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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 Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant¨

Check the appropriate box:

¨

Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨

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

ý

Definitive Proxy Statement

¨

Definitive Additional Materials

¨

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12§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

No fee required.

¨

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)14a‑6(i)(1) and 0-11.0‑11.

(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 0-110‑11 (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:

¨

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)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:

(3)

(4

Filing Party:

)

(4)

Date Filed:





Table of Contents


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Table of Contents


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Welcome to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Annual Meeting ofStockholders


April 11, 2017





4, 2019

Dear Stockholder:

Fellow Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., which will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 201715, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., Central time, at the WestinThe Rose Hotel Chicago Northwest Hotel, 400 Park Boulevard, Itasca,O’Hare, 5200 Pearl Street, Rosemont, Illinois 60143.

60018.

The matters to be acted on at the Annual Meeting are described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.  Also enclosed is a copy of our 20162018 Annual Report.  Please review these materials carefully before voting.

We are pleased to offer multiple options for voting your shares.  As detailed in the Questions and AnswersProxy Summary section of the attached Proxy Statement, you may vote your shares via the Internet, by telephone or by mail.  Voting in any of these ways will not prevent you from attending the Annual Meeting.  You also may vote in person 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.

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

Sincerely,

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Sincerely,

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Michael L. Scudder

President

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



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One Pierce Place, Suite 1500
Itasca, Illinois 60143
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Date and Time:

Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 15, 2019
9:00 a.m., Central time.time

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue

Suite 1300

Chicago, Illinois 60631

Place:

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

The Rose Hotel Chicago O’Hare, 5200 Pearl Street, Rosemont, Illinois 60018

Items of Business:

w

To elect as directors the seventwelve nominees identified in the attached Proxy Statement, each to serve for a term as described in the Proxy Statement.one-year term.

wTo approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to declassify the Board of Directors.
wTo approve and adopt an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000.
w

To approve an advisory (non-binding) resolution regarding the compensation paid in 20162018 to the Company’s named executive officers.

w

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017.2019.

w

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

Record Date:March 22, 2019

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 24, 2017, 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.  Voting in any of these ways will not prevent you from attending or voting your shares in person at the Annual Meeting.  For instructionsInstructions on how to vote your shares please seecan be found below and in the Questions and AnswersProxy Summary section of the attached Proxy Statement.

Internet

Telephone

Mail

In Person

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Visit the website noted on your proxy card to vote online.

Use the toll-free telephone number noted on your proxy card to vote by telephone.

Sign, date and return your proxy card in the postage pre-paid envelope provided to vote by mail.

Cast your vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Nicholas J. Chulos

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

April 4, 2019

and Corporate Secretary

By Order



Nicholas J. Chulos
Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary
and General Counsel

April 11, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROXY SUMMARY

1

5

16

17

19

19

19

19

20

Lead Independent Director

20

Risk Oversight

21

Cybersecurity Risk Oversight

22

Meetings

22

Board Committees

23

25

25

26

26

Our Long-Standing Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

26

INFORMATION REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

29

31


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS, CONT.

34

35

Certain Financial Information Presented on an Adjusted Basis

35

Pay-for-Performance

36

2018 Overview

36

Our Successes in 2018

37

Total Stockholder Return

39

2018 CEO Pay Decisions and Program Updates

39

Stockholder Say-on-Pay Vote in 2018

40

Our Executive Compensation Philosophy

41

43

Compensation Procedures

44

Peer Group

45

Performance

46

How We Measure Company Performance

46

46

47

2018 Compensation Program

48

Principal ElementsComponents of Our Executive Compensation Program in 2016

48

Base Salary

49

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

49

Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation

52

Retirement and Other Welfare Benefits

56

Perquisites

57

Policies, Guidelines and Other Practices

57

Stock Ownership Guidelines

57

57

57

58

58

59

60

60

62

63

65

65

66

66

67

68

CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure

73

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

74

75




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One Pierce Place, Suite 1500
Itasca, Illinois 60143

PROXY STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION AND

PROXY 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 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Proxy Card and our 20162018 Annual Report are first being sent or otherwise made available to stockholders is April 11, 2017.9, 2019.  The following is a summary of items to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

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Date and Time:

Time
May 17, 2017 at 15, 2019
9:00 a.m., Central time

Picture 46

Place
The Rose Hotel Chicago O’Hare
5200 Pearl Street
Rosemont, Illinois 60018

Picture 47

Record Date
March 22, 2019

Place:Westin Chicago Northwest Hotel, 400 Park Boulevard, Itasca, Illinois 60143
Record Date:March 24, 2017

Items of Business

Board of

Directors Vote
Voting
Recommendation

FOR

FOR
FOR

FOR

FOR

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

A copy of our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2016 accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Notice, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com (if you utilize www.proxyvote.com, you will need the control number included on your Proxy Card). If you would like to receive,

2019 Proxy Statement

1




1

Table of Contents

Proxy Summary


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.

Election of Directors

The first item of business at the Annual Meeting will be the election of seventwelve directors of the Company.  The nominees, including their key experience and our Board’s recommendation with respect to each, are Thomas L. Brown, Phupinder S. Gill, Kathryn J. Hayley, Frank B. Modruson, Ellen A. Rudnick, Michael J. Small and Stephen C. Van Arsdell.set forth in the table below.  Each nominee is currently a director of the Company, with Mr. Brown, Ms. Hayley and Messrs. Modruson and Van Arsdell having been appointed to the Board following the 2016 annual meetingCompany.  See Item 1  Election of stockholders.Directors.

2019 Director Nominees for Election

TITLE

KEY EXPERIENCE

RECOMMENDATION

Barbara A. Boigegrain
CEO and General Secretary of
Wespath Benefits and Investments

Picture 70     Picture 79     Picture 80     Picture 83

FOR

Thomas L. Brown
Sr. VP and CFO of RLI Corp.

Picture 92     Picture 72     Picture 71     Picture 75

FOR

Phupinder S. Gill
Former CEO of CME Group, Inc.

Picture 76     Picture 91     Picture 67     Picture 56

FOR

Kathryn J. Hayley
CEO of Rosewood Advisory Services, LLC
Former EVP of UnitedHealthcare

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FOR

Peter J. Henseler
President of TOMY International

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FOR

Frank B. Modruson
President of Modruson & Associates, LLC
Former Partner and CIO of Accenture plc

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FOR

Ellen A. Rudnick
Sr. Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship
University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Picture 9     Picture 105     Picture 104     Picture 106

FOR

Mark G. Sander
President and COO of the Company

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FOR

Michael L. Scudder
Chairman and CEO of the Company

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FOR

Michael J. Small
CEO of K4 Mobility LLC
Former President and CEO of Gogo, Inc.

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FOR

Stephen C. Van Arsdell
Former Sr. Partner, Chairman and CEO of
Deloitte & Touche LLP

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FOR

J. Stephen Vanderwoude
Former Chairman and CEO of
Madison River Communications Corp.

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FOR

Picture 69Leadership

Picture 70Technology

Picture 71 Risk
Management

Picture 74Finance

Picture 75 Business
Operations

Picture 24  Governance
and Compliance

Picture 28  Compensation
and Benefits

If the proposal to amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors, which is the second item of business at the Annual Meeting, is approved and adopted, then each nominee standing for election would be elected to a one-year term that expires in 2018. If the proposal to declassify the Board of Directors is not approved and adopted, then Ms. Hayley and Mr. Van Arsdell would be elected to the class of directors whose term expires in 2019 and Messrs. Brown, Gill and Modruson, Ms. Rudnick and Mr. Small would be elected to the class of directors whose term expires in 2020.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Director Nominees Age 
Director
Since
 Independent 
Board of
Directors Vote
Recommendation
Thomas L. Brown 60 2017 Yes FOR
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
RLI Corp.
        
Phupinder S. Gill 56 2010 Yes FOR
Former Chief Executive Officer
CME Group, Inc.
        
Kathryn J. Hayley 58 2016 Yes FOR
Former Executive Vice President
UnitedHealthcare
        
Frank B. Modruson 57 2016 Yes FOR
Former Partner and Chief Information Officer
Accenture plc
        
Ellen A. Rudnick 66 2005 Yes FOR
Senior Advisor and
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
        
Michael J. Small 59 2010 Yes FOR
President and Chief Executive Officer
Gogo, Inc.
        
Stephen C. Van Arsdell 66 2017 Yes FOR
Former Senior Partner and
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Deloitte & Touche LLP
        
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation to Declassify the Board of Directors
We are asking our stockholders to approve and adopt an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board of Directors.


2

Table of Contents

Proxy Summary


Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Authorized Shares of Common Stock
We are asking our stockholders to approve and adopt an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000.

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

We are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, a resolution regarding the compensation paid in 20162018 to our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

  See Item 2  Approval of an Advisory (Non-Binding) Resolution Regarding the Compensation Paid in 2018 to the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We are asking our stockholders to ratify, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.

Certain Terms
Certain terms that we use in this Proxy Statement have particular meanings. For ease of reference, we have set forth below the meanings of these terms.
TermMeaning
401(k) PlanFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan, as amended
Annual Meeting2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
Board of Directors or BoardBoard of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
By-LawsAmended and Restated By-Laws of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., as amended
Certificate of IncorporationRestated Certificate of Incorporation of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., as amended
Common StockCommon Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
Company, we, us or ourFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
Deferred Compensation PlanFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified Retirement Plan, as amended
Exchange ActSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
First Midwest Bank or BankFirst Midwest Bank, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
Form 10-KFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016
Gain Deferral PlanFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan, as amended
Internal Revenue CodeInternal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
M&AMergers and acquisitions
Named executive officers
Executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table contained in this Proxy Statement


2019.  See Item 3


Non-Employee Directors Stock PlanFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan, as amended
NoticeThe Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders that accompanies this Proxy Statement
Omnibus Stock and Incentive PlanFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan, as amended
Pension PlanFirst Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Consolidated Pension Plan, as amended
Proxy CardThe form of proxy card or voting instruction form that accompanies this Proxy Statement
Proxy StatementThis proxy statement
Record DateMarch 24, 2017
SECUnited States Securities and Exchange Commission
TSRTotal stockholder return
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  Ratification of the Company at the close of business on March 24, 2017, the Record Date for the Annual Meeting. On that date, there were 102,840,266 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 2,285 stockholders of record.
A proxy is your direction to another person to vote your shares. When you vote your shares, whether via the Internet, by telephone or by signing and mailing a Proxy Card, you will appoint certain officersAppointment of the CompanyCompany’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

How to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting in the manner you instruct. Vote

Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you should vote your shares in advance.

Who is entitled to receive this mailing?
If you hold shares of our Common Stock that are registered in your name through our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as of the Record Date, you are the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. If you hold shares of our Common Stock indirectly through a bank, broker or similar institution, you are considered a beneficial owner of those shares but are not the stockholder of record. We refer to banks, brokers and similar institutions in this Proxy Statement collectively as “brokers.” In this circumstance, you are a stockholder whose shares are held in “street name” and your broker 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, these materials were sent to you by the broker through which you hold your shares. As the beneficial owner, you may direct your broker how to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, and the broker is 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 vote all of your shares by proxy, please vote the shares in each account via the Internet or by telephone, or complete, sign, date and return each Proxy Card that you receive.


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How are shares voted and counted?
If you are a stockholder of record on the Record Date and you properly vote your shares via the Internet, by telephone or by mail, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you sign 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, as follows:  FOR each director nominee named in this Proxy Statement and FOR each of the other items set forth in the Notice attached to this Proxy Statement. If you sign and return your Proxy Card, but do not give voting instructions, you also will grant discretionary authority to the named proxies to vote 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, on routine matters, the shares will be voted by the broker through which you hold your shares in accordance with your instructions and, if no instructions are given, your broker is entitled to vote your shares in its discretion. On non-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 voting instructions for non-routine items, your shares will be treated as “broker non-votes.” This means your shares will be counted for the purpose of determining if a quorum is present but, except as provided below, will not be included as votes cast with respect to the non-routine items. The determination of whether a matter is routine or non-routine is made under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. An abstention occurs when a stockholder marks his or her Proxy Card as 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.
ItemTypeEffect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions
Non-RoutineBroker non-votes and votes to ABSTAIN are not treated as a “vote cast” with respect to the election of a director, and thus will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Non-Routine
Broker non-votes and votes to ABSTAIN will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item.

Non-RoutineBroker non-votes and votes to ABSTAIN will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item.
Non-RoutineBroker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this item. Votes to ABSTAIN will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item.
RoutineBroker non-votes are not expected to exist because brokers have discretionary authority to vote on this item. Votes to ABSTAIN will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item.


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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. If a director who currently serves on the Board of Directors fails to receive a majority of the votes cast FOR his or her election, he or she will tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors for consideration, and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend to the Board of Directors 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—Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Declassify the Board of Directors.  You may vote FOR or AGAINST the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors, or you may ABSTAIN. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR the amendment in order for the amendment to be approved and adopted.
Item 3—Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000.  You may vote FOR or AGAINST the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000, or you may ABSTAIN. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR the amendment in order for the amendment to be approved and adopted.
Item 4—Approval of an Advisory (Non-Binding) Resolution Regarding the Compensation Paid in 2016 to the Company’s Named Executive Officers.You may vote FOR or AGAINST the advisory resolution regarding the compensation paid to our named executive officers, or you may ABSTAIN. A majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR this item in order for it to pass.
Item 5—Ratification of the Appointment of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.You may vote FOR or AGAINST the ratification of our Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017, or you may ABSTAIN. A majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR ratification in order for this item to pass.


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How do I vote?
If you are a stockholder of record, you mayplease cast your vote in one of four ways:
as soon as possible.

Internet

Telephone

Mail

:

Picture 8

By Internet.Picture 17

Picture 18

The web address for Internet voting can be found on the 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 Proxy Card.

(
By Telephone.

The number for telephone voting can be found on the 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.

Request a paper copy of the Proxy Card if you have not received one, and mark the Proxy Card, sign and date it, and return it in the postage pre-paid envelope provided.  To be valid, your vote by mail must be received by the deadline specified on the Proxy Card.

î
At the Annual Meeting.You can vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting. You must present an acceptable form of identification (such as a valid driver’s license) in order to enter the Annual Meeting and vote in person.

If you choose not to vote early, you can vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting.  You must present an acceptable form of identification (such as a valid driver’s license) to enter the Annual Meeting and vote in person.

If you hold your shares in street name, you may vote by following your broker’s instructions or, in order to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain from the 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” form, and bring them to the meeting.

How can I revoke or change my vote?
You can revoke or change your vote at any time before your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting by timely:
resubmitting your vote via 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 should contact your broker to change your vote.
How can I obtain an additional Proxy Card?
If you lose, misplace or otherwise need to obtain a Proxy Card, and:
you are a stockholder of record, contact our Corporate Secretary’s office at (630) 875-7463; or
you hold Common Stock in street name through a broker, contact your account representative at that organization.
How will current employees who participate in the Company’s benefit plans receive our proxy materials?
Employees who participate in the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan, First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified Retirement Plan, First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan and/or the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan, and have a Company e-mail address, will receive an


7


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’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. 2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND PROXY VOTE.
The trustees under these plans (other than the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan) 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, employees or affiliates telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication. Directors, officers and employees will receive no additional compensation for any such solicitation. Although we do not anticipate using a paid proxy solicitor in connection with the Annual Meeting, we may do so if we believe this to be appropriate. We will reimburse brokers for costs incurred by them in mailing proxy materials to beneficial owners in accordance with applicable requirements.
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’s license, in order to attend the Annual Meeting in person. If you hold shares in street name and would like to attend our Annual Meeting, you also 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.

If you attend the Annual Meeting as a representative of a stockholder that is an entity, then you must bring proof of your authorization to attend and act on behalf of that entity.

Is a list

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of stockholders available for inspection?

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 5, 2017 to May 16, 2017, as well as at the Annual Meeting.
How do I obtain the voting results?
Proxy Materials

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results are expected to be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting. A copy of our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018 accompanies this CurrentProxy Statement.  The Notice, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 8-K will beare available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelationswww.proxyvote.com after its filing with(if you utilize www.proxyvote.com, you will need the SEC.control number included on your Proxy Card).  If you would like to receive, without charge, an additional paper copy of our Annual Report, please contact our Corporate Secretary at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., 8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60631.


2019 Proxy Statement

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8

Table of Contents

Proxy Summary


Certain Terms

Certain terms that we use in this Proxy Statement have particular meanings, as set forth below.

Term

Meaning

401(k) Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan, as amended

2018 Stock and Incentive Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan

Annual Meeting

2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Board of Directors or Board

Board of Directors of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

By-Laws

Amended and Restated By-Laws of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Certificate of Incorporation

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., as amended

Common Stock

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

Company, we, us or our

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Deferred Compensation Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified Retirement Plan, as amended

Exchange Act

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

First Midwest Bank or Bank

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

Form 10-K

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018

Gain Deferral Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan, as amended

Internal Revenue Code

Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

M&A

Mergers and acquisitions

Named executive officers

Executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table contained in this Proxy Statement

Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan, as amended

Notice

The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders that accompanies this Proxy Statement

Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan, as amended

Pension Plan

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Consolidated Pension Plan, as amended

Proxy Card

The form of proxy card or voting instruction form that accompanies this proxy statement

Proxy Statement

This proxy statement

RATCE

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

Record Date

March 22, 2019

SEC

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

TSR

Total Stockholder Return

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


ITEM 1—1  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors currently consists of sixteenthirteen directors, but will be reduced to fifteentwelve members as described below.  Historically, the Board has been divided into three classes, with only one class standing for election at each annual meeting and each director serving for a three-year term.  At eachour 2017 annual meeting, only one class of directors stands for election. This year, as described more fully under Item 2—Approval and Adoption ofour stockholders approved an Amendmentamendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Declassify the Board of Directors, we are seeking to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to provide that directors will be elected to one-year terms on a go-forward basis, beginning withas their terms expired, thereby declassifying the nominees standing for election at this Annual Meeting. Accordingly, with respect to the electionBoard of directors at this Annual Meeting, we are asking stockholders to elect our director nominees to one-year terms, subject to the outcome of the vote on the declassification of our Board. If our stockholders do not approve theDirectors.  The declassification of our Board then our Board of Directors will remain classified, directors will continue to serveis a three-year process that concludes this year, with all nominees this year standing for staggered terms and our director nominees will be electedelection for the terms indicated in the table below.

a one-year term.

Nominees for Election

Upon the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors unanimously nominated Barbara A. Boigegrain, Thomas L. Brown, Phupinder S. Gill, Kathryn J. Hayley, Peter J. Henseler, Frank B. Modruson, Ellen A. Rudnick, Mark G. Sander, Michael L. Scudder, Michael J. Small, and Stephen C. Van Arsdell and J. Stephen Vanderwoude to stand for election at this year’s Annual Meeting, all of whom are currently serving as directors of the Company.  Mr. Gill, Ms. Rudnick and Mr. Small presently serve inIn connection with the class of directors who were last elected in 2014 and whose term expires at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Brown, Ms. Hayley and Messrs. Modruson and Van Arsdell were appointedCommittee’s determination to recommend that the Board overnominate Mr. Vanderwoude to stand for election to an additional term, the courseCommittee considered Mr. Vanderwoude’s tendered resignation upon attaining age 75 earlier this year in accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.  Upon consideration of Mr. Vanderwoude’s significant experience, contributions to our Board and his role as Lead Independent Director, the last yearCommittee recommended, and have not yet been placed in a class. our Board subsequently approved, that Mr. Vanderwoude’s resignation be declined.

Each of the nominees, other than Mr. Scudder, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Sander, our President and Chief Operating Officer, meets the standards of independence under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

John F. Chlebowski, Jr.

Br. James Gaffney also currently serves in the class of directors whoseas a director and his term expires at this Annual Meeting.  As previously announced, Mr. Chlebowski,Br. James, who has served as one of our directors since 2007,1998, has advised us that he will retire from the Board upon the conclusion of his current term.  Prior to the Annual Meeting, the Board will take action to reduce the number of directors to fifteentwelve members.  As such, at and following the Annual Meeting, our Board of Directors will consist of fifteentwelve members until such time as the Board may determine to change the number of directors.

Depending on the outcome of the vote to declassify our Board, each nominee, if re-elected at the Annual Meeting, will hold office for a term expiring as follows and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified:
NomineeExpiration of Term if Declassification of Board is Approved
Expiration of Term if Declassification of Board is not Approved
Thomas L. Brown2018 Annual Meeting2020 Annual Meeting
Phupinder S. Gill2018 Annual Meeting2020 Annual Meeting
Kathryn J. Hayley2018 Annual Meeting2019 Annual Meeting
Frank B. Modruson2018 Annual Meeting2020 Annual Meeting
Ellen A. Rudnick2018 Annual Meeting2020 Annual Meeting
Michael J. Small2018 Annual Meeting2020 Annual Meeting
Stephen C. Van Arsdell2018 Annual Meeting2019 Annual Meeting


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Directors of the Company are elected by a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.  If a director nominee fails to receive the required majority vote for election, the nominee will tender his or her resignation as a director in accordance with our By-Laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will determine whether it is in the best interests of the Company to accept or reject any tendered resignation.

resignation, or whether other action should be taken.  The Board of Directors will publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within 90 days from the date of the certification of election results.

