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  <TITLE>S-8</TITLE>
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   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;10, 2025. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-&#8195;&#8195;&#8195;</FONT> </B></P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;
  </DIV><DIV STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center><DIV STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</DIV></center>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center><DIV STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</DIV></center>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Finward Bancorp </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center><DIV STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</DIV></center>
  <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">
  
  
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Indiana </B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">35-1927981</FONT></B></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of</B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>incorporation or organization)</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification Number)</B></P></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>9204 Columbia Avenue<BR>Munster, Indiana</B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>46321</B></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</B></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
  </TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full title of the plan) </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>David J. Kwait </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Senior
  Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel and Secretary </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Finward Bancorp </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>9204 Columbia Avenue </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Munster, Indiana 46321 </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name and address of agent for service) </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(219) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">836-4400</FONT> </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </B></P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center><DIV STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</DIV></center>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>With copies to: </I></B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>David P. Hooper, Esq. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Barnes&nbsp;&amp; Thornburg LLP </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>11 S. Meridian Street </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(317) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">231-7333</FONT> </B></P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center><DIV STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</DIV></center>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-accelerated</FONT>
  filer, or a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;smaller reporting company,&#148; and &#147;emerging growth company&#148; in Rule <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Exchange Act. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">
  
  
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</TD></TR>
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  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">Emerging&nbsp;growth&nbsp;company</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">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&nbsp;7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.&#8194;&#9744; </P>
  <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;
  </DIV><DIV STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
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  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART I </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We will send or give to participants in the Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) the document(s)
  containing the information specified by Part I of this Registration Statement as specified in Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  &#147;Securities Act&#148;). We are not filing such document(s) with the Commission but such document(s) constitute (along with the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this
  Registration Statement), a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section&nbsp;10(a) of the Securities Act. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART II </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following documents that Finward Bancorp (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) has filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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  <TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000143774925010182/fnwd20241231d_10k.htm">Form
   <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT></A> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2024, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;31, 2025; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(b)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000143774925017176/fnwd20250331_10q.htm">Form
   <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT></A> for the fiscal quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2025, filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;15, 2025; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(c)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed with the
  Commission on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525065500/d933779d8k.htm">March&nbsp;
  27</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000143774925011692/fnwd20250410_8k.htm">April&nbsp;
  10</A>, and <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368d8k.htm">May&nbsp;29, 2025</A>; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(d)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">All other reports filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act since December&nbsp;31, 2024; and </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(e)</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock, no par value per share, contained in <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000143774923008638/ex_494694.htm">Exhibit
   4.1</A> to the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2022, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;30, 2023, together with any amendment or report filed with the Commission
  for the purpose of updating such description. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
  14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement indicating that all securities
  offered hereby have been sold or deregistering all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. In no event, however, shall any
  information that the Registrant discloses under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K,</FONT> which the Registrant may furnish to the Commission from time to time, be incorporated by reference
  into, or otherwise become a part of, this Registration Statement. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
  Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
  superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;4. Description of
  Securities. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant is an Indiana corporation. The Registrant&#146;s officers and directors (and those who have agreed to such positions) are
  entitled to be indemnified under Indiana law and the Registrant&#146;s Restated Articles of Incorporation (the &#147;Finward Articles&#148;) against certain liabilities and expenses. Chapter 37 of the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the
  &#147;IBCL&#148;) requires a corporation, unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, to indemnify a director or an officer of the corporation who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any threatened,
  pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal, against reasonable expenses, including counsel fees, incurred in connection with the proceeding. The IBCL
  also permits a corporation to indemnify a director or an officer who is made a party to a proceeding because the individual was a director or an officer of the corporation against liability incurred in the proceeding if the individual&#146;s conduct
  was in good faith and the individual reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in the individual&#146;s official capacity with the corporation, that the conduct was in the corporation&#146;s best interests, and in all other cases, that the
  individual&#146;s conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation&#146;s best interests. In a criminal proceeding, the individual must also either have had reasonable cause to believe the individual&#146;s conduct was lawful or no reasonable
  cause to believe the individual&#146;s conduct was unlawful. The IBCL also permits a corporation to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses incurred before the final disposition of a proceeding and permits a court of competent jurisdiction to order
  a corporation to indemnify a director or officer if the court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the person met the standards for indemnification
  otherwise provided in the IBCL. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Finward Articles provide that every person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of
  the Registrant or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another foreign or domestic business entity, trust, employee benefit plan, or other
  <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">for-profit</FONT> or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-profit</FONT> entity, will be indemnified by the Registrant against all liability and reasonable expense that may be incurred by him or her in connection with
  or resulting from any claim, provided that (i)&nbsp;such person is wholly successful with respect to the claim, or (ii)&nbsp;if not wholly successful, the person is determined to have acted in good faith, in what he or she reasonably believed to be
  the best interests of the Registrant or at least not opposed to its best interests, and, for criminal actions, is determined to have had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
  conduct was unlawful. The indemnification by the Registrant extends to attorneys&#146; fees, judgments, fines, liabilities, and settlements. The Registrant may also advance expenses for the defense of an eligible indemnified person upon
  determination of eligibility and upon receipt of written affirmation of eligibility and an undertaking by such person to repay such expenses if it should ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification. In order for a
  director, officer, employee, or agent to be entitled to indemnification, special legal counsel and the Registrant&#146;s board of directors, acting upon the findings of the special legal counsel, must determine that the person seeking
  indemnification has met the standards of conduct required by the Finward Articles. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Registrant also maintains insurance to protect
  itself and its directors, officers, employees, and agents against expense, liability, or loss, whether or not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability, or loss under the IBCL or pursuant to the
  Finward Articles. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of the IBCL and Finward&#146;s Articles and the Amended and
  Restated <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws</FONT> of the Registrant (the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;By-Laws&#148;)</FONT> dealing with indemnification of directors and officers, and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified
  in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those sections of the IBCL referenced above and Finward&#146;s Articles and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws.</FONT> </P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;8. Exhibits. </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">
  
