ITASCA, Ill., July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "First Midwest") (NASDAQ NGS: FMBI), the holding company of First Midwest Bank (the "Bank"), reported results of operations and financial condition for the second quarter of 2014. Net income for the second quarter of 2014 was $18.5 million, or $0.25 per share. This compares to $16.2 million, or $0.22 per share, for the second quarter of 2013, and $17.7 million, or $0.24 per share, for the first quarter of 2014.

"It was an active second quarter, marked by successful execution on a number of business fronts," said Michael L. Scudder, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. "Earnings for the quarter benefited from broad based revenue growth driven by solid overall business line performance. Our loan growth was diversified, with both our commercial and consumer portfolios posting 11% increases versus last quarter and a year ago. Fee-based revenue growth was robust, increasing 8% from a seasonally impacted first quarter and 4% from last year. This improvement was offset in part by acquisition-related expenses as well as comparatively higher loan reserve provisioning as we actively manage our growing credit portfolio."

Mr. Scudder continued, "Integration efforts for our announced metro Chicago acquisitions of the Popular Community Bank branches and Great Lakes Financial Resources, Inc. remain on track for closings in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Cumulatively, these transactions will add approximately $1.3 billion in deposits, strengthening our strong core deposit foundation and positioning us well for future performance and growth."

SELECT HIGHLIGHTS

Business Momentum

• Increased earnings per share by 14% from the second quarter of 2013 and 4% from the first quarter of 2014.
• Grew total loans, excluding covered loans, by 11% from June 30, 2013 and 11% annualized from March 31, 2014.
• Recorded fee-based revenues of $27 million, up 8% from the first quarter of 2014 and 4% from the second quarter of 2013.
• Increased tax-equivalent net interest income to $69.2 million, improving net interest margin by 4 basis points to 3.65% from the first quarter of 2014.
• Improved efficiency ratio to 63.6% holding noninterest expense consistent with the first quarter of 2014, excluding expenses related to recently announced acquisitions.

Credit and Capital

• Reduced non-performing assets by 25% compared to June 30, 2013 and remained stable compared to March 31, 2014.
• Recorded annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans, excluding covered loans, of 51 basis points for the first six months of 2014 compared to 55 basis points for the same period in 2013.
• Increased dividends per share to $0.08, up from $0.07 for the first quarter of 2014 and $0.04 for the second quarter of 2013.
• Grew Company tier 1 common capital to risk-weighted assets to 10.45% as of June 30, 2014, a 76 basis point improvement from June 30, 2013.

Significant Events

• Announced the acquisition of Great Lakes Financial Resources, Inc. and the Chicago banking operations of Popular Community Bank, which will add over $1.3 billion in deposits and $800 million in loans when closed in the third and fourth quarters of 2014.
• Recorded pre-tax securities gains of $4.0 million from the sale of two investments, including a $3.5 million gain on the sale of a non-accrual CDO.
• Reduced interest expense by prepaying $114.6 million in FHLB advances.
• Recognized by J.D. Power as having the "Highest Customer Satisfaction with Retail Banking in the Midwest Region^*" according to the 2014 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study ^SM.

ACQUISITIONS

On July 7, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire south suburban Chicago-based Great Lakes Financial Resources, Inc. ("Great Lakes"), the holding company for Great Lakes Bank, National Association. As part of the acquisition, the Company will acquire eight locations, approximately $234 million in loans, and $490 million in deposits, 96% of which represent core deposits. The merger consideration will be a combination of Company stock and cash, with an overall transaction value of approximately $58 million, subject to certain adjustments based on the stock price of the Company prior to closing. The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and certain closing conditions, and is expected to close before the end of 2014.

On April 22, 2014, the Bank entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Chicago area banking operations of Banco Popular North America (doing business as Popular Community Bank), which is a subsidiary of Popular, Inc. The acquisition includes Popular Community Bank's retail banking offices and its small business and middle market commercial lending activities in the Chicago metropolitan area. As part of the acquisition, the Bank will acquire twelve full-service retail branches, approximately $750 million in deposits, and approximately $525 million in loans. Subsequently, the Bank entered into an amendment to the definitive agreement to purchase additional loans of approximately $50 million. The Bank received regulatory approval for this acquisition from the Federal Reserve; however, the acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014.

OPERATING PERFORMANCE

For the second quarter of 2014, total average interest-earning assets increased $122.5 million and $230.3 million from the first quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2013, respectively, driven by growth in the loan portfolio, which was funded by higher core deposits and cash flows from maturities of investment securities.

The decrease in total average interest-bearing liabilities of $17.2 million from the first quarter of 2014 resulted from lower levels of time deposits and borrowed funds, which more than offset the increase in interest-bearing transaction deposits. Compared to the second quarter of 2013, the reduction in borrowed funds and senior and subordinated debt mitigated the impact of the rise in interest-bearing transaction deposits. The decline in borrowed funds resulted from the prepayment of $114.6 million of FHLB advances during the second quarter of 2014. Compared to both prior periods, growth in demand deposits also contributed to the increase in total funding sources.

Tax-equivalent net interest margin for the current quarter was 3.65%, increasing 4 basis points from the first quarter of 2014 and decreasing 5 basis points from the second quarter of 2013. The decline in the yield on loans compared to both prior periods reflects the continued shift in the loan mix to floating rate loans and the flattening of the yield curve, which was mitigated by an increase in the yield on covered interest-earning assets in the second quarter of 2014. Compared to the linked quarter, the reduction in the loan yield was more than offset by higher yields on investment securities and a 29 basis point reduction in rates paid on borrowed funds primarily from the prepayment of FHLB advances, of which the full impact will be seen in the third quarter of 2014.

Total fee-based revenues increased 7.8% compared to the linked-quarter, reflecting increases across most categories. Growth was driven by higher levels of non-sufficient funds transactions, which comprise the majority of service charges on deposit accounts, a rise in card-based and merchant servicing fees due to increased transaction volumes, and continued positive performance in wealth management.

Total noninterest income of $31.2 million grew 14.5% from the first quarter of 2014. Sales of a non-accrual CDO and a portion of the Company's hedge fund investment resulted in pre-tax gains of $4.0 million, which were partially offset by a $2.1 million loss from the prepayment of $114.6 million in FHLB advances.

Compared to the second quarter of 2013, total fee-based revenues and total noninterest income grew 3.8% and 13.7%, respectively, due to growth in wealth management fees, card-based fees, and securities gains, excluding the loss on the prepayment of FHLB advances.

The Company's efficiency ratio improved from 66.66% to 63.60%. Total noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2014 increased 2.1% and 4.1% compared to the first quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2013, respectively. The rise in total noninterest expense compared to both prior periods was impacted by costs associated with increased sales production and $830,000 in professional services expenses related to the announced acquisitions. Excluding the acquisition-related expenses, total noninterest expense approximated the first quarter of 2014.

Compared to both prior periods presented, the increase in salaries and employee benefits expense resulted primarily from the timing of certain incentive compensation accruals and the increase in nonqualified plan expense, which is offset by net trading gains in noninterest income.

Net occupancy and equipment expense was elevated in the first quarter of 2014 due to higher utilities and snow removal costs.

As discussed above, increased legal expenses primarily related to acquisition activity drove the rise in professional services expense for the second quarter of 2014.

Advertising and promotions expense increased from the first quarter of 2014 due to the timing of certain advertising costs.

Higher levels of other expenses in the second quarter of 2013 resulted from recording $750,000 in adjusted amortization of the FDIC indemnification asset. No adjusted amortization of the FDIC indemnification asset was required during 2014 based on management's current estimates of future cash flows on covered loans.

LOAN PORTFOLIO AND ASSET QUALITY

Total loans, excluding covered loans, of $5.8 billion rose by $150.4 million, or 10.6% on an annualized basis, from March 31, 2014 and $555.9 million from June 30, 2013. Both corporate and consumer loan portfolios continue to benefit from well-balanced growth distributed across the majority of the categories, reflecting credits of varying size within our market footprint. Strong growth in the commercial and industrial and agricultural loan categories reflects the impact of greater resource investments and expansion into certain sector-based lending areas, such as agri-business, asset-based lending, and healthcare.

During the second quarter of 2014, consumer loans grew 9.7% on an annualized basis from the first quarter of 2014, excluding $32.2 million of 1-4 family mortgage loans sold. The 29.6% year-over-year increase in the home equity portfolio reflects organic growth and the purchase of $100.6 million of high quality, shorter-duration, floating rate loans.

Non-performing assets, excluding covered loans and covered OREO, remained stable compared to March 31, 2014 and decreased by $34.5 million, or 24.5%, from June 30, 2013.

