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EX-99.1

2 fnwd-2026331xexx991er.htm

EX-99.1

FNWD-2026.3.31-EX-99.1 ER

1

Exhibit 99.1

April 28, 2026

Finward Bancorp Announces First Quarter 2026 Results

Munster, Indiana - Finward Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWD) (the “Bancorp”), the holding company for Peoples Bank (the

“Bank”), today announced that net income available to common stockholders was $2.2 million, or $0.52 per diluted share,

for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $2.0 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the quarter ended

December 31, 2025. Selected performance metrics are as follows for the periods presented:

Performance Ratios

Quarter ended

3/31/2026

12/31/2025

9/30/2025

6/30/2025

3/31/2025

Return on equity

5.00%

4.66%

8.96%

5.66%

1.17%

Return on assets

0.44%

0.39%

0.68%

0.42%

0.09%

Net interest margin, tax-equivalent  (non-GAAP)

3.35%

3.32%

3.18%

3.11%

2.95%

Non-interest income/average assets

0.48%

0.29%

0.57%

0.53%

0.43%

Non-interest expense/average assets

2.93%

2.90%

2.74%

2.90%

2.81%

Efficiency ratio

84.45%

89.50%

81.22%

88.92%

93.11%

“Results for the quarter reflect continued progress in our efforts to improve profitability, and confirm expected

improvement to our core earnings trajectory. Our focus on loan originations has built a solid loan pipeline, and along with

the repricing of existing loans, is expected to drive net interest margin expansion and further earnings improvement in the

coming quarters.” said Benjamin Bochnowski, Chief Executive Officer. “Actions taken over recent quarters are starting to

translate into stronger operating performance, and this has allowed for a renewed focus on customer growth and service as

the year progresses."

"As part of our efficiency efforts, we announced the planned closure of two branch locations expected to occur early in the

second quarter. Credit quality remains healthy, reserves are appropriate, and the organization remains well positioned to

continue on our path in the current operating environment.”

Highlights of the current period include:

•Net Interest Margin - The net interest margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 was 3.23% compared to 3.18%

for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis (a non-GAAP measure) for the

quarter ended March 31, 2026 was 3.35%, as compared to 3.32% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. Net

interest margin increased from the prior quarter primarily due to a favorable reduction in funding costs.

•Funding - As of March 31, 2026, deposits totaled $1.72 billion, a decrease of $7.9 million, or 0.5% compared with

December 31, 2025 balances, which totaled $1.73 billion. As of March 31, 2026, non-interest-bearing deposits totaled

$278.7 million, an increase of $11.3 million. Core deposits totaled $1.2 billion at both March 31, 2026 and

December 31, 2025. Core deposits include checking, savings, and money market accounts and represented 71.6% of

the Bancorp’s total deposits at March 31, 2026. As of March 31, 2026, balances for certificates of deposit totaled

$488.8 million, compared to $499.6 million on December 31, 2025, a decrease of $10.8 million or 2.2%. The decrease

in total portfolio deposits is primarily related to cyclical flows and continued adjustments to deposit pricing. In

addition, as of March 31, 2026, borrowings, federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements totaled $90.8 million,

an increase of $6.1 million or 7.2%, compared to December 31, 2025. The increase in borrowings was primarily

attributable to new FHLB advances during the quarter.

As of March 31, 2026, 72.0% of our deposits are fully FDIC insured, and another 7.5% are further backed by the

Indiana Public Deposit Insurance Fund. The Bancorp’s liquidity position remains strong with solid core deposit

customer relationships, excess cash, debt securities, contractual loan repayments, and access to diversified borrowing

sources. As of March 31, 2026, the Bancorp had available liquidity of $555 million including borrowing capacity from

the FHLB and Federal Reserve facilities.

2

Exhibit 99.1

•Securities Portfolio - Securities available for sale balances decreased by $8.5 million to $307.7 million as of

March 31, 2026, compared to $316.2 million as of December 31, 2025. The yield on the securities portfolio decreased

to 2.22% for the three months ended March 31, 2026 from 2.29% for the three months ended December 31, 2025. The

decrease in securities available for sale was primarily attributable to an increase in the negative fair value adjustment

to securities, as well as maturity of certain securities.  The Bank did not sell any securities during the quarter.

•Lending - The Bank’s aggregate loan portfolio totaled $1.45 billion on both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Bank originated $37.4 million in new commercial loans,

compared to $45.8 million during the three months ended December 31, 2025, l

fnwd-20260127false000091986400009198642026-01-272026-01-27

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): January 27, 2026

FINWARD BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana001-4099935-1927981 (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 is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) o 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 classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered Common stock, no par valueFNWDThe 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          o 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.          o

Item 2.02.         Results of Operations and Financial Condition On January 27, 2026, Finward Bancorp (the “Bancorp”) issued a press release reporting its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.         Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d)Exhibits.

99.1Earnings release for the quarter ended December 31, 2025

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

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. Date: January 27, 2026

FINWARD BANCORP

By:/s/ Benjamin L. Schmitt Name: Benjamin L. Schmitt Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer