CNB Financial Corporation Completes Merger with ESSA Bancorp, Inc.
Rhea-AI Summary
CNB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CCNE) has completed its merger with ESSA Bancorp, Inc. on July 23, 2025. The transaction integrates ESSA Bank & Trust into CNB Bank, with ESSA's offices continuing operations under the ESSA Bank division of CNB Bank. This strategic merger expands CNB's footprint into Northeastern Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, increasing its branch network to 78 locations across four states.
As part of the merger, ESSA's leadership joins CNB's governance structure, with three ESSA directors joining CNB's board, including former ESSA CEO Gary S. Olson, who will also serve as a strategic advisor. CNB has established an Advisory Board for the ESSA Bank division to ensure smooth integration and continued community focus.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- Integration risks and potential challenges in merging operations
- Possible cultural adaptation challenges between the two organizations
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CCNE gained 0.70%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
CLEARFIELD, Pa., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CNB Financial Corporation (“CNB” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CCNE) announced that it completed the merger (“Merger”) of ESSA Bancorp, Inc. (“ESSA”) with and into CNB on July 23, 2025. In connection with the Merger, ESSA’s subsidiary bank, ESSA Bank & Trust, has been merged with and into CNB’s subsidiary bank, CNB Bank, and ESSA’s offices will operate going forward under the brand of ESSA Bank, a division of CNB Bank.
The transaction has extended CNB Bank’s branch network into the Northeastern Region including the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. With the addition of ESSA’s 20 community offices, CNB Bank now has 78 branches across its four-state footprint.
“We are so pleased to welcome ESSA Bank & Trust customers and employees into the CNB family as a result of this merger,” said CNB President and CEO Michael D. Peduzzi. “At CNB, we focus on providing exceptional experiences to our customers, colleagues, and communities. Adding the ESSA markets to our service area, with branches and employees that have a very similar cultural and service-based focus, is a natural extension of our brand and our operating profile. We believe this merger will catalyze greater achievement of our strategic asset and profitability growth objectives by embracing these vibrant markets in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We look forward to building on the relationships ESSA has established with its customers, communities and shareholders as we focus on continuing to support all stakeholders with a smooth and positive transition.”
Consistent with the terms of the merger agreement, Gary S. Olson (ESSA CEO), Robert C. Selig Jr. (ESSA Chairman), and Daniel J. Henning (ESSA Director) will fill 3 new CNB and CNB Bank board seats. Mr. Olson will also have a role as strategic advisor to CNB’s CEO. Additionally, CNB Bank formed an Advisory Board for the ESSA Bank division.
Stephens Inc. served as CNB’s exclusive financial advisor, and Hogan Lovells US LLP served as its legal advisor. Piper Sandler & Co rendered a fairness opinion to CNB’s board. PNC FIG Advisory, part of PNC Capital Markets LLC, served as ESSA’s exclusive financial advisor and rendered a fairness opinion to ESSA’s board, and Luse Gorman, PC served as its legal advisor.
About CNB Financial Corporation
CNB Financial Corporation is a financial holding company with consolidated assets in excess of
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements about CNB and ESSA and their industry involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements other than statements of current or historical fact, including statements regarding CNB's or ESSA's future financial condition, results of operations, business plans, liquidity, cash flows, projected costs, and the impact of any laws or regulations applicable to CNB or ESSA, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "projects," "may," "will," "should" and other similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results.
Among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following: (i) failure to realize the expected benefits of the merger; (ii) significant transaction costs and/or unknown or inestimable liabilities; (iii) the risk that ESSA's business will not be integrated successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; (iv) risks related to future opportunities and plans for the combined company, including the uncertainty of expected future financial performance and results of the combined company following completion of the proposed merger; (v) the dilution caused by CNB's issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the merger; (vi) national, international, regional and local economic and political climates and conditions; (vii) changes in general economic conditions, including changes in market interest rates and changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; and (viii) legislative and regulatory changes. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in CNB's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and in subsequent filings CNB makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. CNB does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Contact: Tito Lima, Senior EVP, CFO, and Treasurer CNB Financial Corporation 1 South Second Street Clearfield, PA 16830 814-765-9621
FAQ
When did CNB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CCNE) complete its merger with ESSA Bancorp?
How many branches will CNB Bank have after the ESSA merger?
Who will join CNB's board from ESSA after the merger?
What markets does the CNB-ESSA merger add to CNB's footprint?
What role will former ESSA CEO Gary S. Olson have at CNB?
