Staff report

WesBanco Inc. and Premier Financial Corp. announced Wednesday they have received all necessary regulatory approvals for the pending merger of Premier with and into WesBanco.

The companies previously announced the shareholders of Premier and WesBanco voted overwhelmingly to approve the transaction at respective special meetings Dec. 11.

“These approvals reflect the strength of our shared vision for a community-focused, regional financial services provider,” said Jeff Jackson, president and chief executive officer of WesBanco. “We look forward to closing this transformative merger and delivering the benefits of our combined strengths to our customers, communities, teams and shareholders.”

WesBanco and Premier expect that the closing of the merger will occur on or about Feb. 28. The transaction remains subject to the completion of customary closing conditions.

The merger will create a regional financial services institution with approximately $27 billion in assets and would be the eighth largest bank in Ohio, based on deposit market share. The new company will serve customers in nine states.

Premier Financial Corp., headquartered in Defiance, is the holding company for Premier Bank. Premier Bank, headquartered in Youngstown, operates 73 branches and nine loan offices in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania.