WesBanco (WSBC) creates Series B Preferred; parity with 6.75% Series A
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
WesBanco, Inc. filed a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the creation of a Series B Preferred Stock class whose dividend and liquidation rights will rank on parity with the company’s existing 6.75% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock. The Series B terms include restrictions on dividends and certain rights if full dividends for the most recently completed dividend period have not been declared and paid on all outstanding Series B shares. The detailed terms are set forth in an Articles of Amendment, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the 8-K.
Positive
- Series B Preferred Stock established with explicit parity to the 6.75% Series A, preserving equal seniority
- Terms are documented and filed as Articles of Amendment (Exhibit 3.1), providing formal disclosure
Negative
- Series B includes restrictions that can limit distributions if full dividends for the prior dividend period are not declared and paid
- The 8-K text references conditions but does not include full Exhibit 3.1 terms in-line, requiring readers to review the exhibit for full detail
Insights
New preferred class creates pari passu rights and dividend conditions.
The filing confirms the company added a Series B Preferred Stock that is explicitly pari passu with the 6.75% Series A for dividends and liquidation rights, which preserves equal seniority among those preferred series.
The Articles of Amendment (Exhibit 3.1) are the operative document for investor rights; review of that exhibit is necessary to assess voting, conversion, and other structural protections since the 8-K text references restrictions tied to unpaid dividend periods.
Dividend restrictions could limit common distributions until Series B dividends are satisfied.
The filing states Series B is subject to restrictions "in the event that full dividends for the most recently completed dividend period have not been declared and paid," which typically constrains common shareholder distributions while preferred dividends are unpaid.
Investors should consult Exhibit 3.1 for exact triggering mechanics and any implications for the company’s capital allocation.
8-K Event Classification
FAQ
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What did WESBANCO (WSBC) disclose in this Form 8-K?
Are there any restrictions tied to the Series B dividends?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of
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Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 3.03. | Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders |
As more fully described in Item 8.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, on September 17, 2025, Wesbanco, Inc. (the “Company”) completed its previously disclosed public offering (the “Offering”) of 9,200,000 depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”), each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of the Company’s 7.375% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, no par value per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per Depositary Share). On September 15, 2025, the Company filed Articles of Amendment (the “Articles of Amendment”) to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of West Virginia establishing the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Series B Preferred Stock.
The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock and will rank senior to each other class or series of capital stock it may issue in the future the terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. The Series B Preferred Stock will rank on a parity as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution and winding-up of the Company with the Company’s 6.75% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock and any class or series of capital stock the Company may issue in the future the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company.
Under the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company to declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend or distribution on any shares of its common stock or any other capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, and to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration, directly or indirectly, shares of its common stock or shares of any other capital stock ranking junior to or on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, is subject to certain restrictions in the event that full dividends for the most recently completed dividend period have not been declared and paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has not been set aside) on all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, including such restrictions, are more fully described in the Articles of Amendment, a copy of which is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
| Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year |
Effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of West Virginia, the Articles of Amendment created the Series B Preferred Stock out of the authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company, established the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, fixed the number of initially authorized shares of Series B Preferred Stock to 230,000, and provided for certain other rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations of the Series B Preferred Stock. The foregoing description of the Articles of Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Articles of Amendment, a copy of which is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
On September 17, 2025, the Company completed the Offering. The Depositary Shares were issued pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2025 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Company and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Raymond James & Associates, Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (collectively, the “Underwriters”).
In connection with the issuance of the Depositary Shares, on September 17, 2025, the Company entered into a Deposit Agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”) with Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly as depositary of the Depositary Shares (“Depositary”), and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts (the “Depositary Receipts”) evidencing the Depositary Shares. On the same date, the 230,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares were deposited with the Depositary against the delivery of the Depositary Receipts pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. A copy of the Deposit Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1, a specimen of certificate representing the Series B Preferred Stock is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.2 and the form of Depositary Receipt is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.3. The foregoing description of the Deposit Agreement, the specimen of certificate representing the Series B Preferred Stock and the Depositary Receipts are qualified in their entirety by reference to Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, respectively, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
A copy of the opinions of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC, and K&L Gates LLP, counsel to the Company, relating to the legality of the Series B Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares are filed as Exhibit 5.1 and Exhibit 5.2 hereto, respectively.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) Exhibits:
| 3.1 | Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of incorporation of Wesbanco, Inc. establishing the Series B Preferred Stock, dated September 15, 2025, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of West Virginia on September 15, 2025. |
| 4.1 | Deposit Agreement, dated September 17, 2025, by and among Wesbanco, Inc., Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. acting jointly as the depositary, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts described therein. |
| 4.2 | Specimen of Certificate representing the Series B Preferred Stock. |
| 4.3 | Form of Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto). |
| 5.1 | Opinion of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC. |
| 5.2 | Opinion of K&L Gates LLP. |
| 23.1 | Consent of Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer, PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
| 23.2 | Consent of K&L Gates LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2). |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| WesBanco, Inc. | ||||||
| (Registrant) | ||||||
| Date: September 17, 2025 | /s/ Daniel K. Weiss, Jr. | |||||
| Daniel K. Weiss, Jr. | ||||||
| Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||