COLUMBUS, OH (May 26, 2026) - Northwest Bank announced that Chad Ballard has
joined the company as Chief Information Officer, effective May 18, 2026. Reporting directly
to the company's President and CEO Louis Torchio, and a member of the executive
leadership team, Ballard will lead the bank’s information technology strategy and
operations.
In this role, Ballard is responsible for advancing technology initiatives that support
Northwest’s business priorities, strengthen operational efficiency, and enhance the
experience for customers and associates across the bank’s footprint.
Ballard brings more than 25 years of technology leadership experience. He most recently
served as CIO for Shared Services Operations at Wells Fargo. While there he developed a
Know Your Customer (KYC) platform and deployed AI agents to enhance operational
efficiency. He has also held leadership roles at JP Morgan Chase and PNC, leading core
banking, digital channels, and AI platform transformations.
“Chad brings deep experience in technology leadership and a strong understanding of how
technology supports growth, innovation and risk management in financial services,” said
Louis Torchio, President and CEO, Northwest Bank. “His leadership will be instrumental as
we continue to invest in systems and capabilities that support our ongoing transformation
and growth.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the team at Northwest Bank to enhance the
technology foundation that supports our customers, employees and communities,” said
Chad Ballard, Chief Information Officer, Northwest Bank. “Technology plays a critical role
in how a bank operates every day. I’m excited to help advance secure, scalable initiatives
to support the bank’s current momentum and meet our customers’ current and future
needs.”
Ballard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management from the University of Alabama
at Birmingham. He will be based in Columbus, Ohio and will work closely with teams
across Northwest Bank to modernize technology platforms and support continued growth.
About Northwest Bank
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Northwest Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding
company of Northwest Bank. Founded in 1896, Northwest Bank is a full-service financial
institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, as well as
employee benefits and wealth management services.
Currently, Northwest operates 151 full-service financial centers and 11 drive-up locations
across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana. Northwest Bancshares, Inc.'s common
stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market
("NWBI"). Additional information regarding Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest
Bank can be accessed online at www.northwest.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to Northwest
Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) including, without limitation, statements relating to the
future business plans of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve certain
risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from
those contemplated by such forward-looking statements are described in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 under the section
entitled “Item 1A - Risk Factors,” and from time to time in other filings made by the
Company with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only at the date of the
release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly release any updates
or revisions to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard to any change
in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Media Contact:
(814) 217-8998
media@northwest.com