UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

		For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

		For the transition period from _______________ to ______________________

A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

Northwest Retirement Savings Plan

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

Northwest Bancshares, Inc.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

The following financial statements and exhibits are filed as part of this annual report:

Exhibit 23		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Exhibit 99		Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and Supplemental Schedule as of December 31, 2009 for the Northwest Retirement Savings Plan.

SIGNATURES

     The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.