Company: BWFG
Filing Date: 2025-03-05
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001505732-25-000052
Chunk: 7

Company: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-03-05
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1
Chunk 7
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-approved policies, reviewed annually, define approval authorities. Furthermore, we address evolving risks, including cybersecurity, regulatory compliance (including BSA/AML), and third-party risk management, through a dedicated Board Risk Committee and a senior management Risk Management Committee, as well as internal review procedures focused on anti-money laundering and consumer compliance requirements.

•Strategic Acquisitions.   To complement our organic growth, we focus on strategic acquisitions in or around our existing market that further our objectives. We believe there are banking institutions that continue to face credit challenges, capital constraints and liquidity issues. Some lack the scale and management expertise to manage the increasing regulatory burden and will likely need to partner with an institution like ours. As we evaluate potential 

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acquisitions, we will seek those that provide meaningful financial benefits, long-term organic growth opportunities and expense reductions, without compromising our risk profile.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe that we are especially well-positioned to create value for our shareholders as a result of the following competitive strengths:

•Strategic Market Reach.   We serve a diverse client base within a 100-mile radius of our branch network, offering a comprehensive suite of banking services. We also selectively pursue commercial banking opportunities outside this market, leveraging established business relationships and expanding our reach through technology. This approach allows us to support our clients’ growth and maintain valuable relationships beyond our geographic footprint. 

•Experienced Leadership.   Our executive management team is comprised of seasoned professionals with significant banking experience, a history of high performance at financial institutions and success in identifying, acquiring and integrating financial institutions. Our executive management team includes Christopher R. Gruseke, Chief Executive Officer (since 2015), Matthew McNeill, President (as of January 22, 2025) and Chief Banking Officer (since 2020), Steven H. Brunner, Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer (since 2024), Christine A. Chivily, Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer (since 2013),  Ryan J. Hildebrand, Executive Vice President, Chief Innovation Officer (since 2023), and Courtney E. Sacchetti, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (since 2023).

•Dedicated Board of Directors.   Our Board of Directors consists of experienced business leaders who understand the need for banks that focus on serving the financial needs of their clients.  Their significant common stock ownership aligns their interests with those of our shareholders, and their combined expertise and relationships position us to capitalize on market opportunities.