As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2018

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Park National Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

50 North Third Street, P.O. Box 3500
Newark, Ohio 43058
(740) 349-8451

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

David L. Trautman
Chief Executive Officer and President
50 North Third Street
Newark, Ohio 43055
(740) 349-8451

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service of process)

With copies to:

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective and upon completion of the merger described in the enclosed document.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  o

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)  o

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

PRELIMINARY – SUBJECT TO COMPLETION – DATED NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Proxy Statement of CAB Financial Corporation

Prospectus of Park National Corporation

MERGER PROPOSAL — YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

DEAR CAB FINANCIAL CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS:

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of shareholders of CAB Financial Corporation (“CABF”) which will be held on                ,   , at       , local time, at CABF’s headquarters located at 200 South Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306.

At the meeting, you will be asked to approve an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”), by and between CABF and Park National Corporation, an Ohio corporation (“Parent”) that provides for Parent’s acquisition of CABF through the merger of CABF with and into Parent (the “Merger”). Pursuant to the Merger, each share of common stock of CABF, par value $1.00 per share (except for specified shares of CABF common stock held by CABF or Parent, which we refer to as “excluded shares,” and shares of CABF common stock held by shareholders who properly exercise dissenters’ rights), will be converted into the right to receive (i) $3.80 in cash, which we refer to as the “cash consideration” and (ii) 0.1378 shares of Parent common stock, without par value, which we refer to as the “stock consideration.” The cash consideration and the stock consideration is referred to collectively as the “merger consideration.” Following the completion of the Merger, Carolina Alliance Bank (“Carolina Alliance Bank”), a South Carolina state-chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of CABF, will merge with and into The Park National Bank (“Park National”), a national banking association and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, in a transaction we refer to as the “Bank Merger.” Park National will be the surviving entity in the Bank Merger and, following the Bank Merger, the separate corporate existence of Carolina Alliance Bank will cease.

The value of the cash consideration per share is fixed at $3.80, but the value of the stock consideration will fluctuate as the market price of Parent common stock fluctuates before the completion of the Merger, and may be more or less than the value of the stock consideration on the date of the special meeting and at the completion of the Merger. Based on the average closing stock price of Parent common stock on the NYSE American stock exchange, which we refer to as the “NYSE American,” for the twenty trading days ending on September 7, 2018, the third trading day before the execution of the Merger Agreement, of $110.34, the value of the stock consideration plus the cash consideration represented approximately $19.00 in value for each share of CABF common stock. Based on the closing stock price of Parent common stock on the NYSE American on             ,   , the latest practicable date before the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus, of $       , the value of the stock consideration plus the cash consideration represented approximately $       in value for each share of CABF common stock. You should obtain current stock price quotations for Parent common stock before you vote. Parent common stock is quoted on the NYSE American under the symbol “PRK.” CABF common stock is quoted on the OTCQX market of the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (the “OTCQX”) under the symbol “CABF.”

Based on the number of shares of CABF common stock outstanding on          , we expect that the payment of the stock portion of the merger consideration will require Parent to issue approximately          shares of Parent common stock in connection with the Merger. Holders of shares of CABF common stock as of immediately prior to the closing of the Merger will hold, in the aggregate, approximately       % of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent common stock immediately following the closing of the Merger (including shares received in respect of equity awards and without giving effect to any shares of Parent common stock held by CABF shareholders prior to the Merger).

The Merger cannot be completed unless the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding shares of CABF common stock affirmatively vote in favor of the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, the CABF board of directors has unanimously approved and adopted the Merger Agreement and recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the Merger Agreement at the special meeting. In considering the recommendation of the board of directors of CABF, you should be aware that certain directors and executive officers of CABF will have interests in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of CABF shareholders generally. See the section entitled “The Merger—Interests of certain persons in the Merger” beginning on page 46 of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares of CABF common stock you own. To ensure your representation at the CABF special meeting, please take time to vote by following the instructions contained in this proxy statement/prospectus and on your proxy card. Please vote promptly whether or not you expect to attend the CABF special meeting. Submitting a proxy now will not prevent you from being able to vote in person at the CABF special meeting.

Additional information regarding the Merger, the Merger Agreement, CABF and Parent is set forth in the attached proxy statement/prospectus. This document also serves as the prospectus for up to 1,052,804 shares of Parent common stock that may be issued by Parent in connection with the Merger. We urge you to read this entire document carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18.

	Sincerely,
	John D. Kimberly
	Chief Executive Officer & President
	CAB Financial Corporation

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulatory body has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued under this proxy statement/prospectus or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or adequate. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The securities to be issued in connection with the Merger are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of any bank or nonbank subsidiary of any of the parties, and they are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated             ,   , and is first being mailed to CABF shareholders on or about ,       .

REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), this proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Parent from other documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. These documents are available to you without charge upon your written or oral request. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, from Parent’s website at www.parknationalcorp.com or by requesting them in writing or by telephone at the following address and telephone number:

Park National Corporation
50 North Third Street, P.O. Box 3500
Newark, OH 43058-3500
Attention: Brady Burt
(740) 322-6844

In order to ensure timely delivery of these documents, you should make your request by       ,       to receive them before the special meeting.

In addition, if you have questions about the Merger or the special meeting, need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or need to obtain proxy cards or other information related to the proxy solicitation, you may contact CABF, at the following address or by calling the following telephone number:

CAB Financial Corporation
PO Box 932
Spartanburg, SC 29304
Attention: Lamar Simpson
(864) 208-2265

You may also contact CABF’s proxy solicitor, D.F. King & Co., Inc., at the following address or by calling the following telephone number:

D.F. King & Co., Inc.
48 Wall Street, 22^nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
Email: cabf@dfking.com
Banks and Brokers Call: (212) 269-5550
All Others Call Collect: (866) 829-0135

CABF does not have a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and accordingly does not file documents or reports with the SEC.

PLEASE NOTE

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than the information included in this document and the documents to which we refer you. If someone provides you with other information, please do not rely on it as being authorized by us.

See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” beginning on page 76.

CAB FINANCIAL CORPORATION
200 South Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306
Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders

TO CAB FINANCIAL CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CAB Financial Corporation (“CABF”) will hold a special meeting of shareholders on          ,    at CABF’s headquarters located at 200 South Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306, at          local time. The purpose of the meeting is to consider and vote on the following matters:

Holders of record of CABF common stock at the close of business on          ,       are entitled to receive this notice and to vote at the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Shareholders of CABF may exercise appraisal rights and dissent from the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and, instead, obtain payment in cash of the appraised fair value of their shares of CABF common stock as determined under Chapter 13 of the South Carolina Business Corporation Act of 1988, as amended (the “SCBCA”). In order for a shareholder of CABF to perfect such holder’s appraisal rights, the shareholder must carefully follow the procedures set forth under Chapter 13 of the SCBCA. The full text of Chapter 13 of the SCBCA is included as Annex B to the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, and a summary of these provisions can be found under the caption “The Merger Agreement—CABF shareholder dissenters’ rights.”

The board of directors of CABF unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” approval to adjourn the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of shares are present in person or by proxy to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions it contemplates.

Your vote is important. To ensure that your shares are voted at the special meeting, please promptly complete, sign and return the proxy form in the enclosed prepaid envelope (or follow the instructions for voting by telephone or internet) whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person. Shareholders of record who attend the special meeting may revoke their proxies and vote in person, if they so desire.

	By Order of the Board of Directors
	Terry L. Cash
	Chairman of the Board

Spartanburg, South Carolina

______________, 20__

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER

Following the completion of the Merger, Carolina Alliance Bank (“Carolina Alliance Bank”), a South Carolina state-chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of CABF, will merge with and into The Park National Bank (“Park National”), a national banking association and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, in a transaction we refer to as the “Bank Merger.”

This document is also a prospectus that is being delivered to CABF shareholders because, in connection with the Merger, Parent is offering, in addition to cash consideration, shares of its common stock to CABF shareholders.

This proxy statement/prospectus contains important information about the Merger and important information to consider in connection with an investment in Parent common stock. You should read it carefully and in its entirety. The enclosed materials allow you to have your shares of common stock voted by proxy without attending the CABF special meeting. Your vote is important and we encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible.

considered the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, please complete, sign, date and mail your proxy card in the enclosed prepaid return envelope as soon as possible. Registered shareholders may also appoint the proxies to vote their shares by telephone or electronically by Internet by following the instructions contained on the enclosed proxy card. Appointing the proxies named on the proxy card to vote your shares for you will enable your shares to be represented at the special meeting, even if you are unable to attend. Registered shareholders may also vote in person at the special meeting if they so elect. If you do not return a properly executed proxy card (or appoint the proxies to vote for you by telephone or Internet) and are unable to vote in person at the special meeting, this will have the same effect as a vote against the approval of the Merger Agreement. Holders of CABF common stock as of the record date may also vote in person at the special meeting.

SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information in this proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the Merger more fully, you should read this entire proxy statement/prospectus carefully, including the annexes and the documents referred to or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 76.

Information about Parent and CABF (See page 27)

Park National Corporation
50 North Third Street, P.O. Box 3500
Newark, Ohio 43058
(740) 349-8451

Park National Corporation, an Ohio corporation (“Parent,” “we,” “our” or “us”), is a financial holding company subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”). Parent was initially incorporated under Delaware law in 1986 and began operations as a bank holding company in 1987. In 1992, Parent changed its state of incorporation to Ohio.

Headquartered in Newark, Ohio, Parent had $7.8 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2018. Parent organization principally consists of 11 community bank divisions, a non-bank subsidiary and two specialty finance companies. Parent’s banking operations are conducted through its subsidiary, The Park National Bank, and its divisions, which include Park National Bank Division, Fairfield National Bank Division, Richland Bank Division, Century National Bank Division, First-Knox National Bank Division, United Bank, N.A. Division, Second National Bank Division, Security National Bank Division, Unity National Bank Division, The Park National Bank of Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky Division and NewDominion Bank Division; and Scope Leasing, Inc. (d.b.a. Scope Aircraft Finance). The Parent organization also includes Guardian Financial Services Company (d.b.a. Guardian Finance Company) and SE Property Holdings, LLC.

