Munster, Ind., Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Finward Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNWD) (the "Bancorp” or "Finward”), the holding company for Peoples Bank (the "Bank”), today announced that on December 20, 2024 the Board of Directors of Finward declared a dividend of $0.12 per share on Finward's common stock payable on February 3, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 21, 2025. About Finward Bancorp Finward Bancorp is a locally managed and independent financial holding company headquartered in Munster, Indiana, whose activities are primarily limited to holding the stock of Peoples Bank. Peoples Bank provides a wide range of personal, business, electronic and wealth management financial services from its 26 locations in Lake and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area. Finward Bancorp's common stock is quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC under the symbol FNWD. The website ibankpeoples.com provides information on Peoples Bank's products and services, and Finward Bancorp's investor relations. Forward Looking Statements This Current Report on Form 8-K may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth, and operating strategies of Finward. For these statements, Finward claims the protections of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this communication should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Finward, including the information in the filings Finward makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC”). Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by using words such as "anticipate,” "estimate,” "project,” "intend,” "plan,” "believe,” "will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: the Bank's ability to demonstrate compliance with the terms of the previously disclosed consent order and memorandum of understanding entered into between the Bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC”) and Indiana Department of Financial Institutions ("DFI”), or to demonstrate compliance to the satisfaction of the FDIC and/or DFI within prescribed time frames; the Bank's agreement under the memorandum of understanding to refrain from paying cash dividends without prior regulatory approval; changes in asset quality and credit risk; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; inflation; customer acceptance of Finward's products and services; customer borrowing, repayment, investment, and deposit practices; customer disintermediation; the introduction, withdrawal, success, and timing of business initiatives; competitive conditions; the inability to realize cost savings or revenues or to implement integration plans and other consequences associated with mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; economic conditions; and the impact, extent, and timing of technological changes, capital management activities, and other actions of the Federal Reserve Board and legislative and regulatory actions and reforms. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Finward's reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC's Internet website ( www.sec.gov ). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Finward or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as required by law, Finward does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statement is made. In addition to the above factors, we also caution that the actual amounts and timing of any future common stock dividends or share repurchases will be subject to various factors, including our capital position, financial performance, capital impacts of strategic initiatives, market conditions, and regulatory and accounting considerations, as well as any other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant in making such a determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares or pay any dividends to the holders of our common stock, or as to the amount of any such repurchases or dividends. ### CONTACT: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT INVESTOR RELATIONS (219) 853-7575

Hughes injury seems worse than first reported for Vancouver CanucksArgentina's Racing wins its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1MiLaysia Fulwiley put up 23 points and Chloe Kitts scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 1 South Carolina routed Coppin State 92-60 on Thursday in Columbia, S.C. Te-Hina Paopao added 13 points and five assists for the Gamecocks (3-0). Joyce Edwards and Maryam Dauda each contributed 10 points for South Carolina, which shot 51.5 percent from the floor and compiled a 51-23 rebounding edge. Laila Lawrence scored 20 points and Angel Jones notched 17 for the Eagles (2-2). No. 8 Iowa State 80, St. Thomas (Minn.) 47 Audi Crooks shot 12-for-17 en route to 26 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds as the Cyclones topped the Tommies in Ames, Iowa. Sydney Harris registered 13 points while Addy Brown had 10 for Iowa State (4-0). Amber Scalia's 11 points paced St. Thomas (3-1). No. 10 Kansas State 86, Creighton 68 Ayoka Lee powered for 28 points in 16 minutes as the Wildcats topped the Bluejays in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State (3-0) jumped out to a 22-9 lead after one quarter and rolled to the win. Temira Poindexter and Serena Sundell each had 12 points for the Wildcats, with Sundell adding eight assists and seven rebounds. Kennedy