First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

______________


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008


or

[ ]

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _________ to __________.


Commission File Number 0-10967

_______________

FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)


36-3161078
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

One Pierce Place, Suite 1500
Itasca, Illinois 60143-9768
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

_______________


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (630) 875-7450


______________


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ].

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ].

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X].

As of November 7, 2008, there were 48,589,831 shares of $.01 par value common stock outstanding.

1


FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS



Page

Part I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

*4

Consolidated Statements of Income

*5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity

*6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

*7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

*8

     

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

*17

     

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

*37

     

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

*38

     

Part II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

*38

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

*39

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

*39

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

*39

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

*39

Item 5.

Other Information

*39

Item 6.

Exhibits

*40

 

2


First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Itasca, Illinois with operations throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area as well as central and western Illinois. Our principal subsidiary is First Midwest Bank, which provides a broad range of commercial and retail banking services to consumer, commercial and industrial, and public or governmental customers. We are committed to meeting the financial needs of the people and businesses in the communities where we live and work by providing customized banking solutions, quality products, and innovative services that truly fulfill those financial needs.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and we make this information available free of charge on or through the investor relations section of our web site at www.firstmidwest.com/aboutinvestor_overview.asp. The following documents are also posted on our web site or are available in print upon the request of any stockholder to our Corporate Secretary:

* Certificate of Incorporation

* Company By-laws

* Charters for our Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees

* Related Person Transaction Policies and Procedures

* Corporate Governance Guidelines

* Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct (the "Code"), which governs our directors, officers, and employees

* Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers.

Within the time period required by the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market, we will post on our web site any amendment to the Code and any waiver applicable to any executive officer, director, or senior financial officer (as defined in the Code). In addition, our web site includes information concerning purchases and sales of our securities by our executive officers and directors, as well as any disclosure relating to certain non-GAAP financial measures (as defined in the SEC's Regulation G) that we may make public orally, telephonically, by webcast, by broadcast, or by similar means from time to time.

Our Corporate Secretary can be contacted by writing to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois 60143, Attn: Corporate Secretary. The Company's Investor Relations Department can be contacted by telephone at (630) 875-7463 or by e-mail at investor.relations@firstmidwest.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

We include in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and from time to time our management may make, statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only management's beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside our control. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are reasonable, it is possible that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in such statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report, or when made.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions and may include projections relating to our future financial performance including our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. For a detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, you should refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, including the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in Part II Item 1A of this report and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations," as well as our subsequent periodic and current reports filed with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive however. Other sections of this report describe additional factors that could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, and we do not intend to do so.

3


PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Amounts in thousands)

September 30,
2008

December 31,
2007

(Unaudited)

Assets

Cash and due from banks

$

126,073

$

193,792

Federal funds sold and other short-term investments

564

1,045

Mortgages held for sale

-

394

Trading account securities

15,252

18,352

Securities available-for-sale, at fair value

2,024,881

2,080,046

Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost

85,982

97,671

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost

54,767

54,767

Loans

5,223,582

4,963,672

Reserve for loan losses

(69,811)

(61,800)

Net loans

5,153,771

4,901,872

Premises, furniture, and equipment

120,592

125,828

Accrued interest receivable

46,431

48,971

Investment in bank owned life insurance

207,390

203,535

Goodwill

262,886

262,195

Other intangible assets

22,757

26,040

Other assets

125,309

77,010

Total assets

$

8,246,655

$

8,091,518

Liabilities

Demand deposits

$

1,056,905

1,064,684

Savings deposits

758,422

798,361

NOW accounts

919,519

889,760

Money market deposits

728,021

829,226

Time deposits

2,195,417

2,196,830

Total deposits

5,658,284

5,778,861

Borrowed funds

1,554,703

1,264,228

Subordinated debt

232,442

230,082

Accrued interest payable

13,674

16,843

Other liabilities

68,643

77,529

Total liabilities

7,527,746

7,367,543

Stockholders' Equity

Preferred stock, no par value; 1,000 shares authorized, none issued

-

-

Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; issued 61,326
shares; outstanding: September 30, 2008 - 48,590 shares
December 31, 2007 - 48,453 shares

613

613

Additional paid-in capital

207,503

207,851

Retained earnings

875,947

844,972

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(51,807)

(11,727)

Treasury stock, at cost: September 30, 2008 - 12,736 shares
December 31, 2007 - 12,873 shares

(313,347)

(317,734)

Total stockholders' equity

718,909

723,975

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

8,246,655

$

8,091,518

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4


FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

2008

2007

Interest Income

Loans

$

74,929

$

93,020

$

231,082

$

277,372

Securities available-for-sale

25,072

25,118

75,507

78,841

Securities held-to-maturity

1,068

1,171

3,358

3,620

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock

329

533

999

1,704

Federal funds sold and other short-term investments

88

248

328

813

Total interest income

101,486

120,090

311,274

362,350

Interest Expense

Deposits

25,574

41,949

87,820

125,669

Borrowed funds

9,451

13,680

30,776

43,392

Subordinated debt

3,703

3,764

11,094

11,258

Total interest expense

38,728

59,393

129,690

180,319

Net interest income

62,758

60,697

181,584

182,031

Provision for loan losses

13,029

470

27,869

5,191

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

49,729

60,227

153,715

176,840

Noninterest Income

Service charges on deposit accounts

11,974

11,959

33,781

33,029

Trust and investment advisory fees

3,818

3,934

11,710

11,640

Other service charges, commissions, and fees

4,834

5,601

14,292

16,859

Card-based fees

4,141

4,054

12,275

11,946

Bank owned life insurance income

1,882

2,023

6,489

5,916

Securities (losses) gains, net

(1,746)

(5,165)

(1,396)

(760)

Other

(1,209)

989

(1,015)

4,088

Total noninterest income

23,694

23,395

76,136

82,718

Noninterest Expense

Salaries and wages

20,805

21,381

59,972

64,840

Retirement and other employee benefits

6,191

5,973

19,582

19,072

Net occupancy expense

5,732

5,686

17,411

16,574

Equipment expense

2,484

2,580

7,502

7,796

Technology and related costs

1,990

1,767

5,581

5,324

Professional services

2,516

2,366

7,421

6,687

Advertising and promotions

1,133

1,950

3,883

4,503

Merchant card expense

1,949

1,842

5,375

5,120

Other expenses

5,636

6,436

20,997

18,957

Total noninterest expense

48,436

49,981

147,724

148,873

Income before income tax expense

24,987

33,641

82,127

110,685

Income tax expense

796

6,404

5,901

25,108

Net income

$

24,191

$

27,237

$

76,226

$

85,577

Per Share Data

Basic earnings per share

$

0.50

$

0.55

$

1.57

$

1.73

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.50

$

0.55

$

1.57

$

1.71

Cash dividends per share

$

0.310

$

0.295

$

0.930

$

0.885

Weighted average shares outstanding

48,470

49,134

48,454

49,554

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

48,556

49,447

48,573

49,915

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

5


FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

Common
Shares
Outstanding

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income

Treasury
Stock

Total

Balance at January 1, 2007

50,025

$

613

$

205,044

$

823,787

$

(15,288)

$

(263,142)

$

751,014

Cumulative-effect for change in
accounting for purchases of life
insurance policies

-

-

-

(209)

-

-

(209)

Adjusted balance at January 1, 2007

50,025

613

205,044

823,578

(15,288)

(263,142)

750,805

Comprehensive Income:

Net income

-

-

-

85,577

-

-

85,577

Other comprehensive loss: (1)

Unrealized losses on securities

-

-

-

-

(21,084)

-

(21,084)

Other activities

-

-

-

-

(13)

-

(13)

Total comprehensive income

64,480

Dividends declared ($0.885 per share)

-

-

-

(43,720)

-

-

(43,720)

Purchase of treasury stock

(1,470)

-

-

-

-

(52,199)

(52,199)

Share-based compensation expense

-

-

2,817

-

-

-

2,817

Exercise of stock options and restricted
stock activity

183

-

(919)

-

-

6,751

5,832

Treasury stock (purchased for) issued to benefit plans

(3)

-

9

-

-

(96)

(87)

Balance at September 30, 2007

48,735

$

613

$

206,951

$

865,435

$

(36,385)

$

(308,686)

$

727,928


Balance at January 1, 2008

48,453

$

613

$

207,851

$

844,972

$

(11,727)

$

(317,734)

$

723,975

Comprehensive Income:

Net income

-

-

-

76,226

-

-

76,226

Other comprehensive loss: (1)

Unrealized losses on securities

-

-

-

-

(40,080)

-

(40,080)

Total comprehensive income

36,146

Dividends declared ($0.930 per share)

-

-

-

(45,251)

-

-

(45,251)

Purchase of treasury stock

(4)

-

-

-

-

(137)

(137)

Share-based compensation expense

-

-

2,916

-

-

-

2,916

Exercise of stock options and restricted
stock activity

145

-

(3,242)

-

-

4,564

1,322

Treasury stock (purchased for) issued to benefit plans

(4)

-

(22)

-

-

(40)

(62)

Balance at September 30, 2008

48,590

$

613

$

207,503

$

875,947

$

(51,807)

$

(313,347)

$

718,909

(1)

Net of taxes and reclassification adjustments.

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

6


FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

104,949

$

34,125

Investing Activities

Securities available-for-sale:

Proceeds from maturities, repayments, and calls

226,231

231,469

Proceeds from sales

226,315

335,744

Purchases

(463,298)

(83,367)

Securities held-to-maturity:

Proceeds from maturities, repayments, and calls

40,870

30,165

Purchases

(29,117)

(31,603)

Net (increase) decrease in loans

(302,029)

66,361

Proceeds from claims on bank owned life insurance

2,634

887

Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned

3,628

3,647

Proceeds from sales of premises, furniture, and equipment

720

1,034

Purchases of premises, furniture, and equipment

(3,957)

(9,044)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(298,003)

545,293

Financing Activities

Net decrease in deposit accounts

(120,577)

(333,041)

Net increase (decrease) in borrowed funds

290,475

(183,766)

Purchases of treasury stock

(137)

(52,199)

Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock

(62)

-

Cash dividends paid

(45,208)

(44,100)

Exercise of stock options and restricted stock activity

411

4,365

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options and release of restricted stock awards

(48)

346

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

124,854

(608,395)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(68,200)

(28,977)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

194,837

214,906

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

126,637

$

185,929

Supplemental Disclosures:

Noncash transfers of loans to foreclosed real estate

$

22,261

$

4,962

Dividends declared but unpaid

15,088

14,399

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

7


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and do not include certain information and footnote disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for complete annual financial statements. Accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K ("2007 10-K").

The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current period presentation. U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be materially different from these estimates.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Fair Value Measurements: Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements ("SFAS No. 157"), which, upon adoption, replaced various definitions of fair value in existing accounting literature with a single definition, established a framework for measuring fair value, and required additional disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever an entity is measuring fair value under other accounting standards that require or permit fair value measurement. To clarify the application of SFAS No. 157 in inactive markets, on October 10, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position ("FSP") No. FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active. Specifically, the FSP addresses the use of broker quotes and pricing services and how an entity's own input assumptions (such as discount rates used in cash flow projections) should be considered when measuring fair value when relevant observable market data does not exist. While SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008 and for non-financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2009, the FSP to address fair value measurements for inactive markets was effective on issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements had not been issued. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 and the FSP during the third quarter of 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. Refer to Note 9, "Fair Value," for the Company's fair value measurement disclosures.

Fair Value Option: Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities ("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The fair value option is applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis, is irrevocable and can only be applied to an entire instrument and not to specified risks, specified cash flows, or portions of that instrument. Changes in fair value (i.e. unrealized gains and losses) on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date and upfront fees and costs related to those items will be recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. SFAS No. 159 also requires entities to provide additional information that would help users of the financial statements understand how changes in fair values affect current-period earnings. While the Company did not elect the fair value option on the adoption date, it may elect this guidance for financial assets and liabilities in the future as permitted under the statement. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008 did not have an impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements: Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements ("EITF 06-4"). The EITF is limited to the recognition of a liability and related compensation costs for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods. The effect of initially applying the guidance would be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings with the option of retrospective application. As the Company had already

8


followed the provisions of this statement, the adoption of EITF 06-4 on January 1, 2008 did not have an impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Business Combinations: In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations ("SFAS No. 141(R)"). SFAS No. 141(R) will significantly change how entities apply the acquisition method to business combinations. The most significant changes affecting how the Company will account for business combinations under this statement include: (a) the acquisition date will be the date the acquirer obtains control; (b) all (and only) identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests in the acquiree will be stated at fair value on the acquisition date; (c) assets or liabilities arising from noncontractual contingencies will be measured at their acquisition date fair value only if it is more likely than not that they meet the definition of an asset or liability on the acquisition date; (d) adjustments subsequently made to the provisional amounts recorded on the acquisition date will be made retroactively during a measurement period not to exceed one year; (e) acquisition-related restructuring costs that do not meet the criteria in SFAS No.146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, will be expensed as incurred; (f) transaction costs will be expensed as incurred, except for debt or equity issuance costs which will be accounted for in accordance with other generally accepted accounting principles; (g) reversals of deferred income tax valuation allowances and income tax contingencies will be recognized in earnings subsequent to the measurement period; and (h) the reserve for loan losses of an acquiree will not be permitted to be recognized by the acquirer. In addition, SFAS No. 141(R) will require new and modified disclosures surrounding subsequent changes to acquisition-related contingencies, contingent consideration, noncontrolling interests, acquisition-related transaction costs, fair values and cash flows not expected to be collected for acquired loans, and an enhanced goodwill rollforward. The Company will be required to prospectively apply SFAS No. 141(R) to all business combinations completed on or after January 1, 2009. Early adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) is not permitted, accordingly the Company will be required to record and disclose any business combinations in accordance with existing GAAP until January 1, 2009. The effect of these new requirements on the Company's financial position and results of operations will depend on the volume and terms of acquisitions in 2009 and beyond, but will likely increase the amount and change the timing of recognizing expenses related to acquisition activities.

Derivative Disclosures: In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment of SFAS No. 133 ("SFAS No. 161"), which requires an entity to provide greater transparency about how its derivative and hedging activities affect its financial statements. SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133; and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. Since SFAS No. 161 affects only disclosures, it will not impact the Company's financial position or results of operation upon adoption.

3. SECURITIES

Securities Portfolio
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

September 30, 2008

December 31, 2007

Amortized

Gross Unrealized

Fair

Amortized

Gross Unrealized

Fair

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Securities Available-
for-Sale

U.S. Treasury

$

902

$

3

$

-

$

905

$

1,027

$

2

$

(1)

$

1,028

U.S. Agency

1,999

3

-

2,002

41,895

597

-

42,492

Collateralized
mortgage
obligations

515,376

1,798

(6,827)

510,347

534,688

2,333

(2,221)

534,800

Other mortgage-
backed
securities

517,139

1,970

(3,068)

516,041

417,532

5,116

(2,328)

420,320

State and
municipal

926,519

1,987

(45,854)

882,652

961,638

7,728

(2,531)

966,835

Collateralized
debt
obligations

85,286

80

(14,000)

71,366

95,584

-

(13,954)

81,630

Other

50,973

26

(9,431)

41,568

35,295

34

(2,388)

32,941

Total

$

2,098,194

$

5,867

$

(79,180)

$

2,024,881

$

2,087,659

$

15,810

$

(23,423)

$

2,080,046

9


September 30, 2008

December 31, 2007

Amortized

Gross Unrealized

Fair

Amortized

Gross Unrealized

Fair

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Cost

Gains

Losses

Value

Securities Held-
to-Maturity

State and
municipal

$

85,982

$

211

$

-

$

86,193

$

97,671

$

260

$

-

$

97,931

Trading Securities

$

15,252

$

18,352

During the first nine months of 2008, the Company continued to closely monitor the fair value of the six asset-backed collateralized debt obligations that were subject to impairment charges in fourth quarter 2007 and recorded additional non-cash impairment charges on these securities of $2.3 million in first quarter 2008, $6.0 million in second quarter 2008, and $1.8 million in third quarter 2008. The carrying value of these securities was zero at September 30, 2008.

At September 30, 2008, gross unrealized gains in the securities available-for-sale portfolio totaled $5.9 million, and gross unrealized losses totaled $79.2 million, resulting in a net unrealized depreciation of $73.3 million. The unrealized loss on securities in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months totaled $50.2 million. Management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of September 30, 2008 represented an other-than-temporary impairment. The Company has both the intent and ability to hold the securities with unrealized losses for a period of time necessary to recover the amortized cost, or to maturity.

Trading securities held by the Company represent diversified investment securities held in a grantor trust under deferred compensation arrangements in which plan participants may direct amounts earned to be invested in securities other than Company stock. Net trading (losses) gains, representing changes in fair value of the portfolio, included in other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income totaled ($1.8) million in third quarter 2008 and $226,000 in third quarter 2007. Trading (losses) gains totaled ($3.2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

4. LOANS

Loan Portfolio
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

September 30,
2008

December 31,
2007

Commercial and industrial

$

1,485,541

$

1,347,481

Agricultural

159,217

181,358

Real estate - office, retail, and industrial

1,092,268

942,065

Real estate - residential land and development

509,974

505,194

Real estate - multifamily

204,029

178,602

Real estate - other commercial real estate

1,021,662

1,024,490

Consumer

545,040

563,741

Real estate - 1-4 family

205,851

220,741

Total loans

$

5,223,582

$

4,963,672

Total loans reported are net of deferred loan fees of $9.6 million as of September 30, 2008 and $8.8 million as of December 31, 2007 and include overdrawn demand deposits totaling $11.9 million as of September 30, 2008 and $11.0 million as of December 31, 2007.

The Company primarily lends to small to mid-sized businesses and consumers in the market areas in which the Company operates. Within these areas, the Company diversifies its loan portfolio by loan type, industry, and borrower.

It is the Company's policy to review each prospective credit in order to determine the appropriateness and, when required, the adequacy of security or collateral to obtain prior to making a loan. In the event of borrower default, the Company seeks recovery in compliance with state lending laws and the Company's lending standards and credit monitoring procedures.

10


5. RESERVE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND IMPAIRED LOANS

Reserve for Loan Losses
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

2008

2007

Balance at beginning of period

$

66,104

$

62,391

$

61,800

$

62,370

Loans charged-off

(9,721)

(2,001)

(21,453)

(7,936)

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off

399

552

1,595

1,787

Net loans charged-off

(9,322)

(1,449)

(19,858)

(6,149)

Provision for loan losses

13,029

470

27,869

5,191

Balance at end of period

$

69,811

$

61,412

$

69,811

$

61,412

A portion of the Company's reserve for loan losses is allocated to loans deemed impaired. All impaired loans are included in nonperforming assets.

Impaired, Nonaccrual, and Past Due Loans
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

September 30,
2008

December 31,
2007

Impaired loans:

Impaired loans with valuation reserve required (1)

$

12,004

$

3,470

Impaired loans with no valuation reserve required

40,047

11,878

Total impaired loans

$

52,051

$

15,348

Nonperforming loans:

Impaired loans on nonaccrual

$

49,793

$

15,068

Other nonaccrual loans (2)

3,524

3,379

Total nonaccrual loans

$

53,317

$

18,447

Restructured loans

2,258

280

Total nonperforming loans

$

55,575

$

18,727

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

$

37,316

$

21,149

Valuation reserve related to impaired loans

4,327

1,757

(1)

These impaired loans require a valuation reserve because the estimated value of the loans is less than the recorded investment in the loans.

(2)

These loans are not considered for impairment since they are part of a small balance, homogeneous portfolio.

The average recorded investment in impaired loans was $25.7 million for the nine months ended 2008 and $12.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Interest income recognized on impaired loans was $53,000 for the nine months ended 2008 and $312,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Interest income recognized on impaired loans is recorded using the cash basis of accounting. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $659,000 of additional funds committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.

11


6. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

2008

2007

Net income

$

24,191

$

27,237

$

76,226

$

85,577

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic)

48,470

49,134

48,454

49,554

Dilutive effect of stock options

29

267

64

327

Dilutive effect of non-vested restricted stock awards

57

46

55

34

Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding

48,556

49,447

48,573

49,915

Basic earnings per share

$

0.50

$

0.55

$

1.57

$

1.73

Diluted earnings per share

0.50

0.55

1.57

1.71

7. PENSION PLAN

Net Periodic Benefit Pension Expense
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

2008

2007

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

Service cost

$

617

$

802

$

2,133

$

2,770

Interest cost

487

633

1,684

2,187

Expected return on plan assets

(609)

(792)

(2,106)

(2,735)

Recognized net actuarial loss

140

181

482

625

Amortization of prior service cost

1

1

2

3

Net periodic cost

$

636

$

825

$

2,195

$

2,850

The Company previously disclosed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in its 2007 10-K that it expected to contribute $5.0 million to its Pension Plan in 2008. Based on updated actuarial assumptions, the Company contributed $7.5 million to the Pension Plan in first quarter 2008.

8. COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES, AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Credit Extension Commitments and Guarantees

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into a variety of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers, to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, and to conduct lending activities. These instruments principally include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and commercial letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Condition.

Contractual or Notional Amounts of Financial Instruments
(Dollar amounts in thousands)


September 30,
2008

December 31,
2007

Commitments to extend credit:

Home equity lines

$

297,052

$

266,582

All other commitments

1,173,668

1,135,612

Letters of credit:

Standby

139,829

128,281

Commercial

508

427

Recourse on assets securitized

9,943

13,252

12


Standby and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party and are most often issued in favor of a municipality where construction is taking place to ensure the borrower adequately completes the construction. Commercial letters of credit are issued specifically to facilitate commerce and typically result in the commitment being drawn on when the underlying transaction is consummated between the customer and the third party. This type of letter of credit is issued through a correspondent bank on behalf of a customer who is involved in an international business activity such as the importing of goods.

The maximum potential future payments guaranteed by the Company under standby letters of credit arrangements are equal to the contractual amount of the commitment. The carrying value of the Company's standby letters of credit, which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Condition, totaled $703,000 as of September 30, 2008 and $669,000 as of December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2008, standby letters of credit had a remaining weighted-average term of approximately 10.8 months, with remaining actual lives ranging from less than 1 year to 6.8 years. If a commitment is funded, the Company may seek recourse through the liquidation of the underlying collateral provided including real estate, physical plant and property, marketable securities, or cash.

Pursuant to the securitization of certain 1-4 family mortgage loans in fourth quarter 2004, the Company is obligated by agreement to repurchase at recorded value any nonperforming loans, defined as loans past due greater than 90 days. During the nine-months ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased $686,000 of nonperforming loans and charged off $28,000 related to these loans. The aggregate outstanding balance of securitized loans subject to this recourse obligation was $9.9 million as of September 30, 2008 and $13.3 million as of December 31, 2007. Per its agreement, the Company's recourse obligations will end on November 30, 2011. The carrying value of the Company's recourse liability, which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Condition, totaled approximately $150,000 as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

Legal Proceedings

At September 30, 2008, there were certain legal proceedings pending against the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, arising from these proceedings, if any, would have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of September 30, 2008.

9. FAIR VALUE

The Company measures, monitors, and discloses certain of its assets and liabilities on a fair value basis. Fair value is used on a recurring basis to account for trading securities, securities available-for-sale, mortgage servicing rights, derivative assets, and derivative liabilities. In addition, fair value is used on a non-recurring basis to apply lower-of-cost-or-market accounting to foreclosed real estate; evaluate assets or liabilities for impairment, including collateral-dependent impaired loans, goodwill, and other intangibles; and for disclosure purposes. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Depending on the nature of the asset or liability, the Company uses various valuation techniques (e.g.. discounted cash flow analysis) and input assumptions when estimating fair value, all of which are in accordance with SFAS No. 157.

SFAS No. 157 requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Furthermore, SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels based on the reliability of the input assumptions. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to level 1 measurements and the lowest priority to level 3 measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

* Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.

* Level 2 - Observable inputs other than level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar instruments; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

* Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

13


The categorization of where an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Valuation Methodology

The following describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, including the general classification of the assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Trading Securities - Trading securities represent diversified investment securities held in a grantor trust under deferred compensation arrangements in which plan participants may direct amounts earned to be invested in securities other than Company common stock. Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in noninterest income. The fair value of trading securities is based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets and, therefore, is classified in level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

Securities Available-for-Sale - Substantially all available-for-sale securities are fixed income instruments that are not quoted on an exchange, but may be traded in active markets. The fair value of these securities is based on quoted market prices obtained from external pricing services or dealer market participants where trading in an active market exists. In obtaining such data from external pricing services, the Company has evaluated the methodologies used to develop the fair values in order to determine whether such valuations are representative of an exit price in the Company's principal markets. The Company's principal markets for its securities portfolio are the secondary institutional markets, with an exit price that is predominantly reflective of bid level pricing in those markets. Examples of such securities measured at fair value are U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, municipal bonds, collateralized mortgage obligations, and other mortgage-backed securities. These securities are generally classified in level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency for inputs to the valuation, securities are classified in level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. For instance, in the valuation of certain collateralized mortgage and debt obligations and high-yield debt securities, the determination of fair value may require benchmarking to similar instruments or analyzing default and recovery rates.

For asset-backed collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"), the Company obtained price information from third-party dealer quotes, as this level of evidence is the strongest support absent current market activity for the fair value of these securities. Due to the illiquidity in the secondary market for CDOs, especially since the disruption in the sub-prime credit markets, these fair value estimates cannot be directly corroborated by observable market data. However one can perform a reasonable analysis of cash flows and estimate attendant fair value as rating agency downgrades result in events of default of these assets in accordance with the individual trustee indentures. Therefore the asset-backed CDO securities were classified in level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Prior to September 30, 2008 the Company relied on third-party dealer quotes to establish fair value for trust-preferred collateralized debt obligations ("TRUPs"). These were classified in level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Due to the illiquidity in the secondary market for TRUPs, especially since the disruption in the credit markets, the Company enhanced its understanding of the information underlying the third-party dealer quotes and determined that these dealer quotes do not reflect the best estimate of fair value. Therefore the Company, with the assistance of a structured credit valuation firm, developed a valuation model to estimate the value of these securities.

The model has been validated through back testing. It relies on independently verifiable historical balance sheet data, empirical default data, equity volatility, and current market values to estimate the likelihood any entity comprising the collateral underlying the individual TRUP will default on its trust-preferred obligation. Using simulation techniques, cash flows are then projected for each entity's obligation under the TRUP and used to estimate the ultimate cash flow to the Company. These cash flows are then modeled and assigned based upon the contractual terms of the TRUP, discounted to their present values, and used to derive the estimated fair value of the individual TRUP.

The model is dependent upon the following key assumptions based on the Company's judgment regarding how a market participant would assess these:

* Estimated default rate - Based upon historical data obtained from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and outside sources, a target default level was developed as of the measurement date;

* Deferral of cash flows - A deferral of cash flow by any entity within the collateral pool is assumed to be a default;

* Equity volatility - Equity volatility is used to measure market risk over the life of the underlying entity's obligation based on a 6-year historical equity volatility period.

14


* Discount rate - The discount rate used for valuing cash flows was derived by the Company by first establishing the implied discount rate at a time when a relatively active market existed for such securities and adjusting it for an estimate of the additional risk premium currently demanded by market participants. The Company established that an active market existed during 2006 and the implied discount rate used by the market during that period was approximately the 3-month Treasury bill rate. Since that time the spread between the 3-month Treasury bill rate and the 3-month LIBOR rate has increased between 300 and 400 basis points. Given the most recent volatility in the market, the Company used the current 3-month Treasury bill rate plus 550 basis points as an estimate of the current discount rate.

These assumptions have a direct and significant impact on the resulting fair values. For instance, for every 100 basis points added or subtracted to the discount rate, the total fair value for the 7 TRUPs increases or decreases by approximately $7.5 million, respectively (approximately 9% of the $85 million par value). If an equity volatility period of 2 years is used, the total fair value of the 7 TRUPS would decrease by approximately $14 million (approximately 16% of the $85 million par value). The Company's current fair value for these securities in total is approximately 84% of par value, with the unrealized loss recorded as a component of "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)" in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity.

Certain securities available-for-sale are carried at cost, including other miscellaneous marketable equity securities. The carrying value of these cost investments approximates fair value.

Collateral-Dependent Impaired Loans - The carrying value of impaired loans is disclosed in Note 5, "Reserve for Loan Losses and Impaired Loans." The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, fair value adjustments are recorded on these loans to reflect (1) partial write-downs that are based on the current appraised or market-quoted value of the underlying collateral or (2) the full charge-off of the loan carrying value. In some cases, the properties for which market quotes or appraised values have been obtained are located in areas where comparable sales data is limited, outdated, or unavailable. Accordingly, fair value estimates, including those obtained from real estate brokers or other third-party consultants, for collateral-dependent impaired loans are classified in level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Mortgage Servicing Rights - The Company records its mortgage servicing rights at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets, an amendment of SFAS No. 140. Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices. Accordingly, the Company determines the fair value of mortgage servicing rights by estimating the present value of the future cash flows associated with the mortgage loans being serviced. Key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of mortgage servicing rights include prepayment speeds and discount rates. While market-based data is used to determine the input assumptions, the Company incorporates its own estimates of assumptions market participants would use in determining the fair value of mortgage servicing rights and classifies them in level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities - The interest rate swaps entered into by the Company are executed in the dealer market and priced based on market quotes obtained from the counterparty that transacted the derivative contract. The market quotes were developed by the counterparty using market observable inputs, which primarily include the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for swaps. As the fair value estimates for interest rate swaps are primarily based on LIBOR, which is a market observable input, derivatives are classified in level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. For its derivative assets and liabilities, the Company also considers nonperformance risk, including the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties, when evaluating whether the market quotes from the counterparty are representative of an exit price. The Company has a policy of executing derivative transactions only with counterparties above a certain credit rating. Credit risk is also mitigated through the pledging of collateral when certain thresholds are reached. The likelihood of the Company's default is considered remote and its credit rating has remained stable over the past recent history. For these reasons, nonperformance risk is considered extremely low and accordingly, any such credit risk adjustments to the Company's derivative assets and liabilities would be immaterial.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

The following table provides the hierarchy level and fair value for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value at September 30, 2008.

15


Fair Value Measurements
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

September 30, 2008

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

Significant
Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Assets:

Trading securities

$

15,252

$

-

$

-

$

15,252

Securities available-for-sale (1)

-

1,936,852

88,029

2,024,881

Mortgage servicing rights (2)

-

-

1,500

1,500

Total assets

$

15,252

$

1,936,852

$

89,529

$

2,041,633

Liabilities:

Derivative liabilities (2)

$

-

$

482

$

-

$

482

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis

Collateral-dependent impaired loans net of
reserve for loan losses (3)

$

-

$

-

$

3,227

$

3,227

(1)

Includes other miscellaneous marketable equity securities with an aggregate carrying value totaling $2.9 million that is assumed to approximate fair value.

(2)

Mortgage servicing rights are included in other assets, and derivative liabilities are included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

(3)

Represents the carrying value of loans for which adjustments are based on the appraised or market-quoted value of the collateral.

In accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, collateral-dependent impaired loans with a carrying value of $14.1 million, less transfers to foreclosed real estate of $5.2 million, were written down to their fair value of $3.2 million, resulting in a provision for loan losses of $5.7 million, which was included in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Fair Value For Those
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended
September 30, 2008

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008

Securities
Available-
For-Sale

Mortgage
Servicing
Rights

Securities
Available-
For-Sale

Mortgage
Servicing
Rights

Balance at beginning of period

$

77,959

$

1,632

$

110,496

$

1,877

Total gains (losses):

Included in earnings (1)

(1,794)

(132)

(8,631)

(377)

Included in other comprehensive income

12,398

-

(52)

-

Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements

(534)

-

(3,134)

-

Transfers out of Level 3 (2)

-

-

(10,650)

-

Balance at end of period

$

88,029

$

1,500

$

88,029

$

1,500

Change in unrealized losses in earnings relating to
assets and liabilities still held at end of period

$

(1,794)

$

-

$

(10,037)

$

-

(1)

Total gains and losses included in earnings for securities available-for-sale are reported in securities gains (losses), net, and gains and losses on mortgage servicing rights are reported in other service charges, commissions, and fees in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(2)

The transfer out of level 3 represents a single security that was manually priced using broker quotes (a level 3 input) at December 31, 2007, but valued by an external pricing service (a level 2 input) at September 30, 2008.

16


In the table above, the net losses recognized in earnings for securities available-for-sale represent additional non-cash impairment charges recognized during the periods in 2008 on certain asset-backed CDOs that were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, net of the gain realized on the sale of an asset-backed CDO previously written down.

10. INCOME TAXES

The Company's provision for income taxes includes both federal and state income tax expense. Following is an analysis of the provision for income taxes and the effective income tax rates for the periods presented.

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

2008

2007

Income before income tax expense

$

24,987

$

33,641

$

82,127

$

110,685

Income tax expense

796

6,404

5,901

25,108

Effective income tax rate

3.2%

19.0%

7.2%

22.7%

Federal effective income tax rate

11.1%

25.5%

16.8%

24.6%

State effective income tax rate, net of federal tax effect

(7.9%)

(6.5%)

(9.6%)

(1.9%)

The federal effective income tax rate and changes in that rate are greatly influenced by the amount of tax-exempt income derived from investment securities and bank owned life insurance ("BOLI"). The state effective income tax rate and changes in that rate are dependent upon Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa income tax rules relating to consolidated/combined reporting, sourcing of income and expense, and the amount of tax-exempt income derived from loans, investment securities, and BOLI. As a result of a favorable court decision and certain developments in pending tax audits, the Company increased the amount of benefit recognized with respect to certain previously identified uncertain tax positions under FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes ("FIN 48").

The increase in recognized tax benefit resulted in a $2.5 million reduction in tax expense during the quarter and is the primary reason for the decrease in effective income tax rate from 2007 to 2008.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The discussion presented below provides an analysis of our results of operations and financial condition for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. When we use the terms "First Midwest," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our," we mean First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries. When we use the term the "Bank," we are referring to our wholly-owned banking subsidiary, First Midwest Bank. Management's discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes presented elsewhere in this report, as well as in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K ("2007 10-K"). Results of operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. Unless otherwise stated, all earnings per share data included in this section and throughout the remainder of this discussion are presented on a diluted basis.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP") Capital Purchase Program

In response to the financial crises affecting the financial markets and the banking system, on October 3, 2008, the President signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 ("EESA"). Among other things, the EESA establishes a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program. Under the TARP, the United States Department of the Treasury ("Treasury") has authority, among other things, to purchase mortgages, mortgage-backed securities, capital stock, and other financial instruments from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets.

On October 14, 2008, the Treasury announced several initiatives under the TARP intended to help stabilize the banking industry, including a voluntary Capital Purchase Program ("CPP") designed to encourage qualifying financial institutions to

17


build capital. Under the CPP, the Treasury may purchase up to $250 billion of senior preferred shares from eligible financial institutions on standardized terms with attached warrants to purchase common stock.

The Company has recently received preliminary approval to issue to the Treasury up to $194 million of senior preferred shares, the maximum allowable under the CPP, and has until December 2, 2008 to effect such issuance. The issuance would bear an initial five-year dividend of 5%. Thereafter, the dividend would increase to 9%.

Proceeds from the issuance would further bolster the Company's already well-capitalized regulatory total capital ratio as of September 30, 2008, which stood at 12.04%, some $132 million in excess of required levels.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") Temporary Liquidity Guaranty Program ("TLGP")

The FDIC insures deposits at its insured financial institutions up to certain limits, charging institutions such as the Bank premiums to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund. The EESA includes a provision for an increase in the amount of deposits insured by the FDIC to $250,000 until December 31, 2009. Furthermore, in October 2008, the FDIC announced the TLGP under which a participating depository institution would be able to provide full deposit insurance coverage for non-interest bearing transaction accounts, regardless of dollar amount. Under the TLGP, insured depository institutions that participate will be subject to a 0.10% surcharge applied to non-interest bearing transaction deposit account balances in excess of $250,000, which surcharge will be added to the institution's existing risk-based deposit insurance assessments.

The TLGP also provides a three-year 100% guarantee of any newly issued senior unsecured debt that may be issued by the Company on or before June 30, 2009 (including promissory notes, commercial paper, inter-bank funding, and any unsecured portion of secured debt). The maximum amount of the potential Company debt that could be covered by this guarantee is approximately $518 million. An annualized fee equal to 75 basis points multiplied by the amount of debt issued under this program is imposed.

The Company has until December 5, 2008 to elect to participate in the TLGP.

 

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

General Overview

Our banking network provides a full range of business and retail banking and trust and advisory services through 98 banking offices, primarily in suburban metropolitan Chicago. The primary sources of our revenue are net interest income and fees from financial services provided to customers. Business volumes tend to be influenced by overall economic factors including market interest rates, business spending, consumer confidence, and competitive conditions within the marketplace.

18


Third Quarter 2008 vs. 2007

Table 1
Selected Financial Data (1)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

% Change

2008

2007

% Change

Operating Results

Interest income

$

101,486

$

120,090

(15.5)

$

311,274

$

362,350

(14.1)

Interest expense

38,728

59,393

(34.8)

129,690

180,319

(28.1)

Net interest income

62,758

60,697

3.4

181,584

182,031

(0.2)

Provision for loan losses

13,029

470

2,672.1

27,869

5,191

436.9

Fee-based revenues

24,767

25,548

(3.1)

72,058

73,474

(1.9)

Other noninterest income

673

3,012

(77.7)

5,474

10,004

(45.3)

Securities (losses) gains, net

(1,746)

(5,165)

(66.2)

(1,396)

(760)

83.7

Noninterest expense

48,436

49,981

(3.1)

147,724

148,873

(0.8)

Income before income tax expense

24,987

33,641

(25.7)

82,127

110,685

(25.8)

Income tax expense

796

6,404

(87.6)

5,901

25,108

(76.5)

Net income

$

24,191

$

27,237

(11.2)

$

76,226

$

85,577

(10.9)

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.50

$

0.55

(9.1)

$

1.57

$

1.71

(8.2)

Performance Ratios

Return on average equity

13.09%

14.57%

13.81%

15.18%

Return on average assets

1.16%

1.35%

1.24%

1.40%

Net interest margin - tax equivalent

3.63%

3.63%

3.58%

3.59%

September 30,
2008

December 31,
2007

September 30,
2007

9/30/08 $ Change From

12/31/07

9/30/07

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets

$

8,246,655

$

8,091,518

$

7,884,345

155,137

362,310

Total loans

5,223,582

4,963,672

4,931,472

259,910

292,110

Total deposits

5,658,284

5,778,861

5,834,175

(120,577)

(175,891)

(1)

All ratios are presented on an annualized basis.

Third quarter 2008 earnings per share were $0.50 compared with $0.55 for third quarter 2007. Actual results included noncore transactions consisting of net securities losses of $1.7 million and $5.2 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and the recognition of tax benefits of approximately $2.5 million for third quarter 2008 and $1.4 million for third quarter 2007.

Earnings per share were $1.57 and $1.71 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Likewise, these results included noncore transactions consisting of net securities losses of $1.4 million and $760,000 for 2008 and 2007, respectively, and the recognition of tax benefits of $9.3 million for 2008 and $1.4 million for 2007.

For further discussion of the noncore transactions, refer to the sections titled "Investment Portfolio Management" and "Income Taxes."

Income before income tax expense totaled $25.0 million for third quarter 2008 compared to $33.6 million for third quarter 2007, and $82.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to $110.7 million for the same period of 2007. The declines from 2007 were due primarily to higher provisions for loan losses.

Total loan balances at September 30, 2008 increased $292.1 million from a year ago and $259.9 million from December 31, 2007. The growth was substantially all in the commercial real estate and commercial and industrial lines.

19


The ratio of nonperforming assets plus loans past due 90 days as a percent of total loans plus foreclosed real estate was 2.22% at September 30, 2008 compared to 0.92% at December 31, 2007 and 0.77% at September 30, 2007. The increase is related primarily to loans to home builders and developers and reflects the impact of declining home prices on sales of new developments.

Net interest margin of 3.63% remained unchanged from third quarter 2007, despite the Federal Reserve's 325 basis point decrease in the federal funds rate over the past year, and declined only 1 basis point for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period of 2007. Third quarter and year-to-date 2008 net interest margins reflect our strong core deposit base and our ability to effectively manage our cost of funds.

The declines in fee-based revenues for the quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 from the same periods in 2007 were due primarily to the elimination of fees attendant to discontinuing both originating mortgages and the outsourcing of our cashier check balances. Operating efficiency remains solid with the efficiency ratio for third quarter 2008 at 50.3%, improved from 51.9% for third quarter 2007.

EARNINGS PERFORMANCE

Net Interest Income

Net interest income equals the difference between interest income plus fees earned on interest-earning assets and interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. The level of interest rates and the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impact net interest income. Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of total average interest-earning assets. The accounting policies underlying the recognition of interest income on loans, securities, and other interest-earning assets are included in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" contained in our 2007 10-K.

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and general practice within the banking industry. For purposes of this discussion, both net interest income and net interest margin have been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis to more appropriately compare the returns on certain tax-exempt loans and securities to those on taxable interest-earning assets. Although we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance investors' understanding of our business and performance, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP. The reconciliation of such adjustment is presented in the following table.

Table 2
Effect of Tax-Equivalent Adjustment
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

% Change

2008

2007

% Change

Net interest income (GAAP)

$

62,758

$

60,697

3.4

$

181,584

$

182,031

(0.2)

Tax-equivalent adjustment

5,572

4,988

11.7

16,729

15,670

6.8

Tax-equivalent net interest income

$

68,330

$

65,685

4.0

$

198,313

$

197,701

0.3

Table 3 summarizes the changes in our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities as well as the average interest rates earned and paid on these assets and liabilities, respectively, for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. The table also details increases and decreases in income and expense for each of the major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and analyzes the extent to which such variances are attributable to volume and rate changes. Interest income and yields are presented on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 35%, which includes the tax-equivalent adjustment as presented in Table 2 above.

Net interest margin for third quarter 2008 of 3.63% was unchanged from third quarter 2007 despite the Federal Reserve's 325 basis point decrease in the federal funds rate over the past year. Third quarter 2008 net interest margin reflects our strong core deposit base and our ability to effectively manage our cost of funds. With approximately one-half of our loan portfolio tied to floating indices, the decline in the Federal Reserve's federal funds rate resulted in a decline of 182 basis points in average loan yields from third quarter 2007. This negative impact was offset by a shift to less expensive wholesale borrowing from

20


money market and time deposits, a widening of loan spreads, and expanded spreads on our investment portfolio as the interest rate yield curve steepened.

As shown in Table 3, third quarter 2008 tax-equivalent interest income declined $18.0 million compared to third quarter 2007. The increase in interest-earning assets increased interest income by $6.7 million, while a decline in the average rate earned on interest-earning assets reduced interest income by $24.7 million. Third quarter 2008 interest expense declined $20.7 million compared to third quarter 2007. The increase in interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense by $9.9 million, but the shift to less expensive wholesale borrowing, coupled with an overall decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities reduced interest expense by $30.6 million.

As shown in Table 4, net interest margin was 3.58% for the first nine months of 2008 compared to 3.59% for the first nine months of 2007. Tax equivalent interest income declined $50.0 million for the first nine months of 2008 compared to the first nine months of 2007. The increase in interest-earning assets increased interest income by $4.6 million, while a decline in the average rate earned on interest-earning assets reduced interest income by $54.6 million. Interest expense for the first nine months of 2008 declined $50.6 million compared to the first nine months of 2007. The increase in interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense by $4.6 million, but the shift from time deposits to less expensive wholesale borrowing, coupled with an overall decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities reduced interest expense by $55.2 million.

We continue to use multiple interest rate scenarios to rigorously assess the direction and magnitude of changes in interest rates and their impact on net interest income. A description and analysis of our market risk and interest rate sensitivity profile and management policies is included in Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," of this Form 10-Q.

21


Table 3
Net Interest Income and Margin Analysis
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended September 30,

Attribution of Change
in Net Interest Income (1)

2008

2007

   


Average
Balance

 



Interest

 

Yield/
Rate
(%)

   


Average
Balance

 



Interest

 

Yield/
Rate
(%)

   

Volume

 


Yield/
Rate

   

Total

Assets:

Federal funds sold and other
short-term investments

$

7,430

$

37

1.98

$

10,424

$

154

5.86

$

(35)

$

(82)

$

(117)

Mortgages held for sale

-

-

-

1,885

31

6.52

(31)

-

(31)

Trading account securities

17,438

51

1.17

17,489

63

1.44

-

(12)

(12)

Securities available-for-sale (2)

2,124,464

29,862

5.62

2,120,177

29,275

5.52

59

528

587

Securities held-to-maturity

89,860

1,525

6.79

97,713

1,624

6.65

(134)

35

(99)

Federal Home Loan Bank and
Federal Reserve Bank stock

54,767

329

2.40

54,767

533

3.89

-

(204)

(204)

Loans (2):

Commercial and industrial

1,469,709

21,395

5.79

1,392,224

27,391

7.81

1,632

(7,628)

(5,996)

Agricultural

175,491

2,106

4.77

152,781

2,754

7.15

518

(1,166)

(648)

Real estate - commercial

2,806,395

40,952

5.81

2,565,603

48,854

7.55

5,304

(13,206)

(7,902)

Consumer

544,035

7,603

5.56

581,573

11,247

7.67

(688)

(2,956)

(3,644)

Real estate - 1-4 family

209,558

3,198

6.07

203,619

3,152

6.14

90

(44)

46

Total loans

5,205,188

75,254

5.75

4,895,800

93,398

7.57

6,856

(25,000)

(18,144)

Total interest-earning assets (2)

7,499,147

107,058

5.69

7,198,255

125,078

6.91

6,715

(24,735)

(18,020)

Cash and due from banks

142,576

165,493

Reserve for loan losses

(66,455)

(62,864)

Other assets

700,550

690,259

Total assets

$

8,275,818

$

7,991,143

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

Savings deposits

$

784,646

1,574

0.80

$

774,133

3,442

1.76

48

(1,916)

(1,868)

NOW accounts

983,364

2,646

1.07

941,488

4,237

1.79

197

(1,788)

(1,591)

Money market deposits

770,967

2,964

1.53

864,001

7,467

3.43

(732)

(3,771)

(4,503)

Time deposits

2,170,030

18,390

3.37

2,208,876

26,803

4.81

(463)

(7,950)

(8,413)

Borrowed funds

1,476,403

9,451

2.55

1,093,068

13,680

4.97

10,764

(14,993)

(4,229)

Subordinated debt

232,458

3,703

6.34

226,180

3,764

6.60

111

(172)

(61)

Total interest-bearing liabilities

6,417,868

38,728

2.40

6,107,746

59,393

3.86

9,925

(30,590)

(20,665)

Demand deposits

1,053,530

1,051,292

Other liabilities

69,398

90,285

Stockholders' equity

735,022

741,820

Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity

$

8,275,818

$

7,991,143

Net interest income/margin (2)

$

68,330

3.63

$

65,685

3.63

$

(3,210)

$

5,855

$

2,645

Quarterly Net Interest Margin Trend

2008

2007

Third

Second

First

Fourth

Third

Second

First

Yield on interest-earning assets

5.69%

5.81%

6.29%

6.67%

6.91%

6.86%

6.83%

Rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities

2.40%

2.61%

3.23%

3.71%

3.86%

3.84%

3.88%

Net interest margin (2)

3.63%

3.58%

3.53%

3.53%

3.63%

3.61%

3.53%

(1)

For purposes of this table, changes which are not due solely to volume changes or rate changes are allocated to such categories on the basis of the percentage relationship of each to the sum of the two.