Parent’s principal executive offices are located at 50 North Third Street, Newark, Ohio 43055. Its telephone number is (740) 349-8451 and its website is www.parknationalcorp.com. Parent’s common shares, each without par value, are listed on NYSE American, under the symbol “PRK.”

The Park National Bank, a national banking association, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Park National”). Park National has its main office in Newark, Ohio and financial service offices in Ashland, Athens, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hocking, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Miami, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Richland, Tuscarawas, Warren and Wayne Counties in Ohio and in Jefferson County, Kentucky and Iredell and Mecklenburg Counties in North Carolina. Park National engages in the commercial banking and trust business, generally in small and medium population Ohio communities in addition to operations within the metropolitan areas of Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky and Charlotte, North Carolina. Park National operates 112 financial service offices, including 109 branches, through its 11 banking divisions. Park National has a network of 136 automated teller machines, as well as telephone and internet-based banking through both personal computers and mobile devices.

CAB Financial Corporation
200 South Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306
(864) 208-2265

CABF, a South Carolina corporation (“CABF”), is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act and formed in 2017 to serve as the holding company for Carolina Alliance Bank.

Carolina Alliance Bank is a state-chartered commercial banking institution incorporated under the laws of the State of South Carolina in 2007. Carolina Alliance Bank conducts a general banking business in the upstate region of South Carolina and western region of North Carolina. Carolina Alliance Bank presently has seven banking offices located in Spartanburg, Greenville, Powdersville, Easley and Anderson, South Carolina and

Asheville and Hendersonville, North Carolina, as well as a loan and lease production office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carolina Alliance Bank provides full-service banking services to individuals and businesses, including accepting demand and time deposits, providing consumer and commercial loans, and offering commercial lease financing.

CABF’s principal executive offices are located at 200 South Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306. Its telephone number is (864) 208-2265, and its website is www.carolinaalliancebank.com. CABF common stock is quoted on the OTCQX under the symbol “CABF.”

The Merger and the Merger Agreement (See pages 27, 54 and Annex A)

The Merger of CABF with and into Parent is governed by the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides that, if all of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement are satisfied or waived, CABF will be merged with and into Parent and will cease to exist. Following the completion of the Merger, Carolina Alliance Bank will merge with and into Park National. After the consummation of the Bank Merger, Park National will continue as the surviving bank and remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent. The Merger Agreement is included as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference herein. We urge you to read the Merger Agreement carefully and fully, as it is the legal document that governs the Merger.

What CABF shareholders will receive (See page 54)

If the Merger is completed, each share of CABF’s common stock (except for excluded shares and dissenters’ shares) will be converted into the right to receive (i) $3.80 in cash, which we refer to as the “cash consideration,” and (ii) 0.1378 shares of Parent common stock, which we refer to as the “stock consideration.” The cash consideration and the stock consideration are referred to collectively as the “merger consideration.”

Each CABF stock option that has an exercise price per share that is less than $19.00 will be canceled and converted automatically into the right to receive (without interest) the merger consideration with respect to each net share. A “net share” means with respect to a CABF stock option, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product of (x) the excess, if any, of $19.00 over the per share exercise price of such CABF stock option multiplied by (y) the number of shares of CABF common stock subject to such CABF stock option, by (ii) $19.00. At the effective time, each award in respect of a share of CABF common stock subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restriction that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (which we refer to as a “CABF restricted stock award”) will fully vest and be converted into the right to receive, without interest, the merger consideration payable under the Merger Agreement.

Including payment to be made for cancelling the stock options, the fully diluted total merger consideration is valued at approximately $143 million (based on the number of CABF stock options and common shares outstanding on October 31, 2018 and Parent’s 20-day average closing price of $110.34 through September 7, 2018).

The value of the cash consideration is fixed at $3.80 per share. However, the implied value of the stock consideration will fluctuate as the market price of Parent common stock fluctuates before the completion of the Merger. This price will not be known at the time of the special meeting and may be more or less than the current price of Parent common stock or the price of Parent common stock at the time of the special meeting.

Exchange of CABF common stock (See page 55)

Once the Merger is complete, the exchange agent will mail you transmittal materials and instructions for exchanging your CABF stock certificates for shares of Parent common stock to be issued by book-entry transfer.

Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger (See page 42)

The Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a condition to the completion of the Merger, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, counsel to Parent, and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, counsel to CABF, must deliver opinions, dated the closing date of the Merger, to the effect that the Merger will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Assuming the Merger qualifies as a tax-free reorganization, subject to the limitations and more detailed discussion set forth below in the section entitled “Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger,” a CABF shareholder that is a U.S.

holder (defined below in the section entitled “Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger”) and that exchanges all of its shares of CABF common stock for Parent common stock and cash pursuant to the Merger will recognize gain (but not loss), and such shareholder’s taxable gain in that case will not exceed the cash received in the Merger.

Tax matters are complicated, and the tax consequences of the Merger to a particular CABF shareholder will depend in part on such shareholder’s individual circumstances. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the Merger to you, including the applicability and effect of federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax laws. For a more complete discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger, see the section entitled, “The Merger—Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger” beginning on page 42.

Reasons for the Merger (See pages 33 and 35)

CABF’s board of directors believes that the Merger is in the best interests of CABF and its shareholders, has unanimously adopted the Merger Agreement and unanimously recommends that its shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger contemplated therein.

In its deliberations and in making its determination, CABF’s board of directors considered numerous factors, including the following:

Parent’s board of directors concluded that the Merger is in the best interests of Parent and its shareholders. In deciding to approve the Merger, Parent’s board of directors considered a number of factors, including:

Opinion of CABF’s financial advisor (See page 35 and Annex C)

On September 11, 2018, FIG rendered its oral opinion to the CABF board of directors, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of September 11, 2018 and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by FIG as set forth in its opinion, the merger consideration set forth in the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to CABF shareholders.

FIG’s opinion was directed to the CABF board of directors and relates only to the fairness of the merger consideration to be received by CABF shareholders, from a financial point of view. FIG’s opinion does not address any other aspect of the Merger and is not a recommendation to any CABF shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote at the special meeting.

The full text of FIG’s September 11, 2018 opinion is included as Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion outlines the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by FIG in rendering its opinion. FIG shareholders are urged to read the entire opinion carefully in connection with their consideration of the Merger Agreement.

Board recommendation to CABF shareholders (See page 33)

CABF’s board of directors believes that the Merger of CABF with and into Parent is in the best interests of CABF and its shareholders. CABF’s board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger contemplated therein.

Interests of officers and directors of CABF in the Merger may be different from, or in addition to, yours (See page 46)

When you consider the CABF board of directors’ recommendation to vote in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement, you should be aware that some of CABF’s directors and officers may have interests in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as shareholders. CABF’s board of directors was aware of these interests and took them into account in approving the Merger. These interests include, among others, proposed employee benefits for those who become employees of Parent or Park National after the Merger, benefits provided pursuant to employment agreements entered into between Park National and certain executive officers of CABF and Carolina Alliance Bank, benefits payable to certain executive officers of CABF and Carolina Alliance Bank under existing employment and change in control agreements, the appointment of certain CABF directors to the CABF divisional advisory board of Park National, and the provision of merger consideration in exchange for the cancellation of outstanding CABF stock options and shares subject to CABF restricted stock awards.

Parent has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain in effect the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by CABF or otherwise provide insurance policies of at least the same coverage, subject to limits on availability and cost, for six years. Parent has also agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the current and former directors, officers and employees of CABF and its subsidiaries for all actions taken by them in such capacities prior to the effective time of the Merger, and assume all obligations of CABF and its subsidiaries to such directors, officers and employees in respect of indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the effective time as provided in their organizational documents.

CABF shareholders will have dissenters’ rights in connection with the Merger (See page 51)

CABF shareholders may assert dissenters’ rights with respect to the Merger and, upon complying with the requirements of Chapter 13 of the SCBCA, will be entitled to receive the fair value of their shares in cash instead of the merger consideration.

In general, to preserve their dissenters’ rights, CABF shareholders who wish to exercise these rights must:

A copy of Chapter 13 of the SCBCA pertaining to dissenters’ rights is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus. You should read the text of the statutes carefully and consult with your legal counsel if you intend to exercise these rights.

The Merger and the performance of the surviving entity are subject to a number of risks (See page 18)

There are a number of risks relating to the Merger and to the businesses of Parent, CABF and the surviving entity following the Merger. See the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 of this proxy statement/prospectus for a discussion of these and other risks and see also the documents that Parent has filed with the SEC and which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

CABF shareholder approval will be required to complete the Merger and approve the other proposals set forth in the notice of special meeting (See page 24)

For the Merger to be approved, the Merger Agreement must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders owning at least two-thirds of the shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. Approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, will be approved if the votes cast at the special meeting, in person or by proxy, in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal. To establish a quorum, shareholders holding at least a majority of the shares of CABF common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting must be present in person or by proxy at the special meeting. Shareholders may vote their shares in person at the special meeting or by signing and returning the enclosed proxy form (or by appointing the proxies to vote their shares by telephone or Internet).

CABF’s directors and executive officers, and certain Carolina Alliance Bank executive officers, who own shares of CABF common stock have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Merger at the special meeting. These CABF directors and executive officers and Carolina Alliance Bank executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned 822,635 shares of CABF common stock (inclusive of shares underlying exercisable stock options), or approximately 11.0% of CABF’s common stock outstanding, as of October 31, 2018. Parent’s shareholders will not be voting on the Merger Agreement. See “The Merger—Voting agreements” on page 50.

