-tax) | $(409) | $(30) | $— | $— | $— | ||||||||||
• | each of Cadence’s directors and executive officers holds unvested equity incentive awards and, at the effective time of the merger, each outstanding equity incentive award will be treated in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement, as discussed in the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of Cadence's Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger—Treatment of Outstanding Cadence Equity Awards” below; |
• | each Cadence executive officer is party to a CIC Agreement that provides for severance payments and benefits in connection with a termination of employment without cause or for good reason within the one-year period following the effective time, and pursuant to the merger agreement, the executive officers are eligible to receive the value of the cash severance payments thereunder at the closing of the merger regardless of whether they experience a qualifying termination of employment; |
• | under the terms of the EPIP, following the closing of the merger, each Cadence executive officer will be entitled to receive no less than the target amount of his or her then-current annual cash incentive bonus; |
• | Huntington entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Rollins concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, which provides for, among other things, certain compensation and benefits for his service with Huntington following the closing of the merger; |
• | three of Cadence’s directors (including Mr. Rollins) will be appointed to the board of directors of Huntington and Mr. Rollins will be appointed to the board of Huntington National Bank; and |
• | Cadence’s directors and executive officers are entitled to certain continued indemnification and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage under the merger agreement. |
• | the relevant price per share of Cadence common stock is $37.63, which is the average closing price per share of Cadence common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange over the first five business days following the first public announcement of the merger on October 26, 2025; |
• | the effective time of the merger as referenced in this section occurs on November 6, 2025, which is the assumed date of the effective time of the merger solely for purposes of the disclosure in this section (the “Assumed Closing Date”); |
• | the employment of each executive officer was terminated by Cadence or Huntington without “cause” or by the executive officer for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the relevant plans and agreements), in either case immediately following the merger and on the Assumed Closing Date; |
• | each executive officer’s base salary rate and annual target bonus remain unchanged from those in place as of the Assumed Closing Date; |
• | each executive officer holds such Cadence equity awards that are outstanding and held by such executive officer as of the Assumed Closing Date; and |
• | performance under all performance-based Cadence restricted stock unit awards is satisfied at the target performance level (subject to the rTSR Performance Determination described below). |
• | Cadence restricted stock unit awards: each outstanding Cadence restricted stock unit award that is not held by a non-employee director of Cadence and is not subject to any performance-based vesting conditions will convert into a Huntington restricted stock unit award, with the number of shares subject to such award adjusted based on the exchange ratio; |
• | Cadence director restricted stock unit awards: each outstanding Cadence restricted stock unit that is held by a non-employee director of Cadence will accelerate in full and convert into a right to receive (A) Huntington Common Stock, with the numbers of shares adjusted based on the exchange ratio, and (B) a cash payment equal to the accrued dividend equivalents with respect to such unit; |
• | Cadence performance-based restricted stock unit awards: each outstanding Cadence restricted stock unit award that is subject to any performance-based vesting condition will convert into a Huntington |
• | Cadence restricted stock awards: each outstanding Cadence restricted stock award (other than those that vest solely as a result of the merger pursuant to their terms) will convert into Huntington restricted stock, with the number of shares adjusted based on the exchange ratio. |
• | an amount in cash equal to 300% (for Mr. Rollins), 250% (for Mr. Bagley and Ms. Toalson) or 200% (for Messrs. Braddock, Lambert, and each of the six other executive officers who is not a named executive officer) of annual base salary as in effect at closing; |
• | an amount in cash equal to 300% (for Mr. Rollins), 250% (for Mr. Bagley and Ms. Toalson) or 200% (for Messrs. Braddock, Lambert, and each of the six other executive officers who is not a named executive officer) of annual target incentive opportunity as in effect at closing; |
• | an amount equal to the cost of COBRA coverage (less the employee-paid portion of premiums) for 36 months (for Messrs. Rollins and Bagley), 30 months (for Ms. Toalson), 24 months (for Messrs. Braddock, Lambert, and four other executive officers who are not named executive officers) or 12 months (for two other executive officers who are not named executive officers); |
• | continued participation in executive fringe benefits offered to similarly situated executives immediately prior to the change in control for 36 months (for Messrs. Rollins and Bagley), 30 months (for |
• | full vesting of outstanding Cadence equity awards. |
Name | Cash ($)(1) | Equity ($)(2) | Benefits ($)(3) | Total ($) | ||||||||
James D. Rollins III | $10,580,040 | $9,723,076 | $45,700 | $20,348,816 | ||||||||
Valerie C. Toalson | $3,925,200 | $2,239,549 | $396,428 | $6,561,177 | ||||||||
Christopher A. Bagley | $5,210,563 | $3,388,737 | $159,643 | $8,758,943 | ||||||||
Edward H. Braddock | $3,072,000 | $2,828,317 | $34,903 | $5,935,220 | ||||||||
Tyler L. Lambert | $2,651,500 | $2,764,209 | $352,403 | $5,768,112 | ||||||||
(1) | Cash. The amounts shown consists of (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to either three (3) times (Mr. Rollins), two and one half (2.5) times (Ms. Toalson and Mr. Bagley) or two (2) times (Messrs. Braddock and Lambert) the sum of the named executive officer’s |
Name | Severance ($) | EPIP Bonus ($) | Total ($) | ||||||
James D. Rollins III | $8,816,700 | $1,763,340 | $10,580,040 | ||||||
Valerie C. Toalson | $3,271,000 | $654,200 | $3,925,200 | ||||||
Christopher A. Bagley | $4,263,188 | $947,375 | $5,210,563 | ||||||
Edward H. Braddock | $2,457,600 | $614,400 | $3,072,000 | ||||||
Tyler L. Lambert | $2,121,200 | $530,300 | $2,651,500 | ||||||
(2) | Equity. As described in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Cadence Equity Awards,” the amounts shown consists of the value of unvested Cadence restricted stock units awards subject to service-based vesting only (“Cadence RSU Awards”) and Cadence restricted stock units awards subject to both service-based vesting and performance conditions (“Cadence PSU Awards”), (which will be converted into corresponding Huntington awards at the effective time; provided that such corresponding Huntington awards will be subject to service-based vesting only and will no longer be subject to any performance conditions; provided, further, that any performance goals deemed earned based on the greater of target and actual performance measured through the latest practicable date prior to the effective time (subject to the rTSR Performance Determination). Such awards would vest upon a qualifying termination of employment following the effective time pursuant to the terms of the applicable equity incentive award agreements and CIC Agreement between Cadence and the applicable named executive officer (in the case of Mr. Rollins, including his letter agreement with Huntington). Cadence RSU Awards and Cadence PSU Awards also provide for a dividend equivalent cash payment, that accrues during the vesting period and pays out when such awards are settled. The accelerated vesting of these awards is a “double trigger” benefit triggered upon a qualifying termination of employment following the effective time. |
Name | Accelerated Cadence RSU Awards ($)(a) | Accelerated Cadence PSU Awards ($) | Accelerated Dividend Equivalents ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||
James D. Rollins III | $0 | $9,355,958 | $367,118 | $9,723,076 | ||||||||
Valerie C. Toalson | $0 | $2,156,611 | $82,938 | $2,239,549 | ||||||||
Christopher A. Bagley | $0 | $3,256,412 | $132,325 | $3,388,737 | ||||||||
Edward H. Braddock | $1,309,191 | $1,402,123 | $117,003 | $2,828,317 | ||||||||
Tyler L. Lambert | $1,248,836 | $1,388,116 | $127,257 | $2,764,209 | ||||||||
(a) | Excludes Cadence RSU Awards that are treated as vested because the named executive officer is retirement eligible. |
(3) | Benefits. The amount shown represents (i) the value of the monthly cost of COBRA coverage for a period of 36 months (Messrs. Rollins and Bagley), 30 months (Ms. Toalson) and 24 months (Messrs. Braddock and Lambert), less the employee-portion of such coverage paid by the named executive officer, (ii) either three (3) times (Messrs. Rollins and Bagley), two and one half (2.5) times (Ms. Toalson) or two (2) times (Messrs. Braddock and Lambert) the annual value of the named executive officer’s fringe benefits including, for Mr. Bagley, the value of the use of Cadence corporate aircraft for personal travel, (iii) for Mr. Lambert, the value of vesting in the split dollar life insurance benefit, and (iv) for Ms. Toalson, who became entitled to her normal retirement (age 65) benefit under the Cadence Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan at the effective time in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the present value of such accelerated vesting. With respect to clause (i)-(ii), these benefits are payable on a “double-trigger” basis pursuant to the applicable plan or CIC Agreement between Cadence and the applicable named executive officer (in the case of Mr. Rollins, including his letter agreement with Huntington). With respect to clause (iii)-(iv), the vesting of these amounts is “single trigger” but will not be payable until, in respect of clause (iii) the named executive officer’s death and, in respect of clause (iv) the named executive officer’s separation from service. For additional information, see the sections above entitled “—Cadence Change in Control Agreements” and “—Other Benefits”. |
• | The portion of each Cadence restricted stock award that was granted in September 2020 with a May 2027 vesting date and that pursuant to its existing terms would vest automatically at the effective time, if any, will fully vest and be converted automatically into the right to receive (without interest and less applicable taxes) the merger consideration in respect of each share of Cadence common stock subject to such portion of the Cadence restricted stock award immediately prior to the effective time; and |
• | Each other Cadence restricted stock award, or portion thereof, will be assumed and converted into a restricted stock award of shares of Huntington common stock subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction with the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Cadence restricted stock award immediately prior to the effective time (including vesting terms), and relating to the number of shares of Huntington common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Cadence common stock subject to such Cadence restricted stock award immediately prior to the effective time, multiplied by (ii) the exchange ratio, with any fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share of Huntington common stock. |
• | Each Cadence restricted stock unit award that is held by a non-employee member of the Cadence board of directors will fully vest and be converted automatically into the right to receive (i) a number of shares of Huntington common stock equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Cadence common stock subject to such Cadence restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time, multiplied by (B) the exchange ratio, with any fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share of Huntington common stock and (ii) an amount in cash equal to the dividend equivalent payments with respect to such Cadence restricted stock unit award that are accrued but unpaid as of the effective time; and |
• | Each other Cadence restricted stock unit award will be assumed and converted into an adjusted restricted stock unit award in respect of Huntington common stock (with any performance goals deemed satisfied at the greater of the target and actual level of performance through the latest practicable date prior to the effective time (provided that, with respect to any award that is subject to a relative total shareholder return (“rTSR”) modifier and has a performance period ending after December 31, 2025, the rTSR modifier will be determined based on performance measured as of October 21, 2025)) with the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Cadence restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time (including vesting terms) and relating to the number of shares of Huntington common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Cadence common stock subject to such Cadence restricted stock unit award immediately prior to the effective time, multiplied by (ii) the exchange ratio, with any fractional shares rounded to the nearest whole share of Huntington common stock; provided that each such adjusted restricted stock unit award will be subject to service-based vesting only and will no longer be subject to any performance conditions, and any accrued but unpaid dividend equivalent payments with respect to any Cadence restricted stock unit award will carry over to the adjusted restricted stock unit award. |
• | corporate matters, including due organization, qualification and subsidiaries; |
