UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. ____)

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9204 Columbia Avenue

Munster, Indiana 46321

(219) 836-4400

To the Shareholders of Finward Bancorp:

We cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Finward Bancorp, an Indiana corporation (the “Bancorp”), to be held on Friday, May 20, 2022, commencing at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time. The Annual Meeting will be held completely as a virtual meeting of shareholders instead of an in person meeting. You may attend the meeting online, submit questions, and vote your shares electronically during the meeting via the internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FNWD2022. To enter the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number that is printed in the box marked by the arrow on the accompanying proxy card. We recommend that you log in at least 15 minutes before the meeting to ensure that you are logged in when the meeting starts.

The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

You can vote online at the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting if you are a shareholder of record at the close of business on March 18, 2022.

We urge you to read the enclosed proxy statement carefully so you will have information about the business to come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment. Please sign, date, and return the accompanying proxy promptly in the postage-paid envelope furnished for that purpose, or follow the related internet or telephone voting instructions. If you hold shares through a broker or other nominee, you should follow the procedures provided by your broker or nominee.

A copy of our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, is enclosed. The Annual Report is not a part of the proxy soliciting material enclosed with this letter.

	By Order of the Board of Directors
	Leane E. Cerven
	Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

Munster, Indiana

March 30, 2022

It is important that you return your proxy promptly. Therefore, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting online, please sign, date and complete the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States, or follow the related internet or telephone voting instructions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF

PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MAY 20, 2022

The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy Statement,

Annual Report, and 2021 Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

9204 Columbia Avenue

Munster, Indiana 46321

(219) 836-4400

The Board of Directors of Finward Bancorp, an Indiana corporation (the “Bancorp”), is soliciting proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held completely virtually at 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on May 20, 2022, and at any adjournment of the meeting. You may attend the meeting online, submit questions, and vote your shares electronically during the meeting via the internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FNWD2022. The Bancorp’s principal asset consists of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of Peoples Bank (the “Bank”). We expect to first mail this proxy statement and the form of proxy to our shareholders on or about April 1, 2022.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will:

We do not expect any other items of business because the deadline for shareholder nominations and proposals has already passed. If other matters do properly come before the meeting, the accompanying proxy gives discretionary authority to the persons named in the proxy to vote on any other matters brought before the meeting. Those persons intend to vote the proxies in accordance with their best judgment.

VOTING INFORMATION

Who is entitled to vote?

Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 18, 2022, the record date, may vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, there were 4,294,136 shares of the Bancorp’s Common Stock issued and outstanding, and the Bancorp had no other class of equity securities outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting on all matters properly presented.

How many votes are required to elect directors?

The three nominees for director receiving the most votes will be elected. Abstentions and instructions to withhold authority to vote for a nominee will result in the nominee receiving fewer votes but will not count as votes against the nominee.

How many votes are required to ratify the selection of BKD, LLP as independent registered public accountants for the Bancorp for 2022?

More votes cast in favor of this proposal than are cast against it are required to ratify BKD, LLP as the Bancorp’s auditors for 2022. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

How many votes are required to approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation of the Bancorp’s named executive officers?

More votes cast in favor of this proposal than are cast against it are required to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the executive compensation of the Bancorp’s named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the advisory vote on executive compensation.

How do I vote my shares?

If you are a “shareholder of record,” you can vote by mailing the enclosed proxy card or by following the related internet or telephone voting instructions. The proxy, if properly signed and returned to the Bancorp and not revoked prior to its use, will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained in the proxy. If you return your signed proxy card but do not indicate your voting preferences, the proxies named in the proxy card will vote on your behalf “FOR” the three nominees for director listed below, “FOR” the ratification of BKD, LLP as auditors of the Bancorp for 2022, “FOR” the approval of the executive compensation paid to the Bancorp’s named executive officers, and, as to any other matter that may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting, in accordance with the judgment of the proxies.

If you have shares held by a broker or other nominee, you may instruct the broker or nominee to vote your shares by following the instructions the broker or nominee provides to you. If you do not submit specific voting instructions to your broker or nominee, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but not with respect to “non-discretionary” items. Discretionary items are proposals considered routine under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange on which your broker may vote shares held in street name in the absence of your voting instructions. On non-discretionary items for which you do not submit specific voting instructions to your broker, the shares will be treated as “broker non-votes.” The proposal to ratify BKD, LLP as our auditors for 2022 is considered routine and therefore may be voted upon by your broker if you do not give instructions to your broker. However, brokers will not have discretion to vote your shares on the election of directors or on the advisory vote on the compensation of the Bancorp’s executive officers. Accordingly, if your shares are held in street name and you do not submit voting instructions to your broker, your shares will not be counted in determining the outcome of the election of the director nominees or the advisory vote on the executive compensation of the Bancorp’s named executive officers.

Proxies solicited by this proxy statement may be exercised only at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof and will not be used for any other meeting.

Can I change my vote after I have mailed my proxy card?

You have the right to revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (1) notifying the Bancorp’s Corporate Secretary (Leane E. Cerven, 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321) in writing, (2) delivering a later-dated proxy, or (3) attending the Annual Meeting online and voting electronically (attendance at the online meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy).

Can I vote my shares at the meeting?

We will not be holding an in person Annual Meeting. Rather, the meeting will be completely virtual and will be held at the time and internet address mentioned in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders included with these materials. If you are a shareholder of record, you may attend the meeting online and vote your shares electronically during the meeting via internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FNWD2022. You will need the information printed in the box marked by the arrow on the accompanying proxy card and you should follow the instructions provided when you login. However, we encourage you to vote by proxy card even if you plan to attend the online meeting.

If your shares are held by a broker or other nominee, you must obtain a proxy from the broker or other nominee giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting.

What constitutes a quorum?

The holders of over 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the record date must be present electronically or by proxy at the Annual Meeting to constitute a quorum. In determining whether a quorum is present, shareholders who abstain, cast broker non-votes, or withhold authority to vote on one or more director nominees will be deemed present at the Annual Meeting. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of March 18, 2022, certain information as to those persons who were known by management to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Bancorp’s Common Stock and as to the shares of the Common Stock beneficially owned by the persons named in the “Summary Compensation Table” (referred to in this proxy statement as “Named Executive Officers”) and by all directors and executive officers as a group. Persons and groups owning more than 5% of the Common Stock are required to file certain reports regarding such ownership with the Bancorp and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on such reports, management knows of no persons, other than as set forth in the table below, who owned more than 5% of the Common Stock at March 18, 2022. Individual beneficial ownership of shares by the Bancorp’s directors is set forth in the table below under “Election of Directors.” Unless otherwise noted below, the address of each beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Bancorp’s Common Stock is c/o Finward Bancorp, 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, IN 46321.

PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) currently consists of twelve members. The By-Laws provide that the Board of Directors is to be divided into three classes, with each class containing directors as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the entire Board permits. The members of each class are elected for a term of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified. One class of directors is elected annually. The term of the Class I directors expires at the Annual Meeting. The term of the Class II directors expires at the 2023 Annual Meeting, and the term of the Class III directors expires at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

Edward J. Furticella, a current Class I director, has notified the Board of his intent to retire from the Board and not stand for re-election upon the expiration of his current term, which expires at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Furticella’s retirement and decision not to stand for re-election is not a result of any disagreement with the Bancorp on any matter relating to the Bancorp’s operations, policies, or practices.

In connection with the expiration of Mr. Furticella’s current term at the Annual Meeting, as well as in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated July 28, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”) between the Bancorp and Royal Financial, Inc., the Board nominated Robert W. Youman to stand for election as a Class I director at the Annual Meeting. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Bancorp and the Bank were required to take all appropriate action so that, as of the effective time of the merger and in accordance with the Bancorp’s bylaws and the bylaws of the Bank, Robert W. Youman be appointed to the boards of directors of the Bancorp and the Bank. As previously disclosed, effective as of the closing of the merger, Mr. Youman, a former member of the board of directors of Royal Financial, Inc., was appointed to the boards of directors of the Bancorp and the Bank, with a term expiring at the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, if the term of the class of directors to which Mr. Youman was appointed expired less than three years after the effective time of the merger, the Bancorp agreed to cause Mr. Youman to be nominated and recommended for election by the Bancorp’s shareholders at the next election of directors as long as he continued to be eligible and qualified to serve as a director. As a result of these provisions, the Board has nominated Mr. Youman to stand for election as a Class I Director at the Annual Meeting.

The three nominees for director this year are Joel Gorelick, Amy W. Han, Ph.D., and Robert W. Youman, each of whom is a current director of the Bancorp. If the shareholders elect these nominees at the Annual Meeting, the terms of Mr. Gorelick, Ms. Han, and Mr. Youman will expire in 2025. No director or nominee for director is related to any other director or executive officer of the Bancorp or nominee for director by blood, marriage, or adoption, except that David A. Bochnowski is Benjamin J. Bochnowski’s father. Except as otherwise described above, there are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which the nominee was selected.

The following table provides information on the nominees for the position of director of the Bancorp and for each director continuing in office after the Annual Meeting, including the number and percent of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of the record date.