CABF special meeting (See page 24)

The special meeting of shareholders will be held at CABF’s headquarters located at 200 South Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306, on          ,    at          , local time. CABF’s board of directors is soliciting proxies for use at the special meeting. At the special meeting, CABF shareholders will be asked to vote on a proposal to approve the Merger Agreement.

Record date for the special meeting; revocability of proxies (See pages 24 and 25)

You may vote at the special meeting if you own shares of CABF common stock of record at the close of business on          ,    . You will have one vote for each share of CABF common stock you owned on that date. Shareholders of record may change their vote or revoke a previously given proxy prior to the special meeting by filing with the secretary of CABF a duly executed revocation of proxy or submitting a new proxy form with a later date. Shareholders of record may also vote in person at the special meeting.

Completion of the Merger is subject to regulatory approvals (See page 45)

The Merger cannot be completed until Parent and Park National receive the necessary regulatory approvals, waivers, or consents from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions (the “SCBFI”). Parent submitted a waiver request to the Federal Reserve Board and an application with the SCBFI on November 2, 2018. Park National submitted an application with the OCC on November 2, 2018. The Merger also is subject to the United States Department of Justice’s competitive review process.

Conditions to the Merger (See page 60)

Closing Conditions for the Benefit of All Parties. Each of Parent’s and CABF’s obligations to complete the Merger are subject to fulfillment of certain conditions, including:

Closing Conditions for the Benefit of Parent. Parent’s obligations to complete the Merger are subject to fulfillment of certain conditions, including:

Closing Conditions for the Benefit of CABF. CABF’s obligations to complete the Merger are subject to fulfillment of certain conditions, including:

How the Merger Agreement may be terminated by Parent and CABF (See page 61)

Parent and CABF may mutually agree to terminate the Merger Agreement and abandon the Merger at any time. Subject to conditions and circumstances described in the Merger Agreement, Parent, on the one hand, or CABF, on the other hand, as the case may be, may terminate the Merger Agreement as follows:

30 days after the giving of written notice to the breaching party of such breach, and which breach or breaches would result in a failure to satisfy any applicable closing condition; provided that the terminating party is not in material breach of any covenant or agreement under the Merger Agreement;

Termination fees may be payable under some circumstances (See page 62)

If the Merger Agreement is terminated (i) by Parent because the board of directors of CABF fails to make recommendation to CABF shareholders to adopt the Merger Agreement or withdraws or modifies its recommendation in a manner adverse to Parent, or CABF has materially breached its covenant not to solicit alternative acquisition proposals or its obligation to hold a special meeting of shareholders to obtain approval of the Merger Agreement by CABF’s shareholders, or (ii) by either party if CABF has received and would accept a superior alternative proposal from a third party, Parent may be owed a termination fee from CABF in the amount of $5,317,500. See “Description of the Merger Agreement—Termination fee.”

Voting agreements (See page 50)

CABF’s directors and executive officers, and certain executive officers of Carolina Alliance Bank, who own shares of CABF common stock have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Merger at the special meeting. These CABF directors and executive officers and Carolina Alliance Bank executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned 822,635 shares of CABF common stock (inclusive of shares underlying exercisable stock options), or approximately 11.0% of CABF’s common stock outstanding, as of October 31, 2018. Parent’s shareholders will not be voting on the Merger Agreement.

The voting agreements will terminate at the earliest to occur of: termination of the Merger Agreement, effectiveness of the Merger, a material modification to the Merger Agreement that adversely impacts the consideration payable to CABF shareholders, and 18 months following execution of the voting agreements.

Accounting treatment of the Merger

The Merger will be accounted for as a purchase transaction in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Certain differences in Parent shareholder rights and CABF shareholder rights (See page 65)

Parent is an Ohio corporation and a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act, while CABF is a South Carolina corporation and a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act. Although the rights of the holders of Parent common shares and those of holders of CABF common shares are similar in many respects, there are some differences. These differences relate to differences between the provisions of Ohio law governing corporations and the provisions of South Carolina law governing corporations, as well as differences between provisions of Parent’s articles of incorporation and regulations and CABF’s articles of incorporation and bylaws. Certain of these differences are described in detail in the section entitled “Comparison of rights of Parent shareholders and CABF shareholders” beginning on

page 65. After completion of the Merger, CABF shareholders who receive shares of Parent common stock in exchange for their shares of CABF common stock will become Parent shareholders and their rights will be governed by Parent’s articles of incorporation and regulations, in addition to laws and requirements that apply to public companies.

Parent shares will be listed on NYSE American (See page 63)

The shares of Parent common stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger will be listed on NYSE American under the symbol “PRK.”

Comparative per share market price and dividend information

Parent’s common shares, each without par value, are listed on NYSE American, under the symbol “PRK.” As of          ,    , the last date prior to distribution of this proxy statement/prospectus for which it was practicable to obtain this information, there were       shares of Parent common stock outstanding and Parent had approximately shareholders of record.

CABF common shares are quoted on the OTCQX under the symbol “CABF,” however, the shares do not have an active trading market and are not traded frequently. As of          ,    , the last date prior to distribution of this proxy statement/prospectus for which it was practicable to obtain this information, there were          CABF common shares outstanding, which were held by approximately          holders of record.

The table below shows, for the quarters indicated, based on published financial sources, the reported high and low sales prices of Parent common stock during the periods indicated and the cash dividends declared per share of Parent common stock.

The table below shows, for the quarters indicated, based on published financial sources, the reported high and low sales prices of CABF common stock as quoted on the OTCQX during the periods indicated and the cash dividends declared per share of CABF common stock. Sales prices reported prior to October 23, 2017 are for shares of common stock of Carolina Alliance Bank, which were traded on the OTCQX under the symbol “CRLN” prior to the formation of CABF and consummation of a reorganization that made Carolina Alliance Bank a wholly-owned subsidiary of CABF.

The following table presents the closing prices of CABF common stock and Parent common stock on September 12, 2018, the last trading day before the public announcement of the Merger Agreement, and          ,          , the last practicable trading day prior to the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus. The table also shows the implied value of the merger consideration payable for each share of CABF common stock, which we calculated by multiplying the closing price of Parent common stock on those dates by the exchange ratio of 0.1378 shares of Parent common stock per share of CABF common stock and then adding the cash consideration of $3.80.

The above table shows only historical comparisons. These comparisons may not provide meaningful information to CABF shareholders in determining whether to approve the Merger Agreement. CABF shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for shares of Parent common stock and CABF common stock and to review carefully the other information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus in considering whether to approve the Merger Agreement. The market prices of Parent common stock and CABF common stock will fluctuate between the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and the date of completion of the Merger. No assurance can be given concerning the market prices of CABF common stock or Parent common stock before or after the effective date of the Merger. Changes in the market price of Parent common stock prior to the completion of the Merger will affect the market value of the merger consideration that CABF shareholders will receive upon completion of the Merger.

Comparative per share data

The following table presents selected comparative per share data for Parent common stock and CABF common stock. You should read this information in conjunction with the selected historical financial information included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, and the historical financial statements of Parent and related notes that are incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference. The historical per share data is derived from unaudited financial statements as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Selected historical financial data of Parent

The following table summarizes selected historical consolidated financial data of Parent for the periods and as of the dates indicated. This information has been derived from Parent’s consolidated financial statements filed with the SEC. Historical financial data as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 are unaudited and include, in management’s opinion, all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial condition Parent. You should not assume the results of operations for past periods and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 indicate results for any future period.

You should read this information in conjunction with Parent’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Parent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, and in Parent’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 76 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed under the caption “Special Notes Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” on page 22, you should consider the following risk factors carefully in deciding whether to vote to approve the Merger Agreement. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Parent and CABF or that are not currently believed to be important to you, if they materialize, also may adversely affect the Merger and Parent.

In addition, Parent’s and CABF’s respective businesses are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties described, in the case of Parent, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

Risks relating to the Merger

Because the market price of Parent common stock may fluctuate, you cannot be certain of the precise value of the stock portion of the merger consideration you may receive in the Merger.

At the time the Merger is completed, each issued and outstanding share of CABF common stock (except for excluded shares and dissenters’ shares) will be converted into the right to receive (i) $3.80 in cash and (ii) 0.1378 shares of Parent common stock.

There will be a time lapse between each of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the date on which CABF shareholders vote to approve the Merger Agreement at the special meeting and the date on which CABF shareholders entitled to receive shares of Parent common stock under the Merger Agreement actually receive such shares. The market value of Parent common stock may fluctuate during these periods as a result of a variety of factors, including general market and economic conditions, changes in Parent’s businesses, operations and prospects and regulatory considerations. Many of these factors are outside of the control of CABF and Parent. Consequently, at the time CABF shareholders must decide whether to approve the Merger Agreement, they will not know the actual market value of the shares of Parent common stock they may receive when the Merger is completed. The value of the cash consideration is fixed at $3.80, but the actual value of the shares of Parent common stock received by the CABF shareholders will depend on the market value of shares of Parent common stock on that date. This value will not be known at the time of the special meeting and may be more or less than the current price of Parent common stock or the price of Parent common stock at the time of the special meeting.

Because CABF common stock is traded infrequently, it is difficult to determine how the fair value of CABF common stock compares with the merger consideration.

CABF common stock is quoted on the OTCQX. The market for CABF common stock has historically been illiquid and irregular. This lack of liquidity makes it difficult to determine the fair value of CABF common stock. Because the merger consideration was determined based on negotiations between the parties, it may not be indicative of the fair value of the shares of CABF common stock.

Regulatory approvals may not be received, may take longer than expected, or may impose conditions that are not presently anticipated or that could have an adverse effect on the combined company following the merger.

