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PROXY STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents

Table of Contents

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

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrantýx


Filed by a Party other than the Registranto


Check the appropriate box:


o

x



Preliminary Proxy Statement


o



Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))


ý

o



Definitive Proxy Statement


o



Definitive Additional Materials


o



Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12


First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)



(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):


ý

x



No fee required.


o



Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1)

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2)

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(4)

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5)

(5)

Total fee paid:


o



o

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.


o



Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.



(1)


(1)


Amount Previously Paid:

(2)

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3)Filing Party:

(4)

(3)

Filing Party:

(4)

Date Filed:




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LOGO

April 9, 201314, 2014

Dear Stockholder:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 20132014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. which will be held on Tuesday,Wednesday, May 14, 201321, 2014 at 9:00 a.m., Central time, at the Waldorf AstoriaWestin Chicago Northwest Hotel, 11 E. Walton Street, Chicago,400 Park Boulevard, Itasca, Illinois 60611.60143. Attached and enclosed you will find a Notice setting forth the business to come before the meeting, a Proxy Statement, a Proxy Card and a copy of our 20122013 Annual Report.

We are pleased to once again offer multiple options for voting your shares. As detailed in theQuestions and Answers section of the Proxy Statement, you can vote your shares via the Internet, by telephone, by mail or by written ballot at the Annual Meeting.

 

Your vote is very important to us. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, your shares should be represented and voted. Please cast your vote via the Internet, by mail or by telephone as instructed on the enclosed Proxy Card. Voting in any of these ways will not prevent you from attending the Annual Meeting.

 

On behalf of our Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. I hope you will be able to attend the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,




GRAPHIC

Michael L. Scudder
President and Chief Executive Officer




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LOGO

One Pierce Place, Suite 1500

Itasca, Illinois 60143

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date and Time:

May 14, 201321, 2014 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time.


Place:


Waldorf Astoria Chicago Hotel, 11 E. Walton Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Place:

Westin Chicago Northwest Hotel, 400 Park Boulevard, Itasca, Illinois 60143.

Items of Business:

 

To elect five directors to our Board of Directors, four of whom will serve three-year terms expiring at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders and one of whom, solely to provide for equal apportionment of the directors among our three director classes, will serve for a three-year term ending in 2016.of one year expiring at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

To consider an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000.

To consider an advisory vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers.

To consider an advisory vote ratifying the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.2014.

 

To consider an advisory vote on the Company's compensation paid to its named executive officers.

To consider amendments to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan to enable certain awards under the Plan to qualify as tax deductible performance-based compensation.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.


Record Date:



You are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting only if you owned shares of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. common stock at the close of business on March 19, 2013,27, 2014, which is the Record Date for the Annual Meeting.


Proxy Voting:



It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. You can vote your shares via the Internet, by telephone or by mail as instructed on the enclosed Proxy Card. Voting in any of these ways will not prevent you from attending or voting your shares at the Annual Meeting. For instructions on how to vote your shares, see theQuestions and Answers section of the Proxy Statement.

By order of the Board of Directors,

Nicholas J. Chulos

Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary

and General Counsel

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

April 9, 2013


14, 2014



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PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction and Summary[To be inserted]

1

Questions and Answers


4

Item 1: Election of Directors


8

Item 2: Advisory Vote Ratifying the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


16

Item 3: Advisory Vote on the Company's Compensation Paid to our Named Executive Officers


17

Item 4: Approval of Amendments to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan to Enable Certain Awards under the Plan to Qualify as Tax Deductible Performance-based Compensation


18

Corporate Governance at First Midwest


25

Information Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Principal Stockholders, Directors, and Management


29

Director Compensation


32

Compensation Discussion and Analysis


34

2012 Summary Compensation Table


46

2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table


48

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2012 Table


49

2012 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table


50

Pension Benefits


50

Non-qualified Deferred Compensation


51

2012 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Table


52

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-In-Control


53

Compensation Committee Report


56

Audit Committee Report


57

Other Matters


58

Annex A: Amended and Restated First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan




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LOGO

One Pierce Place, Suite 1500

Itasca, Illinois 60143

PROXY STATEMENT




INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

 

This Proxy Statement is being furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, to be used at our 20132014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Proxy Card and our 20122013 Annual Report are first being sent to stockholders is April 9, 2013.14, 2014. The following is a summary of items to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.


Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Time and Date:

May 14, 201321, 2014 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time


Place:



Waldorf Astoria Chicago Hotel, 11 E. Walton Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611


Place:

Westin Chicago Northwest Hotel, 400 Park Boulevard, Itasca, Illinois 60143

Record Date:



March 19, 201327, 2014

Items to be
Considered

Board of
Directors Vote
Recommendation




Election of Directors

FOR

Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000

FOR

Advisory Approval of the Company’s Compensation Paid to Named Executive Officers

FOR

Advisory Vote Ratifying Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

FOR

Advisory Approval of the Company's Compensation Paid to Named Executive Officers

FOR

Approval of Amendments to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan

FOR


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Election of Directors

 

The election of five directors of the Company, with each nomineeCompany. Mr. Chlebowski, Mr. Gill, Ms. Rudnick and Mr. Small will be elected to serve athe class of directors whose term expiringexpires in 20162017 and until his successor isMr. Henseler will be elected and qualified.to the class of directors whose term expires in 2015. See page 8.

Director Nominees
 Age Director
Since
 Independent Board Vote
Recommendation

Brother James Gaffney, FSC
President of Lewis University

  70  1998 Yes FOR

Patrick J. McDonnell
President and Chief Executive Officer of The McDonnell Company LLC

  
69
  
2002
 

Yes

 

FOR

Michael L. Scudder
President and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bank

  
52
  
2008
 

No

 

FOR

John L. Sterling
Director of Sterling Lumber Company

  
69
  
1998
 

Yes

 

FOR

J. Stephen Vanderwoude
Private Investor

  
69
  
1991
 

Yes

 

FOR


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
__.

 

Director Nominees

 

 

Age

 

Director
Since

 

Independent

 

Board of
Directors Vote
Recommendation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John F. Chlebowski, Jr.

 

68

 

2007

 

Yes

 

FOR

 

Chairman of the Board of SemGroup Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phupinder S. Gill

 

53

 

2010

 

Yes

 

FOR

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of CME Group Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1



Peter J. Henseler

 

55

 

2011

 

Yes

 

FOR

 

President of Wise Consulting Group Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ellen A. Rudnick

 

63

 

2005

 

Yes

 

FOR

 

Executive Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago, School of Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael J. Small

 

56

 

2010

 

Yes

 

FOR

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of Gogo, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

We are asking our stockholders to ratifyapprove and adopt an amendment to the selectionCompany’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2013.Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000. See page 16.__.


Executive Compensation

 

We are asking stockholders for an annual advisory vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. See page 17.


Amendments to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan
__.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We are asking our stockholders for an advisory vote to approve amendments toratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan to enable certain awards under the Plan to qualify as tax deductible performance-based compensation.independent registered public accounting firm for 2014. See page 18.


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Certain Terms

 

We use certain terms in this Proxy Statement that have particular meanings. For ease of reference, we have set forth below the meaning of these terms.

Term

Meaning

Annual Meeting

2013

2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

BankBoard of Directors or Board

Board of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Certificate of Incorporation

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Common Stock

Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Company, we, us or our

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Compensation Committee

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

First Midwest Bank

First Midwest Bank, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Board

Board of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Common Stock

Common Stock, $.01 par value, of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Company, First Midwest, FMBI, we, us or our

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Compensation Committee

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Internal Revenue Code

Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan or the Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan

PARSProxy Card

Performance-based equity awards granted under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan

Proxy Card

The form of proxy card that accompanies this Proxy Statement

2



Proxy Statement

This proxy statement

Proxy StatementRecord Date

This proxy statementMarch 27, 2014

Record DateSEC

March 19, 2013

SEC

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

STIC

Short-Term Incentive Compensation Plan of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

You are entitled to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder of record of the Company at the close of business on March 19, 2013,27, 2014, the Record Date for the Annual Meeting. On that date, there were approximately 75,169,00075,345,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote for each matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, we had approximately 2,1201,950 registered stockholders of record.

 

A proxy is your direction to another person to vote your shares. When you sign the enclosed Proxy Card, you will appoint certain officers of our Company to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting in the manner you instruct. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you should complete, sign and return your Proxy Card in advance.

Who is entitled to receive this mailing?

If you hold Common Stock that is registered in your name through our transfer agent (Computershare) as of the Record Date, you are a stockholder of record. However, if you hold shares of our Common Stock indirectly through a broker, bank or similar institution, you are considered a beneficial owner of your shares but arenot a stockholder of record. In this circumstance, you are a stockholder whose shares are held in "street name"“street name” and your broker, bank or other nominee is considered the stockholder of record. We sent copies of our proxy materials directly to all stockholders of record. If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held in "street name"“street name”, these materials were sent to you by the bank, broker or similar institution through which you hold your shares. As the beneficial owner, you can direct your bank, broker or other institution on how to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, and they are obligated to provide you with a voting instruction form for you to use for this purpose.

What does it mean if I receive more than one Proxy Card?

 

If you receive multiple Proxy Cards, this means you hold your shares in more than one account. To ensure that all your shares are voted, sign and return each Proxy Card. If you vote on the Internet or by telephone, you will need to vote for each Proxy Card you receive.

How are shares voted and counted?

If you are a stockholder of record on the Record Date and you properly submit your Proxy Card by mail, telephone or the Internet, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you sign, date and return your Proxy Card, but do not give voting instructions, your shares will be voted in the manner recommended by the Board of Directors FOR each director nominee andFOR each of the other items set forth in the notice for this Annual Meeting. A Proxy Card also will grant discretionary authority to the named proxies to vote pursuant to the Proxy Card on any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement, which will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the named proxies.

If your shares are held in street name, the shares will be voted by the broker, bank or other institution through which you hold your shares onroutine matters in accordance your instructions and, if no instructions are given, your broker is entitled to vote your shares in its discretion. Onnon-routine matters your broker will vote your shares only if you have provided the broker with voting instructions. If you do not give your broker, bank or other institution voting instructions fornon-routine items, your shares will be treated as "broker non-votes"“broker non-votes”. This means your shares will be counted for the purpose of determining if a quorum is present but, except as provided

3



below, will not be included as votes cast with respect to thenon-routine item. The determination of whether a matter isroutine ornon-routine is made under the rules of the NasdaqNASDAQ Stock


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Market. An abstention occurs when a stockholder marks his or her Proxy Card as "abstain"“abstain” and thereby abstains from voting on a matter.

 

The following chart explains which Items to be voted upon at our Annual Meeting are routine and non-routine and the treatment of broker non-votes and abstentions.

Item

Type

Effect of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

Election of Directors

Non-Routine

Broker non-votes and votes to ABSTAIN are not treated as a "vote cast"“vote cast” with respect to the election of a director, and thus will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

Approval of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000

Non-Routine

Votes to ABSTAIN are treated as “votes cast” and will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this Item. Broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this Item.

Approval, by advisory vote, of the Company’s Compensation Paid to its Named Executive Officers

Non-Routine

Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this Item. Votes to ABSTAIN are treated as “votes cast” and will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this Item.

Ratification, by advisory vote, of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Routine

Broker non-votes are not expected to exist because brokers have discretionary authority to vote on this Item. Votes to ABSTAIN are treated as "votes cast"“votes cast” and will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this Item.

Approval, by advisory vote, of the Company's Compensation Paid to its Named Executive Officers

Non-Routine

Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this Item. Votes to ABSTAIN are treated as "votes cast" and will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this Item.

Approval of Amendments to the Company's Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan

Non-Routine

Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this Item. Votes to ABSTAIN are treated as "votes cast" and will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this Item.

What is the required vote for each item of business to properly come before the Annual Meeting?

 

A quorum is required to transact business at the Annual Meeting. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the Record Date, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are treated as present for quorum purposes.

    Item 1—Election of Directors.You may vote FOR or AGAINST any or all director nominees named in this Proxy Statement, or you may ABSTAIN as to one or more directors. A majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting with respect to the election of a director must be voted FOR the director in order for the director to be elected. A director who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast FOR his or her election will tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors for consideration, and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will consider the recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results.



    Item 2—Advisory Vote RatifyingApproval of an Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the AppointmentNumber of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000You may vote FOR or AGAINST the ratificationamendment to our Certificate of our Audit Committee's appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending

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      December 31, 2013,Incorporation, or you may ABSTAIN. A majority of the votes castoutstanding Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR ratificationthe amendment in order for the Itemit to pass.

    4



Item 3—Advisory Vote Approving the Compensation Paid to our Named Executive Officers.You may vote FOR or AGAINST the compensation paid to our named executive officers, or you may ABSTAIN. A majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR the Item in order for it to pass.



Item 4—ApprovalAdvisory Vote Ratifying the Appointment of Amendments to the Company's Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  You may vote FOR or AGAINST the amendments toratification of our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan,Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014, or you may ABSTAIN. A majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR the Itemratification in order for itthe Item to pass.

How do I vote?

If you are astockholder of record you may cast your vote in one of four ways:

    By Internet.The web address for Internet voting can be found on the enclosed Proxy Card. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day. To be valid, your vote by Internet must be received by the deadline specified on the card.



    By Telephone.The number for telephone voting can be found on the enclosed Proxy Card. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day. To be valid, your vote by telephone must be received by the deadline specified on the Proxy Card.



    By Mail.Mark the enclosed Proxy Card, sign and date it, and return it in the postage pre-paid envelope we have provided. To be valid, your vote by mail must be received by the deadline specified on the card.



    At the Annual Meeting.You can vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you must present an acceptable form of identification (such as a valid driver'sdriver’s license) in order to vote at the meeting.

If you hold your shares instreet name, you may vote by following your broker'sbroker’s instructions or, in order to vote at the meeting, you must obtain from your broker through which you hold your shares, both an account statement showing that you owned shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date and a "legal proxy"“legal proxy” form, and bring them to the meeting.

How can I revoke my Proxy Card, substitute a new Proxy Card or change my vote?

 

You can revoke your Proxy Card or substitute a new Proxy Card at any time before your Proxy Card is voted at the Annual Meeting by:

    submitting a new Proxy Card through the Internet or by telephone; or



    executing and mailing a Proxy Card that is dated and received on a later date; or



    giving written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary at One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143; or



    voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

If your shares are held in street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or other institution.


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How can I obtain an additional Proxy Card?

 

If you lose, misplace or otherwise need to obtain a Proxy Card, and:

    5



you are a stockholder of record, contact our Corporate Secretary'sSecretary’s office at 630-875-7463; or



you hold Common Stock indirectlyin street name through a bank, broker or other institution, contact your account representative at that organization.

How will current employees who participate in the Company'sCompany’s benefit plans receive our proxy materials?

Employees who participate in theFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (Savings and Profit Sharing Plan),First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Non-qualified Retirement Plan (Retirement Plan),First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan (Gain Deferral Plan) and/or theFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan, and have a Company e-mail address, will receive an e-mail from Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. describing how to access proxy materials and vote via the Internet or by telephone. One e-mail will be sent for all accounts registered in the same employee name. If the employee'semployee’s accounts are registered in different names, he or she will receive a separate e-mail for each account. This e-mail will be titled: FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC. 20132014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND PROXY VOTE.

The trustees under these plans are the stockholders of record of all shares of Common Stock held in the plans, and the trustees will vote the shares held for the account of each employee in accordance with the instructions received from the employee. Employees should instruct the trustees how to vote their shares by using the instructions provided in the e-mail and vote via the Internet or by telephone. If the trustees do not receive voting instructions by the specified deadline, the trustees will vote the shares proportionally in the same manner as those shares for which instructions were received. Because the employees are not the record owners of the related shares, the employees may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting.Individual voting instructions to the plan trustees will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to any of our directors, officers or employees.

Who pays for the expenses of this proxy solicitation?

 

We will pay the expenses of the preparation of proxy materials and the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitations may be made by certain of our directors, officers or employees or affiliates telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication. Directors, officers and employees will receive no additional compensation for any such solicitation. We will reimburse brokers, banks and other institutions for costs incurred by them in mailing proxy materials to beneficial owners in accordance with applicable rules.

What do I need to do to attend the Annual Meeting?

 

All stockholders must bring an acceptable form of identification, such as a valid driver'sdriver’s license, in order to attend the Annual Meeting in person. In addition, if you hold shares in street name and would like to attend our Annual Meeting, you will need to bring an account statement or other acceptable evidence of ownership of Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date.

Additional Information

You may obtain additional information regarding the Company, including our corporate governance policies and practices, by visiting our website atwww.firstmidwest.com/investorrelations, or by a written request to our Corporate Secretary at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143.


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A list of the stockholders of record as of the Record Date will be available for inspection for purposes germane to the Annual Meeting during ordinary business hours at our offices, One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143, from May 3, 20139, 2014 to May 14, 2013,20, 2014, as well as at the Annual Meeting.

6



Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting on May 14, 201321, 2014

A copy of our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20122013 is enclosed with this Proxy Statement. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this Proxy Statement and our 20122013 Annual Report are available atwww.proxyvote.com (if you utilize www.proxyvote.com, you will need the control number included on your Proxy Card or voting instruction form). If you would like to receive, without charge, a paper copy of our Annual Report, please contact our Corporate Secretary at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143.

ITEM 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees for Election

 

Our Board of Directors currently consists of 12 directors and is divided into three classes, with each class serving for staggered three-year terms. As a result, each year, only one class of directors stands for election at our Annual Meeting.

 This year, upon

Upon the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors nominated Brother James Gaffney, PatrickJohn F. Chlebowski, Jr., Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. McDonnell,Henseler, Ellen A. Rudnick and Michael L. Scudder, John L. Sterling and J. Stephen VanderwoudeSmall to stand for election at the Annual Meeting, all of whom are currently directors of the CompanyCompany.

Upon the further recommendation of our Nominating and have previously been electedCorporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors determined to realign our classes of directors this year to provide for equal apportionment among the three classes. Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our classes of directors should be as nearly equal in number as possible. At the present time, two of our classes consist of five directors by our stockholders.each and the remaining class consists of two directors. The class of directors having two directors is the class with directors whose current terms expire in 2015. Our classes became imbalanced due to several director retirements or deaths, and the Board of Directors has determined it is desirable to rebalance the classes so that each class is comprised of four directors.

 If

To accomplish the rebalancing of our director classes, Mr. McDonnell, whose present term will expire in 2016, intends to tender his resignation from the Board of Directors immediately following the Annual Meeting, and the Board intends to immediately appoint Mr. McDonnell to the class of directors whose term expires in 2015. In addition, Mr. Henseler, whose present term expires at this Annual Meeting and who would have been nominated at the Annual Meeting for election to the class of directors whose term expires in 2017, has instead been nominated for election to the class of directors whose term will expire in 2015. No other changes to the classes of directors are being proposed.

As such, if elected, Mr. Chlebowski, Mr. Gill, Ms. Rudnick and Mr. Small will each nominee will hold office for a three-year term expiring at our annual meeting of stockholders in 20162017 and Mr. Henseler will hold office for a one-year term expiring at our annual meeting in 2015 and, in each case, until his or her successor has been elected and qualified. Each nominee has informed us that he is willing to serve as a director if elected. If a nominee fails to receive the required majority vote for election, he or she will tender his or her resignation as a director in accordance with our By-Laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the Board of Directors will determine whether it is in the best interests of the Company to accept any tendered resignation.

Each nominee has informed us that he or she is willing to serve as a director if elected. Should any nominee become unable or refuse to serve as a director upon election, it is intended that the persons named as proxies in the Proxy Card will vote for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend.

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The following table reflects the realignment of the director classes being recommended by our Board of Directors:

Existing Classes of Directors

Re-aligned Classes
Following the Annual Meeting

Term Expiring in 2014

Term Expiring in 2017

John F. Chlebowski, Jr.

John F. Chlebowski, Jr.

Phupinder S. Gill

Phupinder S. Gill

Peter J. Henseler

Ellen A. Rudnick

Ellen A. Rudnick

Michael J. Small

Michael J. Small

Term Expiring in 2015

Term Expiring in 2015

Barbara A. Boigegrain

Barbara A. Boigegrain

Robert P. O’Meara

Robert P. O’Meara

Peter J. Henseler

Patrick J. McDonnell

Term Expiring in 2016

Term Expiring in 2016

Brother James Gaffney

Brother James Gaffney

Patrick J. McDonnell

Michael L. Scudder

Michael L. Scudder

John L. Sterling

John L. Sterling

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

Nomination Process

 

In identifying, evaluating and recommending nominees for the Board of Directors, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee places primary emphasis on the criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines which includes:

    the individual's judgment, expertise, character, skills, background, knowledge of matters useful to the oversight of the Company and other relevant experience;

    the individual's ability and willingness to commit adequate time to Board and committee matters; and

    the extent to which the interplay of the individual's expertise, skills, knowledge and personality with that of other Board members will build a Board that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of the Company.

 

the individual’s judgment, expertise, character, skills, background, knowledge of matters useful to the oversight of the Company and other relevant experience;

the individual’s ability and willingness to commit adequate time to Board and committee matters; and

the extent to which the interplay of the individual’s expertise, skills, knowledge and personality with that of other Board members will build a Board of Directors that is effective, collegial and responsive to the needs of the Company.

We do not set specific, minimum qualifications that nominees must meet in order to be recommended to the Board.Board of Directors. Each nominee is evaluated based on his or her individual merits, taking into account the needs of the Company and the composition of the Board.Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee discusses and evaluates possible candidates in detail and outside consultants are sometimes engaged to help identify potential candidates. When determining whether to recommend a director for re-election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers the director'sdirector’s past participation in and contributions to Board activities.


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        The BoardDirectors has not adopted a formal diversity policy for nominees. When making recommendations for nominees to the Board, however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee attempts to include directors who, when taken together with the other nominees and continuing directors, will create a group that offers a diversity of education, professional experience, background, age, perspective,

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viewpoints and skill. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider and evaluate director candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as other candidates identified by the Committee. A stockholder wanting to formally nominate a candidate must do so by following the procedures described in the Company's RestatedCompany’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, as amended from time to time.

Independence of Nominees and Non-Employee Directors

 

Our Board of Directors determines the independence of all non-employee directors in accordance with the independence requirements of the NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market listing standards (Nasdaq Rules).standards. Accordingly, each year the Board affirmatively determines whether each non-employee director has a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Annually, each non-employee director is required to complete a questionnaire that provides information about relationships that might affect the determination of independence. Management then provides the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board of Directors with relevant facts and circumstances of any relationship bearing on the independence of a director or nominee that are outside the categories permitted under the Nasdaq Rules.NASDAQ rules.

 

Based on the review and recommendation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors analyzed the independence of each of the Company'sCompany’s nominees and other current directors, and determined that all of our directors meet the standards of independence under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Nasdaq Rules,NASDAQ rules, other than Michael L. Scudder, the Company'sCompany’s current President and Chief Executive Officer, who is not considered to be independent under the standards of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Nasdaq Rules.NASDAQ rules. In addition, our Board of Directors determined that:

    Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and has accounting or related financial management expertise (as such qualifications are defined under the Nasdaq Rules),

    Patrick J. McDonnell is an "audit committee financial expert" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC.

    Each member of the Compensation Committee is a "non-employee director" within the meaning of SEC Rule 16b-3, and an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and has accounting or related financial management expertise (as such qualifications are defined under the NASDAQ rules),

Patrick J. McDonnell and John F. Chlebowski, Jr. are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Each member of the Compensation Committee is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of SEC Rule 16b-3, and an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The evaluation and selection of each member of the Board of Directors is based on a variety of factors. Included in the table below is the name of each member of the Board, along with his or her principal occupation for at least the previous five years and other professional experience and achievements. Each director has been identified as possessing the requisite skills, experience and attributes that qualify him or her to serve as a member of the Company's Board.our Board of Directors.

Nominees Standing for Election at this Annual Meeting with a Term Expiring in 20162017 Except for Mr. Henseler Whose Term will Expire in 2015

John F. Chlebowski, Jr. (68)
Director since 2007

Mr. Chlebowski served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lakeshore Operating Partners, LLC (a bulk liquid distribution firm) from March 2000 until his retirement in December 2004. Previously, Mr. Chlebowski was a senior executive and co-founder of Lakeshore Liquids Operating Partners, LLC, a private venture firm, and from January 1998 until July 1999, he was a private investor and consultant in bulk liquid distribution. Mr. Chlebowski served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GATX Terminals Corporation, a subsidiary of GATX Corporation, from 1994 until 1998. He also served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of GATX Corporation, a specialized finance and leasing company, from 1986 to 1994.

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Mr. Chlebowski currently serves as a member of the Company’s Advisory Committee and Audit Committee. He also is the Chairman of the Board of SemGroup Corporation (since 2009) and is a member of the board of directors and Lead Independent Director of NRG Yield, Inc. (since 2013). He is a former Board member of NRG Energy, Inc. (2003 to 2013), Laidlaw International, Inc. (2003 to 2007), Phosphate Resource Partners LP (2003 to 2004) and SpectraSite, Inc. (2004 to 2005).

Mr. Chlebowski earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware in 1970 and an MBA with a concentration in Finance (Beta Gamma Sigma) from Pennsylvania State University in 1971. He is active in community affairs and is the past President of the board of directors of Heartland Alliance. He has also served on the boards of the Chicago Heart Association, Chicago City Ballet and Merit Music Program.

Through his past senior management experience, extensive professional background and significant business achievements, Mr. Chlebowski brings important public company, leadership, business, risk management, finance and accounting experience to our Board of Directors, as well as valuable experience and perspective relating to corporate strategy and board governance.

Phupinder S. Gill (53)
Director since 2010

Mr. Gill is the Chief Executive Officer of CME Group Inc. (a global derivatives marketplace and exchange). He served as President from 2007 until 2012, and previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of CME Holdings and of CME from January 1, 2004 until 2007. Mr. Gill served as President of GFX Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Group that provides liquidity in foreign exchange futures from 1998 until 2012. From 2000 to 2003, he served as Managing Director and President of CME Clearing.

Brother

Mr. Gill currently serves as a member of the Company’s Audit Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of CME Group as well as the board of the World Federation of Exchanges. Mr. Gill is a member of CME Group’s Competitive Markets Advisory Council and sits on the boards of The Alexander Maxwell Grant Foundation, CME Group Foundation and CME Group Community Foundation. He previously served on the boards of CME Clearing Europe—CME Group’s UK Clearing House, Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad, and Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV).

Mr. Gill earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance in 1985 and an MBA in 1987 from Washington State University.

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Through his professional background and business achievements, Mr. Gill brings important public company, technology, leadership, operating and senior management experience to our Board of Directors as well as mergers and acquisitions and global expertise to the Board.

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Peter J. Henseler (55)
Director since 2011

Mr. Henseler is the founder and President of Wise Consulting Group Inc. (a strategy and management consulting firm). He previously held the position of Vice Chairman of TOMY International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan based TOMY Company, Ltd. (a global designer and marketer of toys and infant products) until his retirement from TOMY International in October 2012. He also held the position of President of TOMY International from April 2011 until April 2012. Mr. Henseler was President of RC2 Corporation from 2002 to 2011, at which time TOMY Company acquired RC2. He also served as RC2’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1999 to 2002. Prior to joining RC2, Mr. Henseler held marketing positions at McDonald’s Corporation and Hasbro, Inc. Mr. Henseler also served as a director of RC2 and TOMY International and currently serves on the United States Toy Industry Association Board of Directors.

Mr. Henseler currently serves as a member of the Compensation Committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Xavier University in 1980.

Through his professional experience and business accomplishments, Mr. Henseler brings important senior management, operating, and leadership experience to the our Board of Directors as well as his core business and leadership skills, perspective as the past president of a global public company, and experience in brand management and business development.

Ellen A. Rudnick (63)
Director since 2005

Since 1999, Ms. Rudnick has served as the Executive Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Ms. Rudnick served as President and CEO of Healthcare Knowledge Resources, President of HCIA, Chairman of Pacific Biometrics and Corporate Vice President of Baxter Healthcare Corporation.

Currently, Ms. Rudnick serves as a member of the Company’s Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Advisory Committees. She also currently serves on the boards of directors of Patterson Companies (since 2003) and HMS Holdings, Corp. (since 1997), both of which are public companies, and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (since 2001).

Ms. Rudnick earned a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College in 1972 and an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1973. She has spent over 25 years in business management and entrepreneurial activities, primarily in the health care and information services industries. She serves in various leadership positions with several civic and nonprofit organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area, including having served on the Northshore University Health System board of directors for over 20 years, and currently is on the boards of directors of Hyde Park Angels and CEC-Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Center. She is the recipient of several honors including Today’s Chicago Woman 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame and the YWCA Leadership Award.

With her extensive business background and unique professional achievements, Ms. Rudnick brings important leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial experience to our Board of Directors, as well as valuable experience in business management.

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Michael J. Small (56)
Director since 2010

Mr. Small is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gogo, Inc. (an airborne communications service provider) and has served in this capacity since 2010. Prior to joining Gogo, Mr. Small served as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Centennial Communications Corporation from 1999 to 2009. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Small served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 360 Degrees Communications Company. Prior to 1995, he served as President of Lynch Corporation, a diversified acquisition-oriented company with operations in telecommunications, manufacturing and transportation services.

Mr. Small currently serves as a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Audit Committee. Mr. Small earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colgate University in 1979 and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1981.

Through his diverse professional experience and important business achievements, Mr. Small brings extensive public company, operating and management experience to our Board of Directors as well as strategic and financial expertise, merger/acquisition experience, business analytic skills and the perspective of a current chief executive officer.

Continuing Directors Serving a Term Expiring in 2016 Except for Mr. McDonnell Whose Term will Expire in 2015

Br. James Gaffney, (70)FSC (71)
Director since 1998

Brother Gaffney FSC has served as the President of Lewis University (a leading catholic and Lasallian university) in Romeoville, Illinois since 1988. He obtained a bachelor'sbachelor’s degree in Theology and a Masters in Education from Saint Mary'sMary’s University of Minnesota, a Masters degree in Theology from Manhattan College in New York and a D.Min. degree in Pastoral Theology from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois.


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Brother Gaffney serves as a member of the Compensation Committee and Advisory Committee and is the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. He serves as a director, trustee or board member of more than 10 educational, religious, civic, corporate and community organizations and agencies. A member and former chair of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, he also serves on the Executive Council of Chicago Metropolis Strategies. He is Chairman of the Will County Community Foundation, and is an active board member for the Will County Center for Economic Development. A member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, he chairs the Lasallian Association of College and University Presidents.

Brother Gaffney has been the recipient of numerous honors including the Roger Osman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service from the United Way of Will County (1997), Lifetime Achievement Award from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2002), the De La Salle Award from Bethlehem University (2005), the Provena St. Joseph Medical Center Founder'sFounder’s Award (2007) and the Saint Patrick High School President'sPresident’s CouncilCounsellor II Award (2010).

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Brother Gaffney'sGaffney’s extensive background in education and administration enables him to bring valuable leadership, institutional management and consensus-building skills to the Board.our Board of Directors. His civic and charitable activities in the metropolitan Chicago area also give him unique insight into the markets and communities in which the Company operates.

Patrick J. McDonnell (69)(70)
Director since 2002

Since July 2000, Mr. McDonnell has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The McDonnell Company LLC located in Lake Forest, Illinois (a business consulting company). In this position, he works with public and privately-held companies in a wide variety of industries to help define organizational opportunities to improve performance and achieve results. Previously, he served as a partner and director of global assurance for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an international public accounting firm, and vice chairman of business assurance for its predecessor, Coopers & Lybrand, LLP. He has also served as President and COO of LAI Worldwide, Inc., an executive recruiting firm, including facilitating its sale to TMP Worldwide, Inc.

Mr. McDonnell serves as a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Advisory Committee and is the Chair of the Audit Committee. He also servesserved as a member of the board of directors of Material Sciences Corporation (since 2006)(2006 to 2014). He is a former Adjunct Professor at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management where he taught Leading Organizational Change.

Mr. McDonnell earned a BBA degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1965 and an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1970. He is the author ofEverybody Wants to Go to Heaven—Six Steps to Organizational Excellence (Summer, 2000). Through his financial experience, his current consulting practice and his diverse professional background, Mr. McDonnell brings valuable tactical skills and experience in business management, strategic planning, finance, accounting and public company matters to the Board.our Board of Directors.


