First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Announces 2016 First Quarter Results

ITASCA, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 19, 2016) - First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "First Midwest") (NASDAQ: FMBI), the holding company of First Midwest Bank (the "Bank"), today reported results of operations and financial condition for the first quarter of 2016. Net income for the first quarter of 2016 was $18.0 million, or $0.23 per share. This compares to $19.9 million, or $0.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2015, and $16.3 million, or $0.21 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2015. Performance for the first quarter of 2016 and fourth quarter of 2015 were impacted by acquisition and integration related pre-tax expenses of $5.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively. In addition, property valuation pre-tax adjustments of $8.6 million were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 as a result of strategic branch initiatives. Excluding these expenses, earnings per share was $0.27 for the first quarter of 2016 compared to $0.26 for the first quarter of 2015 and $0.29 for the fourth quarter of 2015.

SELECT FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Increased earnings per share to $0.27, up 4% from the first quarter of 2015, excluding acquisition and integration related expenses.
  
  
• Expanded net interest margin to 3.66%, up 7 basis points, and period end interest-earning assets, up 10%, from the fourth quarter 2015.
  
  
• Grew fee-based revenues to $34 million, an increase of 17% from the first quarter of 2015 and consistent with the fourth quarter of 2015.
  
  
• Increased total loans to $7.8 billion, up 15% from March 31, 2015 and 9% from December 31, 2015.
  
  
• Reduced non-performing assets to $69 million, down 15% from March 31, 2015.
  
  
• Decreased net loan charge-offs to average loans, annualized, to 22 basis points for the first quarter of 2016, down 56% from the first quarter of 2015.
  
  
• Consummated The National Bank & Trust Company of Sycamore transaction on March 8, 2016, adding $680 million in assets and $700 million in trust assets under management.
  
  

"Performance for the quarter was solid, reflecting consistent execution across our business lines," said Michael L. Scudder, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. "Our core earnings per share improved by 4% to $0.27 as compared to first quarter 2015, benefiting from earning asset and revenue growth as well as controlled operating expenses. Our acquisition of The National Bank & Trust Company of Sycamore significantly strengthened our balance sheet and expanded our wealth management presence, further adding to our underlying business momentum."

Mr. Scudder concluded, "A broadly slowing global economy has added uncertainty to market expectations as to the size and pace of further changes in interest rates. Against this backdrop, our priorities remain focused on strengthening our lines of business and efficiently growing and diversifying revenues. As we look ahead, we remain focused on helping our clients achieve financial success. It is this relationship centered focus combined with our strong capital foundation that leaves us well positioned to pursue opportunities to grow and perform for our shareholders."

RECENT EVENTS

The National Bank & Trust Company of Sycamore

On March 8, 2016, the Company consummated the acquisition of NI Bancshares Corporation ("NI Bancshares"), the holding company for The National Bank & Trust Company of Sycamore. With the acquisition, the Company obtained ten banking offices in northern Illinois, and added approximately $400 million in loans and $600 million in deposits. In addition, the Company acquired over $700 million in trust assets under management, which increased the Company's trust assets under management by approximately 10%. The merger consideration totaled $70.1 million and consisted of $54.9 million in Company common stock and $15.2 million in cash. The conversion of operating systems is substantially complete.

OPERATING PERFORMANCE

Net Interest Income and Margin Analysis

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

				Quarters Ended
				March 31, 2016									December 31, 2015									March 31, 2015
				Average Balance			Interest Earned/ Paid				Yield/Rate (%)		Average Balance			Interest Earned/ Paid				Yield/Rate (%)		Average Balance			Interest Earned/ Paid				Yield/Rate (%)
Assets:
Other interest-earning assets				$	241,645		$	342			0.57		$	587,112		$	530			0.36		$	522,232		$	398			0.31
Securities (1)					1,495,462			9,998			2.67			1,260,167			9,855			3.13			1,218,117			10,411			3.42
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") and Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB") stock					39,773			159			1.60			38,926			371			3.81			37,822			357			3.78
Loans (1)(2)					7,346,035			79,356			4.34			7,013,586			76,405			4.32			6,740,399			74,186			4.46
	Total interest-earning assets (1)				9,122,915			89,855			3.96			8,899,791			87,161			3.89			8,518,570			85,352			4.06
Cash and due from banks					133,268									131,589									124,730
Allowance for loan and covered loan losses					(75,654	)								(74,823	)								(73,484	)
Other assets					876,316									865,873									891,925
		Total assets		$	10,056,845								$	9,822,430								$	9,461,741
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Interest-bearing core deposits (3)				$	4,607,738			948			0.08		$	4,471,645			930			0.08		$	4,313,802			927			0.09
Time deposits					1,183,463			1,437			0.49			1,152,895			1,341			0.46			1,266,562			1,598			0.51
Borrowed funds					303,232			1,316			1.75			167,120			1,250			2.97			127,571			18			0.06
Senior and subordinated debt					201,253			3,133			6.26			201,168			3,134			6.18			200,910			3,144			6.35
	Total interest-bearing liabilities				6,295,686			6,834			0.44			5,992,828			6,655			0.44			5,908,845			5,687			0.39
Demand deposits (3)					2,463,017									2,560,604									2,312,431
	Total funding sources				8,758,703									8,553,432									8,221,276
Other liabilities					119,554									114,492									125,703
Stockholders' equity - common					1,178,588									1,154,506									1,114,762
		Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	10,056,845								$	9,822,430								$	9,461,741
Tax-equivalent net interest income/margin (1)								83,021			3.66						80,506			3.59						79,665			3.79
Tax-equivalent adjustment								(2,307	)								(2,494	)								(2,883	)
	Net interest income (GAAP)						$	80,714								$	78,012								$	76,782

(1)	Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 35%. This non-GAAP financial measure assists management in comparing revenue from both taxable and tax-exempt sources. The corresponding income tax impact related to tax-exempt items is recorded in income tax expense. These adjustments have no impact on net income.
(2)	Includes loans acquired through Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC")-assisted transactions subject to loss sharing agreements ("covered loans"), which totaled $28.4 million, $30.8 million, and $62.8 million at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015, respectively.
(3)	See the Deposit Composition table for further average balance detail by category.

For the first quarter of 2016, total average interest-earning assets rose $223.1 million from the fourth quarter of 2015 and $604.3 million from the first quarter of 2015. The increase from both prior periods was driven by organic loan growth, purchased securities, and assets acquired in the NI Bancshares transaction during first quarter of 2016.

Average funding sources increased by $205.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2015 and $537.4 million from the first quarter of 2015. Compared to both prior periods presented, the increase resulted primarily from deposits acquired from both the NI Bancshares transaction late in the first quarter of 2016 and the Peoples Bancorp, Inc. ("Peoples") transaction late in the fourth quarter of 2015, and the addition of $262.5 million of FHLB advances during the first quarter of 2016.

Tax-equivalent net interest margin for the current quarter was 3.66%, growing 7 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2015 and decreasing 13 basis points from the first quarter of 2015. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, the increase in tax-equivalent net interest margin was due primarily to the reinvestment of other interest-earning assets into higher yielding loans and securities. Tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased compared to the first quarter of 2015 due primarily to lower accretion on acquired loans, lower covered loan income, and the continued shift to floating rate loans, which more than offset the redeployment of other interest-earning assets into higher yielding loans and securities.

Net interest income increased by 3.5% and 5.1% from the fourth and first quarters of 2015, respectively, reflecting the increase in average loans of 4.7% and 9.0% from the same periods, respectively.

Acquired loan accretion contributed $1.4 million, $1.3 million, and $2.3 million to net interest income for the first quarter of 2016, the fourth quarter of 2015, and the first quarter of 2015, respectively.

Fee-based Revenues and Total Noninterest Income Analysis
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
			Quarters Ended									March 31, 2016 Percent Change from
			March 31,  2016			December 31,  2015			March 31,  2015			December 31,  2015			March 31,  2015
Service charges on deposit accounts			$	9,473		$	10,303		$	9,271		(8.1	)		2.2
Wealth management fees				7,559			7,493			7,014		0.9			7.8
Card-based fees				6,718			6,761			6,402		(0.6	)		4.9
Merchant servicing fees				3,028			2,929			2,665		3.4			13.6
Mortgage banking income				1,368			1,777			1,123		(23.0	)		21.8
Other service charges, commissions, and fees				5,448			4,664			2,166		16.8			151.5
	Total fee-based revenues			33,594			33,927			28,641		(1.0	)		17.3
Other income				1,445			1,729			1,948		(16.4	)		(25.8	)
Net securities gains				887			822			512		7.9			73.2
	Total noninterest income		$	35,926		$	36,478		$	31,101		(1.5	)		15.5

Total fee-based revenues of $33.6 million decreased 1.0% from the fourth quarter of 2015 and grew 17.3% compared to the first quarter of 2015, reflecting growth across all categories. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, growth in income resulted primarily from the sales of capital market products within other service charges, commissions, and fees and from services provided to customers acquired from the NI Bancshares transaction late in the first quarter of 2016. These increases were offset by the normal seasonal decline in service charges on deposit accounts and the reduction in mortgage banking income.

Continued sales of fiduciary and investment advisory services to new and existing customers drove the rise in wealth management fees compared to the first quarter of 2015. In addition, the NI Bancshares transaction, which added approximately $700.0 million in trust assets under management, contributed approximately $260,000 to wealth management fees in the first quarter of 2016.

Mortgage banking income resulted from sales of $38.7 million of 1-4 family mortgage loans in the secondary market during the first quarter of 2016, compared to $51.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $34.5 million in the first quarter of 2015.

The increases in other service charges, commissions, and fees compared to both prior periods presented were primarily due to the sales of capital market products to commercial clients. Gains realized on the sale of equipment financing contracts originated by First Midwest Equipment Finance also drove the increase compared to the first quarter of 2015.

Total noninterest income of $35.9 million was consistent with the fourth quarter of 2015 and increased 15.5% from the first quarter of 2015.

Noninterest Expense Analysis
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
					Quarters Ended									March 31, 2016 Percent Change from
					March 31,  2016			December 31,  2015			March 31,  2015			December 31,  2015		March 31,  2015
Salaries and employee benefits:
	Salaries and wages				$	36,296		$	34,295		$	32,794		5.8		10.7
	Retirement and other employee benefits.					8,298			8,925			7,922		(7.0	)	4.7
		Total salaries and employee benefits				44,594			43,220			40,716		3.2		9.5
Net occupancy and equipment expense						9,697			9,256			10,436		4.8		(7.1	)
Professional services						5,920			6,117			5,109		(3.2	)	15.9
Technology and related costs						3,701			3,694			3,687		0.2		0.4
Merchant card expense						2,598			2,495			2,197		4.1		18.3
Advertising and promotions						1,589			2,211			1,223		(28.1	)	29.9
Cardholder expenses						1,359			1,329			1,268		2.3		7.2
Net other real estate owned ("OREO") expense						664			926			1,204		(28.3	)	(44.9	)
Other expenses						7,447			7,525			6,817		(1.0	)	9.2
	Total noninterest expense excluding certain significant transactions (1)					77,569			76,773			72,657		1.0		6.8
Acquisition and integration related expenses						5,020			1,389			--		261.4		N/M
Property valuation adjustments						--			8,581			--		N/M		--
			Total noninterest expense		$	82,589		$	86,743		$	72,657		(4.8	)	13.7
Efficiency ratio (2)						64.8	%		65.1	%		64.5	%

N/M - Not meaningful.

(1)	In management's view, total noninterest expense excluding certain significant transactions are meaningful to the Company, as well as analysts and investors, in assessing the Company's operating expenses and facilitating comparisons with the prior periods presented.
(2)	The efficiency ratio expresses noninterest expense, excluding OREO expense, as a percentage of tax-equivalent net interest income plus total fee-based revenues, other income, and tax-equivalent adjusted bank-owned life insurance ("BOLI") income. In addition, acquisition and integration related expenses of $5.0 million are excluded from the efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2016. For the fourth quarter of 2015, property valuation adjustments of $8.6 million and acquisition and integration related expenses of $1.4 million are excluded from the efficiency ratio. See the accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliations for details on the calculation of the efficiency ratio.

Total noninterest expense increased by 1.0% from the fourth quarter of 2015 and 6.8% compared to the first quarter of 2015, excluding acquisition and integration related expenses and property valuation adjustments. The increase compared to the first quarter of 2015 was driven primarily by salaries and employee benefits and professional services costs associated with merit increases and organizational growth needs, as well as the acquisitions of Peoples and NI Bancshares.

Compared to both prior periods presented, total noninterest expense was impacted by the costs of operating the 10 banking locations acquired in the NI Bancshares transaction late in the first quarter of 2016, and the full quarter impact of the 2 banking locations acquired in the Peoples transaction late in the fourth quarter of 2015. These costs primarily occurred within salaries and employee benefits expense and other expenses.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, property valuation adjustments of $8.6 million were recognized on twelve closed branches and seven parcels of land as part of the Company's strategic branch initiatives.

LOAN PORTFOLIO AND ASSET QUALITY

Loan Portfolio Composition

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

				As Of															March 31, 2016 Percent Change From
				March 31, 2016
				Legacy			Acquired (1)			Total			December 31, 2015			March 31, 2015			December 31, 2015			March 31, 2015
Commercial and industrial				$	2,584,800		$	49,591		$	2,634,391		$	2,524,726		$	2,318,058		4.3			13.6
Agricultural					393,131			29,100			422,231			387,440			368,836		9.0			14.5
Commercial real estate:
	Office, retail, and industrial.				1,457,692			108,703			1,566,395			1,395,454			1,443,562		12.2			8.5
	Multi-family				520,277			41,788			562,065			528,324			560,800		6.4			0.2
	Construction				258,546			2,197			260,743			216,882			191,104		20.2			36.4
	Other commercial real estate				977,335			82,967			1,060,302			931,190			881,026		13.9			20.3
		Total commercial real estate			3,213,850			235,655			3,449,505			3,071,850			3,076,492		12.3			12.1
		Total corporate loans			6,191,781			314,346			6,506,127			5,984,016			5,763,386		8.7			12.9
Home equity					668,527			14,644			683,171			653,468			599,543		4.5			13.9
1-4 family mortgages					370,457			20,430			390,887			355,854			285,758		9.8			36.8
Installment					167,578			46,401			213,979			137,602			92,834		55.5			130.5
		Total consumer loans			1,206,562			81,475			1,288,037			1,146,924			978,135		12.3			31.7
Covered loans					28,391			--			28,391			30,775			62,830		(7.7	)		(54.8	)
		Total loans		$	7,426,734		$	395,821		$	7,822,555		$	7,161,715		$	6,804,351		9.2			15.0

(1)	Amount represents loans acquired in the NI Bancshares transaction which was completed late in the first quarter of 2016.

Excluding loans acquired in the NI Bancshares transaction of $395.8 million, total loans grew by 3.7% from December 31, 2015 and 9.1% from March 31, 2015. Compared to December 31, 2015, loan growth was driven primarily by strong sales production from the corporate and consumer lending teams. Overall, the mix of loans remained consistent with both prior periods presented.

Compared to both prior periods presented, growth in corporate loans reflects the strong sales performance across diversified commercial real estate categories, as well as the continued expansion into select sector-based lending areas such as healthcare, structured finance, asset-based lending, and equipment financing. The rise in consumer loans compared to both prior periods presented reflects the continued expansion of online installment lending channels, as well as the addition of shorter-duration, floating rate home equity loans and 1-4 family mortgages.

Asset Quality
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
			As of												March 31, 2016 Percent Change from
			March 31,  2016				December 31,  2015				March 31,  2015				December 31, 2015			March 31, 2015
Asset quality, excluding covered loans and covered OREO
Non-accrual loans			$	31,383			$	28,875			$	48,077			8.7			(34.7	)
90 days or more past due loans				5,483				2,883				3,564			90.2			53.8
	Total non-performing loans			36,866				31,758				51,641			16.1			(28.6	)
Accruing troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs")				2,702				2,743				3,581			(1.5	)		(24.5	)
OREO				29,238				27,349				26,042			6.9			12.3
	Total non-performing assets		$	68,806			$	61,850			$	81,264			11.2			(15.3	)
30-89 days past due loans			$	29,826			$	16,329			$	18,631
Non-accrual loans to total loans				0.40	%			0.40	%			0.71	%
Non-performing loans to total loans				0.47	%			0.45	%			0.77	%
Non-performing assets to total loans plus OREO				0.88	%			0.86	%			1.20	%
Allowance for Credit Losses
Allowance for loan losses			$	77,150			$	73,630			$	70,990
Reserve for unfunded commitments				1,225				1,225				1,816
	Total allowance for credit losses		$	78,375			$	74,855			$	72,806
Allowance for credit losses to total loans (1)				1.00	%			1.05	%			1.07	%
Allowance for credit losses to loans, excluding acquired loans				1.11	%			1.11	%			1.19	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans, excluding covered loans				244.74	%			253.57	%			139.62	%

(1)

This ratio includes acquired loans that are recorded at fair value through an acquisition adjustment, which incorporates credit risk as of the acquisition date with no allowance for credit losses being established at that time. As the acquisition adjustment is accreted into income over future periods, an allowance for credit losses on acquired loans is established as necessary to reflect credit deterioration.