Before the Merger and the Bank Merger may be completed, Parent and Park National must obtain the necessary approvals, waivers, or consents from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC, and the SCBFI. Other approvals, waivers, or consents from regulators may also be required. In determining whether to grant these approvals, the relevant governmental entities consider a variety of factors, including the regulatory standing of each party, the effect of the Merger and the Bank Merger on competition and the factors described under “The Merger—Regulatory approvals.” An adverse development in either party’s regulatory standing or these factors could result in an inability to obtain approval or delay receipt of required approvals. The relevant governmental entities may impose conditions, limitations, obligations or restrictions on the conduct of the combined company’s business or require branch divestitures or changes to the terms of the Merger or the Bank Merger. There can be no assurance that relevant government entities will not impose conditions, limitations, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, limitations, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying the completion of the Merger or the Bank Merger, imposing additional material costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the combined company following the Merger or otherwise reduce the

anticipated benefits of the Merger or the Bank Merger. Additionally, the completion of the Merger and the Bank Merger is conditioned on the absence of certain orders, injunctions or decrees by any court or regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction that would prohibit or make illegal the completion of the Merger or the Bank Merger.

In a recent approval order, the Federal Reserve Board has stated that if material weaknesses are identified by examiners before a banking organization applies to engage in expansionary activity, the Federal Reserve Board will not in the future allow the application to remain pending while the banking organization addresses its weaknesses. The Federal Reserve Board explained that, in the future, if issues arise during processing of an application, a banking organization will be required to withdraw its application pending resolution of any supervisory concerns. Accordingly, if there is an adverse development in either party’s regulatory standing, Parent may be required to withdraw the application for approval of the proposed Merger and, if possible, resubmit it after the applicable supervisory concerns have been resolved.

The opinion that CABF has obtained from FIG Partners, LLC has not been, and is not expected to be, updated to reflect any changes in circumstances that may have occurred since the date of such opinion.

The opinion issued to the CABF board of directors by FIG, financial advisor to CABF, with respect to the fairness of the merger consideration to be received by CABF shareholders, from a financial point of view, speaks only as of September 11, 2018. Changes in the operations and prospects of Parent or CABF, general market and economic conditions and other factors which may be beyond the control of Parent and CABF, and on which the opinion was based, may have altered the value of Parent or CABF or the sale prices of shares of Parent common stock as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, or may alter such values and sale prices by the time the Merger is completed. FIG does not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion to reflect subsequent developments and has not done so. Because CABF does not currently anticipate asking FIG to update its opinion, the opinion will not address the fairness of the merger consideration from a financial point of view at the time the Merger is completed. The CABF board of directors’ recommendation that CABF shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the Merger Agreement, however, is made as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. See “The Merger— Opinion of CABF’s financial advisor” and Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus.

Parent may be unable to successfully integrate CABF’s operations and may not realize the anticipated benefits of acquiring CABF.

Parent and CABF entered into the Merger Agreement with the expectation that Parent would be able to successfully integrate CABF’s operations and that the Merger would result in various benefits, including, among other things, enhanced revenues and revenue synergies, an expanded market reach and operating efficiencies. Achieving the anticipated benefits of the Merger is subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether Parent is able to integrate and operate CABF in an efficient and effective manner, and general competitive factors in the market place. The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of one or more of the surviving entity’s businesses or the loss of key personnel. The diversion of management’s attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the Merger and the integration of the two entities’ operations could have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition, operating results and prospects of the surviving entity after the Merger. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues and diversion of management’s time and energy and could have an adverse effect on the surviving entity’s business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

Among the factors considered by the boards of directors of Parent and CABF in connection with their respective approvals of the Merger Agreement were the benefits that could result from the Merger. We cannot give any assurance that these benefits will be realized within the time periods contemplated or even that they will be realized at all.

CABF will be subject to business uncertainties while the Merger is pending, which could adversely affect its business.

Uncertainty about the effect of the Merger on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on CABF, and, consequently, the surviving entity. Although CABF intends to take steps to reduce any adverse effects, these uncertainties may impair CABF’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the Merger is consummated and for a period of time thereafter, and could cause customers and others that deal with

CABF to seek to change their existing business relationships with CABF. Employee retention at CABF may be particularly challenging during the pendency of the Merger, as employees may experience uncertainty about their roles with the surviving entity following the Merger.

Some of the directors and executive officers of CABF and Carolina Alliance Bank have interests and arrangements that could have affected their respective decisions to support or approve the Merger.

The interests of some of the directors and executive officers of CABF and Carolina Alliance Bank in the Merger are different from, and may be in addition to, those of CABF shareholders generally and could have affected their respective decisions to support or approve the Merger. These interests include:

In addition, the directors and executive officers of CABF and certain executive officers of Carolina Alliance Bank who own shares of CABF common stock have entered into voting agreements that require them to vote all of their shares of CABF common stock in favor of the Merger Agreement at the special meeting. The voting agreements cover, in the aggregate, approximately 11.0% of CABF’s outstanding shares of common stock as of October 31, 2018. As a result, these directors and officers of CABF and Carolina Alliance Bank may be more likely to recommend to CABF’s shareholders the approval of the Merger Agreement than if they did not have these interests.

Termination of the Merger Agreement could negatively impact Parent or CABF.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated, there may be various consequences. For example, Parent’s or CABF’s businesses may have been impacted adversely by the failure to pursue other beneficial opportunities due to the focus of management on the Merger, without realizing any of the anticipated benefits of completing the Merger. Additionally, if the Merger Agreement is terminated, the market price of Parent’s or CABF’s common stock could decline to the extent that the current market prices reflect a market assumption that the Merger will be completed. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, CABF may be required to pay to Parent a termination fee of approximately $5.3 million.

If the Merger is not completed, Parent and CABF will have incurred substantial expenses without realizing the expected benefits of the Merger.

Each of Parent and CABF has incurred and will incur substantial expenses in connection with the negotiation and completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, as well as the costs and

expenses of filing, printing, and mailing this proxy statement/prospectus, and all filing and other fees paid to the SEC in connection with the Merger. If the Merger is not completed, Parent and CABF would have to recognize these expenses without realizing the expected benefits of the Merger.

Risks relating to the businesses of Parent and CABF

CABF’s shareholders will not control Parent’s future operations.

Currently, CABF’s shareholders own 100% of CABF and have the power to approve or reject any matters requiring shareholder approval under South Carolina law and CABF’s articles of incorporation and bylaws. After the Merger, CABF shareholders are expected to become owners of approximately 6% of the outstanding shares of Parent common stock. Even if all former CABF shareholders voted together on all matters presented to Parent’s shareholders, from time to time, the former CABF shareholders most likely would not have a significant impact on the approval or rejection of future Parent proposals submitted to a shareholder vote.

The market price of Parent common stock after the Merger may be affected by factors different from those affecting the shares of CABF or Parent currently.

Upon completion of the Merger, holders of CABF common stock will become holders of Parent common stock. Parent’s business differs in important respects from that of CABF and, accordingly, the results of operations of the combined company and the market price of Parent common stock after the completion of the Merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the independent results of operations of each of Parent and CABF. For example, Parent operates branches in certain states of the United States, including Ohio, where CABF does not. Accordingly, the results of operations of Parent will be affected by business and other developments in certain areas of the country to a larger extent than those of CABF. For a discussion of the businesses of Parent and CABF and of some important factors to consider in connection with those businesses, please see “Summary—Information About Parent and CABF” and see also the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus and referred to under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Parent and Park National have not previously operated in many of CABF and Carolina Alliance Bank’s market areas.

CABF’s and Carolina Alliance Bank’s primary market areas are the upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina markets. The banking business in these markets is extremely competitive, and the level of competition may increase further in the future. Park National has not previously achieved substantial penetration into these market areas and there may be unexpected challenges and difficulties in doing so that could adversely affect Park National following the completion of the merger.

The shares of Parent common stock to be received by CABF’s shareholders as a result of the Merger will have different rights from the shares of CABF common stock.

Upon completion of the Merger, CABF shareholders will become Parent shareholders and their rights as shareholders will be governed by Ohio law and Parent’s articles of incorporation and regulations. The rights associated with CABF common stock are different from the rights associated with Parent common stock. Please see the section entitled “Comparison of rights of Parent shareholders and CABF shareholders” beginning on page 65 for a discussion of the different rights associated with Parent common stock.

SPECIAL NOTES CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains, and the documents into which it may be incorporated by reference may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing and benefits of the Merger, including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues, and accretion/dilution to reported earnings that may be realized from the Merger, as well as other statements of expectations regarding the Merger, and other statements of Parent’s and CABF’s goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding Parent’s business plan and growth strategies; and estimates of Parent’s and CABF’s risks and future costs and benefits, whether with respect to the Merger or otherwise. Words like “believe”, “continue”, “pattern”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “expect” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “can”, “may”, or similar expressions and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts, are premised on many factors and assumptions, and represent only management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Similarly, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, which may include, but are not limited to, those listed below and the Risk Factors discussed under Item 1A of Parent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in any of Parent’s subsequent SEC filings. Parent and CABF intend for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Management’s analysis contains forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance. However, such performance involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

Therefore, there can be no assurances that future actual results will correspond to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement made by Parent or CABF. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as required by law, neither Parent nor CABF undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made. Persons are advised, however, to consult further disclosures management makes on related subjects in its reports filed with the SEC and in its press releases.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF CABF SHAREHOLDERS

CABF’s board of directors is using this proxy statement/prospectus to solicit proxies from the holders of CABF common stock for use at the special meeting of CABF’s shareholders or any adjournment thereof.

Date, time and place of the special meeting

The special meeting will be held at CABF’s headquarters located at 200 South Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306, on          ,    at          , local time.

Purpose of the special meeting

At the special meeting, CABF’s board of directors will ask you to vote upon the following:

In accordance with applicable law, no other business may come before the special meeting, except for business that properly comes within the purposes described in the notice of meeting, which purposes are described above.

Record date and voting rights for the special meeting

CABF has set the close of business on          ,          , as the record date for determining the holders of its common stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting. Only CABF shareholders at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting. As of the record date, there were     shares of CABF common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. Each share of CABF common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders of CABF for consideration.

Quorum

The presence in person or by proxy of at least a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting is required for a quorum to be present at the special meeting. Abstentions are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting.