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Michael L. Scudder (52)(53)
Director since 2008

Mr. Scudder is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bank, which is the Company'sCompany’s principal subsidiary. He serves as a member of our Advisory Committee.

Prior to his current appointment in September 2008, Mr. Scudder served as the Company'sCompany’s President and Chief Operating Officer beginning in May 2007, and as its Chief Financial Officer from January 2002 to May 2007. He previously served as the Group Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Midwest Bank from May 1995 to December 2001. He also has served in various other management capacities in his over 25 years of service to the Company.

Mr. Scudder earned a bachelor'sbachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1982, and an MBA from DePaul University in 1993.

Mr. Scudder brings extensive senior management, financial and banking experience to theour Board of Directors and important institutional knowledge of the Company and its business and clients. His day to day management of the Company provides the Board with Company-specific experience and expertise, including a complete understanding of the Company'sCompany’s vision and strategy.

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John L. Sterling (69)(70)
Director since 1998

Mr. Sterling has been a director of Sterling Lumber Company (a hardwood lumber supplier and distributor) headquartered in Blue Island, Illinois for over 4546 years. He serves as a member of our Compensation Committee.

Mr. Sterling earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration in 1967 from Michigan State University. He serves in various leadership positions with several civic and charitable organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area, including the Boy Scouts of America, and he is the recipient of the council'scouncil’s highest award.

Mr. Sterling'sSterling’s extensive background as a business owner allows him to bring valuable leadership, business development, customer service and strategic management experience to theour Board. His business, civic and charitable activities in the metropolitan Chicago area also give him unique insight into the markets and communities in which the Company operates.

J. Stephen Vanderwoude (69)(70)
Director since 1991

Mr. Vanderwoude is currently a private investor. From 1996 until April 2007, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Madison River Communications Corp., a company that acquired and operated rural telephone companies. Prior to his service to Madison River, he served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Powerhouse Technologies, Inc., and President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Centel Corporation.


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Mr. Vanderwoude serves as the Chair of the Company's Compensation Committee and is a member of our Advisory Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. From 1999 to 2009, Mr. Vanderwoude served as a member of the board of directors of Centennial Communications Corp and as its Chairman from 2007 to 2009.

Mr. Vanderwoude serves as the Chair of the Compensation Committee and is a member of our Advisory Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. Vanderwoude earned a bachelor'sbachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967 and an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1977. Through his chief executive officer and director experience at other public companies, professional background and considerable business accomplishments and achievements, Mr. Vanderwoude brings valuable skills and experience in leadership, business management, strategic planning, finance, merger/acquisition and public company matters to the Board.our Board of Directors. He also has extensive knowledge and experience regarding the Company'sCompany’s businesses, which he gained as a result of his over 22 years of service to the Board.

Continuing Directors Serving a Term Expiring in 2014

John F. Chlebowski, Jr. (67)
Director since 2007

Mr. Chlebowski served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lakeshore Operating Partners, LLC (a bulk liquid distribution firm) from March 2000 until his retirement in December 2004. From July 1999 until March 2000, Mr. Chlebowski was a senior executive and co-founder of Lakeshore Liquids Operating Partners, LLC, a private venture firm, and from January 1998 until July 1999, he was a private investor and consultant in bulk liquid distribution. Mr. Chlebowski served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GATX Terminals Corporation, a subsidiary of GATX Corporation, from 1994 until 1998. He also served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of GATX Corporation, a specialized finance and leasing company, from 1986 to 1994.

Mr. Chlebowski currently serves as a member of the Company's Advisory Committee and Audit Committee. He also is the Chairman of the Board of SemGroup Corporation (since 2009) and is a member of the board of directors of NRG Energy, Inc. (since 2003). He is a former Board member of Laidlaw International, Inc. (2003 to 2007), Phosphate Resource Partners LP (2003 to 2004) and SpectraSite, Inc. (2004 to 2005).

Mr. Chlebowski earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware in 1970 and an MBA with a concentration in Finance (Beta Gamma Sigma) from Pennsylvania State University in 1971. He is active in community affairs and is the past President of the board of directors of Heartland Alliance. He has also served on the boards of the Chicago Heart Association, Chicago City Ballet and Merit Music Program.


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Through his past senior management experience, extensive professional background and significant business achievements, Mr. Chlebowski brings important public company, leadership, business, risk management, finance and accounting experience to the Board, as well as valuable experience and perspective relating to corporate strategy and board governance.

Phupinder S. Gill (52)
Director since 2010

Mr. Gill is the Chief Executive Officer of CME Group Inc. (a global derivatives marketplace and exchange). He served as President from 2007 until 2012, and previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of CME Holdings and of CME from January 1, 2004 until 2007. Mr. Gill served as President of GFX Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Group that provides liquidity in foreign exchange futures from 1998 until 2012. From 2000 to 2003, he served as Managing Director and President of CME Clearing.

Mr. Gill currently serves as a member of the Company's Audit Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of CME Group as well as the board of the World Federation of Exchanges and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Global Markets Advisory Committee. Mr. Gill is a member of CME Group's Competitive Markets Advisory Council and sits on the boards of The Alexander Maxwell Grant Foundation, Teach for America—Chicago, CME Group Foundation and CME Group Community Foundation. He previously served on the boards of CME Clearing Europe—CME Group's UK Clearing House, Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad, and Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV).

Mr. Gill earned a bachelor's degree in Finance in 1985 and an MBA in 1987 from Washington State University.

Through his professional background and business achievements, Mr. Gill brings important public company, technology, leadership, operating and senior management experience to the Board as well as mergers and acquisitions and global expertise to the Board.

Peter J. Henseler (54)
Director since 2011

Mr. Henseler is the founder and President of Wise Consulting Group Inc. (a Strategy and Management consulting firm). He previously held the position of Vice Chairman of TOMY International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan based TOMY Company, Ltd. (a global designer and marketer of toys and infant products) until his retirement from TOMY International in October 2012. He also held the position of President of TOMY International from April 2011 until April 2012. Mr. Henseler was President of RC2 Corporation from 2002 to 2011, at which time TOMY Company acquired RC2. He also served as RC2's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1999 to 2002. Prior to joining RC2, Mr. Henseler held marketing positions at McDonald's Corporation and Hasbro, Inc. Mr. Henseler also served as a director of RC2 and TOMY International and currently serves on the United States Toy Industry Association Board of Directors.

Mr. Henseler currently serves as a member of the Company's Compensation Committee. He earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Xavier University in 1980.


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Through his professional experience and business accomplishments, Mr. Henseler brings important senior management, operating, and leadership experience to the Board as well as his core business and leadership skills, perspective as the past president of a global public company, and experience in brand management and business development.

Ellen A. Rudnick (62)
Director since 2005

Since 1999, Ms. Rudnick has served as the Executive Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Ms. Rudnick served as President and CEO of Healthcare Knowledge Resources, President of HCIA, Chairman of Pacific Biometrics, and Corporate Vice President of Baxter Healthcare Corporation.

Currently, Ms. Rudnick serves as a member of the Company's Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Advisory Committees. She also currently serves on the board of Patterson Companies (since 2003) and HMS Holdings, Corp. (since 1997).

Ms. Rudnick earned a bachelor's degree from Vassar College in 1972 and an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1973. She has spent over 25 years in business management and entrepreneurial activities, primarily in the health care and information services industries. She serves in various leadership positions with several civic and charitable organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area, including serving on the Northshore University Health System board of directors for over 20 years. She is the recipient of several honors including Today's Chicago Woman 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame and the YWCA Leadership Award.

With her extensive business background and unique professional achievements, Ms. Rudnick brings important leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial experience to the Board, as well as valuable experience in business management.

Michael J. Small (55)
Director since 2010

Mr. Small has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gogo, Inc. (an airborne communications service provider) since 2010. Prior to joining Gogo, Mr. Small served as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Centennial Communications Corporation from 1999 to 2009. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Small served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 360 Degrees Communications Company. Prior to 1995, he served as President of Lynch Corporation, a diversified acquisition-oriented company with operations in telecommunications, manufacturing and transportation services.

Mr. Small currently serves as a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Audit Committee. Mr. Small earned a bachelor's degree in History from Colgate University in 1979 and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1981.


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Through his diverse professional experience and important business achievements, Mr. Small brings extensive public company, operating and management experience to the Board as well as strategic and financial expertise, merger/acquisition experience, business analytic skills and the perspective of a current chief executive officer.

Continuing Directors Serving a Term Expiring in 2015

Barbara A. Boigegrain (55)(56)
Director since 2008

Since 1994,

Ms. Boigegrain has served as the General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church in Glenview, Illinois since 1994 (a $17 billion pension, health and welfare benefit trustee and administrator). Prior to 1994, she spent 11 years as a consultant with Towers Perrin and 4 years with KPMG Peat Marwick and Dart Industries as a manager and analyst.

Ms. Boigegrain currently serves as a member of the Company's Compensation Committee. Ms. Boigegrain also is a member of the board of directors of Church Benefits Association and Chair of the Church Alliance.

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Ms. Boigegrain earned a bachelor'sbachelor’s degree from Trinity University in 1979. In her current position with the General Board, she has overseen its restructuring and significantly improved its performance and services. In her experience as a benefits consultant, she established the San Diego office of Towers Perrin and built a client base of over $2.5 million.Perrin.

Through her diverse professional background and considerable business accomplishments and achievements, Ms. Boigegrain brings significant leadership, business development, operations and management skills to theour Board of Directors, as well as valuable knowledge of financial markets, strategic growth and board governance.

Robert P. O'Meara (75)O’Meara (76)
Director since 1982

Mr. O'MearaO’Meara is currently the Chairman of the Board of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.the Company and Vice Chairman of the Board of First Midwest Bank. He previously served as Chairman of the Board from 1998 through 2007 and was re-appointed to this position in September 2008. Mr. O'MearaO’Meara serves as a member of the Company's Audit, Nominating and Corporate Government Committees and is the Chair of the Advisory Committee.Committee, but is not a member of any other Board committee.

Mr. O'MearaO’Meara served as the Company'sCompany’s Chief Executive Officer from 1987 through 2002 and as its Chief Operating Officer from 1983 to 1987. Mr. O'MearaO’Meara has over 39 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. Prior to his tenure with the Company, Mr. O'MearaO’Meara was in private legal practice in Lake County, Illinois.

Mr. O'MearaO’Meara earned a bachelor'sbachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1959 and a juris doctorate from Loyola University in 1962. He has served in various leadership positions with several civic and charitable organizations in the metropolitan Chicago area.


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Mr. O'MearaO’Meara brings extensive experience in law, regulatory compliance, banking and executive management to the Board.Board of Directors. Through his leadership, intimate knowledge of the Company'sCompany’s business and significant experience in corporate strategy and bank mergers and acquisitions, Mr. O'MearaO’Meara provides the Board with invaluable information about the Company and its historic operations as well as considerable experience and expertise with respect to the financial services industry.

For more information regarding our Board of Directors, its members, its committees and our corporate governance practices, please see the section of this Proxy Statement entitledCorporate Governance at First Midwest beginning on page 25,__, or visit the Investor Relations section of our website atwww.firstmidwest.com/officersdirectors.

Directors'Directors’ Recommendation

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR"“FOR” the election of each of Brother James Gaffney, PatrickJohn F. Chlebowski, Jr., Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. McDonnell,Henseler, Ellen A. Rudnick and Michael L. Scudder, John L. Sterling and J. Stephen VanderwoudeSmall as directors of the Company as set forth above.

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ITEM NO. 2APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM 100,000,000 TO 150,000,000

Background

Our Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock and 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock.  At the Annual Meeting, we will request that stockholders approve and adopt a proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to increase by 50,000,000 the number of shares of Common Stock the Company is authorized to issue from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000 shares.  We are not proposing to make any changes to our authorized shares of preferred stock.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered and then recommended to our Board of Directors the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of Common Stock to 150,000,000 shares.  Our Board of Directors accepted this recommendation and unanimously approved and adopted, at a meeting held on February 19, 2014, the amendment, subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting.

If stockholders approve and adopt the amendment, it will become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State, which the Company intends to file shortly after the Annual Meeting.

Text of the Proposed Amendment

The first paragraph of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be amended to read as follows:

ARTICLE FOURTHAuthorized Stock.

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is One Hundred Fifty One Million (151,000,000) shares, of which One Million (1,000,000) shares shall be shares of Preferred Stock without par value (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Preferred Stock”), and One Hundred Fifty Million (150,000,000) shares shall be shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Common Stock”).

Reasons for the Proposed Amendment

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes up to 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock and approximately 75,000,000 shares are presently issued and outstanding.  No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.

The Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to provide the Company with flexibility to consider and plan for future general corporate needs, including, but not limited to, capital raising, financing transactions, possible merger and acquisition transactions, stock splits, stock dividends or other general corporate purposes. The additional authorized shares of Common Stock would enable the Company to pursue strategic, financial or capital opportunities as they may be presented and to take timely advantage of market conditions as they may arise, and without the delay and expense associated with calling and convening a special meeting of stockholders, unless required by law or the rules of NASDAQ.

The Board of Directors and management believe that these opportunities can develop quickly, which would require us to be in a position to take advantage of them in a timely manner. However, the Company has no present understanding, commitment or agreement to issue the additional shares of Common Stock resulting from the proposed increase in authorized shares.

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Effect of the Proposed Amendment

If the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is approved and adopted by our stockholders, approximately 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock would then be authorized and available for future issuance. The additional authorized shares would be available for issuance from time to time by the Board of Directors for any proper general corporate purpose, including those described above, without further stockholder approval, other than as may be required by Delaware law or the rules of NASDAQ.

All shares of Common Stock, including the additional proposed authorized shares, have the same rights and are identical in all respects, including voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights.  The newly authorized shares of Common Stock will not affect any of the rights of the shares of Common Stock currently outstanding.  Under Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation, shares of our Common Stock are not entitled to preemptive rights to purchase shares of Common Stock that the Company may issue in the future.

The ability of the Board of Directors to issue additional shares of Common Stock may, under certain circumstances, be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect. The Company could use the additional authorized shares of Common Stock to oppose a hostile takeover attempt of the Company, or to delay or prevent a change in control of the Company or changes in or removal of the Board of Directors of the Company. However, the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation is not being proposed in order to prevent a change in control, nor is it in response to any present attempt known to the Board of Directors to obtain control of the Board, gain representation on the Board or take action that affects control of the Company.  Issuances of the additional shares of Common Stock also could have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and book value per share of our Common Stock, as well as relative levels of stock ownership of stockholders, including persons seeking to gain control of the Company.

The Board of Directors intends to use the additional shares of Common Stock only for purposes and on terms that it deems to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Potential Impact if the Amendment is not Adopted

If the proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation is not approved and adopted by our stockholders and we are unable to increase our number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company will have a limited number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance.  This could impact the Company’s ability to issue Common Stock for capital raising, financing transactions, possible merger and acquisition transactions and other corporate transactions as the Company may be restricted in its ability to issue Common Stock for these needs.  In addition, the Company may be limited in its ability to raise additional capital if the Board of Directors determines that additional capital would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.  Without sufficient shares of Common Stock to issue, the Company may be unable to take full advantage of strategic, financial or capital opportunities or favorable market conditions should these arise.

Required Vote

The majority of outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for stockholders to approve and adopt the proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation.

Directors’ Recommendation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” approval and adoption of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company to 150,000,000 shares.

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ITEM 2—3—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPANY’S COMPENSATION PAID TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In accordance with applicable SEC rules, we are required to provide stockholders with an opportunity to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (say-on-pay) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. Beginning on page __, we describe our executive compensation programs for our named executive officers.

Our Board of Directors views it as a good corporate governance practice to have stockholders provide an annual advisory vote on the executive compensation paid to our named executive officers. The Board made this recommendation to our stockholders at our 2012 annual meeting, and our stockholders overwhelmingly voted in favor of having a vote on executive compensation every year, as opposed to every other year or every third year.

At our 2013 Annual Meeting, approximately 92% of the votes cast were voted in favor of the executive compensation paid to our named executive officers, which represents an increase from 88% of the votes cast in favor of our executive compensation at the 2012 Annual Meeting. We believe these vote results, and the increase in the vote approval from 2012 to 2013, confirmed our approach to executive compensation. Our Compensation Committee intends to consider the say-on-pay vote results from this year, and future advisory votes, with respect to the design and amounts paid under our executive compensation program.

For a more detailed discussion of our executive compensation program, including information about the fiscal year 2013 compensation of our named executive officers, please see the section entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the accompanying compensation tables and narrative disclosures.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a say-on-pay proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on executive compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narrative discussion, set forth in the 2014 annual meeting proxy statement is hereby approved by the Company’s stockholders on an advisory basis.

The say-on-pay vote is advisory and is therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors value the opinions of our stockholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the executive compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns, and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

Directors’ Recommendation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers set forth in this Proxy Statement.

ITEM 4—ADVISORY VOTE RATIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for appointing the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.2014. We are submitting

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this selection for stockholder ratification at the Annual Meeting. We expect a representative of Ernst & Young LLP to be present at the Annual Meeting and to have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders. Ernst & Young LLP also served as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.2013.

 

Although we are not required to have our stockholders ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm, our Board of Directors has determined to seek this ratification from stockholders. If our stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain Ernst & Young LLP, but may retain them nonetheless. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company.


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Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee, or a designated member of the Committee, approves in advance all audit and any non-audit services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP on behalf of the Company. The following table shows information about fees paid by the Company to Ernst & Young LLP for services related to the respective fiscal years.

 

 

2013

 

Percent of
2013 Services
Approved by
Audit
Committee

 

2012

 

Percent of
2012 Services
Approved by
Audit
Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit fees(a)

 

$1,232,231

 

100%

 

$1,147,836

 

100%

 

Audit-related fees(b)

 

135,388

 

100%

 

109,496

 

100%

 

Tax fees(c)

 

203,975

 

100%

 

214,050

 

100%

 

All other fees

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Total fees:

 

$1,571,594

 

 

 

$1,471,382

 

 

 

 
 2012 Percent of
2012 Services
Approved by
Audit Committee
 2011 Percent of
2011 Services
Approved by
Audit Committee
 

Audit fees(a)

 $1,147,836  100% $1,079,081  100% 

Audit-related fees(b)

  109,496  100%  93,324  100% 

Tax fees(c)

  214,050  100%  151,825  100% 

All other fees

    N/A    N/A 
            

Total fees:

 $1,471,382    $1,324,230    

(a)

Includes fees and expenses for the audit of the Company'sCompany’s annual financial statements, internal control over financial reporting, and review of financial statements included in the Company'sCompany’s quarterly reports filed with the SEC, as well as services normally provided by an independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

(b)

Includes fees related to the audits of the Company'sCompany’s benefit plans.

(c)

Includes tax return review services, tax advicefees related to assistance with routine audits and tax planning.
planning, consulting and compliance services.

 

For audit, audit-related services, taxtax-related services, and all other services, our Audit Committee has determined specific services and dollar thresholds under which such services would be considered pre-approved. To the extent management requests services other than these pre-approved services, or beyond the dollar thresholds, our Audit Committee must specifically approve the services. Further, under our fee policy, our independent registered public accounting firm may not perform the non-audit services identified by the SEC as prohibited. Our fee policy requires management to provide to our Audit Committee on a quarterly basis a summary of all services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.

Directors'Directors’ Recommendation

 

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR"“FOR” ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.2014.

ITEM 3—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPANY'S COMPENSATION PAID TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        In accordance with applicable SEC rules, we are required to provide stockholders with an opportunity to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (say-on-pay) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. Beginning on page 34, we describe our executive compensation programs for our named executive officers.

        In 2012, our stockholders overwhelmingly approved the compensation paid to our named executive officers, with approximately 85% of the votes cast in favor. At our 2012 annual meeting, we also asked our stockholders to indicate if we should hold an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers every year, every other year or every third year. At our 2012 annual meeting, approximately 88% of the votes cast were in favor of an annual advisory vote. In addition, our Board views it as a good corporate governance practice to have stockholders provide an annual advisory vote on executive compensation, and the Board made this recommendation to our stockholders at our 2012 annual meeting.


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        For a more detailed discussion of how our executive compensation programs, including information about the fiscal year 2012 compensation of our named executive officers, please see the section entitledCompensation Discussion and Analysis and the accompanying compensation tables and narrative disclosures.

        We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a say-on-pay proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on executive compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

            RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company's named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narrative discussion, set forth in the 2013 annual meeting proxy statement is hereby approved by the Company's stockholders on an advisory basis.

        The say-on-pay vote is advisory and is therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board. The Compensation Committee and our Board value the opinions of our stockholders and, to the extent there is any significant vote against the executive compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders' concerns, and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

Directors' Recommendation

        The Board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers set forth in this Proxy Statement.

ITEM 4—APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC. OMNIBUS STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN TO ENABLE CERTAIN AWARDS TO QUALIFY AS TAX DEDUCTIBLE PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION

Background and Description of Proposed Amendments

        We maintain theFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (as amended and restated May 19 2010) according to which we presently grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or units, performance shares or units and certain other awards to certain of our employees.

        We are asking our stockholders to approve amendments to our Omnibus Plan to enable the Company to take a deduction for federal income tax purposes for certain stock-based and cash awards. These amendments will not take effect unless approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. The Company is not seeking to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Omnibus Plan, to change the annual limitations for stock-based awards or make any other amendments to the Plan requiring stockholder approval.

Amendments for Compliance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code

        Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual deduction limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation paid to the chief executive officer and to certain other most highly compensated officers who are employed by the Company as of the end of the fiscal year and whose compensation is reported in this Proxy Statement. The deduction limit does not apply to compensation that qualifies as "performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m).

        To qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), payment of stock-based awards (such as, for example, restricted stock and performance shares) and cash incentive compensation awards


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must be subject to the achievement of performance goals based upon performance criteria which are set forth in the Omnibus Plan and which have been approved by stockholders within the past five years. Achievement of the performance goals also must be certified by the Compensation Committee before awards can be paid. In addition, the Omnibus Plan must state certain limitations on the number of shares or amount of cash payments that may be subject to awards under the Plan.

        At the 2010 annual meeting, our stockholders approved performance criteria with respect to certain stock-based awards, such as restricted stock or unit and performance share or unit awards, as set forth in the current Omnibus Plan. The Compensation Committee now desires to amend the Plan to provide for cash incentive compensation awards (including STIC awards) made after approval of the Plan amendments, to establish annual award limitations on these cash awards and to add new performance criteria on which performance-based stock or cash awards may be based, and to submit these amendments to our stockholders for approval.

        These amendments will enable the Compensation Committee to qualify future cash awards (including STIC awards) as performance-based compensation under the Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and to update the performance criteria applicable to both stock-based and cash awards. If stockholders fail to approve the proposed amendments, the Company will continue to be able to grant stock-based awards under the Omnibus Plan that may qualify as performance-based compensation (and utilizing the existing performance criteria and annual award limitations included in the Plan) and to make cash incentive compensation awards, but the cash awards would not qualify as performance-based compensation and will be subject to the federal income tax deduction limit of Section 162(m).

Performance Criteria under the Omnibus Plan

        The Omnibus Plan currently sets forth the following performance criteria for restricted stock or unit and performance share or unit awards under the Plan: return on assets, return on equity, growth in net earnings, growth in earnings per share and growth in the fair market value of our Common Stock. These performance criteria will remain in the Plan. Under the Omnibus Plan, as proposed to be amended, restricted stock/unit, performance share/unit and cash awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code will be subject to performance goals based on one or more of foregoing criteriaplus the following new criteria, or any combination of them:

    Total shareholder return;

    Income statement measures (including revenues, net income, pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, interest income, non-interest income, non-interest expense and net interest margin);

    Balance sheet measures (including levels of assets, loans, charge-offs, loan loss reserves, asset quality and deposits); and

    Operating efficiencies (including efficiency ratios).

        The performance criteria and the specific performance goals with respect to an award will be established by the Compensation Committee in writing, measured for achievement or satisfaction during the prescribed performance period, may include or exclude extraordinary or special income, expenses or other items and may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to external or internal measures.

Annual Limitations on Cash Awards under the Omnibus Plan

        Under the Omnibus Plan, as proposed to be amended, any cash incentive compensation award to an employee that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code may not exceed, in any calendar year, the lesser of two times the employee's base salary or $2,000,000. No change is being proposed to the annual limitations on stock option, stock


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appreciation right, restricted stock/unit or performance share/unit awards, the number of shares which may be subject these awards or the number of shares authorized under the Plan. As a result, all of these limitations as currently set forth in the Plan will continue to apply.

Text of the Proposed Amendments

        The text of amended Section 10.8 setting forth the performance criteria for stock-based and cash awards under the Omnibus Plan and amended Section 11 providing for cash and other awards and establishing the annual limitation on cash awards to a participant under the Plan are as follows (words in italics and underscored identify the proposed changes to the existing Plan):

            "10.8    Performance Goals.    For purposes of Sections 9.2, 10.2 and 11.2 hereof, "performance goals" shall mean the criteria and objectives, determined by the Committee pursuant to the Plan, which shall be satisfied or met during the applicable restriction period or performance period, as the case may be, as a condition to the Participant's receiptof a cash Award or, in the case of a grant of Restricted Stockor Restricted Stock Units or a grant of Performance Shares, of the shares of Stock subject to such grant, or in the case of a Performance Unit Award, of payment with respect to such Award. Such criteria and objectives may include, but are not limited to, return on assets, return on equity, growth in net earnings, growth in earnings per share, growth in Fair Market Value of the Stock,total shareholder return, revenues, net income, pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, interest income, non-interest income, non-interest expense, net interest margin, levels of assets, loans, charge-offs, loan loss reserves, asset quality and deposits, and efficiency ratios, or any combination of the foregoing or any other criteria or objectives determined by the Committee. Upon completion of the restriction period or the performance period, as the case may be, the Committee shall certify the level of the performance goals attained and the amount of the Award payable as a result thereof."

*            *            *

            "11.1    Grant of Other Awards.    Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 6, and any other provision of this Plan, Other Awards(including, but not limited to, cash bonuses and other cash incentive compensation awards) may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee."

*            *            *

            "11.2    Terms of Other Awards.    Other Awards(including, but not limited to, cash bonuses and other cash incentive compensation awards) may be madefree-standing or in tandem, with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to Awards under Sections 7, 8, 9 or 10 of this Plan or of any other incentive or employee benefit plan of the Company. An Other Award may provide for payment in cash or in Stock or a combination thereof.Any cash bonus or other cash incentive compensation awards shall be on such terms and conditions and may have such performance goals as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion; provided, that no Participant may be granted an Other Award payable in cash in respect of any calendar-year period in an amount in excess of the lesser of (a) two times the Participant's annual base salary as of March 1 of such calendar year, or (b) $2,000,000."

Federal Income Tax Consequences

        The following discussion of the federal income tax consequences is only a summary of the general rules applicable to the grant and settlement of awards under the Omnibus Plan, as proposed to be amended. Receipt of a nonqualified stock option under the Plan will not result in taxable income to the employee at the time of grant. At the time of exercise, the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise will be taxable as ordinary income to the participant and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding federal income tax deduction. An


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employee receiving restricted stock/units or performance shares/units will not recognize ordinary income until such awards are earned or vested and/or paid, at which time the Company will be entitled to a corresponding federal income tax deduction, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. An employee receiving a cash award under the Plan will recognize ordinary income at such time that the award is earned and paid and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction for federal income tax purposes, subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. In the event of a change-in-control, the acceleration of the vesting or payment of any awards under the Plan may result in the payment by the employee of excise tax, in addition to ordinary income tax, and the Company may not be entitled to a deduction for the excise tax.

Awards to be Made to Executive Officers and Other Employees Under the Omnibus Plan

        Awards under the Omnibus Plan may be made to our named executive officers and other employees of the Company as determined by the Compensation Committee. Awards are made by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, and it is not possible to identify the amounts of future awards that will be made under the Plan or the future participants in the Plan.

        At its meeting in February, 2013, the Compensation Committee granted performance share and restricted stock award opportunities under the Omnibus Plan to the named executive officers of the Company as set forth in the table below. The performance share awards are intended to qualify under the current provisions of the Plan as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. For stock-based awards granted to our named executive officers under the Plan in 2012, see the 2012 Grants Of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 48.

Name and Position
 Number of
Performance
Shares
 Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
 

Michael L. Scudder, President/CEO

  36,449  33,645 

Mark G. Sander, Senior Executive Vice President/COO

  24,284  22,260 

Paul F. Clemens, Executive Vice President/CFO

  7,105  9,947 

Victor P. Carapella, Executive Vice President

  6,486  8,626 

Thomas M. Prame, Executive Vice President

  4,550  8,759 

All executive officers, as a group (including named executive officers)

  126,783  163,927 

All employees, as a group (excluding executive officers)

    211,998 

Summary of Certain Provisions of the Omnibus Plan

        The discussion set forth below summarizes the material provisions of the Omnibus Plan. This discussion is only a summary, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the amended and restated Omnibus Plan that is attached to this Proxy Statement asAnnex A, which includes the amendments being submitted to stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.

        Administration.    The Compensation Committee administers the Omnibus Plan and will determine the number of shares covered by awards and establish the terms, conditions and other provisions of the awards. Each member of the Compensation Committee must be a "non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

        Participants.    The Compensation Committee determines the employees eligible to participate in the Omnibus Plan. As of March 1, 2013, there were approximately 177 employees eligible to receive equity awards under the Omnibus Plan.


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        Shares Authorized for Future Awards.    The Omnibus Plan authorizes the issuance of a maximum of 8,631,641 shares of Common Stock. This maximum number includes the initial shares authorized at the inception of the Plan 24 years ago, as well as increases approved by stockholders and adjustments made for stock splits during that time. However, at December 31, 2012, there were 2,322,994 shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance for future awards under the Plan. In addition to these shares of Common Stock available for future awards, there are 1,625,799 shares presently subject to outstanding awards. The shares that are subject to outstanding awards may be added back to the shares remaining available for future awards as follows: (i) shares tendered in payment of the exercise price of a stock option; (ii) shares withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations; and (iii) shares subject to an outstanding award which expired or terminated or which was not issued due to forfeiture, cancellation or cash settlement of the award.

        Types of Awards.    The Compensation Committee may in its discretion issue to participants the awards listed below, subject to the terms of the Omnibus Plan and such terms, conditions and provisions as the Compensation Committee may determine to be necessary or desirable. Except to the extent permitted by the specific terms of nonqualified stock options, no award will be assignable or transferable except by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as may be determined in the Compensation Committee's discretion.

    Stock Options.  Options may be issued to purchase shares of our Common Stock. Stock options may be in the form of "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or options not meeting this definition, or "nonqualified stock options". Options must have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant.

    Restricted Stock.  Restricted stock are shares of Common Stock that after issuance, may not be sold or transferred during a restricted period. Once the restricted period ends, the shares may be sold or transferred by the holder. During the restricted period, the holder of restricted stock is entitled to vote these shares. Restricted stock may vest or be earned upon the achievement of performance goals or upon continued employment of the participant, as determined by the Compensation Committee.

    Restricted Stock Units.  Restricted stock units are share units that represent the right to receive a share of our Common Stock. The holder of a restricted stock unit is not entitled to any voting rights. Restricted stock units may be earned or vest upon the achievement of performance goals or upon continued employment of the participant, as determined by the Compensation Committee.

    Performance Shares and Performance Units.  Performance shares and performance units are awards that may be earned upon the achievement of certain performance goals as determined by the Compensation Committee. Performance shares and performance units may be payable in Common Stock, cash or a combination of both. The holder of performance shares or performance units does not have any voting rights.

    Stock Appreciation Rights.  Stock appreciation rights may be issued independently of a stock option or in tandem with all or any part of a stock option issued under the Omnibus Plan. When exercised, stock appreciation rights provide for the payment by the Company in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both, of an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value per share of our Common Stock at the time of exercise over such value at the time of grant of the stock appreciation right.