• | capitalization; |
• | authority relative to execution and delivery of the merger agreement and the absence of conflicts with, or violations of, organizational documents or other obligations as a result of the merger; |
• | required governmental and other regulatory and self-regulatory filings and consents and approvals in connection with the merger; |
• | reports to regulatory agencies; |
• | reports made to the SEC by Huntington and to the Federal Reserve by Cadence; |
• | financial statements, internal controls, books and records, and absence of undisclosed liabilities; |
• | broker’s fees payable in connection with the merger; |
• | the absence of certain changes or events; |
• | legal and regulatory proceedings; |
• | tax matters; |
• | compliance with applicable laws; |
• | certain material contracts; |
• | absence of agreements with regulatory agencies; |
• | information technology; |
• | related party transactions; |
• | inapplicability of takeover statutes; |
• | absence of action or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent the merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a) of the Code; |
• | investment securities; |
• | the receipt of opinions of each party’s respective financial advisors; |
• | risk management instruments; |
• | the accuracy of information supplied for inclusion in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and other similar documents; |
• | employee benefit matters; and |
• | loan portfolio matters. |
• | employee matters; |
• | environmental matters; |
• | real property; |
• | intellectual property; |
• | insurance matters; |
• | Cadence’s investment adviser subsidiary, Linscomb Wealth, Inc.; and |
• | the absence of broker-dealer subsidiaries. |
• | changes, after the date of the merger agreement, in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or applicable regulatory accounting requirements or interpretations thereof; |
• | changes, after the date of the merger agreement, in laws, rules or regulations of general applicability to companies in the industries in which such party and its subsidiaries operate, or interpretations thereof by courts or governmental entities; |
• | changes, after the date of the merger agreement, in global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak, continuation or escalation of war or acts of terrorism or cyberattacks) or in economic or market conditions (including equity, credit and debt markets, as well as changes in interest rates) affecting the financial services industry generally and not specifically relating to such party or its subsidiaries; |
• | any international tariffs, trade policies or similar “trade” actions; |
• | changes, after the date of the merger agreement, resulting from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, wildfires or other natural or manmade disasters or from any outbreak of any disease, epidemic, pandemic or other public health event; |
• | public disclosure of the execution of the merger agreement, public disclosure or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (including any effect on a party’s relationships with its customers or employees) (other than for purposes of certain representations and warranties of Huntington and Cadence) or actions expressly required by the merger agreement or that are taken with the prior written consent of the other party in contemplation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; or |
• | a decline in the trading price of a party’s common stock or the failure, in and of itself, to meet earnings projections or internal financial forecasts, but not, in either case, including any underlying causes thereof; |
• | other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (other than indebtedness of Cadence or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries to Cadence or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries), or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other person (other than any wholly owned subsidiary of Cadence), provided that incurrence of indebtedness in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice will include federal funds borrowings and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, the creation of deposit liabilities, issuances of letters of credit, purchases of federal funds, sales of certificates of deposit and entry into repurchase agreements, in each case on terms and in amounts consistent with past practice; |
• | adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock; |
• | make, declare, pay or set a record date for any dividend, or any other distribution on, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or any securities or obligations convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time or the occurrence of certain events) into or exchangeable for any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities (except (i) regular quarterly cash dividends by Cadence at a rate not in excess of $0.275 per share of Cadence common stock, (ii) dividends payable on the Cadence preferred stock in accordance with the terms thereof, (iii) dividends paid by any of the subsidiaries of Cadence to Cadence or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, or (iv) the acceptance of shares of Cadence common stock as payment for withholding taxes incurred in connection with the vesting or settlement of Cadence equity awards and dividend equivalents thereon, if any, in each case, in accordance with past practice and the terms of the applicable award agreements); |
• | grant any stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted stock units, restricted shares or other equity-based awards or interests, including Cadence equity awards, or grant any individual, corporation or other entity any right to acquire any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities; |
• | issue, sell or otherwise permit to become outstanding any additional shares of capital stock or other equity or voting securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into, or exercisable for or valued by reference to, any shares of its capital stock or any options, warrants, or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting securities, except for the issuance of shares upon the vesting or settlement of Cadence equity awards (and dividend equivalents thereon, if any) outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement or granted on or after the date of the merger agreement to the extent permitted under the merger agreement; |
• | (i) sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of its material properties or assets to any individual, corporation or other entity other than a wholly owned subsidiary, (ii) abandon or allow to lapse any material properties or assets (including any issued or registered intellectual property) other than lapse or expiry of intellectual property at the end of the applicable statutory terms, or (iii) cancel, release or assign any material indebtedness to any such person or any claims held by any person, in each case of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), other than in the ordinary course of business; |
• | except for transactions in the ordinary course of business (including by way of foreclosure or acquisitions of control in a fiduciary or similar capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith) or transactions that would not be material to Cadence and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, make any investment in or acquisition of, whether by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, property transfers, merger or consolidation or formation of a joint venture or otherwise, any other corporation or entity or any acquisition of property or assets of any other individual, corporation or other entity, in each case other than a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadence; |
• | in each case except for transactions in the ordinary course of business, (i) terminate, materially amend, or waive any material provision of, certain material contracts, or make any material change in any instrument or agreement governing the terms of any of its securities, other than normal renewals of contracts in the ordinary course of business without material adverse changes to terms with respect to Cadence or its subsidiaries or (ii) enter into certain material contracts; |
• | except as required by the terms of any Cadence benefit plan existing as of the date of the merger agreement, (i) enter into, adopt or terminate any Cadence benefit plan (including any plans, programs, policies, agreements or arrangements that would be considered a Cadence benefit plan if in effect as of the date of the merger agreement), (ii) amend any Cadence benefit plan (including any plans, programs, policies, agreements or arrangements adopted or entered into that would be considered a Cadence benefit plan if in effect as of the date of the merger agreement), other than de minimis administrative amendments in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that do not materially increase the cost or expense of maintaining, or increase the benefits payable under, such plan, program, policy or arrangements, (iii) increase the compensation, bonus, severance, termination pay or other benefits payable to any current, prospective or former employee, officer, director, independent contractor or consultant, (iv) pay, grant or award, or commit to pay, grant or award, any bonuses or incentive compensation, except for the payment of annual bonuses for completed periods based on actual performance in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including, without limitation, as to timing), (v) accelerate the vesting of, or otherwise deviate from the terms provided in the applicable award agreement with respect to the vesting, payment, settlement or exercisability of, any Cadence equity awards or other compensation, (vi) enter into any collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement or arrangement, (vii) fund or provide any funding for any rabbi trust or similar arrangement, (viii) terminate the employment or services of any employee, independent contractor or consultant (who is a natural person) whose annual base salary or base fee is greater than $200,000, in each case other than for cause, or (ix) hire any employee, independent contractor (who is a natural person) or consultant (who is a natural person) whose annual base salary or base fee is greater than $200,000; |
• | except for debt workouts in the ordinary course of business, settle any claim, suit, action or proceeding, except (i) involving solely monetary remedies in an amount and for consideration not in excess of $1,000,000 individually or $4,000,000 in the aggregate (net of any insurance proceeds or indemnity, contribution or similar payments received by Cadence or any of its subsidiaries in respect thereof) or (ii) that would not impose any material restriction on the business of Cadence or its subsidiaries or the surviving bank or its affiliates; |
• | take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; |
• | amend its articles of incorporation, its bylaws or comparable governing documents of its “significant subsidiaries” (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act); |
• | merge or consolidate itself or any of its significant subsidiaries with any other person, or restructure, reorganize or completely or partially liquidate or dissolve it or any of its significant subsidiaries; |
• | materially restructure or materially change its investment securities or derivatives portfolio or its interest rate exposure, through purchases, sales or otherwise, or the manner in which the portfolio is classified or reported, except as may be required by GAAP or by applicable laws, regulations, guidelines or policies imposed by any governmental entity or requested by any governmental entity; |
• | implement or adopt any change in its accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as may be required by GAAP or by applicable laws, regulations, guidelines or policies imposed by any governmental entity; |
• | (i) enter into any material new line of business or change in any material respect its lending, investment, underwriting, risk and asset liability management and other banking and operating, hedging policies, securitization and servicing policies (including any material change in the maximum ratio or similar limits as a percentage of its capital exposure applicable with respect to its loan portfolio or any segment thereof), except as required by such policies or applicable law, regulation or policies imposed by any governmental entity or (ii) make any loans or extensions of credit or renewals thereof, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not in excess of $35,000,000 (or, in the case of any loan or extension of credit or renewal thereof that is “Adversely Rated” (as determined in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice under Cadence’s and its subsidiaries’ lending policies in effect as of the date of the merger agreement), not in excess of $20,000,000; provided that any consent from the Huntington Parties sought pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) will not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, that, if the Huntington Parties do not respond to any such request for consent within two (2) business days after the relevant loan package is provided to the Huntington Parties, such non-response will be deemed to constitute consent pursuant to clause (ii); |
• | make, or commit to make, any capital expenditures that exceed by more than five percent (5%) Cadence’s capital expenditure budget measured on a quarterly basis; |
• | change or revoke any tax election, change an annual tax accounting period, adopt or change any tax accounting method, file any amended tax return, enter into any closing agreement with respect to taxes, or settle any tax claim, audit, assessment or dispute or surrender any right to claim a refund of taxes, in each case, that is material to Cadence and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; |
