---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-24-041512"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FNWD"
cik: "0000919864"
company_name: "Finward Bancorp"
filed_at: "2024-02-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-05T22:35:52.898594+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Finward Bancorp appoints Benjamin Schmitt as permanent CFO effective Feb 20, 2024

## Summary
- Benjamin Schmitt appointed permanent SVP, CFO, and Treasurer of Finward Bancorp and Peoples Bank, effective Feb 20, 2024.
- Schmitt previously President of Rally Consulting and Managing Director at Piper Sandler; base salary $235,000.
- Robert T. Lowry returns to EVP, COO role after serving as interim CFO since Jan 1, 2024.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-24-041512
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FNWD
- cik: 0000919864
- company_name: Finward Bancorp
- filed_at: 2024-02-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312524041512/0001193125-24-041512-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312524041512/d791737d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-041512
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-041512.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-041512.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Robert T. Lowry changed role as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at Finward Bancorp.
  - Action: will remain in his position
  - Role: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
  source text: Robert T. Lowry, who had been serving as the Bancorp’s and Bank’s interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (as previously reported pursuant to the Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) on December 7, 2023) will remain in his position as the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of the Bancorp and the Bank.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312524041512/0001193125-24-041512-index.htm
- Executive change
  Benjamin L. Schmitt was appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at Finward Bancorp.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  source text: appointed Benjamin L. Schmitt to serve as the Bancorp’s and Bank’s permanent Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective February 20, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312524041512/0001193125-24-041512-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.