First Midwest Bank Launches First Midwest Equipment Finance

ITASCA, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 9, 2015) - First Midwest Bank announced today the launch of First Midwest Equipment Finance. First Midwest Equipment Finance represents a re-brand of National Machine Tool Financial Corporation, a leasing company that First Midwest Bank acquired in 2014. First Midwest Equipment Finance provides equipment leasing and financing alternatives to traditional bank financing.

"We are extremely pleased that the National Machine Tool team has joined First Midwest Bank, adding equipment leasing to our commercial product offerings. Over the past 30 years, this team has built a solid reputation and a strong business predominantly operating in the manufacturing and industrial equipment leasing and finance markets," said Mark G. Sander, President of First Midwest Bank. He continued, "We are providing the necessary momentum to expand this business by integrating our commercial leasing operations under the First Midwest name, which will enable us to leverage our sales platforms and enhance client relationships."

"Joining First Midwest Bank has been a great opportunity for us, and the launch of First Midwest Equipment Finance will allow us to further build the Bank's leasing operations," said Chris J. Chiappetta, President of First Midwest Equipment Finance. "We will continue to utilize the well-known National Machine Tool brand in addition to the First Midwest Equipment Finance name," added Chiappetta.

About First Midwest Bank

First Midwest Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Itasca-based First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBI), is the premier relationship-based banking organization in the Chicago banking market, with assets of approximately $9.4 billion. First Midwest Bank provides a full range of business, middle market and retail banking and wealth management services through more than 100 offices located in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, central and western Illinois and eastern Iowa.