Company: BWFG
Filing Date: 2025-04-08
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001505732-25-000079
Chunk: 49

Company: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-04-08
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 49
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UTIVE COMPENSATION</div>

As part of our commitment to corporate governance best practices, and as required by Section 14A(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company’s Board of Directors is providing shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on its executive compensation program at the Annual Meeting through the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the Company’s executive compensation, as described in “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation (together with the accompanying narrative disclosure) in this Proxy Statement.”

We believe that our compensation policies and procedures, which are described more fully in the “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” section of this Proxy Statement and in the tables and narrative therein, are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of shareholders. The Company’s executive compensation philosophy is designed to be attractive, market-based, tied to performance and aligned with shareholders’ interests. We believe the Bank’s long-term strategic objectives will be enhanced by this strategy. Our compensation programs are designed to consider competitive market data, specific role functions that may be unique to our structure, internal equity and the performance of both the individual and the Company. We believe this approach will help us attract, retain and reward the best employees, fulfill the Company’s growth objectives and promote shareholder value.

This vote will not be binding on or overrule any decisions by the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee, will not create or imply any additional fiduciary duty on the part of the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, and will not restrict or limit the ability of our shareholders to make proposals in the future for inclusion in proxy materials related to executive compensation. The Company’s Compensation Committee and Board of Directors will, however, take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

#### Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the Company’s executive compensation, as described in the Section titled “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation (together with accompanying narrative disclosure) in this Proxy Statement.

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### AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee meets periodically to consider the adequacy of the Company’s financial controls and the objectivity of its financial reporting. The Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent auditors and the Company’s internal auditors, all of whom have unrestricted access to the Audit