    Cash Awards.  As proposed to be amended, cash bonuses or other cash incentive compensation awards may be granted on such terms and conditions, and may have such performance goals, as determined by the Compensation Committee.



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      Other Awards.  The Compensation Committee may issue other types of awards of cash, Common Stock or awards based in whole or in part by reference to Common Stock. Such awards could include, without limitation, unrestricted stock grants or cash awards.

            No Repricing of Stock Options.    The Omnibus Plan expressly prohibits the repricing of stock options without stockholder approval, and the Company has never repriced any stock options.

            Amendments and Termination.    The Board may amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Omnibus Plan for the purpose of meeting or addressing any changes in legal requirements or for any other purpose permitted by law, except that no amendment or alteration that would adversely affect the rights of any participant under any award previously issued to such participant will be made without the consent of the participant. Although there is no set termination date for the Omnibus Plan, no award may be granted under the Omnibus Plan on or after February 21, 2021.

            Adjustments.    In the event there is a change in the shares of Common Stock as a result of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, the Compensation Committee will make an appropriate adjustment to the outstanding awards, the number and class of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Omnibus Plan, the number and class of shares subject to the per person limit on awards issued in any year and the number and class of shares covered by any outstanding award.

            Limitations on Awards.    No participant may be granted, during any calendar year period, awards consisting of stock options or stock appreciation rights that are exercisable for more than 250,000 shares of Common Stock (500,000 in the participant's initial calendar year as an employee of the Company), subject to the adjustment discussed above. With respect to awards consisting of shares of Common Stock or units denominated in shares of Common Stock (including, but not limited to, restricted stock or units and performance shares or units), no participant may be granted, during any calendar period, awards covering or relating to more than 250,000 shares of Common Stock (500,000 in the participant's initial calendar year as an employee), other than any awards consisting of stock options or stock appreciation rights, and subject to the adjustment discussed above. Any short-term cash incentive compensation or other cash award to a participant may not exceed, in any calendar year, the lesser of two times the participant's base salary or $2,000,000.

            Termination of Employment.    In the event the employment of a participant is terminated (whether by reason of death, disability, retirement, resignation or otherwise), the outstanding awards granted to the participant may become immediately earned or vested, may be forfeited or terminated or may continue in existence, depending on the manner in which the participant's employment is terminated.

            Change-in-Control.    For purposes of the Omnibus Plan, the definition of "Change-in-Control" includes (i) the acquisition of 25% or more of the voting stock of the Company by an unrelated third party (except under certain circumstances), (ii) the occurrence of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a similar transaction or series of transactions (except under certain circumstances), (iii) approval by our stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, and (iv) certain substantial changes in the composition of our Board.

            Under the Plan, in the event of a change-in-control, unless a particular award agreement provides otherwise:

      all awards will vest 100%;

      all options will become exercisable in full;

      all restrictions applicable to restricted stock awards and restricted stock units will terminate;

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      all performance shares and performance units (and, if applicable, all restricted stock awards and restricted stock units) will be paid out based upon the extent to which performance goals during the performance period have been met up to the date of the change-in-control, or at target, whichever is higher; and

      all other awards will be paid out based on their terms.

    Securities Authorized for Issuance Under our Equity Compensation Plans

            The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2012, relating to equity compensation plans of the Company pursuant to which options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units or other rights to acquire shares may be granted from time to time.

     
     (a)
     (b)
     (c)
     
    Equity Compensation Plan Category
     Number of securities
    to be issued upon
    exercise of outstanding
    options, warrants,
    and rights
     Weighted-average
    exercise price of
    outstanding options,
    warrants, and rights
     Number of securities
    remaining available for
    future issuance under
    equity compensation
    plans, excluding
    securities reflected in
    column (a)
     

    Approved by security holders(1)

      1,718,368 $32.42  2,399,721 

    Not approved by security holders(2)

      5,206  17.71   
            

    Total

      1,723,574 $32.38  2,399,721 
            

    (1)
    Includes all outstanding options and awards under the Omnibus Plan and the Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan.

    (2)
    Represents shares underlying deferred stock units credited under the Company's Nonqualified Retirement Plan, payable on a one-for-one basis in shares of Common Stock.

    Directors' Recommendation

            The Board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the amendments to our Omnibus Plan.


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    CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT FIRST MIDWEST

    Our Board of Directors is committed to maintaining strong corporate governance principles and practices. If you would like additional information about our corporate governance practices, you may view the following documents on our website atwww.firstmidwest.com/corporategovernance or request them in print by sending a written request to the Corporate Secretary at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143:

      Corporate Governance Guidelines;



      Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct (applicable to all directors, officers and employees);



      Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers;



      Audit Committee Charter;



      Compensation Committee Charter;



      Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter; and



      Related Person Transaction Policies and Procedures.

    Corporate Governance Guidelines and Committee Charters

     

    The Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of our Board of Directors describe our corporate governance practices. The Corporate Governance Guidelines and charters are intended to ensure that our Board of Directors has practices in place relating to oversight of management and various components of our business operations and to make decisions that are independent of management.

    Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers

     

    We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, which applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, as well as a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which applies to our senior financial officers. Our Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct meets the requirements of a "code“code of ethics"ethics” as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K,applicable SEC rules, and also meets the requirements of a "code“code of conduct"conduct” under the Nasdaq Rules.applicable NASDAQ rules. Annually, all employees are required to certify that they have reviewed and are familiar with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, and all officers are required to certify compliance with the Code. Waivers of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct for executive officers are required to be disclosed to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.

    Board Leadership and Structure

     

    As provided in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board of Directors does not have a fixed policy regarding the separation of the offices of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and believes that it should maintain the flexibility to select the Chairman and its Board leadership structure, from time to time, based on the criteria that it deems to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

     At this time, the

    The position of Chairman of the Board is held by Robert P. O'MearaO’Meara and the position of President and Chief Executive Officer is held by Michael L. Scudder. The Board of Directors has determinedbelieves that, under current circumstancesat this time, the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and of President and Chief Executive Officer will enhancefor our Company enhances Board oversight. This separation presently allows Mr. Scudder to focus on his responsibilities of running the day-to-day affairs of the Company, enhancing stockholder value and expanding and strengthening the Company'sCompany’s business. Concurrently, Mr. O'Meara,O’Meara, as Chairman of the Board, can focus on leadership for the Board as it provides advice to and independent oversight of


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    management. As the independent Chairman, Mr. O'MearaO’Meara also serves as the presiding director of the Board.

    20



    Risk Oversight

     

    Risk is inherent with every business and we face a number of risks, including, for example, credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, strategic risk, cyber risk and reputation risk. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of the risks the Company faces, while the Board of Directors, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes, policies and levels designed and implemented by management are appropriate and functioning as designed.

     

    The Board of Directors performs its risk oversight function primarily through its committees and the operation of the Bank'sBank’s Board of Directors, as well as reports directly from the President and Chief Executive Officer and other members of management regarding the Company'sCompany’s risk management functions. In addition, the Chairman of the Board meets regularly with the President and Chief Executive Officer to discuss strategy and risks facing the Company. Key members of senior management attend Board meetings and are available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board.Board of Directors.

    Meetings

     

    Our Board of Directors holds regularly scheduled quarterly meetings and special meetings as needed. In 2012,2013, the Board held four regularly scheduled meetings and twono special meetings. Once a year, the Board of Directors devotes additional time to presentations and discussions with senior management about the Company'sCompany’s long-term strategy, which is then supplemented, updated and discussed further at the Board'sBoard’s quarterly meetings.

     

    We expect our directors to attend all Board and committee meetings for those committees on which they serve. Directors are also expected to attend each annual stockholders meeting.meeting of stockholders. All of our current directors, including the current nominees for director, attended last year'syear’s annual stockholders meeting. Each director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committees on which he or she served during 2012.2013, with the exception of Mr. Chlebowski who attended 69% of the meetings. Mr. Chlebowski was unable to attend our Board and Audit Committee meetings held on August 20 and 21, 2013 because he was evacuated from his home due to the imminent threat of harm caused by the wildfires that occurred in the western United States last year. Had Mr. Chlebowski been able to attend the Board of Directors and Audit Committee meetings in August, he would have satisfied the 75% attendance threshold. In his seven years of service as a director of our Company, Mr. Chlebowski has always attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and Board committees on which he served.

    Board Committees

     

    Our Board of Directors has three standing committees, our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each standing committee has a written charter and the Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of our standing committees is "independent"“independent” under the provisions of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Nasdaq Rules.NASDAQ rules. The Board has also established an Advisory Committee for the purpose of providing general advice to management with respect to general business matters as needed between regular meetings of the Board.

     

    Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the members of each Board committee (including each committee chair) are appointed by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and a member may only serve as the chair of one committee of the Board at any


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    given time. The table below provides membership and meeting information for each Board committee for the 20122013 fiscal year.

    21



    Name

     

     

    Advisory

     

    Audit

     

    Compensation

     

    Nominating
    and Corporate
    Governance

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Boigegrain, Barbara A.

     

     

     

     

     

    X

     

     

    Chlebowski Jr., John F.

     

    X

     

    X

     

     

     

     

    Gaffney, Brother James

     

    X

     

     

     

    X

     

    X*

    Gill, Phupinder S.

     

     

     

    X

     

     

     

     

    Henseler, Peter J.

     

     

     

     

     

    X

     

     

    McDonnell, Patrick J.

     

    X

     

    X*

     

     

     

    X

    O’Meara, Robert P.

     

    X*

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Rudnick, Ellen A.

     

    X

     

    X

     

     

     

    X

    Scudder, Michael L.

     

    X

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Small, Michael J.

     

     

     

    X

     

     

     

    X

    Sterling, John L.

     

     

     

     

     

    X

     

     

    Vanderwoude, J. Stephen

     

    X

     

     

     

    X*

     

    X

    Total committee meetings in fiscal year 2013

     

    4

     

    8

     

    6

     

    4

    Name
     Advisory Audit Compensation Nominating &
    Corporate
    Governance
     

    Boigegrain, Barbara A. 

            X    

    Chlebowski Jr., John F. 

      X  X       

    Gaffney, Brother James

      X     X  X*

    Gill, Phupinder S. 

         X       

    Henseler, Peter J. 

            X    

    McDonnell, Patrick J. 

      X  X*    X 

    O'Meara, Robert P. 

      X* X     X 

    Rudnick, Ellen A. 

      X  X     X 

    Scudder, Michael L. 

      X          

    Small, Michael J. 

         X     X 

    Sterling, John L. 

            X    

    Vanderwoude, J. Stephen

      X     X* X 

    Total Board committee meetings in fiscal year 2012

      5  8  6  5 

    *

    Designates Chair of this Committee.

    Below is a brief description of each standing committee of our Board of Directors as well as our Advisory Committee. Each standing committee has the authority to engage legal counsel or other advisors or consultants as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. The charter of each standing committee describes the specific responsibilities and functions of such committee. You may view a current copy of each charter by visiting our website atwww.firstmidwest.com/corporategovernance.

    Advisory Committee.  The primary responsibility of the Advisory Committee is to advise and consult with management with respect to general business matters as needed between regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

    Audit Committee.  The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include, among others:

      Retention and termination of our independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approve all services performed by this firm.



      •     

      Oversight of the external reporting process and the adequacy of the Company'sCompany’s internal controls.



      •     

      Oversight of the scope of the audit activities of the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company'sCompany’s internal auditors.



      •     

      Oversight of the process for determining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.



      •     

      Oversight of the procedures for the receipt, retention and resolution of complaints regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.

    Compensation Committee.  TheOur Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates our general compensation philosophy and oversees the development, implementation and any revision to our compensation policies and programs. The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include, among others:

      Review and evaluateapprove the Company'sCompany’s general compensation philosophy.



      •     

      Oversee the development and implementation of our compensation policies and programs.

      22




    •     

    Recommend to our Board of Directors goals and objectives relating to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer.

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      Assist our Board of Directors in evaluating our Chief Executive Officer and recommending to our Board the Chief Executive Officer'sOfficer’s compensation.



      •     

      Review and recommend to our Board of Directors the annual compensation of senior management.



      •     

      Oversee the Company'sCompany’s health and welfare programs.



      •     

      Oversee the Company'sCompany’s retirement plans.



      •     

      Review and monitor the Company'sCompany’s incentive and other compensation programs.



      •     

      Administer our Omnibus Plan and Non-employee Directors Stock Plan.

    Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include, among others:

      Recommend to the Board of Directors the director nominees for election at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are elected.



      •     

      Identify, interview and recruit individuals for Board membership.



      •     

      Oversee matters of corporate governance, including reviewing the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.



      •     

      Advise the Board of Directors on Board and committee organization, membership, function, performance and effectiveness.



      •     

      Review director independence standards and qualifications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the determination of the independence and qualifications of directors.



      •     

      Review stockholder proposals and consider responses or actions regarding such proposals.

            Advisory Committee.    The primary responsibility of the Advisory Committee is to advise and consult with management with respect to general business matters as needed between regular meetings of the Board.

    Related Person Transactions

     

    We maintain a written policy for reviewing, approving and monitoring transactions involving the Company and related persons (generally, directors and executive officers or their immediate family members, or stockholders owning 5% or more of our Common Stock).

     

    Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving (or ratifying) all transactions with related persons. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into account all relevant factors in its analysis, including whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those available to third parties. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also determine whether any transaction with a related person impairs the independence of a director, or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director or executive officer. The Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may pre-approve or ratify any transaction with a related person involving an amount up to $500,000. The policy also provides that transactions involving competitive bids, the rendering of services by a regulated entity and certain ordinary course banking transactions will be deemed to be pre-approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

     

    During 2012,2013, the Company and theFirst Midwest Bank engaged in transactions in the ordinary course of business with some of our executive officers, directors and entities with which they are associated. All loans, loan commitments and other banking services in connection with these transactions were in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including current interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with others not related to the Company and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.


    23



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    Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     

    No member of our Compensation Committee has served as one of our executive officers or employees. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company that has an executive officer serving on our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee.

    Stockholder Communication with Directors

     

    Stockholders may contact an individual director, the Board of Directors as a group or a specific Board committee or group, including our independent directors as a group, by submitting written correspondence to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., Attn: Board of Directors, One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143. Each communication should specify the applicable addressee(s) to be contacted as well as the general topic of the communication. The Company will initially receive and process communications before forwarding them to the addressee(s). Communications also may be referred to other departments within the Company. The Company generally will not forward to the directors a stockholder communication that involves routine business matters of the Company or the Bank, an irrelevant topic or general information about the Company. Matters regarding accounting or auditing matters should be reported in writing to the Board'sBoard’s Audit Committee Chair or the Company'sCompany’s Chief Risk Officer or Audit Services Manager at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143.


    INFORMATION REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL

    STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, AND MANAGEMENT

     

    The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 2013,2014, information about the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by all directors, our named executive officers and our directors and all executive officers as a group. Unless indicated in the notes, each stockholder has sole voting and investment power for all shares shown, subject to applicable community property laws that may apply to create shared voting and investment power. Unless indicated in the notes, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143.

     

    We calculated the percent of class based on approximately 75,169,00075,347,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding on March 1, 2013.2014. We also include shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2013.2014. Those shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such options for the purpose of computing the percentage


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    ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

    24



    Beneficial Owner

     

     

    Number of
    Shares / Units

    (1)(2)(3)(4)

     

    Percent
    of
    Class

     

    Directors

     

     

     

     

     

    Barbara A. Boigegrain

     

    23,800

     

    *

     

    John F. Chlebowski, Jr.

     

    27,979

     

    *

     

    Brother James Gaffney

     

    12,419

    (5)

    *

     

    Phupinder S. Gill

     

    26,356

     

    *

     

    Peter J. Henseler

     

    14,164

     

    *

     

    Patrick J. McDonnell

     

    39,214

     

    *

     

    Robert P. O’Meara

     

    535,979

     

    *

     

    Ellen A. Rudnick

     

    37,046

     

    *

     

    Michael L. Scudder

     

    362,120

     

    *

     

    Michael J. Small

     

    20,129

     

    *

     

    John L. Sterling

     

    123,882

     

    *

     

    J. Stephen Vanderwoude

     

    86,008

     

    *

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Scudder)

     

     

     

    *

     

    Mark G. Sander

     

    175,665

     

    *

     

    Paul F. Clemens

     

    101,954

     

    *

     

    Victor P. Carapella

     

    217,746

     

    *

     

    Thomas M. Prame

     

    33,211

     

    *

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    All directors and executive officers (including named executive officers) as a group

     

     

     

     

     

    (24 persons)

     

    2,292,612

    (6)

    3.04%

     

    Beneficial Owner
     Number of Shares/
    Units(1)(2)(3)(4)
     Percent of
    Class
     

    Directors

           

    Barbara A. Boigegrain

      21,025  * 

    John F. Chlebowski, Jr. 

      25,367  * 

    Brother James Gaffney

      15,308(5) * 

    Phupinder S. Gill

      20,653  * 

    Peter J. Henseler

      11,035  * 

    Patrick J. McDonnell

      39,491  * 

    Robert P. O'Meara

      552,348  * 

    Ellen A. Rudnick

      34,434  * 

    Michael L. Scudder

      374,646  * 

    Michael J. Small

      17,517  * 

    John L. Sterling

      119,223  * 

    J. Stephen Vanderwoude

      86,096  * 

    Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Scudder)

         
    *
     

    Mark G. Sander

      154,751  * 

    Paul F. Clemens

      100,104  * 

    Victor P. Carapella

      220,342(6) * 

    Thomas M. Prame

      26,677  * 

    All directors and executive officers (including named executive officers) as a group

           

    (23 persons)

      2,245,674(7) 2.97%

    *

    Less than 1%

    (1)

    Includes the following shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 1, 2014: John F. Chlebowski, Jr., 6,586 shares; Brother James Gaffney, 12,321 shares; Patrick J. McDonnell, 12,321 shares; Robert P. O’Meara, 11,962 shares; Ellen A. Rudnick, 10,653 shares; John L. Sterling, 12,321 shares; J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 12,321 shares; Michael L. Scudder, 82,690 shares; Mark G. Sander, 42,328 shares; Victor P. Carapella, 52,787 shares; and Paul F. Clemens, 24,746 .

    (2)

    Some of our directors and officers have deferred cash compensation (in the form of phantom Common Stock) or stock option gains (in the form of Common Stock equivalents) under our deferred compensation plans. Some of these deferred amounts will be paid in shares of our Common Stock upon the directors’ or officers’ retirement or other termination of employment or service with the Company. The number of shares of Common Stock to which the directors and officers would be entitled had their employment or service with the Company terminated as of March 1, 2014 is as follows: Phupinder S. Gill, 11,227 shares; Peter J. Henseler, 1,152 shares; J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 18,800 shares; Michael L. Scudder, 9,070 shares; Victor P. Carapella, 49,908 shares; Paul F. Clemens, 1,902 shares; and Thomas M. Prame, 1,894 shares. The directors and officers have voting and investment power for the shares of phantom Common Stock and voting power but no dispositive power for the Common Stock equivalent shares.

    (3)

    Includes the following shares of Common Stock held through the Company’s Savings and Profit Sharing Plan: Michael L. Scudder, 7,407 shares; Mark G. Sander, 329 shares; Victor P. Carapella, 26,010 shares; Paul F. Clemens, 1,068 shares; and Thomas M. Prame, 78 shares.

    (4)

    Includes 2,612 shares of restricted stock subject to future vesting conditions for which the individual has voting but not dispositive power for each of Barbara A. Boigegrain, John F. Chlebowski, Jr., Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell, Ellen A. Rudnick, Michael J. Small, John L. Sterling and J. Stephen Vanderwoude. Also includes the following shares of restricted stock subject to future vesting conditions for which the individual has voting but not dispositive power: Michael L. Scudder,

    25

    *
    Less than 1%


    (1)
    Includes the following shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 1, 2013: John F. Chlebowski, Jr., 6,586 shares; Brother James Gaffney, 15,210 shares; Patrick J. McDonnell, 15,210 shares; Robert P. O'Meara, 14,475 shares; Ellen A. Rudnick, 10,653 shares; John L. Sterling, 15,210 shares; J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 15,210 shares; Michael L. Scudder, 94,710

    103,750 shares; Mark G. Sander, 42,32865,233 shares; Victor P. Carapella, 60,903 shares; and Paul F. Clemens, 24,746 shares.

    (2)
    Some of our directors and officers have deferred cash compensation (in the form of phantom Common Stock) or stock option gains (in the form of Common Stock equivalents) under our deferred compensation plans. Some of these deferred amounts will be paid in shares of our Common Stock upon the directors' or officers' retirement or other termination of employment or service with the Company. The number of shares of Common Stock to which the directors and officers would be entitled had their employment or service with the Company terminated as of March 1, 2013 is as follows: Phupinder S. Gill, 8,136 shares; Peter J. Henseler, 635 shares; J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 18,611 shares; Michael L. Scudder, 8,979 shares; Victor P. Carapella, 49,406 shares; Paul F. Clemens, 1,883 shares; and Thomas M. Prame, 1,875 shares. The directors and officers have voting and investment power for the shares of phantom Common Stock and voting power but no dispositive power for the Common Stock equivalent shares.

    (3)
    Includes the following shares of Common Stock held through the Company's Savings and Profit Sharing Plan: Michael L. Scudder, 7,032 shares; Mark G. Sander, 191 shares; Victor P. Carapella, 25,786 shares; and Paul F. Clemens, 925 shares.

    (4)
    Includes 3,271 shares of restricted stock subject to future vesting conditions for which the individual has voting but not dispositive power for each of Barbara A. Boigegrain, John F. Chlebowski, Jr., Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell, Ellen A. Rudnick, Michael J. Small, John L. Sterling and J. Stephen Vanderwoude. Also includes the

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      following shares of restricted stock subject to future vesting conditions for which the individual has voting but not dispositive power: Michael L. Scudder, 138,848 shares; Mark G. Sander, 62,445 shares; Victor P. Carapella, 6,664 shares and 28,88829,043 restricted stock units; Paul F. Clemens, 37,24429,957 shares; and Thomas M. Prame, 24,80227,622 shares.

    (5)

    Includes 98 shares of Common Stock owned by Lewis University to which Brother James Gaffney disclaims beneficial ownership.

    (6)

    Includes 8,035 shares of Common Stock held in a margin account or subject to a pledge.

    (7)
    Includes: 67,01868,454 shares of Common Stock held in our Savings and Profit Sharing Plan for the accounts of certain executive officers; 412,969366,862 shares of restricted stock and 34,72446,074 restricted stock units which are subject to future vesting conditions; 121,258126,008 shares of Common Stock payable to certain directors and executive officers pursuant to our deferred compensation plans; and 468,658417,189 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 1, 2013. Includes 8,035 shares of Common Stock held in margin accounts or subject to a pledge.
    2014.

    Other Security Ownership

     

    The following table identifies each person known to us as of March 1, 20132014 to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock.

    (1)

    Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

    Amount and Nature of
    Beneficial Ownership

    Percent of
    Class

    BlackRock, Inc.

    6,766,587 shares

    9.0%

    40 East 52nd Street

    New York, NY 10022

    Wellington Management Company, LLP(1)
    LLP
    (2)

    5,811,550 shares

    7.74%

    280 Congress Street

    Boston, MA 02210

    6,747,569 shares

    9.02%

    BlackRock, Inc.(2)
    40 East 52nd Street
    New York, NY 10022

    6,079,882 shares8.12%

    The Vanguard Group(3)
    100 Vanguard Blvd.
    Malvern, PA 19355

    4,328,134 shares

    5.78%

    Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(4)
    LP
    (3)

    4,423,258 shares

    5.89%

    Palisades West, Building One

    6300 Bee Cave Road

    Austin, TX 78746

    3,911,248

    The Vanguard Group(4)

    4,380,799 shares

    5.83%

    5.23

    100 Vanguard Blvd.

    %

    Malvern, PA 19355


    (1)

    This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 29, 2014 by BlackRock, Inc., which reported sole voting power as to 6,506,973 shares and sole dispositive power as to 6,766,587 shares as of December 31, 2013.

    (2)This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 20132014 by Wellington Management Company, LLP, which reported shared voting power as to 5,352,6454,441,526 shares and shared dispositive power as to 6,747,5695,811,550 shares as of December 31, 2012.

    (2)
    2013.

    (3)This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 1, 201310, 2014 by BlackRock, Inc.,Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, which reported sole voting power as to 6,079,8824,277,573 shares and sole dispositive power as to 6,079,8824,423,258 shares as of December 31, 2012.

    (3)
    2013.

    (4)This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 20132014 by The Vanguard Group, which reported sole voting power as to 111,044115,836 shares, sole dispositive power as to 4,222,0904,271,363 and shared dispositive power as to 106,044109,436 shares as of December 31, 2012.

    (4)
    This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2013 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, which reported sole voting power as to 3,837,542 shares and sole dispositive power as to 3,911,248 shares as of December 31, 2012.

    Table of Contents


    DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
    2013.

     

    DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

    We use a combination of cash and equity-basedequity–based compensation to help attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board.Board of Directors. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties and comparative data regarding director compensation of our peers. Michael L. Scudder (our President and Chief Executive Officer) does not receive compensation for serving as a member of the Board. In addition, Brother James Gaffney has elected not to receive

    26



    either the cash or equity component of his director compensation. The following summarizes our annual compensation for non-employee directors for the 20122013 fiscal year:

    2012 Cash Component(1)

    2013 Cash Component(1)

    2013 Equity Component(2)

    Description

    Amount

    The aggregate dollar value of the equity component of annual non-employee director compensation was based on $42,000 for each director. These awards were calculated by taking that dollar value and then dividing by $12.84, the average of the high and low sale price of our Common Stock on the date of grant in 2013 as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market. These awards were issued under the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Directors Stock Plan. Director equity awards are generally issued on the day of our Board meeting held in February. This equity component consists of restricted Common Stock that has a one-year vesting requirement.

    An annual fixed retainer for each non-employee director

    $40,000

    An additional annual fixed retainer for the Audit Committee Chair

    $40,000

    $10,000

    An additional annual fixed retainer for each member of the Audit Committee (excluding Audit Committee Chair)

    $4,00010,000

    An additional annual fixed retainer for the Compensation Committee ChairChairs(excluding the Advisory Committee Chair)

    $7,000(3)4,000

    An additional annual fixed retainer for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair

    $7,000(3)

    An additional annual fixed retainer for the Board Chair

    $100,000

     



    (1)
    2012 Equity Component(2)

    The aggregate dollar value of the equity component of annual non-employee director compensation was based on $42,000 for each director. These awards were calculated by taking that dollar value and then dividing by $11.355, the average of the high and low sale price of our Common Stock on the date of grant in 2012 as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market. These awards were issued under the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Directors Stock Plan. Director equity awards are generally issued on the day of our Board meeting held in February. This equity component consists of restricted Common Stock that has a one-year vesting requirement.


    (1)
    Each annual cash retainer is paid in equal quarterly installments in arrears. Payment of each annual retainer is contingent upon the director'sdirector’s service during the preceding quarter. We do not pay separate fees for attendance at Board or Board committee meetings. We also reimburse our directors for their reasonable Board and committee attendance-related expenses.

    (2)

    These awards are recommended by the Compensation Committee and authorized by the Board.Board of Directors. Since May of 2008, non-employee director equity awards have been in the form of shares of restricted stock. Prior to that time such awards were made in the form of non-qualified stock options.

    (3)
    These annual fixed retainers were increased to $10,000 in 2013.

    20122013 Equity Compensation

    Barbara A. Boigegrain, John F. Chlebowski, Jr., Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell, Ellen A. Rudnick, Michael J. Small, John L. Sterling and J. Stephen Vanderwoude each received a full equity award in 20122013 of 3,6993,271 shares. Restricted stock awards have a vesting period of one year from the date of grant and are nontransferable prior to vesting except in certain limited circumstances. In the event of a change-in-control, as defined in theAmended and Restated First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Directors Stock Plan, all unvested shares of restricted stock will vest in full, the restrictions will lapse and the shares will be freely transferable. Beginning in 2012, Robert P. O'MearaO’Meara receives a cash payment of $42,000 in lieu of the equity component of his director compensation in light of his significant holdings of our Common Stock. As previously indicated, Brother James Gaffney has elected not to receive a director restricted stock award.


    The following table and explanatory footnotes provide information with regard to the cash and restricted stock grants issued to each non-employee director during 2013.

    (a)

     

    (b)

     

    (c)

     

    (d)

     

    (e)

     

    (f)

     

    (g)

     

    (h)

    Name

     

     

    Fees Earned or
    Paid in Cash
    (1)
    ($)

     

    Stock
    Awards
    (2)
    ($)

     

    Option
    Awards
    (3)
    ($)

     

    Non-Equity
    Incentive Plan
    Compensation
    (4)
    ($)

     

    Change in
    Pension
    Value
    (4) and
    Nonqualified
    Deferred
    Compensation
    Earnings
    ($)

     

    All Other
    Compensation
    (5)
    ($)

     

    Total
    ($)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Barbara A. Boigegrain

     

    $40,000

     

    $42,000

     

     

     

    $—

     

    $2,000

     

    $84,000

    John F. Chlebowski, Jr.

     

    44,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

     

     

    86,000

    27



    Brother James Gaffney(6) 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Phupinder S. Gill

     

    44,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

    904

     

     

    86,904

    Peter J. Henseler

     

    40,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

    1,596

     

     

    83,596

    Patrick J. McDonnell

     

    50,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

     

     

    92,000

    Robert P. O’Meara

     

    186,000

     

    (7)

     

     

    5,708

     

    9,445

    (8)

    201,153

    Ellen A. Rudnick

     

    44,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

     

    2,500

     

    88,500

    Michael J. Small

     

    44,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

     

     

    86,000

    John L. Sterling

     

    40,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

     

     

    82,000

    J. Stephen Vanderwoude

     

    50,000

     

    42,000

     

     

     

    1,855

     

     

    93,855


    Table(1)Includes amounts deferred at the election of Contentsthe directors pursuant to our Directors Deferred Plan.

    (2)The aggregate number of shares of restricted stock issued by the Company to each non-employee director during the 2013 fiscal year is as follows: 3,271 shares to Barbara A. Boigegrain, John F. Chlebowski, Jr., Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell, Ellen A. Rudnick, Michael J. Small, John L. Sterling and J. Stephen Vanderwoude. The amounts in column (c) reflect the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards granted in 2013 to each named non-employee director in accordance with the accounting guidance for share-based compensation.

    (3)The aggregate number of unexercised stock options outstanding as of March 1, 2014 issued to non-employee directors is as follows: John F. Chlebowski, Jr., 6,586; Brother James Gaffney, 12,321; Patrick J. McDonnell, 12,321; Robert P. O’Meara, 11,962; Ellen A. Rudnick, 10,653; John L. Sterling, 12,321; and J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 12,321.

    (4)The Company does not maintain a non-equity incentive plan or pension plan for directors.

    (5)The amounts in column (g) for Barbara A. Boigegrain and Ellen A. Rudnick represent the amounts paid under our matching gift donation program to eligible educational institutions designated by the applicable director.

    (6)Brother James Gaffney has elected not to receive any compensation for his service on the Board of Directors.

    (7)Robert P. O’Meara receives a cash payment of $42,000 in lieu of the equity component of his director compensation because of his significant existing holdings of our Common Stock.  Included in Mr. O’Meara’s director compensation are director fees paid to him as a non-employee director of First Midwest Bank.

    (8)The amount in column (g) for Robert P. O’Meara includes payments made on his behalf under a Retirement and Consulting Agreement between the Company and Mr. O’Meara. Under this agreement Mr. O’Meara also pays 17% of the premium for health coverage under the Company’s medical program for retirees and the Company pays the balance.

    Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

     

    We believe that each director should have an important personal investment in the Company. Directors are encouraged to own Common Stock equal in value to five times their annual cash retainer and to acquire and maintain this share ownership threshold within five years of joining the Board.Board of Directors.

     

    All of our directors (except a director who recently became a member of our Board) own a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock, including restricted stock, under our stock ownership guidelines.

    Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee DirectorsDirector

     

    The First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-employee Directors (Directors Deferred Plan) allows non-employee directors to defer receipt of either 50% or 100% of any director fees and retainers. Deferral elections are made in December of each year for amounts to be earned in the following year. Accounts are deemed to be invested in separate investment accounts under the plan, with the same investment alternatives as those available under our Retirement Plan, including an investment account for shares of our Common Stock.