Total non-performing assets represented 0.88% of total loans and OREO at March 31, 2016, consistent with 0.86% at December 31, 2015 and down from 1.20% at March 31, 2015.

Loans 30-89 days past due to total loans was 0.38% at March 31, 2016 compared to 0.23% and 0.28% at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively. The increase in loans 30-89 days past due compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 was driven primarily by normal fluctuations and loans acquired in the NI Bancshares transaction that are currently in the process of renewal.

Charge-Off Data
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
				Quarters Ended
				March 31,  2016				% of Total		December 31,  2015				% of Total			March 31,  2015				% of Total
Net loan charge-offs (1):
	Commercial and industrial			$	1,396			34.3		$	1,781			52.8			$	6,657			80.6
	Agricultural				--			--			--			--				--			--
	Office, retail, and industrial				421			10.3			267			7.9				(166	)		(2.0	)
	Multi-family				179			4.4			(27	)		(0.8	)			24			0.3
	Construction				111			2.7			105			3.2				(17	)		(0.2	)
	Other commercial real estate				1,294			31.8			110			3.3				1,051			12.7
	Consumer				672			16.5			1,134			33.6				479			5.8
	Covered				--			--			--			--				228			2.8
		Total net loan charge-offs		$	4,073			100.0		$	3,370			100.0			$	8,256			100.0
Net loan charge-offs to average loans, annualized					0.22	%					0.19	%						0.50	%

(1)	Amounts represent charge-offs, net of recoveries.

DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO
Deposit Composition
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
				Average for Quarters Ended									March 31, 2016 Percent Change from
				March 31,  2016			December 31,  2015			March 31,  2015			December 31, 2015			March 31, 2015
Demand deposits				$	2,463,017		$	2,560,604		$	2,312,431		(3.8	)		6.5
Savings deposits					1,575,174			1,483,962			1,426,546		6.1			10.4
NOW accounts					1,448,666			1,411,425			1,365,494		2.6			6.1
Money market accounts					1,583,898			1,576,258			1,521,762		0.5			4.1
	Core deposits				7,070,755			7,032,249			6,626,233		0.5			6.7
Time deposits and other					1,183,463			1,152,895			1,266,562		2.7			(6.6	)
		Total deposits		$	8,254,218		$	8,185,144		$	7,892,795		0.8			4.6

Average core deposits of $7.1 billion for the first quarter of 2016 increased by 0.5% and 6.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2015, respectively. The rise in average core deposits compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 resulted primarily from $443.1 million in core deposits assumed in the NI Bancshares transaction, which contributed $110.0 million to average core deposits as the transaction was completed late in the first quarter of 2016. This increase more than offset the normal seasonal decline in commercial deposits. Compared to the first quarter of 2015, the rise in average core deposits was driven by growth, the NI Bancshares transaction, and the full quarter impact of deposits assumed in the December of 2015 Peoples acquisition.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Capital Ratios
			As of
			March 31,  2016			December 31,  2015			March 31,  2015
Company regulatory capital ratios:
	Total capital to risk-weighted assets		10.64	%		11.15	%		11.23	%
	Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		9.81	%		10.28	%		10.35	%
	Tier 1 common capital to risk-weighted assets		9.30	%		9.73	%		9.79	%
	Tier 1 leverage to average assets		9.56	%		9.40	%		9.32	%
Company tangible common equity ratios (1)(2):
	Tangible common equity to tangible assets		8.25	%		8.59	%		8.54	%
	Tangible common equity, excluding other comprehensive loss, to tangible assets		8.39	%		8.89	%		8.68	%
	Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets		9.04	%		9.29	%		9.51	%

(1)	Ratio is not subject to formal Federal Reserve regulatory guidance.
(2)	Tangible common equity ("TCE") represents common stockholders' equity less goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. In management's view, Tier 1 common capital and TCE measures are meaningful to the Company, as well as analysts and investors, in assessing the Company's use of equity and in facilitating comparisons with competitors. See the accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliations for details of the calculation of these ratios.

Compared to both prior year periods presented, the Company's regulatory capital ratios related to end-of-period risk-weighted assets decreased due to organic loan growth and the NI Bancshares acquisition completed late in the first quarter of 2016.

The Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share during the first quarter of 2016, which is consistent with the quarterly dividend paid to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2015 and follows a dividend increase from $0.08 to $0.09 per common share during the first quarter of 2015.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the Company's results, outlook, and related matters will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. (ET). Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (877) 507-0639 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 317-6003 (International) and ask for the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Earnings Conference Call. The number should be dialed 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. There is no charge to access the call. The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelations. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the Company's website or by dialing (877) 344-7529 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (International) conference ID 10084141 beginning one hour after completion of the live call until 9:00 A.M. (ET) on April 28, 2016. Please direct any questions regarding obtaining access to the conference call to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Investor Relations, via e-mail, at investor.relations@firstmidwest.com.