(2)

Interest income and yields are presented on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 35%.

 

22


Table 4
Net Interest Income and Margin Analysis
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Nine Months Ended September 30,

Attribution of Change
in Net Interest Income (1)

2008

2007

   


Average
Balance

 



Interest

 

Yield/
Rate
(%)

   


Average
Balance

 



Interest

 

Yield/
Rate
(%)

   

Volume

 


Yield/
Rate

   

Total

Assets:

Federal funds sold and other
short-term investments

$

9,764

$

158

2.16

$

11,157

$

464

5.56

$

(52)

$

(254)

$

(306)

Mortgages held for sale

49

3

8.18

3,736

160

5.73

(279)

122

(157)

Trading account securities

17,800

167

1.25

16,809

189

1.50

12

(34)

(22)

Securities available-for-sale (2)

2,106,475

89,850

5.69

2,215,672

92,139

5.54

(4,786)

2,497

(2,289)

Securities held-to-maturity

94,646

4,782

6.74

100,099

5,069

6.75

(276)

(11)

(287)

Federal Home Loan Bank and
Federal Reserve Bank stock

54,767

999

2.43

54,777

1,704

4.15

-

(705)

(705)

Loans (2):

Commercial and industrial

1,416,879

64,747

6.10

1,392,329

80,485

7.73

1,446

(17,184)

(15,738)

Agricultural

187,106

7,196

5.14

163,750

8,788

7.18

1,613

(3,205)

(1,592)

Real estate - commercial

2,736,878

125,433

6.12

2,580,325

144,824

7.50

9,584

(28,975)

(19,391)

Consumer

548,298

24,553

5.98

606,071

34,548

7.62

(3,076)

(6,919)

(9,995)

Real estate - 1-4 family

218,377

10,115

6.19

208,509

9,650

6.19

457

8

465

Total loans

5,107,538

232,044

6.07

4,950,984

278,295

7.52

10,024

(56,275)

(46,251)

Total interest-earning assets (2)

7,391,039

328,003

5.92

7,353,234

378,020

6.87

4,643

(54,660)

(50,017)

Cash and due from banks

136,682

156,960

Reserve for loan losses

(64,598)

(62,692)

Other assets

715,279

701,325

Total assets

$

8,178,402

$

8,148,827

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

Savings deposits

$

807,452

6,000

0.99

$

742,378

8,352

1.50

818

(3,170)

(2,352)

NOW accounts

939,387

7,923

1.13

906,007

10,850

1.60

417

(3,344)

(2,927)

Money market deposits

803,858

10,752

1.79

861,703

21,951

3.41

(1,387)

(9,812)

(11,199)

Time deposits

2,168,944

63,145

3.89

2,346,715

84,516

4.82

(6,054)

(15,317)

(21,371)

Borrowed funds

1,372,048

30,776

3.00

1,160,567

43,392

5.00

10,553

(23,169)

(12,616)

Subordinated debt

231,805

11,094

6.39

227,683

11,258

6.61

213

(377)

(164)

Total interest-bearing liabilities

6,323,494

129,690

2.74

6,245,053

180,319

3.86

4,560

(55,189)

(50,629)

Demand deposits

1,044,098

1,056,699

Other liabilities

73,283

93,107

Stockholders' equity

737,527

753,968

Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity

$

8,178,402

$

8,148,827

Net interest income/margin (2)

$

198,313

3.58

$

197,701

3.59

$

83

$

529

$

612

(1)

For purposes of this table, changes which are not due solely to volume changes or rate changes are allocated to such categories on the basis of the percentage relationship of each to the sum of the two.

(2)

Interest income and yields are presented on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 35%.

 

23


Noninterest Income

Table 5
Noninterest Income Analysis
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

% Change

2008

2007

% Change

Service charges on deposit accounts

$

11,974

$

11,959

0.1

$

33,781

$

33,029

2.3

Trust and investment advisory fees

3,818

3,934

(2.9)

11,710

11,640

0.6

Other service charges, commissions,
and fees

4,834

5,601

(13.7)

14,292

16,859

(15.2)

Card-based fees

4,141

4,054

2.1

12,275

11,946

2.8

Subtotal fee-based revenues

24,767

25,548

(3.1)

72,058

73,474

(1.9)

Bank owned life insurance

1,882

2,023

(7.0)

6,489

5,916

9.7

Other income

622

763

(18.5)

2,196

2,706

(18.8)

Subtotal

27,271

28,334

(3.8)

80,743

82,096

(1.6)

Trading (losses) gains, net

(1,831)

226

(910.2)

(3,211)

1,382

(332.3)

Securities (losses) gains, net

(1,746)

(5,165)

(66.2)

(1,396)

(760)

83.7

Total noninterest income

$

23,694

$

23,395

1.3

$

76,136

$

82,718

(8.0)

Our total noninterest income increased $299,000, or 1.3%, for third quarter 2008 compared to third quarter 2007 and decreased $6.6 million, or 8.0%, for the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Fee-based revenues decreased 3.1% for third quarter 2008 from third quarter 2007 and 1.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. In fourth quarter 2007 we ceased originating traditional residential mortgages, and in first quarter 2008, we began to maintain cashier check balances in-house rather than outsource the service in exchange for a fee. If revenues from mortgage sales and formerly outsourced cashier check balances were excluded from the 2007 periods, fee-based revenues for third quarter 2008 would have been relatively unchanged from 2007, while fee-based revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 would have increased 1.5% from the same 2007 period.

Other service charges, commissions, and fees declined 13.7% for third quarter 2008 compared to third quarter 2007 and 15.2% for the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same 2007 period primarily due to ceasing origination of traditional residential mortgages and formerly outsourced cashier check balances. Further contributing to the decrease were declines in commissions received from the sale of third-party annuity and investment products of $115,000 for third quarter 2008 and $265,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007.

Despite strong trust sales, trust and investment advisory fees for third quarter 2008 declined 2.9% from third quarter 2007, reflecting the deteriorating equity environment.

Card-based fees increased for both third quarter 2008 and the first nine months of 2008 from the same 2007 periods, with most of the increase related to higher usage.

Other income, which consists primarily of safe deposit box rentals, gain on sale of assets, and miscellaneous recoveries, declined for both of the 2008 periods. Third quarter 2007 included a $325,000 gain on the sale of assets, and the nine months ended September 30, 2007 included a reduction of an accrual for credit card conversion costs and a favorable lawsuit settlement.

Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") represents benefit payments received and the change in cash surrender value ("CSV") of the policies, net of premiums paid. In the first nine months of 2008, we received $812,000 of benefit payments. The increase in the CSV was attributable to earnings credited to policies, based on investments made by the insurer. The tax-equivalent yield on BOLI was 7.3% for third quarter 2008 compared to 6.7% for third quarter 2007. See the section titled "Investment in Bank Owned Life Insurance" for a discussion of our investment in BOLI.

24


Trading (losses) gains, net represent the change during the quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 in the fair value of trading securities held on behalf of participants in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Such change is substantially offset by an adjustment to salaries and benefits expense.

We recognized a net securities loss for each period presented. For a discussion of net securities losses, see the section titled "Investment Portfolio Management."

Noninterest Expense

Table 6
Noninterest Expense Analysis
(
Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2008

2007

% Change

2008

2007

% Change

Compensation expense:

Salaries and wages

$

20,805

$

21,381

(2.7)

$

59,972

$

64,840

(7.5)

Retirement and other employee
benefits benefits

6,191

5,973

3.6

19,582

19,072

2.7

Total compensation expense

26,996

27,354

(1.3)

79,554

83,912

(5.2)

Net occupancy expense

5,732

5,686

0.8

17,411

16,574

5.1

Equipment expense

2,484

2,580

(3.7)

7,502

7,796

(3.8)

Technology and related costs

1,990

1,767

12.6

5,581

5,324

4.8

Professional services

2,516

2,366

6.3

7,421

6,687

11.0

Advertising and promotions

1,133

1,950

(41.9)

3,883

4,503

(13.8)

Merchant card expense

1,949

1,842

5.8

5,375

5,120

5.0

Other expenses

5,636

6,436

(12.4)

20,997

18,957

10.8

Total noninterest expense

$

48,436

$

49,981

(3.1)

$

147,724

$

148,873

(0.8)

Efficiency ratio

50.3%

51.9%

52.0%

52.1%

Salaries and wages decreased in third quarter 2008 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to those periods in 2007 as annual general merit increases and an increase in share-based compensation expense were more than offset by targeted staff reductions instituted in December 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 and a reduction in the obligation due to participants under deferred compensation plans.

The increase in professional services was due primarily to a short-term contract with an outside consultant for revenue and process enhancement services.

The decreases in advertising and promotions for third quarter 2008 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to those periods in 2007 reflect a difference in timing of expenditures from one year to another.

Other expenses for third quarter 2008 declined due to timing of expenditures compared to third quarter 2007. The year-to-date increase from 2007 is due primarily to expenses associated with the increase in other real estate owned.

The efficiency ratio expresses noninterest expense as a percentage of tax-equivalent net interest income plus total fees and other income. Operating efficiency for the quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 improved from the same periods in 2007.

Income Taxes

Our accounting policies underlying the recognition of income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Condition and Income are included in Notes 1 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of our 2007 10-K.

25


The effective income tax rates for third quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 were 3.2% and 7.2%, respectively, compared to 19.0% and 22.7% for the comparable periods in 2007.

Income tax expense totaled $796,000 for third quarter 2008 compared to $6.4 million for third quarter 2007 and $5.9 million and $25.1 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During each period we recognized certain tax benefits due to favorable court decisions, tax audit developments, and legislative actions in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes ("FIN 48") that reduced our effective tax rate. We recognized tax benefits totaling $2.5 million and $1.4 million for third quarter 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $9.3 million and $1.4 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, we derive significant income from investments in tax-exempt securities and BOLI. In third quarter 2008 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 we generated a greater portion of our pretax income from tax-exempt investments and BOLI than in the comparable periods in 2007, resulting in a lower effective tax rate.

The State of Illinois has enacted legislation that significantly changes the income sourcing rules relating to financial organizations. To date, the State has not issued regulations or other clarifying guidance. We have considered, to the extent possible, the impact of the legislation, and are currently evaluating opportunities under the new rules. Based on our assessment to date, the legislation is not expected to have a material impact on our 2008 state tax expense, but could result in a low single digit increase in our effective tax rate, excluding the $9.3 million in recognized tax benefits, beginning in 2009.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Investment Portfolio Management

We manage our investment portfolio to maximize the return on invested funds within acceptable risk guidelines, to meet pledging and liquidity requirements, and to adjust balance sheet interest rate sensitivity to insulate net interest income against the impact of changes in interest rates.

We adjust the size and composition of our securities portfolio according to a number of factors, including expected loan growth, anticipated changes in collateralized public funds on account, the interest rate environment, and the related value of various segments of the securities markets. The following provides a valuation summary of our investment portfolio.