     

    Directors are able to modify their investment elections at any time. Deferred director fees and retainers are payable at the director'sdirector’s election, either as a lump sum or in installments over a period not to exceed fifteen

    28



    years. Payments under the Directors Deferred Plan begin at the date specified by the director or upon cessation of service as a director.

     The following table and explanatory footnotes provide information with regard to the cash and restricted stock grants issued to each non-employee director during 2012.

    (a)
     (b)
     (c)
     (d)
     (e)
     (f)
     (g)
     (h)
     
    Name
     Fees
    Earned or
    Paid in
    Cash(1)
    ($)
     Stock
    Awards(2)
    ($)
     Option
    Awards(3)
    ($)
     Non-Equity
    Incentive Plan
    Compensation(4)
    ($)
     Change in
    Pension
    Value(4) and
    Nonqualified
    Deferred
    Compensation
    Earnings
    ($)
     All Other
    Compensation(5)
    ($)
     Total
    ($)
     

    Barbara A. Boigegrain

     $40,000 $42,000     $ $2,500 $84,500 

    John F. Chlebowski, Jr. 

      44,000  42,000          86,000 

    Brother James Gaffney(6)

                2,500  2,500 

    Phupinder S. Gill

      43,000  42,000      198    85,198 

    Peter J. Henseler

      40,000  42,000      159    82,159 

    Patrick J. McDonnell

      47,742  42,000          89,742 

    Robert P. O'Meara

      185,000  (7)     3,956  9,551(8) 198,507 

    Ellen A. Rudnick

      44,000  42,000        2,500  88,500 

    Michael J. Small

      44,000  42,000          86,000 

    John L. Sterling

      40,000  42,000        1,000  83,000 

    J. Stephen Vanderwoude

      47,000  42,000      735    89,735 

    (1)
    Includes amounts deferred at the election of the directors pursuant to our Directors Deferred Plan.

    (2)
    The aggregate number of shares of restricted stock issued by the Company to each non-employee director during the 2012 fiscal year is as follows: 3,699 shares to Barbara A. Boigegrain, John F. Chlebowski, Jr., Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell, Ellen A. Rudnick, Michael J. Small, John L. Sterling and J. Stephen Vanderwoude. The amounts in column (c) reflect the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards granted in 2012 to each named non-employee director in accordance with the accounting guidance for share-based compensation.

    (3)
    The aggregate number of unexercised stock options outstanding as of March 1, 2013 issued to non-employee directors is as follows: John F. Chlebowski, Jr., 6,586; Brother James Gaffney, 15,210; Patrick J. McDonnell, 15,210; Robert P. O'Meara, 14,475; Ellen A. Rudnick, 10,653; John L. Sterling, 15,210; and J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 15,210.

    (4)
    The Company does not maintain a non-equity incentive plan or pension plan for directors.

    (5)
    The amounts in column (g) for Barbara A. Boigegrain, Brother James Gaffney, Ellen A. Rudnick and John L. Sterling represent the amounts paid under our matching gift donation program to eligible educational institutions designated by the applicable director.

    Table of Contents

    (6)
    Brother James Gaffney has elected not to receive any compensation for his service on the Board.

    (7)
    Robert P. O'Meara receives a cash payment of $42,000 in lieu of the equity component of his director compensation because of his significant holdings of our Common Stock.

    (8)
    The amount in column (g) for Robert P. O'Meara includes payments made on his behalf under a Retirement and Consulting Agreement between the Company and Mr. O'Meara. Under this agreement Mr. O'Meara pays 17% of the premium for health coverage under the Company's medical program for retirees and the Company pays the balance.


    COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

     

    This section provides information and perspective regarding our compensation programs and decisions for our executive officers identified below. In this sectiongenerally and, in the tables that follow, we refer to thesemore specifically, for our named executive officers as our "named executive officers."identified below.

     Name

    Title

    Name
    Title

    Michael L. Scudder

    President and Chief Executive Officer First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.of the Company and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bank


    Mark G. Sander



    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.of the Company and President and Chief Operating Officer of First Midwest Bank


    Paul F. Clemens



    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.of the Company and First Midwest Bank


    Victor P. Carapella



    Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking of First Midwest Bank


    Thomas M. Prame



    Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Banking of First Midwest Bank

    Executive Summary and Reasons for Executive Awards Based on 2012 Results

     

    We believe it is important to incent and reward our executives for achieving corporate and individual objectivesperformance, with a clear emphasis on corporate performance. We maintain a pay-for-performance environment with an executive compensation program that includes both short- and furthering ourlong-term performance-based awards and a significant equity component. Our executive compensation program is designed to encourage the achievement of corporate strategiesfinancial objectives that create value for our stockholders. Therefore, we linkstockholders, align the interests of our quantitativeexecutives with our stockholders, provide a retention effect for our executives and qualitative business strategiesadvance the value of our common stock. Our Compensation Committee also annually reviews the risks and rewards associated with each element of our compensation program design without motivatingto assure that our executivesprogram does not encourage our executive officers to take excessive risks to enhance their compensation.

     

    Since 2008, the Company and the banking industry in general have been navigating through some of the most severe economic conditions in recent times. Our 2012 fiscal year started by having exited the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in late 2011 whenDuring 2013, we redeemed $193 million of preferred stock (and the related Common Stock warrant) issuedbelieve management continued to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

            In 2012, and with the concurrence of the Board, our senior management took important steps to accelerate the remediation of certain credits that resulted inlead the Company reporting an operating loss foreffectively through the year. Adjusting forchallenges and complexity of our economy, the elevated credit costs,bank regulatory environment and the financial services sector, which allowed the Company recorded pre-tax, pre-provision operating earningsto post solid corporate financial results and continue the Company’s momentum of approximately $120.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

            When reviewing the Company's overall performance,growing and diversifying our loans, increase fee income and significantly improve asset quality. In making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee recognized that, despite our operating loss of $20.7 million, the Company took significant steps in 2012 to improve its credit risk profile, diversify and grow its loan portfolio, increase fee-based income and invest in its core business, among other accomplishments. These and other actions taken by the Company in 2012 should result in more stable, diversified and robust earnings in 2013 and beyond, thereby repositioning the Company for the future and enhancing long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee also acknowledged the challenges associated with the current economic conditions, low interest rate environment and regulatory uncertainty that continued throughout 2012.


    Table of Contents

            The Compensation Committee determined that the Company achievedconsidered the following business results,2013 accomplishments, among others, in 2012:others:

      The stock price forof our Common Stock increased 23.6%over 40% between December 31, 20112012 and December 31, 2012. By comparison,2013. For the Nasdaqsame period, the NASDAQ Composite Index had a 1-year return for 2012 of 15.91%38.32% and the Nasdaq FinancialNASDAQ Bank Index had a 1-year return forof 38.9%. Our Common Stock is included in both indices.

      Increased dividends per share to $0.07, or 600%, from 2012 levels.

      Achieved full-year earnings in the same period2013 fiscal year of 13.68%$78 million (excluding the $34 gain on securities).



      Achieved actual pre-tax, pre-provision earningsRecorded a one-time gain of approximately $120.3$34 million on the successful sale of an investment security.

      Increased fee income by 9.2% in 2012, as2013 compared to target pre-tax, pre-provision earnings of $121.2 million.2012.

      29




    Decreased noninterest expense by 12.0% in 2013 compared to 2012.

    Grew total loans (excluding covered loans) by $101.6$390.3 million, or 2.0%7.5%, from December 31, 2011.2012.



    Continued to reposition theour momentum of repositioning our loan portfolio by increasing total corporate loans at December 31, 2013 by $353.9 million, or 7.9%, compared to December 31, 2012.

    Reduced total nonperforming assets by 14.5% at December 31, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012.

    Recorded net loan charge-offs (excluding net covered loan charge-offs) of $25.6 million in 2013, representing an 80% improvement over 2012 and the lowest charge-off level at the Company in over five years.

    Grew tangible book value per common share to $13.34 at year-end, representing a 6.1% increase from December 31, 2011, with commercial and industrial loans increasing by almost 12% and commercial real estate loans decreasing by approximately 5.4%2012.

    Grew Tier 1 common capital to risk-weighted assets to 10.37% at December 31, 2013, representing a 104% increase from December 31, 2011.

    Significantly improved the Company's overall credit risk profile through the completion of bulk loan sales of $172.5 million in non-performing and performing potential problem loans, although in doing so we realized an operating loss of $20.7 million in 2012.



    Increased fee income by approximately 3.3% from December 31, 2011.

    Established new platforms for our wealth management and mortgage divisions to continue fee income momentum.

    Maintained total noninterest expense essentially flat compared to 2011 (excluding certain unusual expenses attributed to bulk loan sales and amortization of the FDIC-related asset).

    Maintained regulatory capital ratios significantly above the minimums for "well capitalized"“well capitalized” institutions.



    Our Compensation Philosophy

    Received recognition by

    Our Compensation Committee has designed a compensation program that promotes a pay-for-performance environment which encourages and rewards our short-term and long-term financial success and theChicago Tribune achievement of our strategic priorities and which builds value for our stockholders. As such, a significant portion of the third consecutive year as onecompensation of Chicago's top work places and byForbes as one of America's most trustworthy companies.

            Basedour named executive officers is at-risk compensation based on the foregoing,attainment of performance goals and the value of our common stock. Our Compensation Committee approved short-term incentivealso believes that our compensation awards, but notprogram must be market competitive to attract and retain our executives. Adherence to this philosophy forms the overall basis for our executive compensation program and is based on the compensation principles set forth below.

    Executive compensation should be performance-based equity awards,and reward achievement of corporate objectives. Our compensation program for our named executive officers for 2012.

    Recent Changes in Executive Compensation(and our other executive officers) should motivate and reward superior performance. Our executive compensation program should be weighted toward achievement of corporate financial metrics that further our strategic priorities and enhance stockholder value.

     Beginning

    A significant portion of executive compensation should be in late 2012,the form of long-term equity awards that encourage long-term value creation for stockholders. Equity compensation tied to long-term performance further aligns senior management and stockholder interests. Equity compensation also focuses management on long-term value creation rather than taking risks to increase short term compensation.

    Executive compensation should reflect an appropriate balance between fixed, incentive and equity compensation. Our Compensation Committee believes that executive compensation should be comprised of base salary, incentive compensation (both cash and stock) and long-term equity. This composition results in appropriate levels of fixed and at-risk compensation and encourages achievement of short term and long-term performance metrics.

    Executive compensation should be market-competitive. Vital to our continued success and growth is an experienced and dedicated management team. All elements of our compensation program must be competitive within the markets that we compete for talent. Our Compensation Committee strives to provide compensation at levels that will enable us to attract and retain qualified, committed and high-performing executives who are able to successfully manage our Company now and as it grows.

    Our executive compensation should have a retention effect. Our executive compensation program should be structured to enable us to retain high-performing executives and avoid unwanted management turnover.

    30



    A significant portion of our compensation consists of long-term equity compensation that has multi-year vesting periods of up to five years.

    Compensation should not encourage excessive risk-taking. Our Compensation Committee annually reviews the risks and rewards associated with our compensation program to assure our program appropriately incents our named executive officers to attain corporate financial objectives without encouraging excessive risk-taking.

    Additional Compensation Considerations

    Our Compensation Committee historically has utilized compensation practices consistent with our compensation philosophy. In addition, the Compensation Committee decided to make changes toconsiders various corporate governance practices when making executive compensation decisions, including the following:

    Shareholder Say-on-Pay Vote in 2013. Our Compensation Committee reviews the annual advisory vote on executive compensation when designing our executive compensation programsprogram and setting executive compensation levels. With respect to further our emphasiscompensation decisions in 2013 (and in 2014), the Compensation Committee considered the say on pay for performance. These changes were basedapproval by 88% of the votes cast at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders and 92% of the votes cast at the 2013 annual meeting. The Compensation Committee believes that these vote results, and the increase in the vote approval from 2012 to 2013, confirmed our approach to executive compensation. Our Compensation Committee intends to consider the results from this year, and future advisory votes, on recommendations by the Compensation Committee's independentdesign and amounts provided under our executive compensation consultant, consideration of market practices and recommendations by executive management.program.

      IncreasedContinued Emphasis on Linking Pay forwith Performance. Performance-based cash and long-term equity awards make upconstitute a significant portion of our executivethe compensation package. Our 2013 executive compensation programs reflect an even greater emphasis on performance-based compensation and an increased alignment with stockholder interests forpackage of our named executive officers. For example, forIn 2013, more than 60%we increased the percentage of our Chief Executive Officer’s and Chief Operating Officer’s compensation comprised of performance-based equity awards and decreased the percentage comprised of time-vested equity awards. Approximately, two-thirds of the pay ofcompensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer is either at-risk(excluding retirement benefits) for 2013 (and again in 2014) was performance-based or tied to the value of our common stock. In addition, in 2013, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer received time-vested restricted stock awards using an award rate of 50% of their respective base salaries whereas in 2012 the restricted stock award rate for our CEO and COO was 75% of their respective base salaries. Our performance-based equity awards to our CEO and COO also have been restructured for 2013 to place even greater emphasis on corporate performance (See the discussion below under the section entitledPerformance-Based Equity Awards).

    Table of Contents

      Continued Use of Total ShareholderStockholder Return as External Relative Metric. We believe it is desirable to continue to use both external and internal metrics to measure our corporate performance. For the performance share awards that we granted in February 2013 (and again in 2014), we will useused relative total shareholderstockholder return as the external relative metric to determine if these awards are earned. There will be aearned during the three-year performance period,period. To balance risk and if awards are earned, followed byenhance retention, a two-year continued service vesting period follows the three-year performance period.



      Elimination ofNo Walk-Away Right Upon a Change-in-Control. OurWe eliminated the “single trigger” provision in the employment agreements entered into with our named executive officers prior to 2010, contained a "single trigger" provision that allowed the executive to resign for any reason within a certain time period following a change-in-control of the Company and receive enhanced severance benefits. Thesebenefits based on a change-in-control event. Our employment agreements were amended towith our named executive officers include a "double trigger"“double trigger” provision that requires an involuntary termination of the named executive officer'sofficer’s employment (including a resignation for good reason) following a change-in-control of the Company before the executive is entitled to receive enhanced severance benefits. Since 2010, all of our new

      No Tax Gross-ups. Our employment agreements entered into with any executive officer contain a "double trigger" provision.

      Elimination of Tax Gross-up.  Our legacy employment agreements entered into with our named executive officers also contained a provision obligatingwere amended in 2012 and do not require the Company to pay the executive an excisea tax gross-up in the event the officer incurred a golden parachuteincurs an excise tax from severance benefits paid following a change-in-control. These employment agreements were amended

      Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the ability of public companies like ours to eliminate anydeduct for federal income tax gross-up payments to the executive. As such, the severance benefitspurposes certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the named executive officer following a change-in-control either will be reduced to an amount that could be paid to the officer without giving rise to any excise tax or will be paid in full to the executive but with the executive having the responsibility to pay any resulting excise tax. Since 2010, all of our employment agreements entered into with any executive officers do not obligate us to pay an excise tax gross-up.

      End of TARP Restrictions.  Because we exited the TARP program in 2011, we eliminated the salary stock adjustments and other restrictions we had in place due to the TARP-required limitations on incentive-based compensation. As a result, we returned to a more traditional pay mix of base salary (at a reduced level from 2011), annual incentive compensation and long-term incentives. In February 2012, we reinstated our named executive officers' participation in our short-term incentive compensation plan, and our Compensation Committee determined to grant awards to our Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer and senior commercial loan officer in recognitionother named executive officers. However, this limitation does not apply to amounts are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation. Our short term incentive compensation and performance shares are structured to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of

      31



    our Omnibus Stock and as incentiveIncentive Plan. Our Compensation Committee strives to continue, their important contributionsstructure executive compensation to maximize the Company. One halfdeductibility of these special awards was paid in cash in December 2012the compensation for federal income tax purposes whenever possible, but reserves the flexibility to provide non-deductible compensation depending on the circumstances.

    Clawback, Anti-Pledging and the other halfAnti-Hedging Policies. We have clawback provisions in the form of restricted stock that will vest in equal installments two and three years from the date of grant.

    Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenants Agreements.  Our legacy employment agreements with our named executive officers obligatedthat allow us to recover cash bonuses and other incentive compensation under certain circumstances. We have a policy that prohibits our employees, including our named executive officers, from pledging or hedging shares of our Common Stock.

    Stock Ownership Guidelines. We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers to further align the executive to abide by certain confidentiality and non-solicitation covenants following a terminationinterests of employment. However, those obligations did not apply in certain circumstances, including a termination of employment following a change-in-control. Ourour named executive officers and other senior executives, are now parties to confidentiality and restrictive covenants agreements (CRCAs) that will apply following a termination of employment at any time for any reason. As a result, our Chief Executive Officer and eachstockholders.

    Compensation Risk Assessment. We conduct an annual risk assessment of our other named executive officers are obligated under their respective CRCAscompensation program to refrain from disclosing or using our confidential information at any time after termination of employment and to not solicit our customers or employees for a period of 12 months (18 months for our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer) following termination of employment.


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      Our Compensation Philosophy

              Our Compensation Committee believesconfirm that our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified, dedicated and high-performing employees is vital to our success and continued growth as a Company. To that end, the Compensation Committee strives to design compensation programs that:

        Encourage and reward our employees to achieve our long-term and short-term corporate objectives, as well as the employee's individual performance goals.

        Encourage and reward employees for their efforts in producing and carrying out sustainable growth strategies and creating value for the Company's stockholders.

        Maintain an appropriate balance between base salary and performance-based and equity compensation, and with a greater emphasis on at-risk performance-based compensation.

        Maintain compensation programs that are market competitive.

              The Compensation Committee also annually reviews the risks and rewards associated with each element of our compensation programs to assure that our programs doprogram does not encourage our named executive officers to take excessive risks to enhance their compensation.

      Compensation Procedures

      Role of Management.  In February of each year, Mr. Scudder makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the base salaries for that year of the executive officers who report to him and to Mr. Sander. Mr. Scudder and Mr. Sander also review annually the performance of their respective direct reports and determine their individual performance ratings for a particular year. Our Compensation Committee reviews our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and determines his base salary and individual performance rating. The individual performance ratings impact the amount of short term incentive compensation earned by, and time-vested restricted stock that may be granted to, the executive officers. The remaining elements of our executive compensation program are set by the Compensation Committee.

      Role of the Compensation Committee.  Each year, our Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation philosophy of the Company. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves each year, subject to the approval of our Board of Directors, the principal elements of the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, the other named executive officers and the executive officers who report to our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer. Our Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer when determining the base salary, short term incentive compensation and equity awards for our named executive officers other than himself. In determining executive compensation, our Compensation Committee considers information from the Committee’s compensation consultant, management and publicly-available information about the companies in our peer group.

      Compensation Consultant.  The Compensation Committee has retained Deloitte Consulting LLP to serve as its compensation consultant. Deloitte Consulting assists the Compensation Committee with executive compensation program design, ongoing review of our executive compensation program, guidance relating to the mix of cash, equity and incentive compensation as well as the amounts of these elements of compensation to be paid to our executive officers, analysis of market practices for companies in our industry and of our size, assessment of the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program, say-on-pay review and peer group composition. Deloitte Consulting participates in Compensation Committee meetings on request and attended three meetings in 2013.

      Deloitte Consulting reports directly to the Compensation Committee, and the Committee must approve all services performed by Deloitte. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Deloitte Consulting and has concluded that Deloitte is independent under applicable NASDAQ requirements.

      How We Measure Company Performance

       The

      With respect to the short term incentive compensation programs forcomponent of our named executive officers are designed such that a significant portion of executive compensation is tied to our corporate performance. When measuring corporate performance, we may consider both qualitative and quantitative factors and achievements relating to our business strategies and objectives.

              Our STIC program, is a performance-based program intended to incent and motivate employees to achieve annual corporate and individual goals that,early in turn, should positively affect long-term strategic corporate objectives. Payouts under our STIC program are made in cash. During the first quarter of each year, our Compensation Committee establishes corporatecorporate-wide financial targets against which actual performance goals for our Chief Executive Officer and each of our other named executive officers. If these goals are achieved, awards under our STIC program are paid in cash bonuses, generally in March of the following year, withCompany is measured for that year. The dominant metric has historically been

      32



      earnings driven and, in 2013, core net income was weighted at 75% of the approvalshort term award opportunity. The remaining portion of the 2013 short term award opportunity was tied to asset quality. Payouts of short term compensation are made only if minimum financial performance is attained and are based on the degree to which these performance metrics are achieved. The performance metrics are approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board.Board of Directors at the beginning of the year, and actual goal achievement is certified by the Compensation Committee prior to the payment of earned annual incentives.

       Our performance-based equity award program is an incentive

      For the performance share component of our executive compensation program that is intendedin 2013, our Compensation Committee selected an external metric (relative total stockholder return) and an internal metric (core return on average tangible common equity) and weighted these metrics equally. With regard to reward our named executive officers for long-term Company performance measured overthe external metric, the Company’s total stockholder return during a three-year performance period will be compared to total stockholder returns of our peer group for the same period. With respect to the internal metric, the Company’s core return on average tangible common equity for a three-year performance period will be measured against predetermined tangible common equity goals for the same period. Performance shares may be earned based on the level that the metrics are achieved, as approved by the Compensation Committee and followed by athe Board of Directors, and if earned, the shares will vest in full following an additional two-year vesting schedule. Under this program we measure quantitative corporate performance againstperiod.

      Peer Group

      Our Compensation Committee reviews publicly-available information about a peer group of otherregional banking companies whose size and business lines are generally similar to ours and who operate primarilyuses this information as a reference point when evaluating the elements and amounts of the compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers. We refer to these institutions as our peer group. The Committee does not, however, establish the compensation of our named executive officers using direct comparisons to the peer group. The Committee instead uses peer group data as one of several factors in larger, urban centers like ours. setting the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers.

      Our peer group is developed with input from Deloitte Consulting and management, and is approved annually by the Compensation Committee. The peer group may be changed from year to year when a company in the peer group has been acquired or if a company’s size or other factors have changed such that the Compensation Committee believes a particular company no longer continues to be representative of the peer group.

      For 2012, this2013, our peer group consisted of the following 19 companies:

      1st Source Corporation

      PrivateBancorp, Inc.

      UMB Financial Corporation

      1st Source

      Chemical Financial Corporation

      Provident Financial Services

      Umpqua Holdings Corporation

      First Commonwealth Financial Corporation

      Sterling Financial Corporation

      Valley National Bancorp

      FirstMerit Corporation

      Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

      WesBanco, Inc.

      MB Financial, Inc.

      Taylor Capital Group, Inc.

      Wintrust Financial Corporation

      Old National Bancorp

      Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.

      Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.

      Trustmark Corporation

      In 2014, management recommended and Deloitte Consulting concurred that our peer group should be modified. At its February 2014 meeting, the Compensation Committee approved the following change to our peer group and, following these changes, our peer group will consist of 22 companies:

      Name of Institution

      Added/Removed

      Chemical Financial Corporation

      PrivateBancorp, Inc.UMB Financial Corporation

      FirstMerit Corporation

      Removed due to asset size

      Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

      Removed due to asset size

      Citizens Republic Bancorp

      Provident Financial ServicesUmpqua Holdings Corporation

      Removed due to acquisition

      First Commonwealth Financial Corporation

      Sterling Financial Corporation

      Valley National Bancorp

      Removed due to pending acquisition

      33



      FirstMerit CorporationSusquehanna Bancshares, Inc.WesBanco, Inc.
      MB Financial, Inc.

      Taylor Capital Group, Inc.

      Wintrust Financial Corporation

      Removed due to pending acquisition

      Old

      Community Bank System, Inc.

      Added

      First Financial Bancorp

      Added

      First Merchants Corporation

      Added

      F.N.B. Corporation

      Added

      Park National BancorpCorporation

      Texas Capital Bancshares,

      Added

      United Bankshares, Inc.

      Added

      How We Measure Individual Performance

       

      A portion of the STICshort term incentive compensation awards that may be earned by our named executive officers is tied to each officer'sofficer’s individual performance rating for the year. The portion of the STIC award attributed to individual performance, as opposed to Company performance, is based upon the named executive officer's grade level. The higher the grade level of the executive, the lower the percentage of a STIC award opportunity is tied to individual performance. In addition, the number of shares of time-vested restricted stock awarded


      Table of Contents

      in a particulargiven year is based on a percentage of the named executive officer'sofficer’s base salary and his or her individual performance rating for the year preceding the award.rating.

       During the first quarter of each year, our Compensation Committee recommends to the Board the establishment of individual performance goals for our Chief Executive Officer and the other named executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee the individual performance goals for each of the other named executive officers. These goals include quantitative and qualitative performance factors, such as, for example, contributions to the Company's strategic initiatives, execution of leadership objectives, completion of specific projects or corporate initiatives and other position-related objectives.

              In determining whether individual performance goals have been achieved, the Compensation Committee makes this determination with respect to our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer makes a recommendation to the Compensation Committee with respect to achievement of individual performance goals for all other named executive officers. In addition, the Compensation Committee assesses the satisfaction of job-specific competencies and execution of job-related responsibilities during the year for our Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Executive Officer performs a similar performance assessment for the other named executive officers.

              The individual performance goals are determined without a formulaic relationship between a goal and an actual result because the goals generally involve a combination of quantitative and qualitative objectives. The determination of an individual executive's performance assessment and the level of achievement of his or hera named executive officer’s individual performance goals arerating is based on both objective and subjective reviewsa review of actions taken or results achieved by the executive.

              Based onexecutive and how these determinationsactions and assessments, each namedresults impacted overall corporate performance and achievement of the corporate financial metrics under our short term incentive compensation and performance share programs. A subjective assessment of an executive officer is given anofficer’s leadership and contributions to the Company also may be factors in his or her individual performance rating. Our Compensation Committee determines Mr. Scudder’s individual performance rating, for the year, which is submitted toapproved by our Board of Directors. Mr. Scudder and Mr. Sander determine the Board for its consideration.individual performance ratings of their respective direct reports.

       

      For 2012,2013, the individual performance ratings of our named executive officers were based substantially on the following:

      Michael L. Scudder—Successfully – Led and carried out the overall management of the Company, including executing the Company'sCompany’s strategies as well as determining and overseeingachieving financial objectives for the implementationyear; oversaw the execution of the Company'sCompany’s long-term goals and objectives,strategies, financial and capital plans, management development and succession process, investor relations strategymerger and acquisition opportunities.

      Mark G. Sander—Oversaw - Led the overall management of First Midwest Bank; oversaw initiatives to continue to diversify and grow our loan portfolio and increase fee income; and oversaw credit activities and administration.

      Victor P. Carapella – Managed the Bank; established organizational goalsoverall commercial sales activity and priorities for the Bank; led initiatives regarding increases in commercial and retailcorporate loan activity as well as growing fee incomeportfolio of the Bank; developed and implemented continued realignment ofloan strategies, plans and programs to grow and diversify our loan portfolio; coordinated officer recruitment and development; and oversaw overall credit remediation and liquidation, including significant participationadministration of the Company’s loan polices in conjunction with the bulk loan sales.Chief Credit Officer.

      Paul F. ClemensManaged the Company'sCompany’s financial accounting, reporting and controls as well as the budgeting process of the Bank;Company; oversaw the Company's balance sheet, capital andCompany’s financial management; and successfully managed the bulk loan sales.assumed greater responsibility over our treasury function.

              Victor P. Carapella—Managed the overall commercial sales activity and commercial loan portfolio of the Bank; developed and implemented loan strategies, plans and programs and loan officer recruitment and development; and oversaw administration of the Company's loan polices in coordination with the Chief Credit Officer.

      Thomas M. Prame - Managed the retail banking operations of the Bank and oversaw the increase in retail lending activity and fee income.

      Compensation Committee's Advisor

              The Compensation Committee has retained Deloitte Consulting LLP (Deloitte) to provide analysis and advice on various matters relating to the compensation of our executive officers and directors.


      Table of Contents

              Deloitte has in-depth knowledge of our business and the competitive environment for executive talent in the banking industry. The scope of Deloitte's work has included peer group analysis, program design, ongoing review of our compensation programs, guidance relating to the mix of cash and equity-based compensation paid, assessment of the market competitiveness of our compensation programs for our executive officers and analysis of the compensation of our executives relative to our financial performance and that of our peers.

              Deloitte is directly accountable to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee must approve all services performed by Deloitte, and the Committee believes that Deloitte is fully independent in connection with its services to the Committee. Deloitte does not perform other services for the Company or for any of our named executive officers.

      Consideration of Peer Data

              Our Compensation Committee reviews public information about the compensation of the executive officers of the peer group identified under the section entitledHow we measure corporate performance. The peer group is developed with input from management and Deloitte and is approved by the Compensation Committee. The Committee does not establish the compensation of our named executive officers using a direct comparison to the peer group. Instead, the Committee uses peer group data as a point of reference and one of several factors in setting executive compensation. If any components of our executive compensation vary significantly from the median of those in our peer group, the Committee reviews the circumstances surrounding the variance and considers whether it should evaluate further the relevant component of compensation.

      Internal Pay Considerations

       

      Our Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation programs must be internally consistent and equitable in order for the Company to be able to attract and retain the executive officers necessary to achieve our business and financial objectives and to create a cohesive team atmosphere within the Company. As such, the Committee reviews total compensation and various elements of compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer in relation to our Chief Operating Officer and to our named executive officers as a group (other

      34



      than our Chief Executive Officer)., as well as the median of the relationship of CEO compensation to executive officers within our peer group. The Committee uses this information as a point of reference in its compensation decisions but has not determined that our Chief Executive Officer's compensation should be within a range of multiples of the compensation of our Chief Operating Officer or the average of the other four named executive officers as a group.decisions.

      ElementsPrincipal Elements of our Executive Compensation Program in 20122013

       

      The Compensation Committee recommendsapproves, subject to theapproval by our full Board of Directors, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers each year. In determining the compensation of theour named executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. Compensation is determined based on a consideration of each named executive officer'sofficer’s individual performance, overall performance relative to strategic, financial and leadership objectives, market factors and our views regarding a named executive officer'sofficer’s scope of job responsibilities, demonstrated leadership abilities and management experience and effectiveness. Our namedThe principal elements of our executive officer compensation program is made up of:are:

        Base Salary



        Short-TermPerformance-based Short Term Incentive Compensation



        Performance-based Equity Awards

        Time-Vested Restricted Stock

        Performance-Based Equity Awards

       

      When setting the total compensation opportunity for our named executive officers, through the programs listed above, we useour Compensation Committee uses data available to us from various sources, including peer group information


      Table of Contents

      and advice from Deloitte.Deloitte Consulting. We also consider other relevant factors, such as, for example, internally-established pay ranges forbased on salary grades of employees. All information is used as a reference point for

      In 2013, the evaluationpercentage of the levels and competitiveness of our compensation as a whole and a guide to setting compensation.

              We generally review compensation elements in the aggregate to assess each named executive officer's total compensation opportunity. Our approach results in some pay differences in overall compensation amongpaid to our named executive officers which is consistent with the level of job responsibilities for each officer. The Compensation Committee considers these factors collectively, along with recommendations from Deloitte and our Chief Executive Officer, and ultimately uses its judgment(excluding retirement benefits) was as follows in making final decisions concerning compensation.2013:

      GRAPHIC

      35



      GRAPHIC

      Base Salary

       

      We pay our named executive officers and other employees a base salary as part of a competitive compensation package. Base salary is not directly subject to the achievement of any corporate or individual performance goals. In setting base salary levels, we consider the median salary paid for positions of similar responsibility at the institutions in our peer group identified above.as well as the incumbent’s performance and tenure in their role.

       We typically consider base salary levels as part of

      Annually, our annual compensation review process or, in some cases, upon a promotion. Our Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee changes in base salarysalaries for our named executive officers, other than himself to the Compensation Committee.himself. Chief Executive Officer pay is set directly by the Compensation Committee, and the base salaries of all named executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, are recommended to our Board for its approval. Annual base salary changes generally become effective January 1 except for certain interim-year promotions.