Press Release and Additional Information Available on Website

This press release and the accompanying unaudited Selected Financial Information are available through the "Investor Relations" section of First Midwest's website at www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "might," "will," "would," "should," "could," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "probable," "potential," "possible," "target," "continue," "look forward," or "assume" and words of similar import. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management's beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management's control. It is possible that actual results and events may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or events indicated in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and we caution you not to place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect new information or events or conditions after the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements may be deemed to include, among other things, statements relating to our future financial performance, the performance of our loan or securities portfolio, the expected amount of future credit reserves or charge-offs, corporate strategies or objectives, anticipated trends in our business, regulatory developments, acquisition transactions, including estimated synergies, cost savings and financial benefits of pending or consummated transactions, and growth strategies, including possible future acquisitions. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. For a discussion of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should refer to the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as our subsequent filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, these risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Other sections of such reports describe additional factors that could adversely impact our business and financial performance.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

The Company's accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and general practice within the banking industry. As a supplement to GAAP, the Company provides non-GAAP performance results, which the Company believes are useful because they assist investors in assessing the Company's operating performance. Although intended to enhance investors' understanding of the Company's business and performance, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP. See the following reconciliations for details on the calculation of these measures to the extent presented herein.

About the Company

First Midwest is a relationship-focused financial institution and one of the largest independent bank holding companies based in the Midwest. First Midwest's principal subsidiary, First Midwest Bank, and its affiliates provide a full range of commercial, retail, wealth management, trust, and private banking products and services through over 110 locations in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa. First Midwest's website is www.firstmidwest.com.

Accompanying Unaudited Selected Financial Information

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited) (Dollar amounts in thousands)
				As of
				March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2015			June 30, 2015			March 31, 2015
Period-End Balance Sheet
Assets
Cash and due from banks				$	135,049		$	114,587		$	125,279		$	135,546		$	126,450
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks					171,312			266,615			822,264			811,287			492,607
Trading securities, at fair value					17,408			16,894			17,038			18,172			18,374
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value					1,625,579			1,306,636			1,151,418			1,142,407			1,151,603
Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost					21,051			23,152			23,723			24,292			25,861
FHLB and FRB stock					40,916			39,306			38,748			38,748			38,748
Loans:
	Commercial and industrial				2,634,391			2,524,726			2,392,860			2,366,056			2,318,058
	Agricultural				422,231			387,440			393,732			377,410			368,836
	Commercial real estate:
		Office, retail, and industrial			1,566,395			1,395,454			1,414,077			1,432,502			1,443,562
		Multi-family			562,065			528,324			539,308			557,947			560,800
		Construction			260,743			216,882			192,086			190,970			191,104
		Other commercial real estate			1,060,302			931,190			869,748			871,119			881,026
	Home equity				683,171			653,468			647,223			599,320			599,543
	1-4 family mortgages				390,887			355,854			294,261			283,562			285,758
	Installment				213,979			137,602			131,185			113,382			92,834
	Covered loans				28,391			30,775			51,219			57,917			62,830
		Total loans			7,822,555			7,161,715			6,925,699			6,850,185			6,804,351
Allowance for loan losses					(77,150	)		(73,630	)		(72,500	)		(71,463	)		(70,990	)
	Net loans				7,745,405			7,088,085			6,853,199			6,778,722			6,733,361
OREO					29,649			27,782			32,035			28,230			33,351
Premises, furniture, and equipment, net					141,323			122,278			127,443			128,621			128,698
Investment in BOLI					218,873			209,601			208,666			207,814			207,190
Goodwill and other intangible assets					369,979			339,277			331,250			332,223			333,202
Accrued interest receivable and other assets					212,378			178,463			203,983			216,965			209,151
	Total assets			$	10,728,922		$	9,732,676		$	9,935,046		$	9,863,027		$	9,498,596
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Noninterest-bearing deposits				$	2,627,530		$	2,414,454		$	2,671,793		$	2,508,316		$	2,339,492
Interest-bearing deposits					6,153,288			5,683,284			5,624,657			5,704,355			5,575,187
	Total deposits				8,780,818			8,097,738			8,296,450			8,212,671			7,914,679
Borrowed funds					387,411			165,096			169,943			189,036			131,200
Senior and subordinated debt					201,293			201,208			201,123			201,039			200,954
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities					134,835			122,366			119,861			135,324			135,813
Stockholders' equity					1,224,565			1,146,268			1,147,669			1,124,957			1,115,950
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity			$	10,728,922		$	9,732,676		$	9,935,046		$	9,863,027		$	9,498,596
Stockholders' equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI")				$	1,239,606		$	1,174,657		$	1,163,487		$	1,146,189		$	1,128,755
Stockholders' equity, common					1,224,565			1,146,268			1,147,669			1,124,957			1,115,950