Each of the Bancorp’s directors and director nominees has particular experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills that qualify him or her to serve as a director of the Bancorp. These particular attributes are set forth below for each such director or director nominee.

Board Diversity

On August 6, 2021, the SEC approved amendments to the Listing Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”) related to board diversity. New Listing Rule 5605(f) (the “Diverse Board Representation Rule”) requires each Nasdaq-listed company, subject to certain exceptions, to have or explain why it does not have (1) at least one director who self-identifies as female, and (2) at least one director who self-identifies as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Asian, Native American or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, two or more races or ethnicities, or as LGBTQ+. All Nasdaq-listed companies must have, or explain why they do not have, at least one diverse director by August 7, 2023. All companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, such as the Bancorp, must have, or explain why they do not have, at least two diverse directors by August 6, 2026.

In addition, new Listing Rule 5606 (the “Board Diversity Disclosure Rule”) requires each Nasdaq-listed company, subject to certain exceptions, to provide statistical information about the company’s board of directors, in a uniform format, related to each director’s self-identified gender, race, and self-identification as LGBTQ+.

Although we are not required to fully comply with the Diverse Board Representation Rule until 2026, we believe we presently meet the requirements of that rule based on the self-identified characteristics of the current members of our Board.  In the matrix below, we have provided the statistical information required by the Board Diversity Disclosure Rule.

Nominees for Class I Directors – Term Expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2025
		Joel Gorelick served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bancorp until January 2013 when he retired, and has over 50 years of banking experience including retail and commercial banking. He is a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and a Charter Chairman Emeritus of the Lake County Economic Alliance, Inc. He has detailed knowledge of commercial lending facilities as well as the intricacies of daily banking operations. His expertise has been utilized as an instructor for educational seminars offered by the Indiana Bankers Association. He has a high profile within the community and is active in numerous community activities. This experience assists him in his role as Chair of the Credit Committee and as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Executive Committee.
		Amy W. Han, Ph.D., completed a Ph.D. in counseling/clinical psychology from the University of Notre Dame in 2003. Prior to graduate work, Dr. Han worked as a management consultant in the areas of human resource management and strategic management with Norrell Services and AT&T in Chicago. She currently serves as the Director for Clinical Affairs and Education at the Northwest campus of Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Han lends expertise to the Board in the human resources management and strategic management areas. She brings leadership skills and the ability to help individuals achieve their goals to the Board of Directors. She is also very knowledgeable about the means and methods of providing good customer service to individuals in Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland. Additionally, Dr. Han has expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion matters, having created IU’s first Scholarly Concentration in Urban Medicine, Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health, directly impacting the community. Dr. Han also serves on several local boards. This experience assists her in her role as the Chair of the Wealth Management Committee, and as a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Executive Committee.

		Robert W. Youman, CPA (Inactive), is an Investment Advisor and Managing Director of Horwitz & Associates, positions he has held since January 2016. He has worked in the securities industry for over thirty years focusing on serving community banks and their investors. Mr. Youman began his career with KPMG LLP where he specialized in audits of community banks. He served as a member of the board of directors of Royal Financial, Inc. and its wholly-owned Illinois state-chartered savings bank subsidiary, Royal Savings Bank, from 2017 to 2022. Mr. Youman lives in Illinois and is familiar with the financial services markets in the Chicagoland area. He also has extensive experience in the areas of community banking, finance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and wealth management. This experience assists him in his role as a member of the Risk Management and Audit Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Wealth Management Committee.
Class II Directors – Term Expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2023
		Benjamin J. Bochnowski currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bancorp. Mr. Bochnowski joined the Bancorp in 2010, became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bancorp in 2013, was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 2015, and became the Chief Executive Officer in 2016. He is a Director and member of the Executive Committee of the Indiana Bankers Association, and serves on the Membership Committee of the American Bankers Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors of One Region, a non-profit business organization focused on population growth. Mr. Bochnowski volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program for low-income individuals, and has been a mentor for the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Veterans at Purdue University.
		Donald P. Fesko, O.D., FACHE, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, a position he has held since 2016. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Community Hospital from 2005 to 2016. Dr. Fesko has significant health care expertise, and is active in the Bank’s communities. These attributes are of value to the Bancorp in offering Bank products and services to the health care industry and to other Bank customers. He also served on a compensation committee for the Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, bringing him expertise of value to his service as the Chair of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, and as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee.
		Danette Garza, J.D., CPA, served as Probate Commissioner for the Lake County Superior Court from 2013 to 2017. In 2015, she took ownership of Jack Gray Transport Logistics Network, Inc., a bulk and break bulk hauler and stevedore operation located in Gary, Indiana. She is a certified public accountant as well as a licensed attorney specializing in corporate, estate planning, and elder law. She brings to the Board financial expertise and strong business acumen. The Board draws on her professional strengths and civic involvement as resources to help with the Bancorp’s strategic direction and capitalize on strategic opportunities of the Bancorp. She is a member of the Wealth Management Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Risk Management and Audit Committee, and the Credit Committee.
		Robert E. Johnson, III, currently is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cimcor, Inc., a position he has held since 1997. Cimcor, Inc. develops cutting edge IT security software to enable companies to maintain IT system integrity, take immediate action to change, and meet compliance regulations. Prior to Cimcor, Mr. Johnson was the manager of business systems for Kvaerner Metals and Manager of Process Automation & Control for Davy McKee Corporation. Mr. Johnson was appointed Chairman of the board of directors for The Methodist Hospitals in 2020. He has been a member of The Methodist Hospitals board since 2009, and has previously served as the Chair of the Finance Committee and as Vice-Chairman of the board. Mr. Johnson is a member and the former Chairman of the board of directors of the Legacy Foundation. He is a member of the board of IV Diagnostics, a biotech company, and is also a member of the board of OneRegion, a regional economic development organization. Mr. Johnson’s cyber security and information technology knowledge and record of community engagement and entrepreneurship add strong expertise and value to the Bancorp’s oversight responsibilities and community banking efforts. Mr. Johnson’s experience, as described above, assists in his role as the Chair of the Risk Management and Audit Committee, and as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Class III Directors – Term Expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2024
		David A. Bochnowski is the Executive Chairman of the Bancorp, a position he has held since 2016. Mr. Bochnowski was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Bancorp for 35 years and has over 43 years of banking experience. He has an in-depth knowledge of the Bancorp and its subsidiaries having managed the growth and operations of the companies through numerous business cycles. An attorney with experience in federal laws and regulations applicable to the industry, he has also been actively involved in national and state issues impacting the community banking industry. He maintains a high profile in business and not for profit community activities throughout Northwest Indiana. Mr. Bochnowski also serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee.
		Kenneth V. Krupinski, CPA (Inactive), is the retired past President of an accounting firm and was a CPA for 43 years. He is also actively involved in the Bank’s community. Mr. Krupinski’s extensive accounting background enables him to provide value to the Board in his role as the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and as a member of the Bancorp’s Risk Management and Audit Committee, the Executive Committee, the Credit Committee, and the Wealth Management Committee.
		Anthony M. Puntillo, D.D.S., M.S.D., founded Puntillo and Crane Orthodontics, PC, a dental specialty practice with multiple locations in Northwest Indiana, in 1994. He is the co-owner and senior partner of the practice. He also serves as a Director of the American Board of Orthodontics, is the immediate past President of the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists, and is a member of various other orthodontics associations. He is professionally active in the Bank’s communities. His experience and profile assist the Bancorp and the Bank with their business lending strategies. Dr. Puntillo serves as the Lead Independent Director for the Bancorp and the Bank, is the Vice-Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, serves as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and is a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Risk Management and Audit Committee
		James L. Wieser, J.D., is an attorney with over 49 years of experience. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate development and the representation of small businesses. This experience assists the Bancorp and the Bank in their real estate and small business lending. He has also served on several audit and risk management committees of not-for-profit organizations. He serves as a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Executive Committee, the Credit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Wealth Management Committee.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the Class I Director nominees set forth above. Proxies solicited by the Board will be so voted, unless shareholders specify otherwise on their proxy cards.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

All of the directors except David A. Bochnowski and Benjamin J. Bochnowski meet the standards for independence of Board members set forth in the Listing Standards for the Nasdaq Stock Market. Directors David Bochnowski and Benjamin Bochnowski are not independent because they are employees of the Bancorp. Moreover, all of the members of the Bancorp’s Risk Management and Audit Committee, Compensation and Benefits Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meet the independence standards set forth in the SEC rules and the Nasdaq Listing Standards.

The Board of Directors of the Bancorp determines the independence of each of the directors under the Listing Standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market, which for purposes of determining the independence of the Risk Management and Audit Committee members also incorporate the standards of the SEC included in Reg. § 240.10A-3(b)(1). Among other things, the Board considers current or previous employment relationships as well as material transactions or relationships between the Bancorp or its subsidiaries and the directors, members of their immediate family, or entities in which the directors have a significant interest. The purpose of this review is to determine whether any relationships or transactions exist or have occurred that are inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent.

The non-management directors of the Board meet in executive session without the presence of David Bochnowski and Benjamin Bochnowski. In addition, the Board will meet in executive session without David Bochnowski and Benjamin Bochnowski at least twice a year, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(b)(2) and Nasdaq IM-5605-2.

