UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 14, 2023

Finward Bancorp
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana	001-40999		35-1927981
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

9204 Columbia Avenue Munster, Indiana		46321
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(219) 836-4400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value	FNWD	The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 14, 2023, Donald P. Fesko notified the Board of Directors of Finward Bancorp, an Indiana corporation (the “Bancorp”), of his resignation as a director of the Bancorp effective as of December 14, 2023. Mr. Fesko was a Class II Director of the Bancorp with a term next expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Bancorp in 2026. Mr. Fesko’s decision to resign is not a result of any disagreement with the Bancorp on any matter relating to the Bancorp’s operations, policies, or practices.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Finward Bancorp
Date: December 20, 2023

	By:	/s/ Benjamin J. Bochnowski
		Printed Name: Benjamin J. Bochnowski
		Title: President and Chief Executive Officer