With respect to shares held in “street name,” the holders of record have the authority to vote shares for which their customers do not provide voting instructions only on certain routine, uncontested items. In the case of non-routine or contested items, the nominee institution holding street name shares cannot vote the shares if it has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. When a nominee institution returns a proxy on one or more routine matters, but does not vote on a non-routine matter, these are considered to be “broker non-votes.” Since there are no routine items to be voted on at the special meeting, nominee record holders that do not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owners of such shares will not be able to return a proxy card with respect to such shares; as a result, these shares will not be considered present at the special meeting and will not count towards the satisfaction of a quorum. If you hold your shares in “street name,” please give your broker, bank or other nominee instructions on how to vote your shares to ensure your shares are counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum at the special meeting.

Vote required

For the Merger to be approved, the Merger Agreement must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders owning at least two-thirds of the shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. Approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of shares are present in person or by proxy to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions it contemplates requires the votes cast at the special meeting, in person or by proxy, in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.

The failure of a CABF shareholder to vote or to instruct his or her broker, bank or nominee to vote if his or her shares are held in “street name,” which is referred to herein as a broker non-vote, will have the same effect as voting against the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement but will not effect the meeting adjournment proposal. For purposes of the shareholder vote, an abstention, which occurs when a shareholder attends a meeting, either in person or by proxy, but abstains from voting, will have the same effect as voting against the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement but will not effect the meeting adjournment proposal.

Shares held by CABF directors and executive officers; voting agreements

CABF directors and executive officers and certain executives of Carolina Alliance Bank who own shares of CABF common stock, whose aggregate ownership (inclusive of shares underlying exercisable stock options) represents approximately 11.0% of the outstanding shares of CABF common stock as of October 31, 2018, have committed to vote their shares in favor of the Merger. Parent’s shareholders will not be voting on the Merger Agreement. See “The Merger—Voting agreements” on page 50 for a description of the provisions of the voting agreements.

How to vote

Shareholders of record may vote in person at the special meeting or by proxy. To ensure your representation at the special meeting, we recommend you vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the special meeting. If you are a holder of record, you can change your vote at the special meeting if you so desire.

The enclosed appointment of proxy, or proxy card, is solicited by the board of directors of CABF. The board of directors of CABF has selected the individuals named in the enclosed proxy card, or any of them, to act as proxies with full power of substitution. Shareholders of record may vote their shares by proxy at the special meeting by:

If you properly complete and timely submit your proxy, your shares will be voted as you have directed. You may vote for, against, or abstain with respect to the approval of the Merger and the other proposals. If you are the record holder of your shares and submit your proxy without specifying a voting instruction, your shares will be voted as the CABF board of directors recommends and will be voted “FOR” approval of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” the adjournment of the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of shares are present in person or by proxy to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions it contemplates.

If your shares are held in street name by a bank, broker or other nominee, you must provide the record holder of your shares with instructions on how to vote your shares if you wish them to be counted. Please follow the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee. Please note that you may not vote shares held in street name by returning a proxy card directly to CABF or by voting in person at the meeting unless you provide a “legal proxy,” which you must obtain from your bank, broker or other nominee. If you are a CABF shareholder and you do not instruct your broker on how to vote your shares, your broker will not vote your shares at the special meeting and, accordingly, your failure to vote will effectively be a vote against the Merger.

Revocability of proxies

Shareholders of record may revoke a prior given proxy at any time before it is voted by:

Attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a revocation of a proxy. All written notices of revocation and other communication with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed to: CAB Financial Corporation, PO Box 932, Spartanburg, SC 29304, Attention: Lamar Simpson. If you own your shares of CABF common stock beneficially through a broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by such nominee with respect to revoking or changing your voting instructions.

Proxy solicitation

In addition to this mailing, proxies may be solicited by directors, officers or employees of CABF in person or by telephone or electronic transmission. None of such directors, officers or employees will be directly compensated for such services. CABF will pay the costs associated with the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. These costs may include reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. CABF will reimburse brokers and other persons for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to customers who are beneficial owners of the common stock of CABF registered in the name of nominees.

CABF has also made arrangements with D.F. King & Co., Inc. to assist it in soliciting proxies and has agreed to pay D.F. King & Co., Inc. approximately $6,000 plus reasonable expenses for these services.

Other business; adjournments

CABF is not currently aware of any other business to be acted upon at the CABF special meeting. If, however, other matters are properly brought before the special meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, your proxies include discretionary authority on the part of the individuals appointed to vote your shares to act on those matters according to their best judgment.

Adjournments may be made for the purpose of, among other things, soliciting additional proxies. Any adjournment may be made from time to time if the votes cast at the special meeting, in person or by proxy, in favor of the adjournment proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal.

Assistance

If you have any questions concerning the Merger or this proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus, or need help voting your shares of CABF common stock, please contact CAB Financial Corporation, PO Box 932, Spartanburg, SC 29304, Attention: Lamar Simpson, or CABF’s proxy solicitor, D.F. King & Co., Inc., by mail at 48 Wall Street, 22^nd Floor, New York, New York 10005, by email at cabf@dfking.com, or by telephone at (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers) or (866) 829-0135 (for all others, collect).

THE MERGER

This section of the proxy statement/prospectus describes material aspects of the Merger. While Parent and CABF believe that the description covers the material terms of the Merger and the related transactions, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire proxy statement/prospectus, the attached Annexes, and the other documents to which this proxy statement/prospectus refers for a more complete understanding of the Merger. The Merger Agreement attached hereto as Annex A, not this summary, is the legal document which governs the Merger.

General

The CABF board of directors is using this proxy statement/prospectus to solicit proxies from the holders of CABF common stock for use at the CABF special meeting, at which CABF shareholders will be asked to vote on the approval of the Merger Agreement and thereby approve the Merger. When the Merger is consummated, CABF will merge with and into Parent and will cease to exist. At the effective time of the Merger, holders of CABF common stock will exchange each share of CABF common stock for (i) $3.80 in cash, which we refer to as the “cash consideration,” and (ii) 0.1378 shares of Parent common stock, which we refer to as the “stock consideration.” See “Description of the Merger Agreement—Consideration to be received in the Merger” for a detailed description of the merger consideration. Following the completion of the Merger, Carolina Alliance Bank will merge with and into Park National. After the consummation of the Bank Merger, Park National will continue as the surviving bank and remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent.

Only whole shares of Parent common stock will be issued in the Merger. As a result, any fractional shares of Parent’s common stock that CABF holders would otherwise be entitled to receive will be exchanged for a cash payment equal to the product of (i) the average closing price of Parent common stock as reported on the NYSE American over the twenty (20) consecutive trading day period ending on the business day immediately prior to the closing date of the Merger and (ii) the fraction of a share of Parent common stock that such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive.

Neither (i) excluded shares, nor (ii) shares of CABF common stock held by CABF shareholders who elect to exercise their dissenters’ rights will be converted into merger consideration.

The companies

Parent

Parent, an Ohio corporation, is a financial holding company subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”). Parent was initially incorporated under Delaware law in 1986 and began operations as a bank holding company in 1987. In 1992, Parent changed its state of incorporation to Ohio.

Headquartered in Newark, Ohio, Parent had $7.8 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2018. Parent organization principally consists of 11 community bank divisions, a non-bank subsidiary and two specialty finance companies. Parent’s banking operations are conducted through its subsidiary, The Park National Bank, and its divisions, which include Park National Bank Division, Fairfield National Bank Division, Richland Bank Division, Century National Bank Division, First-Knox National Bank Division, United Bank, N.A. Division, Second National Bank Division, Security National Bank Division, Unity National Bank Division, The Park National Bank of Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky Division and NewDominion Bank Division; and Scope Leasing, Inc. (d.b.a. Scope Aircraft Finance). The Parent organization also includes Guardian Financial Services Company (d.b.a. Guardian Finance Company) and SE Property Holdings, LLC.

Parent’s principal executive offices are located at 50 North Third Street, Newark, Ohio 43055. Its telephone number is (740) 349-8451 and its website is www.parknationalcorp.com. Parent’s common shares, each without par value, are listed on NYSE American, under the symbol “PRK.”

Financial and other information relating to Parent, including information relating to Parent’s current directors and executive officers, is set forth in Parent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed during 2018 and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed during 2018

(other than information in such documents that are deemed not to have been filed), which are incorporated by reference to this proxy statement/prospectus. Copies of these documents may be obtained from Parent as indicated under “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 76. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” on page 77.

Park National, a national banking association, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent. Park National has its main office in Newark, Ohio and financial service offices in Ashland, Athens, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hocking, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Miami, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Richland, Tuscarawas, Warren and Wayne Counties in Ohio and in Jefferson County, Kentucky and Iredell and Mecklenburg Counties in North Carolina. Park National engages in the commercial banking and trust business, generally in small and medium population Ohio communities in addition to operations within the metropolitan areas of Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky and Charlotte, North Carolina. Park National operates 112 financial service offices, including 109 branches, through its 11 banking divisions. Park National has a network of 136 automated teller machines, as well as telephone and internet-based banking through both personal computers and mobile devices.

CABF

CABF is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act and formed in 2017 to serve as the holding company for Carolina Alliance Bank.

Carolina Alliance Bank is a state-chartered commercial banking institution incorporated under the laws of the State of South Carolina in 2007. Carolina Alliance Bank conducts a general banking business in the upstate region of South Carolina and western region of North Carolina. Carolina Alliance Bank presently has seven banking offices located in Spartanburg, Greenville, Powdersville, Easley and Anderson, South Carolina and Asheville and Hendersonville, North Carolina, as well as a loan and lease production office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carolina Alliance Bank provides full-service banking services to individuals and businesses, including accepting demand and time deposits, providing consumer and commercial loans, and offering commercial lease financing.