Leadership Structure of the Board of Directors

The Bancorp’s bylaws currently provide that the Board may designate a Chairman of the Board, and may designate such Chairman of the Board as an officer of the Bancorp. As a result, the Chairman of the Board may simultaneously serve as an officer of the Bancorp. In this regard, David A. Bochnowski serves as the Executive Chairman of the Board, which is designated as an executive officer position of the Bancorp.

In addition, the Board evaluates, from time to time as appropriate, whether the same individual should serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer or whether these positions should be held by different individuals, based on what the Board considers to be in the best interests of the Bancorp and its shareholders. In this regard, David A. Bochnowski serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of the Bancorp, and Benjamin J. Bochnowski serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Bancorp while also serving as a member of the Board.

The Board believes that the Bancorp’s present leadership structure is appropriate for the Bancorp, as it provides an appropriate balance between the two roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Bancorp and the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Bancorp, while the Chairman of the Board provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and sets the agenda for Board meetings and presides over meetings of the full Board. Thus, the Board believes that the current structure balances the need for the Chief Executive Officer to run the Bancorp on a day-to-day basis with the benefit provided to the Bancorp by involvement of an experienced member of the Board who has significant historical experience with the Bancorp and its business. In the past, the Board has determined to permit the same individual to serve as both Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and it may do so again in the future. The Board believes this is an appropriate leadership structure for the reasons set forth above and in light of the fact that the Board has appointed a Lead Independent Director, as discussed below. To ensure the preservation of good governance, the Board has and will continue to maintain the position of Lead Independent Director so that there will be a strong, independent leader in place to facilitate the consideration of matters and actions taken by the non-employee, independent directors.

On February 25, 2022, the independent directors of the Board appointed Anthony M. Puntillo as Lead Independent Director of the Board. The Lead Independent Director is appointed to serve in such capacity until his or her successor is duly appointed, or until his or her earlier removal or resignation, or until such time as he or she is no longer an independent director of the Board. The Lead Independent Director is tasked with helping develop agendas for each of the Board’s meetings and presiding as the chair of executive sessions which are generally held in conjunction with each of the Board’s regularly scheduled meetings. The Lead Independent Director is also tasked with identifying and developing, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board’s compositional needs and criteria for director candidates, and coordinating responses to questions and/or concerns from shareholders or other interested parties that may be communicated to the Bancorp’s non-employee directors. The Lead Independent Director serves at the discretion of the independent directors of the Board and may be removed from the position, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Board’s independent directors or by the appointment of a new Lead Independent Director at any time.

The Bancorp’s management and the Board believe the leadership structure described above is appropriate because it is advantageous to and in the best interests of the Bancorp and its shareholders. In addition, this leadership structure promotes clear direction for the Board and the Bancorp’s management, while at the same time providing a mechanism for strong, independent governance in circumstances where it is advisable or necessary to have the non-employee, independent directors consider matters and take action.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Bancorp met or acted by written consent 14 times. No director attended fewer than 80% of the aggregate total number of meetings during the last fiscal year of the Board of Directors of the Bancorp held while he or she served as director and of meetings of committees on which he or she served during that fiscal year.

Board Committees

Executive Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed an Executive Committee, composed of Directors David Bochnowski (Chairman), Puntillo (Vice Chair), Benjamin Bochnowski, Furticella, Gorelick, Han, Krupinski, and Wieser. Director Furticella will step down from the Executive Committee upon the expiration of his term as a director at the Annual Meeting. The Executive Committee is authorized to exercise the powers of the Board of Directors between regular Board meetings, except with respect to the declaration of dividends and other extraordinary corporate transactions. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Executive Committee met or acted by written consent eight times.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Board of Directors has a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which currently consists of Directors Krupinski (Chair), Han (Vice Chair), Fesko, and Wieser. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a copy of which is available on the Bancorp’s website at www.ibankpeoples.com. The primary functions of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are to retain and terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates; to assess the need for new directors; to review and reassess the adequacy of the Bancorp’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval; to lead the Board in its annual review of the Board’s performance and report its findings to the Board; to recommend to the Board director nominees for each committee of the Bancorp; to review and reassess the adequacy of its written Charter; and to annually review its own performance. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies potential nominees for director based on specified objectives in terms of the composition of the Board, taking into account such factors as areas of expertise and geographic, occupational, gender, race, and age diversity. The Nominating Committee assesses the effectiveness of its efforts to have a diverse Board of Directors by periodically reviewing the current Board members for geographic, occupational, gender, race, and age diversity. Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of their experience, judgment, integrity, ability to make independent inquiries, understanding of the Bancorp, and willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties. Directors are permitted to serve on the Board until they reach the age of 76, at which time they are required to retire from the Board effective as of the conclusion of the annual shareholders meeting following the date on which the director attains age 76. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met or acted by written consent six times.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also will consider director candidates recommended by the Bancorp’s shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to nominate an individual as a director candidate at next year’s annual meeting of shareholders, rather than recommend the individual to the Board as a potential nominee, must comply with the advance notice requirements described under “Shareholder Proposals.”

Risk Management and Audit Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed a Risk Management and Audit Committee, established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, which is composed of Directors Johnson (Chairman), Garza (Vice Chair), Furticella, Krupinski, Puntillo, and Youman. Director Furticella will step down from the Risk Management and Audit Committee upon the expiration of his term as a director at the Annual Meeting. The Risk Management and Audit Committee is comprised solely of independent directors, as defined in the SEC rules and the Nasdaq Listing Standards. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Directors Johnson and Garza are “audit committee financial experts,” as that term is defined in the Exchange Act.

The Risk Management and Audit Committee functions as the Bancorp’s liaison with its external auditors and reviews audit findings presented by the Bancorp’s internal auditor. The Risk Management and Audit Committee, along with the external auditors and internal auditor, monitors controls for material weaknesses and/or improvements in the audit function. The Risk Management and Audit Committee also monitors or, if necessary, establishes policies designed to promote full disclosure of the Bancorp’s financial condition. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Charter for the Risk Management and Audit Committee, a copy of which is available on the Bancorp’s website at www.ibankpeoples.com. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Risk Management and Audit Committee met or acted by written consent 11 times.

Compensation and Benefits Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed a Compensation and Benefits Committee composed of Directors Fesko (Chairman), Puntillo (Vice Chairman), Han, and Wieser. The Compensation and Benefits Committee is comprised solely of independent directors, as defined in the SEC rules and the Nasdaq Listing Standards. The Compensation and Benefits Committee is responsible for reviewing, determining, and establishing the compensation of directors and (as the Bank’s Compensation and Benefits Committee) the salaries, bonuses, and other compensation of the executive officers of the Bank. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Charter for the Compensation and Benefits Committee, a copy of which is available on the Bancorp’s website at www.ibankpeoples.com. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Compensation and Benefits Committee met or acted by written consent 11 times. For 2021, the Compensation and Benefits Committee consulted Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC and considered surveys provided by Compdata Surveys (Banking and Finance Survey), and McLagan Survey (Regional Community Banks) in determining the executive compensation and director compensation.

Strategic Planning Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed a Strategic Planning Committee composed of Directors Puntillo (Chairman), Fesko (Vice Chairman), Furticella, Garza, Gorelick, Johnson, and Youman. Director Furticella will step down from the Strategic Planning Committee upon the expiration of his term as a director at the Annual Meeting. The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Bancorp’s strategic plan and capital plan and recommending such plans to the Board, and ensuring the successful execution of the Bancorp’s strategic plan and capital plan by monitoring management’s progress in achieving plan objectives. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Strategic Planning Committee met or acted by written consent four times.

Wealth Management Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed a Wealth Management Committee composed of Directors Han (Chair), Wieser (Vice Chair), Garza, Krupinski, and Youman. The primary function of the Wealth Management Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by monitoring the functioning of the Wealth Management Group. The Committee also provides oversight to assist in its compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and internal policies of the Bank. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Wealth Management Committee met or acted by written consent four times.

Credit Committee

The Board of Directors has appointed a Credit Committee composed of Directors Gorelick (Chairman), Krupinski (Vice Chairman), Garza, and Wieser. The Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by monitoring credit and lending strategies and credit risk management, reviewing the quality and performance of the Bank’s credit portfolio, and reviewing and approving certain loan requests as specified in the applicable loan approval policies. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Credit Committee met or acted by written consent 13 times.

Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors plays an active role in the oversight of credit risk, market risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, and similar risks of the business of the Bancorp. It performs this role primarily through its Committee structure. The Risk Management and Audit Committee of the Bancorp has oversight responsibilities with respect to financial information of the Bancorp, the systems of internal controls established by management and the Board, and compliance and risk management, accounting and financial reporting processes. Members of the Risk Management and Audit Committee have the opportunity to communicate as needed with the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief credit officer, chief risk officer, general counsel, internal auditor, and compliance officer and of the Bank as well as the Bancorp’s outside auditor and other directors of the Bancorp. The Committee also is authorized to retain independent counsel and accountants to the extent deemed necessary to assist with its risk oversight responsibilities. In addition, the Compensation and Benefits Committee evaluates the compensation programs of the Bancorp to ensure that they do not create incentives among management employees to take undue risks. The Bank also has a Strategic Planning Committee that, among other things, monitors risks relating to liquidity, investments, and interest rate risk and a Credit Committee that, among other things, monitors risk in the credit portfolio.