Townsend scored 16 points, Morgan Maly added 15 and Kiani Lockett had 11 for Creighton (1-2). No. 13 North Carolina State 79, Kent State 51 After leading by just five points at halftime, the Wolfpack expanded the lead in the third quarter and then cruised in the fourth to beat the Golden Flashes in Raleigh, N.C. Aziaha James paced NC State (2-1) with 20 points and nine rebounds, and Zamareya Jones scored 16 points. Kent State (1-2) got 17 points and eight rebounds from Bridget Dunn, plus 15 points from Jenna Batsch. No. 16 Duke 84, Dayton 49 Six players logged double-figure point totals for the Blue Devils in the one-sided victory over the Flyers at Durham, N.C. Ten players hit the scoresheet overall for Duke (3-1), which got a team-high 17 points from Jordan Wood. Toby Fournier added 15 points. Ivy Wolf had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Ajok Madol contributed 12 points for Dayton (2-1), which shot 32.1 percent from the floor and committed 24 turnovers. No. 17 Baylor 104, East Texas A&M 55 Darianna Littlepage-Buggs recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Bears nearly doubled up the Lions in Waco, Texas. Aaronette Vonleh (18 points, 11 rebounds) also had a double-double for Baylor (2-1). Cora Horvath was the top offensive threat for East Texas A&M (2-2) with 22 points. No. 19 Ole Miss 80, Delaware State 42 Starr Jacobs hit 8 of 10 shots from the floor and scored 18 points as the Rebels pulled away from the Hornets in Dover, Del. Madison Scott, Kennedy Todd-Williams and Sira Thienou each put up 13 points for Ole Miss (2-1), which outscored Delaware State 43-21 in the second half. The Hornets (1-3) were led by Kiarra Mcelrath with 13 points and Mahogany Cottingham with 10. No. 22 Alabama 88, Alcorn State 59 Essence Cody amassed 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as the Crimson Tide thrashed the Lady Braves in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Aaliyah Nye scored 17 points, Eris Lester had 15 and seven rebounds, and Sarah Ashlee Barker chipped in with 14 points and three steals for the Crimson Tide (5-0). Destiny Brown was the only player in double figures for Alcorn State (1-3), scoring 12 points. No. 23 Illinois 84, Eastern Illinois 37 Reserve Jasmine Brown-Hagger hit 10 of 15 shots scored 23 points to lead the Fighting Illini to a laugher against the Panthers in Champaign, Ill. Gretchen Dolan added 13 points, Kendall Bostic produced 11 points and 12 rebounds and Adalia McKenzie also had 11 points for Illinois (3-0). Jayda Johnston finished with eight points for Eastern Illinois (0-3). --Field Level Media'We are a bit fragile right now' - Man City boss Guardiola

FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm moving through Northern California on Thursday toppled trees and dropped heavy snow and record rain after damaging homes, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters warned that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides would continue, and scores of flights were canceled at San Francisco's airport. In Washington, more than 320,000 people — most of them in the Seattle area — were still without power as crews worked to clear streets of electrical lines, fallen branches and debris. Utility officials said the outages, which began Tuesday, could last into Saturday. Meanwhile on the East Coast, where rare wildfires have raged, New York and New Jersey welcomed much-needed rain that could ease the fire danger for the rest of the year. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by the strongest atmospheric river — a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows through the sky over land — this season. The system roared ashore Tuesday as a “bomb cyclone,” unleashing fierce winds . Communities in Washington opened warming centers offering free internet and device charging. A number of medical clinics closed because of power outages. “I’ve been here since the mid-’80s. I haven’t seen anything like this,” said Trish Bloor, who serves on the city of Issaquah’s Human Resources Commission, as she surveyed damaged homes. Up to 16 inches (about 41 centimeters) of rain was forecast in southwestern Oregon and California's northern counties through Friday. The Sonoma County Airport, in the wine country north of San Francisco, received 6.92 inches (17.5 centimeters) Wednesday, breaking a record dating to 1998. In nearby Forestville, one person was hurt when a tree fell on a house. Small landslides were reported across the North Bay region, including one on State Route 281 on Wednesday that caused a car crash, according to Marc Chenard, a weather service meteorologist. Rain slowed somewhat, but “persistent heavy rain will enter the picture again by Friday morning,” the weather service's San Francisco office said on the social platform X. “We are not done!” Dangerous flash flooding, rockslides and debris flows were possible, especially where hillsides were loosened by recent wildfires, officials warned. Scott Rowe, a hydrologist with the weather service in Sacramento, said that so far the ground has been able to absorb the rain in California's Butte and Tehama counties, where the Park Fire burned over the summer. “It’s not necessarily how much rain falls; it’s how fast the rain falls,” Rowe said. Northern Mendocino and southern Humboldt counties received between 4 and 8 inches (10 and 20 centimeters) of rain in the last 48 hours, and similar amounts