CABF’s principal executive offices are located at 200 South Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306. Its telephone number is (864) 208-2265, and its website is www.carolinaalliancebank.com. CABF common stock is quoted on the OTCQX under the symbol “CABF.”

CABF’s proposals

At the CABF special meeting, holders of shares of CABF common stock will be asked to vote on the approval of the Merger Agreement and thereby approve the Merger. The Merger will not be completed unless CABF’s shareholders approve the Merger Agreement and thereby approve the Merger.

Background of the Merger

As part of its consideration and assessment of CABF’s long-term alternatives, prospects and strategies, the CABF board of directors periodically discussed and reviewed strategic opportunities to maximize value for its shareholders. These opportunities have included, among other alternatives, continuing as an independent institution, growing internally, establishing loan production offices, or affiliating with another institution. CABF had been periodically approached by larger banks and by investment groups looking to enter or expand in and around the upstate region of South Carolina and Western North Carolina. Until the post-November 2016 increase in valuation for community bank stock, CABF had determined to build value through making its own acquisitions, but began to reexamine this strategy after its acquisition of Pinnacle Bank of South Carolina in 2017.

In recent years, Parent’s management and board of directors have discussed a strategy of continuing to pursue organic growth and selected possible in-market mergers, while also considering mergers in certain specifically-identified markets, including the Carolinas, offering the possibility of greater growth than many of Park National’s more rural markets. On January 23, 2018, Parent and Park National entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization with NewDominion Bank, a North Carolina state-chartered bank (“NewDominion”), which provided for the merger of NewDominion with and into Park National (the “NewDominion Merger”). The NewDominion Merger closed on July 1, 2018.

In April 2016, based on Parent’s indication of interest in engaging with financial institutions in the Carolinas, a representative of FIG Partners, LLC (“FIG”), a nationally known and experienced investment banking firm, accompanied Dan DeLawder, Chairman of Parent’s board of directors, Brady Burt, Parent’s Chief Financial Officer, and Bryan Campolo, Parent’s Vice President, Commercial Lending during a visit to CABF’s offices in Spartanburg, South Carolina for an introductory meeting with CABF’s then-current Chief Executive Officer, John Poole, and Chief Financial Officer, Lamar Simpson. At this meeting the parties discussed their respective institutions and their respective history, culture and operating models. Parent expressed its interest in certain high growth markets, including the Carolinas, and interest in possible loan participations with CABF. FIG had represented CABF in its two previous mergers and from time to time over the years had provided investment banking advice and strategic planning assistance to CABF.

On September 16, 2016, Mr. DeLawder and Parent’s Chief Executive Officer, David Trautman, met with both Mr. Poole and CABF’s then-current President, John Kimberly, again in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The purpose of this meeting was to introduce Mr. Trautman to Mr. Poole and Mr. Kimberly. The group engaged in a general discussion regarding the respective culture and strategy of their institutions.

On May 23, 2017, Mr. DeLawder, Mr. Campolo and Parent’s Executive Vice President, Matthew Miller, met with Mr. Poole and Mr. Simpson in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Similar to previous meetings, the purpose of the meeting was to continue to learn more about each of the respective institutions and to further the relationship between Parent and CABF.

In August 2017, Mr. Campolo met with Mr. Kimberly and Jeffrey Covington, CABF’s Chief Credit Officer in Asheville, North Carolina. The group discussed CABF’s lending culture and credit practices, as well as Park National’s credit culture and standards. Additionally, the parties discussed potential participation opportunities that might exist.

Following the integration of Pinnacle Bank of South Carolina after its acquisition by CABF in 2017, the CABF board of directors held an extensive strategic planning discussion on December 11, 2017 facilitated by a representative of FIG. During the discussion, the CABF board of directors considered its strategic options related to organic growth, bank acquisition and/or merger of equals opportunities, and partnership opportunities that might exist with larger banks. With an understanding that size and scale may provide increased long-term shareholder value, the CABF board of directors determined that growing internally or merely establishing loan production offices would likely not achieve the scale, and therefore the shareholder value, that was desired. However, a potential merger or strategic combination with a similar-sized or larger institution would likely achieve economies of scale to absorb increased regulatory compliance costs and additional operating costs and provide CABF with a better currency in the form of its common stock for future acquisitions. The CABF board of directors discussed approximately a dozen potential merger or strategic combination partners, each of which had been part of a universe of financial institutions identified by FIG as potential candidates for a strategic transaction. Some of these institutions were immediately eliminated due to illiquid currencies or heightened execution risk due to those institutions’ current involvement with other transactions. During the meeting, the CABF board of directors requested that the Strategic Planning Committee work with management and FIG to determine likely partnership scenarios with one or more of these institutions.

During December of 2017, a member of management of another potential strategic merger partner, which we refer to as “Institution B,” reached out to Mr. Poole to explore any interest CABF may have in considering such a partnership. Mr. Poole agreed to set up a meeting that would include Messrs. Kimberly and Simpson.

In early January of 2018, Messrs. Kimberly, and Simpson met with two senior representatives of a third potential strategic merger partner. This was an introductory meeting designed to explore interest in a business combination and did not result in an indication of interest from the potential strategic merger partner.

On January 3, 2018, Messrs. Trautman and Campolo met with Messrs. Kimberly and Simpson in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The group continued to discuss the respective organizational cultures and joint opportunities such as loan participations.

On January 15, 2018, Messrs. Poole, Kimberly, and Simpson met with a representative of Institution B in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This was an introductory meeting designed to familiarize the parties with the operations and cultures of the respective companies and to explore interest in a business combination.

Following the January 23, 2018 announcement of the transaction between NewDominion and Parent, Mr. Kimberly contacted Mr. Trautman to discuss the NewDominion transaction and to understand the level of interest that Parent may have in the region of the Carolinas served by CABF and, more specifically, CABF. Mr. Kimberly and Mr. Trautman were in contact periodically from late January 2018 through February 2018 discussing a possible strategic transaction between their respective institutions.

On January 29, 2018, a joint meeting of the CABF Executive Committee and Strategic Planning Committee was held in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Management provided the committees an update on strategic conversations that had transpired to date and next steps needed in order to advance those discussions.

On February 7, 2018, Messrs. Kimberly and Simpson, along with Terry Cash, Chairman of the CABF board of directors, met with a representative of management of Institution B in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The purpose of the meeting was to learn more about Institution B’s vision for a potential partnership.

On March 8, 2018, Parent and CABF entered into a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement for the purpose of exchanging confidential information that would allow both Parent and CABF to further explore a possible business relationship. An online dataroom was established to facilitate the exchange of confidential information between the two parties. Additionally, members of management of both Parent and CABF were available to each other to provide for further due diligence.

On April 2, 2018, Mr. Kimberly met in person with a member of management from Institution B. The purpose of the meeting was to express an interest in working to shape a potential partnership. Mr. Kimberly indicated that access to an online dataroom would be established for Institution B and that members of the CABF management team would be available to address due diligence questions. Similarly, CABF was to have access to like information from Institution B. The parties agreed to execute a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement, which agreement was executed promptly thereafter.

Additional meetings to address due diligence and organizational questions occurred between members of CABF management and Institution B management on April 6, April 30, May 9, and June 7, 2018.

On April 11, 2018, Mr. Trautman met with Mr. Kimberly and Mr. Simpson in Spartanburg, South Carolina. At this meeting, Mr. Kimberly informed Mr. Trautman that CABF was evaluating several strategic options, including whether to engage in a strategic transaction or whether to continue to operate independently. Mr. Kimberly presented Mr. Trautman with a preliminary indicative price of $21.00 per share of CABF common stock.

On April 18, 2018, Mr. Trautman called Mr. Kimberly to express that the implied purchase price conveyed by Mr. Kimberly was not acceptable to Parent. The parties agreed to remain in contact.

On April 27, 2018, Mr. Trautman met with Mr. Kimberly in Asheville, North Carolina to further discuss a possible strategic transaction and the implied purchase price related thereto. Mr. Trautman conveyed that, upon further analysis, Parent was comfortable continuing conversations with CABF and suggested a meeting to discuss potential cost savings that might be realized through the strategic combination.

On May 18, 2018, Mr. Kimberly, Mr. Simpson, and a representative of FIG met with Mr. Miller, Mr. Burt and Mr. Campolo in Spartanburg, South Carolina to further discuss the specifics of a potential combination between Parent and CABF. In particular, the parties spent time discussing potential cost savings that might be realized through a strategic combination.

After the May 18^th meeting, Parent management determined that it would be in the best interests of Parent to explore a possible strategic transaction with CABF, subject to further input and approval by Parent’s board of directors.

On May 29, 2018, Parent’s Risk Committee met to discuss a possible transaction with CABF. Parent’s management presented to the Risk Committee financial modeling of a potential transaction and a general discussion of the merits of the transaction.

On May 31, 2018, Mr. Kimberly, Mr. Simpson, and a representative of FIG met with representatives of Institution B and representatives of its financial advisor in Spartanburg, South Carolina to further discuss the specifics of a potential combination between CABF and Institution B as well as conduct reciprocal due diligence

review on each party. On June 8, 2018, Institution B presented a Letter of Intent for a proposed merger which contemplated an implied purchase price of $18.00 per share of CABF common stock with merger consideration to be paid entirely in the form of Institution B’s common stock and a fixed exchange ratio.

In early June, Parent began drafting a proposed Letter of Intent to be submitted to CABF. On June 8, 2018, Parent submitted to CABF the Letter of Intent for the proposed Merger. The Letter of Intent contemplated an implied purchase price of $18.50 per share of CABF common stock, with 80% of the merger consideration to be paid in Parent common stock and 20% to be paid in cash. The Letter of Intent also provided that CABF shareholders would have the right, subject to proration and adjustment, to elect to receive either stock consideration, cash consideration or some combination thereof.