• | (i) make any application for the opening or relocation of, or open or relocate, any branch office, loan production office or other significant office or operations facility of Cadence or its subsidiaries, (ii) other than in consultation with the Huntington Parties, make any application for the closing of or close any branch or (iii) other than in consultation with Huntington, purchase any new real property (other than other real estate owned (OREO) properties in the ordinary course) in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 for any individual property or enter into, amend or renew any material lease with respect to real property requiring aggregate payments under any individual lease in excess of $350,000; |
• | knowingly take any action that is intended to or would reasonably be likely to adversely affect or materially delay the ability of Cadence or its subsidiaries to obtain any necessary approvals of any |
• | agree to take, make any commitment to take, or adopt any resolutions of its board of directors or similar governing body in support of, any of the foregoing. |
• | amend the Huntington charter or the Huntington bylaws in a manner that would materially and adversely affect the holders of Cadence common stock or Cadence preferred stock relative to other holders of Huntington common stock or Huntington preferred stock (as applicable); |
• | adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of Huntington or make, declare or pay any extraordinary dividend on any capital stock of Huntington; |
• | incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (other than indebtedness of Huntington or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries to Huntington or any of its subsidiaries) that would reasonably be expected to prevent Huntington or its subsidiaries from assuming Cadence’s or its subsidiaries’ outstanding indebtedness; |
• | sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of its material properties or assets to any individual, corporation or other entity other than a wholly owned subsidiary, or cancel, release, or assign any material indebtedness to any such person or any claims held by any person, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business or in a transaction that, together with such other transactions, is not reasonably likely to prevent or materially delay the receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals or the closing; |
• | make any material investment in or acquisition of (whether by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, property transfers, merger or consolidation or formation of a joint venture or otherwise), any other corporation or entity or the property or assets of any other individual, corporation or other entity, other than a wholly owned subsidiary of Huntington, except for transactions in the ordinary course of business or in a transaction that, together with such other transactions, is not reasonably likely to prevent or materially delay the receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals or the closing; |
• | merge or consolidate itself or Huntington National Bank or any of their respective significant subsidiaries with any other person (i) where it or Huntington National Bank, is not the surviving person or (ii) if the merger or consolidation is reasonably likely to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals or the closing; |
• | take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; |
• | knowingly take any action that is intended to or would reasonably be likely to adversely affect or materially delay the ability of Huntington or its subsidiaries to obtain any necessary approvals of any governmental entity required for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or the requisite Huntington vote or to perform its covenants and agreements under the merger agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby; or |
• | agree to take, make any commitment to take, or adopt any resolutions of its board of directors or similar governing body in support of, any of the foregoing. |
• | approval of the issuance of Huntington common stock in connection with the merger by the shareholders of Huntington by the requisite Huntington vote and approval of the merger agreement by the shareholders of Cadence by the requisite Cadence vote; |
• | the shares of Huntington common stock and depositary shares in respect of new Huntington preferred stock issuable pursuant to the merger agreement having been authorized for listing on the NASDAQ, in each case subject to official notice of issuance; |
• | the effectiveness under the Securities Act of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, and the absence of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or proceedings for that purpose initiated or threatened by the SEC and not withdrawn; |
• | no order, injunction or decree issued by any court or governmental entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the merger being in effect, and no law, statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree having been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any governmental entity which prohibits or makes illegal consummation of the merger; |
• | all requisite regulatory approvals having been obtained and remaining in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof having expired, and no such requisite regulatory approval having resulted in the imposition of any materially burdensome regulatory condition (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger—Regulatory Approvals”); |
• | the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each of the Huntington Parties and Cadence, generally as of the date on which the merger agreement was entered into and as of the closing date, subject to the materiality standards provided in the merger agreement, and the receipt by each party of a certificate signed on behalf of the other party by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer to the foregoing effect; |
• | the performance by each of the Huntington Parties and Cadence in all material respects of the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or prior to the closing date, and the receipt by each party of a certificate signed on behalf of Huntington and Cadence, as applicable, by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer to such effect; and |
• | receipt by each of the Huntington Parties and Cadence of an opinion of legal counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such party, dated as of the closing date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; in rendering such opinion, counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers of the Huntington Parties and Cadence reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel. |
• | by mutual consent of the Huntington Parties and Cadence in a written instrument; |
• | by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence if any governmental entity that must grant a requisite regulatory approval has denied approval of the merger and such denial has become final and nonappealable or any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction has issued a final nonappealable order, injunction or decree permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the merger, unless the failure to obtain a requisite regulatory approval is due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement to perform or observe its obligations, covenants and agreements set forth in the merger agreement; |
• | by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence if the merger has not been completed on or before October 26, 2026 (the “termination date”), unless the failure of the closing to occur by such date is due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement to perform or observe its obligations, covenants and agreements set forth in the merger agreement; provided, however, that if the conditions to the closing set forth in the fifth bullet under “Conditions to Completion of the Merger” have not been satisfied or waived on or prior to such date but all other conditions to the closing have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the closing (so long as such conditions are reasonably capable of being satisfied)), the termination date may be extended by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence to January 26, 2027, unless the failure of the closing to occur by the termination date shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to extend the termination date to perform or observe the obligations, covenants and agreements of such party set forth in the merger agreement, and such date, as so extended, shall be the “termination date;” |
• | by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence (provided that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, obligation, covenant or other agreement contained in the merger agreement) if there is a breach of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements or any of the representations or warranties (or if any such representation or warranty ceases to be true) set forth in the merger agreement on the part of Cadence, in the case of a termination by the Huntington Parties, or |
• | by the Huntington Parties, prior to such time as the requisite Cadence vote is obtained, if Cadence or the Cadence board of directors (i) withholds, withdraws, modifies or qualifies in a manner adverse to the Huntington Parties the Cadence board recommendation (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Shareholder Meetings and Recommendation of Huntington’s and Cadence’s Board of Directors”), (ii) fails to make the Cadence board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) adopts, approves, recommends or endorses a Cadence acquisition proposal (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Agreement Not to Solicit Other Offers”) or publicly announces an intention to adopt, approve, recommend or endorse a Cadence acquisition proposal, (iv) fails to publicly and without qualification (A) recommend against any Cadence acquisition proposal or (B) reaffirm the Cadence board recommendation, in each case within ten (10) business days (or such fewer number of days as remains prior to the Cadence special meeting) after a Cadence acquisition proposal is made public or any request by the Huntington Parties to do so, or (v) materially breaches its obligations related to Cadence shareholder approval or Cadence acquisition proposals; or |
• | by Cadence, prior to such time as the requisite Huntington vote is obtained, if Huntington or the Huntington board of directors (i) withholds, withdraws, modifies or qualifies in a manner adverse to Cadence the Huntington board recommendation (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Shareholder Meetings and Recommendation of Huntington’s and Cadence’s Board of Directors”), (ii) fails to make the Huntington board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) adopts, approves, recommends or endorses a Huntington acquisition proposal (as defined in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Agreement Not to Solicit Other Offers”) or publicly announces an intention to adopt, approve, recommend, or endorse a Huntington acquisition proposal, (iv) fails to publicly and without qualification (A) recommend against any Huntington acquisition proposal or (B) reaffirm the Huntington board recommendation, in each case within ten (10) business days (or such fewer number of days as remains prior to the Huntington special meeting) after a Huntington acquisition proposal is made public or any request by Cadence to do so, or (v) materially breaches its obligations related to Huntington shareholder approval. |
• | In the event that the merger agreement is terminated by the Huntington Parties pursuant to the second to last bullet set forth in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” above. In such case, the termination fee must be paid to Huntington as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of termination (and in any event, within three (3) business days of the date of termination). |
• | In the event that, after the date of the merger agreement and prior to the termination of the merger agreement, a bona fide Cadence acquisition proposal has been communicated to or otherwise made known to the Cadence board of directors or Cadence’s senior management or has been made directly to Cadence’s shareholders generally, or any person has publicly announced (and not withdrawn at least two (2) business days prior to the Cadence special meeting) a Cadence acquisition proposal with respect to Cadence, and (A) (x) thereafter the merger agreement is terminated by either the Huntington Parties or Cadence pursuant to the third bullet set forth in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” above without the requisite Cadence vote having been obtained (and all other conditions set forth regarding shareholder approval and the effectiveness under the Securities Act of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part had been satisfied or were capable of being satisfied prior to such termination) or (y) thereafter the merger agreement is terminated by Huntington pursuant to the fourth bullet set forth in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” above as the result of a willful breach, and (B) prior to the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, Cadence enters into a definitive agreement or consummates a transaction with respect to a Cadence acquisition proposal (whether or not the same Cadence acquisition proposal as that referred to above), provided that for purposes of the foregoing, all references in the definition of Cadence acquisition proposal to “twenty-five percent (25%)” will instead refer to “fifty percent (50%).” In such case, the termination fee must be paid to Huntington on the earlier of the date Cadence enters into such definitive agreement and the date of consummation of such transaction. |
