Northwest Bancshares names president and CEO

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest Bank, with branches throughout Central Pennsylvania, have appointed Louis J. Torchio president and CEO of both companies.  

Torchio joined Northwest Bank in 2018, most recently serving as senior executive vice president, Retail Lending and Business Banking.  

 Torchio brings more than 31 years of experience in the banking industry to his position. Prior to joining Northwest, he held senior leadership and executive committee positions at both large regional and community banks, including the former Charter One Bank, Bank One and Mellon Bank.  

At Northwest Bank, Torchio led the transformation and scaling of the residential lending and indirect lending groups, which generated significant fee income and balance sheet growth, the company said. He also launched an initiative to further develop and expand the business banking and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending divisions. 

 Torchio is a graduate of Fairmont State University where he earned degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science. In addition, he earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Services Management at Franklin University.  

Also, effective immediately, William W. Harvey, Jr., who served as interim president and CEO since the passing of Northwest’s Chairman, President, and CEO Ronald J. Seiffert on May 24, has been named COO in addition to his responsibilities as CFO.  He will continue in this capacity. Harvey has been employed by Northwest Bank since 1996.  

Both Torchio and Harvey have been appointed to the Northwest Bancshares, Inc., and Northwest Bank board of directors.  

Timothy Fannin, who has served as interim chairman of the board of Northwest Bancshares, Inc., and Northwest Bank since the passing of Seiffert, will continue in the role as chairman of the board.