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (Dollar amounts in thousands)
					Quarters Ended
					March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2015			June 30, 2015			March 31, 2015
Income Statement
Interest income					$	87,548		$	84,667		$	84,292		$	84,556		$	82,469
Interest expense						6,834			6,655			6,390			5,654			5,687
	Net interest income					80,714			78,012			77,902			78,902			76,782
Provision for loan losses						7,593			4,500			4,100			6,000			6,552
			Net interest income after provision for loan losses			73,121			73,512			73,802			72,902			70,230
Noninterest Income
		Service charges on deposit accounts				9,473			10,303			10,519			9,886			9,271
		Wealth management fees				7,559			7,493			7,222			7,433			7,014
		Card-based fees				6,718			6,761			6,868			6,953			6,402
		Merchant servicing fees				3,028			2,929			3,207			2,938			2,665
		Mortgage banking income				1,368			1,777			1,402			1,439			1,123
		Other service charges, commissions, and fees				5,448			4,664			3,900			2,924			2,166
			Total fee-based revenues			33,594			33,927			33,118			31,573			28,641
		Other income				1,445			1,437			1,372			1,900			1,948
		Net securities gains				887			822			524			515			512
		Gains on sales of properties				--			292			--			--			--
			Total noninterest income			35,926			36,478			35,014			33,988			31,101
Noninterest Expense
	Salaries and employee benefits:
		Salaries and wages				36,296			34,295			33,554			33,096			32,794
		Retirement and other employee benefits				8,298			8,925			7,807			7,198			7,922
			Total salaries and employee benefits			44,594			43,220			41,361			40,294			40,716
		Net occupancy and equipment expense				9,697			9,256			9,406			9,622			10,436
		Professional services				5,920			6,117			6,172			5,322			5,109
		Technology and related costs				3,701			3,694			3,673			3,527			3,687
		Merchant card expense				2,598			2,495			2,722			2,472			2,197
		Advertising and promotions				1,589			2,211			1,828			2,344			1,223
		Cardholder expenses				1,359			1,329			1,354			1,292			1,268
		Net OREO expense				664			926			1,290			1,861			1,204
		Other expenses				7,447			7,525			6,559			6,717			6,817
		Acquisition and integration related expenses				5,020			1,389			--			--			--
		Property valuation adjustments				--			8,581			--			--			--
			Total noninterest expense			82,589			86,743			74,365			73,451			72,657
		Income before income tax expense				26,458			23,247			34,451			33,439			28,674
		Income tax expense				8,496			6,923			11,167			10,865			8,792
			Net income		$	17,962		$	16,324		$	23,284		$	22,574		$	19,882
Net income applicable to common shares					$	17,750		$	16,145		$	23,058		$	22,325		$	19,654
Net income applicable to common shares, excluding certain significant transactions (1)					$	20,762		$	22,127		$	23,058		$	22,325		$	19,654

Footnotes to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(1)	Certain significant transactions include acquisition and integration related expenses associated with completed and pending acquisitions and property valuation adjustments related to strategic branch initiatives.

Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	As of or for the
	Quarters Ended
	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2015			June 30, 2015			March 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") (1)	$	0.23		$	0.21		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.26
Diluted EPS (1)	$	0.23		$	0.21		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.26
Diluted EPS, excluding certain significant transactions (1) (6)	$	0.27		$	0.29		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.26
Common Stock and Related Per Common Share Data
Book value	$	15.06		$	14.70		$	14.72		$	14.43		$	14.31
Tangible book value	$	10.51		$	10.35		$	10.47		$	10.17		$	10.04
Dividends declared per share	$	0.09		$	0.09		$	0.09		$	0.09		$	0.09
Closing price at period end	$	18.02		$	18.43		$	17.54		$	18.97		$	17.37
Closing price to book value		1.2			1.3			1.2			1.3			1.2
Period end shares outstanding		81,298			77,952			77,942			77,961			77,957
Period end treasury shares		9,976			10,276			10,286			10,267			10,271
Common dividends	$	7,228		$	7,017		$	7,014		$	7,022		$	7,011
Key Ratios/Data
Return on average common equity (1) (2)		6.06	%		5.55	%		8.06	%		7.97	%		7.15	%
Return on average tangible common equity (1) (2)		8.87	%		8.06	%		11.68	%		11.62	%		10.52	%
Return on average tangible common equity, excluding certain significant transactions (1) (2) (6)		10.32	%		10.94	%		11.68	%		11.62	%		10.52	%
Return on average assets (2)		0.72	%		0.66	%		0.94	%		0.94	%		0.85	%
Efficiency ratio (1)		64.82	%		65.11	%		63.20	%		61.70	%		64.46	%
Net interest margin (3)		3.66	%		3.59	%		3.58	%		3.76	%		3.79	%
Loans to deposits		89.09	%		88.44	%		83.48	%		83.41	%		85.97	%
Yield on average interest-earning assets (3)		3.96	%		3.89	%		3.86	%		4.02	%		4.06	%
Cost of funds		0.44	%		0.44	%		0.42	%		0.38	%		0.39	%
Net noninterest expense to average assets		1.90	%		2.08	%		1.60	%		1.66	%		1.80	%
Effective income tax rate		32.11	%		29.78	%		32.41	%		32.50	%		30.66	%
Capital Ratios
Total capital to risk-weighted assets (1)		10.64	%		11.15	%		11.43	%		11.37	%		11.23	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (1)		9.81	%		10.28	%		10.55	%		10.49	%		10.35	%
Tier 1 common capital to risk-weighted assets (CET1) (1)		9.30	%		9.73	%		10.00	%		9.93	%		9.79	%
Tier 1 leverage to average assets (1)		9.56	%		9.40	%		9.29	%		9.34	%		9.32	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)		8.25	%		8.59	%		8.50	%		8.32	%		8.54	%
Tangible common equity, excluding AOCI, to tangible assets (1)		8.39	%		8.89	%		8.67	%		8.54	%		8.68	%
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets (1)		9.04	%		9.29	%		9.70	%		9.55	%		9.51	%
Note: Selected Financial Information footnotes are located at the end of this section.

Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
			As of or for the
			Quarters Ended
			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,
			2016			2015			2015			2015			2015
Asset Quality Performance Data
Non-performing assets(4)
Commercial and industrial			$	5,364		$	5,587		$	6,438		$	11,100		$	12,913
Agricultural				295			355			112			317			358
Commercial real estate:
	Office, retail, and industrial			10,910			6,875			6,961			12,599			11,363
	Multi-family			410			796			1,046			1,287			700
	Construction			778			905			3,332			4,940			7,488
	Other commercial real estate			5,555			5,611			5,898			5,513			5,915
Consumer				8,071			8,746			8,521			9,253			9,340
	Total non-accrual loans			31,383			28,875			32,308			45,009			48,077
90 days or more past due loans				5,483			2,883			4,559			2,744			3,564
	Total non-performing loans			36,866			31,758			36,867			47,753			51,641
Accruing troubled debt restructurings				2,702			2,743			2,771			3,067			3,581
Other real estate owned				29,238			27,349			31,129			24,471			26,042
	Total non-performing assets		$	68,806		$	61,850		$	70,767		$	75,291		$	81,264
30-89 days past due loans (4)			$	29,826		$	16,329		$	28,629		$	28,625		$	18,631
Allowance for credit losses
Allowance for loan losses			$	75,582		$	71,992		$	68,384		$	66,602		$	65,311
Allowance for covered loan losses				1,568			1,638			4,116			4,861			5,679
Reserve for unfunded commitments				1,225			1,225			1,225			1,816			1,816
Total allowance for credit losses			$	78,375		$	74,855		$	73,725		$	73,279		$	72,806
Provision for loan losses			$	7,593		$	4,500		$	4,100		$	6,000		$	6,552
Net charge-offs by category
Commercial and industrial			$	1,396		$	1,781		$	1,601		$	3,273		$	6,657
Agricultural				--			--			--			--			--
Commercial real estate:
	Office, retail, and industrial			421			267			457			1,862			(166	)
	Multi-family			179			(27	)		67			466			24
	Construction			111			105			(114	)		(188	)		(17	)
	Other commercial real estate			1,294			110			92			(603	)		1,051
Consumer				672			1,134			959			432			479
Covered loans				--			--			1			285			228
		Total net charge-offs	$	4,073		$	3,370		$	3,063		$	5,527		$	8,256
Total recoveries included above			$	1,116		$	1,031		$	1,294		$	2,579		$	1,797
Note: Selected Financial Information footnotes are located at the end of this section.

Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
		As of or for the
		Quarters Ended
		March 31,		December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
		2016		2015		2015		2015		2015
Asset Quality ratios(4)
Non-accrual loans to total loans		0.40	%	0.40	%	0.47	%	0.66	%	0.71	%
Non-performing loans to total loans		0.47	%	0.45	%	0.54	%	0.70	%	0.77	%
Non-performing assets to total loans plus OREO		0.88	%	0.86	%	1.02	%	1.10	%	1.20	%
Non-performing assets to tangible common equity plus allowance for credit losses		7.39	%	7.03	%	7.99	%	8.74	%	9.56	%
Non-accrual loans to total assets		0.29	%	0.30	%	0.33	%	0.46	%	0.51	%
Allowance for credit losses and net charge-off ratios
Allowance for credit losses to total loans (5)		1.00	%	1.05	%	1.06	%	1.07	%	1.07	%
Allowance for credit losses to loans, excluding acquired loans		1.11	%	1.11	%	1.14	%	1.16	%	1.19	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans (4)		244.74	%	253.57	%	215.45	%	152.01	%	139.62	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans (4)		208.34	%	230.55	%	188.81	%	143.27	%	129.99	%
Net charge-offs to average loans (2)		0.22	%	0.19	%	0.18	%	0.33	%	0.50	%

