Northwest Bank

Industry Sector: Financial Services

Northwest is a full-service financial institution headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, offering a complete line of personal and business banking propducts including loans, employee benefits, investment management services, retirement plans, and trust services. Northwest operates 134 full-service community banking offices and eight free-standing drive-through facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana.

Since 1896, Northwest has served over 700,000 customers across the country, the company is dedicated to making a difference in the places it does business, from Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains to the vibrant neighborhoods of Columbus, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh, to the Indiana heartland. Northwest employees lead and volunteer for causes and projects that are meaningful to them, making a positive impact in their communities and their business.

Northwest Bank was ranked Highest Customer Satisfaction with Retail Banking and Most Trusted Retail Bank in Pennsylvania by J.D. Power in 2021 and was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Banks.

Doing what’s right for people and the community has been at the heart of what Northwest Bank stands for. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and responsible business principles help the company fulfill its shared purpose to create opportunities and empower employees to pave the way for a better tomorrow. Northwest Bank’s community development efforts include donating millions of dollars each year to communities to support job creation, affordable housing, and other services in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, as well as nurturing dreams of prosperity for those who need it most through community lending programs.

In 2022, Northwest Bank committed $250 million to a loan fund for small business, commercial loans, and home mortgages for the low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in the Columbus region, to support economic development in historically disinvested communities.

Ohio’s highly diversified economy gives financial services companies the foundation to succeed.

With a high concentration of financial services companies operating across the state, the advancement of fintech through research, technology, and innovation makes Ohio an ideal home for financial services and financial technology companies that are shaping the future.

World-leading insurance and financial institutions including Progressive Insurance, KeyBank, Huntington, and Fifth Third Bank, as well as industry-disrupting fintech companies including Klarna, Root Insurance, and Alliance Data call Ohio home. These and other financial services companies can hire sophisticated tech talent to help power fintech innovations in rising Ohio cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, which are consistently ranked among the best cities for young professionals and tech talent.

Ohio has also earned a reputation for insurtech innovation, thanks to its leadership in insurance and financial services. Ohio has the tech talent, venture capital, and business-friendly climate to support insurtech companies.

Northwest Bank looked to JobsOhio and its regional partner OneColumbus to help move its headquarters to the Buckeye State’s capital city from Pennsylvania. 

In 2021, the new holding company headquarters (Northwest Bancshares, Inc.) opened in Columbus near its existing mortgage fulfillment center, positioning Northwest as a major player and progressive competitor in the national financial services market.

Northwest cited Central Ohio’s rich financial services talent pool and strategic location in the heart of its operating footprint as the driving factors in its decision to call Ohio home. Its location in Columbus, occupying 19,000 square feet of office space, also enhances the bank’s strategy of attracting and retaining top financial services talent, the company said. 

Northwest Bank President and CEO, Ron Seiffert, noted Ohio’s central location to its operating footprint as a main factor in relocating the company’s headquarters to Columbus. “Relocating our holding company headquarters to Columbus is an integral component of our plan to continue providing best-in-class service and access to our customers, support the livelihood and wellbeing of our employees and their families, contribute to the growth of our local businesses and economies and give back to community organizations that make a difference in the lives of others.”

Collaboration between JobsOhio, One Columbus, the city of Columbus, and the Ohio Development Services Agency has helped Northwest Bank, between relocating its headquarters to Columbus as well as acquiring MutualFirst Financial.

With grant assistance from JobsOhio, Northwest is on its way to creating nearly 60 jobs and has gone above and beyond on its performance metrics established by JobsOhio.  

Financial and insurance-related activities comprise the top sector of economic output in the Columbus Region. Companies ranging from Huntington Bancshares and JPMorgan Chase & Co. to Nationwide and State Farm benefit from the Columbus Region’s continuous growth and skilled talent pool. 

Ohio’s workforce is educated, committed, skilled, and productive.

Ohio recognizes the importance of continued investment to drive economic prosperity, stimulate funding, and create high-quality jobs. People from across the nation are finding the career they want and the lifestyle they deserve in Ohio.

JobsOhio supports local Ohioans with job opportunities and businesses by connecting with local talent in Ohio. To explore career opportunities with Northwest Bank and other major businesses in Ohio, visit https://www.northwest.bank/careers/ and Find Your Ohio.

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