Table 7
Investment Portfolio Valuation Summary
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

At September 30, 2008

At December 31, 2007

Fair
Value

Amortized
Cost

% of
Total

Fair
Value

Amortized
Cost

% of
Total

Available-for-Sale

U.S. Treasury securities

$

905

$

902

0.1

$

1,028

$

1,027

-

U.S. Agency securities

2,002

1,999

0.1

42,492

41,895

1.9

Collateralized mortgage
obligations

510,347

515,376

23.6

534,800

534,688

24.5

Other mortgage-backed
securities

516,041

517,139

23.7

420,320

417,532

19.1

State and municipal
securities

882,652

926,519

42.4

966,835

961,638

44.0

Collateralized debt obligations

71,366

85,286

3.9

81,630

95,584

4.4

Other securities

41,568

50,973

2.3

32,941

35,295

1.6

Total available-for-sale

2,024,881

2,098,194

96.1

2,080,046

2,087,659

95.5

Held-to-Maturity

State and municipal
securities

86,193

85,982

3.9

97,931

97,671

4.5

Total securities

$

2,111,074

2,184,176

100.0

$

2,177,977

$

2,185,330

100.0

26


At September 30, 2008

At December 31, 2007

Effective
Duration (1)

Average
Life (2)

Yield to
Maturity

Effective
Duration (1)

Average
Life (2)

Yield to
Maturity

Available-for-Sale

U.S. Treasury securities

1.35%

1.50

2.63%

1.35%

1.50

4.10%

U.S. Agency securities

0.13%

0.16

5.47%

0.73%

0.80

5.43%

Collateralized mortgage
obligations

3.28%

3.06

5.00%

2.44%

2.51

5.05%

Other mortgage-backed securities

4.10%

4.86

5.56%

3.73%

4.81

5.64%

State and municipal securities

5.25%

9.23

6.16%

5.04%

7.84

6.20%

Collateralized debt obligations

0.25%

5.98

4.51%

0.25%

6.79

10.27%

Other securities

5.03%

12.34

5.71%

0.09%

10.00

1.79%

Total available-for-sale

4.26%

6.54

5.65%

3.76%

5.66

5.78%

Held-to-Maturity

State and municipal securities

0.79%

1.17

7.02%

0.84%

1.34

7.18%

Total securities

4.13%

6.33

5.70%

3.64%

5.47

5.84%

(1)

The effective duration of the securities portfolio represents the estimated percentage change in the fair value of the securities portfolio given a 100 basis point change up or down in the level of interest rates. This measure is used as a gauge of the portfolio's price volatility at a single point in time and is not intended to be a precise predictor of future fair values, as such values will be influenced by a number of factors.

(2)

Average life is presented in years and represents the weighted-average time to receive all future cash flows, using the dollar amount of
principal paydowns, including estimated principal prepayments, as the weighting factor.

As of September 30, 2008, our securities portfolio totaled $2.1 billion, decreasing 3.1% from December 31, 2007. During first quarter 2008 we took advantage of market conditions and the slope of the interest rate yield curve to sell $221.1 million of securities, primarily collateralized mortgage obligations and other mortgage-backed securities, at a gain of $5.9 million. We reinvested the majority of the proceeds back into similar investments and the remainder into higher-yielding debt securities, effectively replacing the yield with this new combination of securities. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 we also recognized other-than-temporary impairments in the value of our collateralized debt obligations, totaling $10.1 million, net of minor gains on sales of other investments.

Our collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs") are comprised of two distinct types of securities, trust-preferred CDOs and asset-backed CDOs, the latter having a book value of zero as of September 30, 2008.

Our investments in trust-preferred collateralized debt obligations are debt securities supported by the credit of the underlying banks and insurance companies. The unrealized loss on these securities as of September 30, 2008 of $14.0 million reflects the market's temporary negative bias toward structured investment vehicles given the current interest rate and liquidity environment. We do not believe this loss is an other-than-temporary impairment. We expect no change in our net cash flows from these investments from what was originally anticipated, and we have both the intent and ability to hold them until maturity or recovery. Our estimation of cash flows for these investments and resulting fair values were based upon our own cash flow modeling in accordance with FASB No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, as described in Note 9 of "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements".

Our investments in asset-backed collateralized debt obligations are debt securities supported by underlying collateral, including sub-prime mortgages. In first quarter 2008, we recognized a $2.3 million impairment related to these CDOs. In second quarter 2008, we recognized an additional $6.0 million impairment, and in third quarter 2008, we recognized an impairment of $1.8 million. One of the securities for which we recorded an impairment in first quarter 2008 was subsequently sold in second quarter 2008 for a realized gain of $1.4 million. This portfolio has a zero book value at September 30, 2008.

State and municipal securities have an unrealized loss of $43.9 million at September 30, 2008 compared to an unrealized gain of $5.2 million at December 31, 2007. This adverse change in fair value is due to the uncertainty in the marketplace and the significant lack of liquidity for these debt securities. These securities continue to carry investment grade ratings with the bulk

27


of them supported by the general revenues of the issuing governmental entity. We do not believe the unrealized loss on any of these is other than temporary.

Other securities include corporate bonds and other miscellaneous equity securities. We do not believe the unrealized loss on any of these is other than temporary.

LOAN PORTFOLIO AND CREDIT QUALITY

Portfolio Composition

Table 8
Loan Portfolio
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

September 30,
2008

% of
Total

December 31,
2007

% of
Total

Annualized
% Change

Commercial and industrial

$

1,485,541

28.4

$

1,347,481

27.1

13.6

Agricultural

159,217

3.1

181,358

3.7

(16.3)

Commercial real estate:

Office, retail, and industrial

1,092,268

20.9

942,065

19.0

21.2

Residential land and development

509,974

9.8

505,194

10.2

1.2

Multifamily

204,029

3.9

178,602

3.6

18.9

Other commercial real estate

1,021,662

19.5

1,024,490

20.6

(0.4)

Total commercial real estate

2,827,933

54.1

2,650,351

53.4

8.9

Subtotal - corporate loans

4,472,691

85.6

4,179,190

84.2

9.3

Direct installment

60,622

1.2

65,660

1.3

(10.3)

Home equity

468,703

9.0

464,981

9.4

1.1

Indirect installment

15,715

0.3

33,100

0.7

(70.0)

Real estate - 1-4 family

205,851

3.9

220,741

4.4

(8.9)

Subtotal - consumer loans

750,891

14.4

784,482

15.8

(5.7)

Total loans

$

5,223,582

100.0

$

4,963,672

100.0

6.9

Consumer loans excluding indirect
installment

$

735,176

$

751,382

(2.9)

Total loans excluding indirect installment

$

5,207,867

$

4,930,572

7.5

Outstanding loans totaled $5.2 billion as of September 30, 2008, an annualized increase of 6.9% from December 31, 2007. The increase since December 2007 was led by growth in commercial real estate, specifically office, retail, and industrial, and commercial and industrial lending. The decline in consumer loans was primarily due to continued run-off of indirect loans. The decline in indirect installment loans from December 31, 2007 reflects our election in 2004 to cease indirect auto lending activities. In December 2007, we elected to discontinue originating traditional home mortgages as well. The Company feels it is well positioned to both pursue and take advantage of prudent, targeted lending opportunities.

28


Table 9
Commercial Real Estate Loan Detail by Product Type
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

September 30,
2008

% of
Total

December 31,
2007

% of
Total

Annualized
% Change

Office, retail, and industrial

Office

$

352,200

32.3

$

301,641

32.0

22.4

Retail

300,570

27.5

247,726

26.3

28.4

Industrial

439,498

40.2

392,698

41.7

15.9

Total office, retail, and industrial

$

1,092,268

100.0

$

942,065

100.0

21.2

Residential land and development

Structures

$

190,741

37.4

$

213,392

42.2

(14.1)

Land

319,233

62.6

291,802

57.8

12.5

Total residential land and development

$

509,974

100.0

$

505,194

100.0

1.2

Other commercial real estate

Commercial land

$

263,030

25.7

$

236,373

23.1

15.1

1-5 family investors

178,540

17.5

170,879

16.7

6.0

Service stations and truck stops

134,677

13.2

81,835

8.0

86.1

Warehouses and storage

80,889

7.9

63,355

6.2

36.9

Hotels

67,217

6.6

63,566

6.2

7.6

Restaurants

44,872

4.4

43,250

4.2

5.1

Medical

42,253

4.1

14,142

1.4

265.1

Automobile dealers

38,866

3.8

29,599

2.9

41.7

Mobile home parks

29,670

2.9

22,106

2.1

45.6

Recreational

14,760

1.5

15,542

1.5

(6.7)

Religious

10,317

1.0

11,124

1.1

(9.7)

Other (1)

116,571

11.4

272,719

26.6

(76.4)

Total other commercial real estate

$

1,021,662

100.0

$

1,024,490

100.0

(0.4)

(1) Certain loans presented here as of December 31, 2007 were subsequently redistributed to more appropriate categories.

Reserve for Loan Losses

We maintain a reserve for loan losses to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The reserve for loan losses consists of three components: (i) specific reserves established for expected losses on individual loans for which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the value of the loan; (ii) reserves based on historical loan loss experience for each loan category; and (iii) reserves based on general, current economic conditions as well as specific economic factors believed to be relevant to the markets in which we operate. Management evaluates the sufficiency of the reserve for loan losses based on the combined total of specific, historical loss, and general components. Management believes that the reserve for loan losses of $69.8 million is adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of September 30, 2008.

For a summary of the changes in the reserve for loan losses during the quarters ended September 2008 and 2007, refer to Note 5 of "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

29


Table 10
Reserve for Loan Losses

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2008

2007

September 30

June 30

March 31

December 31

September 30

As of the period ended

Reserve for loan losses

$

69,811

$

66,104

$

64,780

$

61,800

$

61,412

Total loans

5,223,582

5,182,355

5,045,765

4,963,672

4,931,472

Reserve for loan losses to loans

1.34%

1.28%

1.28%

1.25%

1.25%

Reserve for loan losses to nonperforming
loans

126%

259%

376%

330%

481%

For the quarter ended

Provision for loan losses

$

13,029

$

5,780

$

9,060

$

2,042

$

470

Net loans charged-off

9,322

4,456

6,080

1,654

1,449

Net loans charged-off to average loans,
annualized

0.71%

0.35%

0.49%

0.13%

0.12%

We increased our reserve for loan losses to $69.8 million as of September 30, 2008, up $3.7 million from June 30, 2008 and $8.0 million from December 31, 2007. The reserve for loan losses to loans was 1.34% as of September 30, 2008, up from 1.25% as of December 31, 2007. Nonperforming loans were covered 1.26 times by the loan loss reserve as of September 30, 2008. Total loans charged-off, net of recoveries, in third quarter 2008 were 0.71% of average loans.

During third quarter 2008, net charge-offs totaled $9.3 million as compared to $1.4 million in third quarter 2007, with residential land and development loans accounting for substantially all of the increase. Provision for losses for third quarter 2008 totaled $13.0 million and exceeded net charge-offs by 39.8%.

The accounting policies underlying the establishment and maintenance of the reserve for loan losses are discussed in Notes 1 and 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of our 2007 10-K.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets include loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued, loans for which the terms have been renegotiated to provide for a reduction or deferral of interest and principal due to a weakening of the borrower's financial condition, and real estate that has been acquired primarily through foreclosure and is awaiting disposition. For a detailed discussion of our policy on accrual of interest on loans, see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of our 2007 10-K.

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest are not included in nonperforming assets and continue to accrue interest because they are adequately secured by collateral, in the process of collection, and reasonably expected to result in repayment or restoration to current status.

30


Table 11
Nonperforming Assets and Past Due Loans
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

2008

2007

September 30

% of Loan
Category

June 30

December 31

September 30

Nonaccrual loans:

Commercial and industrial

$

13,961

0.94

$

5,222

$

9,128

$

7,440

Agricultural

-

-

-

349

-

Office, retail, and industrial

1,195

0.11

1,125

552

552

Residential land and development

28,335

5.56

11,664

107

540

Multifamily

2,827

1.39

3,016

3,480

287

Other commercial real estate

1,845

0.18

885

1,452

1,384

Consumer

4,359

0.80

2,653

2,796

2,088

Real estate - 1-4 family

795

0.39

671

583

480

Total nonaccrual loans

53,317

N/A

25,236

18,447

12,771

Restructured loans

2,258

N/A

259

280

-

Total nonperforming loans

55,575

N/A

25,495

18,727

12,771

Foreclosed real estate ("OREO")

23,697

N/A

7,042

6,053

4,032

Total nonperforming assets

79,272

N/A

32,537

24,780

16,803

90 days past due loans (still accruing
interest):

Commercial and industrial

4,006

0.27

4,530

2,693

3,637

Agricultural

1,751

1.10

-

-

286

Office, retail, and industrial

4,838

0.44

2,855

2,062

356

Residential land and development

17,615

3.45

16,696

9,270

4,999

Multifamily

1,216

0.60

2,071

916

5,908

Other commercial real estate

2,469

0.24

3,410

1,452

1,309

Consumer

3,062

0.56

5,456

2,903

3,159

Real estate - 1-4 family

2,359

1.15

2,492

1,853

1,767

Total 90 days past due loans

37,316

N/A

37,510

21,149

21,421

Total nonperforming assets plus 90 days past due loans

$

116,588

N/A

$

70,047

$

45,929

$

38,224

30-89 days past due loans (still accruing
interest):

Commercial and industrial

$

19,658

1.32

$

50,801

$

19,184

$

15,327

Agricultural

-

-

1,819

-

510

Office, retail, and industrial

14,530

1.33

22,892

20,299

18,471

Residential land and development

43,592

8.55

55,342

18,235

19,800

Multifamily

3,186

1.56

5,204

8,054

14,128

Other commercial real estate

12,257

1.20

39,063

21,340

26,245

Consumer

8,583

1.57

7,384

9,509

10,280

Real estate - 1-4 family

2,963

1.44

2,681

4,199

5,021

Total 30-89 days past due loans

$

104,769

N/A

$

185,186

$

100,820

$

109,782

Nonperforming loans to total loans

1.06%

0.49%

0.38%

0.26%

Nonperforming assets to total loans plus
foreclosed real estate

1.51%

0.63%

0.50%

0.34%

Nonperforming assets plus 90 day past due
loans to total loans plus foreclosed real estate

2.22%

1.35%

0.92%

0.77%

N/A - Not applicable.