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 on the Proxy Card will vote for the election of such other person as the Board of Directors may recommend.

Board Composition Diversity, Tenure and Refreshment

Experience

Our fifteentwelve continuing directors have significant and diverse operational, financial, risk, technology, corporate governance, leadership and other experience.  Over the past twoseveral years, twofive of our directors have announced their retirement and we have added four new directors.  Throughout this process, we have enhanced the existing industry and Company-specific knowledge of our Board of Directors with the fresh perspectives brought by our new directors.  We believe the result is an even more active and engaged Board with the skill sets necessary to guide the Company as it grows and as our business strategy and the banking industry around us continue to evolve.

2019 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

Item 1  Election of Directors

The following charts illustrate the varying tenure, independence, diversity and qualifications and experience of our continuing directors:

piechartsproxy2016a01.jpg

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Tenure

Key Experience

0-5 yrs
42%

6-10 yrs
25%

>10 yrs
33%

ü

CEO or senior executive officer

ü

Business operations and management

ü

Independent
83%

Corporate governance

Women and Minority
33%

üExecutive compensation

Other Public Company Experience
83%

3 of 12 (25%) Women

ü

Mergers and acquisitions

üStrategic planning and growth
üRisk managementüRegulatory, compliance and legal
üAcademiaüEthics and integrity
üFinancial expertise/literacyüCivic and community engagement
üOther outside board experienceüGlobal and international experience
üBanking and financial services industryüBrand management and marketing
üCyber and information securityüInformation technology
üHuman resourcesüEmployee benefits



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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 include:

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.
Guidelines.

Picture 93

We do not set specific minimum qualifications that nominees must meet in order to be recommended to the 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 of Directors.our Board.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee discusses and evaluates possible candidates in detail, and outside consultants are sometimes engaged to help identify potential candidates.

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Item 1  Election of Directors

When making recommendations for nominees to the Board, 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, gender or minority status, perspective, viewpoint 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 who desires to formally nominate a candidate must do so by following the procedures described in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.

2017 Nominees and Continuing Directors
The evaluation and selection of each member of the Board of Directors is based on a variety of factors, as described above. The Board believes that each of the Company’s directors possesses the requisite skills, experience and attributes to qualify him or her to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
For each of the nominees for election at this Annual Meeting, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered, among other factors, the following:
Thomas L. Brown – Mr. Brown’s significant finance, accounting, auditing and risk management background, including his experience as a current member of executive management of a public company and a former partner of a Big 4 public accounting firm, where he also served as Midwest Regional Financial Services Director.
Phupinder S. Gill – Mr. Gill’s extensive public company board and executive management experience, including his risk and M&A experience.
Kathryn J. Hayley – Ms. Hayley’s strong information technology and financial services background and extensive strategic planning and business and operations management experience, as well as her human resources and talent management experience, developed as a senior executive of several global companies and consulting firms.


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Frank B. Modruson – Mr. Modruson’s extensive background in technology and operations management, significant strategic and risk management experience and service on other public company boards.
Ellen A. Rudnick – Ms. Rudnick’s leadership and entrepreneurial experience, as well as her business management experience and service on other public company boards.
Michael J. Small – Mr. Small’s significant public company and management experience, including his strategic, operating and management experience gained as the current chief executive officer of a public company.
Stephen C. Van Arsdell – Mr. Van Arsdell’s strong accounting, auditing and risk management experience, as well as his extensive leadership and strategic skills and experience with public companies, developed as a former partner and chief executive officer of a Big 4 public accounting firm.
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Set forth below is the name of each member of the Board,director nominee, along with his or her principal occupation for at least the previous five years and other professional experience.

Nominees Standing for Election at the Annual Meeting

Picture 3

Barbara A. Boigegrain

Current Position: Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary, Wespath Benefits and Investments
Committee(s): Compensation Committee (Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Advisory Committee
Independent Director

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Thomas L. Brown

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  Age: 60

Ms. Boigegrain has served as the Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of Wespath Benefits and Investments (formerly the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church) since 1994.  Wespath is a pension, health and welfare benefit trustee and administrator that is one of the largest faith-based pension funds in the United States, with $23 billion of assets under management, and a global leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing.

Prior to 1994, Ms. Boigegrain spent eleven years as a consultant with Towers Perrin and four years with KPMG LLP and Dart Industries as a manager and analyst.

Ms. Boigegrain is a member of the board of directors of Church Benefits Association and the Church Alliance, and the board of trustees of Emory & Henry College.

As the CEO and General Secretary of Wespath, Ms. Boigegrain has overseen its restructuring, significantly improved its performance and services and increased its assets under management.  In her experience as a benefits consultant, she established the San Diego office of Towers Perrin.

Age: 61
Director since: 2017Since: 2008

  Independent: ü

Ms. Boigegrain earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Psychology from Trinity University in 1979.

Through her extensive employee benefits, senior leadership and corporate governance experience, Ms. Boigegrain brings significant leadership, business development, operations and management skills to our Board of Directors.  She also provides valuable knowledge of compensation, financial markets, strategic growth, ESG investing and governance.

Since 2011, Mr. Brown has been the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RLI Corp. (NASDAQ), a specialty insurer serving diverse niche property, casualty and surety markets. Previously, he was a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he served for ten years as its Midwest Regional Financial Services Director and led teams responsible for the banking, insurance, capital markets and investment management business sectors. Mr. Brown is a certified public accountant.
Mr. Brown currently serves on the board of directors of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (since 2016). He also serves on the boards of directors of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Easter Seals Central Illinois, and the board of trustees of Illinois Wesleyan University.

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The Board intends to appoint Mr. Brown to the Audit Committee and, upon formation, the Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017.
Mr. Brown earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1979.
With his extensive finance and accounting background, combined with the insights of a member of the senior management of a public company, Mr. Brown brings valuable finance, accounting, strategic planning, risk and business management skills and experience to our Board of Directors.



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Item 1  Election of Directors


Picture 20

Thomas L. Brown

Current Position: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, RLI Corp. (NASDAQ)
Committee(s):  Audit Committee, Enterprise Risk Committee
Independent Director

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EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Brown has been the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RLI Corp., a specialty insurer serving diverse niche property, casualty and surety markets, since 2017.  From 2011 to 2017, he served as RLI Corp.’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Previously, Mr. Brown was a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he served for ten years as its Midwest Regional Financial Services Director and led teams responsible for the banking, insurance, capital markets and investment management business sectors.

Mr. Brown currently serves on the board of directors of Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (since 2016).  He also serves on the boards of directors of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Easter Seals Central Illinois.  From 2004 through 2017, Mr. Brown served on the board of trustees of Illinois Wesleyan University.

Age: 62
Director Since: 2017

Mr. Brown earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1979.  He is a certified public accountant.

With his extensive finance and accounting background, combined with the insights of a member of senior management of a public company, Mr. Brown brings valuable finance, accounting, strategic planning, risk and business management skills and experience to our Board of Directors.

Picture 25

Phupinder S. Gill

  Age: 56

Current Position: Former Chief Executive Officer, CME Group, Inc. (NYSE)
Committee(s):  Audit Committee, Enterprise Risk Committee
Independent Director

  Director since: 2010

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Gill served as the Chief Executive Officer of CME Group Inc., a global derivatives marketplace and exchange, from 2012 until his retirement on December 31, 2016.  Prior thereto, he served as President from 2007 until 2012, and he previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of CME Holdings and of CME from 2004 until 2007.  From 2000 to 2003, he served as Managing Director and President of CME Clearing.  Mr. Gill was also the President of GFX Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CME Group that provides liquidity in foreign exchange futures, from 1998 until 2012.

Mr. Gill currently serves on the board of directors of The Alexander Maxwell Grant Foundation.  From 2012 until his retirement on December 31, 2016, he served on the boards of CME Group and the World Federation of Exchanges.  He also previously served on the boards of CME Clearing Europe (CME Group’s UK Clearing House), Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., CME Group Foundation and CME Group Community Foundation.  Mr. Gill is a past member of CME Group’s Competitive Markets Advisory Council.

Age: Independent: 58
üDirector Since: 2010

Mr. Gill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1985 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance in 1987 from Washington State University.

Through his board and executive management experience, Mr. Gill brings important public company, technology, risk management, operating and senior management experience to our Board of Directors, as well as experience with M&A and global affairs.  He also provides the perspective of a former chief executive officer of a public company.

Mr. Gill served as the Chief Executive Officer of CME Group Inc. (NYSE), a global derivatives marketplace and exchange, from 2012 until his retirement on December 31, 2016. Prior thereto, he served as President from 2007 until 2012, and he previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of CME Holdings and of CME from 2004 until 2007. From 2000 to 2003, he served as Managing Director and President of CME Clearing. Mr. Gill was also the President of GFX Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Group that provides liquidity in foreign exchange futures, from 1998 until 2012.
Mr. Gill currently serves on the board of directors of The Alexander Maxwell Grant Foundation. From 2012 until his retirement on December 31, 2016, he served on the boards of CME Group and the World Federation of Exchanges. He also previously served on the boards of CME Clearing Europe (CME Group’s UK Clearing House), Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., CME Group Foundation and CME Group Community Foundation. Mr. Gill is a past member of CME Group’s Competitive Markets Advisory Council.

Mr. Gill is a member of our Audit Committee. The Board intends to appoint Mr. Gill, upon formation, to the Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017.
Mr. Gill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1985 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance in 1987 from Washington State University.
Through his board and executive management experience, Mr. Gill brings important public company, technology, leadership, operating and senior management experience to our Board of Directors, as well as experience with M&A and global affairs. He also provides the perspective of a former chief executive officer of a public company.

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Kathryn J. Hayley
  Age: 58
  Director since: 2016
  Independent: ü

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Ms. Hayley is the Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Advisory Services, LLC, a business advisory services firm. Previously, she served as an Executive Vice President of UnitedHealthcare (a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (NYSE)), a position in which she served from 2012 to 2015, overseeing a number of strategic initiatives at this global healthcare company. From 2006 to 2012, she served as an executive of Aon plc (NYSE), including as Chief Executive Officer of Aon Consulting Worldwide and Aon Hewitt Consulting Americas. Prior to her service at Aon, Ms. Hayley was an information technology principal at Deloitte Consulting and led the U.S. financial services practice. She also served on the board of directors of Deloitte & Touche LLP U.S.

Ms. Hayley currently serves on the board of directors of Tribridge Holdings, LLC (since 2015) and the advisory board of E.A. Renfroe & Company, Inc. (since 2016). She also serves on the board of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
The Board of Directors intends to appoint Ms. Hayley to the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee in May 2017.



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Item 1  Election of Directors


Ms. Hayley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Computer Science from Illinois State University in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration, with concentrations in Marketing and Finance, from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 1984.
Through her extensive information technology and financial services background and her broad executive management experience, as well as her human resources and talent management experience, Ms. Hayley provides our Board with valuable strategic planning and business and operations management experience, as well as the global insights of a former senior executive of multiple global companies.

Picture 26

Kathryn J. Hayley

Current Position: Chief Executive Officer, Rosewood Advisory Services, LLC
Committee(s):  Audit Committee, Compensation Committee
Independent Director

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Frank B. Modruson

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  Age: 57

Ms. Hayley is the Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Advisory Services, LLC, a business advisory services firm.

Previously, she served as an Executive Vice President of UnitedHealthcare (a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (NYSE)), a position in which she served from 2012 to 2015, overseeing a number of strategic initiatives at this global healthcare company.  From 2006 to 2012, she served as an executive of Aon plc (NYSE), including as Chief Executive Officer of Aon Consulting Worldwide and Aon Hewitt Consulting Americas.  Prior to her service at Aon, Ms. Hayley was an information technology partner at Deloitte Consulting and led the U.S. financial services practice.  She also served on the board of directors of Deloitte & Touche LLP U.S.

Ms. Hayley currently serves on the board of Alight Solutions, LLC (since 2018) and the advisory board of E.A. Renfroe & Company, Inc. (since 2016).  She previously served on the board of directors of Tribridge Holdings, LLC (2015 to 2017).  She also serves on the board of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Age: 60
Director since:Since: 2016

  Independent: ü

Ms. Hayley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Computer Science from Illinois State University in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration, with concentrations in Marketing and Finance, from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 1984.

Through her extensive information technology and financial services background and her broad executive management experience, as well as her human resources and talent management experience, Ms. Hayley provides our Board with valuable strategic planning and business, operations and management experience, as well as the insights of a former senior executive of several public companies.

Mr. Modruson has served as President of Modruson & Associates, LLC, a management consulting firm, since 2015. Prior thereto, Mr. Modruson spent the majority of his career at Accenture plc, a global professional services company, where he served as a client partner and as Chief Information Officer.
He currently serves on the boards of directors of Landauer Corporation (since 2017; NYSE), Zebra Technologies Corporation (since 2014; NASDAQ), and Forsythe Technology, Inc. (since 2014). Mr. Modruson also serves on the boards of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company.

The Board of Directors intends to appoint Mr. Modruson to the Audit Committee and, upon formation, the Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017.
Mr. Modruson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Dickinson College in 1984 and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Pennsylvania State University in 1987.
With his significant strategy, consulting and technology background, as well as experience on other public company boards, Mr. Modruson brings important strategic and business insights, as well as risk management and technological and operational efficiencies experience to our Board of Directors.

2019 Proxy Statement

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Ellen A. Rudnick
  Age: 66
  Director since: 2005
  Independent: ü

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Since 1999, Ms. Rudnick has served at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She is currently a Senior Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, and she previously served as the Executive Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Ms. Rudnick served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Knowledge Resources, President of HCIA, Chairman of Pacific Biometrics and Corporate Vice President of Baxter Healthcare Corporation.

Ms. Rudnick currently serves on the boards of directors of Patterson Companies (since 2003; NASDAQ) and HMS Holdings, Corp. (since 1997; NASDAQ), and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (since 2001).
Ms. Rudnick is a member of our Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.



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Item 1  Election of Directors


Ms. Rudnick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian (with a minor in Economics) from Vassar College in 1972 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1973. She has spent over 30 years in business management and entrepreneurial activities, primarily in the healthcare 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, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Center (1871) and Matter. She is the recipient of several honors, including the Today’s Chicago Woman 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Award, the YWCA Leadership Award and the Illinois Venture Capital Industry Richard J. Daley Award.
With her extensive business background and her public company board experience, Ms. Rudnick brings important leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial experience to our Board of Directors, as well as valuable experience in business management.

Picture 27

Peter J. Henseler

Current Position: President, TOMY International
Committee(s):    Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Independent Director

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EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Henseler is the President and a director of TOMY International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TOMY Company, Ltd., a global designer and marketer of toys and infant products.  He is also the founder and President of Wise Consulting Group Inc., a strategy and management consulting firm.  He rejoined TOMY International in 2017 after serving as Vice Chairman until his retirement in 2012.  Mr. Henseler previously held the position of President of TOMY International from 2011 until 2012.  He was President of RC2 Corporation (NASDAQ) from 2002 to 2011, at which time TOMY Company acquired RC2.  He served as RC2’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1999 to 2002.  Mr. Henseler also previously served as a director of RC2.

Prior to joining RC2, Mr. Henseler held marketing positions at McDonald’s Corporation and Hasbro, Inc.  In February 2018, he completed his tenure as Chairman of the Toy Industry Foundation and now serves as an executive advisor to the board.  He also previously served on the board of directors of the American Toy Industry Association.

Age: 60
Director Since: 2011

Mr. Henseler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Xavier University in 1980.

Mr. Henseler brings important executive management, operating and leadership skills and insights to our Board of Directors through his experience as a president of a global public company, as well as his substantial operational, brand management and marketing experience.

Picture 30

Frank B. Modruson

Current Position: President, Modruson & Associates, LLC
Committee(s):  Audit Committee, Enterprise Risk Committee
Independent Director

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Modruson has served as President of Modruson & Associates, LLC, a management consulting firm, since 2015.

Previously, Mr. Modruson spent the majority of his career at Accenture plc, a global professional services company, where he served as a client partner and as Chief Information Officer.

He currently serves on the board of directors of Zebra Technologies Corporation (since 2014; NASDAQ).  Previously, Mr. Modruson served on the boards of directors of Landauer Corporation (2017; NYSE) and Forsythe Technology, Inc. (2014 to 2017), both of which were acquired in 2017.  He also serves on the boards of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company.

Age: 59
Director Since: 2016

Mr. Modruson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Dickinson College in 1984 and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Pennsylvania State University in 1987.

With his significant technology, strategy and consulting background, as well as experience on other public company boards, Mr. Modruson brings important strategic and business insights, as well as technology, risk management and operational efficiencies experience to our Board of Directors.

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Item 1  Election of Directors

Picture 31

Ellen A. Rudnick

Current Position: Senior Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Committee(s): Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Independent Director

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Ms. Rudnick has served at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business since 1999.  She is currently a Senior Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, and she previously served as the Executive Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Prior to joining the University of Chicago, Ms. Rudnick served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Knowledge Resources, President of HCIA, Chairman of Pacific Biometrics and Corporate Vice President of Baxter Healthcare Corporation.

Ms. Rudnick currently serves on the boards of directors of HMS Holdings, Corp. (since 1997; NASDAQ), Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (since 2001) and Patterson Companies (since 2003; NASDAQ).

She has spent over thirty 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 board of the Northshore University Health System for over 20 years and on the board of Hyde Park Angels, and currently is on the boards of directors of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurship Center (1871) and Matter.  She is the recipient of several honors, including the Today’s Chicago Woman 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Award, the YWCA Leadership Award, the Illinois Venture Capital Industry Richard J. Daley Award and the 1871 Entrepreneurial Champion Award.

Age: 68
Director Since: 2005

Ms. Rudnick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian (with a minor in Economics) from Vassar College in 1972 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1973.

With her extensive business background and her public company board experience, 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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Mark G. Sander

Current Position: President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
Inside Director

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Sander is the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and of First Midwest Bank.  Mr. Sander also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of First Midwest Bank.  He served as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 2011 until his promotion in January 2019.

Prior to joining the Company in 2011, Mr. Sander served as Executive Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking at Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE), where he oversaw Associated’s commercial banking, treasury management, insurance brokerage and capital markets businesses.  He also served as a member of Associated’s Executive and ALCO Committees.  Previously, he served as a commercial banking executive at Bank of America and in numerous leadership positions in commercial banking at LaSalle Bank.  Mr. Sander has more than thirty-five years of experience in the financial services industry.

Age: 60
Director Since: 2014

Mr. Sander earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois in 1980 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and International Economics from the University of Chicago in 1983.

Mr. Sander brings significant banking industry and executive experience to our Board of Directors.  His important leadership position with the Company and First Midwest Bank and his involvement with the operations, vision and strategy of the Company and the Bank provide the Board with an understanding of the Company’s day-to-day operations and strategic goals.

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Michael L. Scudder

Current Position: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
Committee(s):  Advisory Committee (Chair)
Inside Director

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Scudder is the Chairman of the Board (since 2017) and Chief Executive Officer (since 2008) of the Company. He also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bank.  Mr. Scudder served as the Company’s President from 2007 to January 2019, as its Chief Operating Officer from 2007 to 2008 and as its Chief Financial Officer from 2002 to 2007.  He previously served as the Group Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Midwest Bank from 1995 to 2001.  He also has served in various other management capacities in his over thirty years of service to the Company.  Mr. Scudder began his professional career at KPMG LLP, an international public accounting firm.

Mr. Scudder is an active member of the ABA’s American Bankers CEO Council and the Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America.  He also serves on the board of directors of Silver Cross Hospital, the board of trustees of DePaul University, the executive committee of DePaul University’s Center for Financial Services and the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Council’s Executive Advisory Board.  Additionally, he is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Bankers Club of Chicago.  He previously served as an inaugural member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council.

Age: 58
Director Since: 2008

Mr. Scudder earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1982, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from DePaul University in 1993.

Mr. Scudder brings extensive executive management, financial and banking experience to our Board of Directors and has 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’s vision, strategy and operations, as well as deep financial services industry knowledge.

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Michael J. Small

  Age: 59

Current Position: Chief Executive Officer, K4 Mobility LLC
Committee(s):  Audit Committee, Enterprise Risk Committee
Independent Director

  Director since: 2010

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Small is a founder and the Chief Executive Officer of K4 Mobility LLC, a technology developer and provider of satellite communications services, since August 2018.

Previously, Mr. Small served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Gogo, Inc. (NASDAQ), an airborne communications service provider, from 2010 until March 2018.  Prior to joining Gogo, Mr. Small served as the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Centennial Communications Corp. (NASDAQ) from 1999 to 2009.  From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Small was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 360 Degrees Communications Company.  Prior to 1995, he held the position of President of Lynch Corporation (NYSEMKT), a diversified acquisition-oriented company with operations in telecommunications, manufacturing and transportation services.