Footnotes to Selected Financial Information
(1)	See the Non-GAAP Reconciliations section for detailed calculation.
(2)	Annualized based on the actual number of days for each period presented.
(3)	Tax equivalent basis reflects federal and state tax benefits.
(4)	Excludes covered loans and covered OREO.
(5)	This ratio includes acquired loans that are recorded at fair value through an acquisition adjustment, which incorporates credit risk, as of the acquisition date with no allowance for credit losses being established at that time. As the acquisition adjustment is accreted into income over future periods, an allowance for credit losses is established on acquired loans as necessary to reflect credit deterioration.
(6)	Certain significant transactions include acquisition and integration related expenses associated with completed and pending acquisitions and property valuation adjustments related to strategic branch initiatives.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
				Quarters Ended
				March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,
				2016			2015			2015			2015			2015
Earnings Per Share
Net income				$	17,962		$	16,324		$	23,284		$	22,574		$	19,882
Net income applicable to non-vested restricted shares					(212	)		(179	)		(226	)		(249	)		(228	)
	Net income applicable to common shares				17,750			16,145			23,058			22,325			19,654
Tax-equivalent acquisition and integration related expenses (2)					3,012			833			--			--			--
Tax-equivalent property valuation adjustments (2)					--			5,149			--			--			--
	Net income applicable to common shares, excluding certain significant transactions (1)			$	20,762		$	22,127		$	23,058		$	22,325		$	19,654
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic)				77,980			77,121			77,106			77,089			76,918
	Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents				12			13			13			12			12
		Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding			77,992			77,134			77,119			77,101			76,930
Basic EPS				$	0.23		$	0.21		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.26
Diluted EPS				$	0.23		$	0.21		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.26
Diluted EPS, excluding certain significant transactions (1)				$	0.27		$	0.29		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.26
Anti-dilutive shares not included in the computation of diluted EPS					608			735			751			768			948
Efficiency Ratio Calculation
Noninterest expense				$	82,589		$	86,743		$	74,365		$	73,451		$	72,657
Less:											--
	Net OREO expense				(664	)		(926	)		(1,290	)		(1,861	)		(1,204	)
	Acquisition and integration related expenses				(5,020	)		(1,389	)		--			--			--
	Property valuation adjustments				--			(8,581	)		--			--			--
		Total		$	76,905		$	75,847		$	73,075		$	71,590		$	71,453
Tax-equivalent net interest income (2)				$	83,021		$	80,506		$	80,511		$	81,595		$	79,665
Fee-based revenues					33,594			33,927			33,118			31,573			28,641
Add:
	Other income, excluding BOLI income				579			515			446			446			1,065
	Tax-adjusted BOLI (BOLI/.6)				1,443			1,537			1,543			2,423			1,472
		Total		$	118,637		$	116,485		$	115,618		$	116,037		$	110,843
Efficiency ratio					64.82	%		65.11	%		63.20	%		61.70	%		64.46	%
Tax Equivalent Net Interest Income
Net interest income				$	80,714		$	78,012		$	77,902		$	78,902		$	76,782
Tax-equivalent adjustment					2,307			2,494			2,609			2,693			2,883
	Tax-equivalent net interest income (2)			$	83,021		$	80,506		$	80,511		$	81,595		$	79,665
Note: Non-GAAP Reconciliations footnotes are located at the end of this section.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
			As of or for the
			Quarters Ended
			March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2015			June 30, 2015			March 31, 2015
Risk-Based Capital Data
Common stock			$	913		$	882		$	882		$	882		$	882
Additional paid-in capital				493,153			446,672			445,037			443,558			441,689
Retained earnings				964,250			953,516			944,209			927,939			912,387
Treasury stock, at cost				(218,710	)		(226,413	)		(226,641	)		(226,190	)		(226,203	)
Goodwill and other intangible assets				(357,895	)		(327,115	)		(318,854	)		(319,243	)		(319,635	)
Disallowed deferred tax assets				(2,956	)		(1,902	)		(2,889	)		(3,046	)		(3,354	)
	Common equity Tier 1 capital			878,755			845,640			841,744			823,900			805,766
Trust-preferred securities				50,690			50,690			50,690			50,690			50,690
Other disallowed deferred tax assets				(1,970	)		(2,868	)		(4,334	)		(4,568	)		(5,030	)
	Tier 1 capital			927,475			893,462			888,100			870,022			851,426
Tier 2 capital				78,375			74,855			73,725			73,279			72,806
	Total capital		$	1,005,850		$	968,317		$	961,825		$	943,301		$	924,232
Risk-weighted assets			$	9,452,551		$	8,687,864		$	8,414,729		$	8,296,679		$	8,229,627
Adjusted average assets			$	9,700,671		$	9,501,087		$	9,559,796		$	9,318,347		$	9,134,320
Total capital to risk-weighted assets				10.64	%		11.15	%		11.43	%		11.37	%		11.23	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets				9.81	%		10.28	%		10.55	%		10.49	%		10.35	%
Tier 1 common capital to risk-weighted assets				9.30	%		9.73	%		10.00	%		9.93	%		9.79	%
Tier 1 leverage to average assets				9.56	%		9.40	%		9.29	%		9.34	%		9.32	%
Tangible Common Equity
Stockholders' equity			$	1,224,565		$	1,146,268		$	1,147,669		$	1,124,957		$	1,115,950
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets				(369,979	)		(339,277	)		(331,250	)		(332,223	)		(333,202	)
	Tangible common equity			854,586			806,991			816,419			792,734			782,748
Less: AOCI				15,041			28,389			15,818			21,232			12,805
	Tangible common equity, excluding AOCI		$	869,627		$	835,380		$	832,237		$	813,966		$	795,553
Total assets			$	10,728,922		$	9,732,676		$	9,935,046		$	9,863,027		$	9,498,596
Less: goodwill and other intangible assets				(369,979	)		(339,277	)		(331,250	)		(332,223	)		(333,202	)
	Tangible assets		$	10,358,943		$	9,393,399		$	9,603,796		$	9,530,804		$	9,165,394
Tangible common equity to tangible assets				8.25	%		8.59	%		8.50	%		8.32	%		8.54	%
Tangible common equity, excluding AOCI, to tangible assets				8.39	%		8.89	%		8.67	%		8.54	%		8.68	%
Tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets				9.04	%		9.29	%		9.70	%		9.55	%		9.51	%
Note: Non-GAAP Reconciliations footnotes are located at the end of this section.

Non-GAAP Reconciliations (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
			As of or for the
			Quarters Ended
			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,
			2016			2015			2015			2015			2015
Return on Average Common and Tangible Common Equity
Net income applicable to common shares			$	17,750		$	16,145		$	23,058		$	22,325		$	19,654
Intangibles amortization				985			971			973			978			998
Tax-equivalent adjustment of intangibles amortization				(394	)		(388	)		(389	)		(391	)		(399	)
	Net income applicable to common shares, excluding intangibles amortization			18,341			16,728			23,642			22,912			20,253
Tax-equivalent acquisition and integration related expenses (2)				3,012			833			--			--			--
Tax-equivalent property valuation adjustments (2)				--			5,149			--			--			--
	Net income applicable to common shares, excluding intangibles amortization and certain significant transactions (1)		$	21,353		$	22,710		$	23,642		$	22,912		$	20,253
Average stockholders' equity			$	1,178,588		$	1,154,506		$	1,134,967		$	1,123,530		$	1,114,762
Less: average intangible assets				(346,549	)		(331,013	)		(331,720	)		(332,694	)		(333,684	)
	Average tangible common equity		$	832,039		$	823,493		$	803,247		$	790,836		$	781,078
Return on average common equity (3)				6.06	%		5.55	%		8.06	%		7.97	%		7.15	%
Return on average tangible common equity (3)				8.87	%		8.06	%		11.68	%		11.62	%		10.52	%
Return on average tangible common equity, excluding certain significant transactions (1) (3)				10.32	%		10.94	%		11.68	%		11.62	%		10.52	%

Footnotes to Non-GAAP Reconciliations
(1)	Certain significant transactions include acquisition and integration related expenses associated with completed and pending acquisitions and property valuation adjustments related to strategic branch initiatives.
(2)	Tax equivalent basis reflects federal and state tax benefits.
(3)	Annualized based on the actual number of days for each period presented.