• | In the event that the merger agreement is terminated by Cadence pursuant to the last bullet set forth in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” above. In such case, the termination fee must be paid to Cadence as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of termination (and in any event, within three (3) business days of the date of termination). |
• | In the event that, after the date of the merger agreement and prior to the termination of the merger agreement, a bona fide Huntington acquisition proposal has been communicated to or otherwise made known to the Huntington board of directors or Huntington’s senior management or has been made directly to Huntington shareholders generally, or any person has publicly announced (and not withdrawn at least two (2) business days prior to the Huntington special meeting) a Huntington acquisition proposal with respect to Huntington, and (A) (x) thereafter the merger agreement is terminated by either Cadence or the Huntington Parties pursuant to the third bullet set forth in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” above without the requisite Huntington vote having been obtained (and all other conditions set forth regarding shareholder approval and the effectiveness under the Securities Act of the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part had been satisfied or were capable of being satisfied prior to such termination) or (y) thereafter the merger agreement is terminated by Cadence pursuant to the fourth bullet set forth in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” above as a result of a willful breach and (B) prior to the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, Huntington enters into a definitive agreement or consummates a transaction with respect to a Huntington acquisition proposal (whether or not the same Huntington acquisition proposal as that referred to above), provided that for purposes of the foregoing, |
• | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
• | a trust if (i) its administration is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person; or |
• | an estate that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income regardless of its source. |
• | a financial institution; |
• | a tax-exempt organization; |
• | an S corporation or other pass-through entity (or investor therein); |
• | an insurance company; |
• | a mutual fund; |
• | a retirement plan, individual retirement account or other tax-deferred account; |
• | a dealer or broker in stocks, securities, commodities or foreign currencies; |
• | a trader in securities who elects the mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities; |
• | a holder of Cadence common stock subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code; |
• | a holder of Cadence common stock who received Cadence common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or through a tax-qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation; |
• | a person who is not a U.S. holder; |
• | a real estate investment trust; |
• | a regulated investment company; |
• | a person that has a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; |
• | an expatriate of the United States; |
• | a holder that holds (or that held, directly or constructively, at any time during the five (5)- year period ending on the date of the disposition of your Cadence common stock pursuant to the merger) five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Cadence common stock; |
• | a holder of options granted under any Cadence benefit plan; or |
• | a holder of Cadence common stock who holds Cadence common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or a constructive sale or conversion transaction. |
• | you will not recognize gain or loss when you exchange your Cadence common stock solely for Huntington common stock, except with respect to any cash received instead of a fractional share of Huntington common stock; |
• | your aggregate tax basis in the Huntington common stock that you receive in the merger (including any fractional share interest you are deemed to receive and exchange for cash) will equal your aggregate tax basis in the Cadence common stock you surrender; and |
• | your holding period for the Huntington common stock that you receive in the merger (including any fractional share interest you are deemed to receive and exchange for cash) will include your holding period for the shares of Cadence common stock that you surrender in the exchange. |
• | furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to backup withholding on the Form W-9 (or a suitable substitute or successor form) included in the letter of transmittal to be delivered to you following the completion of the merger and otherwise comply with all the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules; or |
• | provide proof of an applicable exemption from backup withholding. |
• | may have such voting powers, full or limited, or may be without voting powers; |
• | may be subject to redemption at such time or times and at such prices; |
• | may be entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or noncumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions, and at such times and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock; |
• | may have such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, Huntington; |
• | may be made convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class of classes of stock of Huntington, at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange, and with such adjustments; and |
• | will have such other preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to the dividends, qualifications, terms or conditions of redemption or other rights, all as hereafter authorized by the Huntington board of directors and stated and expressed in the articles supplementary or other charter document providing for the issuance of such Huntington preferred stock. |
• | If and when the dividends on the Huntington series B preferred stock or on any other class or series of Huntington’s preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series B preferred stock that has voting rights equivalent to those of the Huntington series B preferred stock have not been authorized, declared and paid for at least six (6) quarterly dividend periods (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Huntington series B preferred stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series B preferred stock, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect two (2) additional members of the Huntington board of directors, but only if the election of any such directors would not cause Huntington to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NASDAQ (or any other exchange on which Huntington’s securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. |
• | So long as any shares of the Huntington series B preferred stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by Huntington’s charter, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of the Huntington series B preferred stock and any class or series of securities on a parity with similar rights then outstanding, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating certain charter amendments and certain mergers and consolidations. |
• | If and when the dividends on the Huntington series F preferred stock or on any other class or series of Huntington preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series F preferred stock that has voting rights equivalent to those of the Huntington series F preferred stock, have not been authorized, declared and paid in full for at least six (6) quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Huntington series F preferred stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series F preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote for the election of the two (2) directors, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect two (2) additional members of the Huntington board of directors, but only if the election of any such directors would not cause Huntington to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NASDAQ (or any other exchange on which Huntington’s securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. |
• | So long as any shares of the Huntington series F preferred stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by the Huntington charter or the Huntington bylaws, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of the Huntington series F preferred stock and any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding that ranks on a parity with the Huntington series F preferred stock and has like voting rights that are exercisable and are then outstanding, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating certain charter amendments and certain mergers and consolidations. |
• | If and when the dividends on the Huntington series G preferred stock or on any other class or series of Huntington preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series G preferred stock that has voting rights equivalent to those of the Huntington series G preferred stock, have not been authorized, declared and paid in full for at least six (6) quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Huntington series G preferred stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series G preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote for the election of the two (2) directors, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect two (2) additional members of the Huntington board of directors, but only if the election of any such directors would not cause Huntington to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NASDAQ (or any other exchange on which Huntington’s securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. |
• | So long as any shares of the Huntington series G preferred stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by the Huntington charter or the Huntington bylaws, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of the Huntington series G preferred stock and any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding that ranks on a parity with the Huntington series G preferred stock and has like voting rights that are exercisable and are then outstanding, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating certain charter amendments and certain mergers and consolidations. |
• | If and when the dividends on the Huntington series H preferred stock or on any other class or series of Huntington preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series H preferred stock that has voting rights equivalent to those of the Huntington series H preferred stock, have not been authorized, declared and paid in full for at least six (6) quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Huntington series H preferred stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series H preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote for the election of the two (2) directors, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect two (2) additional members of the Huntington board of directors, but only if the election of any such directors would not cause Huntington to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NASDAQ (or any other exchange on which Huntington’s securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. |
• | So long as any shares of the Huntington series H preferred stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by the Huntington charter or the Huntington bylaws, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of the Huntington series H preferred stock and any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding that ranks on a parity with the Huntington series H preferred stock and has like voting rights that are exercisable and are then outstanding, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating certain charter amendments and certain mergers and consolidations. |
• | Unless the vote or consent of the holders of a greater number of shares shall then be required by law, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of all of the shares of the series I preferred stock at the time outstanding, voting separately as a class, shall be required to authorize any amendment of the charter or of any certificate amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto (including any articles supplementary or any similar document relating to any series of preferred stock) which will materially and adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the series I preferred stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that the following will not be deemed to adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the series I preferred stock: (i) any increase in the amount of the authorized or issued series I preferred stock, (ii) any increase in the amount of authorized preferred stock of the corporation, or (iii) the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of preferred stock ranking equally with and/or junior to the series I preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and/or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation. |
• | Unless the vote or consent of the holders of a greater number of shares shall then be required by law, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of all of the shares of the series I preferred stock and all other parity stock (as defined in the articles supplementary creating the Huntington series I preferred stock), at the time outstanding, voting as a single class without regard to series, shall be required to issue, authorize or increase the authorized amount of, or to issue or authorize any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase, any additional class or series of stock ranking prior to the shares of the series I preferred stock and all other parity stock as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation. |