  
  <TR>
  
  <TD></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="90%"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; "><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Exhibit</B></P></TD></TR>
  
  
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&#8199;4.1</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000143774922005022/ex_342524.htm">Restated Articles of Incorporation of Finward Bancorp (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated March&nbsp;2, 2022). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&#8199;4.2</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000143774922028339/ex_452319.htm">Amended and Restated <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">By-Laws</FONT> of Finward Bancorp (Amended and Restated as of November&nbsp;
  29, 2022) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated December&nbsp;2, 2022). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&#8199;5.1*</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d79903dex51.htm">Opinion of Barnes&nbsp;&amp; Thornburg LLP regarding legality of the securities being registered. </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.1*</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d79903dex231.htm">Consent of Forvis Mazars, LLP. </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.2*</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d79903dex51.htm">Consent of Barnes&nbsp;&amp; Thornburg LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>24.1*</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d79903ds8.htm#sig">Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.1</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368dex101.htm">Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT
  STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated May&nbsp;29, 2025). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.2</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368dex102.htm">Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.2 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated May&nbsp;29, 2025). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.3</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368dex103.htm">Form of <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Qualified</FONT> Stock Option Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive
   Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated May&nbsp;29, 2025). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.4</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368dex104.htm">Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.4 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated May&nbsp;29, 2025). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.5</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368dex105.htm">Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.5 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated May&nbsp;29, 2025). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.6</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368dex106.htm">Form of Performance Shares Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.6 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated May&nbsp;29, 2025). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>99.7</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919864/000119312525130618/d898368dex107.htm">Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
   Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> dated May&nbsp;29, 2025). </A></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>107*</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d79903dexfilingfees.htm">Filing Fee Table. </A></TD></TR>
  </TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
  <TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">*</TD>
  <TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Filed herewith. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&#8201;9. Undertakings. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) The
  undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:9%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3)
  of the 1933 Act; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:9%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
  registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
  increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
  the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation
  of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement; </P>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:9%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">provided,
  however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant
  to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. </P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be
  deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
  unsold at the termination of the offering. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to
  Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
  Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
  controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
  opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
  governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </P>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
   <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="sig"></A>SIGNATURES </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all the requirements for filing on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Munster, Indiana on
  June&nbsp;10, 2025. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  
  
  <TR>
  
  <TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
  
  
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>FINWARD BANCORP</B></P></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ Benjamin J. Bochnowski</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Benjamin J. Bochnowski</P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">President and Chief Executive Officer</P></TD></TR>
  </TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></P>
  <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Benjamin J. Bochnowski and
  Benajmin L. Schmitt, and each of them, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as such person&#146;s true and lawful <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, with
  full power of substitution, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, any amendment, including <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">post-effective</FONT> amendments, to this registration statement, including any
  registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) which is related to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
  unto said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all
  intents and purposes as he or she might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorneys-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agents or either of them or their
  substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
  registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  
  
  <TR>
  
  <TD WIDTH="38%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="16%"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Signature</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Title</B></P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date</B></P></TD></TR>
  