Age: Independent: 61
üDirector Since: 2010

Mr. Small earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Colgate University in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1981.

Through his board, executive and financial experience, Mr. Small brings extensive public company, operating and management experience to our Board of Directors, as well as strategic, financial, technology and M&A experience.  He also provides the perspective of a former chief executive officer of a public company.

Mr. Small is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gogo, Inc. (NASDAQ), an airborne communications service provider, and has served in this capacity since 2010. He has also served as a director of Gogo, Inc. since 2010. Prior to joining Gogo, Mr. Small served as the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Centennial Communications Corp. (NASDAQ) from 1999 to 2009. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Small was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 360 Degrees Communications Company. Prior to 1995, he held the position of President of Lynch Corporation (NYSEMKT), a diversified acquisition-oriented company with operations in telecommunications, manufacturing and transportation services.
Mr. Small is a member of our Audit Committee. The Board intends to appoint Mr. Small, upon formation, to the Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017.

Mr. Small earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Colgate University in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1981.
Through his board, executive and financial experience, Mr. Small brings extensive public company, operating and management experience to our Board of Directors, as well as strategic, financial and M&A experience. He also provides the perspective of a current chief executive officer of a public company.

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Stephen C. Van Arsdell

  Age: 66

Current Position: Former Senior Partner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Committee(s):  Audit Committee (Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Independent Director

  Director since: 2017

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Van Arsdell is a former senior partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2010 to 2012, and as Deputy Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2010.  Previously, he served as Deloitte’s partner-in-charge of its financial services practice in the Midwest, and he was a member of Deloitte’s board from 2003 through 2009.

Mr. Van Arsdell is a member of the Audit Committee of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (since 2015).  He also is a member of the Dean’s advisory council for the Geis College of Business at the University of Illinois and Chair of the board of directors of the University of Illinois Alumni Alliance.  He is a member of the Illinois Alumni Association Board of Advisors.  Mr. Van Arsdell currently serves on the board of trustees of the Morton Arboretum and previously chaired the board of trustees of the Conservation Foundation.

Age: Independent: 68
üDirector Since: 2017

Mr. Van Arsdell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Masters of Accounting Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1972 and 1973, respectively.  He is a certified public accountant.

Mr. Van Arsdell brings to our Board extensive accounting, auditing, risk management and financial experience, together with strategic and leadership skills developed through executive leadership positions with a global accounting and advisory services organization.

Mr. Van Arsdell is a former senior partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2010 to 2012, and as Deputy Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2010. Previously, he served as Deloitte’s partner-in-charge of its financial services practice in the Midwest, and he was a member of Deloitte’s board from 2003 through 2009. Mr. Van Arsdell is a certified public accountant.

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J. Stephen Vanderwoude

Current Position: Lead Independent Director of the Company, Private Investor
Committee(s):  Enterprise Risk Committee (Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Advisory Committee
Independent Director

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Vanderwoude has served as the Company’s Lead Independent Director since 2017.  He is currently a private investor.

From 1996 until 2007, Mr. Vanderwoude served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at 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. (NASDAQ), and President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Centel Corporation (NYSE).  Mr. Vanderwoude served as a member of the board of directors of Centennial Communications Corp. (NASDAQ) from 2002 to 2009 and as its Chairman from 2007 to 2009.

Age: 75
Director Since: 1991

Mr. Vanderwoude earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967 and a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Economics and Marketing 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 and risk management, strategic planning, finance, M&A and public company matters to our Board of Directors.

Mr. Van Arsdell is a member of the Audit Committee of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (since 2015). He also is a member of the Dean’s advisory council for the College of Business at the University of Illinois and Vice

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Item 1  Election of Directors


Chairman of the board of directors of the University of Illinois Alumni Association. Mr. Van Arsdell currently serves on the board of trustees of the Morton Arboretum and previously chaired the board of trustees of the Conservation Foundation. He is a past member of the boards of the Illinois Cancer Council, Kidney Foundation of Illinois and Literacy Volunteers of America-Illinois.
The Board intends to appoint Mr. Van Arsdell to the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in May 2017.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Masters of Accounting Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1972 and 1973, respectively.
Mr. Van Arsdell brings to our Board extensive accounting, auditing, risk management and financial experience, together with strategic and leadership skills developed through executive leadership positions with a global accounting and advisory services organization.
Continuing Directors Serving a Term Expiring in 2018
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Barbara A. Boigegrain
  Age: 59
  Director since: 2008
  Independent: ü
Since 1994, Ms. Boigegrain has served as the Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of Wespath Benefits and Investments (formerly the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church), a pension, health and welfare benefit trustee and administrator that is one of the largest faith-based pension funds in the United States, with $21 billion of assets under management, and a global leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. Prior to 1994, Ms. Boigegrain spent eleven years as a consultant with Towers Perrin and four years with KPMG LLP and Dart Industries as a manager and analyst.
As the CEO and General Secretary of Wespath, Ms. Boigegrain has overseen its restructuring, significantly improved its performance and services and increased its assets under management. In her experience as a benefits consultant, she established the San Diego office of Towers Perrin. Ms. Boigegrain also is a member of the board of directors of Church Benefits Association and Chair of the Church Alliance.
Ms. Boigegrain is a member of our Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Ms. Boigegrain earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Psychology from Trinity University in 1979.
Through her extensive employee benefits, senior leadership and corporate governance experience, Ms. Boigegrain brings significant leadership, business development, operations and management skills to our Board of Directors. She also provides valuable knowledge of financial markets and strategic growth.


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Peter J. Henseler
  Age: 58
  Director since: 2011
  Independent: ü
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 TOMY Company, Ltd., a global designer and marketer of toys and infant products, until his retirement from TOMY International in October 2012. He held the position of President of TOMY International from April 2011 until April 2012. Mr. Henseler was President of RC2 Corporation (NASDAQ) from 2002 to 2011, at which time TOMY Company acquired RC2. He served as RC2’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Henseler also served as a director of RC2 and TOMY International.
Prior to joining RC2, Mr. Henseler held marketing positions at McDonald’s Corporation and Hasbro, Inc. He currently serves as Chairman of the Toy Industry Foundation and previously served on the United States Toy Industry Association Board of Directors.
Mr. Henseler is a member of our Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Mr. Henseler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Xavier University in 1980.
Mr. Henseler brings important executive management, operating and leadership skills and insights to our Board of Directors through his experience as a former president of a global public company, as well as his substantial operational, brand management and marketing experience.
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Patrick J. McDonnell
  Age: 73
  Director since: 2002
  Independent: ü
Since 2000, Mr. McDonnell has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The McDonnell Company LLC, 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. Mr. McDonnell is a certified public accountant.
Mr. McDonnell served as a member of the board of directors of Material Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ) from 2006 to 2014. He also served as President and COO of LAI Worldwide, Inc., an executive recruiting firm, prior to its sale to TMP Worldwide, Inc. in 1999. He is a former Adjunct Professor at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where he taught “Leading Organizational Change.”
Mr. McDonnell is a member of our Audit Committee (serving as its Chair) and Advisory Committee. The Board intends to appoint Mr. McDonnell, upon formation, to the Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017.
Mr. McDonnell earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Management from the University of Notre Dame in 1965 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1970.


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Through his significant finance and accounting background and his broad experience with a variety of public companies, Mr. McDonnell brings valuable tactical skills and experience in business management, strategic planning, finance, accounting and public company matters to our Board of Directors.
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Robert P. O’Meara
  Age: 79
  Director since: 1982
  Independent: ü
Mr. O’Meara is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Company. He has over 45 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. Mr. O’Meara previously served as Chairman of the Board of the Company from 1998 through 2007 and was re-appointed to this position in September 2008. Mr. O’Meara also is a member of the Board of Directors of First Midwest Bank and previously served as Chairman of the Board of the Bank from 2008 through 2011, and Vice Chair from 2011 through 2014.
Mr. O’Meara served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from 1987 through 2002 and as its Chief Operating Officer from 1983 to 1987. Prior to his tenure with the Company, Mr. O’Meara served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens National Bank of Waukegan from 1970 to 1983. Prior thereto, he was in private law practice in Lake County, Illinois, and he remains a licensed lawyer in the State of Illinois. Mr. O’Meara also has served in various leadership positions with several civic and charitable organizations in the metropolitan Chicago area.
Mr. O’Meara serves as a member and the Chair of the Advisory Committee.
Mr. O’Meara earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame in 1959 and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1962.
Through his extensive background and experience in banking, management and strategic decision-making, as well as his in-depth knowledge of both the history and the current business of the Company, Mr. O’Meara provides our Board of Directors with significant executive experience and important information about the Company, as well as insight into the markets it serves and the financial services industry generally.
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Mark G. Sander
  Age: 58
  Director since: 2014
  Independent: Insider
Mr. Sander is the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the President and Chief Operating Officer of First Midwest Bank. Mr. Sander also serves as a director of First Midwest Bank.
Prior to joining the Company in 2011, Mr. Sander served as Executive Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking at Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE) where he oversaw Associated’s commercial banking, treasury management, insurance brokerage and capital markets businesses. He also served as a member of Associated’s Executive and ALCO Committees. Previously, he served as a commercial banking executive at Bank of America and in numerous leadership positions in commercial banking at LaSalle Bank. Mr. Sander has more than thirty years of experience in the financial services industry.


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Mr. Sander earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois in 1980 and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and International Economics from the University of Chicago in 1983.
Mr. Sander brings significant banking industry and executive experience to our Board of Directors. His important leadership position with the Company and First Midwest Bank and his involvement with the operations, vision and strategy of the Company and the Bank provide the Board with an understanding of the Company’s day-to-day operations and strategic goals.
Continuing Directors Serving a Term Expiring in 2019
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Br. James Gaffney, FSC
  Age: 74
  Director since: 1998
  Independent: ü
Br. James served as the President of Lewis University, a leading Catholic and Lasallian university in Romeoville, Illinois, from 1988 until 2016. He currently serves as President Emeritus.
Br. James has served as a director, trustee or board member of more than ten educational, religious, civic, corporate and community organizations and agencies. He currently serves on the board of trustees of St. Mary’s College of California, the board of the International Association of Lasallian Universities and the board (as Vice Chair) of the American Red Cross – Illinois Valley Chapter. He also recently served on the boards of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, the Community Foundation of Will County and the Will County Center for Economic Development. As a member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, he chaired the Lasallian Association of College and University Presidents for 28 years.
Br. James has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice Medallion from the Vatican in 2013, the Roger Osman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service from the United Way of Will County, a Lifetime Achievement Award and an Excellence in Education Award from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the De La Salle Award from Bethlehem University, the Provena St. Joseph Medical Center Founder’s Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Village of Romeoville and honorary Doctoral Degrees from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Bethlehem University and the University of St. Francis in Joliet.
Br. James is a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (serving as its Chair) and Advisory Committee.
Br. James obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and a Master of Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, a Master of Theology from Manhattan College in New York and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Theology from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois.
Br. James’s extensive background in executive administration enables him to bring valuable leadership, institutional management and consensus-building skills to our Board of Directors. His civic and charitable activities in the metropolitan Chicago area also give him unique insight into many of the markets and communities in which the Company operates.


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Michael L. Scudder
  Age: 56
  Director since: 2008
  Independent: Insider
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.
Prior to his current appointment in September 2008, Mr. Scudder served as the Company’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 thirty years of service to the Company. Mr. Scudder began his professional career at KPMG LLP, an international public accounting firm.
Mr. Scudder serves as a member of our Advisory Committee.
Mr. Scudder earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1982, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from DePaul University in 1993. He is an active member of the ABA’s American Bankers CEO Council and the Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America. He is also a member of the Silver Cross Hospital board of directors, the Executive Committee of DePaul University’s Center for Financial Services and the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Council’s Executive Advisory Board. Additionally, he is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Bankers Club of Chicago. He previously served as an inaugural member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council.
Mr. Scudder brings extensive executive management, financial and banking experience to our Board of Directors and has 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’s vision, strategy and operations as well as deep financial services industry knowledge.
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J. Stephen Vanderwoude
  Age: 73
  Director since: 1991
  Independent: ü
Mr. Vanderwoude is currently a private investor. From 1996 until April 2007, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at 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. (NASDAQ), and President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Centel Corporation (NYSE). Mr. Vanderwoude served as a member of the board of directors of Centennial Communications Corp. (NASDAQ) from 2002 to 2009 and as its Chairman from 2007 to 2009.
Mr. Vanderwoude earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967 and a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Economics and Marketing from the University of Chicago in 1977.


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Mr. Vanderwoude is a member of our Compensation Committee (serving as its Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Advisory Committee. The Board intends to appoint Mr. Vanderwoude, upon formation, to the Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017.
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, M&A and public company matters to our Board of Directors.
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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 titledentitled Corporate Governance at First Midwest or visit the Investor Relations section of our website at www.firstmidwest.com/officersdirectors.

Directors’ Recommendation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the election of each of
Barbara A. Boigegrain, Thomas L. Brown, Phupinder S. Gill, Kathryn J. Hayley, Peter J. Henseler,
Frank B. Modruson, Ellen A. Rudnick, Mark G. Sander, Michael L. Scudder, Michael J. Small,
Stephen C. Van Arsdell and J. Stephen Vanderwoude as directors of the Company as set forth above.

Directors’ Recommendation

2019 Proxy Statement

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The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the election of each of Thomas L. Brown, Phupinder S. Gill, Kathryn J. Hayley, Frank B. Modruson, Ellen A. Rudnick, Michael J. Small and Stephen C. Van Arsdell as directors of the Company as set forth above.
ITEM  2—APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Background
Our Certificate of Incorporation currently divides our Board of Directors into three classes, with the members of each class serving for staggered three-year terms. As a result, only one class of directors stands for election at each of the Company’s annual meetings of stockholders, such that stockholders vote on and elect approximately one-third of the Board each year. Under Delaware law, directors under a classified board structure may be removed by stockholders only for cause. At this Annual Meeting, we are asking stockholders to approve and adopt a proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board of Directors. If approved, the declassification would be phased-in such that directors, including the nominees standing for election at this Annual Meeting, would be elected for one-year terms as their present terms expire. The amendment would include corresponding changes to allow stockholders to remove directors with or without cause.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered and then recommended to our Board of Directors the proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board and corresponding changes. Our Board of Directors accepted this recommendation, determined that the proposed amendment was advisable and unanimously approved and adopted, at a meeting held in February 2017, 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 to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State, which the Company intends to file shortly after the Annual Meeting. The amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board of Directors is not contingent upon the approval of any other proposal submitted at the Annual Meeting, including Item 3—Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000.



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Text of the Proposed Amendment
Paragraph (c) of PART III—GENERAL PROVISIONS of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE FOURTH.  Authorized Stock.
PART III—GENERAL PROVISIONS
(c)
Removal of Directors.  Any or all directors may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock. For purposes of this paragraph (c), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant to this Article Fourth.
Paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of ARTICLE FIFTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be deleted in their entirety and replaced with new Paragraphs (c), (d) and (e), which would read as follows:
ARTICLE FIFTH.  Board of Directors.
. . .
(c)The successors of the directors whose terms expire at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders shall serve a term of office to expire at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, the successors of the directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall serve a term of office to expire at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, and at each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter, the successors of the directors whose terms expire at each such meeting shall serve a term of office expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders next following their election.
(d)Each director shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her death, retirement, resignation or removal. Should a vacancy occur or be created, such vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy arising through death, retirement, resignation or removal of a director shall hold office until the end of the term to which such director’s predecessor was chosen. A director elected to fill a vacancy created through an increase in the number of directors shall serve a term of office to expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders.
(e)Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article Fifth, whenever the holders of any outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and of the resolution of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such class or series of Preferred Stock applicable thereto.
Paragraphs (g), (h), (i) and (j) of ARTICLE FIFTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be redesignated as Paragraphs (f), (g), (h) and (i), respectively, with corresponding internal changes to references.


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Appendix A shows the proposed changes to the relevant sections of ARTICLE FOURTH and ARTICLE FIFTH of the Certificate of Incorporation resulting from the proposed amendments, with deletions indicated by strike-outs and additions indicated by underlining.
Reasons for the Proposed Amendment
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Board of Directors periodically consider the Company’s corporate governance practices and structures. As part of that process, the Board considers corporate trends, peer practices, the views of our institutional stockholders and the guidelines of proxy advisory firms. As such, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have, from time to time, reviewed our classified board structure, most recently earlier this year.
After careful consideration, and upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors determined at its meeting held in February 2017, subject to stockholder approval, to declassify the Board over a phase-in period, commencing at this Annual Meeting.
In making this decision, the Board considered that many public companies have taken action to declassify their boards of directors. The Board of Directors further weighed the merits of both a classified board and an annually-elected board. In conducting its evaluation, the Board considered the advantages of a classified board structure, such as promoting board stability and continuity, providing a greater opportunity to protect the interests of stockholders in the event of an unsolicited takeover offer and reinforcing a commitment to long-term perspectives and value creation for our stockholders. The Board also considered, however, the corporate governance trend towards annual elections of directors, as well as the views of many of the Company’s institutional stockholders that an annually-elected board is preferable, as it enables stockholders to express a view and vote on the entire board of directors each year.
Effect of the Proposed Amendment
If the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board is approved and adopted by our stockholders, our Certificate of Incorporation will be amended as set forth above.
Specifically, if the amendment is approved and adopted, our directors would be elected as follows:
Assuming each is elected at the Annual Meeting, each of Mr. Brown, Mr. Gill, Ms. Hayley, Mr. Modruson, Ms. Rudnick and Messrs. Small and Van Arsdell would be elected to a one-year term expiring at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, regardless of the class in which they currently serve.
Each of Ms. Boigegrain and Messrs. Henseler, McDonnell, O’Meara and Sander would continue to serve as directors in the class whose term ends at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. At our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, such of these individuals and the directors elected at this Annual Meeting or their successors (but not those directors serving in the class whose term ends at the 2019 annual meeting) who are nominated by our Board to serve as directors would be elected to serve one-year terms.
Each of Br. James and Messrs. Scudder and Vanderwoude would continue to serve as directors in the class whose term ends at our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders. At our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and at each annual meeting thereafter, all directors would be elected to serve one-year terms.
In all cases, each director will serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her death, retirement, resignation or removal.


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Accordingly, if the amendment is approved and adopted, approximately 80% of our Board will stand for election at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, and the Board will be completely declassified and all directors will be elected annually beginning with the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.
Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in a company’s certificate of incorporation, directors serving on a classified board may only be removed by stockholders for cause, while directors serving on a non-classified board may be removed by stockholders with or without cause. Our Certificate of Incorporation currently provides that directors may only be removed by stockholders for cause upon the vote of at least 67% of all outstanding shares. As a result, approval of the proposed amendment to declassify the Board will also result in an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to give our stockholders the ability to remove directors with or without cause upon the vote of at least a majority of all outstanding shares.
No amendments to our By-Laws are expected to be required in connection with the amendment of our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board.
Impact if the Amendment is not Adopted
If the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to declassify our Board is not approved and adopted by our stockholders, our Certificate of Incorporation will not be amended as set forth above and our Board of Directors will continue to be classified with directors serving staggered terms. In this event, the nominees standing for election at this Annual Meeting would be placed in classes and elected for the terms described under Item 1—Election of Directors—Nominees for Election. Thereafter, directors would continue to serve in classes for staggered three-year terms, and stockholders would be able to remove directors only for cause upon the vote of at least 67% of all outstanding shares.
Required Vote
Our Board of Directors unanimously approved and adopted the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board, including the related amendment to change the director removal requirement as described above. Accordingly, the affirmative vote of a 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 our Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors.



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ITEM 3—APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM 150,000,000 TO 250,000,000
Background
Our Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock and 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock. At the Annual Meeting, we are asking stockholders to approve and adopt a proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to increase by 100,000,000 the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is authorized to issue, from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000 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 250,000,000 shares. Our Board of Directors accepted this recommendation, determined that the proposed amendment was advisable and unanimously approved and adopted, at a meeting held in February 2017, the amendment, subject to stockholder approval at this Annual Meeting.
If stockholders approve and adopt the amendment, it will become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State, which the Company intends to file shortly after the Annual Meeting. The amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000 is not contingent upon approval of any other proposal submitted at the Annual Meeting, including Item 2—Approval and Adoption of an Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Declassify the Board of Directors.
Text of the Proposed Amendment
The first paragraph of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE FOURTH.  Authorized Stock.
The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is Two Hundred Fifty One Million (251,000,000) 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 Two Hundred Fifty Million (250,000,000) shares shall be shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Common Stock”).
Appendix B shows the proposed changes to the relevant sections of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation resulting from the proposed amendments, with deletions indicated by strike-outs and additions indicated by underlining.
Reasons for the Proposed Amendment
Our Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes up to 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock, and approximately 102.8 million shares are presently issued and outstanding. An additional 2.9 million shares of Common Stock may become outstanding by virtue of existing or future equity awards under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan and our Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan. In addition, in the past few years, the Company has grown significantly through acquisitions and, since 2014, we have issued approximately 26.4 million shares of Common Stock in M&A transactions. We may in the future make additional acquisitions and may use Common Stock as consideration.