Communications with Directors

The Board of Directors of the Bancorp has implemented a process whereby shareholders may send communications to the Board’s attention. Any shareholder desiring to communicate with the Board, or one or more specific members thereof, should communicate in a writing addressed to Finward Bancorp, Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321. The Corporate Secretary of the Bancorp has been instructed by the Board to promptly forward all such communications to the specified addressees thereof. All of the Bancorp’s directors then in office attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 21, 2021.

Employee, Officer, and Director Hedging

The Board has adopted the Finward Bancorp Insider Trading Policy (the “Insider Trading Policy”) that, among other things, prohibits a director, executive officer, or employee from entering into any hedging, derivative, or other equivalent transaction that is specifically designed to reduce or limit the extent to which declines in the trading price of the Bancorp’s common stock would affect the value of the shares of Bancorp common stock owned by the executive officer or director. The Insider Trading Policy provides that examples of prohibited hedging transactions include (i) short-term trading of the Bancorp’s common stock (the practice of purchasing and selling shares of the same class of Bancorp stock within a six month period, or vice versa); (ii) short sales of the Bancorp’s common stock (the practice of selling a security that the seller does not own); (iii) transactions in put options, call options, or other derivative securities relating to the Bancorp’s common stock; (iv)  entering into prepaid variable forward sale contracts, equity swaps, exchange funds, or zero cost collars relating to the Bancorp’s common stock; and (v) placing standing or limit orders on the Bancorp’s common stock. Under the policy, except as otherwise permitted by the Bancorp’s Board, directors, executive officers and other employees also are prohibited from pledging, hypothecating, or otherwise encumbering shares of the Bancorp’s common stock as collateral for indebtedness, including holding such shares in a margin account.

The information provided under this Employee, Officer, and Director Hedging section shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Bancorp specifically incorporates this information by reference.

Code of Ethics

The Bancorp has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Ethics Code”) that applies to all of the Bancorp’s directors, officers, and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and controller. The Ethics Code is posted on the Bancorp’s website at www.ibankpeoples.com. The Bancorp intends to disclose any waivers of the Ethics Code for directors or executive officers of the Bancorp and any amendments to the Ethics Code by posting such waivers and amendments on its website.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table presents information for compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the Named Executive Officers for 2020 and 2021:

Summary Compensation Table for 2021

2015 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

The Board of Directors adopted the 2015 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) on February 27, 2015, and the plan was approved by our shareholders at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders. The 2015 Plan was amended and restated as of February 25, 2022, solely to reflect the change of the Bancorp’s name to Finward Bancorp. The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards: (1) stock options, including incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options; (2) stock appreciation rights; (3) restricted stock; (4) unrestricted stock; and (5) performance shares or performance units. Awards may be granted singly or in combination as determined by the Compensation and Benefits Committee. Employees, directors, and consultants of the Bancorp or its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 2015 Plan. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2015 Plan is 250,000 shares. Shares issued under the 2015 Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. As of March 18, 2022, 52,573 shares of restricted stock and no incentive stock options were outstanding under the 2015 Plan.

The Board may at any time terminate or amend the 2015 Plan, subject to certain rights of participants with respect to any outstanding awards. No amendments to the 2015 Plan will require shareholder approval unless such approval is required to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or the rules of any applicable stock exchange or quotation system. Unless previously terminated by the Board, no awards may be made under the 2015 Plan after April 24, 2025.

The purpose of the 2015 Plan is to advance the interests of the Bancorp’s shareholders by enhancing the Bancorp’s ability to attract, retain, and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Bancorp and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives that are intended to align their interests with those of the Bancorp’s shareholders. Subject to the terms of the 2015 Plan, the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Bancorp’s Board of Directors has the sole authority to administer the 2015 Plan, including without limitation, selecting participants, determining the terms of the awards to be granted, establishing rules and procedures to administer the plan, and interpreting the plan. Each of the members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is a “non-employee director” as provided under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.

Stock options granted under the 2015 Plan are exercisable in one or more installments in the manner and at the time or times specified by the Compensation and Benefits Committee. No incentive stock option may be exercised more than 10 years after the grant date (or, in the case of a holder of 10% or more of the Bancorp’s voting stock, five years). Non-qualified options may be exercised during such period as the Compensation and Benefits Committee determines at the time of grant. The exercise price of an incentive stock option will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the option’s grant date (or 110% of such value in the case of a holder of 10% or more of the Bancorp’s voting stock). The Compensation and Benefits Committee will establish the exercise price of non-qualified options at the time the options are granted that is no less than the fair market value of the stock on the grant date. Options granted under the 2015 Plan will be adjusted for certain capital changes, such as stock splits and stock dividends. To exercise an option, the participant must provide written notice to the Bancorp. The option price may, in the sole discretion of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, be paid by a participant in cash or shares of common stock owned by the participant for at least six months or any combination thereof. The 2015 Plan authorizes the Compensation and Benefits Committee to grant stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) independently of, or in tandem with, a stock option. Proceeds from SAR exercises are paid in shares of common stock, in cash, or a combination thereof, in the discretion of the Compensation and Benefits Committee.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee may grant awards of restricted stock, subject to forfeiture provisions and transfer restrictions as the committee determines. Pending the lapse of these forfeiture provisions and transfer restrictions, the grantee generally has all the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the shares and the right to receive all dividends thereon. The Compensation and Benefits Committee may condition the vesting of restricted stock on the attainment of specified performance goals. While restricted stock is subject to forfeiture and transfer restrictions, the 2015 Plan does not set forth any minimum or maximum duration for such provisions. The Compensation and Benefits Committee has the authority to accelerate or remove forfeiture provisions and transfer restrictions on the restricted stock prior to the expiration of the restriction period. If the grantee ceases to be employed by the Bancorp for any reason other than death, disability, or retirement prior to the lapse of the restrictions, the unvested portion of the restricted stock will be returned to the Bancorp. In the event of death, disability, or retirement prior to the expiration of the restrictions, a ratable portion of the restricted stock will become fully vested.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee also may award shares of common stock to participants without restrictions or payment therefor as consideration for service to the Bancorp or other reasons as the Compensation and Benefits Committee determines appropriate. Additionally, the Compensation and Benefits Committee may grant awards of performance shares or performance units which may be earned by a participant, in whole or in part, if certain goals established by the Compensation and Benefits Committee (including net income, operating income, return on equity or assets, earnings per share, cash flow, cost control, share price, revenues, market share, and total return to shareholders) are achieved over a designated period of time. The Compensation and Benefits Committee has the discretion to satisfy a participant’s performance shares or performance units by delivery of cash, common stock, or any combination thereof.

In general, if the employment of a recipient of restricted stock is involuntarily terminated within 18 months following a “change in control” (as defined in the 2015 Plan) of the Bancorp, the forfeiture provisions and transfer restrictions applicable to such stock lapse and the stock will become fully vested. If the employment of a recipient of performance shares or performance units is involuntarily terminated within 18 months following a change in control, the recipient will be entitled to a pro rata payment with respect to such award to the same extent as if the recipient died or became disabled, subject to compliance with certain provisions of the Code. For purposes of the foregoing, a “change in control” includes a person or persons acquiring 25% or more of the Bancorp’s outstanding shares, a transaction resulting in the current directors of the Bancorp ceasing to constitute a majority of the Board, and shareholder approval of a transaction in which the Bancorp ceases to be an independent publicly-owned entity or in which the Bancorp sells all or substantially all of its assets. 

2021 Executive Annual Incentive Plan

The Board of Directors adopted the Executive Incentive Plan on October 27, 2017, acting upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee. On December 17, 2021, the Board, also acting upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, approved certain revisions to the Executive Incentive Plan, which are effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022. The Executive Incentive Plan is designed to use a target bonus framework, with a target bonus established for each participant at the beginning of the year. Payouts are determined as a percentage of the target opportunity based on performance relative to criteria established at the beginning of the year. Awards under the Executive Incentive Plan are made in the form of both cash bonuses and grants of time-based restricted stock. All awards of restricted stock under the Executive Incentive Plan were granted pursuant to the 2015 Plan. All of the Bancorp’s executive officers are eligible to participate in the Executive Incentive Plan.

For the cash bonus component of the Executive Incentive Plan, the plan uses a target bonus framework and provides for payouts at, above, or below target based on the Bancorp’s results of return on assets, earnings per share growth, and efficiency ratio. The Compensation and Benefits Committee may modify payouts up or down based on strategic and individual goals, as well as defined risk criteria, which are referred to in the plan as “modifiers.” Threshold and maximum performance levels are set for each measure and can result in payouts ranging from 50% to 150% of target. For 2021, initial target award opportunities were 30% of base salary for the Executive Chairman and CEO, and 20% to 30% of base salary for all other executive officer participants. Performance criteria and weightings are established annually at the beginning of each year by the Compensation and Benefits Committee.