On June 11, 2018, Mr. Trautman met with Mr. Kimberly in Asheville, North Carolina to discuss the Letter of Intent. On June 12, 2018, the Executive Committee of CABF’s board of directors met to review the Letter of Intent. After that meeting. Mr. Kimberly called Mr. Trautman to inform him that, contingent on slight modifications, including an increase in the purchase price to $19.00 per share of CABF common stock, the Executive Committee was prepared to recommend that the full CABF board of directors approve the Letter of Intent. A revised Letter of Intent reflecting the requested changes was delivered by Mr. Trautman to Mr. Kimberly on June 15, 2018. The revised Letter of Intent also provided that Parent would be granted exclusivity with respect to the proposed transaction for a period of 75 days after execution of the Letter of Intent.

Likewise, on June 15, 2018, Institution B presented a revised Letter of Intent for a proposed merger which contemplated the same form of consideration and same fixed exchange ratio, yet, due to an increase in Institution B’s stock price, the price was worth more than $18.00 per share (but less than Parent’s offer of $19.00 per share). The revised Letter of Intent also increased other nonfinancial benefits.

CABF’s full board of directors met on June 18, 2018 to review the Letters of Intent presented by Parent and Institution B. Upon review and discussion, the CABF board of directors approved the Letter of Intent presented by Parent, which was executed by CABF on June 19, 2018. A representative of FIG was present at the meeting to provide an analysis of each of the offers. At this same meeting, CABF formally retained FIG to serve as its financial advisor and also formally retained the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (“Nelson Mullins”) to serve as legal counsel in connection with the proposed transaction. From July 2018 through September 2018, Parent performed due diligence on CABF and CABF performed reverse due diligence on Parent. The parties concurrently worked to finalize the drafting of a definitive merger agreement during this period. FIG continued to provide advice, analysis, and recommendations to CABF during the due diligence process and the drafting of the definitive merger agreement. Parent formally retained Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. on June 29, 2018 to serve as Parent’s financial advisor.

On July 22, 2018, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, counsel to Parent, delivered the initial draft of the Merger Agreement to Parent’s management for review. After review, Parent management delivered the draft of the Merger Agreement to CABF management on July 30, 2018. The initial draft of the Merger Agreement provided a mechanism whereby CABF shareholders could elect to receive stock consideration, cash consideration or a combination thereof. For the next two weeks, CABF management reviewed the initial draft with FIG and Nelson Mullins as they continued their reverse due diligence review of Parent.

On August 2, 2018 and August 3, 2018, CABF management, including Messrs. Kimberly, Covington, and Simpson, visited Parent’s headquarters in Newark, Ohio to complete certain on-site reverse due diligence. The CABF management team also met with Parent’s senior executives during this time.

On August 10, 2018, Nelson Mullins provided CABF’s comments to the Merger Agreement to Parent’s legal counsel. Throughout the month of August 2018 and early September 2018, the parties continued to negotiate the terms of the Merger Agreement to resolve the remaining legal and business matters between them, which included confirmation of the implied merger consideration of $19.00 per share of CABF common stock. During this time, the parties also agreed to modify the merger consideration mechanics to provide for a fixed amount of stock consideration and cash consideration in exchange for each share of CABF common stock.

During meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina that took place August 16 – 17, 2018, members of CABF management and the CABF board of directors met with representatives of Parent’s management, including Mr. Trautman, Mr. DeLawder, and Mr. Miller, to review the findings of certain due diligence items and to introduce members of the CABF board of directors to Parent’s team.

On August 20, 2018 at a special meeting of the CABF board of directors, management, along with representatives of FIG and Nelson Mullins, provided an initial review of the Merger Agreement and reverse due diligence findings regarding Parent.

On August 29, 2018, Mr. Trautman met with Mr. Kimberly to discuss various cultural and operational matters. On August 30^th, Mr. Trautman, Mr. DeLawder and Mr. Miller met with senior management and three members of the CABF board of directors to further discuss the cultural fit of Parent and CABF as well as certain other operational items related to the possible strategic transaction. Following such meeting, Parent’s senior management reaffirmed their desire to continue to explore and work toward a strategic transaction with CABF.

On September 5, 2018, the Risk Committee of Parent held a special meeting at which, management and Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP were present. The committee members and management, along with Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, discussed various due diligence matters. Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP also presented a summary of the material terms of the Merger Agreement. Written copies of such presentations were provided to the committee members for their review in advance of this meeting.

With the input, and under the direction, of the respective management teams, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, as legal counsel to Parent, and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, as legal counsel to CABF, continued to negotiate and refine the Merger Agreement throughout early September 2018. On September 10, 2018, the parties agreed in principle to the final form of the Merger Agreement.

On September 11, 2018, the CABF board of directors held a special meeting to discuss the draft Merger Agreement and related issues. Also present in addition to the directors were representatives of FIG and Nelson Mullins. Nelson Mullins representatives discussed the purpose of the meeting and the legal standards and responsibilities of the directors with regard to matters before them, including the directors’ fiduciary duties under South Carolina law and the directors’ duties of care, loyalty and good faith. Nelson Mullins representatives reviewed the Merger Agreement and related ancillary documents with the CABF board of directors and responded to questions, and engaged in discussion, regarding various transaction terms, including the circumstances under which the CABF board of directors would have the right to entertain superior third-party offers prior to the closing of the merger, the termination fee that would be payable by CABF if the Merger Agreement were terminated under certain circumstances, and the affirmative and negative covenants that would be applicable to CABF and Carolina Alliance Bank prior to the closing of the merger. A FIG representative reviewed with the CABF board of directors the background of the process which had been undertaken to that point, and presented a financial analysis of Parent and of the proposed merger consideration. FIG delivered to the CABF board of directors its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, that, based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions set forth in its written opinion, as of September 11, 2018, the merger consideration to be received in the merger by CABF shareholders was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. Nelson Mullins representatives then requested and received confirmation from the directors that each of the directors present had reviewed the draft Merger Agreement, resolutions and other ancillary material provided to the directors prior to the special meeting, and addressed additional questions. The Nelson Mullins representatives also reiterated that pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the directors would need to sign shareholder support agreements, which would require them to vote their shares in favor of the merger. Thereafter, the board received and considered resolutions concerning the transaction. The members of the CABF board of directors unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and transactions set forth therein and authorized Mr. Kimberly to execute and deliver the Merger Agreement and take the other actions necessary to effect the transaction.

On September 12, 2018, the boards of directors of Parent and Park National held a joint board meeting at which Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP made a detailed presentation regarding the directors’ fiduciary duties under Ohio law, including the directors’ duties of care, loyalty and good faith. Management and Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP also provided the boards of directors with a presentation summarizing the material terms of the Merger Agreement. Detailed written materials, including due diligence memoranda and an updated draft of the Merger Agreement and the Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP presentation summarizing the Merger Agreement, were provided to the Parent and Park National boards for their review in advance of the September 12, 2018 board meeting. Based upon review and discussion of the Merger Agreement by the boards of directors of Parent and Park National, the Parent board and the Park National board unanimously approved the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement was entered into by the appropriate officers of Parent and CABF after the closing of the financial markets on September 12, 2018. Parent and CABF issued a joint press release on September 13, 2018 announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement.

CABF’s reasons for the Merger; recommendation of CABF’s board of directors

After extensive review and discussion and careful consideration, CABF’s board of directors, at a meeting held on September 11, 2018, unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement is in the best interests of CABF and its shareholders. Accordingly, CABF’s board of directors adopted and approved the Merger Agreement and unanimously recommends that CABF shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Merger proposal and “FOR” the approval of the adjournment proposal.

In reaching its decision to adopt and approve the Merger Agreement and to recommend that its shareholders approve the Merger Agreement, the CABF board of directors consulted with CABF management, as well as its financial and legal advisors, and considered a number of factors, including, without limitation, the following material factors:

The CABF board also considered the risks and potential negative factors outlined below, but concluded that the anticipated benefits of the Merger were likely to substantially outweigh these risks and factors. These risks included:

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by CABF’s board of directors is not exhaustive, but includes the material factors that the board of directors considered and discussed in approving and recommending the Merger. In view of the wide variety of factors considered and discussed by CABF’s board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the Merger and the complexity of these factors, the board of directors did not quantify, rank or assign any relative or specific weight to the foregoing factors. Rather, it considered all of the factors as a whole. The board of directors discussed the foregoing factors, including asking questions of CABF’s management and legal and financial advisors, and reached general consensus that the Merger was in the best interests of CABF and its shareholders. In considering the foregoing factors, individual directors may have assigned different weights to different factors. The board of directors did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any factor, or particular aspect of any factor, supported or did not support its ultimate decision to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger.

The foregoing explanation of CABF’s board of directors’ reasoning and all other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed in the section entitled “Special Notes Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

Certain directors and officers of CABF and executive officers of Carolina Alliance Bank have interests in the Merger different from or in addition to their interests as shareholders generally. You may wish to consider these interests in evaluating CABF’s board of directors’ recommendation that you vote in favor of the Merger. See “The Merger—Interests of certain persons in the Merger.” CABF directors and executive officers, along with certain executive officers of Carolina Alliance Bank, who own shares of CABF common stock have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Merger at the special meeting.

Parent’s reasons for the Merger

After extensive review and discussion and careful consideration, Parent’s board of directors, at a meeting held on September 12, 2018, unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement is in the best interests of Parent and its shareholders. In deciding to approve the Merger and adopt the Merger Agreement, Parent’s board of directors considered a number of factors, including:

The above discussion of the information and factors considered by Parent’s board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes a description of the material factors considered by Parent’s board. In view of the wide variety of factors considered by the Parent board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the Merger, the Parent board did not consider it practical to, nor did it attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered. In considering the factors described above, individual directors may have given differing weights to different factors. Parent’s board of directors collectively made its determination with respect to the Merger based on the conclusion reached by its members, based on the factors that each of them considered appropriate, that the Merger is in the best interests of Parent’s shareholders.