• | If and whenever dividends on the series I preferred stock or any other class or series of preferred stock that ranks on parity with the series I preferred stock as to payment of dividends, and upon which voting rights equivalent to those granted have been conferred and are exercisable, have not been paid in an aggregate amount equal, as to any class or series, to at least six quarterly dividend periods (whether |
• | If and when the dividends on the Huntington series J preferred stock or on any other class or series of Huntington preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series J preferred stock that has voting rights equivalent to those of the Huntington series J preferred stock, have not been authorized, declared and paid in full for at least six (6) quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Huntington series J preferred stock, together with the holders of all other affected classes and series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Huntington series J preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable and which are entitled to vote for the election of the two (2) directors, voting as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, will be entitled to elect two (2) additional members of the |
• | If and when the dividends on the series K preferred stock are not paid in full for at least six (6) quarterly dividend periods or their equivalent, whether or not consecutive, the holders of the series K preferred stock, acting as a single class with any other parity securities having similar voting rights that are then exercisable, will have the right to elect two (2) directors to Huntington’s board of directors but only if the election of any such directors would not cause Huntington to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NASDAQ (or any other exchange on which Huntington’s securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. The terms of office of these directors will end when Huntington has paid or set aside for payment full dividends for at least one (1) year’s worth of dividend periods on the series K preferred stock and any non-cumulative parity securities and all dividends on any cumulative parity securities have been paid in full. |
• | So long as any shares of the Huntington series K preferred stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of shareholders required by the Huntington charter or the Huntington bylaws, the vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of the Huntington series K preferred stock and any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding that ranks on a parity with the Huntington series K preferred stock and has like voting rights that are exercisable and are then outstanding, voting together as a single class, with each series or class having a number of votes proportionate to the aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding shares of such class or series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating certain charter amendments and certain mergers and consolidations. |
• | one-tenth (1/10) or more but less than one-third (1/3) of all voting power; |
• | one-third (1/3) or more but less than a majority of all voting power; or |
• | a majority or more of all voting power. |
• | eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, voting together as a single voting group; and |
• | two-thirds (2/3) of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares other than voting shares held by the interested stockholder who will (or whose affiliate will) be a party to the business combination or by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, voting together as a single voting group. |
• | authorization for Huntington’s board of directors to issue shares of one or more series of preferred stock without shareholder approval; |
• | a requirement that directors only be removed from office for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors; |
• | a requirement under Maryland law that shareholder action without a meeting requires unanimous written consent; |
• | a limitation on the ability of shareholders to call special meetings to those shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast; |
• | the requirement under Maryland law that shareholders representing two-thirds (2/3) or more of the outstanding shares of common stock approve all amendments to Huntington’s charter and approve mergers and similar transactions; |
• | the requirement that any shareholders that wish to bring business before Huntington’s annual meeting of shareholders or nominate candidates for election as directors at Huntington’s annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their intent in writing and comply with the other requirements set forth in Huntington’s bylaws; and |
• | a prohibition on cumulative voting in the election of directors. |
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock: | Huntington’s charter currently authorizes Huntington to issue up to 2,250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 6,617,808 shares of serial preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Of the shares of serial preferred stock, 35,500 are shares of Huntington series B preferred stock, 5,000 are shares of Huntington series F preferred stock, 5,000 are shares of Huntington series G preferred stock, 500,000 are shares of Huntington series H preferred stock, 7,000 are shares of Huntington series I preferred stock, 325,000 are shares of Huntington series J preferred stock and 7,500 are shares of Huntington series K preferred stock. As of the Huntington record date, there were 1,574,803,152 shares of Huntington common stock outstanding, 35,500 shares of Huntington series B preferred stock outstanding, 5,000 shares of Huntington series F preferred stock outstanding, 5,000 shares of Huntington series G preferred stock outstanding, 500,000 shares of Huntington series H preferred stock outstanding, 7,000 shares of Huntington series I preferred stock outstanding, 325,000 shares of Huntington series J preferred stock outstanding and 7,500 shares of Huntington series K | Cadence’s articles of incorporation authorizes Cadence to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, and 500,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 6,900,000 have been designated as Cadence series A preferred stock. As of the close of business on the record date for the Cadence special meeting, there were 186,307,016 shares of Cadence common stock outstanding and 6,900,000 shares of Cadence series A preferred stock outstanding. | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
preferred stock outstanding. | ||||||
Preferred Stock: | Huntington’s charter provides that the Huntington board of directors may classify and reclassify any unissued shares of serial preferred stock by authorizing the issuance of serial preferred stock in one or more series and establishing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, entitlements and limitations with respect to dividends, qualifications, term or conditions of redemption, or other rights of such series, all of which will be set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document providing for the issuance of such serial preferred stock. | Cadence’s articles of incorporation authorize the board of directors to establish and designate classes or series of preferred stock, to fix the number of shares constituting each class or series and to fix the designations and voting powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of each class or series and the variations in the relative powers, rights, preferences and limitations as between or among classes or series, and to increase and to decrease the number of shares constituting each class or series. Cadence’s articles of incorporation further authorize the board of directors, with respect to any class or series, to fix and determine the rights of the preferred stock including the rate(s) at which dividends will be paid and whether dividends shall be cumulative, whether the shares shall be redeemable and the terms and conditions of such redemption, the amount payable on the shares in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Cadence Bank, voting rights, conversion privileges, whether or not a sinking fund or purchase fund shall be provided for the redemption or purchase of such shares, and any other powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall not be inconsistent with Cadence’s articles of incorporation or limitations provided by applicable law. | ||||
Voting Rights: | Under Huntington’s charter and bylaws, each share of Huntington common stock is entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders. | Holders of Cadence common stock are entitled to one (1) vote per share on each matter requiring a vote of the shareholders. Holders of Cadence preferred stock do not have any voting rights, except in limited circumstances concerning late dividend payments as set forth in Cadence’s articles of incorporation or as otherwise required by applicable Mississippi law. Except as otherwise required by applicable Mississippi law, Cadence’s articles of | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
incorporation or bylaws, approval for any matter brought before Cadence’s shareholders at any meeting of the shareholders where a quorum is present, other than the election of directors, requires that the votes cast in favor of the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action. | ||||||
Size of Board of Directors: | Huntington’s charter provides that the size of the Huntington board of directors may be increased or decreased pursuant to Huntington’s bylaws but may not be less than three (3) directors. The Huntington bylaws currently provide that a majority of the board of directors may alter the number of directors, but such number may not be more than twenty-five (25) or less than three (3). The current size of the Huntington board of directors is twelve (12) directors. Upon the closing of the merger, the Huntington board of directors will be expanded to fifteen (15) directors. | Cadence’s articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that its board of directors shall consist of not less than nine (9) directors nor more than twenty (20) directors, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the entire board of directors. Cadence currently has 13 directors. | ||||
Classes of Directors: | Huntington’s charter does not separate the directors into classes with staggered, multi-year terms of office. Directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until the director’s successor is elected and qualified or, if earlier, until the director’s death, resignation, or removal from office. | Under Cadence’s articles of incorporation, until the 2027 term, Cadence’s board of directors must be divided into three classes of as nearly equal size as possible. The members of Class I were elected in 2024 for a three-year term, the members of Class II will serve out their current three-year term and stand for re-election for a one-year term in 2026, and the members of Class III elected in 2025 will serve a one-year term. Following amendments to Cadence's articles of incorporation adopted in 2024, at each annual meeting of shareholders commencing with the annual meeting of shareholders held in 2025, each director shall be elected for a one-year term, and, from that point forward, each director shall have a one-year term and shall hold office until his or her term expires at the annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. | ||||
Election of Directors: | Under Maryland law, directors are elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present, unless otherwise provided in the charter or bylaws. Huntington’s bylaws provide that a nominee for election to the Huntington board of directors will be elected only if the number | Under Cadence’s bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote in the election. In an uncontested election, any nominee for director who receives a greater number of votes withheld from his or her election than votes for such election shall promptly tender | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
of votes cast “for” such nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” or affirmatively “withheld” as to such nominee’s election. Any incumbent director who fails to receive the vote required by Huntington’s bylaws to be elected a director shall automatically be deemed to have offered their resignation for consideration. Any director (1) whose resignation is under consideration or (2) who serves on another company’s board with the director whose resignation is under consideration, shall not participate in any deliberations regarding whether to accept the resignation. If, on either the date of Huntington’s proxy statement for the meeting or on the date of the meeting, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors will be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at the meeting. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. | his or her resignation following the certification of the shareholder vote. The independent directors who serve on the Nominating Committee of the Cadence board of directors shall consider the resignation offer and recommend to the Cadence board of directors whether to accept it. The Cadence board of directors shall act on the Nominating Committee's recommendation within ninety (90) days following certification of the shareholder vote. | |||||
