Columbus, Ohio — Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWBI) and Northwest Bank recently announced that Louis J. Torchio has been appointed president and chief executive officer of both companies, effective immediately. Torchio joined Northwest Bank in 2018, most recently serving as senior executive vice president, Retail Lending and Business Banking.
Torchio brings more than 31 years of experience in the banking industry to his position as president and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Northwest, he held senior leadership and executive committee positions at both large regional and community banks, including the former Charter One Bank, Bank One and Mellon Bank.
At Northwest Bank, Torchio led the transformation and scaling of the residential lending and indirect lending groups, which
generated significant fee income and balance sheet growth. Additionally, Torchio launched an initiative to further develop and expand the business banking and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending divisions.
Torchio is a graduate of Fairmont State University where he earned degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science. In addition, he earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Services Management at Franklin University.
Also, effective immediately, William W. Harvey Jr., who served as interim president and CEO since the passing of Northwest’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Ronald J. Seiffert on May 24, 2022, has been named chief operating officer in addition to his responsibilities as chief financial officer. Prior to his assuming the position of interim president and CEO, Harvey served for 20 years as CFO. He will continue in this capacity. Harvey has been employed by Northwest Bank since 1996.
Both Torchio and Harvey have been appointed to the Northwest Bancshares, Inc., and Northwest Bank Board of Directors. Timothy B. Fannin, who has served as interim chairman of the Board of Northwest Bancshares, Inc., and Northwest Bank since the passing of Seiffert, will continue in the role as chairman of the Board.
In announcing the appointments, Fannin said, “Lou’s strong familiarity with our organization and depth of industry experience make him the ideal person to lead Northwest Bank into its next era as a growing, successful, and independent financial institution. As we continue to execute our strategic plan, the board of directors and I are excited about what the future holds for Northwest under the extremely capable leadership of Lou, Bill, and the rest of our Northwest executive leadership team.”
Northwest Bancshares, Inc (Nasdaq: NWBI) is a $14 billion asset financial services company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and the parent company of Northwest Bank, a Pennsylvania chartered savings bank headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania.
Visit northwest.com for more information.