      Short-TermShort Term Incentive Compensation (STIC)

       

      Our STIC program is anshort term incentive compensation program constitutes approximately one-fifth of the total compensation of our named executive officers. Short term incentive compensation is a performance-based program for a one-year time period and is our vehicle under which we award performance-basedfor awarding annual cash bonuses to eligible employees, including our named executive officers,officers. Executives may earn a cash bonus based on the achievement of performance-basedcorporate financial objectives and individual performance goals for a given fiscalthat year. STIC target award levelsThe short term incentive compensation element of our compensation program encourages our named executive officers to attain predetermined corporate financial goals that the Compensation Committee believes are consistent with the strategies established for the Company.

      Cash bonuses under our short term incentive program are expressed as a percentage of an executive'sa participant’s base salary correspondingsalary. Threshold corporate performance must be achieved in order for cash bonuses to be earned and paid under our short term incentive compensation program. Payouts are based on the officer's grade level. The Compensation Committee has discretion to modify payouts as appropriate to ensure STIC program objectives are met.

              Under our STIC program,performance level for the determinationcorporate metrics established at the beginning of the payout level (if any) for each participant's target award is based upon the achievement of a combination ofcompany performancefiscal year and an executive’s individual performance rating.

      metrics.

        Company Performance.  Annually, the Compensation Committee selects thecompany corporate performance metrics for the fiscal year and the allocation or weighting betweenfor the metrics selected. STIC awardsAwards for our named executive officers have aas well as our senior officers are weighted heavier weighting placed upontoward company performance based on the grade level of the executive.financial performance.



        Individual Performance.  Individual performance is based on achievement during the fiscal year of a combination of qualitative and quantitative objectives that were established for the named executive officer at the beginning of the year and that are specific to the individual'sindividual’s responsibilities and position within the Company. An annual assessment of each named executive officer's individualofficer’s performance results in aan individual performance rating for the officer for the year.

      Table of Contents

       

      The allocation between Company performance and individual performance and the target award expressed as a percentage of base salary for our named executive officers in 20122013 was as follows:

      36



       

       

       

      Performance Weighting

       

      Named Executive Officer
       Company
      Performance
       Individual
      Performance
       Salary
      Grade Level
       

       

      Target Bonus Opportunity
      (Expressed as a
      Percentage of Base Salary)

       

      Company
      Performance

       

      Individual
      Performance

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       85% 15% 18 

       

      60%

       

      85%

       

      15%

       

      Mark G. Sander

       70% 30% 17 

       

      50%

       

      70%

       

      30%

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       70% 30% 16 

       

      40%

       

      70%

       

      30%

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       70% 30% 16 

       

      40%

       

      70%

       

      30%

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       60% 40% 15 

       

      40%

       

      60%

       

      40%

       

       

      For our 2012the 2013 fiscal year, our STICshort term incentive compensation program included two Companythree corporate-wide performance metrics to determine the level of awards paid to participants, specifically pre-tax, pre-provision earningsmetrics: core net income (weighted at 75%) and asset quality, non-performing assets (weighted at 25%17%) and performing potential problem loans (weighted at 8%). We continued to use

      The Compensation Committee selected core operating earningsnet income (excluding extraordinary items such as gains or losses on securities) as the dominant performance metric because it allowed usencouraged senior management to measurecontinue to focus on our annual financial performance in a manner that was meaningful and aligned with how stockholders generally assess short-term performance. Payout amounts were set for each metric and included "Minimum," "Target" and "Maximum" performance levels. Target performance is the level at which an executive will earn 100% of his or her Target award. Depending upon the relationship of the Company's actual pre-tax, pre-provisioncore operating earnings and asset quality, a percentage of the executive's base salary based on salary grade level and the individual's annual performance rating, final payouts under our STIC program may be as little as zero and as high as 175% of Target with respect to Company performance and as little as zerois frequently used to assess short term corporate performance by stockholders, the investment community generally and as high as 150% with respect to individual performance. The STIC award scale and results for 2012 Company performance were as follows:


      Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Operating Earnings (PPE) (75% weighting)

              This metric is defined as pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings, excluding provisions for loan losses, securities gains/losses and other items for the 2012 fiscal year.

      Minimum

      $110.0 millionPays 50% of Target Award

      Target

      $121.2 millionPays 100% of Target Award

      Maximum

      $145.5 millionPays 175% of Target Award


      Asset Quality (25% weighting)

              This metric is defined as non-performing assets (less troubled debt restructures) as a percentage of total loans (plus other real estate owned).

      Minimum

      4.25%Pays 0% of Target Award

      Target

      3.15%Pays 100% of Target Award

      Maximum

      2.00%Pays 175% of Target Award


      Performance Metric
      2012 Actual
      Company
      Performance
      Results

      PPE

      $120.3 million

      Asset Quality

      2.55%

      banking regulators. The Compensation Committee determined to make awards in 2012 under the STIC program for the PPE metric but not for the Asset Quality metric. The Company achieved nearly 100% of its PPE target goal and exceeded its Asset Quality target goal. However, the Asset Quality goal was achieved only because of certain significant credit actions taken during 2012 that improved the Company's overall credit profile but that were not contemplated when this goal was established. As such, the Committee determined it would be inappropriate to make STIC awards in 2012 based on the Asset Quality metric. These significant credit actions included the bulk sale of certainchose non-performing loansassets (excluding troubled debt restructurings) and performing potential problem loans as well as certain other loan charge-offs.because of the importance and continued emphasis on asset quality at the Company.


      The Compensation Committee utilized short term incentive compensation in 2013 in furtherance of the following strategic objectives:

      TableEmphasize profitability of Contentsthe Company.

       In determining

      Continue to approve STIC awards for 2012, the Compensation Committee also balanced the Company'sincrease our loans and diversify our loan portfolio profitably.

      Grow deposits, and maintain our strong core deposit base and low cost of funds.

      Continue to diversify our revenues by increasing fee-based revenues.

      Continue our progress on itscredit remediation.

      Control expenses while funding strategic initiatives, against its net loss in 2012. In this regard, the Committee considered the Company's 2012 strategic initiatives of loan growth, fee income and deposit growth, operating efficiency and investment in the Company's core business, among others,such as well as overall performance relative to peers.mobile banking.

       For 2012, based

      Maintain our strong capital base.

      In 2013, the calculation of the short term incentive compensation payouts allocated to Company performance for our named executive officers was determined as follows:

      Metric

       

      2013 Target

       

      2013 Actual
      Performance

       

      Payout as a
      Percentage
      of Target

       

      Weighted
      Payout
      Percentage

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Core Net Income (75%)

       

      $68.1 million

       

      $68.7 million

       

      106.54%

       

      79.9%

       

      Non-Performing Assets (17%)

       

      $96.0 million

       

      $95.9 million

       

      100.06%

       

      17.01%

       

      Performing Potential Problem Loans (8%)

       

      $160.0 million

       

      $158.8 million

       

      102.32%

       

      8.2%

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Total Percentage Earned

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      105.1%

       

      Based on the Company achieving slightly below target pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings, the overall payout for all employees under our STIC program was approximately 72% of the target award level. This level of achievement together with theCompany’s performance and individual performance rating of each named executive officer, the Compensation Committee approved the following cash bonus awards under our short term incentive compensation program:

      37



      Named Executive Officer

      Annual Cash Bonus Earned

      Percentage of Target Award

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

      $466,927

      108%

      Mark G. Sander

      $296,397

      114%

      Victor P. Carapella

      $151,998

      114%

      Paul F. Clemens

      $159,928

      110%

      Thomas M. Prame

      $122,763

      105%

      Performance-based Equity Compensation

      Our Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of each senior officer’s compensation should be in the form of long-term equity awards, both performance-based and service-based. By doing so, we further align the interests of our senior management with our stockholders, link pay with performance and enhance the retention of our senior officers.

      In 2013, our named executive officers were awarded performance shares that may be earned based on the Company’s level of performance over a three-year period. If the performance objectives are achieved, the performance shares will be earned. If earned, one-third of the performance shares will vest at the same time that the shares are earned, one-third will vest the following year and the remaining one-third will vest in the second year, assuming continued employment with the Company during the three-year performance period and the subsequent two-year vesting period. We accrue cash dividends that otherwise would be paid on the performance shares, but the accrued but unpaid dividends are not paid to the named executive officers resulted inofficer unless the underlying performance shares are earned and subsequently vest.

      Performance share awards were made under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan approved by our stockholders and are expressed as a percentage of a participant’s base salary. The determination of the performance shares earned for each participant is based solely upon the Company achieving certain performance objectives without reference to individual performance ratings.

      Based upon a consideration of peer practices and a review by the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant, our Compensation Committee selected both external and internal performance metrics for our performance share program for the 2013-2015 performance period, with each metric weighted at 50 % of the total award opportunity. For the external metric, the Compensation Committee approvingselected total stockholder return relative to the Company’s peer group (see page ____) and for the internal metric, the Compensation Committee chose core return on average tangible common equity of the Company.

      Our Compensation Committee selected these metrics to encourage our named executive officers to pursue corporate strategies that will enhance long term stockholder value and add to the value of our Common Stock while at the same time deploying our capital prudently. The Compensation Committee also believed that comparing our total stockholder return to that of an external metric would reward superior corporate performance relative to our peer group.

      For purposes of the external metric, total stockholder return of the Company and the peer group will be calculated for the three-year performance period. Performance shares will be earned based on the total stockholder return of the Company as compared to that of the peer group. For the internal metric, the Company’s core return on average tangible common equity will be earned based on the Company’s average core return on average tangible common equity for the three-year period as compared to predetermined tangible common equity goals approved by the Compensation Committee.

      Our Compensation Committee awarded performance shares in 2013 in furtherance of the following STIC awardsstrategic objectives:

      Emphasize the Company’s long term strategies and growth objectives.

      38



      Encourage achievement of long term business goals.

      Create a long term focus based on sustainable results.

      Link pay with corporate performance.

      Provide additional stock ownership opportunities for our named executive officers, for 2012:which further align interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders.

      Named Executive Officer
       STIC Payment Percentage of
      Target Award
       

      Michael L. Scudder

       $328,743  76%

      Mark G. Sander

        211,206  83%

      Paul F. Clemens

        114,370  80%

      Victor P. Carapella

        102,461  79%

      Thomas M. Prame

        99,326  87%

      Foster retention of our named executive officers and avoid management turnover.

      Provide an award opportunity that is competitive with market practices.

      In 2013, our Compensation Committee granted performance share award opportunities to our named executive officers as follows:

      Named Executive Officer

      Target Performance Share
      Award Opportunity (Expressed
      as a Percentage of Base Salary)

      Performance Shares Awarded for
      2013-2015 Performance Period
      (Based on Target Award Level)

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

      65%

      36,449

      Mark G. Sander

      60%

      24,284

      Victor P. Carapella

      25%

      6,486

      Paul F. Clemens

      25%

      7,105

      Thomas M. Prame

      20%

      4,449

      Time-vested Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)

              We typically have referred to the time-vested restricted stock awards that we granted as long-term incentive compensation (or, LTIC) awards. All of our executive officers, including

      In 2013, our named executive officers are eligible to receive time-vested restricted stock awards. We intend our RSAs to provide a vehicle for equity ownership in the Company in alignment with the interests of our stockholders, to serve as a retention tool for key executives through the vesting periods of the awards and to maintain market competitive compensation. The RSA awards are made under ourOmnibus Stock and Incentive Plan that has been approved by our stockholders. Our Compensation Committee haswere awarded restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards, dependingunits (depending on their age) that fully vest over a three-year period in equal installments on the agesecond and third anniversaries of the employee.grant date. The named executive officer must continue to be employed with the Company or one of its subsidiaries on the applicable vesting date for the award to vest. These awards were made under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan approved by our stockholders.

       

      The number of shares of restricted stock or restricted units awarded is determined based on a graduated scale of a percentage of the officer'snamed executive officer’s base salary, and then is adjusted upward or downward depending upon the officer's individual'sofficer’s individual’s performance rating for the prior fiscal year. In 2012, regular RSA awards granted to our named executive officers were set using the following percentages of base salary (in 2013, the percentages of base salaries for the RSA awards were changed to 50% for Messrs. Scudder and Sander and 35% for each of Messrs. Clemens, Carapella and Prame):

      Named Executive Officer
      Percentage of
      Base Salary

      Michael L. Scudder

      75%

      Mark G. Sander

      75%

      Paul F. Clemens

      40%

      Victor P. Carapella

      40%

      Thomas M. Prame

      40%

              The number of shares awarded for RSAs is based on the average of the high and low sales prices of our Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of grant of the award. RSAs vest in equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date assuming that the executive continues to be employed by the Company or the Bank on the applicable vesting date (with earlier vesting in the event of death or disability). Executives who have reached or will reach their normal retirement age during the vesting period receive restricted stock units instead of restricted stock. As the restricted stock units vest, they are settled in unrestricted shares of Company common stock. We accrue cash dividends that otherwise would be paid on unvested RSA awards,the restricted stock, and all accrued but unpaid dividends on the unvested shares or units are not paid to the named executive at the time thatofficer unless the underlying shares vest.

      In 2013, our Compensation Committee granted restricted stock or units vest.


      Table of Contents

              The following table sets forth the regular RSA awards grantedunit award opportunities to our named executive officers in 2012 (and does not include the special awards made to Messrs. Scudder, Clemens and Carapella. SeeRecent Changes in Executive Compensation):

      Named Executive Officer
      RSA Awards

      Michael L. Scudder

      59,445 shares of restricted stock

      Mark G. Sander

      40,185 shares of restricted stock

      Paul F. Clemens

      14,873 shares of restricted stock

      Victor P. Carapella

      14,758 restricted stock units

      Thomas M. Prame

      16,043 shares of restricted stock(1)

      (1)
      Shares of restricted stock were awarded to Mr. Prame as part of his recruitment package.

              No executive officer, including the Chief Executive Officer or any other named executive officer, has a role in the timing of equity awards. RSA awards generally are granted on the day of our Board meeting in February.

      Performance-Based Equity Awards

              In 2006, the Company began making annual awards of performance-awarded restricted stock to its senior officers. The PARS program was designed as a compensation vehicle that is intended to reward our named executive officers for long-term Company performance in relation to our peers. The PARS awards are made under ourOmnibus Stock and Incentive Plan that has been approved by our stockholders.

              The total award cycle for our PARS program is five years, consisting of a three year measurement period followed by a two-year vesting period (50% on the first and second anniversaries following the grant date). The measurement period has been set at three years to reflect a realistic time period for achieving long-term Company performance goals, and the vesting period has been set at two years to enhance the executive retention feature of the award. PARS awards could be made annually at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, but only if our performance, as measured by annual core return on average assets (ROAA) for the fiscal year plus the prior two years (the measurement period), exceeds the 75th percentile of our peer group's performance as measured by annual core ROAA during the same measurement period. If we exceed this threshold, the participants would be eligible to receive an award, based on the extent our average change in core earnings per share (EPS) over the measurement period is above median peer levels based on the following table:

      Average Change in
      Core Earnings Per Share
      FMBI Performance to Peer
      Upper Limit as
      a % of Target
      Grant Value

      75th

      100%

      70th

      80%

      65th

      60%

      60th

      40%

      55th

      20%

      Median

      0%

              For purposes of calculating core return on average assets and core earnings per share, a core net income component is used and defined as net income before unusual items less the after-tax portion of gains or losses on the sale of investment securities and nonrecurring items, applying a tax rate of 35%.follows:

       Targeted awards are based on a percentage of each executive's base salary. The resulting dollar amount is converted to restricted stock awards or units on the day of the grant based on the average of the high and low sales prices of our Common Stock on the day of the grant as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.


      Named Executive Officer

      Restricted Stock/Unit Award
      Opportunity (Expressed as a
      Percentage of Base Salary)

      Number of Shares of
      Restricted Stock/Units Awarded

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

      50%

      33,645

      Mark G. Sander

      50%

      22,260

      Paul F. Clemens

      35%

      9,947

      Victor P. Carapella

      35%

      8,626

      Thomas M. Prame

      35%

      8,759

      Table of Contents

              For the three-year period of 2009-2011, the Compensation Committee considered PARS awards in May 2012 and took into consideration the Company's core ROAA for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, as well as the Company's change in core EPS for the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. Based on the Company's core ROAA and change in core EPS during these periods when compared to peers using the framework discussed above, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company did not attain the minimum threshold for PARS awards to be granted in 2012 for the 2009-2011 measurement period.

              Up until 2012, our PARS awards were based on a trailing three-year performance period. Beginning in 2013, we will use a rolling, three-year forward-looking performance period for our PARS awards.

      Retirement and Other Welfare Benefits

       There is no material difference in the welfare benefit plans we

      39



      We provide to our named executive officers compared to thewith retirement, health, life and disability insurance and other welfare benefitbenefits under plans we provide to other salaried employees. Years of service and salary grades of our executives drive the value of their retirement benefits. These programs, whichthat are generally available to all employees include group insurance, vacation, tuition reimbursement and contribution matching gift plans.

              Retirement benefits are delivered throughof the Company who meet plan eligibility requirements. Our retirement plans constitute tax-qualified defined benefit and defined contribution plans and non-qualified defined contribution plans. Executive officers are eligible to participate in the qualified programs on the same basis as other employees and in the non-qualified programs on the same basis as other officers in accordance with the plans.

      Upon the recommendation of management, in November 2006, theour Compensation Committee authorizedand the Board of Directors approved amendments to the long-standingour defined benefit pension plan, of the Company which is described in further detail beginning on page 50.___. The amendments were adopted in February 2007 and eliminated any new enrollments of employees into this plan. In 2013, upon a subsequent recommendation of management, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors also approved amendments, effective as of January 1, 2014, to the Company’s (i) defined benefit pension plan to freeze future benefit accruals under this plan, (ii) nonqualified retirement plan such that no annual pension restoration amounts will be credited to this plan on behalf of any participant, and (iii) savings and profit sharing plan to provide employer contributions to this plan on behalf of all eligible employees of (a) a reductioncontribution equal to 2% of an employee’s total compensation (subject to a 6-year vesting schedule), (b) a safe harbor matching contribution equal to 100% of an employee’s first 3% of before-tax contributions and 50% of the employee’s next 2% of before-tax contributions, and (c) for the 2014 and 2015 plan years, a transition benefit for only participants in the growthdefined benefit pension plan as of benefits effective AprilJanuary 1, 2007. These changes2014 equal to a contribution of 2% of total compensation for participants aged 40-49, 3% of total compensation for participants aged 50-59, and 4% of total compensation for participants aged 60 and older, with total compensation for purposes of contributions to the savings and profit sharing plan calculated based on base salary plus cash bonuses or incentives.

      The amendments to our retirement plans will assist us in controlling what had becomebecame an unacceptably high and rapidly increasing cost for thisthe defined benefit pension plan and to encourage employees to assume a more active role in their retirement planning, while continuing to provide appropriate, competitive retirement benefits for our employees.

      Stock Ownership Guidelines for Our Executive Officers

              The Company grants stock awardsWe also maintain a nonqualified retirement plan to allow certain employees with the intentto elect to defer a portion of closely aligning the interests of the Company's managementtheir base salaries and stockholders. Accordingly, the Company has established minimum stock ownership guidelines that applyshort term incentive compensation and to all members of executive management of the Company (See stock beneficial ownership table on page 29).

              Under these guidelines,provide make-up benefits to our President and Chief Executive Officer is encouraged to own Common Stock equal in value to three times his annual base salary, and our other executive officers (including our named executive officers) are encouraged to own Common Stock equalfor any reduction in values ranging from one to two times their annual salary, depending upon their salary grade. Ownership levels are determined by considering stock acquired through open market purchases, employee benefit plans and the Company's equity compensation plans. Officers are recommended to acquire and maintain this share ownership threshold within five years of joining the Company.

              All of our named executive officers (except for an individual who became an executive officer last year) own a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock, including restricted stock,benefits under our stock ownership guidelines.

      Perquisites Providedsavings and profit sharing plan due to Our Executive Officerslimitations on contributions to the plan imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.

       The Company provides

      Perquisites

      We provide limited perquisites to executives, including our named executive officers, which the Compensation Committee believes are reasonable and within competitive practices.

       

      We have a Company vehicle policy that provides a car allowance to senior management, including our named executive officers. We also provide mobile telephone service to and reimburse certain officers for a portion of country club dues to promote the


      Table of Contents

      business interests of the Company.

      Stock Ownership Guidelines

      We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers. The purpose of these guidelines is to further align the interests of our management team and our stockholders. Under the guidelines, our named executive officers are encouraged to hold shares of Common Stock as follows:

      Position

      Stock Ownership Guideline

      Chief Executive Officer

      Three times base salary

      Chief Operating Officer

      Two times base salary

      Chief Financial Officer

      Two times base salary

      Other Named Executive Officers

      Two times base salary

      40



      All of our named executive officers have met these guidelines. For purposes of the guidelines, we include shares owned directly or indirectly by the executive and his spouse and minor children, unearned performance shares and unvested restricted stock.

      Clawback, Anti-Pledging, Anti-Hedging and Other Policies

      We have clawback provisions in the employment agreements with our named executive officers that allow us to recover cash bonuses and other incentive compensation under certain circumstances. We also provide relocation assistance tohave a policy that prohibits our newly hired or relocated salaried executive employees, including our named executive officers.officers, from pledging or hedging our Common Stock or engaging in short sales and other short term, speculative trading in our Common Stock.

      Risk Assessment of Executive Compensation Program

      Each year, our Compensation Committee reviews our executive compensation program and conducts a risk assessment relative to this program. This risk assessment allows our Compensation Committee to confirm that our executive compensation program is designed such that executive officers are not encouraged to take excessive risks to enhance their compensation.

      Employment Agreements with Our Executive Officers

       

      We have entered into employment agreements with our senior executives.management, including our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee has determined that the terms of the agreements as amended as of December 2012, are consistent with competitive practices and are important to attracting and retaining executive talent. The agreements describe the executive'sexecutive’s position, compensation and benefits, including severance payments in the event of a termination of employment other than for cause.employment. The agreements also impose confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-solicitationnondisparagement obligations on the executive. In the event of a termination of employment by the Company without cause or reduction in duties and responsibilitiesby the executive officer for good reason prior to or following a change-in-control of the Company, separationseverance benefits are triggered, including severance payments and acceleration ofaccelerated vesting of equity awards. Certain aspects of these agreements for our named executive officers are detailed in the tables and narrative following this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

      In 2012, we amended the employment agreements with our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers to eliminate their walk-away rights upon a change in control and any tax gross-up payments relating to severance benefits following a change in control. These amendments are discussedIn addition, our named executive officers entered into Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenant Agreements with us. The Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenant Agreements supplement the confidentiality and restrictive covenants set forth in more detail above under the section entitledRecent Changes in Executive Compensation.

      Certain Tax Considerations When Making Compensation Decisions

              Our Compensation Committee considers the tax effectsour named executive officers’ employment agreements. The restrictive apply for a period of various forms of compensation when making its compensation decisions.

              Section 162(m).    Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the ability of public companies like ours to deduct12 months (18 months for federal income tax purposes certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers. However, this limitation does not apply to amounts that qualify as "performance-based" compensation. In general, stock options and performance-based equity awards will satisfy the requirements for qualifying as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) if granted in accordance with the requirementsChief Operating Officer) following termination of our Omnibus Plan. We are asking stockholders to approve at the Annual Meeting an amendment to our Omnibus Plan to enable us to qualify future cash awards under the Plan (such as STIC awards) as performance-based compensation.

              Sections 280G and 4999.    Employment contracts issued to our named executive officers prior to 2010 included certain change-in-control tax provisions. These provisions provided for tax protection in the form of a reimbursement to the executive for any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code as well as any additional income and employment taxes resulting from such reimbursement. Section 4999 imposes a 20% nondeductible excise tax on our named executive officers who receive an "excess parachute payment" and Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code disallows the tax deduction to the payer (our successor) for any excess parachute payment. The intent of the reimbursement is to provide a benefit without a tax penalty to our executives who are terminated in the event of a change-in-control.employment.

       At the time that we entered into employment agreements prior to 2010, providing tax protection for excess parachute payments for our executive officers was consistent with market practice. However, these change-in-control tax provisions were eliminated from the Company's standard employment agreements and have not been included in any employment agreements since 2010. In addition, the employment agreements entered into with our named executive officers prior to 2010 were amended in December 2012 to delete the change-in-control tax protection for excess parachute payments. As a result, neither our Chief Executive Officer nor any of our other named executive officers have employment agreements with us that contain these provisions.


      Table of Contents

      Clawback and Other Policies

              We have clawback provisions in the employment agreements with our named executive officers which allows us to recover cash bonuses and other incentive compensation under certain circumstances. We also have a policy that prohibits our employees, including our named executive officers, from engaging in short sales and other short-term, speculative trading in our Common Stock.

      Risk Assessment of Compensation to our Named Executive Officers

              Each year, our Compensation Committee reviews our compensation programs and conducts a risk assessment with the Company's senior risk officers. This risk assessment allows our Compensation Committee to confirm that our compensation programs for our senior executive officers are designed to ensure that the plans do not encourage our executive officers to take excessive risks to enhance their compensation.


      20122013 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

       

      The table and explanatory footnotes below summarize the total compensation for the years 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 paid to or earned by our named executive officers.

      41



      (a)

       

      (b)

       

      (c)

       

      (d)

       

      (e)

       

      (f)

       

      (g)

       

      (h)

       

      (i)

       

      (j)

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Name and
      Principal Position

       

      Year

       

      Salary
      (1)

       

      Bonus
      (2)

       

      Stock
      Awards
      (3)(4)

       

      Option
      Awards
      (4)

       

      Non-Equity
      Incentive Plan
      Compensation
      (2)

       

      Change in
      Pension
      Value and
      Non-qualified
      Deferred
      Compensation
      Earnings
      (5)

       

      All Other
      Compensation
      (6)

       

      Total

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      2013

       

      $720,000

       

      $0

       

      $917,083

       

       

      $466,927

       

      $79,163

       

      $283,350

       

      $2,466,523

       

      President and Chief

       

      2012

       

      720,000

       

      255,000

       

      935,690

       

       

      328,743

       

      117,766

       

      215,830

       

      2,573,029

       

      Executive Officer

       

      2011

       

      1,008,884

       

       

      566,627

       

       

       

      103,449

       

      212,594

       

      1,891,554

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

      2013

       

      $519,675

       

      $0

       

      $791,711

       

       

      $296,397

       

      $8,614

       

      $62,100

       

      $1,678,497

       

      Senior EVP and Chief

       

      2012

       

      507,000

       

       

      643,506

       

       

      211,206

       

      3,180

       

      35,391

       

      1,400,283

       

      Operating Officer

       

      2011

       

      417,308

       

      150,000

       

      493,655

       

      199,996

       

       

      697

       

      125,433

       

      1,387,089

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      2013

       

      $333,125

       

      $0

       

      $198,183

       

       

      $151,998

       

      $137,623

       

      $100,008

       

      $920,938

       

      EVP, Director of

       

      2012

       

      325,000

       

      62,500

       

      231,698

       

       

      102,461

       

      80,540

       

      58,456

       

      860,655

       

      Commercial

       

      2011

       

      377,328

       

       

      162,311

       

       

       

      80,382

       

      68,275

       

      688,296

       

      Banking, First

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Midwest Bank

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

      2013

       

      $364,900

       

      $0

       

      $223,307

       

       

      $159,928

       

      $2,551

       

      $35,095

       

      $785,782

       

      EVP and Chief

       

      2012

       

      356,000

       

      62,500

       

      233,013

       

       

      114,370

       

      1,045

       

      32,494

       

      799,422

       

      Financial Officer

       

      2011

       

      399,536

       

       

      168,457

       

       

       

      337

       

      32,574

       

      600,904

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Thomas M. Prame(7)

       

      2013

       

      $292,125

       

       

      $173,239

       

       

      122,763

       

      $510

       

      25,870

       

      614,507

       

      EVP and Director of

       

      2012

       

      $191,827

       

      $75,000

       

      $165,321

       

       

      $99,326

       

       

      $145,894

       

      $677,368

       

      Retail Banking,

       

      2011

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      First Midwest Bank

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      (a)
       (b)
       (c)
       (d)
       (e)
       (f)
       (g)
       (h)
       (i)
       (j)
       
      Name and Principal Position
       Year Salary(1) Bonus(2) Stock
      Awards(3)(4)
       Option
      Awards(4)
       Non-Equity
      Incentive Plan
      Compensation(2)
       Change in
      Pension
      Value and
      Non-qualified
      Deferred
      Compensation
      Earnings(5)
       All Other
      Compensation(6)
       Total 

      Michael L. Scudder

        2012 $720,000 $255,000 $935,690   $328,743 $117,766 $215,830 $2,573,029 

      President and Chief

        2011  1,008,884    566,627      103,449  212,594  1,891,554 

      Executive Officer

        2010  1,008,884    525,105      66,560  181,870  1,782,419 

      Mark G. Sander(7)

        
      2012
       
      $

      507,000
        
       
      $

      643,506
        
       
      $

      211,206
       
      $

      3,180
       
      $

      35,391
       
      $

      1,400,283
       

      Senior EVP and Chief

        2011  417,308  150,000(8) 493,655  199,996    697  125,433  1,387,089 

      Operating Officer

                                  

      Paul F. Clemens

        
      2012
       
      $

      356,000
       
      $

      62,500
       
      $

      233,013
        
       
      $

      114,370
       
      $

      1,045
       
      $

      32,494
       
      $

      799,422
       

      EVP and Chief Financial

        2011  399,536    168,457      337  32,574  600,904 

      Officer

        2010  388,438    163,457      NA  27,922  579,817 

      Victor P. Carapella

        
      2012
       
      $

      325,000
       
      $

      62,500
       
      $

      231,698
        
       
      $

      102,461
       
      $

      80,540
       
      $

      58,456
       
      $

      860,655
       

      EVP, Director of

        2011  377,328    162,311      80,382  68,275  688,296 

      Commercial Banking, First

        2010  362,815    155,800      98,190  47,050  663,855 

      Midwest Bank

                                  

      Thomas M. Prame(7)

        
      2012
       
      $

      191,827
       
      $

      75,000

      (9)

      $

      165,321
        
       
      $

      99,326
        
       
      $

      145,894
       
      $

      677,368
       

      EVP and Director of

                                  

      Retail Banking, First

                                  

      Midwest Bank

                                  

      (1)

      The dollar amounts in column (c) represent cash base earningssalary paid in cash for the yearyears 2013 and 2012. The dollar amounts for the years 2011 and 2010 include base salary paid in cash and earnings madesalary stock paid in shares of Common Stock under TARP compliant Salary Stock Agreementssalary stock agreements with each of Messrs. Scudder, Sander, ClemensCarapella and Carapella.Clemens. The Company redeemed its TARP preferred shares and the related common stock warrant issued to the United States Department of the Treasury in November 2011 and, therefore, discontinued its use of TARP-compliant salary stock issuance beginning in January 2012. Accordingly, the elimination of the salary stock component of compensation resulted in lower cash base salaries paid to Messrs. Scudder, Sander,Carapella and Clemens in 2012 and Carapella in 2012.

      2013.

      (2)

      The dollar amounts in column (d) represent special cash bonuses paid in December 2012 to Messrs. Scudder, Clemens and Carapella in recognition of their contributions to the Company in fiscal 2012. The amounts shown in column (d) for Messrs. Sander and Prame represent cash signing bonuses paid to Messrs. Sander and Prame upon their respective employment by the Company. The amounts reported in column (g) represent cash bonuses paid in February 2013 under our STIC programperformance-based short term incentive compensation plan for performance during the 2012 fiscal year. See the section entitledyear indicated.

      Short-Term Incentive Compensation(3) beginning on page 40.