Vacancies on the Board of Directors: | Under Huntington’s bylaws, shareholders may elect a successor to fill a vacancy on the board of directors that results from the retirement or removal of a director. Huntington’s bylaws also provide that that an affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum of the board of directors, may fill a vacancy which results from any cause except an increase in the number of directors, and a majority of the board of directors may fill a vacancy which results from an increase in the number of directors. Any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies. Unless otherwise determined by the board of directors, at any time a vacancy is created from any cause except due to an increase in the number of directors, and such vacancy is not filled by the board of directors concurrently with its creation, the number of directors will automatically be decreased by one (1). | Under Cadence’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, all vacancies, including vacancies resulting from newly created directorships due to an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the board of directors, provided that the board of directors may elect instead to (1) not fill the vacancy or (2) have the vacancy filled by vote of shareholders at any regular or special meeting of shareholders. A vacancy that will occur at a later date by reason of resignation or otherwise, may be filled before the vacancy occurs, but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs. | ||||
Removal of Directors: | Huntington’s charter and bylaws provide that, subject to the rights of holders of one or | Cadence’s articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that any director may be | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
more classes of stock other than common stock to remove one or more directors, any director (or the entire board) may be removed at any time but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. | removed for cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board of directors or a majority of shareholders. Shareholders may also remove a director without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than sixty-seven percent (67%) of the outstanding voting stock of Cadence. A director may be removed by shareholders only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing him or her and the meeting notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes is to remove the director. | |||||
Amendments to Organizational Documents: | Under Maryland law, Huntington’s charter may be amended only upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Huntington bylaws may be amended or repealed upon an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all the votes entitled to be cast by the outstanding shares of voting stock of Huntington. In addition, the Huntington board of directors, at any regular or special meeting, has the power to amend, adopt, or repeal the Huntington bylaws. | Pursuant to Section 79-4-10.03 of the MBCA, except as provided in certain other sections of the MBCA and unless the articles of incorporation requires a greater vote or a greater number of shares to be present, an amendment to the articles of incorporation generally requires that (i) the proposed amendment be adopted by the board of directors, and (ii) approval of the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment exists. Under Cadence’s bylaws, the board of directors may amend or repeal the bylaws unless (i) the articles of incorporation or the applicable law reserves this power exclusively to shareholders, or (ii) the shareholders, in amending or repealing a particular bylaw, provide expressly that the board of directors may not amend or repeal the bylaw. Shareholders may amend or repeal any bylaw, even though the bylaws may also be amended or repealed by the board of directors. | ||||
Shareholder Action by Written Consent: | Under Maryland law, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is (1) provided in writing or by electronic transmission by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter; and (2) filed in paper or electronic form with the records of shareholders meetings. If authorized by the charter, holders of shares of common stock may act by the written or electronic consent of the holders of the shares necessary to approve the action at a meeting. Huntington’s charter does not address | Cadence’s articles of incorporation provide that, as permitted by applicable Mississippi law, action required or permitted to be taken at a shareholders’ meeting may be taken without a meeting if the action is evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, signed by at least the same majority of shareholders as would be required to take such action at a meeting of the shareholders where all the shareholders entitled to vote on such action were present and delivered to Cadence. | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
shareholder action without a meeting and, therefore, unanimous consent is required for shareholder action without a meeting. | ||||||
Special Meetings of Shareholders: | Huntington’s bylaws provide that the chairman of the board of directors, the president, the chief executive officer, or the board of directors, may call a special meeting of the shareholders. In addition, Huntington’s secretary is required to call a special meeting of shareholders to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting. | Under Cadence’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, a special meeting of shareholders may be called at any time by the chairman, chief executive officer or secretary or at the written request of a majority of the entire Cadence board of directors or of shareholders owning not less than twenty percent (20%) of all shares of capital stock of Cadence issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at such a meeting. Such written request must state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and the person or persons calling the meeting. | ||||
Record Date: | Under the Huntington bylaws and pursuant to Maryland law, the Huntington board of directors may fix a record date, which record date may not be more than ninety (90) or less than ten (10) days before the date of the annual or special meeting, unless otherwise required by applicable law. | Under the Cadence bylaws, the Cadence board of directors may fix a record date, which record date may not be more than seventy (70) or less than ten (10) days before the date of the annual or special meeting, unless otherwise required by applicable law. | ||||
Quorum: | Under Huntington’s bylaws, unless Maryland law or the Huntington charter provides otherwise, at any meeting of shareholders, the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting constitutes a quorum. Once a quorum has been established, the shareholders present either in person or by proxy at a duly called meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough shareholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum. Whether or not a quorum is present, a meeting of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time by the chairman of the meeting. | Under Cadence’s bylaws, a majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders. If a quorum is not established because a sufficient number of shares entitled to vote are not represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, the meeting may be adjourned by the presiding officer of the meeting without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. The shareholders present at a duly called meeting may continue to transact business for that meeting and for any adjournment thereof, unless a new record date must be set for that adjourned meeting, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum. | ||||
Notice of Shareholder Actions/Meetings: | Huntington’s bylaws provide that written or electronic notice of the time and place (and the purpose, if the meeting is a special meeting or notice of the purpose is required by law) of each shareholders’ meeting must be provided to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting and to each other | Cadence’s bylaws require Cadence to deliver written notice of a meeting of shareholders not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before any shareholders meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting, by or at the direction of the board of directors, the chairman, chief | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
shareholder entitled by statute to notice of the meeting. Such notice must be provided not less than ten (10) days nor more than ninety (90) days before each shareholders’ meeting and may be by mail, by delivering it personally, by leaving the notice at the shareholder’s residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. | executive officer or the secretary. The notice must state the (i) place or providing instructions on how to access the meeting by electronic transmission or other means of remote communication, (ii) date and (iii) time of the meeting, and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. | |||||
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Nominations and Other Proposals: | Huntington’s bylaws require that all director nominations and proposals of other business to be considered by the shareholders be properly brought before the meeting. In order for a shareholder nomination or other shareholder proposal to be properly brought before an annual meeting, any Huntington shareholder making such a nomination or proposal must give timely notice to Huntington’s secretary at Huntington’s principal executive office not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, provided that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than thirty (30) days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be delivered not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Such shareholder’s notice must set forth certain information as specified in the Huntington bylaws. In the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Huntington board of directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least one hundred thirty (130) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a shareholder’s notice of nomination for any new positions created by such increase will be considered timely if it is | Cadence’s bylaws require advance notice for a shareholder who intends to nominate a candidate for election to the board of directors at an annual meeting by delivering timely written notice to the secretary at the principal office of Cadence. To be considered timely, the notice must be received by the secretary no earlier than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days and no later than ninety (90) calendar days before the first anniversary date on which Cadence mailed its first proxy statement to the shareholders in connection with the prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders. However, if Cadence did not hold an annual meeting during the previous year, or if the date of the applicable year’s annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) calendar days before or more than seventy (70) days after the first anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then a shareholder’s notice must be received by the secretary not earlier than the date which is one hundred twenty (120) calendar days before the date on which Cadence first mailed its proxy statement to shareholders in connection with the applicable year’s annual meeting and not later than the date of the later to occur of (i) ninety (90) calendar days before the date on which the Cadence first mailed its proxy statement to shareholders in connection with the applicable year’s annual meeting of shareholders or (ii) ten (10) calendar days after Cadence’s first public announcement of the date of the applicable year’s annual meeting of shareholders. In the event of a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors, no nominations of any person for election to the board of directors shall be made, and no business to be considered or acted upon by the shareholders of Cadence shall be proposed, at any special | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
delivered to Huntington’s secretary at Huntington’s principal executive office not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by Huntington. Only such business that has been brought before a special meeting pursuant to Huntington’s notice of the meeting may be conducted at the special meeting of shareholders. Nominations by shareholders of individuals for election to the board of directors may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected only (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors, (b) by a shareholder that has duly requested that a special meeting be called for the purpose of electing directors, or (c) provided that the special meeting has been duly called for the purpose of electing directors, by any shareholder who is a shareholder of record as of the record date for such meeting, at the time of giving of notice of the special meeting and at the time of the special meeting and who has complied with the notice provisions relating to such nomination. Notice of nomination by a shareholder must be delivered to Huntington’s secretary at Huntington’s principal executive office not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Huntington board of directors to be elected at such meeting. A shareholder’s notice, whether for an annual or special meeting, must set forth certain information as specified in the Huntington bylaws. Notwithstanding anything in the Huntington bylaws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the shareholder giving notice does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present each nominee | meeting of shareholders, except as shall be: (i) specified in the notice of meeting or (ii) otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors. Nominations by shareholders of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at a special meeting of shareholders if the shareholder’s notice required is delivered to the secretary at the principal office of Cadence not earlier than the date which is one hundred twenty (120) calendar days before the date of such special meeting and not later than the date of the later to occur of (i) ninety (90) calendar days before the date of such special meeting of shareholders or (ii) ten (10) calendar days after Cadence’s first public announcement of the date of the special meeting of shareholders. Cadence’s bylaws further provide that shareholder’s notice to the secretary to submit a nomination or other business to an annual meeting, or nomination election at a special meeting, of shareholders shall set forth: (i) the name and address of the shareholder; (ii) the class and number of shares of stock of Cadence held of record and beneficially owned by such shareholder; (iii) the name(s), including any beneficial owners, and address(es) of such shareholder(s) in which all such shares of stock are registered on the stock transfer books of Cadence; (iv) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear at the meeting in person or by proxy to submit the nomination or business specified in such notice; (v) in the case of an annual meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be submitted to the annual meeting of shareholders, the complete text of any resolutions intended to be presented at the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting of shareholders; (vi) any personal or other material interest of the shareholder in the nomination or business to be submitted; (vii) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A | |||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
