<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:ns2="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
    <headerData>
        <submissionType>144</submissionType>
        <filerInfo>
            <filer>
                <filerCredentials>
                    <cik>0001607630</cik>
                    <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
                </filerCredentials>
            </filer>
            <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



        </filerInfo>
    </headerData>
    <formData>
        <issuerInfo>
            <issuerCik>0001505732</issuerCik>
            <issuerName>BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP</issuerName>
            <secFileNumber>001-36448</secFileNumber>
            <issuerAddress>
                <ns2:street1>220 Elm Street</ns2:street1>
                <ns2:city>New Canaan</ns2:city>
                <ns2:stateOrCountry>CT</ns2:stateOrCountry>
                <ns2:zipCode>06840</ns2:zipCode>
            </issuerAddress>
            <issuerContactPhone>(203) 652-0166</issuerContactPhone>
            <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>TODD LAMPERT</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
            <relationshipsToIssuer>
                <relationshipToIssuer>Director</relationshipToIssuer>
            </relationshipsToIssuer>
        </issuerInfo>
        <securitiesInformation>
            <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
            <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
                <name>Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Executive Financial Services</name>
                <address>
                    <ns2:street1>1 New York Plaza</ns2:street1>
                    <ns2:street2>38th Floor</ns2:street2>
                    <ns2:city>New York</ns2:city>
                    <ns2:stateOrCountry>NY</ns2:stateOrCountry>
                    <ns2:zipCode>10004</ns2:zipCode>
                </address>
            </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
            <noOfUnitsSold>4000</noOfUnitsSold>
            <aggregateMarketValue>102944.80</aggregateMarketValue>
            <noOfUnitsOutstanding>7831616</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
            <approxSaleDate>09/12/2023</approxSaleDate>
            <securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</securitiesExchangeName>
        </securitiesInformation>
        <securitiesToBeSold>
            <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
            <acquiredDate>05/08/2014</acquiredDate>
            <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Private Acquisition from Issuer/Affiliate</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
            <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
            <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
            <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>4000</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
            <paymentDate>05/08/2014</paymentDate>
            <natureOfPayment>Non Purchase</natureOfPayment>
        </securitiesToBeSold>
        <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
        <noticeSignature>
            <noticeDate>09/12/2023</noticeDate>
            <planAdoptionDates/>
            <signature>/s/ Todd Lampert</signature>
        </noticeSignature>
    </formData>
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144
0001607630
XXXXXXXX
LIVE
0001505732
BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP
001-36448
220 Elm Street
New Canaan
CT
06840
(203) 652-0166
TODD LAMPERT
Director
Common
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Executive Financial Services
1 New York Plaza
38th Floor
New York
NY
10004
4000
102944.80
7831616
09/12/2023
NASDAQ
Common
05/08/2014
Private Acquisition from Issuer/Affiliate
Issuer
N
4000
05/08/2014
Non Purchase
Y
09/12/2023
/s/ Todd Lampert