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                                  EXHIBIT 10.17

                                     Form of
                          AWARD AGREEMENT FOR DIRECTORS

          This Award Agreement ("Agreement") has been entered into as of _______
__, 20__, between Tower Financial Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the
"Company") and ______________, a director of the Company ("Participant"),
pursuant to the Company's [1998] [2001] Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").

          WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") which
administers the Plan has granted to Participant an option to purchase shares of
the Company's common stock, without par value (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to
the terms and conditions as provided in the Plan and this Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Company and Participant desire to set forth the terms and
conditions of the option;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement, the Company and the Participant agree as
follows:

          1. Grant of Option and Exercise Price.  Subject to the terms and
conditions stated in the Plan and this Agreement, on __________ __, 20__ (the
"Date of Grant"), the Committee granted to Participant an option (the "Option")
to purchase _____ shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Shares") at an
exercise price (the "Exercise Price") equal to the market value of the Common
Stock on the Date of Grant.

          2. Non-Qualified Stock Option.  The Option is not intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

          3. Exercise of Option.  The Participant may exercise the Option in
annual increments of __________ percent (___%) of the total number of Shares,
commencing on __________, 20__.

          4. Term of Option.  Unless sooner terminated as provided in the Plan,
the Option shall expire ten (10) years from the Date of Grant.

          5. Method of Exercise.  The Participant may exercise the Option in the
manner stated in the Plan.

          6. Restriction on Transfer.  The Participant may not assign or
transfer the Option except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

          7. Delivery and Registration of the Shares.  The Company shall not be
required to deliver any Shares upon exercise of the Option prior to the
completion of registration or other qualification of the Shares under any state
or federal law, rule or regulation, as the Committee shall determine to be
necessary or advisable.

          8. Plan Controlling.  The Option and the terms and conditions set
forth in the Agreement are subject in all respects to the terms and conditions
of the Plan, which are controlling. All determinations and interpretations of
the Committee shall be binding and conclusive upon the Participant and his or
her legal representatives.


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          9. Qualification of Rights.  Neither this Agreement nor the existence
of the Option shall be construed as giving the Participant any right as a
shareholder with respect to the Shares, until the certificates for the Shares
have been issued and delivered to the Participant.

          10. Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana.

          11. Notices.  All notices and other communications required or
permitted under this Agreement shall be written and shall be delivered
personally or sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid
and return receipt required, addressed as follows: if to the Company, to the
Company's principal office at 116 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802,
and if to the Participant or his or her successor, to the address last furnished
by the Participant to the Company. Each notice and communication shall be deemed
to have been given when received by the Company or the Participant.

          12. Representations and Warranties of Participant.  The Participant
represents and warrants to the Company that he or she:

          (a) has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan;

          (b) understands that neither the Option nor any of the rights and
     interests under the Plan or this Agreement may be assigned, encumbered or
     otherwise transferred except, in the event of death, by will or the laws of
     descent and distribution; and

          (c) is acquiring the Option and, if and upon exercise of the Option,
     will be acquiring the Shares issuable for his or her own account and not
     with a view of distribution or resale in any manner which would be in
     violation of the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Participant have executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above.

TOWER FINANCIAL CORPORATION


By:
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    Donald F. Schenkel                      Participant
    President and Chief Executive Officer


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