For the equity award component of the Executive Incentive Plan, executive officer participants are eligible to receive annual grants of time-based restricted stock. The performance goals for the equity component are the same as those for the cash bonus component. For 2021, grant targets were within a range of 10-15% of base salary, and the incentive could be adjusted based on actual results as compared to budget and other factors deemed relevant to the Compensation and Benefits Committee. Beginning in 2022, the Bancorp’s Chief Executive Officer will have a target long-term incentive opportunity equal to 25% of base salary, and all other executives will have a target long-term incentive opportunity within a range of 10-20% of base salary. For 2021, the Compensation and Benefits Committee set the target long-term equity incentive opportunity at 20% of base salary. Grants under the Executive Incentive Plan become fully vested three years from the grant date of the award.

The Executive Incentive Plan contains a “clawback” provision, which provides that in the event within three years of an incentive payout the Bancorp is required to prepare an accounting revision or restatement or determined that the incentives were paid based on inaccurate performance metric results, the Compensation and Benefits Committee will determine whether a clawback of the incentives is appropriate.  Revised or corrected financial statements, in addition to restated financials, can be considered by the Compensation and Benefits Committee in determining whether a payout would have been reduced or whether any misconduct occurred.  Additionally, in the event the Compensation and Benefits Committee determines that an incentive recipient engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct that resulted in significant financial and/or reputational harm to the Bancorp, the committee will determine whether it is appropriate to clawback any incentive compensation awarded during the preceding three years (including equity awards).

Employees’ Savings and Profit Sharing Plan

The Bank maintains an Employees’ Savings and Profit Sharing Plan and Trust for all employees who meet the plan qualifications. The Profit Sharing Plan is a defined contribution plan and employees are eligible to participate in the Profit Sharing Plan on January 1^st or July 1^st next following the completion of one year of employment, the attainment of age 18, and completion of 1,000 hours of employment. The plan is administered by a third party and employees direct their individual investments into any of several investment options including repurchase agreements at the Bank and the Bancorp’s shares purchased on the open market. Employees eligible for the Profit Sharing Plan may redirect their investments at any time.

Contributions to the Profit Sharing Plan are discretionary, made by the Bank and are non-contributory on the part of the employees. All contributions are also subject to review by the Compensation and Benefits Committee and approval by the Board. Profit sharing contributions made by the Bank and earnings credited to the employee’s account vest on the following schedule: two years of service, 40% of contributions and earnings; three years of service, 60% of contributions and earnings; four years of service, 80% of contributions and earnings; and five years of service, 100% of contributions and earnings. Participants also become 100% vested in the employer contributions and accrued earnings in their account upon their death, approved disability, or attainment of age 65 while employed at the Bank.

The Profit Sharing Plan is open to all eligible employees and the Bank contributes a percentage of each employee’s profit sharing wages. Consistent with the objectives of the Bancorp’s executive compensation program, contributions to the plan may increase or decrease based upon the return on assets of the Bancorp. The Board has approved and the Compensation and Benefits Committee monitors the formula for plan contributions. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, the plan contributed 3.0% of each eligible employee’s profit sharing wages as a result of the Bancorp’s 2021 performance. This compares to 6.5% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

The Employees’ Savings Plan feature allows employees to make pre-tax contributions to the Plan, subject to the limitations imposed by Section 401(k) of the Code. Employees are eligible to participate in the Employees’ Savings Plan on the first day of the month next following the completion of 90 days of employment and the attainment of age 18. Participants electing pre-tax contributions are always 100% vested in their contributions and the earnings on their investments. Participants can also borrow from their pre-tax contributions pursuant to meeting the requirements of the Code, using their account as collateral.

Based upon the Bank’s return on assets for the respective years, $447,201 (including forfeitures of $21,310) was contributed to the Profit Sharing Plan for the year ended December 31, 2021, and $962,324 (including forfeitures of $17,110) was contributed to the Profit Sharing Plan for the year ended December 31, 2020. For 2021, Mr. Benjamin Bochnowski’s Profit Sharing Plan account was credited with $8,700 compared to $18,525 for 2020; Mr. Torabi’s account was credited with $5,506; Mr. Lowry’s account was credited with $7,110 compared to $14,234 for 2020; Ms. Cerven’s account was credited with $6,595 and $13,419 for such years; and Mr. Scheub’s account was credited with $7,127 and $14,372 for such years. The contributions made on behalf of executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table are included in that table under the column “All Other Compensation.”

Group Medical and Insurance Coverage

Group medical and insurance coverage is a customary and competitive employment practice in the community banking industry. The Bank provides a selection of group medical insurance benefits for all full-time employees with employees selecting the type of coverage. The Bank encourages participation in a wellness program by providing a larger premium subsidy for employees who elect a wellness plan. For single employee coverage, the Bank pays 70% for plans with wellness and 60% without. For employees with dependents, the Bank pays 65% and 55%, respectively. The Bank also provides two separate life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefits. All full-time employees receive a life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefit equal to one-half of their annual salary the first of the month following 30 days of employment and, once they have completed one year of employment, 1,000 hours of service, and reached their 18th birthday, another life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefit is provided on the first of the year following the satisfaction of eligibility requirements that is equal to three times an employee’s salary to a maximum of $500,000.

The Bank’s non-employee directors also are provided the opportunity to receive medical and vision coverage under the Bank’s plan on the same terms as those applicable to employees. Dr. Puntillo, Ms. Garza, Mr. Wieser, and Mr. Gorelick are the only outside directors who have elected such coverage.

BOLI Insurance

The Bank has invested in Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) that insures executive officers, senior vice-presidents, and vice-presidents. A feature of this type of insurance provides a split dollar benefit to each insured that is reviewed by the Compensation and Benefits Committee and approved by the Board. The personal benefit portion of premiums paid for executive officers is indicated in the Summary Compensation Table under the column “All Other Compensation.”

Unqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

The Bank adopted an Unqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) in 1995 due to the Code’s limitation on the amount of contributions a corporation can make on behalf of an employee to a qualified retirement plan. The Deferred Compensation Plan is designed to provide deferred compensation to key senior management employees of the Bank in order to recognize their substantial contributions to building shareholder value and to provide them with additional financial security as an inducement to remain with the Bank. The Compensation and Benefits Committee administers the plan. To be eligible, an employee must hold a key management full time position that significantly impacts the Bank’s operating success.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee selects which persons shall be participants and authorizes the crediting each year of an amount based upon a formula involving the participant’s employer funded contributions under all qualified retirement plans and the limitations imposed by Code subsection 401(a)(17) and Code section 415. In 2021, the maximum compensation level subject to qualified plan limitations was $290,000. The Deferred Compensation Plan provides that following the cessation of employment for any reason, the participant’s account is distributed to the participant or in the event of death, to the designated beneficiary in equal monthly installments over a five-year period unless the Bank’s Board of Directors approves an alternative form of payment at the request of the participant or beneficiary.

Currently, Mr. David Bochnowski and Mr. Benjamin Bochnowski are the only participants in the Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Bank credited $2,492 to Mr. Benjamin Bochnowski’s account under the Deferred Compensation Plan, a match of 3.0% of his base compensation that exceeded the limitation of the Code. This amount is included in Mr. Benjamin Bochnowski’s compensation in the Summary Compensation Table under “All Other Compensation.” Mr. David Bochnowski did not receive a credit from the Bank as his base contribution did not exceed the limitation of the Code.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2021 Year-End

The following table presents information on restricted stock held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2021:

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Payments Under Employment Agreements

The Bancorp has entered into agreements that will require the payment of compensation to two Named Executive Officers in the event of their termination of employment, change in responsibilities, or a change-in-control of the Bancorp. These agreements are discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” below. Furthermore, if an employee is involuntarily terminated within 18 months following a change in control of the Bancorp, any remaining transfer restrictions with respect to stock awards he or she holds will lapse.

Finward Bancorp Executive Change in Control Severance Plan

On October 28, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Bancorp adopted the Finward Bancorp Executive Change in Control Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”).  The purpose of the Severance Plan is to attract and retain talent and to assure the present and future continuity, objectivity, and dedication of management in the event of any change in control of the Bancorp or the Bank. The participants under the Severance Plan (each, a “Participant”) include any full-time employee of the Bancorp who is a President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or Executive Vice President, and any other full-time employee of the Bancorp or the Bank who is recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Bancorp to the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Bancorp’s Board of Directors to be a key employee who should be eligible to participate in the Severance Plan, and who, in each case, has at least three years of continuous employment and as of the date of the occurrence of a change in control does not have a separate written agreement with the Bancorp or the Bank providing for the payment of severance or other compensation following a change in control. As a result, with the exception of Benjamin J. Bochnowski, all of the Bancorp’s other Named Executive Officers currently are eligible participants in the Severance Plan.

