-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EcEOna/kzGFfzIil6HHoJhrfOYoB9vBXF8yef0lz9m6A5DUmMP8DwfCXkrzmyfFI
 F1YlhxAmq72164sfQv7Xtg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001279504-04-000001.txt : 20040211
<SEC-HEADER>0001279504-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040211
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040211112345
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001279504-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040211

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECHTOLD MARK C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001279504

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23129-33
		FILM NUMBER:		04584504

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		99 HYFIELD LANE
		CITY:			JEFFERSON
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03583

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHWAY FINANCIAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001041753
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				043368379
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9 MAIN ST
		CITY:			BERLIN
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03750
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6037521171

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9 MAIN ST
		CITY:			BERLIN
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03750
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-02</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001041753</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHWAY FINANCIAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NWFI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001279504</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BECHTOLD MARK C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>99 HYFIELD LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>JEFFERSON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>03583</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP/Sr HR Leadership Dev Off.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Deborah A. Hodgdon, POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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