As expected, credit quality trends for the quarter were negatively impacted by continued housing market stress, particularly in the residential land and development segments of the loan portfolio. This segment, representing 9.8% of the overall loan

31


portfolio, was originally underwritten to loan-to-value guidelines of 65% for unimproved land and 75% for developed land, thus providing protection as values decline. We are aggressively engaged with our builder/developer clients to determine the best solutions to maximize value for the entire segment. In future quarters, the migration of troubled loans from performing to nonperforming and, in some cases, to OREO and finally to cash repayment will vary depending upon the adopted solution. We have both realigned and increased our credit remediation staffing in response to deteriorating credit trends both in this segment and overall.

Nonperforming assets plus 90 days past due loans to total loans plus foreclosed real estate was 2.22% at September 30, 2008 compared to 0.92% at December 31, 2007. Such increase is related primarily to loans to home builders and developers, substantially all of whom are in the greater Chicagoland area.

Nonperforming loans at September 30, 2008 were $55.6 million, or 1.06% of total loans, an increase of $36.8 million from December 31, 2007, with most of the increase in the residential land and development category.

The increase in the nonaccrual residential land and development loans of $28.2 million from December 31, 2007 to September 30, 2008 was due to loans to five large Chicago homebuilders. In first quarter 2008, we charged off $447,000 of the outstanding loan to one builder and reclassified the $4.0 million remainder of the loan to nonaccrual. This loan was subsequently moved to OREO. The remaining balance is in line with a recent appraisal on the underlying collateral. In second quarter 2008, we reclassified a $7.7 million loan to another builder to nonaccrual. The balance of this loan is also in line with a recent appraisal on the underlying collateral. In third quarter 2008, we reclassified three additional builder loans totaling $20.6 million to nonaccrual. The balances for each are supported by recent appraisals on the underlying collateral.

The increase in nonaccrual commercial and industrial loans is primarily related to a single commercial credit of $5.5 million operating in the transportation industry.

The increase in restructured loans relates to another residential real estate developer. Of a $5.0 million loan to this developer, we received a payment of $1.0 million, charged off $2.0 million, and restructured the remaining $2.0 million. The $2.0 million currently included in restructured loans is expected to perform in accordance with the restructured terms.

OREO increased $17.6 million from December 31, 2007 to September 30, 2008, with most of the increase occurring in the third quarter of 2008. We enforced our rights to collateral underlying troubled loans with residential land and development properties comprising 77.4% of total OREO. All properties are recorded at estimated net realizable values and are being aggressively marketed.

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing totaled $37.3 million as of September 30, 2008, up $16.2 million from December 31, 2007 but approximately the level as of June 30, 2008. Residential land and development loans represent 47.2% of this total. The increase in the 90 days past due loans from December 31, 2007 was due primarily to nine loans, the majority of which are residential land and development loans. Concentrated in the Chicagoland market, residential development represents a business in which we have been profitably engaged for more than 20 years and represents 18.0% of our $2.8 billion real estate commercial and construction portfolio. We remain fully engaged and proactive with our customers in order to recognize and deal with credit issues at their onset.

We expect our nonperforming assets will trend upward in the near term, given the pressure on housing sales and the resulting impact on our residential land and development portfolio, with charge-offs for the fourth quarter remaining at an elevated level.

Our disclosure with respect to impaired loans is contained in Note 5 of "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements".

INVESTMENT IN BANK OWNED LIFE INSURANCE

We purchase life insurance policies on the lives of certain directors, officers, and employees and are the sole owner and beneficiary of the policies. We invest in these policies, known as BOLI, to provide an efficient form of funding for long-term retirement and other employee benefit costs. Therefore, our BOLI policies are intended to be long-term investments to provide funding for long-term liabilities. We record these BOLI policies as a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Condition at each policy's respective cash surrender value, with changes recorded in noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of September 30, 2008, our BOLI assets amounted to $207.4 million, and the income we recorded for the nine-month period then ended was $6.5 million.

32


Of our total BOLI portfolio, 22.3% is in general account life insurance distributed between 10 insurance carriers, all of whom carry investment grade ratings. This general account life insurance typically includes a feature guaranteeing minimum returns. The remaining 77.7% is in separate account life insurance, which is managed by third party investment advisors under pre-determined investment guidelines. Stable value protection is a feature available with respect to separate account life insurance policies that is designed to protect within limits a policy's cash surrender value from market fluctuations on underlying investments. Our entire separate account portfolio has stable value protection, purchased from a highly rated financial institution. To the extent the fair value of the underlying securities falls below 80% of the cash surrender value, the cash surrender value will either be adjusted for the difference or transferred to a short duration money market fund.

As of September 30, 2008, $110.0 million, or 55%, was held in a separate account that had a fair value of 79.5%; requiring the cash surrender value to be adjusted for third quarter 2008 by $477,000 to restore the fair value to 80% of cash surrender value. The investments underlying these holdings are invested in longer duration, investment-grade securities, the performance of which has been negatively impacted by continued market volatility and risk aversion. Future declines in fair value below current levels could require additional contributions and negatively impact BOLI income. Remaining separate account holdings reflect fair market values ranging from 84% to 96%.

For third quarter 2008, the underlying tax-equivalent investment yield on all BOLI holdings was 7.31%. Given the continued negative market performance and rapid decline in interest rates, subsequent quarters are expected to trend downward and be in the range of 3.30% to 4.30%. The Company is currently reviewing options to alter the mix of underlying separate account holdings, which could further influence income performance.

FUNDING AND LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT

The following table provides a comparison of average funding sources for the quarters ended September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007, and September 30, 2007. We believe that average balances, rather than period-end balances, are more meaningful in analyzing funding sources because of the inherent fluctuations that may occur on a monthly basis within most deposit categories.

Table 12
Funding Sources - Average Balances
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Quarters Ended

% Change


September 30,
2008

December 31,
2007

September 30,
2007

09/30/08
vs. 12/31/07

09/30/08
vs. 09/30/07

Demand deposits

$

1,053,530

$

1,050,954

$

1,051,292

0.2

0.2

Savings deposits

784,646

788,526

774,133

(0.5)

1.4

NOW accounts

983,364

885,966

941,488

11.0

4.4

Money market accounts

770,967

854,409

864,001

(9.8)

(10.8)

Transactional deposits

3,592,507

3,579,855

3,630,914

0.4

(1.1)

Time deposits

2,118,445

2,142,888

2,143,998

(1.1)

(1.2)

Brokered deposits

51,585

97,448

64,878

(47.1)

(20.5)

Total time deposits

2,170,030

2,240,336

2,208,876

(3.1)

(1.8)

Total deposits

5,762,537

5,820,191

5,839,790

(1.0)

(1.3)

Repurchase agreements

443,837

398,032

419,561

11.5

5.8

Federal funds purchased

362,232

111,771

141,582

224.1

155.8

Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances

515,008

536,238

531,925

(4.0)

(3.2)

Other borrowed funds

155,326

-

-

NM

NM

Total borrowed funds

1,476,403

1,046,041

1,093,068

41.1

35.1

Subordinated debt

232,458

227,973

226,180

2.0

2.8

Total funding sources

$

7,471,398

$

7,094,205

$

7,159,038

5.3

4.4

Average interest rate paid on borrowed funds

2.55%

4.61%

4.97%

Weighted-average maturity of FHLB advances

4.4 months

7.4 months

6.8 months

Weighted-average interest rate of FHLB advances

2.27%

3.62%

4.99%

N/M - Not meaningful.

33


Total transactional deposits increased $12.7 million from December 31, 2007, due to increases in NOW account balances, partially offset by a decline in money market accounts.

Total average deposits for third quarter 2008 decreased 1.3% from third quarter 2007 and 1.0% from fourth quarter 2007. We funded loan growth with borrowed funds at advantageous rates compared to rates currently being paid by some in the marketplace for customer deposits, especially money market and time deposits.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and federal funds purchased generally mature within 1 to 90 days from the transaction date. Other borrowed funds consist of term auction facilities issued by the Federal Reserve Bank that mature within 90 days.

MANAGEMENT OF CAPITAL

Capital Measurements

The Federal Reserve Board ("FRB"), the primary regulator of the Company and the Bank, establishes minimum capital requirements that must be met by member institutions. We have managed our capital ratios to consistently maintain such measurements in excess of the FRB minimum levels to be considered "well-capitalized," which is the highest capital category established.

The following table presents our consolidated measures of capital as of the dates presented and the capital guidelines established by the FRB to be categorized as "well-capitalized."

Table 13
Capital Measurements

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Excess Over

   

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

Regulatory
Minimum For

 

Required Minimums

   

2008

 

2007

 

2007

 

"Well-Capitalized"

 

at 9/30/08

Regulatory capital ratios:

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

12.04%

12.17%

11.58%

10.00%

$

132,185

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

9.42%

9.59%

9.03%

6.00%

221,494

Tier 1 leverage to average assets

7.59%

7.75%

7.46%

5.00%

208,036

Tangible equity ratios:

Tangible equity to tangible assets

5.44%

5.77%

5.58%

(1)

Tangible equity, excluding other
comprehensive loss, to tangible assets

6.09%

6.25%

5.73%

(1)

Tangible equity to risk-weighted assets

6.69%

7.01%

6.87%

(1)

(1)

Ratio is not subject to formal FRB regulatory guidance. Tangible equity equals total equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, and tangible assets equals total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets.

Stock Repurchase Programs

If we elect to participate in the Capital Purchase Program, our ability to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock will be subject to the applicable restrictions of this program for 3 years following the sale of the preferred stock. See "Recent Developments."

The following table summarizes purchases made by or on our behalf, or by any "affiliated purchaser" (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 pursuant to a repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors on November 27, 2007. Up to 2.5 million shares of our common stock may be repurchased, and the total remaining authorization under the program was 2,494,747 shares as of September 30, 2008. The repurchase program has no set expiration or termination date.

34


Table 14
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(Number of shares in thousands)

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
(1)

Average
Price
Paid per
Share

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Plan or Program

Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plan or
Program

July 1 - July 31, 2008

-

$

-

-

2,494,747

August 1 - August 31, 2008

3,307

23.79

-

2,494,747

September 1 - September 30, 2008

-

-

-

2,494,747

Total

3,307

$

23.79

-

(1)

Consists of shares acquired pursuant to our share-based compensation plans. Under the terms of these plans, we accept shares of common stock from option holders if they elect to surrender previously-owned shares upon exercise to cover the exercise price of the stock options or, in the case of restricted shares of common stock, the withholding of shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of restricted shares.