The Bancorp will provide a Participant with the payments and benefits set forth in the Severance Plan if (i) his or her employment is terminated by the Bancorp or the Bank (or any successor) without “cause” (as such term is defined in the Severance Plan) during the period beginning on the first occurrence of a “change in control” (as such term is defined in the Severance Plan) and lasting through the earlier of the Participant’s death, or the 18-month anniversary of the occurrence of the change in control (such period, the “Covered Period”); or (ii) both (A) an event of “good reason” (as such term is defined in the Severance Plan) occurs during the Covered Period, and (B) the Participant terminates his or her employment with the Bancorp or the Bank (or any successor) for such event of good reason within 60 calendar days following the date the Participant provides notice of good reason to the Bancorp (or successor) and after the Bancorp (or successor) has had an opportunity to cure such good reason. 

The payments and benefits under the Severance Plan will include: (i) a cash severance payment equal to one times the sum of (A) the Participant’s base salary in effect on the date of termination, or, if greater, in effect on the date of the change in control, plus (B) the greater of the actual annual cash bonus received by the Participant for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which termination occurs or the annual cash bonus that the Participant would have earned for the entire calendar year in which the termination occurs, at target level; (ii) a lump sum amount equal to 100% of the aggregate annual COBRA premium amounts (based on COBRA rates then in effect) for the medical and dental coverage that was being provided to the Participant and his or her spouse and eligible dependents as of the date of termination; and (iii) a lump sum amount equal to 100% of the annual premiums paid by the Bancorp in respect of the life insurance coverage provided for an active employee similarly situated to the Participant (based upon coverage and rates in effect on the date of the Participant’s termination). The benefits are generally to be paid in a single lump sum, in cash, on the later of the 25^th business day following the date of termination, or the fifth business day following the date the release required under the Severance Plan to be executed by the Participant in favor of the Bancorp and the Bank (or successor) becomes effective and irrevocable.

Employment Agreements

The Bancorp and the Bank are parties to two employment agreements, one with Benjamin J. Bochnowski, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bancorp and the Bank and a Named Executive Officer of the Bancorp, and the other with David A. Bochnowski, the Executive Chairman of the Bancorp and the Bank. The terms of these employment agreements obligate the Bancorp to make certain payments to the executive officer in certain termination events, as described below. The Bancorp and the Bank maintain the employment agreements as a means of remaining competitive, aligning each such executive officer with shareholder interests in the event of a change in control, and providing income protection in the event of an involuntary loss of employment. A description of the material terms of each executive officer’s employment agreement is provided below.

Employment Agreement with Benjamin J. Bochnowski

On August 1, 2017, the Bancorp and the Bank entered into an Employment Agreement with Benjamin J. Bochnowski, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bancorp and the Bank, which was amended pursuant to a First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated July 27, 2018, a Second Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 15, 2021, and a Third Amendment to Employment Agreement dated May 3, 2021 (as amended, the “Amended Employment Agreement”). Under the Amended Employment Agreement, Mr. Bochnowski will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bancorp and the Bank for a base salary of $310,500 per year, subject to increases awarded by the Board of Directors and possible decreases before a change of control of the Bancorp or the Bank based on operating results, or if the Bancorp or the Bank makes similar decreases in the base salaries of its other executive officers. The term of the Amended Employment Agreement is for one year, which will be automatically renewed for additional one-year periods unless written notice of non-renewal is delivered by either party at least 60 days prior to the end of the initial or renewal term. Pursuant to this provision, the Amended Employment Agreement was automatically renewed for an additional one-year period as of August 1, 2021. Mr. Bochnowski also is eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus as may be set by the Board, he is eligible to participate in any equity-based incentive compensation plan or program approved by the Board from time to time, including the Bancorp’s 2015 Plan, and he is entitled to customary fringe benefits and vacation leave. During the term of the Amended Employment Agreement, the Bank will continue to pay the premiums on life insurance policies insuring Mr. Bochnowski providing for current benefits of approximately $671,000.

The Amended Employment Agreement may be terminated by the Bank for “cause,” which is defined in the Amended Employment Agreement as (i) the failure of Mr. Bochnowski to perform his duties under the agreement (other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), and the failure constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct, after written demand from the Board; (ii) Mr. Bochnowski’s commission of an act of malfeasance, dishonesty, fraud, or breach of trust against the Bank or any of its affiliates, employees, customers, or vendors resulting or intended to result in his substantial gain or personal enrichment; or (iii) Mr. Bochnowski’s indictment, conviction, or plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or crime of moral turpitude. The Amended Employment Agreement also will immediately terminate upon Mr. Bochnowski’s death or if he becomes disabled (as defined in the agreement). In addition, the Bank may terminate the agreement without cause upon 30 days prior written notice.

If the Amended Employment Agreement terminates because Mr. Bochnowski is discharged for cause, or because of his resignation without “good reason” (as defined below), or in the event of his disability, the Bank will pay Mr. Bochnowski (i) his unpaid base salary through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid bonus, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, and other cash compensation accrued as of the date of termination; and (iii) any unused vacation, expense reimbursements, and other cash entitlements due to him as of the date of termination (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”). Such payments will be made in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the date of termination, except that any bonus, deferred compensation, or incentive compensation will be paid in accordance with the terms of the relevant plan as applicable to Mr. Bochnowski.

If Mr. Bochnowski is discharged without cause or he resigns for “good reason,” or in the event of his death, then the Bank will pay Mr. Bochnowski, or his heirs or estate as the case may be, (i) the Accrued Obligations; (ii) a lump sum amount equal to 2 times his then-current base salary and most recent annual bonus; (iii) continuation for 18 months of welfare benefits and senior executive perquisites at least equal to those that would have been provided if he remained employed during that period; and (iv) the cost of outplacement services. The payment of the foregoing amounts are contingent upon Mr. Bochnowski timely executing an effective general release and waiver of all known and unknown claims in a form and substance acceptable to the Bancorp. 

For purposes of the Amended Employment Agreement, “good reason” is defined as any of the following, which has not been expressly consented to by Mr. Bochnowski in writing: (i) assignment of duties by the Board that are inconsistent with his position, authority, duties, or responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer, or any other action by the Bank which results in a substantial diminution of such position, authority, duties, or responsibilities; (ii) a reduction of 10% or more in his then current base salary, unless such reduction is required by law or regulation or is proportionate to a reduction in the base salary of all other executive officers of the Bank; (iii) any failure to re-nominate Mr. Bochnowski as a director of the Bancorp or the Bank, except in connection with or related to the termination of his employment or the expiration of the Amended Employment Agreement; or (iv) any substantial failure by the Bank to comply with any of the provisions of the Amended Employment Agreement; provided that, actions taken by the Board under clause (i) above by reason of Mr. Bochnowski’s inability to perform his responsibilities because of a physical or mental injury or disease will not be deemed “good reason;” provided, further, that, the expiration of the term of the Amended Employment Agreement, or the provision of a notice of non-renewal of the term by either party will not constitute “good reason.”

The Amended Employment Agreement provides that if Mr. Bochnowski is discharged without cause or he resigns for good reason in connection with a “change of control” (as defined in the agreement) of the Bancorp or the Bank, Mr. Bochnowski will receive the payments as described above, except that the payment relating to his “most recent annual bonus” will be the most recent annual bonus received by Mr. Bochnowski prior to the change of control, and the benefits continuation provision of the agreement will be those benefits that were provided to Mr. Bochnowski immediately prior to the change of control; provided that, the foregoing provisions will not apply to the severance and benefits provisions above if the benefits Mr. Bochnowski would receive under those provisions would be greater without the application of the limitations described in this paragraph.

During a period of one year following his termination of employment, Mr. Bochnowski may not solicit or induce any employees or customers of the Bank to leave the Bank. In addition, Mr. Bochnowski is subject to confidentiality provisions protecting the Bancorp’s and Bank’s confidential business information from unauthorized disclosure.

Mr. Bochnowski has agreed that during his employment and for a period of one year following his termination of employment, he will not directly for himself or for any third party, solicit, induce, recruit, or cause another person in the employ of the Bancorp or the Bank: (i) who has access to, or possesses, confidential information (as defined in the agreement), trade secrets, or other knowledge regarding the Bancorp or the Bank that could give a competitor of the Bancorp or the Bank an unfair advantage; (ii) who, within the one year period preceding Mr. Bochnowski’s separation from employment, has serviced or established goodwill with the Bancorp’s or the Bank’s customers or clients or acquired confidential information about those customers or clients; or (iii) who reported directly or indirectly to Mr. Bochnowski during his last year of employment, to terminate his/her employment for the purpose of joining, associating, or becoming employed with another person, business organization, or other entity that is in competition with any product or service provided by the Bancorp or the Bank, or any business or activity of the Bancorp or the Bank. Mr. Bochnowski has further agreed that during his employment and for a period of one year following his termination of employment, he will not directly for himself or for any third party, encourage or induce any customer of the Bancorp or the Bank to cease doing business with the Bancorp or the Bank.

Employment Agreement with David A. Bochnowski

On June 28, 2021, the Bancorp and the Bank entered into a new Employment Agreement with Mr. David Bochnowski, the Executive Chairman of the Bancorp and the Bank. The new employment agreement superseded, in its entirety, Mr. Bochnowski’s prior Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated April 28, 2016, as amended, which expired pursuant to its terms on June 28, 2021.