  
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Benjamin J. Bochnowski</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Benjamin J. Bochnowski</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), and Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Benjamin L. Schmitt</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Benjamin L. Schmitt</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Joel Gorelick</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Joel Gorelick</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Chairman of the Board</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Martin P. Alwin</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Martin P. Alwin</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Carolyn M. Burke</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Carolyn M. Burke</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Jennifer R. Evans</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Jennifer R. Evans</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Danette Garza</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Danette Garza</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR></TABLE>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  
  <p style="margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0em; page-break-before:always"> </p>
  <HR SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
  
  <Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
  
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  
  
  <TR>
  
  <TD WIDTH="38%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
  
  <TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="16%"></TD></TR>
  
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Amy W. Han</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Amy W. Han</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Robert E. Johnson, III</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Robert E. Johnson, III</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Anthony M. Puntillo</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Anthony M. Puntillo</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
  <TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
  <TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Robert W. Youman</P></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top"></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
  <TD VALIGN="top">Robert W. Youman</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top">Director</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;10, 2025</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </DIV></Center>
  
  </BODY></HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d79903ds8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 54380}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Finward Bancorp", "cik": "0000919864", "assigned-sic": "6035", "organization-name": "02 Finance", "ein": "351927981", "state-of-incorporation": "IN", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-287924", "film-number": "251037906"}, "business-address": {"street1": "9204 COLUMBIA AVE", "city": "MUNSTER", "state": "IN", "zip": "46321", "phone": "219 836-9690"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "9204 COLUMBIA AVE", "city": "MUNSTER", "state": "IN", "zip": "46321"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "NORTHWEST INDIANA BANCORP", "date-changed": "19940307"}}
text: S-8
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2025.
  Registration
  No. 333-
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM
  S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Finward Bancorp
  (Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Indiana
  35-1927981
  (State or other jurisdiction of
  incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification Number)
  9204 Columbia Avenue
  Munster, Indiana
  46321
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
  (Full title of the plan)
  David J. Kwait
  Senior
  Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
  Finward Bancorp
  9204 Columbia Avenue
  Munster, Indiana 46321
  (Name and address of agent for service)
  (219)
  836-4400
  (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
  With copies to:
  David P. Hooper, Esq.
  Barnes & Thornburg LLP
  11 S. Meridian Street
  Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
  (317)
  231-7333
  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
  non-accelerated
  filer, or a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule
  12b-2
  of the Exchange Act.
  Large accelerated filer
  ☐
  Accelerated filer
  ☐
  Non-accelerated filer
  ☒
  Smaller reporting company
  ☒
  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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  We will send or give to participants in the Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") the document(s)
  containing the information specified by Part I of this Registration Statement as specified in Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
  "Securities Act"). We are not filing such document(s) with the Commission but such document(s) constitute (along with the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this
  Registration Statement), a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
  The following documents that Finward Bancorp (the "Registrant") has filed with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
  (a)
  The Registrant's Annual Report on
  Form
  10-K
  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Commission on March 31, 2025;
  (b)
  The Registrant's Quarterly Report on
  Form
  10-Q
  for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025, filed with the Commission on May 15, 2025;
  (c)
  The Registrant's Current Reports on Form
  8-K
  filed with the
  Commission on
  March 
  27
  ,
  April 
  10
  , and
  May 29, 2025
  ;
  (d)
  All other reports filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act since December 31, 2024; and
  (e)
  The description of the Registrant's Common Stock, no par value per share, contained in
  Exhibit
   4.1
  to the Registrant's Form
  10-K
  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Commission on March 30, 2023, together with any amendment or report filed with the Commission
  for the purpose of updating such description.
  All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
  14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement indicating that all securities
  offered hereby have been sold or deregistering all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. In no event, however, shall any
  information that the Registrant discloses under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form
  8-K,
  which the Registrant may furnish to the Commission from time to time, be incorporated by reference
  into, or otherwise become a part of, this Registration Statement. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
  Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
  superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded.
  Item 4. Description of
  Securities.
  Not applicable.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Not applicable.
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
  The Registrant is an Indiana corporation. The Registrant's officers and directors (and those who have agreed to such positions) are
  entitled to be indemnified under Indiana law and the Registrant's Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Finward Articles") against certain liabilities and expenses. Chapter 37 of the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the
  "IBCL") requires a corporation, unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, to indemnify a director or an officer of the corporation who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any threatened,
  pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal, against reasonable expenses, including counsel fees, incurred in connection with the proceeding. The IBCL
  also permits a corporation to indemnify a director or an officer who is made a party to a proceeding because the individual was a director or an officer of the corporation against liability incurred in the proceeding if the individual's conduct
  was in good faith and the individual reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in the individual's official capacity with the corporation, that the conduct was in the corporation's best interests, and in all other cases, that the