were expected over the next 48 hours, forecasters said. Wind gusts could top 50 mph (80 kph). The storm system, which first hit the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, reached the status of “ bomb cyclone ,” which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly. A winter storm watch was in place for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet (1,066 meters), with 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow possible over two days. Wind gusts could top 75 mph (121 kph) in mountain areas, forecasters said. Sugar Bowl Resort, north of Lake Tahoe near Donner Summit, picked up a foot (30 centimeters) of snow overnight, marketing manager Maggie Eshbaugh said Thursday. She said the resort will welcome skiers and boarders on Friday, the earliest opening date in 20 years. “And then we’re going to get another whopping of another foot or so on Saturday, so this is fantastic,” she said. Another popular resort, Palisades Tahoe, is also opening Friday, five days ahead of schedule, according to its website. The storm already dumped more than a foot of snow along the Cascades in Oregon by Wednesday night, according to the weather service. Forecasters warned of blizzard and whiteout conditions and nearly impossible travel at pass level. Falling trees struck homes and littered roads across western Washington, killing at least two people. A woman in Lynnwood was killed when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment, and another in Bellevue died when a tree fell on a home. More than a dozen schools closed in the Seattle area Wednesday, and some opted to extend the closures through Thursday. In Enumclaw, east of Seattle, residents were cleaning up after their town clocked the highest winds in the state Tuesday night: 74 mph (119 kph). Resident Sophie Keene said the powerful gusts caused transformers to blow out around town. “Things were exploding, like, everywhere,” Keene told the Seattle Times. “Like the transformers over by the park. One blew big, it looked like fireworks just going off.” Ben Gibbard, lead singer of the indie rock bands Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service, drove from his Seattle neighborhood Thursday morning to the woods of Tiger Mountain for his regular weekday run, but there were too many trees blocking the trail. “We didn’t get hit that hard in the city,” he said. “I just didn’t assume it would be this kind of situation out here. Obviously you feel the most for people who had their homes partially destroyed by this.” In California, there were reports of more than 20,000 power outages on Thursday. Only 50 vehicles per hour were allowed through part of northbound Interstate 5 from 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Redding to 21 miles (34 kilometers) south of Yreka due to snow, according to California's Department of Transportation. Transportation officials also shut down a two-mile (3.2 kilometer) stretch of the famed Avenue of the Giants, a scenic drive named for its towering coast redwoods, due to flooding. About 150 flights were delayed and another two dozen were canceled early Thursday at San Francisco International Airport after hundreds of delays and dozens of cancelations the previous day, according to tracking service FlightAware. Parched areas of the Northeast got a much-needed shot of precipitation Thursday, providing a bit of respite in a region plagued by wildfires and dwindling water supplies. More than 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain was expected by Saturday morning in areas north of New York City, with snow mixed in at higher elevations. “Any rainfall is going to be significant at this point,” said Brian Ciemnecki, a weather service meteorologist in New York City, where the first drought warning in 22 years was issued this week. “Is it going to break the drought? No, we’re going to need more rain than that.” ___ Har reported from San Francisco, and Weber from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Hallie Golden and Gene Johnson in Seattle; Martha Bellisle in Issaquah, Washington; Sarah Brumfield in Washington, D.C.; and Michael Hill in Albany, New York, contributed. Godofredo A. Vásquez, Janie Har And Christopher Weber, The Associated Press

Pollies, peace deals, and the unravelling of a billionaire: The WA civil court rows that dominated 2024

In a significant legislative shift, El Salvador has overturned a seven-year-old ban on metals mining. This decision, heavily advocated for by President Nayib Bukele, is aimed at stimulating economic growth, a move that has generated opposition from environmental organizations. The original 2017 ban made El Salvador the first nation globally to prohibit all forms of metals mining. President Bukele, who assumed office in 2019, has described the ban as absurd. Recently, his allies in the country's legislature voted unanimously to lift the ban, granting the government exclusive control over mining operations within its borders. Notably, the legislation still restricts the use of mercury in mining and designates certain areas as protected reserves. While touted by Bukele as a pathway to economic prosperity, with potential mineral wealth highlighted, environmentalists warn of severe ecological risks, sparking public protests against the legislative change. (With inputs from agencies.)Garrett Wilson clearly isn't happy. And his future with the New York Jets seems murkier than ever. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Garrett Wilson clearly isn't happy. And his future with the New York Jets seems murkier than ever. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Garrett Wilson clearly isn’t happy. And his future with the New York Jets seems murkier than ever. The star wide receiver wants to win more than anything, but three losing seasons to start his NFL career have taken their toll. Wilson has been an extremely bright spot for the Jets during that span, setting team receiving records and establishing himself as one of the top players in the NFL at his position. He’s the fourth-most targeted player in the league this season. But he still believes he could do more — and that he can help the Jets (4-11) win. Wilson had six catches for 54 yards on Sunday in New York’s 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Four of his seven targets came during the Jets’ final drive. Davante Adams had 13 targets and clearly has been the favorite target of Aaron Rodgers — not surprising since they played together eight years in Green Bay. But Wilson has seemed almost an afterthought lately. “I don’t know, to be honest with you, man,” Wilson said after the game when asked why he wasn’t more involved in the offense. “I’ve just got to go out and put my best foot forward and hope that things fall my way. I’d love to be involved, love to make an impact on the game, but if people see it differently, then it’s out of my control. “So, just trying to do what I can do.” That came a few days after Wilson was noncommittal on whether he can see himself staying with the Jets long term if they offer him a contract extension after the season. He had a similar response after the game. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to find ways to get Garrett the ball more often,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday. “He’s one of the best players on our team, if not one of the best players in this league, especially at his position, so the progression for a lot of different reasons from a coverage standpoint took (Rodgers) off Garrett, but at the same time, we’ve got to find ways to get him the ball, for sure.” Wilson is due for an extension after this season, but the Jets have control over his contract through the 2027 season. There are rumblings that Wilson, who ranks among the league leaders with 90 receptions and 987 yards receiving, could seek a trade. The Jets’ next general manager and coach will have to make decisions on the futures of several players, including Rodgers, but Wilson also will be a priority in the team’s offseason conversations. “If you weren’t frustrated, I think that would bother me to an extent,” Ulbrich said. “I think he’s just one of those ultimate competitors that wants the ball, not for selfish reasons. Just from the standpoint he knows he can help our team win if he does have the ball in his hands.” What’s working Fast starts. The Jets have scored touchdowns on their opening possession in each of their last two games after previously not doing so all season. What needs help With the team out of the playoff hunt, Ulbrich was aggressive. The Jets went for it on fourth down five times against the Rams and converted just twice. Two of the stops led to points for Los Angeles. After Breece Hall was stuffed on fourth-and-1 at the Jets 33 in the second quarter, the Rams kicked a field goal to tie it. On their first possession of the second half, the Jets went for it on a fourth-and-4 from the Rams 13 instead of kicking a field goal. But Rodgers’ fade pass to Adams was incomplete, ending a 14-play, 78-yard drive. Los Angeles followed by kicking another tying field goal. Stock up CB D.J. Reed. The veteran defensive back has arguably been the Jets’ best cornerback this season. Reed is scheduled to be a free agent during the coming offseason and could be in for a big payday. Whether to bring him back will be a major topic of conversation for the Jets’ new regime. Stock down K Anders Carlson. He briefly provided some stability as the Jets’ fourth kicker this season but has struggled lately. Carlson missed an extra point, his second of the season, and was wide right on a late 49-yard field goal try that would’ve made it a one-score game and given the Jets a chance at a comeback attempt against the Rams. Ulbrich said there’s a chance there could be another change this week. Injuries Rookie LT Olu Fashanu is dealing with a foot injury. The first-round pick was seen on crutches after the game, but Ulbrich said Fashanu was still getting tests done to determine the severity of the injury. ... DT Quinnen Williams was inactive with a hamstring injury. He tested it before the game and was scratched. Ulbrich said there’s a chance he’ll play this week. ... CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and S Tony Adams (ankle) left the game with injuries. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 0 — The Jets scored 9 points and had no punts in the loss to Los Angeles. They joined the 1991 Colts — a 16-7 loss to the Patriots in the season opener — as the only teams in the Super Bowl era to score fewer than 10 points and not punt. What’s next The Jets travel for their last road game of the season to Buffalo, where they’ll take on the AFC East rival Bills. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement Advertisement

Butler gears up for 'fighting family Christmas'