      (3)
      With respect to each of Messrs. Scudder, Clemens, and Carapella, theThe awards in column (e) represent the issuance of regularperformance shares, time-vested restricted stock awards and a specialdividends credited on restricted stock. Both the performance shares and time-vested restricted stock award in recognition of, and as incentive to continue their contributions to the Company. The restricted stock waswere issued under ourOmnibus Stock and Incentive PlanPlan. The performance shares are subject to three-year performance metrics, followed by a two-year time-vesting schedule and the time-vested restricted stock is subject to a three-year vesting schedule. With respect to Mr. Sander, the awards in column (e) represent the issuance of time-vested restricted stock awards under our

      Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan(4), and the biweekly issuance of shares of fully vested Common Stock in the monthly amount of $15,500 until December 2013, made pursuant to his employment agreement. With respect to Mr. Prame, the award in column (e) represents a one-time restricted stock award in the amount of $165,000 as part of his recruitment package, plus dividends accrued through December 31, 2012.

      (4)
      The amounts in columns (e) and (f) reflect the aggregate grant-date fair value of restricted stock awards granted in 2012, 2011 and 2010, as applicable, and the option award granted in 2011 with respect to Mr. Sander in accordance with theapplicable accounting guidance for share-basedshare based compensation. The grant-date fair value for stock awards is determined by multiplying the number of performance shares or shares of restricted stock granted by the

      Table of Contents

        average of the high and low salesales price of our Common Stock as reported by the NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market on the grant date. In addition, the value shown includes dividends receivedcredited on the restricted stock awards. The grant-date fair value of the stock-basedstock based awards will likely vary from the actual amount the individual actually earns upon vesting of the award. See the2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table later in this section for the full fair value of stock and option awards granted in 2012. Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statementsour consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20122013 contains a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating the grant-date fair value for optionstock awards pursuant tounder the accounting guidance for share-basedshare based compensation.

      (5)

      The amounts in column (h) represent the actuarial increase in the present value of the named executive officer'sofficer’s benefit under our qualified broad-baseddefined benefit pension plan. See the discussion under the Compensation and Disclosure section entitledof this proxy statement titled Pension Benefits (page 50)__). These amounts were determined using the interest

      42



      rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012.2013. The amounts in this column also representinclude realized earnings of the named executive officer in theour nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

      (6)

      (6)
      The following table presentsreflects the typetypes and amounts for each component of compensation included in column (i).

      Contributions to Defined Contribution Retirement Plans and Perquisites

      Name

       

       

      Year

       

      Qualified
      Plan
      (a)

       

      Non-
      Qualified
      Plan
      (b)

       

      Non-
      Qualified
      Pension
      Restoration
      (c)

       

      Perquisites
      and Other
      Personal
      Benefits
      (d)

       

      Total

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      2013

       

      $5,100

       

      $9,300

       

      $258,950(e)

       

      $10,000(e)

       

      $283,350

       

       

       

      2012

       

      5,000

       

      9,400

       

      190,291(e)

       

      11,139(e)

       

      215,830

       

       

       

      2011

       

      4,900

       

      15,278

       

      181,597(e)

       

      10,819(e)

       

      212,594

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

      2013

       

      $15,300

       

      $24,329

       

      N/A

       

      $22,471(f)

       

      $62,100

       

       

       

      2012

       

      10,000

       

      5,210

       

      N/A

       

      20,181(f)

       

      35,391

       

       

       

      2011

       

      N/A

       

      95,000

       

      N/A

       

      30,433(f)

       

      125,433

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      2013

       

      $5,100

       

      $1,562

       

      $79,453(e)

       

      $13,893(g)

       

      $100,008

       

       

       

      2012

       

      3,250

       

      1,750

       

      41,006(e)

       

      12,450(g)

       

      58,456

       

       

       

      2011

       

      4,900

       

      2,647

       

      50,023(e)

       

      10,705(g)

       

      68,275

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

      2013

       

      $15,300

       

      $11,220

       

      N/A

       

      $8,575(h)

       

      $35,095

       

       

       

      2012

       

      15,000

       

      8,919

       

      N/A

       

      8,575(h)

       

      32,494

       

       

       

      2011

       

      14,700

       

      9,299

       

      N/A

       

      8,575(h)

       

      32,574

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

      2013

       

      $8,030

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      $17,840(i)

       

      $25,870

       

       

       

      2012

       

      N/A

       

      $27,425

       

      N/A

       

      118,469(i)

       

      145,894

       

       

       

      2011

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Name
       Year Qualified
      Plan(a)
       Non-
      Qualified
      Plan(b)
       Non-
      Qualified
      Pension
      Restoration(c)
       Perquisites
      and Other
      Personal
      Benefits
       Total 

      Michael L. Scudder

        2012 $5,000 $9,400 $190,291 $11,139(d)$215,830 

        2011  4,900  15,278  181,597  10,819(d) 212,594 

        2010  4,900  5,278  150,996  10,696(d) 181,870 

      Mark G. Sander

        
      2012
       
      $

      10,000
       
      $

      5,210
        
      N/A
       
      $

      20,181

      (e)

      $

      35,391
       

        2011  N/A  95,000  N/A  30,433(e) 125,433 

      Paul F. Clemens

        
      2012
       
      $

      15,000
       
      $

      8,919
        
      N/A
       
      $

      8,575

      (f)

      $

      32,494
       

        2011  14,700  9,299  N/A  8,575(f) 32,574 

        2010  12,250  7,172  N/A  8,500(f) 27,922 

      Victor P. Carapella

        
      2012
       
      $

      3,250
       
      $

      1,750
       
      $

      41,006
       
      $

      12,450

      (f)

      $

      58,456
       

        2011  4,900  2,647  50,023  10,705(f) 68,275 

        2010  4,900  2,356  31,294  8,500(f) 47,050 

      Thomas M. Prame

        
      2012
        
      N/A
       
      $

      27,425
        
      N/A
       
      $

      118,469

      (f)

      $

      145,894
       

      (a)

      With respectThe Company maintains the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan, as amended and restated, as its defined contribution plan. For eligible employees, this plan provides for an annual discretionary Company contribution up to Messrs. Scudderlimits imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and Carapella (as applicable), formatching Company contributions. For 2012 and 2011, employees who participated in our defined benefit pension plan in 2012 and 2010, amounts represent a 2%2011 were not eligible to receive any discretionary Company matching contributioncontributions. For 2013, employees who participated in our defined benefit pension plan were entitled to the employee's plan account. With respect to Mr. Sander, for 2012, this amount represents a 4% discretionary contribution that was paid to his plan account in January 2013. With respect to Mr. Clemens, for 2012, amounts represent a 2% Company matching contribution plus a 4% discretionary contribution that was paid to his plan account in January 2013; for 2011, amounts represent a 2% Company matching contribution plus a 4% discretionary contribution that was paid to his plan account in December 2011; and for 2010, amounts represent a 2% Company matching contribution plus a 3% discretionary contribution to his plan account that was paid in March 2011. _____.

      All Company contributions were made on eligible compensation under our Savings and Profit Sharing Plan subject to compensation limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.

      (b)

      With respectThe Company maintains the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, as its nonqualified deferred compensation plan. This plan provides for a tax-deferred vehicle to Messrs. Scudderaccommodate contributions that are otherwise limited and Carapella (as applicable), for 2012, 2011 and 2010, amounts represent a 2% Company matching contributionnot able to be made to our qualified plans, as well as voluntary participant contributions. The plan is subject to Section 409(A) of the employee's plan account.Internal Revenue Code. With respect to Mr. Sander, for 2011, the amount represents a one-time Company contribution to our non-qualified deferred compensation plan made in connection with his recruitment package. With respect to Mr. Clemens, for 2012, amounts represent a 2% Company matching contribution plus a 4% discretionary contribution that was paid to the employee's plan account in January 2013; for 2011, amounts represent a 2% Company matching contribution plus a 4% discretionary contribution that was paid in December 2011; and for 2010, amounts represent a 2% Company matching contribution plus a 3% discretionary contribution that was paid in March 2011. All Company contributions were made on eligible compensation that would have accrued under our Savings and Profit Sharing Plan subject to compensation limitations under the Code. With respect to Mr. Prame, for 2012, the amount represents a one-time Company contribution to theour non-qualified deferred compensation plan made in connection with his recruitment package.

      All Company contributions were made on eligible compensation in excess of the compensation limitations under the Code applicable to our Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.

      (c)

      RepresentsAmounts represent the present value of amounts that would have accrued to the named executive officer during 2013, 2012 2011 and 20102011 under the actuarially based pension formula of theour qualified defined benefit pension plan but for the compensation limitations of the Internal Revenue Code.

      (d)

      For 2012, 2011 and 2010, represents amountsAll perquisites paid to our named executive officers are less than $25,000 in the aggregate for the years listed.

      (e)Because we froze benefit accruals under our defined benefit pension plan effective as of January 1, 2014, there no longer will be a pension restoration benefit attributed to Mr. Scudder for annual automobile allowance and amounts paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Scudder for personal security equipment. For 2011, also represents amounts paid to Mr. Scudder for annual cell phone allowance.

      (e)
      For 2012, represents amounts paid to Mr. Sander for annual automobile allowance and amounts paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Sander for country club dues. For 2011, represents amounts paid to Mr. Sander for annual automobile allowance, personal legal fees related to his employment agreement and amounts paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Sander for country club dues. The country club membership is maintained for business entertainment but may be used for personal use.

      (f)
      For 2012, represents amounts paid to each of Messrs. Clemens, Carapella and Prame for the annual automobile allowance and annual cell phone allowance. For 2011, represents amounts paid to each of Messrs. Clemens and Carapella for the annual automobile allowance and annual cell phone allowance. For 2012 and 2011, the amount fornor Mr. Carapella also represents amount paid by the Company for country club dues. The country club membership is maintained for business entertainment but may be used for personal use. For 2012, the amount for Mr. Prame also includes $109,894 of expenses paid by the Company in connection with his relocation to the Chicago area.
      future years.

      43



      (7)

      Mr. Sander joined the Company in June 2011, and Mr. Prame joined the Company in April 2012. Accordingly, there is no compensation information included for 2010 with respect to Mr. Sander; there is no compensation information included for 2010 and 2011 for Mr. Prame; and the base salary for Mr. Sander in 2011 and for Mr. Prame in 2012 represent salary for partial years.

      (8)
      The amount shown represents a cash signing bonus paid to Mr. Sander upon his employment by the Company.

      (9)
      The amount shown represents a cash signing bonus paid to Mr. Prame upon his employment by the Company.

      2011.

      Table of Contents


      20122013 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

       

      The following table and explanatory footnotes provideprovides information with regard to the stock awards granted during 20122013 (and reported as Stock Awards in the Summary Compensation Table) and the short term incentive compensation cash award opportunity for 2012.

      (a)
       (b)
       (c)
       (d)
       (e)
       (f)
       (g)
       (h)
       (i)
       (j)
       (k)
       (l)
       
       
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
       All Other
      Option
      Awards:
      Number
      of
      Securities
      underlying
      Options
        
        
       
       
        
       Estimated Possible
      Payouts Under
      Non-Equity Incentive
      Plan Awards(1)
        
        
        
       All Other
      Stock
      Awards:
      Number
      of Shares
      of Stock
      or Units(2)
       Exercise
      or Base
      Price of
      Option
      Awards
      Per share
       Grant
      Date Fair
      Value of
      Stock
      and
      Option
      Awards(3)
       
       
        
       Estimated Possible
      Payouts Under Equity
      Incentive Plan Awards
       
       
       Grant
      Date
       
      Name
       Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum 

      Michael L. Scudder

          $103,545 $432,000 $739,800                   

        2/22/12                    59,445(4)    $675,000 

        2/22/12                    22,457(5)     255,000 

      Mark G. Sander

          $72,406 $253,500 $424,613                   

        2/22/12                    40,185(4)    $456,300 

                             10,983(6)     186,000 

      Paul F. Clemens

          $40,673 $142,400 $238,520                   

        2/22/12                    14,873(4)    $168,883 

        2/22/12                    5,504(5)     62,500 

      Victor P. Carapella

          $37,131 $130,000 $217,750                   

        2/22/12                    14,758(4)    $167,577 

        2/22/12                    5,504(5)     62,500 

      Thomas M. Prame

          $36,053 $114,000 $188,100                   

        5/16/12                    16,043(7)    $165,000 

      (1)
      Amounts in columns (c), (d) and (e) reflect the range of estimated possible payouts under2013 for our STIC program based on a combination of Company performance and individual performance assumptions. See the section entitledShort-Term Incentive Compensation beginning on page 40.

      (2)
      The awards in column (i) represent the issuance of time-vested restricted stock awards under ourOmnibus Stock and Incentive Plan. See the section entitledPerformance-Awarded Restricted Stock Awards. For unvested awards granted prior to 2009, the named executive officers are entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments based on cash dividends paid on our Common Stock. For awards granted in 2009 and later, the named executive officers are entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments based on cash dividends paid on our Common Stock, but the dividends are accrued and then paid only after the award vests in full.

      (3)
      The amounts in column (l) represent the full fair value of the stock awards listed in column (i) as of the date of grant as determined in accordance with the accounting guidance for share-based compensation.

      (4)
      Amounts represent the issuance of restricted stock awards under ourOmnibus Stock and Incentive Plan in February 2012 in accordance with our annual equity compensation practice. See the section entitledTime-Vested Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards vest over three years in two equal installments beginning two years from the date of grant (subject to continued employment and accelerated vesting in connection with death, disability or a change-in-control).

      (5)
      Amounts represent the issuance of special restricted stock awards for 2012 under ourOmnibus Stock and Incentive Plan. Restricted stock awards vest over three years in two equal installments beginning two years from the date of grant (subject to continued employment and accelerated vesting in connection with death, disability or a change-in-control).

      (6)
      Amounts represent shares of fully vested Common Stock that are issued to Mr. Sander on a bi-weekly basis under his employment agreement.

      (7)
      Amount represents the issuance of a recruitment restricted stock award under ourOmnibus Stock and Incentive Plan on Mr. Prame's date of hire of May 16, 2012. The recruitment grant will vest over three years in three equal installments beginning on May 16, 2013.
      officers.

      (a)

       

      (b)

       

      (c)

       

      (d)

       

      (e)

       

      (f)

       

      (g)

       

      (h)

       

      (i)

       

      (j)

       

      (k)

       

      (l)

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Grant

       

      Estimated Possible
      Payouts Under
      Non-Equity Incentive
      Plan Awards
      (1)

       

      Estimated Possible
      Payouts Under Equity
      Incentive Plan Awards
      (2)

       

      All Other
      Stock
      Awards:
      Number
      of Shares
      of Stock

       

       

      All Other
      Option
      Awards:
      Number
      of
      Securities

      underlying

       

      Exercise
      or Base
      Price of
      Option
      Awards

       

      Grant
      Date Fair
      Value of
      Stock
      and
      Option

       

      Name

       

       

      Date

       

      Threshold

       

      Target

       

      Maximum

       

      Threshold

       

      Target

       

      Maximum

       

      or Units(3)

       

       

      Options

       

      Per share

       

      Awards(4)

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

       

       

      $108,000

       

      $432,000

       

      $739,800

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      9,112

       

      36,449

       

      72,898

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      $467,823

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      33,645

      (5)

       

       

       

      432,000

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

       

       

      $64,959

       

      $259,838

       

      $435,228

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      6,071

       

      24,284

       

      48,568

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      $311,685

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      22,260

      (5)

       

       

       

      285,818

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      8,693

      (6)

       

       

       

      186,000

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

       

       

      $33,313

       

      $133,250

       

      $223,194

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1,621

       

      6,486

       

      12,972

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      $83,248

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      8,626

      (5)

       

       

       

      110,758

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

       

       

      $36,490

       

      $145,960

       

      $192,803

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1,776

       

      7,105

       

      14,210

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      $91,193

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      9,947

      (5)

       

       

       

      127,719

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

       

       

      $29,213

       

      $116,850

       

      $192,803

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1,138

       

      4,550

       

      9,100

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      $58,399

       

       

       

      2/20/13

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      8,759

      (5)

       

       

       

      112,466

       



      (1)

      Amounts in columns (c), (d) and (e) reflect the range of estimated possible payouts under our short term incentive compensation plan based on a combination of Company performance and individual performance rating assumptions. See the section in the Compensation Disclosure and Analysis entitled Short term Incentive Compensation beginning on page __.

      (2)

      The awards in columns (f), (g) and (h) represent a range of estimated possible payouts granted in the form of performance shares under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan which, if earned, are converted into shares of restricted Common Stock. The named executive officers are eligible to earn performance shares, totaling between 25% and 200% of the number of performance shares granted if minimum performance levels are achieved using the following two metrics: total stockholder return relative to a specified peer group of financial institutions and core return on average tangible common equity relative to predetermined goals. See the section in the Compensation Disclosure and Analysis section entitled Performance-Based Equity Awards on page__.

      (3)

      The awards in column (i) represent the issuance of time-vested restricted stock awards under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan. See the section in the Compensation Disclosure and Analysis entitled Time-Vested Restricted Stock Awards. The named executive officers are entitled to receive dividends equivalent payments based on cash dividends paid on our Common Stock are accrued and credited to the named executive officers, but the dividends are paid only if the performance shares are earned and, if earned, following the two-year vesting schedule.

      (4)

      The amounts in column (l) represent the full fair value of the stock awards listed in column (i) as of the date of grant as determined in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance for share-based compensation.

      (5)

      Represents the issuance of restricted stock awards under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan in February 2013 in accordance with our annual equity compensation practice. The restricted stock vests over three years in two equal installments beginning two years from the date of grant (subject to continued employment and accelerated vesting in connection with death, disability or a change-in-control).

      (6)

      Represents shares of fully vested Common Stock that were issued to Mr. Sander on a bi-weekly basis under his employment agreement. The Company’s obligation to issue shares ended on December 31, 2013.

      44Table of Contents




      OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 20122013 TABLE

       

      The following table and explanatory footnotes provideprovides information regarding unexercised stock options and unvested stock awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2012.2013. All values in the table are based on a market value for our Common Stock of $12.52,$17.53, which was the closing price of our stock on December 31, 20122013 as reported by the NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market. Information regarding when unvested awards are scheduled to vest is set forth in the footnotes to the table. Vesting also is subject to continued employment and acceleration in the event of death, disability or change-in-control.

       

       

      Option Awards

       

      Stock Awards

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Name

       

       

      Number of
      Securities
      Underlying
      Unexercised
      Options
      (#)
      Exercisable

       

      Number of
      Securities
      Underlying
      Unexercised
      Options
      (#)
      Unexercisable

       

      Equity
      Incentive
      Plan
      Awards:
      Number of
      Securities
      Underlying
      Unexercised
      Unearned
      Options

       

      Option
      Exercise
      Price
      ($)

       

      Option
      Expiration
      Date

       

      Number of
      Shares or
      Units of
      Stock That
      Have Not
      Vested
      (#)

       

       

      Market Value
      of Shares or
      Units of Stock
      That
      Have Not
      Vested ($)

       

      Equity Incentive
      Plan Awards:
      Number of
      Unearned
      Shares, Units or
      Other Rights
      That Have Not
      Vested (#)

       

      Equity
      Incentive
      Plan Awards:
      Market or
      Payout Value
      of Unearned
      Shares, Units
      or Other
      Rights That
      Have Not
      Vested ($)

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      12,020

       

       

       

       

       

      $32.72

       

      2/24/14

       

      23,301

       (1)

       

      $408,467

       

      36,449

        (4)

       

      $638,951

       

       

       

      1,202

       

       

       

       

       

      32.75

       

      5/20/14

       

      59,445

       (2)

       

      1,042,071

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      17,940

       

       

       

       

       

      33.61

       

      2/23/15

       

      22,457

       (2)

       

      393,671

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      19,631

       

       

       

       

       

      33.92

       

      2/22/16

       

      33,645

       (3)

       

      589,797

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      18,898

       

       

       

       

       

      38.62

       

      2/21/17

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      25,019

       

       

       

       

       

      28.10

       

      2/20/18

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

      42,328

       

       

       

       

       

      $12.17

       

      6/20/21

       

      40,185

       (2)

       

      $704,443

       

      24,284

        (4)

       

      $425,699

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      22,260

       (3)

       

      390,218

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      8,116

       

       

       

       

       

      32.72

       

      2/24/14

       

      6,664

       (1)

       

      $116,820

       

      6,486

        (4)

       

      $113,700

       

       

       

      812

       

       

       

       

       

      32.75

       

      5/20/14

       

      14,758

       (2)

       

      258,708

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      11,324

       

       

       

       

       

      33.61

       

      2/23/15

       

      5,504

       (2)

       

      96,485

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      12,258

       

       

       

       

       

      33.92

       

      2/22/16

       

      8,626

       (3)

       

      151,214

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      11,655

       

       

       

       

       

      38.62

       

      2/21/17

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      16,738

       

       

       

       

       

      28.10

       

      2/20/18

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

      902

       

       

       

       

       

      $38.79

       

      11/15/16

       

      6,920

       (1)

       

      $121,308

       

      7,105

        (4)

       

      $124,551

       

       

       

      5,380

       

       

       

       

       

      38.62

       

      2/21/17

       

      14,873

       (2)

       

      260,724

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      18,464

       

       

       

       

       

      28.10

       

      2/20/18

       

      5,504

       (2)

       

      96,485

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      9,947

       (2)

       

      174,371

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      10,695

       (5)

       

      $187,483

       

      4,550

        (4)

       

      $79,762

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      8,759

       (3)

       

      153,545

       

       

       

       

       

       

       
       Option Awards Stock Awards 
      Name
       Number of
      Securities
      Underlying
      Unexercised
      Options
      (#)
      Exercisable
       Number of
      Securities
      Underlying
      Unexercised
      Options
      (#)
      Unexercisable
       Equity
      Incentive
      Plan
      Awards:
      Number of
      Securities
      Underlying
      Unexercised
      Unearned
      Options
       Option
      Exercise
      Price
      ($)
       Option
      Expiration
      Date
       Number of
      Shares or
      Units of
      Stock That
      Have Not
      Vested (#)
       Market Value
      of Shares or
      Units of Stock
      That Have
      Not Vested
      ($)
       Equity
      Incentive
      Plan
      Awards:
      Number of
      Unearned
      Shares,
      Units or
      Other
      Rights
      That Have
      Not
      Vested (#)
       Equity
      Incentive
      Plan
      Awards:
      Market
      or Payout
      Value of
      Unearned
      Shares,
      Units or
      Other
      Rights
      That
      Have Not
      Vested
      ($)
       

      Michael L. Scudder

        13,997       $26.26  2/19/13  19,635(1)$245,830       

        12,020        32.72  2/24/14  46,603(2) 583,470       

        1,202        32.75  5/20/14  59,445(3) 744,251       

        17,940        33.61  2/23/15  22,457(3) 281,162       

        19,631        33.92  2/22/16             

        18,898        38.62  2/21/17             

        25,019        28.10  2/20/18             

      Mark G. Sander

        
      42,328
             
      $

      12.17
        
      6/20/21
        
      40,185

      (3)

      $

      503,116
             

      Paul F. Clemens

        
      902
             
      $

      38.79
        
      11/15/16
        
      6,120

      (1)

      $

      76,622
             

        5,380        38.62  2/21/17  13,841(2) 173,289       

        18,464        28.10  2/20/18  14,873(3) 186,210       

                       5,504(3) 68,910       

      Victor P. Carapella

        
      4,827
             
      $

      26.26
        
      2/19/13
        
      5,828

      (1)

      $

      72,967
             

        3,393        37.37  2/19/13  13,329(2) 166,879       

        8,116        32.72  2/24/14  14,758(3) 184,770       

        812        32.75  5/20/14  5,504(3) 68,910       

        11,324        33.61  2/23/15             

        12,258        33.92  2/22/16             

        11,655        38.62  2/21/17             

        16,738        28.10  2/20/18             

      Thomas M. Prame

                       
      16,043

      (4)

      $

      200,858
             

      (1)

      Restricted stock awards vest in two equal annual installments with vesting dates of February 17, 2012 and February 17, 2013.

      (2)
      Restricted stock awards vest in two equal annual installments with vesting dates of February 23, 2013 and February 23, 2014.

      (3)

      (2)Restricted stock awards vest in two equal annual installments with vesting dates of February 22, 2014 and February 22, 2015.

      (3)Restricted stock awards vest in two equal annual installments with vesting dates of February 20, 2015 and February 20, 2016.

      (4)

      Performance shares that may be earned upon completion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31 2016 if target performance levels are achieved using the following two metrics: total stockholder return relative to a specified peer group of financial institutions and core return on average tangible common equity relative to predetermined goals.

      (5)Restricted stock award vests in three equal annual installments with vesting dates of May 16, 2013, May 16, 2014 and May 16, 2015.


      45



      Table of Contents


      20122013 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

       

      The following table provides information with respect to amounts paid to or received by our named executive officers during 20122013 as a result of the exercise of non-qualified stock options and the vesting of restricted stock awards or units.


       Option Awards Stock Awards 

       

      Option Awards

       

      Stock Awards

       

      Name
       Number of Shares
      Acquired on Exercise
       Value Realized
      on Exercise
       Number of Shares
      Acquired on Vesting
       Value Realized
      on Vesting
       

       

       

      Number of
      Shares Acquired
      on Exercise

       

      Value
      Realized on
      Exercise

       

      Number of
      Shares Acquired
      on Vesting

       

      Value
      Realized on
      Vesting

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

         38,964 $427,885 

      Michael L. Scudder

       

       

       

      42,937

       

      $546,981

       

      Mark G. Sander

           

      Mark G. Sander

       

       

       

       

       

      Paul F. Clemens

         14,305 155,273 

      Paul F. Clemens

       

       

       

      13,041

       

      166,134

       

      Victor P. Carapella

         15,227 164,136 

      Victor P. Carapella

       

       

       

      12,493

       

      159,152

       

      Thomas M. Prame

           

      Thomas M. Prame

       

       

       

       

       


      PENSION BENEFITS

       We sponsor

      Until December 31, 2013, we sponsored a noncontributory tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan. Eligibility to participate in this plan (Pension Plan). was frozen on April 1, 2007. Benefit accruals under this plan were frozen effective December 31, 2013 and no additional benefits will accrue to participants after that date, including for some of the named executive officers. Below is a summary of the plan, which was active during 2013, 2012 and 2011. Mr. Scudder and Mr. Carapella are the only named executive officers who are participants in our pension plan.

      The amount of the monthly pension benefit is based on the average monthly pension-eligible compensation and credited service of the participant. Average monthly compensation is the average of the highest eighty-four consecutive months of pay within the last 120 months of service and credited service is based on the period of employment with the Company, subject to limitations on services prior to 1980. The Pension Planpension plan is designed to provide an annual pension benefit at normal retirement of 27% of final average pension-eligible compensation for a participant with thirty years of credited service.

      Pension-eligible compensation consists of base salary, cash bonuses, incentive compensation and vacation pay, but excludes severance and amounts realized from exercise of non-qualified stock options and the releasevesting of restricted stock/unit awards. Pension-eligible compensation is capped by the Internal Revenue Code applicable to tax-qualified pension plans. For 2012,2013, this limit was $250,000.$255,000. Any amounts that become ineligible due to the Internal Revenue Code limits are used to compute the pension restoration contribution to the non-qualified retirement plan as discussed further under the section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis entitledNon-qualified Deferred Compensation.

       

      Our Pension Planpension plan provides for pension benefits under normal retirement (the attainment of age 65), early retirement (the attainment of age 55 with fifteen or more years of service), termination after five years of service, disability retirement after ten years of service and death before retirement with five or more years of service. A participant may elect to have his/his or her benefit paid each month in the form of a single life annuity or one of several actuarially equivalent forms of payment, including a lump sum.

       

      Early retirement pension benefits are reduced by 6% for each of the first five years (ages 60-65) and by 4% for each of the next five years (ages 55-60) that the pension commencement date precedes the normal retirement age of 65. Of the named executive officers, only Mr. Carapella is the only named executive officer eligible for early retirement.retirement under our pension plan.

      201246



      2013 Pension Benefits Table

       

      The following table shows the present value of the accumulated benefit as of December 31, 20122013 payable to each of the named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each


      Table of Contents

      named executive officer under our Pension Planpension plan determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in our 20122013 audited financial statements.

      Name

       

       

      Plan Name

       

      Number
      of Years
      Credited Service

       

      Present Value of
      Accumulated
      Benefit

       

      Payments
      During Last
      Fiscal Year

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      Pension Plan

       

      27.75

       

      $476,621

       

       

      Mark G. Sander(1) 

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      Paul F. Clemens(1) 

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      Pension Plan

       

      25.33

       

      772,815

       

       

      Thomas M. Prame(1) 

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      Name
       Plan Name Number of Years
      Credited Service
       Present Value
      of Accumulated
      Benefit
       Payments During
      Last Fiscal Year
       

      Michael L. Scudder

       Pension Plan  26.75 $474,600   

      Mark G. Sander(1)

       N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

      Paul F. Clemens(1)

       N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

      Victor P. Carapella

       Pension Plan  24.33  691,763   

      Thomas M. Prame(1)

       N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

      (1)

      The Pension Planpension plan was closed to new participants as of April 1, 2007. Based on the date of hire for Messrs. Sander, Clemens and Prame, they are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan.
      pension plan.  Benefit accrual under the pension plan was frozen as of December 31, 2013.


      NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

      We maintain two non-qualified deferred compensation plans in which our named executive officers may participate, theFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Non-qualified Retirement Plan (Retirement Plan) and theFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan (Gain Deferral Plan).

      Non-qualified Retirement Plan

       

      The Retirement Plan is a defined contribution deferred compensation plan under which participants are credited with deferred compensation equal to contributions and benefits based on amounts that would have accrued under our tax-qualified plans but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, and up to 75% of base salary and up to 100% of annual bonus that the participant has elected to defer. Deferral elections are made by eligible participants in December of each year for amounts to be earned in the following year. Participant accounts are deemed to be invested in separate investment accounts in an irrevocable rabbi trust under the plan, with similar investment alternatives as those available under our Savings and Profit Sharing Plan, (our tax-qualified 401(k) savings and profit sharing plan), including an investment account deemed invested in shares of our Common Stock. Participants are able to modify their investment elections at any time.time, subject to applicable blackout periods. Participant accounts are adjusted to reflect the investment return of the deemed investments. The following table shows the investment funds available under the Retirement Plan and their annual rate of return for the calendar year ended December 31, 2012,2013, as reported by the trustee of the Retirement Plan.

      Name of Fund

       

       

      Rate of
      Return

       

      Name of Fund

       

      Rate of
      Return

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Aston/Fairpointe Mid Cap N

       

      44.49%

       

      T. Rowe Price Equity-Income Adv

       

      29.44%

       

      FMBI Stock Fund

       

      41.30%

       

      American Funds American Balanced R4

       

      21.68%

       

      Federated MDT Mid Cap Grwth Strat

       

      40.14%

       

      American Funds EuroPacific Gr R4

       

      20.17%

       

      Baron Small Cap

       

      37.77%

       

      Wells Fargo Advtg Opport

       

      14.10%

       

      Wells Fargo Advtg Sm Cap Discp

       

      34.87%

       

      Fidelity Advisor High Inc Advant

       

      9.99%

       

      Davis NY Venture A

       

      34.56%

       

      Wells Fargo Advtg Short Term Bd

       

      0.79%

       

      American Funds Grwth Fund of America R4

       

      33.82%

       

      Wells Fargo Advtg Cash Inv MM

       

      0.03%

       

      Wells Fargo Advtg Index Admin

       

      32.08%

       

      Dreyfus Bond Market Index

       

      -2.59%

       

      47



      Name of Fund
       Rate of
      Return
       
      Name of Fund
       Rate of
      Return
       

      FMBI Stock Fund

        24.00%

      Wells Fargo Advtg Index Admin

        15.75%

      Wells Fargo Advtg Sm Cap Discp

        22.37%

      American Funds American Balanced R4

        14.14%

      American Funds Grwth Fund of America R4

        20.56%

      Wells Fargo Advtg Opport

        14.10%

      American Funds EuroPacific Gr R4

        19.22%

      Davis NY Venture A

        12.73%

      Fidelity Advisor High Inc Advant

        18.01%

      Federated Mid Cap Grwth Strat

        6.69%

      Baron Small Cap

        17.98%

      Dreyfus Bond Market Index

        3.69%

      T. Rowe Price Equity-Income Adv

        16.92%

      Wells Fargo Advtg Short-term Bd

        2.84%

      Aston/Fairpointe Mid Cap N

        16.45%

      Wells Fargo Advtg Cash Inv MM

        0.06%

      The Retirement Plan was restated effective December 31, 2013 to reflect the changes made to the qualified retirement plans, reflecting the freeze of the pension plan and adoption of “safe harbor” and other enhancements to the Savings and Profit Sharing Plan. The overall mechanics of the Retirement Plan were not materially changed in a manner that provides additional benefits to participants that would not otherwise be provided under the qualified plans if it were not for the Internal Revenue Code limits.