  individual's conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation's best interests. In a criminal proceeding, the individual must also either have had reasonable cause to believe the individual's conduct was lawful or no reasonable
  cause to believe the individual's conduct was unlawful. The IBCL also permits a corporation to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses incurred before the final disposition of a proceeding and permits a court of competent jurisdiction to order
  a corporation to indemnify a director or officer if the court determines that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the person met the standards for indemnification
  otherwise provided in the IBCL.
  The Finward Articles provide that every person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of
  the Registrant or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another foreign or domestic business entity, trust, employee benefit plan, or other
  for-profit
  or
  non-profit
  entity, will be indemnified by the Registrant against all liability and reasonable expense that may be incurred by him or her in connection with
  or resulting from any claim, provided that (i) such person is wholly successful with respect to the claim, or (ii) if not wholly successful, the person is determined to have acted in good faith, in what he or she reasonably believed to be
  the best interests of the Registrant or at least not opposed to its best interests, and, for criminal actions, is determined to have had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
  conduct was unlawful. The indemnification by the Registrant extends to attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, liabilities, and settlements. The Registrant may also advance expenses for the defense of an eligible indemnified person upon
  determination of eligibility and upon receipt of written affirmation of eligibility and an undertaking by such person to repay such expenses if it should ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification. In order for a
  director, officer, employee, or agent to be entitled to indemnification, special legal counsel and the Registrant's board of directors, acting upon the findings of the special legal counsel, must determine that the person seeking
  indemnification has met the standards of conduct required by the Finward Articles.
  The Registrant also maintains insurance to protect
  itself and its directors, officers, employees, and agents against expense, liability, or loss, whether or not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability, or loss under the IBCL or pursuant to the
  Finward Articles.
  The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of the IBCL and Finward's Articles and the Amended and
  Restated
  By-Laws
  of the Registrant (the
  "By-Laws")
  dealing with indemnification of directors and officers, and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified
  in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those sections of the IBCL referenced above and Finward's Articles and
  By-Laws.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Not applicable.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  Exhibit No.
  Exhibit
  4.1
  Restated Articles of Incorporation of Finward Bancorp (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated March 2, 2022).
  4.2
  Amended and Restated
  By-Laws
  of Finward Bancorp (Amended and Restated as of November 
  29, 2022) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated December 2, 2022).
  5.1*
  Opinion of Barnes & Thornburg LLP regarding legality of the securities being registered.
  23.1*
  Consent of Forvis Mazars, LLP.
  23.2*
  Consent of Barnes & Thornburg LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  24.1*
  Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages).
  99.1
  Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated May 29, 2025).
  99.2
  Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.2 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated May 29, 2025).
  99.3
  Form of
  Non-Qualified
  Stock Option Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive
   Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated May 29, 2025).
  99.4
  Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.4 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated May 29, 2025).
  99.5
  Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.5 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated May 29, 2025).
  99.6
  Form of Performance Shares Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
   10.6 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated May 29, 2025).
  99.7
  Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Award Agreement under Finward Bancorp 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to
   Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant's Form
  8-K
  dated May 29, 2025).
  107*
  Filing Fee Table.
  *
  Filed herewith.
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  (a) The
  undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
  of the 1933 Act;
  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
  registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
  increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
  the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation
  of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
  provided,
  however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant
  to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be
  deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
  unsold at the termination of the offering.
  (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
  Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
  shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
  Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
  controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
  opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
  governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
  all the requirements for filing on Form
  S-8
  and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Munster, Indiana on
  June 10, 2025.
  FINWARD BANCORP
  By:
  /s/ Benjamin J. Bochnowski
  Benjamin J. Bochnowski
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Benjamin J. Bochnowski and
  Benajmin L. Schmitt, and each of them, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as such person's true and lawful
  attorney-in-fact
  and agent, with
  full power of substitution, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in each capacity stated below, any amendment, including
  post-effective
  amendments, to this registration statement, including any
  registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) which is related to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
  unto said
  attorneys-in-fact
  and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all
  intents and purposes as he or she might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
  attorneys-in-fact
  and agents or either of them or their
  substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
  registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Benjamin J. Bochnowski
  Benjamin J. Bochnowski
  President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), and Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Benjamin L. Schmitt
  Benjamin L. Schmitt
  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Joel Gorelick
  Joel Gorelick
  Chairman of the Board
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Martin P. Alwin
  Martin P. Alwin
  Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Carolyn M. Burke
  Carolyn M. Burke
  Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Jennifer R. Evans
  Jennifer R. Evans
  Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Danette Garza
  Danette Garza
  Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Amy W. Han
  Amy W. Han
  Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Robert E. Johnson, III
  Robert E. Johnson, III
  Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Anthony M. Puntillo
  Anthony M. Puntillo
  Director
  June 10, 2025
  /s/ Robert W. Youman
  Robert W. Youman
  Director
  June 10, 2025