Benjamin Schmitt was appointed the senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Finward Bancorp and its subsidiary, Peoples Bank.
Benjamin Bochnowski, CEO of the bancorp and bank, said Schmitt's almost 20 years in investment banking and corporate advisory roles make him an excellent choice for the leadership position.
“The appointment of Mr. Schmitt underscores our commitment to excellence and leadership, and we are excited to welcome him to the team,” said Bochnowski, in a press release. “His skills, industry experience, proven track record, and deep understanding of the financial landscape will strengthen our leadership team. I look forward to working with Ben to achieve sustained growth and success at Finward Bancorp.”
The new role will require Schmitt to create collaborative opportunities for different departments, including finance, accounting, financial reporting and shareholder services.
“Peoples Bank clearly has a longstanding history serving its customers and communities well, and I look forward to working with the leadership team
and fellow colleagues to continue positioning the company for future financial achievements,” Schmitt said.
He mostly recently was the president of Rally Consulting. He also served in various positions at Piper Sandler Companies for 19 years, including managing director.
Schmitt earned a bachelor's degree of business administration in finance from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.
Munster-based Finward Bancorp is the financial holding company of Peoples Bank, which has 26 locations in Lake and Porter counties.