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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, potential merger and acquisition transactions, employee stock or benefit plan needs, stock splits, stock dividends or other general corporate purposes. These opportunities can develop relatively quickly. The additional authorized shares of Common Stock would enable the Company to pursue strategic, financial, merger and acquisition or capital opportunities as they may be presented and to take timely advantage of market conditions as they may arise, without the delay and expense associated with calling and convening a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares.
Although the Company has no plan, commitment or agreement as of the date of this Proxy Statement to issue additional shares of Common Stock resulting from the proposed increase in authorized shares, the Company regularly looks at and considers the desirability of issuing Common Stock in financing or merger and acquisition transactions.
Effect of the Proposed Amendment
If the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is approved and adopted by our stockholders, approximately 147.2 million 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 the NASDAQ Stock Market.
The additional shares of Common Stock for which we are seeking stockholder approval would be part of the existing class of our Common Stock and, if and when issued, would have the same rights and privileges as, and be identical in all respects (including voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights) to, shares of Common Stock currently outstanding. The proposed additional 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, holders 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 make it more difficult or to discourage efforts to obtain control 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 the amendment in response to any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company or to gain representation on our Board of Directors. As is true for our shares presently authorized but not issued, future issuances of the additional shares of Common Stock contemplated by the proposed amendment also could have a dilutive effect on earnings per share, book value per share, voting power and percentage ownership interest of current stockholders.
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.
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 be limited in the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance to a total of 150,000,000 shares issued and outstanding. This could impact the Company’s ability in the future to issue Common Stock for capital raising, financing transactions, M&A transactions and other corporate purposes as the Company may not have a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock available to issue for these needs.


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Required Vote
Our Board of Directors unanimously approved and adopted the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. Accordingly, 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 our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000 shares.
ITEM  4—2  APPROVAL OF AN ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) RESOLUTION REGARDING THE COMPENSATION PAID IN 20162018 TO THE COMPANY’S 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 as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.  We refer to this proposal as the “say-on-pay” proposal.  Our executive compensation programs, including detailed information regarding the compensation paid to our named executive officers for 2016,2018, are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Executive Compensation Tables sections of this Proxy Statement.

Our Board of Directors views it as a good corporate governance practice to present the say-on-pay proposal to our stockholders annually.  The Board made this recommendation to our stockholders at our 20122018 annual meeting, and our stockholders overwhelmingly voted in favor of holding a say-on-pay vote every year, as opposed to every other year or every third year. Our stockholders will next have the opportunity to indicate their preference for the frequency of the say-on-pay vote at

At our 2018 annual meeting.

At our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, 93%92% of the votes cast were voted in favor of the compensation paid to our named executive officers.  We believe these results 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 of and amounts paid under our executive compensation programs.
program.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation program as described in this Proxy Statement.  This 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 the executive compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narrative discussion set forth in the 20172019 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.  We value the opinions of our stockholders, and the Compensation Committee will consider the results of the vote on our say-on-pay proposal when establishing the design of and amounts paid under our future executive compensation programs.

Directors’ Recommendation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FORapproval of
the advisory (non-binding) resolution regarding the compensation paid to
the Company’s named executive officers set forth in this Proxy Statement.


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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.



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Directors’ Recommendation
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR approval of the advisory (non-binding) resolution regarding the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers set forth in this Proxy Statement.

ITEM 5—3  RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for appointing the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017.2019.  We are submitting 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 to be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.  Ernst & Young LLP also served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2016.

2018.

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.  This ratification is advisory and is, therefore, not binding on the Audit Committee.  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.

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee, or a designated member of the Audit 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 fiscal years indicated below. The increase in the total fees of Ernst & Young LLP in 2016 as compared to 2015 resulted primarily from the additional services provided by Ernst &Young LLP in connection with the Company’s M&A activity, subordinated notes offering and sale-leaseback transaction that occurred in 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent of

 

 

 

Percent of

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Services

 

 

 

2017 Services

 

 

 

 

 

Approved by

 

 

 

Approved by

 

 

 

2018

 

Audit Committee

 

2017

 

Audit Committee

 

Audit fees(1)

    

$

1,658,979

    

100

%  

$

1,802,409

    

100

%

Audit-related fees(2)

 

 

154,400

 

100

%  

 

194,620

 

100

%

Tax fees(3)

 

 

455,715

 

100

%

 

181,999

 

100

%

All other fees(4)

 

 

 —

 

 —

%  

 

211,277

 

100

%

Total fees

 

$

2,269,094

 

 

 

$

2,390,305

 

 

 


 2016 
Percent of
2016 Services
Approved by
Audit
Committee
 2015 
Percent of
2015 Services
Approved by
Audit
Committee
Audit fees(1)
$1,593,904
 100% $1,377,269
 100%
Audit-related fees(2)
145,450
 100% 96,472
 100%
Tax fees(3)
166,940
 100% 106,720
 100%
Total fees$1,906,294
   $1,580,461
  

(1)

Includes fees and expenses for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, internal control over financial reporting and review of financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports filed with the SEC, as well as other services normally provided by an independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements, including consents and assistance with review of SEC filings and comfort letters in connection with the Company’s M&A activity and subordinated notes offering.activity.

(2)

Includes fees related to the audits of the Company’s benefit plans and fees related to the sale-leaseback transaction completed during 2016.accounting scope change services.

(3)

Includes fees related to assistance with routine audits and tax planning, consulting and compliance services.


(4)

Includes fees and expenses related to regulatory compliance consulting services.

Audit and all other fees for 2017 were elevated primarily due to the services provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with the Company’s 2017 M&A activity, changes in audit and accounting scope and regulatory compliance consulting services.  Tax fees for 2018 were elevated due to the services provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with federal income tax reform.

2019 Proxy Statement

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Item 3  Ratification of the Appointment of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


For audit, audit-related, services, tax-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’ Recommendation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December 31, 2019.

Directors’ Recommendation

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

The Board

Table of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017.Contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT FIRST MIDWEST

Our Board of Directors is committed to maintaining strong corporate governance principles and practices. If you would like

For additional information about our corporate governance practices, you may view the following documents on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/corporategovernance or request them in print by sending a written request to the Corporate Secretary at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., 8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60631:

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

Enterprise Risk Committee Charter

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter

Related Person Transaction Policies and Procedures

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Committee Charters

The Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of the Audit, Compensation, Enterprise Risk 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 certain 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

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 of ethics” as defined by applicable SEC rules, and also meets the requirements of a “code of conduct” under the applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.  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 this 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.  Similarly, our senior financial officers must certify annually that they have reviewed, are familiar with and are in compliance with the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers.  Waivers of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers must be submitted to and approved by the Board.

www.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 certain practices in place relating to oversight of management and various components of our business operations and to make decisions that are independent of management.


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Table of Contents

Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct
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 of ethics” as defined by applicable SEC rules, and also meets the requirements of a “code of conduct” under the applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. 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 this 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. Similarly, our senior financial officers must certify annually that they have reviewed, are familiar with and are in compliance with the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers. Waivers of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers must be submitted to and approved by the Board.
Director Independence

Our Board of Directors determines annually the independence of all non-employee directors in accordance with the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market rules.  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 is outside the categories permitted under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

2019 Proxy Statement

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Corporate Governance at First Midwest

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’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 Stock Market rules, other than Michael L. Scudder, the Company’s PresidentChairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark G. Sander, the Company’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, who are not considered to be independent under the standards of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market because they are employees.employees of the Company.  In addition, our Board of Directors determined that:

u

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

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

u

Thomas L. Brown and Stephen C. Van Arsdell are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Patrick J. McDonnell and John F. Chlebowski, Jr. are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC, and that both Thomas L. Brown and Stephen C. Van Arsdell also would qualify as audit committee financial experts.

u

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

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.

Board Leadership and Structure

As provided in our 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 itsthe 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.



30


The position of

Since 2017, Michael L. Scudder has served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board is presently held by Robert P. O’Meara and the position of President and Chief Executive Officer is held by Michael L. Scudder. and J. Stephen Vanderwoude has served as Lead Independent Director.

The Board of Directors believes that, at this time, the separationcombination of the offices of Chairman of the Board and of President and Chief Executive Officer isand the maintenance of a separate Lead Independent Director role are appropriate for the Company.  This separation presentlyThe combination allows Mr. Scudder to focus onleverage his responsibilities of running the day-to-day affairsextensive knowledge of the Company enhancingand industry experience into the strategic vision for the management and direction of the Company at both the Board and management level.  This further allows him to drive the enhancement of stockholder value, grow and expanding and strengtheningexpand the Company’s business. Concurrently,business and execute the Company’s strategies.

Additionally, the Board believes it is appropriate to have a Lead Independent Director while Mr. O’Meara,Scudder serves as Chairman of the Board can utilize his intimate knowledgein order to provide a leadership role for our independent directors.  Mr. Vanderwoude has a strong understanding of the Company and its business, as well as significant industry experience toleadership, corporate governance and public company experience.

Consistent with Mr. Scudder’s focus on the Company’s strategic vision and direction, in January 2019, the Board approved the appointment of Mark G. Sander to the position of President of the Company in addition to his position as Chief Operating Officer.  In this role, Mr. Sander leads significant portions of the day-to-day management of the Company and the Bank.

Lead Independent Director

Our Lead Independent Director must satisfy the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market and must have served as a director of the Company for least one year.  The Lead Independent Director serves in a leadership capacity among our independent directors and as an additional resource for the Chairman of the Board in order to continue to foster a highly engaged and strong-performing Board of Directors.

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Corporate Governance at First Midwest

The principal duties and responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director are as it provides advice to and independent oversight of management. As the independent Chairman, Mr. O’Meara also serves as lead independent director and the presiding director at Board meetings, chairs Board meetings and has final approval of Board meeting agendas.follows:

u

Act as a liaison on behalf of the independent directors with the Chairman of the Board.

u

Preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders at which the Chairman of the Board is not present.

u

Consult with the Chairman of the Board on the agendas and schedules for meetings of the Board of Directors.

u

Have the ability to call meetings of the Board.

u

Determine, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, the need for, have the ability to call, and preside at meetings of the independent directors and, following each such meeting, promptly communicate to the Chairman of the Board the substance of the discussions that occurred at the meeting.

u

Serve as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors.

u

Serve as the acting Chairman of the Board in the event of an extended incapacitation of the Chairman until the incapacitation has ended or a successor to the Chairman is elected.

u

Together with the Chairman of the Board and the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, interview all new director candidates.

u

Consult with the Chairman of the Board with respect to the quality and timeliness of information provided to the Board.

u

Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Lead Independent Director by the Board.

Risk Oversight

Risk is inherent with every business, particularly for financial institutions, and we face a number ofseveral risks, including, for example, credit, market, liquidity, operational, strategic, compliance, legal cyber and reputation risks, as well as risks related to general economic conditions.risks.  We do not view risk in isolation, but rather consider risk as part of our ongoing consideration of business strategy and business decisions.

  We also are mindful that risk oversight is not about eliminating risk, but rather identifying, accepting and managing risks while balancing prudent business considerations, as well as safety and soundness.

We support our risk oversight process through a governance structure involving our Board of Directors and management.  Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of the risks the Company faces.  It establishes and maintains risk management processes and policies designed to balance our operations and business opportunities with risk mitigation in order to create stockholder value.  It is management’s responsibility to anticipate, identify and communicate risks to the Board of Directors and its committees.  The Company also has a Chief Risk Officer.

Officer, who is responsible for the design and implementation of our risk management processes.

We have a Strategic Risk Management Committee composed of members of executive management.  The purpose of this committee is to provide a centralized forum to manage key risks that could negatively impact the Company’s operating performance and execution of its business plan.  This committee, through our Chief Risk Officer, also reports at least quarterly to the Enterprise Risk Committee of our Board of Directors on significant risk management matters.

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,framework, policies and levelsprofiles designed and implemented by management are appropriate and functioning as designed. contemplated.

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Corporate Governance at First Midwest

The Board performs its risk oversight function primarily through its committees and the operation of the Bank’s board of directors.  The Board committee that is primarily involved in assisting the Board of Directors with its oversight of enterprise-wide risk management is the Enterprise Risk Committee.  Among other responsibilities, this committee approves risk appetites and profiles established by management for key business risks and confirms that business decisions are executed within the established risk tolerances.

Each of the Board’s standing committees is chaired by ancomprised of independent directordirectors and supports the Board’s oversight functions by regularly addressing various risks in their respective areas of oversight.oversight, as follows:

u

Audit Committee.  Assists the Board with risk oversight in the areas of financial reporting, internal controls, tax and compliance with certain public reporting requirements.

Specifically, each committee assists the Board in fulfilling its risk management oversight responsibilities in the following areas:

u

Compensation Committee.  Assists the Board with risk oversight associated with our compensation policies and programs, including maintaining an executive compensation program that is designed to encourage the achievement of corporate objectives and strategies, enhance stockholder value and incent and retain our executive officers, and discourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking.

Audit Committee.  Assists the Board with risk oversight in the areas of financial reporting, internal controls, tax and compliance with public reporting requirements.

u

Enterprise Risk Committee.  Assists the Board with the oversight of the Company’s enterprise-wide risk management framework.

Compensation

u

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  Assists the Board with risk oversight associated with our compensation policies and programs, including maintaining an executive compensation program that is designed to encourage the achievement of corporate objectives and strategies, enhance stockholder value and incent and retain our executive officers, and discourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking..  Assists the Board with risk oversight associated with corporate governance, Board and Board committee composition and director succession.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  Assists the Board with risk oversight associated with corporate governance and director selection and succession.
Enterprise Risk Committee (in formation)The Board of Directors intends to establish an Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017. This committee will oversee certain enterprise risks and will be comprised entirely of independent directors.

Each committee reports to the full Board of Directors at least quarterly at regular meetings concerning the activities of the committee, the significant matters it has discussed and the actions taken by the committee.  The Board also receives reports directly from the President andour Chief Executive Officer, theChief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel, as well as other members of management, regarding the Company’s risk management functions. In addition, the Chairman of the



31


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 of Directors.

Cybersecurity Risk Oversight

Cybersecurity risk is a component of operational risk at the Company.  We recognize the importance of maintaining the trust of our customers with respect to their confidential financial information and devote significant attention to cybersecurity risk.  In this regard, we use a variety of techniques that are intended to secure our operations and confidential information, consult with third-party security advisors and maintain cyber insurance.

Our Board of Directors oversees our efforts to manage cybersecurity risk.  Senior management is responsible for the day-to-day management of cybersecurity risk, designing and implementing policies, processes and procedures to address and mitigate this risk.  The Board and its committees receive periodic reports from and engage in discussions with senior management on the effectiveness of our cybersecurity program and review our inherent risks, the plans and programs designed to address these risks and our progress in doing so.

Meetings

Our Board of Directors holds regular quarterly meetings and special meetings as needed.  In 2016,2018, the Board held four regularly scheduled meetings and fourone special meetings.meeting, and our independent directors met separately without management present following each regular meeting.  Our directors also communicate with each other between meetings.  Further, the Board of Directors devotes additional time outside of its regular meetings to presentations and discussions with senior management about the Company’s long-term strategy, corporate objectives and initiatives, financial operating plans and industry and market updates, which are then discussed further at the Board’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 meeting of stockholders.  Other than Mr. Brown, Ms. Hayley and Messrs. Modruson and Van Arsdell, each of whom joined the Board after our last annual meeting of stockholders, and Ms. Boigegrain, all of our current directors, including the current nominees for director, attended last year’s annual meeting. EightAll of our directors attended last year’s

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annual meeting and 100% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committees on which he or she served during 2016, with the remaining six directors attending at least 75% of the meetings and with the average attendance for all directors being 95%.

2018.

Board Committees

Our Board of Directors has threefour standing committees,committees: our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Enterprise Risk 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 rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.  The Board of Directors 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. Additionally,Board and undertaking such other duties and responsibilities as may be delegated to this committee by the Board intends to establish an Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017, which will be comprised entirely of independent directors.

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 given time. The table below provides

Below is a brief description, including membership and meeting information for each Board committee for the 2016 fiscal year, as well as the expected committee membership for our new directors who have not yet been appointed to a committee and for the Enterprise Risk Committee that is in the process of being formed.



32


Name Audit Compensation Nominating and Corporate Governance Advisory 
Enterprise Risk(1)
Barbara A. Boigegrain   ü ü    
Thomas L. Brown(2)
 ü       ü
John F. Chlebowski, Jr.(3)
 ü        
Br. James Gaffney     
ü*
 ü  
Phupinder S. Gill ü       ü
Kathryn J. Hayley(4)
 ü ü      
Peter J. Henseler   ü ü    
Patrick J. McDonnell 
ü*
     ü ü
Frank B. Modruson(4)
 ü       ü
Robert P. O’Meara       
ü*
  
Ellen A. Rudnick   ü ü    
Mark G. Sander          
Michael L. Scudder       ü  
Michael J. Small ü       ü
Stephen C. Van Arsdell(2)
 ü   ü    
J. Stephen Vanderwoude   
ü*
 ü ü ü
           
Total committee meetings 2016 8 5 6 2 N/A

*Designates Chair of this committee.
(1)The Board intends to establish an Enterprise Risk Committee in May 2017 with Messrs. Brown, Gill, McDonnell, Modruson, Small and Vanderwoude as the proposed members of this committee.
(2)Messrs. Brown and Van Arsdell joined our Board of Directors in February 2017. The Board intends to appoint, in May 2017, Mr. Brown to the Audit Committee and, upon formation, the Enterprise Risk Committee, and Mr. Van Arsdell to the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
(3)Mr. Chlebowski’s term as a director will expire at the Annual Meeting on May 17, 2017. Mr. Chlebowski has decided to retire from the Board at the expiration of his present term and, accordingly, he will not stand for re-election.
(4)Ms. Hayley and Mr. Modruson joined our Board of Directors in August 2016. The Board intends to appoint, in May 2017, Ms. Hayley to the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, and Mr. Modruson to the Audit Committee and, upon formation, the Enterprise Risk Committee.
Below is a brief description2018, of each standing committee of our Board of Directors, as well as our Advisory Committee.  Each standing committee has the authority to engage, at the Company’s expense, 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 copyCopies of each charterour Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Enterprise Risk Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charters are available by visiting our website at www.firstmidwest.com/corporategovernance.

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

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2018

Stephen C. Van Arsdell (Chair)
Thomas L. Brown
Phupinder S. Gill
Kathryn J. Hayley
Frank B. Modruson
Michael J. Small

Select and retain our independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approve all services performed by this firm.

Oversee the external financial reporting process and the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls.

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

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

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

Discuss with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, any off-balance sheet items and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements.

8

Selecting and retaining our independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approving all services performed by this firm.

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23

Oversight of the external reporting process and the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls.
Oversight of the scope of the audit activities of the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company’s internal auditors.
Oversight of the process for determining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.



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Oversight of the procedures for the receipt, retention and resolution of complaints regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.
Discussing with management and the independent auditors critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, any off-balance sheet items and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements.

Compensation Committee.Our

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2018

Barbara A. Boigegrain (Chair)
Br. James Gaffney
Kathryn J. Hayley
Peter J. Henseler
Ellen A. Rudnick

Review and approve the Company’s general compensation philosophy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Administer our 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan and Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan.

Oversee the Company’s health and welfare programs.

Oversee the Company’s retirement plans.

Conduct an annual risk assessment of the Company’s compensation programs.

Retain an independent compensation consultant to provide advice to the Compensation Committee relative to compensation matters.

8

Enterprise Risk Committee reviews and evaluates our general compensation philosophy and oversees the development, implementation and any revisions to our compensation policies and programs. The responsibilities

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2018

J. Stephen Vanderwoude (Chair)
Thomas L. Brown
Phupinder S. Gill
Frank B. Modruson
Michael J. Small

Review and approve policies establishing risk management governance, risk appetite, risk management procedures and risk control infrastructure for the Company’s enterprise-wide operations.

Oversee management’s efforts to manage the processes and systems for implementing and monitoring compliance with the Company’s enterprise risk management framework.

Review reports from management to evaluate the Company’s assessment and management of enterprise-wide risks identified through the enterprise risk management program.

Review and recommend to the Board for approval annually the Company’s capital management policy.

Review and recommend to the Board for approval annually the Company’s capital plan and monitor management’s adherence to the plan.

5

24

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Reviewing and approving the Company’s general compensation philosophy.
Oversight of the development and implementation of our compensation policies and programs.
Reviewing and monitoring the Company’s incentive and other compensation programs.
Recommending to our Board of Directors goals and objectives relating to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer.
Assisting our Board of Directors in evaluating our Chief Executive Officer and recommending to our Board the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation.
Reviewing and recommending to our Board of Directors the annual compensation of senior management.
Administering our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan and Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan.
Oversight of the Company’s health and welfare programs.
Oversight of the Company’s retirement plans.
Conducting an annual risk assessment of the Company’s compensation programs.
Retaining an independent compensation consultant to provide advice to the Compensation Committee relative to compensation matters.

