Download this press release (PDF)
Columbus, Ohio – Northwest Bank, a full-service financial institution that offers a complete line of business and personal banking products, insurance services, employee benefits and investment management, has announced plans to expand its operations in the Columbus Region, creating approximately 50 new jobs, pending the approval of Columbus City Council in January. Hiring for commercial and industrial relationship managers, commercial real estate relationship managers, retail mortgage loan underwriters, processors, closers, quality control analysts and secondary analysts will begin in Q1 2020.
Northwest Bank will expand its current office at 1 Easton Oval and open a new office at 401 N. Front Street in Columbus to support the company’s growth, increased mortgage loan production and dealer sales footprint. The availability of skilled talent was a key driver behind the company’s success and its decision to continue expanding in the Columbus Region.
“The Columbus Region’s robust talent pool and significant growth potential were instrumental in our strategic decision to select Central Ohio for our flagship operations outside of Pennsylvania,” said Northwest Bank Chairman, President & CEO Ron Seiffert. “This expansion will also enable us to add significant value to our competitive suite of product offerings through the delivery of outstanding customer experiences.”
Headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania, Northwest Bank operates 172 full-service community banking offices and 9 free standing drive-through locations throughout Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. In October, the bank announced its plans to expand its presence in the Midwest through a definitive merger agreement to acquire MutualFirst Financial, the $2 billion Municie, Indiana-based holding company and parent of MutualBank, in Q2 2020. Northwest’s current office at Easton Oval in Columbus employs 24 full-time workers.
“We are proud to support Northwest Bank’s continued growth in the Columbus Region and throughout the Midwest,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “The company’s investment will help create more high-quality jobs and further grow the Region’s strong financial services sector.”
Financial and insurance related activities comprise the top sector of economic output in the Columbus Region. Companies ranging from Northwest Bancshares, Huntington Bancshares and JPMorgan Chase & Co., to Nationwide and State Farm benefit from the Columbus Region’s continuous growth and skilled talent pool. More than 60 college and university campuses educate nearly 140,000 students across the Columbus Region, with top-ranked programs and partnerships to ensure talent development for the finance and insurance industry.
“Northwest Bank’s expansion will bring 50 more outstanding financial services jobs to its Columbus operations,” said JobsOhio Vice President and Head of Economic Development Dana Saucier. “The Columbus Region’s strong financial services talent pool continues to grow, and those individuals will play a critical role in advancing Northwest Bank’s regional success.”
-END-
About Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania, Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWBI) is the 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, employee benefits and wealth management services, as well as the fulfillment of business and personal insurance needs. Northwest operates 172 full-service community banking offices and nine free standing drive-through facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. 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 on-line at www.northwest.com.
About the City of Columbus, Ohio
The City of Columbus is the 14th largest city in the United States with a population of 879,170 residents. The Columbus economy is balanced with a combination of education, technology, government, research, insurance and health care entities as major employers within the City. Columbus is gaining nationwide recognition for its booming downtown, historic neighborhoods, arts and sporting districts, open attitude and a noticeably affordable quality of life. Learn more about the City of Columbus at columbus.gov/development/Economic-Development.
About One Columbus
As the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, One Columbus’ mission is to lead a comprehensive regional growth strategy that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future, and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation throughout the Columbus Region. One Columbus expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the One Columbus team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
One Columbus Media Contact
Amy Harman
614-225-6070
ah@columbusregion.com
Northwest Bank Media Contact
Melanie Clabaugh
814-728-7328
melanie.clabaugh@northwest.com