December 17, 2007
Exhibit 8.2
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxx.xxxxxxxxx.xxx
December 17, 2007
Omega Financial Corporation
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Re: Tax Opinion/Merger Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Omega Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Omega”),
in connection with the merger (the “Merger”) of Omega with and into F.N.B. Corporation, a Florida
corporation (“FNB”), pursuant to a Merger Agreement dated as of November 8, 2007 (the “Merger
Agreement”) by and among Omega and FNB. All capitalized terms used herein, unless otherwise
specified, have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
For the purpose of rendering our opinion, we have examined and are relying upon (without any
independent investigation or review thereof) the truth and accuracy, at all relevant times, of the
statements, covenants, representations and warranties contained in the following documents
(including all schedules and exhibits thereto): (a) the Merger Agreement; (b) the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 [to be] filed by FNB with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Registration Statement”) (c) the Officer’s Certificates of Omega and FNB attached hereto; and (d)
such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set
forth below.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents
submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such
copies. We have further assumed that the Merger will be consummated in accordance with the Merger
Agreement and will be effective under applicable state law. Finally, our opinion is issued in
reliance that all statements, descriptions and representations contained in the above-referenced
documents or otherwise made to us are true, correct and complete and will be as of the Effective
Date.
In rendering our opinion, we have considered the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations and the pertinent judicial authorities
and interpretive rulings of the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”) and such other authorities
as we have considered relevant.
Omega Financial Corporation
December 17, 2007
Page 2
December 17, 2007
Page 2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Merger will, under
current law, constitute a tax-free reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code. Further,
in our opinion, subject to the qualifications and limitations contained therein, the discussion set
forth in the Registration Statement under the caption “Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of
the Merger” fairly presents the material United States federal income tax consequences of the
Merger and, insofar as it relates to statements of law or legal conclusions, is correct in all
material respects.
This letter represents our view of the proper United States (“U.S.”) federal income tax
treatment of the Merger based upon our analysis of the relevant U.S. federal income tax authorities
as of the date hereof. The opinion is not binding on the Service or any court, and there can be no
assurance that the Service or a court of competent jurisdiction will not disagree with the opinion.
Our opinion is based upon the Code and its legislative history, the Treasury Regulations,
judicial decisions of the federal courts interpreting the foregoing and current administrative
rulings and practices of the Service, all as in effect on the date of this letter. These
authorities may be amended or revoked at any time. Any changes may or may not be retroactive and
could cause this opinion to be or become incorrect, in whole or in part. There is and can be no
assurance that such legislative, judicial or administrative changes will not occur in the future.
We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or modify this letter to reflect any developments
that may impact the opinion from and after the date of this letter. Other than the law described
in the first sentence of this paragraph, we are not opining on the laws of any other jurisdiction
(state, federal or foreign) including, without limitation, any other laws of the U.S.
We are expressing our opinion only as to matters expressly addressed herein. We are not
expressing any opinion as to any other matters, or any other aspects of the transactions
contemplated by this letter, whether discussed herein or not. No opinion should be inferred as to
any other matters, including without limitation, any other U.S. federal income tax issues with
respect to the Merger or any related transactions or any state, local or foreign tax treatment of
the Merger or any related transactions.
Our opinion is dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of the facts and assumptions
referenced above. We have relied upon those facts and assumptions without any independent
investigation or verification of their accuracy or completeness. Any inaccuracy or incompleteness
in our understanding of the facts and assumptions could adversely affect the opinion expressed in
this letter.
Omega Financial Corporation
December 17, 2007
Page 3
December 17, 2007
Page 3
The opinion expressed herein has been issued solely for your benefit in connection with the
Registration Statement, and may not be (a) utilized or relied upon by you for any other purpose or
(b) utilized, relied upon or quoted by any Person other than you, or distributed or discussed,
without, in each instance, the prior written consent of a partner of this Firm; provided, however,
we do hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the reference to Blank Rome LLP in the prospectus constituting a part of the
Registration Statement under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Merger,” without admitting that we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder with respect to
any part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit. The opinion expressed herein is
strictly limited to the matters stated herein and no other or more extensive opinion is intended,
implied or to be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein. This opinion letter is not a
guarantee and should not be construed or relied on as such.
Very truly yours, |
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/s/ Blank Rome LLP | ||||
BLANK ROME LLP | ||||