Northwest Bancshares’ bid to take over NexTier Bank is off, according to an announcement this morning by NexTier.

NexTier Inc. said in a news release it has ended its merger agreement Northwest Bancshares, citing Northwest’s inability to secure regulatory approval for the merger.

NexTier has offices in Butler and surrounding counties.

In the release, Margaret Irvine Weir, NexTier president, said, “Regulatory approval is a condition to closing the merger. It has become clear that Northwest will not receive regulatory approval within the time frame contemplated by the merger agreement.

“Therefore, it is in the best interest of NexTier and its stockholders and customers to formally terminate the merger agreement.”

The sale to Northwest, which is based in Warren, Pa., was announced May 5.

The sale was to have been completed by October, but then it was said to be delayed until February 2011.

“We continue to pursue alternative sources for capital for our organization and look forward to announcing the results of those efforts in the near future,” said NexTier Bank’s CEO, Don Shamey, in the news release.