The employment agreement provides that effective on June 28, 2021, Mr. Bochnowski shall serve as the Executive Chairman of the Bancorp and the Bank for a one-year term and provides for a base salary of $140,000 per year, subject to increases awarded by the Board and possible decreases, prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the employment agreement) of the Bank, based on operating results or in the event the Bank makes similar decreases in the base salaries it pays the other executive officers of the Bank. The Bancorp, Bank, and Mr. Bochnowski may mutually agree to extend the employment agreement for an additional one-year term by written agreement entered into on or before the expiration of then current term. Mr. Bochnowski is also entitled to discretionary bonuses and customary fringe benefits. The Bank will continue to pay the premiums on life insurance policies insuring Mr. Bochnowski providing for current death benefits of approximately $750,000. As Executive Chairman, Mr. Bochnowski is to: (i) assist the Bancorp and the Bank with their strategic goals and budgeting process, and (ii) engage in community and banking activities supporting the mission of the Bancorp and Bank.

The employment agreement is terminable by the Bank for “Cause,” which is defined under the employment agreement as (i) the failure of Mr. Bochnowski to perform his duties pursuant to the employment agreement (other than such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure to perform constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct by Mr. Bochnowski, after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Mr. Bochnowski by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that Mr. Bochnowski has not substantially performed his duties; (ii) the commission by Mr. Bochnowski of an act of malfeasance, dishonesty, fraud, or breach of trust against the Bank or any of its affiliates, employees, customers, or vendors, resulting or intended to result in substantial gain or personal enrichment to which Mr. Bochnowski was not legally entitled; or (iii) Mr. Bochnowski’s indictment, conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to any felony or crime of moral turpitude.

If the employment agreement terminates because Mr. Bochnowski is discharged for Cause, or because of his resignation without Good Reason (as defined below), the Bank will pay Mr. Bochnowski any Accrued Obligations (as defined below) under the employment agreement through his date of termination. “Accrued Obligations” generally means as of the date of his termination, the sum of (A) Mr. Bochnowski’s unpaid base salary through the date of termination, (B) the amount of any unpaid bonus, incentive compensation, deferred compensation and other cash compensation accrued by Mr. Bochnowski as of the date of termination, and (C) any unused vacation, expense reimbursements and other cash entitlements due to Mr. Bochnowski as of the date of termination.

In the event of termination of the employment agreement as a result of the death of Mr. Bochnowski, the Bank will pay Mr. Bochnowski’s heirs or estate any Accrued Obligations under the employment agreement.

In the event of termination of the employment agreement as a result of the disability of Mr. Bochnowski, the Bank will pay Mr. Bochnowski any Accrued Obligations under the employment agreement through his date of termination. In addition, he will be entitled to cash compensation until the end of the term of the employment agreement equal to 66% of his current base salary and annual bonus, and continuation of benefits and senior executive perquisites that would have been provided to Mr. Bochnowski had he remained employed during such period (reduced by any disability payments owed to him under the Bank’s disability policies and programs).

If Mr. Bochnowski is discharged without Cause or resigns for Good Reason (defined as the failure to re-elect him as Executive Chairman and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bancorp or the Bank; assignment of duties inconsistent with Mr. Bochnowski’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities as set forth in the employment agreement; a substantial diminution in Mr. Bochnowski’s responsibilities or duties; or a material breach by the Bank of the employment agreement), and contingent upon Mr. Bochnowski timely executing an effective general release and waiver of all known and unknown claims, Mr. Bochnowski will be entitled to: (1) a lump sum amount equal to two times his then-current salary; (2) a lump sum amount equal to two times the prorated amount of his most recent annual bonus as set forth in the employment agreement; (3) continuation for eighteen months of benefits and senior executive perquisites at least equal to those that would have been provided if he remained employed during that period, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and polices; and (4) a payment required to prefund future premiums during the remainder of the term on the insurance policies described above likely to become due prior to the end of the term of the employment agreement.

The employment agreement provides that in the event of Mr. Bochnowski’s discharge without Cause or resignation for Good Reason in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the employment agreement), the severance payment as it relates to Mr. Bochnowski’s annual bonus will be the most recent annual bonus received by him prior to the Change of Control; provided that, the foregoing provisions will not apply to the severance and benefits provisions if the benefits Mr. Bochnowski would receive under those provisions would be greater without the application of the limitations described in this paragraph. In addition, in the event of a Change of Control, the Bank is to pay to Mr. Bochnowski all future premiums on the life insurance policies on Mr. Bochnowski’s life expected to become due before the end of the term of the employment agreement, subject to the payments terms as set forth above.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the employment agreement, the payments or benefits to be made or afforded to Mr. Bochnowski under the employment agreement when aggregated with any other “parachute payments” (as defined under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) as compensation that becomes payable or accelerated due to a Change of Control payable under any plans, agreements, or policies of the Bancorp or Bank, shall be reduced to the highest amount permissible under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code before Mr. Bochnowski becomes subject to the excess parachute payment excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and the Bancorp or Bank loses all or part of its compensation deduction for such payments.

During a period of one year following his termination of employment, Mr. Bochnowski may not directly for himself or for any third party, solicit, induce, recruit, or cause another person in the employ of the Bancorp or the Bank: (i) who has access to, or possesses, confidential information, trade secrets, or other knowledge regarding the Bancorp or the Bank that could give a competitor of the Bancorp or the Bank an unfair advantage; (ii) who, within the one year period preceding Mr. Bochnowski’s separation from employment, has serviced or established goodwill with the Bancorp’s or the Bank’s customers or clients or acquired confidential information about those customers or clients; or (iii) who reported directly or indirectly to Mr. Bochnowski during his last year of employment, to terminate his employment for the purpose of joining, associating, or becoming employed with another person, business organization or other entity that is in competition with any product or service provided by the Bancorp or the Bank, or any business or activity of the Bancorp or the Bank. Mr. Bochnowski also agreed that during his employment with either the Bancorp or the Bank, and for a period of one year following his termination, he may not directly for himself or for any third party, encourage or induce any customer of the Bancorp or the Bank to cease doing business with the Bancorp or the Bank.

Compensation of Directors for 2021

The following table provides information concerning the compensation paid to or earned by the members of the Bancorp’s Board of Directors (except for Mr. Benjamin Bochnowski, who does not receive director’s fees) for their service as directors for 2021, whether or not deferred:

The Compensation and Benefits Committee is responsible for approving, subject to review by the Board of Directors as a whole, the compensation program for our non-employee directors. In that function, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considers market and peer company data regarding director compensation and evaluates the Bancorp’s director compensation practices in light of that data and the characteristics of the Bancorp as a whole, with the assistance of its independent compensation advisor.

In November of 2020, the Board, acting upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, approved the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (the “Director Compensation Policy”), which was effective January 1, 2021. Total cash fees paid to the non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2021, were $275,500 in the aggregate.

Under the Director Compensation Policy, each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer of $28,500 for the director’s service on the Board. Each non-employee director who serves as the chair of a committee receives an additional annual cash retainer as follows: Chair of the Risk Management and Audit Committee – $3,500; Chair of the Compensation and Benefits Committee – $3,000; Chair of the Credit Committee – $3,000; the Chairs of all other Board committees – $2,500. Members of the Credit Committee (other than the chair) receive an additional annual cash retainer of $500. Each non-employee director may elect to have all or a portion of his or her cash compensation deferred in accordance with the provisions of the Bancorp’s Amended Post 2004 Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. The Director Compensation Policy also provides that each non-employee director will receive an equity award of the Bancorp’s common stock in an amount equal to approximately $11,000 for service provided during the prior fiscal year. Such awards will be granted in February of each year and vest immediately upon grant. All equity awards made pursuant to the Director Compensation Policy are granted under the 2015 Plan.

The Director Compensation Policy further provides that each non-employee director is entitled to participate in medical and vision health insurance coverage under the Bancorp’s group health insurance plan on the same terms and conditions as those applicable to the Bancorp’s employees. In addition, all costs and expenses related to attendance at approved seminars/conferences (including travel and attendance by spouses) are reimbursable by the Bancorp.

Post 2004 Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan for the Directors of Peoples Bank

Each director of the Bank may elect on or before December 31^st of any year to defer all or a portion of his or her annual director fees for succeeding calendar years. The rate of interest to be paid on deferred fees will be equal to the lower of either (i) the Bank’s regular six-month certificate of deposit, plus 2%, or (ii) 120% of the applicable Federal long-term rate in effect during the month in which the Bank determined or reviews the appropriate interest rate for the Plan. The interest rate will be reset on the first business day of each month.

Amounts deferred under the plan, together with accumulated interest, are distributed in annual installments over a ten-year period beginning with the first day of the calendar year immediately following the year in which the director ceases to be a director, provided that the first annual benefit for any director deemed a “specified employee” under applicable tax regulations may not be paid any earlier than six months after the director terminates his services. Upon the death of a director, the balance of any unpaid deferred fees and interest will be paid in a lump sum to the director’s designated beneficiary or estate.