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


# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2018

Br. James Gaffney (Chair)
Barbara A. Boigegrain
Peter J. Henseler
Ellen A. Rudnick
Stephen C. Van Arsdell
J. Stephen Vanderwoude

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 to serve as members of our Board of Directors.

Oversee matters of corporate governance, including review of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and stock ownership guidelines.

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

Recommend to the Board of Directors the appointment of a director to serve as the Chairperson and, if the Chairperson also serves as the CEO, the Lead Independent Director.

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 related person transactions, if and when they arise.

Oversee the annual self-evaluation process of the Board of Directors and each of its committees.

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

4

Recommending to the Board of Directors the director nominees for election at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are elected.
Identifying, interviewing and recruiting individuals to serve as members of our Board.
Overseeing matters of corporate governance, including reviewing the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
Advising the Board of Directors on Board and committee organization, membership, function, performance and effectiveness.
Reviewing director independence standards and qualifications and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the determination of the independence and qualifications of directors.


34


Reviewing related person transactions, if and when they arise.
Overseeing the annual self-evaluation process of the Board of Directors and each of its committees.
Reviewing stockholder proposals and considering responses or actions regarding such proposals.

Advisory Committee

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2018

Michael L. Scudder (Chair)
Barbara A. Boigegrain
Br. James Gaffney
Stephen C. Van Arsdell
J. Stephen Vanderwoude

Advise and consult with management with respect to business matters as needed between regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may be delegated to this committee by the Board of Directors.

.  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.

Board and Committee Self-Evaluations

The Board and the Audit, Compensation, Enterprise Risk and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees conduct an annual self-evaluation, which includes both a qualitative and quantitative assessment by each director of the performance of the Board and the committees on which the director sits.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees these evaluations.  As part of this process, each director completes an annual self-evaluation of the Board and the committees on which the director sits and has a one-on-onean individual meeting with the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The results of the self-evaluations are reported to the Board of Directors.

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).

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Corporate Governance at First Midwest

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, including loans made by First Midwest Bank, will be deemed to be pre-approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

During 2016,2018, First Midwest Bank engaged in transactions with certainsome of our executive officers, directors and entities with which they are associated.  These transactions involved loans extended in accordance with Regulation O of the Federal Reserve and other banking services, all of which were in the ordinary course of business and 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 collectability or present other unfavorable features.

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 the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Independent Director, an individual director, the entire Board of Directors, our independent directors as a group or a specific Board committee by submitting written correspondence to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, One Pierce Place,8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1500, Itasca,1300, Chicago, Illinois 60143.60631.  Each communication should specify the applicable addressee(s) to be contacted as well as the general topic of the



35


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 First Midwest Bank, an irrelevant topic or a request for general information about the Company.  Communications regarding accounting or auditing matters should be reportedmade in writing to the Board’s Audit Committee Chair or the Company’s Audit Services Director at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place,8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1500, Itasca,1300, Chicago, Illinois 60143.60631.

Our Long-Standing Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

Picture 44

Our commitment to corporate social responsibility has been part of our corporate fabric since the founding of our Company.  When forming First Midwest Bank shortly after the Great Depression, our founders established a commitment to treat all of our customers with respect and a focus on their financial needs.  Since then,

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


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generations of colleagues have sustained that commitment.  Today, our vision, mission and values continue to drive our culture and are centered on client needs, rooted in service excellence, invested in bettering our communities, focused on attracting top talent and influenced by technological change.  We always strive to help our customers achieve financial success.

Picture 43

As we grow, we do so with respect for social responsibility, environmental impact, strong governance and uncompromised integrity—to do what is right for our business, our stockholders, our communities and our colleagues.

To this end, a critical component of our success is effectively serving the communities in which we operate.  We offer products, services and branch locations that we believe are conducive and responsive to the needs of the communities that we serve, including low- and moderate-income areas.  In 2018, we extended approximately $170 million in community development loans.  The Company’s commitment to the community also includes financial education, and our colleagues reached approximately 6,000 participants through financial education programs in 2018.  We have maintained the highest community reinvestment rating from the Federal Reserve for over 20 consecutive years.

We and our colleagues also support many nonprofit organizations in our communities through donations, sponsorships and volunteer hours.  Our colleagues serve on numerous nonprofit boards and give their time to many charitable and community causes.  Since 2017, we have provided approximately $3 million in corporate contributions and sponsorships, and our First Midwest Charitable Foundation has made approximately $2 million in contributions since its inception.

In addition, we support initiatives that help sustain our environment for the long-term, whether that be through natural resource preservation, energy conservation, responsible waste management or recycling programs.  When building or remodeling offices, we do so in an environmentally responsible manner and with an effort to use energy efficiently.

We are committed to strong corporate governance practices and business ethics that are fully embraced by our Board of Directors, executive management team and all colleagues.  This unwavering commitment is observed throughout our Company and ultimately protects our business reputation, customers and stockholders.

A number of our corporate governance and business ethics practices are discussed in this proxy statement—for example, our Board of Directors is comprised of independent directors (other than our Chief Executive Officer and

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President), our independent directors meet following each regular Board meeting without members of management present, the women and minority representation on our Board consists of one-third of our directors, we maintain strong enterprise-wide risk management processes and we adhere to a comprehensive Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct that our colleagues are required to certify that they have reviewed each year.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


INFORMATION REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL

STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of March 24, 2017,22, 2019, the Record Date, 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.  Except as described below, each stockholder has sole voting and investment power for all shares shown.  In addition, unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place,8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1500, Itasca,1300, Chicago, Illinois 60143.

60631.

We calculated the percent of class based on 102,840,266107,000,522 shares of Common Stock outstanding on March 24, 2017.22, 2019.  We include shares of restricted stock subject to future vesting conditions for which an individual has voting but not dispositive power.  We also include shares underlying restricted stock units and performance shares that could vest and shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable, within 60 days of March 24, 2017,22, 2019, even though an individual has neither voting nor dispositive power.  Those shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such securities for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Percent of

 

Beneficial Owner

    

Shares/Units(1)(2)(3)

    

Class

 

Directors

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara A. Boigegrain

 

35,094

 

*

 

Thomas L. Brown

 

12,455

 

*

 

Br. James Gaffney(4)

 

98

 

*

 

Phupinder S. Gill

 

51,258

 

*

 

Kathryn J. Hayley

 

23,000

 

*

 

Peter J. Henseler

 

24,624

 

*

 

Frank B. Modruson

 

10,171

 

*

 

Ellen A. Rudnick

 

33,115

 

*

 

Mark G. Sander

 

204,512

 

*

 

Michael L. Scudder

 

296,988

 

*

 

Michael J. Small

 

29,851

 

*

 

Stephen C. Van Arsdell

 

18,725

 

*

 

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

 

33,116

 

*

 

Named Executive Officers (other than Messrs. Sander and Scudder)

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick S. Barrett

 

52,126

 

*

 

Michael W. Jamieson

 

36,613

 

*

 

Thomas M. Prame

 

52,396

 

*

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

(25 persons)(5)

 

1,209,615

 

1.1

%



*      Less than 1%.


36


Beneficial Owner 
Number of
Shares/Units(1)(2)(3)(4)
 Percent of Class
Directors  
  
 
Barbara A. Boigegrain 30,291
  
*
Thomas L. Brown(5)
 
 *
John F. Chlebowski, Jr. 27,979
  
*
Br. James Gaffney(6)
 3,838
 *
Phupinder S. Gill 40,999
  
*
Kathryn J. Hayley 16,000
 *
Peter J. Henseler 20,097
  
*
Patrick J. McDonnell 35,893
  
*
Frank B. Modruson 1,151
 *
Robert P. O’Meara 392,203
  
*
Ellen A. Rudnick 32,393
  
*
Mark G. Sander 214,667
 *
Michael L. Scudder 339,517
  
*
Michael J. Small 25,389
  
*
Stephen C. Van Arsdell 14,000
  
*
J. Stephen Vanderwoude 78,535
  
*
Named Executive Officers (other than Messrs. Sander and Scudder)  
  
 
Paul F. Clemens 87,625
  
*
Thomas M. Prame 44,634
 *
Nicholas J. Chulos 42,604
 *
All directors and executive officers (including named executive officers) as a group  
  
 
(28 persons)(7)
 1,738,435
 1.69%

*

(1)

Less than 1%.

(1)Includes the following shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 24, 2017:  John F. Chlebowski, Jr., 6,586 shares; Br. James Gaffney, 3,740 shares; Patrick J. McDonnell, 3,740 shares; Robert P. O’Meara, 3,740 shares; Ellen A. Rudnick, 3,740 shares; J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 3,740 shares; Michael L. Scudder, 25,019 shares; Mark G. Sander, 42,328 shares; and Paul F. Clemens, 18,464 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 director’s or officer’s retirement or other termination of employment or service with the Company. The number of shares of Common Stock to which our directors and officers would be entitled had their service or employment with the Company terminated as of March 24, 2017 is as follows:  Phupinder S. Gill, 20,610 shares; Peter J. Henseler, 1,825 shares; J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 19,908 shares; Michael L. Scudder, 9,608 shares; Paul F. Clemens, 2,014 shares; and Thomas M. Prame, 2,006 shares.Company.  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.

  All shares held under our deferred compensation plans are included in the totals for our directors and officers.  The number of shares of Common Stock to which our directors and officers would be entitled had their service or employment with the Company terminated as of March 22, 2019 is as follows: Mr. Brown, 9,455 shares; Mr. Gill, 26,407 shares; Mr. Henseler, 1,890 shares; Mr. Van Arsdell, 4,725 shares; Mr. Vanderwoude, 20,616 shares; Mr. Scudder, 9,951 shares; and Mr. Prame, 2,077 shares.

(3)

(2)

Includes the following shares of Common Stock held through the Company’s 401(k) Plan: Michael L. Scudder, 8,427 shares; Mark G.Mr. Sander, 359 shares; Paul F. Clemens, 1,139 shares; Thomas M. Prame, 82364 shares; and Nicholas J. Chulos, 5,276Mr. Prame, 85 shares.

(4)

(3)

Includes the following shares of restricted stock subject to future vesting conditions for which the individual has voting but not dispositive power: Michael L.Mr. Scudder, 70,25654,249 shares; Mark G.Mr. Sander, 52,06240,104 shares; Thomas M. Prame, 19,612Mr. Barrett, 40,899 shares; Mr. Jamieson, 26,682 shares; and Nicholas J. Chulos, 23,348Mr. Prame, 17,212 shares. For Paul F. Clemens, excludes 20,867 restricted stock units that would not vest within 60 days after March 24, 2017 under the terms of the applicable award agreements.

(5)

2019 Proxy Statement

Mr. Brown was appointed to the Board of Directors in February 2017 and has not yet acquired any shares of Common Stock. He has elected to receive all of his director compensation in shares of Common Stock and intends to comply with the Company’s stock ownership guidelines in less than the five-year acquisition period specified in the guidelines.

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Information Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Principal Stockholders, Directors and Management

(6)

(4)

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



37


(7)

(5)

Includes:  136,548 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 24, 2017; 59,19376,838 shares of Common Stock payable to certain directors and executive officers pursuant to our deferred compensation plans; 25,67218,925 shares of Common Stock held in our 401(k) Plan for the accounts of certain executive officers; and 316,777274,673 shares of restricted stock.  Excludes: 34,15819,383 restricted stock units and 61,83367,040 earned performance shares that would not vest within 60 days after March 24, 201722, 2019 under the terms of the applicable award agreements.

Other Security Ownership

The following table identifies each person known to us as of March 24, 201722, 2019 to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Number

    

Percent

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

of Shares

 

of Class

 

BlackRock, Inc.(1)

 

14,648,741

 

13.8

%

55 East 52nd Street

 

 

 

 

 

New York, New York 10055

 

 

 

 

 

The Vanguard Group(2)

 

10,750,483

 

10.1

%

100 Vanguard Boulevard

 

 

 

 

 

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

 

 

 

 

 

Wellington Management Group LLP(3)

 

7,429,182

 

7.0

%

c/o Wellington Management Company LLP

 

 

 

 

 

280 Congress Street

 

 

 

 

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02210

 

 

 

 

 

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(4)

 

6,978,181

 

6.6

%

Building One

 

 

 

 

 

6300 Bee Cave Road

 

 

 

 

 

Austin, Texas 78746

 

 

 

 

 


Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares Percent of Class
   
  
BlackRock, Inc.(1)
 9,365,981
 11.5%
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
  
  
     
The Vanguard Group(2)
 6,882,836
 8.5%
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355
    
     
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(3)
 6,829,752
 8.4%
Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746
    
   
  
Wellington Management Group LLP(4)
 4,742,504
 5.8%
c/o Wellington Management Company LLP
280 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
    

(1)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 28, 2019 by BlackRock, Inc., which reported sole voting power as to 14,405,929 shares and sole dispositive power as to 14,648,741 shares as of December 31, 2018.

(1)

(2)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 12, 201710, 2019 by BlackRock, Inc.,The Vanguard Group, which reported sole voting power as to 9,130,543103,974 shares, andshared voting power as to 8,938 shares, sole dispositive power as to 9,365,98110,647,313 shares and shared dispositive power as to 103,170 shares as of December 31, 2016.2018.

(2)

(3)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017 by The Vanguard Group, which reported sole voting power as to 96,285 shares, shared voting power as to 7,138 shares, sole dispositive power as to 6,783,518 shares and shared dispositive power as to 99,318 shares as of December 31, 2016.

(3)This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, which reported sole voting power as to 6,600,241 shares and sole dispositive power as to 6,829,752 shares as of December 31, 2016. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and its subsidiaries disclaim beneficial ownership of all securities reported on the Schedule 13G/A.
(4)This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 201712, 2019 by Wellington Management Group LLP (“WMG”) on behalf of each of WMG, Wellington Group Holdings LLP (“WGH”), Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP (“WIAH”) and Wellington Management Company LLP (“WMC”).  The Schedule 13G/A reported that each of WMG, WGH and WIAH shared voting power as to 3,626,5795,899,253  shares and shared dispositive power as to 4,742,5047,429,182 shares, and WMC shared voting power as to 3,605,3695,602,141  shares and shared dispositive power as to 4,721,2947,043,887  shares, as of December 30, 2016.31, 2018.


(4)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2019 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, which reported sole voting power as to 6,857,470 shares and sole dispositive power as to 6,978,181 shares as of December 31, 2018.  Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and its subsidiaries disclaim beneficial ownership of all securities reported on the Schedule 13G/A.

30

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.



38


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

We use a combination of cash and equity-based compensation set at levels we believe will allow us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our Board of Directors.  Each year, the Compensation Committee reviews, with the assistance of our independent compensation consultant, and makes a recommendation to our Board of Directors regarding the compensation that we pay to our directors.  In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors devote to fulfilling their duties, advice that we receive from our compensation consultant and comparative data regarding director compensation at the companies in our peer group.

For 2018, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board of Directors, and the Board subsequently approved, that both the annual fixed cash retainer and the annual award of Common Stock paid to each non-employee director should remain at $52,500, for a total of $105,000.  The awards of Common Stock are granted as fully-vested shares of Common Stock, and our directors may elect to receive the stock component of their director compensation in cash.

Michael L. Scudder, our PresidentChairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark G. Sander, our Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, do not receive compensation for serving as a member of the Board.  In addition, Br. James Gaffney has elected not to receive any director compensation.

The following table summarizes our annual compensation for non-employee directors for 2016:2018:

 

 

 

 

Component

    

 Amount

An annual fixed cash retainer for each non-employee director

 

$

52,500

An annual award of Common Stock for each non-employee director(1)

 

$

52,500

An annual fixed cash retainer for the Lead Independent Director

 

$

25,000

An annual fixed cash retainer for the Audit Committee and Enterprise Risk Committee Chairs

 

$

15,000

An annual fixed cash retainer for the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairs

 

$

10,000

An annual fixed cash retainer for each member of the Audit Committee and the Enterprise Risk Committee (excluding the committee Chairs)

 

$

4,000


Component Amount
   
An annual fixed cash retainer for each non-employee director $50,000
   
An annual award of Common Stock for each non-employee director* $50,000
   
An annual fixed cash retainer for the Board Chair $150,000
   
An annual fixed cash retainer for the Audit Committee Chair $15,000
   
An annual fixed cash retainer for the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairs $10,000
   
An annual fixed cash retainer for each member of the Audit Committee (excluding the Audit Committee Chair) $4,000

*

(1)

A director may elect to receive the stock component of his or her director compensation in cash.

Each director’s annual cash retainer isand Common Stock award are paid in equal quarterly installments in arrears.  Payment of each retainer installment is contingent upon the director’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.

Barbara A. Boigegrain, Phupinder S. Gill, Peter J. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell,Frank B. Modruson, Ellen A. Rudnick and Michael J. Small each received an award of 2,4942,223 shares, and Patrick J. McDonnell, who retired from the Board at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, received an award of 1,021 shares, of fully-vested Common Stock for their 20162018 service as the stock component of their director compensation.  Additionally, Frank B. Modruson, who joined the Board in August 2016, received an award of 1,149 shares of fully-vested Common Stock for his 2016 service as the stock component of his director compensation.Thomas L. Brown, Kathryn J. Hayley, John F. Chlebowski, Jr., John L. Sterling,Robert P. O’Meara, who retired from the Board at our 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders, Stephen C. Van Arsdell and J. Stephen Vanderwoude each elected to receive cash in lieu of shares of fully-vested Common Stock for 2016; each2018. All of them hasour directors have satisfied our director stock ownership guidelines for directors. In lightdirectors, with the exception of his significant holdingstwo of our Common Stock, Robert P. O’Meara also has elected to receive cash in lieu of the stock component of his director compensation.

new directors who are still accumulating stock.

Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

Our Deferred Compensation Plan allows non-employee directors to defer receipt of either 50% or 100% of their director fees and retainers.  Deferral elections are made in December of each year for amounts payable in the following year.  Amounts are deemed to be invested in separate investment accounts under the plan, with the various investment alternatives available under our Deferred Compensation Plan, including an investment account for shares of our Common Stock.


2019 Proxy Statement

31



39

Table of Contents

Director Compensation


Directors are able to modify their investment allocationselections at any time, subject to applicable stock trading blackout periods.  Deferred director fees and retainers are payable at the director’s election, either as a lump sum or in installments over a period not to exceed fifteen years.  Payments under the Deferred Compensation Plan begin at the date specified by the director or upon cessation of service as a director.

2016

2018 Director Compensation Table

The following table and explanatory notes provide information regarding the cash and Common Stock awarded to each non-employee director during 2016.2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Value(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonqualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned or

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid in

 

Stock

 

Option

 

Incentive Plan

 

Compensation

 

All Other

 

 

Name

 

Cash(1)

 

Awards(2)

 

Awards

 

Compensation(3)

 

Earnings

 

Compensation(4)

 

Total

Barbara A. Boigegrain

 

$

62,500

 

$

52,500

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

2,500

 

$

117,500

Thomas L. Brown

 

 

113,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

2,304

 

 

 —

 

 

115,304

Br. James Gaffney(5)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Phupinder S. Gill

 

 

60,500

 

 

52,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

10,336

 

 

 —

 

 

123,336

Kathryn J. Hayley

 

 

109,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

109,000

Peter J. Henseler

 

 

52,500

 

 

52,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

15,079

 

 

 —

 

 

120,079

Patrick J. McDonnell(6)

 

 

33,396

 

 

26,250

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

59,646

Frank B. Modruson

 

 

60,500

 

 

52,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

113,000

Robert P. O’Meara(6)(7)

 

 

91,875

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

443,807

 

 

11,539

 

 

547,221

Ellen A. Rudnick

 

 

52,500

 

 

52,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

2,500

 

 

107,500

Michael J. Small

 

 

60,500

 

 

52,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

113,000

Stephen C. Van Arsdell(8)

 

 

115,854

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,123

 

 

2,500

 

 

119,477

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

 

 

145,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

8,802

 

 

 —

 

 

153,802


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 $50,000
 $50,000  $
 $
 $
 $  $100,000
               
Thomas L. Brown(6)
 
   
 
 
   
               
John F. Chlebowski, Jr. 104,000
   
 
 
   104,000
               
Br. James Gaffney(7) 
 
   
 
 
   
               
Phupinder S. Gill 54,000
 50,000  
 
 6,436
   110,436
               
Kathryn J. Hayley(8)
 50,000
   
 
 
   50,000
               
Peter J. Henseler 50,000
 50,000  
 
 6,768
   106,768
               
Patrick J. McDonnell 65,000
 50,000  
 
 
   115,000
               
Frank B. Modruson(8)
 25,000
 25,000  
 
 
   50,000
               
Robert P. O’Meara(9)
 300,000
   
 
 67,207
 10,542  377,749
               
Ellen A. Rudnick 50,000
 50,000  
 
 
 2,500  102,500
               
Michael J. Small 54,000
 50,000  
 
 
   104,000
               
John L. Sterling(10)
 50,000
   
 
 
   50,000
               
Stephen C. Van Arsdell(6)
 
   
 
 
   
               
J. Stephen Vanderwoude 110,000
   
 
 7,042
   117,042

(1)

Includes amounts deferred at the election of the directors pursuant to our Deferred Compensation Plan.