The foregoing explanation of Parent’s board of directors’ reasoning and all other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed in the section entitled “Special Notes Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

Opinion of CABF’s financial advisor

CABF retained FIG to act as an independent financial advisor to the CABF board of directors in connection with CABF’s consideration of a possible business combination. FIG is a nationally recognized investment banking firm whose principal business specialty is financial institutions. In the ordinary course of its investment banking business, FIG is regularly engaged in the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions.

FIG acted as an independent financial advisor in connection with the proposed Merger and participated in certain of the negotiations leading to the execution of the Merger Agreement. At the September 11, 2018 meeting at which the CABF board of directors considered and discussed the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Merger, FIG delivered to the CABF board of directors its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of September 11, 2018, the merger consideration provided for in the Merger Agreement was fair to the holders of CABF common stock from a financial point of view. The full text of FIG’s opinion is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion outlines the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by FIG in rendering its opinion. The description of the opinion set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Holders of CABF common stock are urged to read the entire opinion carefully in connection with their consideration of the proposed Merger.

FIG’s opinion speaks only as of the date of the opinion. The opinion was directed to the CABF board of directors in connection with its consideration of the Merger Agreement and the Merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of CABF as to how any such shareholder should vote at any meeting of shareholders called to consider and vote upon the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger. FIG’s opinion was directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to the holders of CABF common stock and does not address the underlying business decision of CABF to engage in the Merger, the form or structure of the Merger or any other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any other alternative transactions or business strategies that might exist for CABF or the effect of any other transaction in which CABF might engage. FIG did not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to be received in the Merger by any officer, director or employee of CABF or Parent, or any class of such persons, if any, relative to the compensation to be received in the Merger by any other shareholder, including the merger consideration to be received by the holders of CABF common stock. FIG’s opinion was approved by FIG’s fairness opinion committee.

FIG has acted as financial advisor to CABF in connection with the Merger and received a $25,000 retainer fee upon execution of its engagement letter and a $125,000 fee upon rendering its fairness opinion to the CABF board of directors. In addition to the fairness fee, upon the successful completion of the Merger, FIG will be paid a success fee equal to 1.0% of the value of the merger consideration, less the retainer and fairness fees. CABF has also agreed to indemnify FIG and its affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, employees and agents against certain expenses and liabilities, including liabilities under applicable federal or state law. FIG’s opinion has been reviewed by FIG’s compliance officer consistent with internal policy. Other than as set forth above, FIG has not had a material relationship with or received compensation from either Parent or CABF during the two years preceding the date of FIG’s opinion.

FIG’s opinion is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration, and, as such, does not constitute a recommendation to any CABF shareholder as to how the shareholder should vote at the CABF shareholder meeting. The summary of the opinion of FIG set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion.

The following is a summary of the analyses performed by FIG in connection with its fairness opinion. Certain analyses were confirmed in a presentation to the CABF board of directors by FIG. The summary set forth below does not purport to be a complete description of either the analyses performed by FIG in rendering its opinion or the presentation delivered by FIG to the CABF board of directors, but it does summarize all of the material analyses performed and presented by FIG.

The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analyses and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances. In arriving at its opinion, FIG did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis and factor considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. FIG may have given various analyses more or less weight than other analyses. Accordingly, FIG believes that its analyses and the following summary must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, without considering all factors, could create an incomplete view of the process underlying the analyses set forth in its report to the CABF board of directors and its fairness opinion.

In performing its analyses, FIG made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of CABF or Parent. The analyses performed by FIG are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Such analyses were prepared solely as part of FIG’s analysis of the fairness of the merger consideration, from a financial point of view, to CABF shareholders. The analyses do not purport to be an appraisal or to reflect the prices at which a company might actually be sold or the prices at which any securities may trade at the present time or at any time in the future. FIG’s opinion does not address the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any other business combination in which CABF might engage. In addition, as described above, FIG’s opinion to the CABF board of directors was one of many factors taken into consideration by the CABF board of directors in making its determination to approve the Merger Agreement.

During the course of its engagement, and as a basis for arriving at its opinion, FIG reviewed and analyzed numerous materials bearing upon the financial and operating conditions of CABF and Parent and materials and agreements prepared in connection with the Merger. As part of its review and analysis, FIG, among other things,

FIG also took into account its assessment of general economic, market and financial conditions and experience in other transactions as well as its knowledge of the banking industry and general experience in securities valuation.

In rendering its opinion, FIG assumed and relied on, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information and representations contained in the materials provided to it by CABF and Parent and conveyed in the discussions with CABF and Parent. In that regard, FIG assumed that senior managements’ discussions of the future prospects of CABF and Parent expected to be achieved as a result of the Merger, including, without limitation, the Synergies, were based upon the best currently-available information and judgments and estimates of CABF and Parent. FIG is not an expert in the evaluation of loan and lease portfolios for purposes of assessing the adequacy of the allowances for losses with respect thereto and it assumed that such allowances for CABF and Parent were in the aggregate adequate to cover such losses. FIG was not retained to and did not conduct a physical inspection of any of the properties or facilities of CABF and Parent. In addition, FIG has not reviewed individual credit files nor has it made an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets and liabilities of CABF and Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries and it was not furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals.

Pro forma financial impact

FIG compared the estimated future earnings per share (“EPS”) and tangible book value per share (“TBV”) for CABF as a standalone entity to the future pro forma EPS and TBV resulting from the Merger. As a baseline, FIG estimated future EPS and TBV for CABF derived from projections developed by FIG. FIG also developed estimates of EPS and TBV for the combined company using assumptions regarding the anticipated cost savings resulting from the Merger, estimated purchase accounting adjustments, estimated merger-related expenses, and publicly-available consensus EPS estimates for Parent. Then FIG compared the pro forma EPS and TBV for the combined company with the EPS and TBV for CABF as a standalone entity. This analysis indicated that the Merger should be accretive to CABF’s estimated EPS in 2019 through 2022. The analysis also suggested that the TBV dilution resulting from the Merger should be recovered prior to the year-ending December 31, 2022 through higher EPS. However, the actual results achieved by the combined company following the Merger may vary from the projected results, and the variations may be material.

Contribution analysis

FIG analyzed the relative contribution of CABF and Parent to the pro forma balance sheet and income of the combined entity, assuming 80% of the merger consideration consists of Parent common stock. This analysis excluded purchase accounting adjustments. To perform this analysis, FIG used historical balance sheet and net income data for both companies as of June 30, 2018. The results of FIG’s analysis are set forth in the following table, which also compares the results of the analysis with the implied pro forma ownership percentages of CABF and Parent respective shareholders in the combined company:

FIG noted that the ownership interest of CABF’s shareholders in the combined company was generally in line with CABF’s contribution to the balance sheet and income of the combined company.

Comparable transaction analysis

As part of its analysis, FIG reviewed two groups of comparable merger transactions, “Comparable Transactions—National” and “Comparable Transactions—Southeast.”

The Comparable Transactions—National peer group included selected transactions, which have been announced since January 1, 2018, that involved target banks nationally with total assets between $500 million and $1 billion. All consideration types were included. The group was also limited to transactions where pricing was disclosed. This group consisted of the following 14 transactions:

FIG calculated the median multiples for the following transaction ratios in the Comparable Transactions—National: the percentage of the offer value to the acquired company’s tangible common equity, capital adjusted tangible common equity, last twelve months (“LTM”) earnings, total assets, and the tangible book value premium to core deposits. FIG used these median multiples to estimate the value of CABF’s common stock by applying each median multiple to CABF’s tangible common equity, capital adjusted tangible common equity, net income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, total assets, and core deposits as of June 30, 2018, respectively. The results of this analysis are as follows:

The Comparable Transactions—Southeast peer group included selected transactions, which have been announced since January 1, 2017, that involved target banks in the Southeast with total assets between $400 million and $1.1 billion. For the purposes of the analysis, the Southeast includes AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, and TN. All consideration types were included. The group was also limited to transactions where pricing was disclosed. This group consisted of the following 13 transactions:

FIG calculated the median multiples for the following transaction ratios in the Comparable Transactions—Southeast: the percentage of the offer value to the acquired company’s tangible common equity, capital adjusted tangible common equity, LTM earnings, total assets, and the tangible book value premium to core deposits. FIG used these median multiples to estimate the value of CABF’s common stock by applying each median multiple to CABF’s tangible common equity, capital adjusted tangible common equity, net income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, total assets, and core deposits as of June 30, 2018, respectively. The results of this analysis are as follows:

The Comparable Transactions—National analysis suggested a range of value of $18.46 to $20.24 per share of CABF common stock, with a midpoint of $19.35. The Comparable Transactions—Southeast analysis suggested a range of value of $16.83 to $19.34 per share of CABF common stock, with a midpoint of $18.08.

FIG noted that the implied value of the merger consideration of $19.00 per share (based on 80% stock consideration, a .1378 exchange ratio and Parent’s twenty-day average closing stock price of $110.34 as of September 7, 2018, and 20% cash consideration valued at $3.80 per share) was at the upper end of the range of values suggested by the comparable transaction analysis.

Franchise valuation

FIG used a franchise value analysis to estimate the value of CABF’s common stock based on the composition of its balance sheet at June 30, 2018. The franchise value analysis involves calculating the net asset value of the company and adding a core deposit premium to the net asset value to determine the overall value of the company. In order to calculate CABF’s net asset value, FIG made certain adjustments to CABF’s tangible common equity. The deposit premium was calculated by assigning a premium to each deposit account type based on the perceived value of each type of deposit to a potential acquirer.

FIG selected premiums of 6% for certificates of deposit, 8% for savings and money market accounts, 10% for NOW accounts, and 14% for noninterest-bearing deposits. The overall deposit premium for CABF was 8.93%, or $53.5 million. FIG noted that deposit premiums paid in bank merger transactions vary. Accordingly, FIG selected a range of deposit premiums from 7% to 11%. The franchise value analysis suggested an overall range of value of $16.00 to $19.31 per share for CABF’s common stock. The value suggested by an 8.93% deposit premium was $17.59 per share. The following chart provides a summary of the franchise value analysis: