Finward Bancorp — Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Summary

Finward Bancorp reported net income of $1.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, a decrease from the $2.1 million reported in the prior quarter. The company's net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis increased to 3.51%, driven by repricing and maturity of the loan portfolio, while total deposits rose 1.5% to $1.76 billion. Non-interest expenses rose significantly due to $1.8 million in merger-related compensation adjustments and $536,000 in professional services costs associated with the pending merger with First Financial. Asset quality remained stable with non-performing loans totaling $16.8 million and an allowance for credit losses of $17.5 million, representing a coverage ratio of 104.5%.