Performing potential problem loans were 3.42% of corporate loans at June 30, 2014, compared to 4.16% at June 30, 2013 and 3.25% at March 31, 2014.

The majority of loans 30-89 days past due at June 30, 2014 were in the process of renewal.

Net loan charge-offs declined 17.7% from the second quarter of 2013. In addition, year-to-date net loan charge-offs to average loans, excluding covered loans, annualized, decreased 7.3%.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The Company's total capital to risk-weighted assets remained stable compared to March 31, 2014. The Company's tier 1 leverage to average assets ratio increased 8 basis points from March 31, 2014 driven by strong earnings and the increase in allowable deferred tax assets, which more than offset the increase in average assets. The Bank's regulatory ratios exceeded all regulatory mandated ratios for characterization as "well-capitalized" as of June 30, 2014.

The Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $0.07 to $0.08 per common share during the second quarter of 2014, which followed a dividend increase from $0.04 to $0.07 per common share in the fourth quarter of 2013.

About the Company

First Midwest is the premier relationship-based financial institution in the dynamic Chicagoland banking market. As one of Illinois' largest independent bank holding companies, First Midwest provides a full range of business and retail banking and wealth management services through approximately 90 banking offices located in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa. First Midwest has been recognized by J.D. Power as having the "Highest Customer Satisfaction with Retail Banking in the Midwest Region^*" according to the 2014 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study^SM. The Company website is www.firstmidwest.com.

^* First Midwest Bank received the highest numerical score among retail banks in the Midwest region in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study^SM.. Study based on 80,445 total responses measuring 21 providers in the Midwest region (IA, IL, KS, MO, MN, WI) and measures opinions of consumers with their primary banking provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed January 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit JDPower.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

The Company's accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and general practice within the banking industry. As a supplement to GAAP, the Company provides non-GAAP performance results, which the Company believes is useful because it assists investors in assessing the Company's operating performance. This includes tax-equivalent net interest income (including its individual components), the efficiency ratio, tier 1 common capital to risk-weighted assets, tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible common equity, excluding other comprehensive loss, to tangible assets, tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets, and non-performing assets to tangible common equity and allowance for credit losses. Although it is intended to enhance investors' understanding of the Company's business and performance, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. It is possible that actual results or events and the Company's financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results, events and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect the Company's future results, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and the risks and other factors identified in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on currently available information. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release after the date hereof.

Additional Information for Stockholders of Great Lakes

The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. First Midwest will file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC in connection with the proposed acquisition of Great Lakes. The registration statement will include a proxy statement of Great Lakes, which also will constitute a prospectus of First Midwest, that will be sent to the stockholders of Great Lakes. Stockholders of Great Lakes are advised to read the proxy statement and prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, when they become available because they will contain important information about First Midwest, Great Lakes and the proposed transaction. When filed, these documents can be obtained free of charge from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These documents also can be obtained free of charge by accessing First Midwest's website at www.firstmidwest.com under the tab "Investor Relations" and then under "SEC Filings." Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from First Midwest upon written request to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143 or by calling (630) 875-7463, or from Great Lakes upon written request to Great Lakes Financial Resources, Inc., Attn: Thomas S. Agler, President, 4600 West Lincoln Highway, Matteson, Illinois 60443 or by calling (708) 283-5800.

Participants in this Transaction

First Midwest, Great Lakes and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Great Lakes stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Certain information regarding the interests of these participants, and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statement and prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available. Additional information about First Midwest and its directors and officers may be found in the definitive proxy statement of First Midwest relating to its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 17, 2014. This definitive proxy statement can be obtained free of charge from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call

A conference call to discuss the Company's results, outlook, and related matters will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. (ET). Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (877) 507-0639 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 317-6003 (International) and ask for the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Earnings Conference Call. The number should be dialed 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. There is no charge to access the call. The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website,www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelations. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the Company's website or by dialing (877) 344-7529 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (International) conference I.D. 10048372 beginning one hour after completion of the live call until 9:00 A.M. (ET) on July 31, 2014. Please direct any questions regarding obtaining access to the conference call to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Investor Relations, via e-mail, at investor.relations@firstmidwest.com.

Accompanying Financial Statements and Tables

Accompanying this press release is the following unaudited financial information:

• Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
• Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

Press Release and Additional Information Available on Website

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