      Non-qualified Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan

       

      In 1998, our Board adopted the Gain Deferral Plan with the purpose of encouraging stock ownership of certain key executives. This plan combines traditional deferred compensation arrangements with stock option exercise transactions by allowing eligible stock option participants to defer to a future date the


      Table of Contents

      receipt of shares representing the value realized upon exercise of the underlying stock options. In response to the addition of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, Code, the Gain Deferral Plan is only availablewas frozen on a limited basis.___ and no additional contributions or deferrals may be made under this plan. Currently, twenty stock option participants are eligibleelected to participate in this plan, including the named executive officers.Messrs. Scudder and Carapella. Deferrals are held for each participant in separate individual accounts in an irrevocable rabbi trust. Amounts deferred under the Gain Deferral Plan are denominated and paid in shares of Common Stock and are adjusted for dividends as if the dividends were reinvested in shares of Common Stock.

      Distributions

       

      Under both the Retirement Plan and the Gain Deferral Plan, payments begin after termination of employment and are payable at the participant'sparticipant’s election, either as a lump sum or in installments over a period not to exceed fifteen years. Earlier payment may be made upon showing of financial hardship to the satisfaction of the Compensation Committee. Distributions are paid in cash under the Retirement Plan, and are paid as in-kind stock distributions under the Gain Deferral Plan. Payments to executive officers and others will be delayed as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.


      20122013 NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE

       

      The table set forth below summarizes the activity in each of the named executive officer'sofficer’s deferred compensation accounts during 2012.2013.

      (a)

       

      (b)

       

      (c)

       

      (d)

       

      (e)

       

      (f)

       

      (g)

       

      Name

       

       

      Plan Name

       

      Executive
      Contributions
      in
      2013
      (1)

       

      Company
      Contributions
      in
      2013
      (2)

       

      Aggregate
      Earnings
      in
      2013

       

      Aggregate
      Withdrawals/
      Distributions
      in
      2013

       

      Aggregate
      Balance at
      December 31,
      2013
      (3)(4)

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      Retirement Plan

       

      $12,408

       

      $268,250

       

      $76,243

       

       

      $2,116,240

       

       

       

      Gain Deferral Plan

       

       

       

      899

       

       

      158,359

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

      Retirement Plan

       

      11,682

       

      5,434

       

      8,614

       

       

      172,729

       

       

       

      Gain Deferral Plan

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      Retirement Plan

       

      1,538

       

      81,015

       

      51,628

       

       

      1,121,232

       

       

       

      Gain Deferral Plan

       

       

       

      4,943

       

       

      870,857

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

      Retirement Plan

       

      8,093

       

      8,997

       

      2,551

       

       

      90,137

       

       

       

      Gain Deferral Plan

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

      Retirement Plan

       

       

       

      510

       

       

      37,293

       

       

       

      Gain Deferral Plan

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      N/A

       

      (a)
       (b)
       (c)
       (d)
       (e)
       (f)
       (g)
       
      Name
       Plan Name Executive
      Contributions in
      2012(1)
       Company
      Contributions in
      2012(2)
       Aggregate
      Earnings
      in 2012
       Aggregate
      Withdrawals/
      Distributions in
      2012
       Aggregate Balance
      at December 31,
      2012(3)(4)
       

      Michael L. Scudder

       Retirement Plan $12,908 $110,424 $31,401   $1,464,321 

       Gain Deferral Plan      358    112,329 

      Mark G. Sander

       Retirement Plan  10,140  5,070  3,180    123,011 

       Gain Deferral Plan  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

      Paul F. Clemens

       Retirement Plan  7,668  2,120  1,045    56,035 

       Gain Deferral Plan  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

      Victor P. Carapella

       Retirement Plan  1,500  6,041  20,858    825,616 

       Gain Deferral Plan      1,968    617,730 

      Thomas M. Prame

       Retirement Plan    27,425  1    27,426 

       Gain Deferral Plan  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A  N/A 

      (1)
      Executive contributions represent amounts that would have been contributed by the named executive officer under the tax-qualified defined contribution plan, but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.

      (2)
      Company contributions represent amounts that would have been contributed under the tax-qualified benefit plans, but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company contributions for each named executive officer to the Retirement Plan are included in under the "All Other Compensation" column of the2012 Summary Compensation Table.

      (3)
      Aggregate balances at December 31, 2012 reflect amounts accumulated over the years of the employee's participation in the plans from: (i) participant and Company contributions under the Retirement Plan; and (ii) participant contributions only under the Gain Deferral Plan. Our named executive officers have participated in the Retirement Plan since 1998 for Mr. Carapella, 1999 for Mr. Scudder, 2006 for Mr. Clemens, 2011 for Mr. Sander and 2012 for Mr. Prame. Our named executive officers have participated in the Gain Deferral Plan since 2004 for Messrs. Scudder and Carapella. The following amounts listed were previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table as compensation: Mr. Scudder, $914,353; Mr. Sander, $93,623; Mr. Clemens, $35,420; and Mr. Carapella, $193,289.

      (4)
      As of December 31, 2012, the portion of the aggregate balances in the Retirement Plan and Gain Deferral Plan (as applicable) that represent stock ownership in the Company is as follows: 8,972 shares for Mr. Scudder; 1,882 shares for Mr. Clemens; and 49,368 shares for Mr. Carapella.


      (1)

      Executive contributions represent amounts that would have been contributed by the named executive officer under the tax-qualified defined contribution plan, but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.

      48Table of Contents



      (2)

      Company contributions represent amounts that would have been contributed under the tax-qualified benefit plans, but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company contributions for each named executive officer to the Retirement Plan are included in under the “All Other Compensation” column of the 2013 Summary Compensation Table.

      (3)

      Aggregate balances at December 31, 2013 reflect amounts accumulated over the years of the employee’s participation in the plans from: (i) participant and Company contributions under the Retirement Plan, and (ii) participant contributions only under the Gain Deferral Plan. Our named executive officers have participated in the Retirement Plan since 1999 for Mr. Scudder, 2011 for Mr. Sander 1998 for Mr. Carapella, 2006 for Mr. Clemens and 2012 for Mr. Prame. Our named executive officers have participated in the Gain Deferral Plan since 2004 for Messrs. Scudder and Carapella.

      (4)

      As of December 31, 2013, the portion of the aggregate balances in the Retirement Plan and Gain Deferral Plan (as applicable) that represent stock ownership in the Company is as follows: 9,034 shares for Mr. Scudder, -0- shares for Mr. Sander, 49,707 shares for Mr. Carapella, 1,894 shares for Mr. Clemens and 1,886 shares for Mr. Prame.


      POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL

       

      We have entered into employment agreements and maintain plans covering our named executive officers that will require the Company to provide severance payments in the event of an involuntary termination of employment (other than for cause) or a termination of employment for good reason prior to a change in controlchange-in-control of the Company or in the event of an involuntary termination of employment (other than for cause) or a termination of employment for good reason following a change-in-control.

      Overview

       We have entered into

      Our employment agreements with each of our named executive officers that provide for automatic annual one-year extensions, except for Messrs. Scudder and Sander whose employment agreements provide for automatic two-year extensions every other year. Among other items, the agreements set forth the executive'sexecutive’s title, responsibilities and pay, confidentiality, nonsolicitation and non-solicitationnondisparagement covenants by the executive and severance payments to be made to the executive upon certain terminations of employment. Termination of employment also impacts stock option and restricted stockequity awards that we have made,granted, as well as benefits payable under our employee benefit plans.

       

      Under the new CRCAsConfidentiality and Restrictive Covenant Agreements entered into in December 2012, we strengthened the restrictive covenants applicable to our named executive officers. The executive is required to not disclose our confidential information or use it for another'sanother’s benefit for as long as the information remains confidential. In addition, the executive may not solicit any of our clients or customers or solicit any of our employees to leave us. These non-solicitationnonsolicitation provisions apply for eighteen months after termination of employment for Messrs. Scudder and Sander; and one year after termination for Messrs. Clemens, Carapella and Prame.

       

      The following discussion takes each termination of employment situation—situation – voluntary resignation, discharge for cause, discharge without cause, resignation for good reason, death and disability—disability – the both prior to and following a change-in-control of the Company, and describes the severance and additional amounts that the Company would pay or provide to the executive officer or the officer'sofficer’s beneficiaries as a result. The discussion below and the amounts shown reflect certain assumptions we have made in accordance with SEC rules. These assumptions are that the termination of employment or change-in-control occurred on December 31, 20122013 and that the value of a share of our Common Stock on that day was $12.52,$17.53, which is the closing price as reported by the NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market on December 31, 2012.2013.

       

      In addition, the following discussion and amounts do not include the payments and benefits which are not enhanced by the termination of employment or change-in-control. These payments and benefits, which are referred to in the following discussion as the executive officer’s “vested benefits,” include:

        Base salary payable through the date of termination;

        49




      Benefits accrued under our Savings and Profit Sharing Plan and Pension Plan in which all employees participate;



      Accrued vacation pay, health plan continuation and other similar amounts payable when employment terminates under programs applicable to our salaried employees generally;



      Balances accrued under the non-qualified Retirement Plan and Gain Deferral Plan; and



      Stock options that have vested and become exercisable prior to the employment termination or change-in-control.

       For convenience, the payments and benefits described above are referred to in the following discussion as the executive officer's "vested benefits."

      Voluntary Resignation

       

      We are not obligated to pay amounts over and above vested benefits in the event of employment termination due to voluntary resignation, unless the executive'sexecutive’s age and years of service qualify for special provisions applicable for retirement. None of our executives have qualified for any retirement provisions as of December 31, 2012.


      2013.

      Table of Contents

      Discharge for Cause

       

      We are not obligated to pay any amounts over and above vested benefits if a named executive officer'sofficer’s employment terminates because of discharge for cause. The executive officer'sofficer’s right to exercise vested options expires upon discharge for cause and, if the cause is fraud or embezzlement of funds, benefits under the Gain Deferral Plan are subject to forfeiture. In general, a discharge will be for cause if the executive has intentionally failed to perform his or her duties of employment, engaged in illegal or gross misconduct that harms the Company, has been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty, fraud, theft or financial impropriety or has violated a material requirement of any code of ethics or standard of conduct of the Company.

      Death or Disability

       

      We provide our employees, including our named executive officers, with group life and disability insurance coverage. The group life insurance benefit is based on a multiple of base salary, subject to limits contained in the policy. Participants in our group life insurance plan may, if eligible, purchase additional insurance at their own cost. The disability benefit is a monthly benefit, paid until age 65, equal to two-thirds60% of base salary at the time of disability. These benefits would be paid to the named executive officer or his beneficiary, in addition to the vested benefits, in the event of death or disability.

       

      The amount of the payments assuming death or disability on December 31, 20122013 is set forth in the following table:

       
        
       Disability Benefits 
      Name
       Life Insurance
      (Death) Benefit
       Monthly
      Amount
       Months to
      Age 65
       Total Payment 

      Michael L. Scudder

       $1,000,000 $20,000  151 $3,020,000 

      Mark G. Sander

        750,000  20,000  131  2,620,000 

      Paul F. Clemens

        712,000  20,000  55  1,100,000 

      Victor P. Carapella

        650,000  20,000  15  300,000 

      Thomas M. Prame

        570,000  15,841  264  4,182,024 

       

       

       

       

       

      Disability Benefits

       

      Name

       

       

      Life Insurance
      (Death) Benefit

       

      Monthly
      Amount

       

      Months to
      Age 65

       

      Total Payment

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      $1,000,000

       

      $20,000

       

      139

       

      $2,775,688

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

      750,000

       

      20,000

       

      119

       

      2,389,979

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

      730,000

       

      18,245

       

      43

       

      780,002

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      667,000

       

      16,656

       

      4

       

      64,710

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

      585,000

       

      14,606

       

      251

       

      3,666,380

       

      We also have provided that all unvested stock options and restricted stock/unitequity awards become vested in the event of the death or disability of the named executive officer. The following table summarizes the unearned or unvested stock options, performance share and restricted stock/unit awards that would have vested on December 31, 20122013 if the executive'sexecutive’s employment terminated that day due to death or disability. All values in the table are based on a

      50



      market value for our Common Stock of $12.52,$17.53, which is the closing price on December 31, 20122013 as reported by the NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market.

       

       

      Stock Options

       

      Restricted Stock
      Awards/Units

       

      Performance-Based
      Equity Awards

       

      Name

       

       

      Number(1)

       

      Value

       

      Number(2)

       

      Value

       

      Number(3)

       

      Value

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

       

       

      138,848

       

      $2,434,006

       

      36,449

       

      $638,951

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

       

       

      62,445

       

      1,094,661

       

      24,284

       

      425,699

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

       

       

      37,244

       

      652,888

       

      7,105

       

      124,551

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

       

       

      35,552

       

      623,527

       

      6,486

       

      113,700

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

       

       

      19,454

       

      341,028

       

      4,550

       

      79,762

       

       
       Stock Options Restricted Stock
      Awards/Units
       
      Name
       Number(1) Value Number(2) Value 

      Michael L. Scudder

            148,140 $1,854,713 

      Mark G. Sander

            40,185  503,116 

      Paul F. Clemens

            40,338  505,031 

      Victor P. Carapella

            39,419  493,526 

      Thomas M. Prame

            16,043  200,858 

      (1)

      There are no unvested stock options as of December 31, 2012.

      2013.

      (2)

      Total number of shares of unvested restricted stock as of December 31, 2012.

      Table of Contents2013.

      (3)Total number of shares of unearned performance-based equity awards based on target performance as of December 31, 2013.

      Discharge Without Cause; Resignation For Good Reason

       

      Our employment agreements obligate us to pay severance benefits if a named executive officer'sofficer’s employment is involuntarily terminated other than for cause. The executive is also required to execute a general release of claims as a condition to receiving severance benefits. This scenario includes the resignation by the executive for good reason. A good reason generally will occur if the executive determines we have breached the employment agreement by not maintaining his or her appointed positions, power andresponsibilities or authority, failed to pay or provide the agreed-upon compensation, given notice that the agreement will not automatically renew, or required the executive to move to an office location more than eighty miles from his or her current location. Our primary obligation in these circumstances is to continue the executive'sexecutive’s salary and participation in medical plans for a defined severance period and to pay a pro-rata annual bonus for the year employment terminates. We will also provide outplacement assistance. The severance period is nine months for Mr. Scudder and Mr. Sander and six months for the other named executive officers. The severance period may be extended for up to an additional six-month severance period in the Company'sCompany’s sole discretion.

      Severance

       

      The following table summarizes the severance benefits that would be payable to the named executive officers had their employment been terminated involuntarily without cause or for good reason on December 31, 2012:2013:

      Name

       

       

      Monthly
      Amount

       

      Number
      of
      Months

       

      Total Salary
      Continuation/
      Lump Sum

       

      Pro-Rated
      Annual
      Bonus
      (1)

       

      Medical
      Benefits/
      Outplacement
      (2)

       

      Total

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      $60,000

       

      9

       

      $540,000

       

      $432,000

       

      $95,528

       

      $1,067,527

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

       

      9

       

      389,756

       

      259,838

       

      71,489

       

      721,083

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

      30,408

       

      6

       

      182,450

       

      145,960

       

      47,463

       

      375,873

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      27,760

       

      6

       

      166,562

       

      133,250

       

      43,223

       

      343,035

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

      24,344

       

      6

       

      146,063

       

      116,850

       

      39,122

       

      302,034

       

      Name
       Monthly
      Amount
       Number
      of Months
       Total Salary
      Continuation/
      Lump Sum
       Pro-Rated
      Annual Bonus(1)
       Medical Benefits/
      Outplacement(2)
       Total 

      Michael L. Scudder

       $60,000  9 $540,000 $432,000 $90,976 $1,062,976 

      Mark G. Sander

          9  473,250(3) 253,500  65,416  792,166 

      Paul F. Clemens

        29,667  6  178,002  142,400  45,076  365,478 

      Victor P. Carapella

        27,083  6  162,498  130,000  41,356  333,854 

      Thomas M. Prame

        23,750  6  142,500  114,000  37,280  293,780 

      (1)

      Pro-rated annual bonus based on target bonus for year of termination and number of days elapsed at date of termination. Amount reflects full 20122013 target bonus sinceand presumes termination is presumed to occuroccurred on last day of year.

      (2)

      Reflects amount of health benefit continuation (COBRA) premium paid by the Company during the salary continuation period and outplacement services estimated to be 12% of annual base salary.

      (3)
      As part of his recruitment package, Mr. Sander receives, in a lump sum payment, an amount equal to his base salary for nine months plus one-half of the remaining months of supplemental salary stock payable to him. The Company is obligated to make supplemental salary stock payments to Mr. Sander through December 31, 2013.

      Change-in-control

       

      51



      Change-in-control

      We have special provisions in the employment agreements with our named executive officers and in our employee benefit plans in the event of a change-in-control of our Company. In the event of a change-in-control, our employment agreements require a "double trigger"“double trigger” to occur before enhanced severance benefits are paid. A "double trigger"“double trigger” involves both a change-in-control of the Company and a termination of the named executive'sexecutive’s employment for good reason or other than for cause or a disability following the change-in-control. The enhanced severance benefits consist of a lump sum payment of approximately 2.5 times the sum of base salary, target annual bonus and certain other amounts in the case of Mr. Scudder and Mr. Sander and approximately two times the sum of base salary, target annual bonus and certain other amounts for the other named executive officers. In addition, all unvested stock options and restricted stock or unitequity awards vest in full upon a change-in-control, whether or not the executive's


      Table of Contents

      executive’s employment terminates. None of the employment agreements with our named executive officers providesprovide for a gross-up payment should the executive be subject to the excise tax on golden parachute payments under the Internal Revenue Code.

       

      The table below summarizes the additional payments we would be obligated to make if a change-in-control occurred and the executive'sexecutive’s employment terminated (other than for cause) on December 31, 2012.2013. All equity values in the table are based on a market value for our Common Stock of $12.52,$17.53, the closing price on December 31, 20122013 as reported by the NasdaqNASDAQ Stock Market.

       

       

      Severance Payments

       

      Equity Awards

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Cash

       

      Stock Options

       

      Restricted Stock

       

      Performance-Based
      Restricted Stock
      Awards/Units

       

      Total

       

      Total

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Name

       

       

      Lump Sum

       

      Number(1)

       

      Value

       

      Number(2)

       

      Value

       

      Number(2)

       

      Value

       

      Equity Value

       

      Amount

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Michael L. Scudder

       

      3,728,800

       

       

       

      138,848

       

      $2,434,006

       

      36,449

       

      $638,951

       

      $3,072,957

       

      $6,801,757

       

      Mark G. Sander

       

      2,175,718

       

       

       

      62,445

       

      1,094,661

       

      24,284

       

      425,699

       

      1,520,360

       

      3,696,078

       

      Paul F. Clemens

       

      1,144,197

       

       

       

      37,244

       

      652,888

       

      7,105

       

      124,551

       

      777,439

       

      1,921,636

       

      Victor P. Carapella

       

      1,167,940

       

       

       

      35,552

       

      623,227

       

      6,486

       

      113,700

       

      736,927

       

      1,904,867

       

      Thomas M. Prame

       

      894,095

       

       

       

      19,454

       

      341,028

       

      4,550

       

      79,762

       

      420,790

       

      1,314,885

       

       
        
        
       Equity Awards 
       
       Severance Payments 
       
       Stock Options Restricted Stock  
       
       
       Cash
      Lump Sum
       Total
      Severance
      Payments
       Total
      Equity Value
       
      Name
       Number(1) Value Number(2) Value 

      Michael L. Scudder

       $3,566,538 $3,566,538      148,140 $1,854,713 $1,854,713 

      Mark G. Sander

        2,072,930  2,072,930      40,185  503,116  503,116 

      Paul F. Clemens

        1,122,202  1,122,202      40,338  505,031  505,031 

      Victor P. Carapella

        1,074,782  1,074,782      39,419  493,526  493,526 

      Thomas M. Prame

        925,272  925,272      16,043  200,858  200,858 

      (1)

      There are no unvested stock options as of December 31, 2012.

      2013.

      (2)

      Total number of shares of unvestedunearned restricted stock or unvested performance shares, at target as of December 31, 2012.
      2013.


      COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

      The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management theCompensation Discussion and Analysis that appears on pages 34__ through 46__ of this Proxy Statement. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that theCompensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

      J. Stephen Vanderwoude (Chair)

      Barbara A. Boigegrain (Vice-Chair)

      Brother James Gaffney

      Peter J. Henseler

      John L. Sterling

      Members, Compensation Committee


      52



      Table of Contents


      AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

       

      The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are, among others, to: (1) assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the integrity of the Company'sCompany’s financial statements and systems of internal control over financial reporting; (2) oversee the Company'sCompany’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to financial reporting and disclosure; (3) evaluate the independence and qualifications of the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (4) oversee the performance of the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm and its internal audit function. We also are solely responsible for the appointment, compensation, and retention of the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Board of Directors has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, which sets forth the specific duties of the Audit Committee, a copy of which is available on the Company'sCompany’s website.

       

      In carrying out our oversight responsibilities, we rely on the expertise and knowledge of management, the independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditors. Management is responsible for determining that the Company'sCompany’s financial statements are complete, accurate and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Management is responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and internal controls and procedures that provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for planning and carrying out a proper audit of the Company'sCompany’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. The internal auditors are responsible for evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s processes and system of internal controls to achieve the Company'sCompany’s stated goals and objectives. It is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits, to determine that the Company'sCompany’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or to conduct investigations or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures.

       

      We have reviewed and had discussions with management and Ernst & Young LLP regarding the Company'sCompany’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.2013. We also have discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed under applicableby the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) standards.in Rule 3200T. We have received the required disclosures from Ernst & Young LLP under applicable PCAOB standards regarding auditor independence, and have discussed the firm'sfirm’s independence with Ernst & Young LLP. We have established policies and procedures regarding the pre-approval of all services provided by Ernst & Young LLP. We have reviewed the audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20122013 and considered whether such services are compatible with maintaining its independence, and determined to engage Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.2014.

       

      Based upon our review of the Company'sCompany’s audited financial statements and the discussions noted above, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee referred to above and in our charter, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company'sCompany’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20122013 be included in the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the same year with the SEC.

      Patrick J. McDonnell (Chair)

      John F. Chlebowski, Jr. (Vice Chair)

      Phupinder S. Gill
      Robert P. O'Meara

      Ellen A. Rudnick

      Michael J. Small

      Members, Audit Committee

      53



      Table of Contents


      OTHER MATTERS

      Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

      Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership of, and transactions in, our equity securities with the SEC. Such directors, executive officers and stockholders are also required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. Purchases and sales of our equity securities by such persons are published on our website atwww.firstmidwest.com/secdocuments/. Based on a review of the copies of such reports, and on written representations from our directors and executive officers, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors and executive officers were complied with during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.2013 with the exception of one report for an executive officer of the Company, which was reported one day late due to an administrative error and which reported one transaction involving the acquisition of 303 shares of Common Stock.

      Incorporation by Reference

      To the extent that this Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the sections of this Proxy Statement entitledAudit Committee Report andCompensation Committee Report will not be deemed incorporated therein, unless specifically provided otherwise in such filing. We also include several website addresses in this Proxy Statement for your reference. The information on these websites is not part of this Proxy Statement.

      Other Business and Discretionary Authority

       

      As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our Board of Directors knows of no matters to come before, and does not intend to present any matters at, the Annual Meeting other than those items set forth in the Notice for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders attached to this Proxy Statement. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement, the persons named as proxies on the Proxy Card accompanying this Proxy Statement will have discretionary authority to vote pursuant to the Proxy Card, and the named proxies intend to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment. In addition, the persons named as proxies on the Proxy Card will have the discretionary authority to vote pursuant to the Proxy Card on any proposal to adjourn the Annual Meeting for any reason, and they will vote on any such proposal to adjourn in accordance with their best judgment.

       

      Each of the nominees for election as directors named in this Proxy Statement has consented to serve on our Board of Directors if elected, and we have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unwilling or unable to serve. However, should any nominee become unable or unwilling to serve as a director, the persons named as proxies on the Proxy Card accompanying this Proxy Statement intend to vote for the election of another person that may be nominated by the Board.Board of Directors.

      Stockholder Proposals for 20142015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

       

      Stockholders who, in accordance with the SEC'sSEC’s Rule 14a-8, wish to present proposals for inclusion in our proxy materials in connection with our 20142015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit their proposals to our Corporate Secretary on or before December 10, 2013. As the rules of the SEC make clear, simply submitting a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion.__, 2014.

       

      In accordance with our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, for a matter to be properly brought before the 20142015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (but not necessarily contained in our proxy statement), a stockholder'sstockholder’s notice of the matter must be timely delivered to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. ATTN: Corporate Secretary, One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143, not less than 120 nor more than 180 days prior to the date of the meeting, which currently is scheduled for May 21, 2014.__, 2015. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder under these

      54



      provisions of our Restated Certificate


      Table of Contents

      of Incorporation (and not pursuant to the SEC'sSEC’s Rule 14a-8) must be received no earlier than November 22, 2013__, 2014 and no later than January 21, 2014.__, 2015.

      Stockholder Recommendations for Director Candidates

       

      The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders. The policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to consider candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as other candidates. Stockholders who wish to submit director candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for election at our 20142015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may do so by submitting in writing such candidates'candidates’ names, in compliance with the procedures and along with the other information required by our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. ATTN: Corporate Secretary, One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143 between November 22, 2013__, 2014 and January 21, 2014.__, 2015.

      Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Stockholder Documents

       

      SEC rules allow us to mail a single copy of our proxy materials to multiple stockholders of record sharing the same address and who we reasonably believe are members of the same household or to one stockholder who has multiple stockholder accounts. This practice is referred to as "householding"“householding” and can result in significant savings of paper and mailing costs. We will deliver promptly to any stockholder sharing the same address a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and our 20122013 Annual Report upon a request, orally or in writing, to our Corporate Secretary (i) by mail at One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143, or (ii) by telephone at (630) 875-7463.

       

      We have been notified that certain brokers and banks holding our Common Stock for their customers also will household proxy materials. You may contact your broker or bank if you desire to receive a separate copy of our proxy materials.

       

      Stockholders sharing an address who now receive multiple copies of our proxy materials and who wish to receive only one copy of these materials per household in the future should contact our Corporate Secretary as indicated above (if your shares are held directly) or your broker or bank (if your shares are held in street name).

      By order of the Board of Directors,

      Nicholas J. Chulos

      Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary

      and General Counsel

      First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

      April 9, 2013
      14, 2014


      Table of Contents

      ANNEX A

      LOGO

      OMNIBUS STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN

      (As Amended and Restated May 14, 2013)


      Table of Contents


      Table of Contents

      55





      Page

      SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE, AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

      A-1

      1.1

      Establishment


      A-1

      1.2

      Purpose

      A-1

      1.3

      Effective Date

      A-1

      SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS


      A-1

      2.1

      Definitions


      A-1

      2.2

      Gender and Number

      A-3

      SECTION 3. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION


      A-3

      3.1

      Eligibility and Participation


      A-3

      SECTION 4. ADMINISTRATION


      A-3

      4.1

      Administration


      A-3

      4.2

      Delegation of Authority

      A-3

      4.3

      Award Agreements

      A-3

      SECTION 5. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN


      A-3

      5.1

      Number of Shares Available for Awards


      A-3

      5.2

      Reuse

      A-3

      5.3

      Limitations on Awards to a Single Participant

      A-4

      5.4

      Adjustment in Capitalization

      A-4

      5.5

      No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval

      A-4

      SECTION 6. DURATION OF PLAN


      A-4

      6.1

      Duration of Plan


      A-4

      SECTION 7. STOCK OPTIONS


      A-4

      7.1

      Grant of Options


      A-4

      7.2

      Option Price

      A-4

      7.3

      Exercise of Options

      A-4

      7.4

      Payment

      A-5

      7.5

      Limitations on ISOs

      A-5

      7.6

      Restrictions on Stock Transferability

      A-6

      7.7

      Termination of Employment Due to Death, Disability, Retirement

      A-6

      7.8

      Termination of Employment other than Due to Death, Disability, Retirement or for Cause; Termination for Cause

      A-6

      7.9

      Nontransferability of Options

      A-6

      SECTION 8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS


      A-7

      8.1

      Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights


      A-7

      8.2

      Exercise of SARs in Lieu of Options

      A-7

      8.3

      Exercise of SARs in Addition to Options

      A-7

      8.4

      Exercise of SARs Independent of Options

      A-7

      8.5

      Exercise of SARs Upon Lapse of Options

      A-7

      8.6

      Payment of SAR Amount

      A-7

      8.7

      Form and Timing of Payment

      A-7

      8.8

      Limit of Appreciation

      A-7

      8.9

      Term of SAR

      A-8

      8.10

      Termination of Employment

      A-8

      8.11

      Nontransferability of SARs

      A-8

      VOTE BY INTERNET — www.proxyvote.com

      Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of Contentsinformation up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on May 20, 2014. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.


      Table of Contents
      (Continued)



      Page

      SECTION 9. RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

      A-8

      9.1

      Grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units


      A-8

      9.2

      Transferability

      A-8

      9.3

      Other Restrictions

      A-8

      9.4

      Voting Rights

      A-8

      9.5

      Dividends and Other Distributions

      A-8

      9.6

      Termination of Employment Due to Retirement

      A-8

      9.7

      Termination of Employment Due to Death or Disability

      A-9

      9.8

      Termination of Employment for Reasons other than Death, Disability, or Retirement

      A-9

      9.9

      Nontransferability

      A-9

      SECTION 10. PERFORMANCE UNITS AND PERFORMANCE SHARES


      A-9

      10.1

      Grant of Performance Units or Performance Shares


      A-9

      10.2

      Value of Performance Units and Performance Shares

      A-9

      10.3

      Payment of Performance Units and Performance Shares

      A-9

      10.4

      Form and Timing of Payment

      A-9

      10.5

      Termination of Employment Due to Death, Disability, or Retirement

      A-9

      10.6

      Termination of Employment for Other Reasons

      A-9

      10.7

      Nontransferability

      A-10

      10.8

      Performance Goals

      A-10

      SECTION 11. OTHER AWARDS


      A-10

      11.1

      Grant of Other Awards


      A-10

      11.2

      Terms of Other Awards

      A-10

      SECTION 12. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION


      A-10

      12.1

      Beneficiary Designation


      A-10

      SECTION 13.RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES


      A-10

      13.1

      Employment


      A-10

      13.2

      Participation

      A-11

      SECTION 14. CHANGE-IN-CONTROL


      A-11

      14.1

      In General


      A-11

      14.2

      Definition

      A-11

      SECTION 15. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF PLAN


      A-12

      15.1

      Amendment, Modification, Suspension and Termination of Plan


      A-12

      SECTION 16. TAX WITHHOLDING


      A-12

      16.1

      Tax Withholding


      A-12

      16.2

      Share Withholding

      A-12

      SECTION 17. INDEMNIFICATION


      A-12

      17.1

      Indemnification


      A-12

      SECTION 18. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW


      A-13

      18.1

      Requirements of Law


      A-13

      18.2

      Governing Law

      A-13

      18.3

      Code Section 409A

      A-13

      ii


      ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

      Table of Contents

        Section 1.    Establishment, Purpose,If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our Company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and Effective Date of Plan

              1.1    Establishment.    First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, hereby amends and restates the "FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC. OMNIBUS STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN."


              1.2
          Purpose.    The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company by providing to employees additional incentives and motivation toward superior performance of the Company and its subsidiaries, and by enabling the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain the services of employees upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of its operations is largely dependent.


              1.3
          Effective Date.    The Plan, as amended and restated, shall become effective immediately upon the approval of the stockholders at the Company's 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

        Section 2.    Definitions

              2.1    Definitions.    Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

                (a)   "Award" means any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit, Performance Share or Other Award granted under this Plan.