(2)

Amounts represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of Common Stock awards granted under our Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan during the period, calculated in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC 718”).  Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 17 to our audited financial statements included in our Form 10-K.10‑K.  The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock granted by the Company to each non-employee director during 20162018 was 2,4942,223 shares to each of Barbara A.Ms. Boigegrain, Phupinder S.Mr. Gill, Peter J.Mr. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell, Ellen A.Mr. Modruson, Ms. Rudnick and Michael J.Mr. Small, and 1,1491,021 shares to Frank B. Modruson.Mr. McDonnell, who retired from the Board at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.

(3)

The aggregate number of unexercised stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 issued to non-employee directors was as follows: John F. Chlebowski, Jr., 6,586; Br. James Gaffney, 3,740; Patrick J. McDonnell, 3,740; Robert P. O’Meara, 3,740; Ellen A. Rudnick, 3,740; and J. Stephen Vanderwoude, 3,740.

(4)

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

(5)

(4)

The amount for Robert P.Mr. 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 group health program for retirees and the Company pays the balance.  The amountamounts for Ellen A.Ms. Boigegrain, Ms. Rudnick represents the amountand Mr. Van Arsdell include $2,500 paid under our matching gift donation program to eligible educational institutions designated by theeach director.

(6)

(5)

Messrs. Brown and Van Arsdell joined our Board in February 2017 and thus received no compensation for 2016 Board service.


40


(7)

Br. James Gaffney has elected not to receive any compensation for his service on the Board of Directors.

(8)

(6)

Ms. Hayley

Messrs. McDonnell and Mr. Modruson joinedO’Meara retired from our Board in August 2016at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders and thus received pro-rated compensation for their 20162018 Board service.

(9)

(7)

Included in Robert P.Mr. O’Meara’s director compensation fees earned or paid in cash are director fees paid to him as a non-employee director of First Midwest Bank.  Mr. O’Meara retired as a director of the Bank in August 2018.

(10)

(8)

Upon the retirement of Mr. Sterling retiredMcDonnell from ourthe Board, at our 2016 annual meetingMr. Van Arsdell assumed the additional position of stockholdersChair of the Audit Committee and thus received pro-rated compensation for his 2016 Board service.service in this capacity in 2018.

2017

2019 Director Compensation

Consistent with the Compensation Committee’s annual review of our director compensation program, in late 2018, the Compensation Committee reviewed the amount of compensation paid to our directors.  In connection with its review of our director compensation program, the Compensation Committee held discussions with its independent

32

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Table of Contents

Director Compensation

compensation consultant Deloitte Consulting LLP, and considered publicly available director compensation data from the companies in our peer group and other public companies in the Midwest, as well as other information.

  The Committee also desires to compensate our directors at approximately the median compensation level for directors in our peer group and to continue to attract and retain qualified directors, as well as considers the amount of time that our directors devote to their Board and committee duties.

Upon the conclusion of this process, the Compensation Committee determined that director compensation for 2017 should be increased modestly, both because the Compensation Committee believed that the Company’s director compensation was below the levels prevalentbeginning in the Chicago market and to allow the Company to continue to remain competitive in its ability to retain and attract qualified directors. Specifically, the Compensation Committee determined that2019, it was appropriate to increase both the annual fixed cash retainer and the annual award of Common Stock paid to each non-employee director from $50,000$52,500 to $52,500,$55,000, for a total of $105,000,$110,000.  The Committee also determined that the retainer for the Chair of the Compensation Committee be increased from $10,000 to $15,000 annually, the committee fees for the Audit Committee and recommended this changeEnterprise Risk Committee be increased from $4,000 to $7,500 and $5,000 annually, respectively, and that a committee fee of $6,000 and $2,500, annually, be established for members of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, respectively.  Following these increases, director, committee and Lead Independent Director compensation was generally between the 25th percentile and the median of compensation for similar positions at companies in our Boardpeer group.

Upon the recommendation of Directors. Ourthese changes by the Compensation Committee to the Board of Directors, our Board unanimously approved the recommended changes to the compensation paid to our directors, consistent with the Compensation Committee’s recommendation, effective as of January 1, 2017. The awards of Common Stock will continue to be granted as fully-vested shares of Common Stock, and our directors may continue to elect to receive the stock component of their director compensation in cash.

2019.

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

We believe that each director should have a meaningful equity investment in our Company.  Our director stock ownership guidelines provide that directors are encouragedexpected to own Common Stock equal in value to three times3x the total annual base compensation for non-employee directors, or $315,000.$330,000.  This amount is the equivalent of six times6x the base annual cash retainer paid to our non-employee directors.  Directors are expected to acquire and maintain this share ownership threshold within five years of joining the Board of Directors.  All of our directors own a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock under our stock ownership guidelines, except for two of our newest directors who joined our Board within the past several monthsin 2016 and 2017, respectively, and who are in the process of accumulating shares to comply with our stock ownership guidelines.  Br. GaffneyJames is exempt from our stock ownership guidelines because he does not accept any director compensation for serving on our Board.


2019 Proxy Statement

33



41


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

34

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides information and perspective regarding our 20162018 executive compensation program and decisions for our executive officers generally and, more specifically, for our named executive officers identified below:

Name

Title

NameTitle

Michael L. Scudder

President

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bank

Mark G. SanderSander*

Senior Executive Vice

President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of First Midwest Bank

Patrick S. Barrett

Paul F. Clemens*

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and First Midwest Bank

Michael W. Jamieson

Thomas M. Prame

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

Thomas M. Prame

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

Nicholas J. ChulosExecutive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel of the Company and Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of First Midwest Bank


*Mr. Clemens served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company during 2016. In April 2016, Mr. Clemens advised the Company of his intention to retire when he turns age 65 in mid-2017, and the Company then initiated a search process for his successor. On January 5, 2017, Patrick S. Barrett was hired as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

*Mr. Sander was promoted to President of the Company effective January 18, 2019.

We seek to align the interests of our executives with the interests of our stockholders.  As such, we believe it is important to incent and reward our executives for corporate and individual performance, with a clear emphasis



42


on corporate performance.  We maintain a pay-for-performance environment with an executive compensation program having both short-term and long-term performance-based awards, including a significant equity component and compensation that is at-risk for theour executives.

Our executive compensation program is designed to accomplish the following goals:

u

Encourage the achievement of short- and long-term corporate financial objectives that create value for our stockholders.

Encourage the achievement of corporate financial objectives that create value for

u

Align the interests of our executives with our stockholders.

Align the interests of our executives with our stockholders.

u

Attract and retain high-performing executives.

Attract and retain high-performing executives.

Our Compensation Committee also annually reviews, and discusses with its independent compensation consultant, the risks and rewards associated with each element of our executive compensation program to assure that the program does not encourage our executive officers to take excessive risks to enhance their compensation.

Certain Financial Information Presented on an Adjusted Basis

Our Compensation Discussion and Analysis contains references to certain financial information on an adjusted basis.  This information, as adjusted, excludes certain items, such as the effects of our acquisition and integration related expenses, implementation costs related to our Delivering Excellence initiative and other items.  We believe that presenting certain financial information in this manner assists stockholders in assessing the Company’s underlying operational performance since these items do not pertain to our core business operations, and their exclusion facilitates better comparability between periods and enhances comparability for peer comparison purposes.  For a reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which include earnings, earnings per share, return on assets, return on average tangible common equity (RATCE) and net interest margin, in each case as adjusted to exclude certain items, see our Form 10‑K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019.

Pay-for-Performance

2019 Proxy Statement

35


Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Pay-for-Performance

Consistent with our longstanding compensation practices, performance-based and at-risk cash and equity awards in 20162018 constituted a significant portion of the compensation packagepackages of our named executive officers.  In 2016, approximately two-thirds2018, over 70% of the total direct compensation (base salary, annual cash incentive and long-term incentive) paid to each of our Chief Executive Officer and two-thirds of the total direct compensation paid to our Chief Operating OfficerPresident was at risk, through compensation that is either performance-based or tied to the value of our Common Stock.

  This compensation mix places a greater emphasis on performance-based awards, which are only fully realized if the short- and long-term goals of the Company are achieved.  We continued our emphasis on performance-based awards in 2018, including having a significant portion of our CEO’s and President’s compensation tied to corporate performance.

Additionally, our short-term and long-term performance goals require the Company to achieve performance at or exceeding aour Board-approved budget in order for our executives to receive target payout levels and are in furtherance of strategic and operating objectives that we believe will create long-term value for our stockholders.  Our performance-based compensation programs are designed to be rigorous, as evidenced by the payouts under our annual cash incentive compensation program and performance shares program over the last three years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payout

Program

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

 

111%

 

98%

 

100%

Performance Shares

 

78%

 

97%

 

92%

Our performance goals are centered around our business and financial plans, whichand we believe willdo not encourage undue risk taking or imprudent actions by our executive officers to take undue risks or imprudent actions in order to achieve these goals.

2016 Achievements
The Company’s activities in 2016 reflected significant achievement, growth and transformation. Despite a continued low interest rate environment, as well as state and local fiscal struggles, we delivered strong results in 2016 and continued our focus

2018 Overview

Building on our corporate strategic prioritiesmomentum, 2018 was an exceptionally strong and productive year for our Company where we continued to execute on our strategy of building and maintaining the highest quality and engaged team, growing and diversifying our revenues through disciplined acquisitions and growing loansorganic growth and revenues, and balancing investment andmanaging business risk.  During 2016, we accomplished balanced execution across our business lines thatThis strategy resulted in recordadded scale and expertise to provide us with the resources and strategic flexibility to continue to grow profitably.

In 2018, we generated total revenues of $538$727 million and record net income, adjusted, of $92.3$173 million, or $1.14 per share, a 9% improvement from 2015. This performance includes costs associatedboth of which were at record levels for our Company, and finished the year with our M&A activityassets of nearly $16 billion.  Underlying these strong financial results were solid organic growth, higher interest rates and other significant transactions. Our total return to stockholders asthe impact of the end of 2016 was 39% and 52% over the last year and three years, respectively.



43


The charts below provide information about our recent growth:
plagrowearnfeebasedroaa02.jpg
Additionally, in 2016,lower taxes.  In addition, we completed our combination with National Bank & Trust Company (Sycamore/DeKalb, Illinois) and, on January 6, 2017, weor announced three strategic acquisitions in 2018 that, when completed, our combination with Standard Bank & Trust Company (south metro Chicago). On a combined basis, these transactions added $3.3 billion in assets, $2.2 billion in loans, $2.6 billion in deposits and $1.0 billion in wealth management assets to our Company. These transactions strengthened our market position in metro Chicago and enhanced our commercial banking and wealth management teams. We now havewill add approximately $14 billion in total assets (40% larger than at the start of 2016) and an additional $9.5$1.9 billion of wealth management assets (29% larger than at the start of 2016). In 2016, we also raised additional capital by issuing $150 million of subordinated notes and completed a sale-leaseback of 55 of our branches for a purchase price of $150 million.
Highlights of our successes in 2016 include the following:
Earnings Growth.Increased earnings by 9% to $92.3 million, or $1.14 per share, compared to 2015. Excluding costs related to M&A activity and related integration, as well as other significant transactions, we had core earnings of $1.22 per share.
Total Stockholder Return (TSR). Our TSR for 2016 was 39.4% as compared to 9.9% in 2015. Our five-year TSR was 167.2% as compared to 132.2% for the companies in our peer group and 151.9% for the NASDAQ Bank Index.
Return on Equity. Our core return on average tangible common equity (excluding costs related to M&A activity, related integration and other significant transactions) increased to 11.5% from 11.2% in 2015.
Well Capitalized. Maintained regulatory capital ratios significantly above the minimums for designation as a “well capitalized” institution. Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets of First Midwest Bank was 9.83% at December 31, 2016 (regulatory minimum for being well capitalized is 8.0%).
Dividends. In 2016, we were pleased to pay our 136th consecutive quarterly dividend to our stockholders.


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Asset Growth. Total assets grew to $11.4 billion as of December 31, 2016, an increase of 17% from December 31, 2015. When we completed the Standard Bank transaction on January 6, 2017, our assets increased to approximately $14 billion, or 40% larger than on December 31, 2015.
Deposit Growth. Total deposits grew to $8.8 billion, an increase of 9% from December 31, 2015 and three-year growth of 12%.
Loan Growth. Total loans grew to $8.3 billion, an increase of 15% from December 31, 2015 and three-year growth of 23%. Organically, loans grew by 11.3% in 2016 as compared to 2015.
Growth of Wealth Management Business. Our wealth assets under management were $8.6 billion at December 31, 2016, reflecting an increase of $1.2 billion, or 16%, from December 31, 2015. We added an additional $850$800 million of assets under management when we acquired Standard Bank & Trust Company in January 2017 and Premier Asset Management LLC in February 2017.
Growth of Fee-Based Revenues. Continued to diversifymanagement.  We also began executing on our revenues by growing fee-based revenues to $145.1 million,Delivering Excellence initiative that enhances an increase of 14% from December 31, 2015 and three-year growth of 31%.
M&A Activity. Completedalready superior client experience, improves the acquisition of National Bank & Trust Company ($700 million in assets). Also completed the acquisitions of Standard Bank & Trust Company on January 6, 2017 ($2.6 billion in assets) and Premier Asset Management on February 28, 2017 ($550 million of assets under management).
Sale-Leaseback. Completed a sale-leaseback of 55efficiency of our branchesoperations and creates capacity for growth through efficiencies of scale, with immediate recurring benefits being realized in 2018 that are expected to grow from approximately $20 million to nearly $30 million per year over the next three years.

During this year of growth and accomplishment, we continued to remain focused on our mission, vision and values that drive a purchase priceculture that is centered on client needs, rooted in service excellence, invested in bettering our communities, focused on attracting top industry talent and influenced by technological change.  These provide significant momentum for future earnings growth and enhance our position as the premier Midwest-based commercial bank that is committed to helping our clients achieve financial success.  That commitment is at the core of $150 million, which resulted inall that we do.

Results for 2018 were impacted by certain significant items that skew our financial results, including acquisition and integration related expenses, implementation costs related to our Delivering Excellence initiative and certain tax benefits resulting from federal income tax reform.  We review our performance on an initial pre-tax gain of almost $90 millionadjusted basis to exclude these items to properly assess our performance both standalone and which will add approximately $50 million of tier 1 capital upon our adoption of recent FASB leasing guidance.relative to peers.  We expect to continue to

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

grow, both organically and through acquisitions, and will evaluate our named executive officers based on their ability to continue to enhance stockholder value and to execute on our corporate strategies.

Significant InvestmentOur Successes in 2018

Our compensation program is designed to encourage the achievement of corporate financial objectives that create value for our Leadership. In 2016, we welcomedstockholders.  We select several new executive and senior level leaders and added over 450 new colleagues through both organic and M&A growth. Our new executive team members add talent with new perspectives and experiencecorporate performance metrics against which to measure our success in operatingachieving this goal.  The charts below illustrate our achievements in larger, more diverse businesses.

For a reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures discussed above, which includes earnings, earnings per share2018 for net income, adjusted, and return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)(RATCE), adjusted.  These two metrics constitute critical components in each case excluding certain significant transactions, see our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017.
2017 Compensation
Given the significant growth of the Company and its transition to an institution having more than $10 billion in assets operating within a heightened regulatory regime, the Compensation Committee determined, at its meeting in February 2017, to make modest adjustments to the 2017 base salaries of certain members of senior management to align compensation with market practices for similarly-sized organizations and to reflect the increased nature and scope of position responsibilities that accompany a larger and a more complex and diverse organization. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer recommended that any compensation based on their individual performance ratings should be based entirely on corporate performance, and our Compensation Committee concurred with this recommendation. Accordingly, for 2017 compensation purposes, the annual cash incentive awards and restricted stock awardsdesign of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer, which were based, in part, on individual performance ratings, instead will now be based entirely on Company performance. The Committee believes this change is appropriate because the individual performance of the CEOcompensation program and the COO is already closely aligned with the overall performanceimpact of the Companythese results on our program are discussed more fulsomely later in this Compensation Discussion and because it will drive even greater focus on maximizing the Company’s financial performance.Analysis.

Net Income, adjusted

RATCE, adjusted

Picture 84

Picture 85

Organizationally, we achieved a number of additional successes in 2018, which are summarized below:

Earnings

Net Interest Income

Efficiency

58%

9%

58%

Generated earnings per share of $1.52compared to $0.96 for 2017, an increase of 58%.  Increased earnings per share, adjusted, almost 25% to $1.67from $1.35 for 2017.

Expanded net interest income to $517 million, up 9% from 2017, and increased net interest margin, adjusted to 3.75%, up 16 bps from 2017.

Improved our efficiency ratio by 4% (or 222 bps) to 58% from 60% for 2017.  For the fourth quarter of 2018, we achieved an efficiency ratio of 55%.

Total Assets

Average Deposits

Loans

$15.5 billion

4%

10%

Increased total assets to $15.5 billion at December 31, 2018, up 10% from the end of 2017 and 36% from 2016.

Grew average total deposits to $11.5 billionfor the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 4% from 2017.  Average core deposits continues to be strong at 83%.

Grew total loans to $11.4 billionat December 31, 2018, an increase of 10% from the end of 2017.


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Delivering Excellence

M&A Transactions

~$30 million in
Annual Benefits by 2021

3 Transactions
Completed or Pending

Dedicated significant time, effort and resources, including $16 million in capital, to our Delivering Excellence initiative, which leverages our colleagues, greater scale and investments in technology to provide an enhanced client experience and a more efficient platform for future growth.  Identified client-facing improvements and operational efficiencies that will result in a one-year earnback on our investments and grow to nearly $30 millionin pre-tax annual benefits over the next three years.  For 2019, we expect to realize a benefit of approximately $0.17 per share from our initiatives.

Completed our acquisition and integration of NorStates Bank  ($600 million of assets) located in the northern Chicago suburbs.  Announced in late 2018 our acquisitions of Northern Oak Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser in Milwaukee, and Bridgeview Bank, with locations throughout Chicagoland.  Completed our acquisition of Northern Oak  ($800 million of assets under management) in January 2019 and expect to complete our acquisition of Bridgeview Bank  ($1.3 billion of assets) in the second quarter of 2019.  For 2019, we expect to realize a benefit of approximately $0.10 per share from these acquisitions, which is expected to grow to at least $0.16 per sharein 2020.

Return on Assets.  Achieved a return on average assets, adjusted of 1.17%as compared to 0.98% in 2017.

Capital.  Maintained strong regulatory capital ratios, even with capital deployment for acquisition activity, and significantly above the requirement for a well-capitalized institution as defined by the Federal Reserve.  Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets grew to 10.2% at December 31, 2018, an increase of over 50 bpsfrom the end of 2017.  Total capital to risk-weighted assets grew to 12.6%from 12.2% at December 31, 2018.

Loan Quality.  Maintained solid loan quality in 2018 with continued loan growth.  Non-performing loans to total loans decreased to 0.57%at December 31, 2018, an improvement of 16% compared to the end of 2017.

Dividends.  Paid our 144th consecutive quarterly cash dividend in 2018.  With continued confidence in our Company and our business strategy, as well as our desire to return value to our stockholders, our Board of Directors increased our cash dividends to $0.45 per share in 2018, a 15% increase from 2017.

Continued Investment in our Communities

During 2018, we and our colleagues continued our support of many nonprofit organizations and the communities we serve through donations and volunteer hours.  We discuss this further under Corporate Governance at First Midwest—Our Long-Standing Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

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Total Stockholder Return

In addition to theour 2018 achievements noted above, we created long-term stockholder value in 2016. The table below reflectsover the last five years.  Below is our one-, three- and five-year TSRtotal stockholder return as compared to the average TSR for our 20162018 peer group and the KBW NASDAQ BankRegional Banking Index (the Company is included in this index)^KRX, which includes the Company):

fmbi2016chart.jpg

Picture 4

2018 CEO Pay Decisions and Program Updates

As described above, 2018 was a successful year for the Company, building on a strong 2017 to achieve continued growth while focusing on operating efficiency.  Our Compensation Committee reviewed target compensation for our Chief Executive Officer in the first quarter of 2018 and set target opportunities for the year with reference to CEO pay data among our peer group.  Based on an assessment of our CEO’s performance and continued importance in leading the Company, as well as an analysis of CEO compensation in our peer group, the Committee made the following decisions relating to CEO compensation for 2018:

u

Continuation of base salary at $850,000.

u

An increase to the target opportunity for the annual cash incentive award from 75% to 85% of base salary.

u

An increase to the target opportunity for the performance share award from 100% to 110% of base salary.

u

An increase to the target opportunity for the restricted stock award from 50% to 60% of base salary.