The only director currently deferring fees under this plan is James L. Wieser.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

The Bank follows a policy of offering to its directors, officers, and employees real estate mortgage loans secured by their principal residence as well as other loans. Current law authorizes the Bank to make loans or extensions of credit to its executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders on the same terms that are available with respect to loans made to persons who are not executive officers, directors, or principal shareholders of the Bank. At present, the Bank offers loans to its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders, and employees at interest rates that are generally available to the public with substantially the same terms as those prevailing for comparable transactions. All loans to directors and executive officers must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Loans to directors, executive officers, and their associates totaled approximately $3.9 million or 2.9% of the Bancorp’s equity capital at December 31, 2021. All such loans were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the Bank, and did not involve more than normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. Except as otherwise described above, neither the Bancorp nor any of its subsidiaries entered into any transaction with any related person during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 404.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

We have reviewed and discussed with management the Bancorp’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021. We have discussed with the Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm, BKD, LLP, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 16, “Communications with Audit Committees,” as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. We have also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from BKD, LLP, required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for independent auditor communications with Audit Committees overseeing independence, and have discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the auditors’ independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the financial statements referred to above be included in the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

We have also concluded that the provision by BKD, LLP of non-audit related services to the Bancorp and the Bank during 2021 is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.

This Report is respectfully submitted by the Risk Management and Audit Committee of the Bancorp’s Board of Directors.

Risk Management and Audit Committee Members

Robert E. Johnson, III (Chair)

Danette Garza (Vice Chair)

Edward J. Furticella

Kenneth V. Krupinski

Anthony M. Puntillo

Robert W. Youman

PROPOSAL 2 – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Risk Management and Audit Committee has engaged BKD, LLP (“BKD”), an independent registered public accounting firm, to be its auditors for the year ending December 31, 2022, subject to ratification by shareholders. BKD has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2021.

BKD audited the Bancorp’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. A representative of BKD is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Required Shareholder Approval

For the appointment of BKD as the Bancorp’s auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 to be ratified, more votes must be cast by holders of shares of the Bancorp’s common stock in favor of the proposal than are cast against it. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be included in the vote count and will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of BKD as the Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm. Proxies solicited by the Board will be so voted unless shareholders specify otherwise on their proxy cards.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S SERVICES AND FEES

Plante & Moran, PLLC (“Plante”) served as the Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm in 2020. On September 18, 2020, the Risk Management and Audit Committee authorized the dismissal of Plante as the Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm, and authorized the engagement of BKD to serve as the Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm. Plante’s dismissal became effective upon the issuance by Plante of its reports on the Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which were included in the filing of the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Bancorp incurred the following fees for services performed by Plante and BKD in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

Audit Fees

Fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of the Bancorp’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Bancorp’s Forms 10-Q were $325,922 for 2021 and $333,694 for 2020.

Audit Related Fees

There were audit-related services provided in 2021 of $0 and in 2020 of $2,000.

Tax Fees

There were no tax fees paid to Plante or BKD in fiscal years 2021 or 2020.

All Other Fees

No fees were paid in fiscal years 2021 or 2020 for other permissible services that do not fall within the above categories, including regulatory accounting and reporting compliance.

Preapproval Policy

The Risk Management and Audit Committee’s policy is to preapprove all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditor that exceed $30,000. These services may include audit services, audit related services, tax services, and other services. Preapproval is generally provided for up to one year and any preapproval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent auditor and management are required to periodically report to the Risk Management and Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditor in accordance with this preapproval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Risk Management and Audit Committee may also preapprove particular services on a case by case basis.

For fiscal year 2021, preapproved non-audit services included only those services described above for “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees,” and “All Other Fees.”

PROPOSAL 3 – ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION OF
OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Background

As required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), our Board of Directors is submitting a “Say on Pay” proposal for shareholder consideration. While the vote on executive compensation is non-binding and solely advisory in nature, our Board of Directors and the Compensation and Benefits Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

Objectives of Executive Compensation Program. The objectives of the Compensation and Benefits Committee with respect to executive compensation are the following:

For the past three years, the Bancorp has been profitable, demonstrating strong and sustained performance. In 2019, the Bancorp reported record earnings, with net income of $12.1 million, or $3.53 in earnings per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The 2019 annual record earnings were driven by a 25.6% increase in net interest income, attributable to strong commercial loan originations and core deposit growth, a 17.3% increase in noninterest income, attributable to the continued expansion of mortgage banking, wealth management, and retail banking services, and the successful integration of the merger with AJS Bancorp. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Bancorp again reported record net income of $15.9 million, representing $4.60 in earnings per basic and diluted share. Net income increased by $3.8 million or 31.4% from the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The 2020 annual record earnings were driven by lower interest expense and higher noninterest income, driven primarily by a 266.4% increase in gains on the sale of mortgage loans and a 278.1% increase in gain on sale of securities, net. These record gains were despite the ongoing difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, the Bancorp reported net income of $15.0 million, representing $4.30 in earnings per basic and diluted share. Net income decreased by $969 thousand or 6.9% from the twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The slight decrease in 2021 earnings related to higher non-interest expense, partially relating to one-time acquisition expenses as part of the Royal Financial, Inc. acquisition, and lower non-interest income due to significant refinancing activity in the prior year as a result of the economic and rate environment, which resulted in more loans originated and sold in 2020.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee has adopted a balanced approach to executive compensation, consistent with best practices, the Bancorp’s performance and strategic goals, and the interests of shareholders. The Bancorp’s executive compensation practices are responsibly governed by the Compensation and Benefits Committee, which is comprised of independent directors, and by direct Board oversight. The Compensation and Benefits Committee took several actions to align executive compensation with shareholder interests, including the following:

Over this period, the Bancorp has been able to retain key executives who believe in the long-term prospects of the Bancorp and are willing to tie their compensation to achieving the performance goals established by the Compensation and Benefits Committee.

The Board of Directors believes the Bancorp’s compensation programs are well tailored to recruit and retain key executives and drive shareholder value.

Please review this proxy statement and consider the following proposal:

Required Shareholder Approval

For the non-binding advisory resolution relating to the compensation of the Bancorp’s Named Executive Officers to be approved, more votes must be cast by the holders of shares of the Bancorp’s common stock in favor of the proposal than are cast against it. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be included in the vote count and will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation of the Bancorp’s Named Executive Officers. Proxies solicited by the Board will be so voted unless shareholders specify otherwise on their proxy cards.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

If a shareholder wishes to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) for consideration at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Bancorp’s Shareholders and wants that proposal included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, the shareholder must deliver written notice of the proposal to the Secretary of the Bancorp at 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321, and the notice must be received at this address no later than December 2, 2022 (which is 120 calendar days before the corresponding date in 2023 that the Bancorp’s proxy statement was released to shareholders in connection with the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Bancorp’s Shareholders). Any such proposal will be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules under the Exchange Act and, as with any shareholder proposal (regardless of whether included in the Bancorp’s proxy materials), the Bancorp’s articles of incorporation, by-laws and Indiana law.

If a shareholder wishes to submit a proposal for consideration at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or if shareholder wishes to nominate a candidate for election to the Board, but not for inclusion in the Bancorp’s proxy statement and form of proxy, the Bancorp’s By-Laws require the shareholder to provide the Bancorp with written notice of such proposal or nomination no less than 90 days, nor more than 120 days, prior to the first anniversary of the 2022 Annual Meeting (in the event that the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 30 days after such anniversary date, the shareholder must provide the Bancorp with written notice of such proposal or recommendation no less than 90 days, nor more than 120 days, prior to the meeting date or, if later, the 10^th day following the first public announcement of the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders). Such notice must be sent to the Corporate Secretary of the Bancorp at 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321.

HOUSEHOLDING

We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding” for those registered shareholders who consent to this procedure by either checking “Yes” in the “householding election” on the proxy card that accompanies this mailing or by notifying us at the address or phone number below. If you consent to this procedure, multiple shareholders who share the same address who consent to “householding” will receive only one copy of the Bancorp’s annual report and proxy statement (“Proxy Materials”), but each shareholder will continue to receive a separate proxy card. We have undertaken householding to reduce our printing costs and postage fees. Householding also is environmentally friendly and creates less paper for participating shareholders to manage. If you are a beneficial holder, you can request information about householding from your broker, bank or other nominee.

If you have consented to householding, you will receive or continue to receive a single copy of the Proxy Materials for future meetings. However, if you decide you would prefer to receive again multiple copies of the Proxy Materials, upon your request, we will promptly provide you with additional copies. You may elect to receive multiple copies for a specific meeting or opt-out of householding for all future meetings. Requests to receive multiple copies of the Proxy Materials can be made at any time prior to thirty days before the mailing of Proxy Materials in March of each year. You may request multiple copies by notifying us in writing to the Bancorp at 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana 46321, Attention: Shareholder Services, or by telephone at (219) 836-4400.

OTHER MATTERS

Management is not aware of any business to come before the Annual Meeting other than those described in the proxy statement. However, if any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the proxies solicited by this proxy statement will be voted with respect to those other matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.

The Bancorp will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies. The Bancorp will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the reasonable expenses they incur in sending proxy material to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock. In addition to solicitation by mail, directors, officers, and employees of the Bancorp may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without additional compensation.

We urge each shareholder to complete, date and sign the proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope, or to vote by following the related internet or telephone voting instructions.

	By Order of the Board of Directors
	Leane E. Cerven Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

March 30, 2022