for election as a director or the proposed business, as applicable, such matter will not be considered at the meeting. | under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (viii) all other information relating to the nomination or proposed business which may be required to be disclosed under applicable law. In addition, a shareholder seeking to submit such nominations or business at the meeting shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by Cadence. | |||||
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers: | The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Huntington’s charter provides that no director or officer of Huntington will be personally liable to Huntington or its shareholders for money damages, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law. | Cadence’s articles of incorporation provide that a director shall not be held personally liable to Cadence or its successor or their respective shareholders for monetary damages unless the director acted in a grossly negligent manner or engaged in conduct which demonstrates a greater disregard of the duty of care than gross negligence, standard intentional tortious conduct, intentional breach of his or her duty of loyalty or intentional commission of corporate waste. | ||||
Indemnification of Directors and Officers: | Under Maryland law, a present or former director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding must be indemnified against reasonable expenses incurred by the director or officer in connection with the proceeding. A court of appropriate jurisdiction upon application of a director or officer and such notice as the court will require may order indemnification in the following circumstances: (1) if it determines a director or officer is entitled to reimbursement pursuant to a director’s or officer’s success, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding, the court will order indemnification, in which case the director or officer will be entitled to recover the expenses of securing such reimbursement; or (2) if it determines that a director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, the court may order such indemnification as the court deems proper. However, indemnification with respect to any proceeding by or in the right of the | Under Cadence’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, Cadence must indemnify, and upon request must advance expenses prior to final disposition of a proceeding to, any person who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether or not by or in the right of Cadence, and whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of Cadence, or is or was serving at the request of the Cadence as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against any liability incurred in the action, suit or proceeding: (i) to the full extent permitted by Section 79-4-8.51 of the MBCA, and (ii) despite the fact that such person has not met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 79-4-8.51(a) of the MBCA or would be disqualified for indemnification under Section 79-4-8.51(d) of | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
corporation or in which liability will have been adjudged in the case of a proceeding charging improper personal benefit to the director or officer, will be limited to expenses. Maryland law also provides that, where indemnification is permissible, it must be authorized for a specific proceeding after a determination has been made that indemnification of the director or officer is permissible in the circumstances because the director or officer has met the requisite standard of care. Such determination must be made: (1) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not, at the time, parties to the proceeding (or a majority of a committee of one or more such directors designated by the full board); (2) by special legal counsel selected by the board of directors by vote as set forth in (1) of this paragraph (or a committee thereof); or (3) by the shareholders (other than shareholders who are also directors or officers who are parties to the proceeding). In addition, Maryland law provides that a corporation may not indemnify a director or officer or advance expenses for a proceeding brought by that director or officer against the corporation, except for a proceeding brought to enforce indemnification, or unless the charter, bylaws, resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement approved by the board of directors expressly provides otherwise. Huntington’s charter provides that the corporation will indemnify its directors to the full extent permitted by law, its officers to the same extent it indemnifies its directors, and any officers who are not directors to such further extent as determined by the board of directors and consistent with the law. The Huntington bylaws provide that, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, Huntington must indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to any present or former director or officer of | the MBCA, if a determination is made by a person or persons enumerated in Section 79-4-8.55(b) of the MBCA that (a) the director, officer, employee or agent is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all of the relevant circumstances, and (b) the acts or omissions of the officer, employee or agent did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct. Cadence’s articles of incorporation and bylaws state that the foregoing rights are intended to be greater than those which are otherwise provided for under applicable Mississippi law. Cadence may also carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for its directors and officers for certain liabilities. | |||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
Huntington or any individual who, while a director or officer of Huntington and at the request of Huntington, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Huntington charter and bylaws vests immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Huntington bylaws also permit it to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual who served a predecessor of Huntington in any of the capacities described above and any employees or agents of Huntington or a predecessor of Huntington with the approval of the board of directors. | ||||||
Anti-Takeover Provisions: | Maryland law includes a control share acquisition statute that, in general terms, provides that where a person acquires issued and outstanding shares of a Maryland corporation’s voting stock (referred to as control shares) within one of several specified ranges (one-tenth (1/10) or more but less than one-third (1/3), one-third (1/3) or more but less than a majority or a majority or more), approval of the control share acquisition by the corporation’s shareholders must be obtained before the acquiring person may vote the control shares. Control shares do not include shares that the person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval. The required shareholder vote is two-thirds (2/3) of all the votes entitled to be cast, excluding “interested shares,” defined as shares held by the acquiring person, officers of the corporation and employees who are also directors of the corporation. A corporation may, however, opt out of the control share statute through a charter or bylaw provision. Huntington has not opted out of the control share acquisition statute. Accordingly, the Maryland control share acquisition statute applies to acquisitions of shares of | Not applicable. | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
Huntington common stock. Maryland law includes a business combination statute that prohibits certain “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances specified under the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (one who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, ten percent (10%) or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two (2)-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent (10%) or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation) for a period of five (5) years after the interested stockholder first becomes an interested stockholder, unless the transaction has been approved by the board of directors before the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or the corporation has exempted itself from the statute. After the five (5)-year period has elapsed, a corporation subject to the statute may not complete a business combination with an interested stockholder unless (1) the transaction has been recommended by the board of directors and (2) the transaction has been approved by affirmative vote of at least (A) eighty percent (80%) of all the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (B) two-thirds (2/3) of all the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. This approval requirement need not be met if certain fair price and terms criteria have been satisfied. Huntington has not opted out of the Maryland business combination statute. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three (3) | ||||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
independent directors to elect to be subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of the following five provisions: • a classified board; • a two-thirds (2/3) vote requirement for removing a director; • a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors; • a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; or • a majority requirement for the calling of a shareholder-requested special meeting of shareholders. Through provisions in the Huntington charter and bylaws unrelated to these provisions of the MGCL, Huntington already (1) requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote for the removal of any director from its board of directors, which removal will be allowed only for cause, (2) vests in its board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships, and (3) requires, unless called by the chairman of the board of directors, the president, the chief executive officer or the board of directors, the request of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on a matter at such meeting to call a special meeting to consider and vote on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of shareholders. In the future, the Huntington board of directors may elect, without shareholder approval, to create a classified board or elect to be subject to one or more of the other provisions of the MGCL described above. | ||||||
Rights of Dissenting Shareholders: | Under Maryland law, a shareholder has the right to demand and receive payment of the fair value of the shareholder’s stock from the successor if the corporation consolidates or merges with another corporation, the | Pursuant to Section 79-4-13.02 of the MBCA, a Cadence shareholder generally is entitled to appraisal rights and to obtain payment of the fair value of shares in the event of the following corporate actions, with | ||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
shareholder’s stock is to be acquired in a share exchange, the corporation transfers its assets in a manner requiring shareholder action under Maryland law, the corporation amends its charter in a way which alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the charter, of any outstanding stock and substantially adversely affects the shareholder’s rights, unless the right to do so is reserved by the corporation’s charter, or the transaction is defined as a business combination under Maryland law. However, under Maryland law, a shareholder of the corporation may not demand the fair value of the shareholder’s stock and is bound by the terms of the transaction if (a) any shares of the class or series of the stock is listed on a national securities exchange, unless each of the following apply: (i) in the transaction, stock of the corporation is required to be converted into or exchanged for anything of value except (1) stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from the merger, consolidation, or share exchange, stock of any other corporation, or depositary receipts for any stock described in this item, (2) cash in lieu of fractional shares of stock or fractional depositary receipts described in item (1), or (3) any combination of the stock, depositary receipts, and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depositary receipts described in items (1) and (2); (ii) the directors and executive officers of the corporation were the beneficial owners in the aggregate of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the one (1)- year period ending on the day the shareholders voted on the merger; and (iii) unless the stock is held in accordance with a compensatory plan or arrangement approved by the board of directors of the corporation and the treatment of the stock in the transaction is approved by the board of directors, any stock held by persons described in (ii), as part of or in connection with the transaction and within the one (1)-year period described in (ii), will be or was converted into or exchanged for stock of a person, or an affiliate of a person, who is a party to the transaction on terms that are not available to all holders of stock of the same class or series; (b) the stock is | certain exceptions and limits: (i) consummation of a merger to which Cadence is a party if shareholder approval is required for the merger by the MBCA and the shareholder is entitled to vote on the merger, except that appraisal rights are not available with respect to shares of any class or series that remain outstanding after consummation of the merger; (ii) consummation of a share exchange to which Cadence is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the exchange, except that appraisal rights are not available with respect to any class or series of Cadence shares that is not exchanged; (iii) consummation of certain dispositions of assets if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the disposition; (iv) amendment of the amended and restated articles of incorporation of Cadence that reduces the number of shares of a class or series owned by the shareholder to a fraction of a share if Cadence has the obligation or right to repurchase the fractional share so created; or (v) other situations provided for in Cadence’s governing documents or by resolution of the board of directors. | |||||