These actions increased the emphasis on performance-based compensation, link the majority of our CEO’s pay to long-term incentives and positioned his target total direct compensation slightly below the median of our peer group.

In the first quarter of 2019, actual performance for the 2018 annual cash incentive plan was determined to be 100% of target, resulting in a target payout for our CEO.  The 2016 performance shares (2016-2018 performance period) were earned at 92% of target based on our three-year return on average tangible common equity (RATCE), adjusted, and relative total stockholder return (TSR) performance.

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In June 2018, we entered into a new employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer that provides for the continuation of his annual base salary then in effect, as well as his continued participation in our annual cash incentive and long-term incentive programs consistent with the target award levels for 2018 described above.  In January 2019, we also entered into a new employment agreement with our Chief Operating Officer that provides for his promotion to President of the Company and an increase in his annual base salary from $655,000 for 2018 to $675,000 commensurate with this increase in responsibilities, as well as continued participation in our annual cash incentive and long-term incentive programs consistent with the target award levels for 2018.  The new employment agreements with our CEO (as amended in January 2019) and President provide for the payment of certain enhanced severance benefits in the event of certain qualifying terminations, as discussed more fully below under Executive Compensation Tables—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.  

The new employment agreements for our CEO and President are intended to recognize the substantial growth and increased profitability of our Company under their leadership.  At the same time that we entered into these new employment agreements, we also entered into new confidentiality and restrictive covenant agreements with our CEO and President.  These agreements continue to provide for enhanced confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-disparagement provisions and add non-competition provisions.  The restrictive covenants to which our CEO and President are subject are discussed more fully under Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Peer GroupPolicies, Guidelines and Other Practices—Employment and Restrictive Covenant Agreements with Our Executive Officers, at its November 2016 meeting,.

For 2019, our Compensation Committee also approved various changescertain updates to our peer group for 2017.annual cash incentive and long-term incentive programs, as follows:

u

Annual Cash Incentive Program. Based on recommendations from management and concurrence from the Committee’s independent compensation consultant, our Compensation Committee selected net income, adjusted (weighted 80%), asset quality (weighted 10%) and execution on specified strategic initiatives (weighted 10%) as the performance metrics for 2019.  Net income, adjusted, and asset quality remain as metrics, while the addition of a strategic initiatives component is intended to incentivize the timely, successful completion of certain initiatives related to talent and colleague development, client experience, technology enhancement and risk mitigation programs and M&A activity that we believe are important to our continued success and achieving long-term top tier results.  The annual cash incentive compensation awards for our Chief Executive Officer and President continue to be based entirely on Company performance.

u

Long-Term Incentive Program. Beginning with our 2019 performance share (2019-2021 performance period) and restricted stock awards, our Compensation Committee determined that these awards will vest (or, in the case of performance shares, be eligible to be earned and vest based on actual performance for the entire performance period) on a pro rata basis in the event a participant is terminated and eligible for severance benefits under the Company’s severance plans or his or her employment agreement.  The Committee recommended this pro rata treatment of awards in the event of a qualifying termination upon the advice of management, with concurrence from the Committee’s independent compensation consultant, and following a review of peer practices.

Stockholder Say-on-Pay Vote in 2016

2018

Our Compensation Committee reviews the annual advisory vote by our stockholders on executive compensation when designing our executive compensation program and setting executive compensation levels.  With respect to compensation decisions in 20162018 (and in 2017)2019), the Compensation Committee considered the say-on-pay approval by 93%of 92% of the votes cast at our 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders.

Although the Compensation Committee believes these vote results confirm that our stockholders are in agreement with our approach to executive compensation, the Compensation Committee annually evaluates our compensation program and our compensation disclosure practices in an effort to confirm that our pay and performance are linkedaligned and that our compensation practices are clearly disclosed.

Our Compensation Committee intends to consider the vote results from this year, and future advisory votes, when determining the design and amounts provided under our executive compensation program.

Recent Program Enhancements

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Double Trigger Vesting for Equity Awards.  Beginning in 2016, our Compensation Committee determined that performance share, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards will have a double trigger vesting feature in the event of a change-in-control of the Company. As such, both a change-in-control of the Company and a termination of employment by either the executive for good reason or an acquirer without cause within 24 months following the change-in-control must occur in order for the unearned or unvested equity awards to vest. We already maintain a double trigger requirement following a change-in-control for enhanced severance payments to be made to our named executive officers, and we intend to continue this practice.
Increased Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines.  Beginning in 2017, and based on a recommendation from our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer, our Compensation Committee determined that the



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2

Our Executive Compensation Philosophy

stock ownership guidelines should be increased from three-times to five-times base salary for our CEO and from two-times to three-times base salary for our COO.
Our Compensation Philosophy

Our Compensation Committee, with input from our independent compensation consultant and management, has designed a compensation program that promotes a pay-for-performance environment intended to create stockholder value as well asand encourage and reward the Company’s short-term and long-term financial success and the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each performance period.  As such, a significant portion of the compensation of our executive officers (including our named executive officers) is at-risk compensation, with the amount of compensation that can be earned tied to the attainment of pre-determined performance goals and the long-term value of our Common Stock.  The Committee selects performance goalsmetrics that it believes are closely correlated to the creation of stockholder value.value and sets performance goals based on these metrics that it believes are of sufficient rigor.

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Our Compensation Committee also believes that our compensation program must be market competitivemarket-competitive to attract and retain skilled and motivated executives who can successfully grow and manage our business in an increasingly competitive and regulated environment.  Adherence to this philosophy forms the overall premise forof our executive compensation program and is based on the compensation principles set forth below.

Picture 10

42

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Executive compensation should be performance-based and reward achievement of corporate objectives.

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Our compensation program for our named executive officers (and our other executive officers) should motivate and reward superior performance, and should be weighted toward achievement of corporate financial metrics that further our strategic priorities and that we believe will build stockholder value.

fmbarrowlogorgba02.jpg  
A significant portion of executive compensation should be in the form of equity awards that encourage long-term value creation for stockholders.
Equity compensation tied to long-term performance further aligns executive management and stockholder interests. Equity compensation also focuses management on long-term value creation rather than taking risks to increase short-term compensation. Additionally, our named executive officers are required to maintain significant levels of stock ownership in the Company, which the Compensation Committee believes further aligns our named executive officers with the long-term interests of our stockholders.
fmbarrowlogorgba02.jpg  
Executive compensation should reflect an appropriate balance of fixed, incentive and at-risk 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 mix results in appropriate levels of fixed, incentive and at-risk compensation, and encourages achievement of both short-term and long-term performance objectives.
fmbarrowlogorgba02.jpg  
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 should be competitive within the markets in which we compete for talent as well as for an organization of our size and level of complexity. 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 continues to grow.


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fmbarrowlogorgba02.jpg  

Executive compensation should have a retention effect.

Our executive compensation program should be structured to enable us to retain high-performing executives and avoid undesirable management turnover. To encourage retention, a significant component of our compensation consists of long-term equity compensation, a portion of which is tied to a three-year performance period followed by a two-year continued service vesting period and a portion of which is subject to a three-year continued service vesting schedule.
fmbarrowlogorgba02.jpg  
Executive compensation should not encourage excessive risk-taking.
Our Compensation Committee annually reviews the risks and rewards associated with our compensation program to assure that our program appropriately incentivizes our executive officers to attain corporate financial objectives without encouraging excessive risk-taking. In addition, we maintain stock ownership guidelines, caps on incentive payouts and clawback provisions that the Compensation Committee believes further mitigates excessive risk-taking.


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Compensation Best Practices

The Compensation Committee considers various compensation and corporate governance best practices when making executive compensation decisions, including the following:

WHAT WE DO

What We DoWhat We Don’t Do

ü

Double Trigger Vesting of Equity Awards Upon a Change-in-Control
For awards in 2016 and going forward.  Accelerated vesting requires both a change-in-control of the Company and a qualifying termination of employment (termination without cause or resignation with good reason).

Double Trigger for Severance Upon a Change-in-Control
Requires both a change-in-control of the Company and a qualifying termination of employment.

û

Capped Incentive Payouts
Payouts under our annual cash incentive compensation and performance-based equity compensation programs are capped at 175% and 200% of target, respectively.

Clawback of Compensation
Employment agreements with our executive officers allow us to recover cash bonuses and other incentive compensation under certain circumstances.  Our 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan also includes clawback provisions.

Anti-Pledging and Anti-Hedging Policy
Prohibits our executive officers and all other employees from pledging, hedging or selling short shares of our Common Stock.

Stock Ownership Guidelines
Robust stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers further align their interests with our stockholders’ interests.

Independent Compensation Consultant
Our Compensation Committee regularly obtains advice from an independent compensation consultant on our executive compensation program and other executive compensation matters.

Minimum Vesting Periods
Our equity awards have a period of not less than three years for full vesting to occur, subject to certain limited exceptions.

Compensation Risk Assessment
Our Compensation Committee conducts, and discusses with its independent compensation consultant, an annual risk assessment of our executive compensation program.

Protective Covenants
Our executive officers must be a party to and comply with confidentiality, non-solicitation and, in the case of our Chief Executive Officer and our President, non-competition covenants as a condition to receiving equity and short-term cash incentive awards.

WHAT WE DON’T DO

x

No Excise Tax Gross-ups


We do not pay our executives a tax gross-up in the event they incur an excise tax from severance benefits paid following a change-in-control.

For awards in 2016 and going forward. Requires both a change-in-control of the Company and an involuntary termination of the employee or a material reduction in job responsibilities.

x

û

No Dividends Paid on Equity Awards Prior to Vesting

üDouble Trigger for Severance Upon a Change-in-Control
We do not pay dividends on performance shares or restricted stock awards before they are earned and vested.

Requires both a change-in-control of the Company and an involuntary termination of the employee.

x

û

No Share Recycling

Our
Neither our 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan, nor the predecessor Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan, does not permitpermits recycling of shares.

ü

x

Capped Incentive Payouts

No Excessive Perquisites
Perquisites represent an immaterial portion of our executive compensation.

Payouts under our annual cash incentive compensation and performance-based equity compensation programs are capped at 175% and 200% of target, respectively.

x

û

No Stock Option Repricing

Our
Both our 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan and the predecessor Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan prohibitsprohibit repricing of stock options and stock appreciation rights, as well as cash buyouts or exchanges of underwater stock options, without stockholder approval.

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Compensation Procedures

Set forth below are the compensation procedures followed each year by the Compensation Committee, our compensation consultant and management.

Picture 42

  Subject to approval of our Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the principal elements and amounts of compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and other executive officers.

  Our Compensation Committee reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer when determining compensation for our Chief Operating Officer and other executive officers other than himself.

  Our Compensation Committee considers information provided by its compensation consultant and management and obtained from publicly available information about the companies in our peer group.

üClawback

  Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer review the performance of Compensation

Employment agreements withtheir respective direct reports and each determine the individual performance ratings of these executives for the year.

  Individual performance ratings impact the amount of annual cash incentive compensation earned by, and the restricted stock awards granted to, our executive officers allow us to recover cash bonusesother than our Chief Executive Officer and other incentive compensation under certain circumstances.Chief Operating Officer, whose performance is based solely on the Company’s performance.

ûNo Excessive Perquisites
Perquisites represent an immaterial portion of

  CAP assists our executive compensation.

üAnti-Pledging and Anti-Hedging Policy
Prohibits our executive officers and all other employees from pledging, hedging or selling short shares of our Common Stock.
üStock Ownership Guidelines
Robust stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers further align their interests with our stockholders’.
üIndependent Compensation Consultant
Our Compensation Committee regularly obtains advice from an independent compensation consultant on ourwith executive compensation program.
üMinimum Vesting Periods
Our equity awards have a period of not less than three years for full vesting to occur, with our performance shares having three-year performance periods and, if earned, two-year full vesting periods, subject to certain limited exceptions.
üCompensation Risk Assessment
Our Compensation Committee conducts an annual risk assessmentprogram design, ongoing review of our executive compensation program.program and the amounts and mix of cash, equity and incentive compensation to be paid to our executive officers.

  CAP also provides analysis of the compensation practices of companies in our peer group and in our market area, assessment of the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program, say-on-pay analysis and peer group composition.

  CAP participates in Compensation Committee meetings on request, regularly provides input for Committee meetings and attended [__] meeting[s] in 2017.  Members of our Compensation Committee also consult with CAP outside of Committee meetings.

  Our Compensation Committee assesses CAP’s independence each year and concluded that CAP is independent under applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

   Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves our executive compensation philosophy.

   Our Compensation Committee considers information provided by its independent compensation consultant, Compensation Advisory Partners LLC (“CAP”), and management, as well as obtained from publicly available information about the companies in our peer group.

  Subject to approval of our Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee reviews and recommends the principal elements and amounts of compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, President and other executive officers.

   Our Compensation Committee reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer when determining compensation for our President and other executive officers other than himself.

   Our Compensation Committee assesses CAP’s independence each year and concluded that CAP is independent under applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

   Our Compensation Committee retained CAP to serve as its independent compensation consultant for 2018.  CAP reports directly to the Compensation Committee.

   CAP assists our Compensation Committee with executive compensation program design, ongoing review of our executive compensation program and the amounts and mix of cash, equity and incentive compensation to be paid to our executive officers.

 CAP also provides analysis of the compensation practices of companies in our peer group and in our market area, assessment of the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program, say-on-pay analysis and peer group composition recommendations.

   CAP participates in Compensation Committee meetings on request, regularly provides input for Committee meetings and attended all Committee meetings in 2018.  Members of our Compensation Committee also consult with CAP outside of Committee meetings.

   Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation for our President and other executive officers.

  Our Chief Executive Officer and President review the performance of the Company and their respective direct reports and each determines the individual performance ratings of these executives for the year, subject to review by the Compensation Committee.

  Individual performance ratings impact the amount of annual cash incentive compensation earned by our executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer and President, whose performance is based solely on the Company’s performance.  Individual performance ratings also impact the restricted stock awards granted to our executive officers other than our CEO.

ü

44

Protective Covenants
Our executive officers must comply with confidentiality and non-solicitation covenants as a condition to receiving equity and short-term cash incentive awards.

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Compensation Process
Role of Management.  In February of each year, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the base salaries for that year for our Chief Operating Officer and each of our other executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer also review annually the performance of their respective direct reports, and our CEO and COO each determine the individual performance ratings of these executives for a particular year. The individual performance ratings impact the amount of annual



49


cash incentive compensation earned by, and the restricted stock awards granted to, our executive officers. As described above in

Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Executive Summary—2017 Compensation, the Compensation Committee eliminated for 2017 compensation purposes the individual performance ratings for our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer.Analysis

Role of the Compensation CommitteePeer Group.  Each year, our

Our Compensation Committee reviews publicly-available information about a group of regional bank holding companies whose size, business lines or geographical markets are generally similar to ours and approves the compensation philosophy of the Company. Thewith whom we may compete for executive talent.  We refer to these institutions as our peer group.

Our Compensation Committee reviewsuses peer information as one of several factors when evaluating and approves each year, subject tosetting the approval of our Board of Directors, the principal elements and the amounts of the compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Operating Officer and our othernamed executive officers.  Our Compensation Committee also reviews our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and determines his individual performance rating. The Compensation Committee considers peer group and other available data, including market surveys, as a competitive market check when establishing the recommendationscompensation of our Chief Executive Officer when determiningnamed executive officers.  The Committee strives to set compensation at approximately the base salary, annual cash incentive compensation and equity awardsmedian for comparable officers of the peer group.

Our peer group is developed with input from our Chief Operating Officer and the executive officers other than himself. In determining executive compensation, our Compensation Committee considers information provided by the Committee’sindependent compensation consultant and management, and obtainedis approved annually by the Compensation Committee.  The peer group may be changed from publicly available information aboutyear-to-year if a company in the companies in our peer group.

Role of Compensation Consultant.  For 2016,group has been acquired or if a peer company’s size, business mix or other factors have changed such that the Compensation Committee retained Deloitte Consulting LLP to serve as its independent compensation consultant. Deloitte Consulting reports directly to the Compensation Committee. Our compensation consultant assists the Compensation Committee with executive compensation program design, ongoing review of our executive compensation program, the amounts and mix of cash, equity and incentive compensationbelieves that a particular company no longer continues to be paid torepresentative of the peer group or the Company.  For 2018, our executive officers, analysispeer group consisted of compensation practices for companiesthe following 18 companies:

Name of Institution

BancorpSouth Bank (Tupelo, MS)

Chemical Financial Corporation (Detroit, MI)

F.N.B. Corporation (Pittsburgh, PA)

Fulton Financial Corporation (Lancaster, PA)

Great Western Bancorp, Inc. (Sioux Falls, SD)

Hancock Whitney Corporation (Gulfport, MS)

IBERIABANK Corporation (Lafayette, LA)

MB Financial, Inc. (Chicago, IL)

Old National Bancorp (Evansville, IN)

Sterling Bancorp (Montebello, NY)

TCF Financial Corporation (Wayzata, MN)

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (Dallas, TX)

Trustmark Corporation (Jackson, MS)

UMB Financial Corporation (Kansas City, MO)

United Bankshares, Inc. (Charleston, WV)

Valley National Bancorp (Wayne, NJ)

Western Alliance Bancorporation (Phoenix, AZ)

Wintrust Financial Corporation (Rosemont, IL)

Several institutions in our peer group and in our market area, assessment of the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program, say-on-pay analysis and peer group composition. Deloitte Consulting participates in Compensation Committee meetings on request, regularly provides input for Committee meetings and attended one meeting in 2016. Members of2018 are or have been subject to M&A activity.  As a result, our Compensation Committee also consult withexpects to re-evaluate the compensation consultant outsidepeer group during 2019.

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45


Table of Committee meetings. The Committee assesses the independence of the compensation consultant each yearContents

Compensation Discussion and concluded that Deloitte Consulting is independent under applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.Analysis

3

Performance

How We Measure Company Performance

At the beginning of the year, management recommends to our Compensation Committee, and the Committee, following discussions with its independent compensation consultant, approves and recommends to our Board of Directors for approval, corporate-wide financial performance goals against which actual performance of the Company is measured for that year for our annual cash incentive compensation program and for a three-year performance period for our performance share awards.

The dominantprimary metric for our annual cash incentive program has historically been an earnings-based performance measure.metric.  In 2016, core2018, net income, adjusted, was weighted at 80%90% of the short-term cash incentive award opportunity, with the remaining 20% tied to asset quality (levels(level of nonperformingnon-performing assets and classified loans) weighted at 10%.  Payouts of short-term incentive compensation are made only if threshold financial performance is attained and are based on the degree to which the corporate performance goals are achieved.  This amount may be increased for individual executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer and President) based on their individual performance ratings.

For our 20172019 annual cash incentive program, the Compensation Committee again determined to use core net income, adjusted (weighted at 75%80%) and, asset quality (weighted at 10%) metrics, and added execution on certainspecified strategic initiatives (weighted at 15%10%) as a new metric.

the performance metrics.

For the performance share component of our executive compensation program, in 2016 (2016-2018we have historically used an external metric (relative TSR) and an internal metric (RATCE, adjusted) and weighted these metrics equally at 50% each.  In 2018 (2018‑2020 performance period), our Compensation Committee again selected, and our Board of Directors approved, an external metric (relative total stockholder return)relative TSR and an internal metric (core return on average tangible common equity) andRATCE, adjusted, weighted theseequally, as the performance metrics equally.for our performance share awards.  With regard to the external metric, the Company’s total stockholder returnTSR during a three-year performance period will be compared to total stockholder returnsthe TSR of our peer group for the same period.  With respect to the internal metric, the Company’s core return on average tangible common equity forRATCE, adjusted, over a three-year performance period will be measured against predetermined return on average tangible common equityRATCE goals for each year of the sameperformance period.



50


Performance

Beginning with the 2018 awards, performance shares may be earned based on the level that the metrics are achieved and, if earned, the shares will vest in full on the March 15thfollowing the Committee’s certification of the Company’s performance relative to the performance goals for that three-year performance period.  For performance share awards granted in 2017 and earlier years, the earned awards will vest in full after an additional two-year period following the completion of the three-year performance period.  The Compensation Committee updated the vesting period.

requirements for performance shares beginning in 2018 based upon market prevalence and a recommendation from our independent compensation consultant.  We do not pay dividends on performance shares before they are earned and vested.

For our 20172019 performance share awards (2017-2019(2019‑2021 performance period), granted in February 2019, the Compensation Committee again determined to use relative total stockholder returnTSR and core return on average tangible common equity,RATCE, adjusted, weighted equally, at 50% each, as the performance metrics.

The Compensation Committee must certify the level of achievement of the performance goals for both the annual cash incentive compensation program and the performance share awards before the awards may be earned.