                (b)   "Award Agreement" means the agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to an Award.

                (c)   "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                (d)   "Cause" shall mean any one of the following:

                    (i)  gross misconduct in,annual reports electronically via e-mail or the continuedInternet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, willful refusal by the Participant after written notice by the Company to make himself available for the performance of the Participant's duties for the Company or a subsidiary; or

                   (ii)  conviction for a felony for a matter related to the Company or a subsidiary; or

                  (iii)  suspension due to the direction of any authorized bank regulatory agencywhen prompted, indicate that the Participant be relieved of his duties and responsibilities to the Company or a subsidiary.

                (e)   "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                (f)    "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or such other committee appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors to administer this Plan. The Committee shall consist of two or more members, each of whom shall qualify as a "non-employee director," as the term (or similar or successor term) is defined by Rule 16b-3, and as an "outside director" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.

                (g)   "Company" means First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                (h)   "Disability" means totally and permanently disabled as from time to time defined under the First Midwest Bancorp Consolidated Pension Plan.

                (i)    "Employee" means a regular salaried employee (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any branch or division thereof. A regular salaried employee who, with the approval of the Board of Directors or the Committee enters into a "Continuing Participant Agreement" with the Company or its Subsidiaries effective upon such person ceasing to be a regular salaried employee, shall continue to be an Employee for purposes of this Plan and shall not be deemed to incur a termination of employment during the term of such Continuing Participant Agreement.


      Table of Contents

                (j)    "Fair Market Value" means the average of the highest and lowest prices of the Stock as reported by the consolidated tape of the Nasdaq National Market System on a particular date. In the event that there are no Stock transactions on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the immediately preceding date on which there were Stock transactions.

                (k)   "Option" means the right to purchase Stock at a stated price for a specified period of time. For purposes of the Plan an Option may be either (i) an "Incentive Stock Option," or "ISO" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, (ii) a "Nonstatutory (Nonqualified) Stock Option," or "NSO," or (iii) any other type of option encompassed by the Code.

                (l)    "Other Award" means an Award, other than a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit or Performance Share granted under this Plan, including the rightyou agree to receive Stock or a fixed or variable share denominated unit granted under this Plan oraccess proxy materials electronically in future years.

        VOTE BY PHONE — 1-800-690-6903

        Use any deferred compensation plan established from timetouch-tone telephone to time bytransmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on May 20, 2014. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the Company.instructions.

                (m)  "VOTE BY MAILParticipant" means any Employee designated by the Committee to participate

        Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the Plan.

                (n)   "Performance Unit" means a rightpostage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Unit as determined by the Committee based upon performance and pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

                (o)   "Performance Share" means a right to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Share as determined by the Committee based on performance and pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

                (p)   "Period of Restriction" means the period during which the transfer of shares of Restricted Stock is restricted pursuant to Section 9.2 of the Plan.

                (q)   "Plan" means the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan as set forth herein and any amendments hereto.

                (r)   "Previously-Acquired Share" means a share of Stock acquired by the Participant or any beneficiary of Participant other than pursuant to an Award under this Plan or the predecessor to this Plan, or if so acquired, such share of Stock has been held for a period of not less than six months, or such shorter period as the Committee may prescribe.

                (s)   "Restricted Stock" means Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

                (t)    "Restricted Stock Unit" means a right to receive a payment equal to the value of a share of Stock, pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

                (u)   "Retirement" means termination of employment other than for Cause, at or after the Participant's (a) age 65 ("Normal Retirement Date") or (b) age 55 (but prior to age 65), with fifteen or more years of service, or such other date prior to age 65 which constitutes an Early Retirement Date ("Early Retirement Date") as defined from time to time under the First Midwest Bancorp Consolidated Pension Plan. Years of service shall be determined in accordance with said Pension Plan.

                (v)   "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 or any successor or comparable rule or rules applicable to Awards granted under the Plan promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                (w)  "Stock" means the Common Stock, without par value, of the Company.

                (x)   "Stock Appreciation Right" and "SAR" mean the right to receive a payment from the Company equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of stock at the date of exercise over a specified price fixed by the Committee, which shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant. In the case of a Stock Appreciation Right which is granted in conjunction with an Option, the specified price shall be the Option exercise price.



      Table of Contents


              2.2
          Gender and Number.    Except when otherwise indicated by the context, words in the masculine gender when used in the Plan shall include the feminine gender, the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.

        Section 3.    Eligibility and Participation

              3.1    Eligibility and Participation.    Participants in the Plan shall be selected by the Committee from among those Employees who, in the opinion of the Committee, are Employees in a position to contribute to the Company's continued growth and development and to its long-term financial success.

        Section 4.    Administration

              4.1    Administration.    The Committee shall be responsible for the administration of the Plan. The Committee, by majority action thereof (whether taken during a meeting or by written consent), shall determine the type or types of Awards to be made under the Plan and shall designate from time to time the Employees who are to be recipients of such Awards. The Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to provide for conditions and assurances deemed necessary or advisable to protect the interests of the Company, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan, but only to the extent not contrary to the express provisions of the Plan. Determinations, interpretations, or other actions made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding and conclusive for all purposes and upon all persons whomsoever. To the extent deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of Rule 16b-3 or otherwise, the Board may act as the Committee hereunder.


              4.2
          Delegation of Authority.    To the extent provided by resolution of the Board, the Committee may authorize the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and other senior officers of the Company to designate officers and employees to be recipients of Awards, to determine the terms, conditions, form and amount of any such Awards, and to take such other actions which the Committee is authorized to take under this Plan, provided that the Committee may not delegate to any person the authority to grant Awards to, or take other action with respect to, Participants who at the time of such Awards or action are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or are "covered employees" as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code.


              4.3
          Award Agreements.    Each Award shall be embodied in an Award Agreement, which shall contain such terms, conditions and limitations as shall be determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement shall be delivered to, and, to the extent required by the Committee, signed by the Participant.

        Section 5.    Stock Subject to Plan

              5.1    Number of Shares Available for Awards.    The total number of shares of Stock which may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan may not exceed 8,631,641 (inclusive of shares issued prior to May 14, 2013, the date this amended and restated Plan was last approved by stockholders). Such number of shares shall be subject to adjustment upon occurrence of any of the events indicated in Section 5.4. The shares to be delivered under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized but unissued Stock or treasury Stock, not reserved for any other purpose.


              5.2
          Reuse.    If, and to the extent:

         (a)   An Option shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full (including, without limitation, cancellation and re-grant), or in the event that an Option is exercised or settled in a manner such that some or all of the shares of Stock related to the Option are not issued to the Participant (or beneficiary) (including as the result of a share-for-share exercise or the use of shares for withholding taxes), the shares of Stock subject thereto which have not become outstanding shall (unless the Plan shall have terminated) remain available for issuance under the Plan; or



      Table of Contents

         (b)   Any Awards under the Plan are forfeited for any reason, or settled in cash in lieu of Stock or in a manner such that some or all of the shares of Stock related to the Award are not issued to the Participant (or beneficiary) (including as a result of the use of shares for tax withholding), such shares of Stock shall (unless the Plan shall have terminated) remain available for issuance under the Plan, except as provided in Section 8.2 which relates to the exercise of SARs in lieu of Options.


              5.3
          Limitations on Awards to a Single Participant.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the following limitations shall apply to Awards made hereunder:

                (a)   No Participant may be granted, during any calendar year period, Awards consisting of Options or SARs that are exercisable for more than 250,000 shares of Stock (500,000 in the Participant's initial calendar year as an Employee), subject to adjustment pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.4; and

         (b)   No Participant may be granted, during any calendar period, Awards consisting of shares of Common Stock or units denominated in such shares (other than any Awards consisting of Options or SARs) covering or relating to more than 250,000 shares of Common Stock (500,000 in the Participant's initial calendar year as an Employee), subject to adjustment pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 5.4 hereof.


              5.4
          Adjustment in Capitalization.    In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Stock that occurs after ratification of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company by reason of a Stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar corporate change, the aggregate number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 5.1, the number of Shares subject to each outstanding Award and the other terms thereof, and the limitations set forth in Section 5.3, shall be adjusted appropriately by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive; provided, however, that fractional shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.


              5.5
          No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval.    Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may not reprice Options granted under the Plan, nor may the Board amend the Plan to permit repricing of Options granted under the Plan, unless the stockholders of the Company provide prior approval for such repricing. Adjustments pursuant to Section 5.4 shall not be considered a repricing.

        Section 6.    Duration of Plan

              6.1    Duration of Plan.    This Plan shall remain in effect, subject to the Board's right to earlier terminate the Plan pursuant to Section 15 hereof, until all Stock subject to it shall have been purchased or acquired pursuant to the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Award may be granted under the Plan on or after February 21, 2021.

        Section 7.    Stock Options

              7.1    Grant of Options.    Subject to the provisions of Section 5 and 6, Options may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Options granted to each Participant. The Committee may grant any type of Option to purchase Stock that is permitted by law at the time of grant.


              7.2
          Option Price.    No Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall have an Option price that is less than the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the Option is granted.


              7.3
          Exercise of Options.    Options awarded under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall approve, either at the time of grant of such Options or pursuant to a general determination, and which need not be the same for all Participants, provided that, to the extent required to comply with Rule 16b-3, no Option shall be exercisable within the


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      first six months of its term, unless death or Disability of the Participant occurs during such period. Each Option which is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, and each Option which is intended to qualify as another type of ISO which may subsequently be authorized by law, shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Code pertaining to such Options.


              7.4
          Payment.    Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Stock. The Option Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either:

                (a)   in cash or its equivalent (including, for this purpose, the proceeds from a cashless exercise as permitted under Federal Reserve Board's Regulation),

         (b)   by tendering Previously-Acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option price (including, for this purpose, Stock deemed tendered by affirmation of ownership),

         (c)   by any other means which the Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan's purpose and applicable law, or

                (d)   by a combination of (a), (b), and (c).

              The exercise of an Option shall cancel any related SAR to the extent of the number of shares as to which the Option is exercised. As soon as practicable after receipt of each notice and full payment, the Company shall deliver to the Participant a certificate or certificates representing the acquired shares of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option price payable with respect to the exercise of any Options by a Participant who has a deferral election in effect under the Company's Nonqualified Stock Option—Gain Deferral Plan (the "Gain Deferral Plan") shall be made solely be tendering previously-acquired Stock in accordance with paragraph (b) above. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of exercise and payment, the Company shall deliver to the trustee of the trust established under the Gain Deferral Plan, a certificate or certificates representing such number of shares of Stock determined by dividing (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to such Option exercise, over (B) the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Stock purchased, by (ii) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock. In addition, as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice and payment of the Option price (other than payment by affirmation of ownership), the Company shall deliver to the Participant a certificate or certificates representing shares with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate option exercise price paid, net of any tax withholding pursuant to Section 16.2. For purposes of the foregoing, Fair Market Value shall be determined on the date of Option exercise.


              7.5
          Limitations on ISOs.    All shares authorized for issuance under this Plan may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required from time to time by the Code, the following additional provisions shall apply to the grant of Options which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options (as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code):

                (a)   The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000 or such other amount as may subsequently be specified by the Code; provided that, to the extent that such limitation is exceeded, any excess Options (as determined under the Code) shall be deemed to be Nonstatutory (Nonqualified) Stock Options.

                (b)   Any Incentive Stock Option authorized under the Plan shall contain such other provisions as the Committee shall deem advisable, but shall in all events be consistent with and contain or be deemed to contain all provisions required in order to qualify the Options as Incentive Stock Options.


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                (c)   All Incentive Stock Options must be granted within ten years from the earlier of the date on which this Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors or the date this Plan was approved by the stockholders.

                (d)   Unless exercised, terminated, or cancelled sooner, all Incentive Stock Options shall expire no later than ten years after the date of grant.


              7.6    Restrictions on Stock Transferability.    The Committee shall impose such restrictions on any shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under the applicable Federal securities law, under the requirements of any stock exchange upon which such shares of Stock are then listed and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such shares.


              7.7
          Termination of Employment Due to Death, Disability, Retirement.    In the event the employment of a Participant is terminated by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement, any outstanding Options then exercisable may be exercised at any time prior to the expiration date of the Options or within three (3) years after such date of termination of employment, whichever period is the shorter. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the event such termination is due to death or Disability, then any outstanding Options shall vest 100% and be deemed exercisable in full as of such termination. However, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, the favorable tax treatment prescribed under Section 422 of the Code shall not be available if such options are not exercised within three (3) months after date of termination, or twelve (12) months in the case of Disability, provided such Disability constitutes total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. If an Incentive Stock Option is not exercised within three (3) months of termination due to Retirement, it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory (Nonqualified) Stock Option for the remainder of its allowable exercise period.


              7.8
          Termination of Employment other than Due to Death, Disability, Retirement or for Cause; Termination for Cause.    If the employment of the Participant shall terminate for any reason other then death, Disability, Retirement, or involuntarily for Cause, the rights under any then outstanding Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall terminate upon the expiration date of the Option or one month after such date of termination of employment, whichever first occurs; provided, however, that in the event such termination of employment occurs after a Change-in-Control (as defined in Section 14.2 of the Plan), the rights under any then outstanding Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall terminate upon the expiration date of the Option or three years after such date of termination of employment, whichever first occurs. Where termination of employment is involuntarily for Cause, rights under all Options shall terminate immediately upon termination of employment.


              7.9
          Nontransferability of Options.    Except as provided below, no Option granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all Options granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of the Options (other than Incentive Stock Options) granted to a Participant to be on terms which permit transfer by such Participant to:

                (a)   the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Participant ("Immediate Family Members");

                (b)   a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or;

                (c)   a partnership in which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners, provided that:

                    (i)  there may be no consideration for any such transfer;

                   (ii)  the Award Agreement pursuant to which such Options are granted expressly provides for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section 7.9; and


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                  (iii)  subsequent transfers of transferred Options shall be prohibited except those in accordance with Section 12. Following transfer, any such Options shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that for purposes of Section 12 hereof the term "Participant" shall be deemed to refer to the transferee. The provisions of Sections 7 and 14 relating to the period of exercisability and expiration of the Option shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, and the Options shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, set forth in said Sections 7 and 14.

        Section 8.    Stock Appreciation Rights

              8.1    Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.    Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 6, Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs") may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. An SAR may be granted at the discretion of the Committee in any of the following forms:

                (a)   In lieu of Options,

                (b)   In addition to Options,

                (c)   Upon lapse of Options,

                (d)   Independent of Options,

                (e)   Each of the above in connection with previously awarded Options.


              8.2
          Exercise of SARs in Lieu of Options.    SARs granted in lieu of Options may be exercised for all or part of the shares of Stock subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise an equivalent number of Options. The SAR may be exercised only with respect to the shares of Stock for which its related Option is then exercisable. Option shares with respect to which the SAR shall have been exercised may not be subject again to an Award under this Plan. SARs granted pursuant to this Section 8.2 with respect to which the Option shares have been exercised will immediately lapse upon such exercise.


              8.3
          Exercise of SARs in Addition to Options.    SARs granted in addition to Options shall be deemed to be exercised upon the exercise of the related Options.


              8.4
          Exercise of SARs Independent of Options.    SARs granted independent of Options may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, imposes upon the SARs.


              8.5
          Exercise of SARs Upon Lapse of Options.    SARs granted upon lapse of Options shall be deemed to have been exercised upon the lapse of the related Options as to the number of shares of Stock subject to the Options. Notwithstanding Section 5.2 above, cancelled Options in an amount equal to the related SARs shall not be available again for Awards under the Plan.


              8.6
          Payment of SAR Amount.    Upon exercise of the SAR, the holder shall be entitled to receive payment of an amount (subject to Section 8.8 below) determined by multiplying:

                (a)   The difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock at the date of exercise over the price fixed by the Committee at the date of grant, by

                (b)   The number of shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.


              8.7
          Form and Timing of Payment.    At the discretion of the Committee, payment for SARs may be made in cash or Stock, or in a combination thereof.


              8.8
          Limit of Appreciation.    At the time of grant, the Committee may establish in its sole discretion, a maximum amount per share which will be payable upon exercise of an SAR.


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              8.9
          Term of SAR.    The term of an SAR granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten years and one day.


              8.10
          Termination of Employment.    In the event the employment of a Participant is terminated by reason of death, Disability, Retirement, or any other reason, any SARs outstanding shall terminate in the same manner as specified for Options under Sections 7.7 and 7.8 herein.


              8.11
          Nontransferability of SARs.    No SAR granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Further, all SARs granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant.

        Section 9.    Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

              9.1    Grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.    Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 6, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units under the Plan to such Participants and in such amounts as it shall determine. Each grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units shall be in writing. The Committee, in its discretion, may permit a Participant to defer receipt of any Restricted Stock Units beyond the expiration of any applicable Period of Restriction.


              9.2
          Transferability.    Except as provided in Sections 9.8 and 9.9 hereof, the shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated for such period of time as shall be determined by the Committee and shall be specified in the Restricted Stock grant or the Restricted Stock Unit grant, or upon earlier satisfaction of other conditions (which may include the attainment of performance goals as defined in Section 10.8 hereof), as specified by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the Restricted Stock grant or the Restricted Stock Unit grant.


              9.3
          Other Restrictions.    The Committee shall impose such other restrictions on any shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable Federal or state securities laws, and may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.


              9.4
          Voting Rights.    Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those shares during the Period of Restriction.


              9.5
          Dividends and Other Distributions.    During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to those shares or units while they are so held. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in shares of Stock, the shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units with respect to which they were paid.


              9.6
          Termination of Employment Due to Retirement.    In the event a Participant's employment terminates on or after his Normal Retirement Date, the Period of Restriction applicable to the Restricted Stock or the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Subsection 9.2 hereof shall automatically terminate and, except as otherwise provided in Subsection 9.3, the shares of Restricted Stock shall thereby be free of restrictions and freely transferable. In the event a Participant terminates employment on or after his Early Retirement Date but prior to Normal Retirement Date, any shares of Restricted Stock and any Restricted Stock Units still subject to restrictions at the date of such termination automatically shall be forfeited and returned to the Company; provided, however, that the Committee in its sole discretion may waive the restrictions remaining on any or all shares of Restricted Stock or any and all Restricted Stock Units, or add such new restrictions to those shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units as it deems appropriate.


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              9.7
          Termination of Employment Due to Death or Disability.    In the event a Participant terminates his employment with the Company because of death or Disability during the Period of Restriction, the restrictions applicable to the shares of Restricted Stock or to the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 9.2 hereof shall automatically terminate and, except as otherwise provided in Subsection 9.3, the shares of Restricted Stock shall thereby be free of restrictions and freely transferable.


              9.8
          Termination of Employment for Reasons other than Death, Disability, or Retirement.    In the event that a Participant terminates his employment with the Company for any reason other than those set forth in Sections 9.6 and 9.7 hereof during the Period of Restriction, then any shares of Restricted Stock and any Restricted Stock Units still subject to restrictions at the date of such termination automatically shall be forfeited and returned to the Company; provided, however, that, in the event of an involuntary termination of the employment of a Participant by the Company other than for Cause, the Committee in its sole discretion may waive the automatic forfeiture of any or all such shares or units, and/or may add such new restrictions to such shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units as it deems appropriate.


              9.9
          Nontransferability.    No shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution until the termination of the applicable Period of Restriction. All rights with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant.

        Section 10.    Performance Units and Performance Shares

              10.1    Grant of Performance Units or Performance Shares.    Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 6, Performance Units or Performance Shares may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units or Performance Shares granted to each Participant.


              10.2
          Value of Performance Units and Performance Shares.    Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value of one hundred dollars ($100) and each Performance Share initially shall represent one share of Stock. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the ultimate value of the Performance Unit or Performance Share to the Participant. The time period during which the performance goals must be met shall be called a performance period, and also is to be determined by the Committee.


              10.3
          Payment of Performance Units and Performance Shares.    After a performance period has ended, the holder of a Performance Unit or Performance Share shall be entitled to receive the value thereof as determined by the extent to which performance goals discussed in Section 10.2 have been met.


              10.4
          Form and Timing of Payment.    Payment in Section 10.3 above shall be made in cash, stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee. Payment may be made in a lump sum or installments as prescribed by the Committee. If any payment is to be made on a deferred basis, the Committee may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents or interest during the deferral period.


              10.5
          Termination of Employment Due to Death, Disability, or Retirement.    In the case of death, Disability, or Retirement, the holder of a Performance Unit or Performance Share shall receive prorata payment based on the number of months' service during the performance period but based on the achievement of performance goals during the entire performance period. Payment shall be made at the time payments are made to Participants who did not terminate service during the performance period.


              10.6
          Termination of Employment for Other Reasons.    In the event that a Participant terminates employment with the Company for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement, all Performance Units and Performance Shares shall be forfeited; provided, however, that in the event of an involuntary termination of the employment of the Participant by the Company other than for Cause, the Committee in its sole discretion may waive the automatic forfeiture provisions and pay out on a prorata basis.


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              10.7
          Nontransferability.    Units or Performance Shares granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution until the termination of the applicable performance period. All rights with respect to Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant.


              10.8
          Performance Goals.    For purposes of Sections 9.2, 10.2 or 11.2 hereof, "performance goals" shall mean the criteria and objectives, determined by the Committee pursuant to the Plan, which shall be satisfied or met during the applicable restriction period or performance period, as the case may be, as a condition to the Participant's receipt of a cash Award or, in the case of a grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or a grant of Performance Shares, of the shares of Stock subject to such grant, or in the case of a Performance Unit Award, of payment with respect to such Award. Such criteria and objectives may include, but are not limited to, return on assets, return on equity, growth in net earnings, growth in earnings per share, growth in Fair Market Value of the Stock, total shareholder return, revenues, net income, pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, interest income, non-interest income, non-interest expense, net interest margin, levels of assets, loans, charge-offs, loan loss reserves, asset quality and deposits, and efficiency ratios, or any combination of the foregoing or any other criteria or objectives determined by the Committee. Upon completion of the restriction period or the performance period, as the case may be, the Committee shall certify the level of the performance goals attained and the amount of the Award payable as a result thereof.

        Section 11.    Other Awards

              11.1    Grant of Other Awards.    Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 6, and any other provision of this Plan, Other Awards (including, but not limited to, cash bonuses and other cash incentive compensation awards) may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee.


              11.2
          Terms of Other Awards.    Other Awards (including, but not limited to, cash bonuses and other cash incentive compensation awards) may be made free-standing or in tandem, with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to Awards under Sections 7, 8, 9 or 10 of this Plan or of any other incentive or employee benefit plan of the Company. An Other Award may provide for payment in cash or in Stock or a combination thereof. Any cash bonus or other cash incentive compensation awards shall be on such terms and conditions and may have such performance goals as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion; provided, that no Participant may be granted an Other Award payable in cash in respect of any calendar-year period in an amount in excess of the lesser of (a) two times the Participant's annual base salary as of March 1 of such calendar year, or (b) $2,000,000.

        Section 12.    Beneficiary Designation

              12.1    Beneficiary Designation.    Each Participant under the Plan may name, from time to time, any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under the Plan is to be paid in case of his death before he receives any or all of such benefit. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Committee during his lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant's death shall be paid to his estate.

        Section 13.    Rights of Employees

              13.1    Employment.    Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant's employment at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company.


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              13.2
          Participation.    No employee shall have a right to be selected as a Participant, or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant.

        Section 14.    Change-in-Control

              14.1    In General.    Except as expressly provided otherwise in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change-in-Control of the Company as defined in Section 14.2 below, all Awards under the Plan shall vest 100%, whereupon all Options shall become exercisable in full, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock shall terminate, and Performance Units and Performance Shares shall be paid out based upon the extent to which performance goals during the performance period have been met up to the date of the Change-in-Control, or at target, whichever is higher, and all Other Awards shall be paid out based on the terms thereof.


              14.2
          Definition.    For purposes of the Plan, a "Change-in-Control" shall mean any of the following events:

                (a)   Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a subsidiary, or (ii) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the total voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Voting Stock"), provided, however, that the following shall not constitute a Change-in-Control: (A) such person becomes a beneficial owner of 25% of more of the Voting Stock as the result of an acquisition of such stock directly from the Company, or (B) such person becomes a beneficial owner of 25% or more of the Voting Stock as a result of the decrease in the number of outstanding shares caused by the repurchase of shares by the Company, or (C) such person becomes a beneficial owner of 25% or more of the Voting Stock without any plan or intention to seek or affect control of the Company, if such person promptly enters into an irrevocable commitment promptly to divest, and thereafter promptly divests, such shares of Voting Stock so that such person ceases to beneficially own 25% or more of the Voting Stock; provided, further, that in the event a person described in clause (A) or (B) shall thereafter increase (other than in circumstances described in clause (A) or (B)) beneficial ownership of stock representing more than 1% of the Voting Stock, such person shall then be deemed to become a beneficial owner of 25% or more of the Voting Stock for purposes of this paragraph (a), provided such person continues to beneficially own 25% or more of the Voting Stock after such subsequent increase in beneficial ownership, or

                (b)   During any period of two consecutive years, individuals, who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company, and any new director, whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or

                (c)   The consummation of, a reorganization, merger or consolidation, the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, or a similar transaction or series of transactions involving the Company (a "Business Combination") in each case, unless (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Voting Stock immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company or the corporation resulting from the Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of the Business Combination owns the


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        Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries), in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to the Business Combination of the Voting Stock of the Company, and (2) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company or such corporation resulting from the Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or action of the Incumbent Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

                (d)   The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

              The Board has final authority to determine the exact date on which a Change-in-Control has been deemed to have occurred under (a), (b), (c) and (d) above.

        Section 15.    Amendment, Modification and Termination of Plan

              15.1    Amendment, Modification, Suspension and Termination of Plan.    The Board may amend, modify, suspend or terminate this Plan for the purpose of meeting or addressing any changes in legal requirements or for any other purpose permitted by law, except that no amendment or alteration that would adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any Award previously granted to such Participant shall be made without the consent of such Participant.

        Section 16.    Tax Withholding

              16.1    Tax Withholding.    The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan.


              16.2
          Share Withholding.    With respect to withholding required upon the exercise of Options or SARs, upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock, or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of awards granted hereunder, Participants may elect to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax which would be imposed on the transaction; provided, however, that in the event a deferral election is in effect with respect to the shares deliverable upon exercise of an Option, then the Participant may only elect to have such withholding made from the Stock tendered to exercise such Option. All such elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

        Section 17.    Indemnification

              17.1    Indemnification.    Each Person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he may be a party or in which he may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him in settlement thereof, with the Company's approval, or paid by him in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him, provided he shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle and defend it on his own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.


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        Section 18.    Requirements of Law

              18.1    Requirements of Law.    The granting of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.


              18.2
          Governing Law.    The Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.


              18.3
          Code Section 409A.    Anything under the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent applicable, it is intended that any Awards under the Plan which provide for a "deferral of compensation" subject to Section 409A of the Code and rules, regulation and guidance issued thereunder (collectively, Code Section 409A) shall comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and the Plan and all applicable Awards shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with this intent. In furtherance thereof, any amount constituting a "deferral of compensation" under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b) that is payable to a Participant upon a separation from service of the Participant (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) (other than due to the Participant's death), occurring while the Participant shall be a "specified employee" (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) of the Corporation or applicable Subsidiary, shall not be paid until the earlier of (x) the date that is six months following such separation from service or (y) the date of the Participant's death following such separation from service.

      *    *    *


      FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC. ONE PIERCE PLACE, SUITE 1500 ITASCA, IL 60143 VOTE BY INTERNET – www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on May 13, 2013. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our Company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE – 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on May 13, 2013. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

      KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

      DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 1. Election of Directors 3. 1a. Brother James Gaffney, FSC Advisory approval of the compensation paid to named executive officers of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 1b. Patrick J. McDonnell 1c. Michael L. Scudder The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: 1d. John L. Sterling 1e. J. Stephen Vanderwoude 4. Approval of amendments to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: 2. Advisory vote ratifying the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013 Note: In their discretion, the proxies named on the front of this proxy card are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, and for the election of a person to serve as director if any of the nominees above is unable to serve. Please sign this proxy card exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. _______________________________________________________________ Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date ________________________________________________________________ Signature (Joint Owners) Date

      THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

      First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

       

      The Board of Directors recommends you vote

      FOR the election of the following nominees:

      The Board of Directors recommends you vote

      FOR the following proposal:

       

       

      For

      Against

      Abstain

       

       

      For

      Against

      Abstain

      1.

      Election of Directors

       

      3.

      Advisory approval of the compensation paid to named executive officers of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

      £

      £

      £

       

      1a.

      John F. Chlebowski, Jr.

      £

      £

      £

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1b.

      Phupinder S. Gill

      £

      £

      £

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1c.

      Peter J. Henseler

      £

      £

      £

      The Board of Directors recommends you vote

      FOR the following proposal:

       

      1d.

      Ellen A. Rudnick

      £

      £

      £

       

       

       

       

       

       

      1e.

      Michael J. Small

      £

      £

      £

      4.

      Advisory vote ratifying the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.

      £

      £

      £

       

       

      The Board of Directors recommends you vote

      FOR the following proposal:

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      2.

      Approval and adoption of amendments to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000.

      £

      £

      £

       

      Note: In their discretion, the proxies named on the front of this proxy card are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, and for the election of a person to serve as director if any of the nominees above is unable to serve.

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Please sign this proxy card exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

      Date

       

       

      Signature (Joint Owners)

      Date

       



      Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

      For the Annual Meeting on May 21, 2014:

      The Annual Report on Form 10-K, Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement

      and Telephone/Internet Voting Instructions are available at www.proxyvote.com

       


      Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials For the Annual Meeting on May 14, 2013: The Annual Report on Form 10-K, Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement and Telephone/Internet Voting Instructions are available at www.proxyvote.com

      Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

      Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held May 14, 2013,21, 2014, 9:00 AM Central Time

      at the Waldorf AstoriaWestin Chicago Northwest Hotel, 11 E. Walton Street, Chicago,400 Park Boulevard, Itasca, IL 60611 60143

      The undersigned stockholder(s) hereby appoints Mark G. Sander and Paul F. Clemens, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all shares of Common Stock of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on March 19, 2013,27, 2014, at the 20132014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 14, 201321, 2014 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The undersigned hereby further authorizes such proxies to vote in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before such Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Receipt of the Notice of the 20132014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Proxy Statement in connection with such meeting and the 20122013 Annual Report to Stockholders is hereby acknowledged.

      This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by you. If you sign and return this proxy but do not give any direction, it will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors for each Proposal, and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. If the shares represented by this proxy are issued to or held for the account of the undersigned under one of the Company’s employee benefit plans, then the undersigned hereby directs the trustee to vote such shares as designated on the reverse side.

      Continued and to be signed on the reverse side

       


      2 EASY WAYS TO VOTE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY Vote by Internet (until 11:59 PM EDT on May 13, 2013) Vote by Telephone (until 11:59 PM EDT on May 13, 2013) Follow these easy steps: • Read the accompanying proxy statement and proxy card. • Go to web site www.proxyvote.com. • Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site. • Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow • Follow the simple instructions. Follow these easy steps: • Read the accompanying proxy statement and proxy card. • Call 1-800-690-6903 toll-free, on a touch-tone phone in the U.S. or Canada. • Have your proxy card in hand when you call. • Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow • Follow the simple recorded instructions. You do not need to return your proxy card if you are voting by Internet or Telephone XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX


      Electronic Delivery Sign up to have all future proxy materials and annual reports delivered to you electronically To sign up for electronic delivery, follow the instructions below: 1. Log onto the Internet at http://enroll.icsdelivery.com/fmbi 2. Enter your account Social Security or Tax I.D. number. 3. Enter your email address. 4. Enter a PIN number of your choice, which will be used for electronic voting. 5. Prior to the next annual meeting you will receive an email providing information on how to vote your shares on-line and where to locate the proxy statement and annual report on-line. If you elect to access your First Midwest materials on-line, you may still request paper copies at any time by contacting us at investor.relations@firstmidwest.com. Please note that although there is no charge for this service, there may be costs to you associated with electronic access such as usage charges from your Internet service provider and telephone company.