Huntington | Cadence | |||||
that of the successor in a merger, unless (i) the merger alters the contract rights of the stock as expressly set forth in the charter, and the charter does not reserve the right to do so; or (ii) the stock is to be changed or converted in whole or in part in the merger into something other than either stock in the successor or (iii) the stock is to be changed or converted in whole or in part in the merger into something other than either stock in the successor or cash, scrip, or other rights or interests arising out of the provisions for the treatment of fractional shares of stock in the successor; (c) the stock is not entitled to be voted on the transaction or the shareholder did not own the shares of stock on the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on the transaction; or (d) the charter provides that the holders of the stock are not entitled to exercise the rights of an objecting shareholder. | ||||||
Shareholder Rights Plan: | Huntington does not currently have a shareholder rights plan in effect. | Cadence does not currently have a shareholder rights plan in effect. | ||||
Exclusive Forum: | Neither Huntington’s charter nor its bylaws contain an exclusive forum provision. However, in respect of the assertion of any cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933 the federal district courts of the United States shall be the sole and exclusive forum. | Cadence’s articles of incorporation provide that Lee County, Mississippi shall be the sole and exclusive venue for derivative actions, actions claiming breach of a fiduciary duty, actions involving Chapter 4 of Title 79 or Title 81 of the MS Code, or Cadence’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, and actions involving the internal affairs legal doctrine. | ||||
Huntington Filings (SEC File No. 001-34073) | Periods Covered or Date of Filing with the SEC | ||
Annual Report on Form 10-K | Fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 14, 2025. | ||
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q | Quarterly periods ended March 31, 2025, filed April 29, 2025, June 30, 2025, filed July 29, 2025 and September 30, 2025, filed October 28, 2025. | ||
Current Reports on Form 8-K | Filed January 17, 2025, March 31, 2025, April 17, 2025, April 17, 2025, June 27, 2025, July 17, 2025, July 18, 2025, September 11, 2025, September 12, 2025, October 3, 2025, October 17, 2025 and October 20, 2025 (other than those Current Reports on Form 8-K or portions thereof not deemed to be filed). | ||
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A | Filed March 6, 2025. | ||
Huntington Filings (SEC File No. 001-34073) | Periods Covered or Date of Filing with the SEC | ||
The description of Huntington’s common stock contained in Huntington’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and any amendment or report filed for purpose of updating those descriptions | April 28, 1967 (filed in paper format), as updated by Exhibit 4.2 to Huntington’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 14, 2025 | ||
The description of Huntington’s depositary shares each representing 1/40th interest in a share of Huntington’s 4.500% Series H Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock contained in Huntington’s registration statement on Form 424B2 filed under Rule 424 of the Securities Act of 1933 and any amendment or report filed for purpose of updating those descriptions | February 9, 2021, as updated by Exhibit 4.2 to Huntington’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 14, 2025 | ||
The description of Huntington’s depositary shares each representing 1/1000th interest in a share of Huntington’s 5.70% Series I Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock contained in Huntington’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and any amendment or report filed for purpose of updating those descriptions | June 9, 2021, as updated by Exhibit 4.2 to Huntington’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 14, 2025 | ||
The description of Huntington’s depositary shares each representing 1/40th interest in a share of Huntington’s 6.875% Series J Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock contained in Huntington’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and any amendment or report filed for purpose of updating those descriptions | March 6, 2023, as updated by Exhibit 4.2 to Huntington’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 14, 2025 | ||
Cadence Filings | Periods Covered or Date of Filing with Federal Reserve | ||
Annual Report on Form 10-K | Fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 21, 2025 (Exhibit 99.1 to Huntington's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 1, 2025) | ||
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q | Quarterly periods ended March 31, 2025, filed May 9, 2025, June 30, 2025, filed August 8, 2025 and September 30, 2025, filed November 7, 2025 (Exhibit 99.2, Exhibit 99.3 and Exhibit 99.4, respectively, to Huntington's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 1, 2025) | ||
Current Reports on Form 8-K | Filed January 3, 2025 (as amended on February 5, 2025 and April 25, 2025), January 21, 2025, January 27, 2025, April 25, 2025, October 27, 2025 and October 30, 2025 (other than the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) (Exhibit 99.5 through Exhibit 99.14, respectively, to Huntington's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 1, 2025) | ||
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A | Filed March 14, 2025 (Exhibit 99.15 to Huntington's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 1, 2025) | ||
• | if you are a Huntington shareholder: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated 41 South High Street Columbus, Ohio 43287 (800) 576-5007 Attn: Huntington Investor Relations | • | if you are a Cadence shareholder: Cadence Bank One Mississippi Plaza 201 South Spring Street Tupelo, Mississippi 38804 (800) 698-7878 IR@Cadencebank.com Attn: Corporate Secretary | ||||||
ARTICLE I THE MERGER | ||||||
ARTICLE II EXCHANGE OF SHARES | ||||||
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CADENCE | ||||||
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HUNTINGTON PARTIES | ||||||
ARTICLE V COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS | ||||||
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS | ||||||
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | ||||||
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT | ||||||
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS | ||||||
EXHIBITS | ||||||
if to Cadence, to: | ||||||
Cadence Bank | ||||||
One Mississippi Plaza | ||||||
201 South Spring Street | ||||||
Tupelo, Mississippi 38804 | ||||||
Attention: | Dan Rollins | |||||
E-mail: | [***] | |||||
With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to: | ||||||
Cadence Bank | ||||||
1333 West Loop South, Suite 1800 | ||||||
Houston, Texas 77027 | ||||||
Attention: | Shanna Kuzdzal | |||||
[***] | ||||||
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP | ||||||
125 Broad Street | ||||||
New York, NY 10004 | ||||||
Attention: | H. Rodgin Cohen and Mitchell S. Eitel | |||||
E-mail: | [***] | |||||
and | ||||||
if to Huntington or Huntington National Bank, to: | ||||||
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated | ||||||
41 South High Street | ||||||
Columbus, OH 43287 | ||||||
Attention: | Marcy C. Hingst, General Counsel | |||||
E-mail: | [***] | |||||
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: | ||||||
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz | ||||||
51 W. 52nd Street | ||||||
New York, NY 10019 | ||||||
Attention: | Edward D. Herlihy, Nicholas G. Demmo and Brandon C. Price | |||||
E-mail: | [***] | |||||
HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED | ||||||
By: | /s/ Stephen D. Steinour | |||||
Name: Stephen D. Steinour | ||||||
Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK | ||||||
By: | /s/ Stephen D. Steinour | |||||
Name: Stephen D. Steinour | ||||||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
CADENCE BANK | ||||||
By: | /s/ James D. Rollins III | |||||
Name: James D. Rollins III | ||||||
Title: Chairman & CEO | ||||||
1 | To be the most recent Dividend Payment Date prior to closing (subject to adjustment if the closing occurs between a record date and Dividend Payment Date). |
2 | To be the most recent Dividend Payment Date prior to closing (subject to adjustment if the closing occurs between a record date and Dividend Payment Date). |
3 | To be the first Dividend Payment Date following the closing (subject to adjustment if the closing occurs between a record date and Dividend Payment Date). |
4 | Subject to adjustment for first Dividend Payment Date depending on timing of closing. |
5 | To be the most recent Dividend Payment Date prior to closing. |
ATTEST: | HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED | ||||||||
By: | By: | ||||||||
Name: | Name: Stephen D. Steinour | ||||||||
Title: | Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||

(i) | reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Cadence and Huntington that we deemed to be relevant, including publicly available research analysts’ estimates; |
(ii) | reviewed certain internal projected financial data relating to Cadence and furnished to us by the management of Huntington and certain internal projected financial data relating to Huntington prepared and furnished to us by management of Huntington, each as approved for our use by Huntington (the “Forecasts”), including certain operating synergies prepared by the management of Huntington expected to result from the Merger, as approved for our use by Huntington (the “Synergies”); |
(iii) | discussed with managements of Huntington and Cadence their assessment of the past and current operations of Cadence, the current financial condition and prospects of Cadence and the Forecasts relating to Cadence, and discussed with management of Huntington their assessment of the past and current operations of Huntington, the current financial condition and prospects of Huntington, and the Forecasts; |
(iv) | reviewed the reported prices and the historical trading activity of Cadence Common Stock and Huntington Common Stock; |
(v) | compared the financial performance of Cadence and Huntington and their respective stock market trading multiples with those of certain other publicly traded companies that we deemed relevant; |
(vi) | compared the financial performance of Cadence and the valuation multiples relating to the Merger with the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain other transactions that we deemed relevant; |
(vii) | reviewed the financial terms and conditions of a draft, dated October 24, 2025, of the Merger Agreement; and |
(viii) | performed such other analyses and examinations and considered such other factors that we deemed appropriate. |
Very truly yours, EVERCORE GROUP L.L.C. | ||||||
By: | ![]() | |||||
Eric Neveux | ||||||
Senior Managing Director | ||||||

Very truly yours, | |||
![]() | |||
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. | |||
HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INCORPORATED | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Name: | Zachary Wasserman | |||||
Title: | Senior Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
DEPOSITARY SHARES | $ | |||||
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT NO. | FOR | DEPOSITARY SHARES, | ||||
Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as Depositary | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Authorized Officer | ||||||
Abbreviation | Abbreviation | Abbreviation | Equivalent Word | ||||||
JT TEN | As joint tenants, with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common | TEN BY ENT | As tenants by the entireties | ||||||
TEN IN COM | As tenants in common | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT | Uniform Gifts to Minors Act | ||||||
Abbreviation | Equivalent Word | Abbreviation | Equivalent Word | Abbreviation | Equivalent Word | ||||||||||
ADM | Administrator(s), Administratrix | EX | Executor(s), Executrix | PL | Public Law | ||||||||||
AGMT | Agreement | FBO | For the benefit of | TR | (As) trustee(s), for, of | ||||||||||
ART | Article | FDN | Foundation | U | Under | ||||||||||
CH | Chapter | GDN | Guardian(s) | UA | Under Agreement | ||||||||||
CUST | Custodian for | GDNSHP | Guardianship | UW | Under will of, Of will of, Under last will & testament | ||||||||||
DEC | Declaration | MIN | Minor(s) | ||||||||||||
EST | Estate, of Estate of | PAR | Paragraph | ||||||||||||