Dividends

We declared dividends of $0.31 per common share in third quarter 2008, up 5.1% from the quarterly dividend per share declared in third quarter 2007 of $0.295. The dividend payout ratio, which represents the percentage of dividends declared to stockholders to earnings per share, was 62.0% for third quarter 2008 and 53.6% for third quarter 2007. Based on the closing stock price at September 30, 2008 of $24.24, the annualized dividend yield on our common stock was 5.1%.

If we elect to participate in the Capital Purchase Program, our ability to increase common stock dividends will be subject to the applicable restrictions of this program for 3 years following the sale of the preferred stock.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and are consistent with predominant practices in the financial services industry. Critical accounting policies are those policies that management believes are the most important to our financial position and results of operations. Application of critical accounting policies requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments based on information available at the date of the financial statements that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future changes in information may affect these estimates, assumptions, and judgments, which, in turn, may affect amounts reported in the financial statements.

We have numerous accounting policies, of which the most significant are presented in Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements of our 2007 10-K. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, management has determined that our accounting policies with respect to the reserve for loan losses, evaluation of impairment of securities, and income taxes are the accounting areas requiring subjective or complex judgments that are most important to our financial position and results of operations, and, as such, are considered to be critical accounting policies, as discussed below.

Reserve for Loan Losses

Determination of the reserve for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires significant estimates, including the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. Credit exposures deemed to be uncollectible are charged-off against the reserve, while recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the reserve. Additions to the reserve for loan losses are charged to operating expense through the provision for loan losses. The amount charged to operating expense in any given year is dependent upon a number of factors including historic loan growth and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, net charge-off levels,

35


and our assessment of the reserve for loan losses. For a full discussion of our methodology of assessing the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses, see Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements of our 2007 10-K.

Evaluation of Securities for Impairment

Securities that we have the ability and intent to hold until maturity are classified as securities held-to-maturity and are accounted for using historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Trading securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in other noninterest income. All other securities are classified as securities available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.

The fair values of securities are based on quoted prices obtained from third party pricing services or dealer market participants where a ready market for such securities exists. Where such a market does not exist, as for our collateralized trust-preferred debt obligations ("TRUPs"), we have estimated fair value using our own cash flow model. This model was created by a structured credit valuation firm with our assistance. It uses independently verifiable historical data, as well as current information from the market, such as equity volatility, to calculate the probability of default by any of the entities comprising the underlying collateral pool and the ensuing cash flows to our particular tranche for each TRUP. The model uses assumptions that are subject to management's judgment and which can significantly impact the resulting fair values. We believe the model uses reasonable assumptions to estimate fair values where no market exists for these investments. Unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale are reported, on an after-tax basis, as a separate component of stockholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income. Interest income is reported net of amortization of premium and accretion of discount.

Realized securities gains or losses are reported in securities gains (losses), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. On a quarterly basis, we make an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or circumstances to indicate that a security for which there is an unrealized loss is impaired on an other-than-temporary basis. The Company considers many factors including the severity and duration of the impairment; whether anticipated cash flows have been adversely affected, the intent and ability of the Company to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for a recovery in value; recent events specific to the issuer or industry; and for debt securities, external credit ratings and recent downgrades. The term other-than-temporary is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent. It indicates that the prospects for near-term recovery are not necessarily favorable or that there is a lack of evidence to support fair values greater than or equal to the carrying value of the investment. Securities for which there is an unrealized loss that is deemed to be other than temporary are written down to fair value with the write-down recorded as a realized loss and included in securities gains (losses), net. For additional discussion on securities, see Notes 1 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of our 2007 Form 10-K.

Income Taxes

We determine our income tax expense based on management's judgments and estimates regarding permanent differences in the treatment of specific items of income and expense for financial statement and income tax purposes. These permanent differences result in an effective tax rate, which differs from the federal statutory rate. In addition, we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities, recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Condition, based on management's judgments and estimates regarding timing differences in the recognition of income and expenses for financial statement and income tax purposes.

We must also assess the likelihood that any deferred tax assets will be realized through the reduction or refund of taxes in future periods and establish a valuation allowance for those assets for which recovery is unlikely. In making this assessment, management must make judgments and estimates regarding the ability to realize the asset through carryback or carryforward to taxable income in prior or future years, the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income, and the possible application of future tax planning strategies. We have determined a valuation allowance is not required for any deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2008, although there is no guarantee that those assets will be recognizable in future periods. For additional discussion of income taxes, see Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," and Note 16, "Income Taxes," to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the our 2007 10-K.

36


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, exchange rates, and equity prices. Interest rate risk is our primary market risk and is the result of repricing, basis, and option risk. A description and analysis of our interest rate risk management policies is included in Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," contained in our 2007 10-K

We seek to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and net income while managing volatility that arises from shifts in interest rates. The Bank's Asset and Liability Management Committee ("ALCO") oversees financial risk management by developing programs to measure and manage interest rate risks within authorized limits set by the Bank's Board of Directors. ALCO also approves the Bank's asset/liability management policies, oversees the formulation and implementation of strategies to improve balance sheet positioning and earnings, and reviews the Bank's interest rate sensitivity position. Management uses net interest income and economic value of equity simulation modeling tools to analyze and capture short-term and long-term interest rate exposures.

Net Interest Income Sensitivity

The analysis of net interest income sensitivities assesses the magnitude of changes in net interest income resulting from changes in interest rates over a 12-month horizon using multiple rate scenarios. These scenarios include, but are not limited to, a "most likely" forecast, a flat to inverted or unchanged rate environment, a gradual increase and decrease of 200 basis points that occurs in equal steps over a six-month time horizon, and immediate increases and decreases of 200 and 300 basis points.

This simulation analysis is based on actual cash flows and repricing characteristics for balance sheet and off-balance sheet instruments and incorporates market-based assumptions regarding the effect of changing interest rates on the prepayment rates of certain assets and liabilities. This simulation analysis includes management's projections for activity levels in each of the product lines we offer. The analysis also incorporates assumptions based on the historical behavior of deposit rates and balances in relation to interest rates. Because these assumptions are inherently uncertain, the simulation analysis cannot definitively measure net interest income or predict the impact of the fluctuation in interest rates on net interest income. Actual results may differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and management strategies.

We monitor and manage interest rate risk within approved policy limits. Our current interest rate risk policy limits are determined by measuring the change in net interest income over a 12-month horizon assuming a 200 basis point gradual increase and decrease in all interest rates compared to net interest income in an unchanging interest rate environment. Current policy limits this exposure to plus or minus 8% of the anticipated level of net interest income over the corresponding 12-month horizon assuming no change in current interest rates.

Analysis of Net Interest Income Sensitivity
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Gradual Change in Rates (1)

Immediate Change in Rates

-200

+200

-200

+200

-300

+300

September 30, 2008:

Dollar change

$

(8,233)

$

(18,960)

$

(13,089)

$

(22,616)

$

(30,232)

$

(30,426)

Percent change

-3.5%

-7.9%

-5.5%

-9.5%

-12.7%

-12.7%

December 31, 2007:

Dollar change

$

5,587

$

(14,594)

$

5,928

$

(18,088)

$

1,559

$

(24,369)

Percent change

+2.2%

-5.8%

+2.3%

-7.1%

+0.6%

-9.6%

(1)

Reflects an assumed uniform change in interest rates across all terms that occurs in equal steps over a six-month horizon.

At September 30, 2008, our interest rate sensitivity profile, assuming a gradual upward change in interest rates, reflected a slightly greater negative exposure to rising interest rates in comparison to December 31, 2007. Conversely, in a falling interest rate environment, our exposure reflected a negative position as of September 30, 2008 in comparison to a positive position as of December 31, 2007. The change in earnings risk is the result of a reduction in the duration of borrowed funds

37


and an increase in the amount of short-term funding. These short-term liabilities increase the sensitivity of interest expense to rising interest rates, which create a greater benefit in a lower interest rate environment. This benefit is mitigated, however, by a lack of repricing potential on transaction accounts. Market rates, specifically the federal funds target rate and the prime rate, have declined 275 basis points from December 31, 2007 to early October 2008. Rates on transaction accounts have also declined, but with the federal funds target currently at 1.50%, the opportunity to further reduce interest rates on short-term transactional account balances is minimal.

Economic Value of Equity

In addition to the simulation analysis, management uses an economic value of equity sensitivity technique to understand the risk in both shorter- and longer-term positions and to study the impact of longer-term cash flows on earnings and capital. In determining the economic value of equity, we discount present values of expected cash flows on all assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts under different interest rate scenarios. The discounted present value of all cash flows represents our economic value of equity. Economic value of equity does not represent the true fair value of asset, liability, or derivative positions because certain factors are not considered, such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and the impact of future changes to the balance sheet. Our policy guidelines call for preventive measures to be taken in the event that an immediate increase or decrease in interest rates of 200 basis points is estimated to reduce the economic value of equity by more than 20%.

Analysis of Economic Value of Equity
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Immediate Change in Rates

-200

+200

September 30, 2008:

Dollar change

$

(91,607)

$

(86,500)

Percent change

-6.5%

-6.1%

December 31, 2007:

Dollar change

$

(40,870)

$

(89,164)

Percent change

-3.2%

-7.1%

As of September 30, 2008, the estimated sensitivity of the economic value of equity to changes in interest rates reflected a greater negative exposure to lower interest rates and a slightly less negative exposure to higher interest rates compared to that existing at December 31, 2007. The increased exposure to falling interest rates is due primarily to the present value of transaction account balances already reflecting significant interest rate reductions since December 31, 2007, reducing the amount available for future interest rate reductions.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

At the end of the period covered by this report, (the "Evaluation Date"), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Based on that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company disclosed any material pending litigation matters relating to the Company in Item 3 of Part I of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, there were no material developments with regard to any previously disclosed matters, and no other matters were reported during the period,

38


although there were certain legal proceedings pending against the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business at September 30, 2008. Based on presently available information, the Company believes that any liabilities arising from these proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company provided a discussion of certain risks and uncertainties faced by the Company in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. However, these factors may not be the only risks or uncertainties the Company faces. Additional risks that the Company does not yet know of or that it currently thinks are immaterial may also impair its business operations.

Based on currently available information, the Company has identified the following additional risk factors:

The current environment in the financial sector may affect the Company's business.

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than 12 months. In addition, markets have produced significant downward pressure on financial stock prices, in some cases, without regard to the underlying financial strength of the issuer. If this disruption continues and the industry continues to experience a lack of confidence, lack of available credit, increased market volatility, and a reduction in business activity, the business of the Company, as well as its stock price, could be adversely affected.

There can be no assurance that the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will help stabilize the U.S. financial system.

On October 3, 2008, the President signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the "EESA") in response to the current crisis in the financial sector. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and banking regulators are implementing a number of programs under this legislation to address capital and liquidity issues in the banking system.

There can be no assurance as to the actual impact the EESA will have on the financial markets, including the extreme levels of volatility and limited credit availability currently being experienced by some institutions.

The market value of property securing certain real estate related loans might not, at any given time, be sufficient to satisfy the outstanding principal amount of the loan.

Significant decreases in the value of collateral securing certain real estate related loans could potentially affect the Company. In the event the Company is required to foreclose on a property securing a real estate related loan, there can be no assurance that it will recover funds in an amount equal to any remaining loan balance as a result of prevailing general economic conditions, real estate values, and other factors associated with the ownership of the property. As a result, the Company could sustain increased loan losses. Adverse changes in the economy may also have a negative effect on the ability of borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, which could have an adverse impact on earnings. For detailed information regarding the Company's loan portfolio, including real estate related loans, please see Table 9, "Commercial Real Estate Loan Detail by Product Type," of Management's Discussion and Analysis.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Disclosure regarding the purchase of Company securities by the Company begins on page *35 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

39


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

Description of Documents

Sequential
Page #

3.1

Restated Certificate of Incorporation is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2002.

3.2

Restated Bylaws of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 17, 2007.

11

Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings - The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is included in Note 6 of the Company's Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in "ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" of this document.

15

Acknowledgment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 (1)

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2 (1)

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

(1)

Furnished, not filed

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

 

/s/ PAUL F. CLEMENS

Paul F. Clemens
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer*

Date: November 7, 2008

* Duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant.

40