Peer Group
Our Compensation Committee reviews publicly-available information about a group  Over the past three years, our annual cash incentive compensation and performance share programs have paid out between 78% and 111% of regional bank holding companies whose size, business lines or geographical markets are generally similar to ours and uses this information as a reference point when evaluatingtarget, demonstrating 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 establish the compensationrigor of our named executive officers using direct comparisons to our peer group, but instead uses peer group data as a competitive market check on named executive officer compensation. Peer group data is one of several factors used by the Compensation Committee when setting theperformance-based compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers.
Our peer group is developed with input from our compensation consultant and management, and is approved annually by the Compensation Committee. The peer group may be changed from year to year if a company in the peer group has been acquired or if a peer company’s size or other factors have changed such that the Compensation Committee believes that a particular company no longer continues to be representative of the peer group or the Company.


51


For 2016, our peer group consisted of 21 companies:
Name of Institution 
Asset Size as of 12/31/2015
(Dollars in Billions)
 Location
     
1st Source Corporation(1)
 $5.2
 South Bend, IN
Chemical Financial Corporation 9.2
 Midland, MI
Community Bank System, Inc.(1)
 8.6
 DeWitt, NY
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation(1)
 6.6
 Indiana, PA
First Financial Bancorp.(1)
 8.1
 Cincinnati, OH
First Merchants Corporation(1)
 6.1
 Muncie, IN
F.N.B. Corporation 17.6
 Pittsburgh, PA
MB Financial, Inc. 15.6
 Chicago, IL
Old National Bancorp 12.0
 Evansville, IN
Park National Corporation(1)
 7.2
 Newark, OH
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.(1)
 8.7
 Nashville, TN
PrivateBancorp, Inc.(2)
 17.3
 Chicago, IL
Provident Financial Services, Inc.(1)
 8.9
 Jersey City, NJ
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. 18.9
 Dallas, TX
Trustmark Corporation 12.7
 Jackson, MS
UMB Financial Corporation 19.1
 Kansas City, MO
Umpqua Holdings Corporation(1)
 23.4
 Portland, OR
United Bankshares, Inc. 12.6
 Charleston, WV
Valley National Bancorp 21.6
 Wayne, NJ
WesBanco, Inc.(1)
 8.5
 Wheeling, WV
Wintrust Financial Corporation 22.9
 Rosemont, IL
Median $12.0
  
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 9.7
 Itasca, IL
(1)Removed from our 2017 peer group primarily due to asset size.
(2)Removed from our 2017 peer group due to pending acquisition.
In late 2016, management recommended and our compensation consultant concurred that our peer group should be modified to reflect the Company’s substantial growth during 2016 (including crossing $10 billion in assets), more diverse revenue sources and transition to an enhanced regulatory regime. In addition to the deletions from our peer group noted above, the Compensation Committee, at its November 2016 meeting, approved additions to our peer group as set forth below, resulting in a peer group consisting of 18 companies for 2017. The new peer group now includes only companies that have $10 billion or more in assets due to the significant differences in regulatory and financial impact for banks with assets in excess of $10 billion.


52


Name of Institution 
Asset Size as of 12/31/2015
(Dollars in Billions)
 Location
     
BancorpSouth, Inc. $13.6
 Tupelo, MS
Fulton Financial Corporation 17.9
 Lancaster, PA
Great Western Bancorp, Inc. 10.0
 Sioux Falls, SD
Hancock Holding Company 22.8
 Gulfport, MS
IBERIABANK Corporation 19.5
 Lafayette, LA
Sterling Bancorp 12.0
 Montebello, NY
TCF Financial Corporation 20.7
 Wayzata, MN
Western Alliance Bancorp 14.3
 Phoenix, AZ
Median of 2017 Peer Group (at 12/31/2016) $19.1
  
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (at 12/31/2016) 
14.0(1)

  
(1)Reflects total assets for First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. of $11.4 billion as of December 31, 2016, plus total assets for Standard Bancshares, Inc. of $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2016. The Company completed its acquisition of Standard Bancshares, Inc. on January 6, 2017.
programs.

How We Measure Individual Performance

In 2016,2018, a portion of the annual cash incentive compensation awards that could be earned by our named executive officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer and President, was tied to each officer’s individual

46

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

performance rating for the year and a percentage of base salary.  In addition,Additionally, the number of shares of restricted stock awarded to our named executive officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer, was based on the named executive officer’s individual performance rating and a percentage of his or herthe officer’s base salary.

  The annual cash incentive compensation awards for our Chief Executive Officer and President are based entirely on Company performance.  The annual restricted stock award for our Chief Executive Officer is based solely on a percentage of his base salary.

The determination of a named executive officer’s individual performance rating is based on a review of actions taken or results achieved by the executive and how these actions and results impacted overall corporate performance and achievement of the corporate financial goals under our annual cash incentive compensation and performance share programs.programs, as well as specific individual goals established for the executive at the beginning of the year.  A subjective assessment of an executive officer’s leadership and other contributions to the Company also may be factored into his or her individual performance rating.

Our Compensation Committee historically has determined our Chief Executive Officer’s individual performance rating, which is approved annually by our Board of Directors.  Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating OfficerPresident annually review annually the performance of their respective direct reports, and our CEO and COOPresident each determine the individual performance ratings of these executives for a particular year. However, as described above in year, subject to review by the Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Executive Summary—2017 CompensationCommittee.

, for 2017 compensation purposes, we no longer will use individual performance ratings for our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating Officer and their annual cash incentive awards and restricted stock awards, which are the awards based, in part, on individual performance ratings, instead will be based entirely on Company performance. The awards for our other executive officers will continue to have an individual performance element.

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 OfficerPresident and to our other named executive officers as a group, as well as the mediancompensation of the relationship ofour CEO compensationas compared to the executive officers withinat the companies in our peer group.  The Committee uses this information as another point of reference in its compensation decisions.


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Compensation Discussion and Analysis


4

2018 Compensation Program

Principal Elements of Our Executive Compensation Program in 2016

The Compensation Committee approves, subject to approval 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 our named executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer.Officer and, with respect to his direct reports, the President.  The Committee also considers guidance from its independent compensation consultant.  Compensation is determined based on a consideration of overall corporate financial performance relative to financial objectives (with emphasis on the performance metrics used for our annual cash incentive compensation program and our performance share awards) and each named executive officer’s individual performance, market factors and our views regarding a named executive officer’s scope of job responsibilities, demonstrated leadership abilities and management experience and effectiveness.

Components of Our Executive Compensation Program

Picture 55

The principal elements

48

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Base Salary;
Performance-Based Annual Cash Incentive Compensation;
Performance Shares; and
Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.

When setting the total compensation opportunity for our named executive officers, our Compensation Committee uses data available from various sources, including peer group information, publicly available data and advice from ourits compensation consultant.  We also consider other relevant factors, such as Company and individual performance, internal equity and our compensation philosophy.

We reflect at-risk compensation below as compensation that must be earned on the basis of achievement of performance goals (annual cash incentive and performance shares) or that has a future value based on the performance of our Common Stock (restricted stock).  In 2016,2018, the percentages of each element of total direct compensation (excluding the supplemental achievement award described below) paid to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer President were as follows:

Picture 28

Picture 19

paymixchartproxy2016a03.jpg

Base Salary

We pay our named executive officers 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 a range of data, including the median base salary paid for positions of similar responsibility at the institutionscompanies in our peer group as well as the executive’s performance and level of responsibility.

Annually, our Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee changes in base salaries for our named executive officers, other than 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 approved by our Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors.



54


Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Our annual cash incentive compensation program constituted between 20% and 23% of the total direct compensation paid to our named executive officers in 2016. It is a performance-based program with one-year pre-established performance goals and is our vehicle for awarding annual cash bonuses to our named executive officers and other eligible employees.  Executives may earn an incentive cash bonus only upon the achievement of corporate financial goals approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors.  The goals are approved at the beginning of the fiscal year based on the Company’s Board-approved budget for the year.  The amount of the bonus is determined based on the level of achievement that the Company attains with respect to these corporate financial goals and a percentage of the executive’s base salary, as adjusted upward or downward depending upon the executive’s individual performance rating for the year.year, other than for our Chief Executive Officer and President, whose bonus is based entirely on Company performance.  The annual cash incentive element of our compensation

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

program encourages our named executive officersexecutives to attain corporate financial performance goals that the Compensation Committee believes are consistent with the strategies established for the Company.

Cash bonus opportunities under our annual cash incentive compensation program are awarded under our Omnibusstockholder-approved 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan, approved bywhich succeeded our stockholders and are expressed as a percentage of a named executive officer’s base salary. Our Compensation Committee establishes corporate performance goalsOmnibus Stockholder Incentive Plan following stockholder approval at the beginning of the fiscal year, and thresholdour 2018 annual meeting.  Threshold performance for at least one of the net income, adjusted, corporate performance goalsgoal must be achieved in order for cash bonuses to be earned and paid.

u

Company Performance. Annually, the Compensation Committee selects the corporate financial performance goals for the fiscal year and the weighting for the goals selected.  Awards for our named executive officers and our other executive officers are weighted more toward Company financial performance than individual performance.

Company Performance.  Annually, the Compensation Committee selects the corporate financial performance goals for the fiscal year and the weighting for the goals selected. Awards for our named executive officers and our other executive officers are weighted more toward Company financial performance than individual performance.

u

Individual Performance. Individual performance is based on the achievement of objectives that were established for our named executive officers at the beginning of the year and that contribute to the strategic, operational or financial performance of the Company.  An annual evaluation of each named executive officer’s performance results in an individual performance rating for the officer for the year.  However, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and our President, their annual cash incentive award is based entirely on Company performance.

Individual Performance.Individual performance is based on the achievement of objectives that were established for the named executive officer at the beginning of the year and that contribute to the strategic, operational or financial performance of the Company. An annual evaluation of each named executive officer’s performance results in an individual performance rating for the officer for the year.

Base Salary
($)

x

Target
Annual
Cash
Incentive
Opportunity
(% of Salary)

x

Company
Performance
(weighted)

+

Individual
Performance
(weighted)

=

Annual
Cash
Incentive
Award
($)

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 20162018 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target Bonus Opportunity

 

Performance Weighting

 

 

 

(Expressed as a

 

Company

 

Individual

 

Named Executive Officer

    

Percentage of Base Salary)

    

Performance

    

Performance

 

Michael L. Scudder

 

85

%  

100

%  

 —

%

Mark G. Sander

 

65

%  

100

%  

 —

%

Patrick S. Barrett

 

50

%  

75

%  

25

%

Michael W. Jamieson

 

50

%  

75

%  

25

%

Thomas M. Prame

 

40

%

70

%

30

%

  Target Bonus Opportunity Performance Weighting*
Named Executive Officer 
(Expressed as a
Percentage of Base Salary)
 
Company
Performance
 
Individual
Performance
Michael L. Scudder 60% 85% 15%
Mark G. Sander 50% 70% 30%
Paul F. Clemens 40% 70% 30%
Thomas M. Prame 40% 70% 30%
Nicholas J. Chulos 40% 60% 40%

*

50

For 2017, Mr. Scudder’s and Mr. Sander’s performance weighting will be 100% Company performance.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

For 2018, the 2016 fiscal year,Compensation Committee selected two corporate performance metrics for our annual cash incentive compensation program, included three corporate performance metrics:  core net income (weighted at 80%), average non-performing assets (weighted at 10%) and average classified loans (weighted at 10%).

The Compensation Committee selected core net income (net income excluding extraordinary items such as gains or losses on securities, acquisition and integration related expenses, costs associated with other significant transactions (such as our sale-leaseback transaction and subordinated debt offering), the net gain on our sale-leasebackfollows:

Metric

Weight

Description

Purpose

Net Income, adjusted

90

%

Net income excluding non-recurring items, such as gains or losses on securities, acquisition and integration related expenses, implementation costs associated with Delivering Excellence and costs associated with other significant items approved by the Compensation Committee

Encourages executive management to continue to focus on our current operating performance; this metric also is frequently used to assess short-term corporate performance by stockholders and the investment community

Asset Quality

10

%

Non-performing assets and classified loans, excluding accruing troubled debt restructurings

Reflects the importance and continued emphasis on maintaining a high quality credit portfolio



55


transaction and a lease cancellation fee) as the dominant performance metric because it encourages executive management to continue to focus on our operating performance and because this metric is frequently used to assess short-term corporate performance by stockholders and the investment community. The Compensation Committee chose non-performing assets (excluding accruing troubled debt restructurings and covered loans and covered other real estate owner (OREO)) and classified loans (excluding accruing troubled debt restructurings) because of the importance and continued emphasis on maintaining a high quality credit portfolio.

The Compensation Committee utilized annual cash incentive compensation in 20162018 in furtherance of the following strategic priorities:

u

Emphasize core profitability of the Company.

Emphasize core profitability of the Company.

u

Continue to profitably increase our loans and diversify our loan portfolio.

Continue to profitably increase our loans and diversify our loan portfolio.

u

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

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

u

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

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

u

Balance investment in our business against risk.

Balance investment in our business and risk.

u

Continued emphasis on our strong credit quality.

Continue our progress on credit quality.

u

Control expenses while funding strategic initiatives, such as additional investment in digital delivery channels.

Control expenses while funding strategic initiatives, such as additional investment in digital delivery channels.

The range of performance and possible payout (as a percentage of base salary) for each metric were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Range

 

Metric

    

Threshold

    

Target

    

Maximum

 

Net Income, adjusted

 

$

140

million   

$

175

million   

$

210

million

Payout (% of Target)

 

 

50

%  

 

100

%  

 

175

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Quality

 

 

$400 - $435

million

 

$335 - $365

million

 

<$305

million

Payout (% of Target)

 

 

50

%  

 

100

%  

 

150

%

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Metric Performance Range
 Threshold Target Maximum
       
Core Net Income $77.1 million $96.4 million $106.0 million
Payout (% of Target) 50% 100% 175%
       
Non-Performing Assets 1.35% 1.05% 0.75%
Payout (% of Target) 50% 100% 150%
       
Classified Loans 5.00% 4.50% 4.00%
Payout (% of Target) 50% 100% 150%

The calculation of the payouts for 20162018 allocated to Company performance under our annual cash incentive program for all participants, including our named executive officers, was determined as follows:follows (including certain adjustments to net income in accordance with our annual cash incentive program): 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

2018 Actual

    

Payout as a

    

 

    

Weighted Payout

 

Performance Goal

 

 

Performance

 

Percentage of Target

 

Weighting

 

Percentage

 

Net Income, adjusted

 

$

181.0

million   

105.0

%  

90

%  

95.0

%

Asset Quality

 

$

416.0

million   

50.0

%  

10

%  

5.0

%

Total Percentage Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

100.0

%

Performance Goal 
2016 Actual
Performance
 Payout as a Percentage of Target Weighting Weighted Payout Percentage
Core Net Income $98.4 million 116.0% 80% 92.8%
Non-Performing Assets 0.93% 120.0% 10% 12.0%
Classified Loans 4.84% 66.0% 10% 6.6%
Total Percentage Earned       111.4%


56


The Company exceededachieved 105% of target performance on an overall weighted basis for the 2016 annual incentive compensation award. The Company exceeded the target both for core net income and for non-performing assets as a percentage of loans, finishing the year at $98.4 million, as compared to a target of $96.4 million, and 0.93%, as compared to a target of 1.05%, respectively. Withwith respect to the classified loans metric, the Company’s ratio of classified loans to total corporate loans was 4.84% in 2016, as compared tonet income, adjusted, performance goal by exceeding a rigorous net income target of 4.50%, resulting in a payout at 66% of target. Classified loan levels improved by the end of 2016 as comparedfor 2018.  The Company achieved threshold performance with respect to the beginning of the year. However, because this metric utilized average classifiedasset quality goal, which was aggressively established based on strong asset quality results for 2017 when we achieved maximum performance at $353 million.  We believe our asset quality results were favorable in 2018, particularly given our growth in loans for the year rather than the level of classified loans at December 31, 2016, and given that the improvement in classified loans occurred more heavily in the fourth quarter, the Company was below target performance for this metric. The difference between the target level and actual classified loans was narrow—$21.7 million, or 0.34% of average corporate loans in 2016.
year.

Based on the Company’s performance and, for those named executive officers other than our CEO and President, the individual performance rating of each named executive officer, the Compensation Committee approved the following cash bonus awards under our annual cash incentive compensation program for 2016:

anncashcompchartproxy2a02.jpg
2018:

Picture 29

For 2017,2019, the Compensation Committee again determined to use core net income, andadjusted, asset quality metrics, and added execution on certainspecified strategic initiatives as the performance metrics for our annual cash incentive compensation program.  Additionally, individual performance for executive officers (other than our CEO and President) will be applied as a new metric.

Supplemental Achievement Award
In 2016, the Company successfully completed the acquisition of National Bank &Trust Company, which added approximately $700 million in total assets and an additional $700 million of trust assets under management. In addition, on January 6, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Standard Bank & Trust Company, which was announced in June 2016 and is the largest single acquisition completed by the Company. The Company completed virtually all of the transactional work on the Standard Bank transaction in 2016. This transaction added approximately $2.6 billion in assets, $2.0 billion in deposits,and $1.8 billion in loans, and $300 million of assets under management. During 2016, the Company completed several additional strategic initiatives intendedmodifier to streamline and enhance operational efficiencies while positioning the Company for future growth. These initiatives included the sale and leaseback of 55 branch locations for $150 million and the refinancing of the Company’s maturing senior notes through a new subordinated debt offering of $150 million at the same cost.
In recognition of the expected financial and strategic contributions of these significant transactionscorporate performance to the Company and the extraordinary amount of effort required by the Company’s employeesbetter align outcomes to successfully complete


57


overall company performance.

these transactions while, at the same time, attaining strong financial performance in 2016 and executing on our strategic goals, the Compensation Committee approved, at its February 2017 meeting, a supplemental achievement award totaling $1.2 million. Most of this award was allocated to employees who were disproportionately impacted by these transactions (those who significantly contributed to these transactions and still performed their normal duties and responsibilities). Any supplemental award exceeding $10,000 was paid one-half in cash and one-half in restricted stock, with the stock portion subject to a three-year vesting requirement. The amounts paid to our Named Executive Officers are included in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table.

Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation

Our Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of each named executive officer’s compensation should consist of at-risk equity awards in the form of performance shares and restricted stock.  The value of these at-risk equity awards is based on the Company’s achievement of financial objectives or increases in the Company’s stock price.performance of our Common Stock.  As such, we further align the interests of our executive management with our stockholders, link pay with performance and enhance the retention of our senior officers.  These awards incent forward-looking and sustained corporate performance together with balanced risk-taking.  Long-term equity awards arewere made in 2018

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under our stockholder-approved Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan, approvedwhich was replaced by our stockholders.

2018 Stock and Incentive Plan following stockholder approval at our 2018 annual meeting.

Performance-Based Equity Compensation.In 2016,2018, 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 goals are achieved, the performance shares would be earned.  Once earned, one-third of the performance shares vest in full on the March 15thimmediately one-third vest the following year and the remaining one-third vest at the end of the second year,performance period, assuming continued employment with the Company during the performance period and the subsequent two-year vestingthis entire period.  We accrue cash dividends that otherwise would be paid on the performance shares, but the accrued, unpaid dividends are not paid to the named executive officer unless and until the underlying performance shares are earned and subsequently vest.

The number of performance shares granted is based upon a percentage of the base salary of each officer eligible to receive performance shares, with the percentage based on the officer’s level of responsibility at the Company.  The determination of the number of performance shares earned for each participant is based solely upon the Company achieving certain corporate financial performance goals approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors without reference to individual performance ratings.

Base Salary
($)

x

Target
Performance
Share Award
Opportunity
(% of Salary)

x

Relative
TSR
(weighted 50%)

+

RATCE, adjusted
(weighted 50%)

=

Earned
Performance
Shares
(#)

Based upon a review of peer practices and input from management and the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, our Compensation Committee selected both external and internal performance metrics for our 20162018 performance share program (2016-2018(2018-2020 performance period), with each metric weighted equally at 50% of the total award opportunity..  For the external metric, the Compensation Committee selected total stockholder returnTSR relative to the Company’s peer group.  For the internal metric, the Compensation Committee chose core return on average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, of the Company relative to the Board-approved budget.

Our Compensation Committee selected these metrics to encourage our named executive officers to pursue corporate strategies that will enhance long-term stockholder value and build 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 returnTSR to an external metric would reward superior corporatecompany performance relative to our peer group.  These awards are designed to encourage executives to increase the value of our Common Stock within acceptable risk tolerances, with the value of the awards increasing as the value of our stock increases.

For purposes of the external metric, the total stockholder returnTSR of the Company and the peer group is calculated for a three-year performance period.  Performance shares will beare earned based on the total stockholder returnTSR of the Company, ranked against the TSR of the companies within our peer group.  Total stockholder returnTSR is defined as the price appreciation on our Common Stock and the common stock of each company in the peer group



58


during the relevant three-year performance period, plus dividends and distributions made or declared (assuming the dividends or distributions are reinvested in our Common Stock and each peer group company’s common stock during that period), expressed as a percentage return.

For the internal metric, the Company’s core return on average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, for the three-year period is calculated and compared to predetermined return on average tangible common equityRATCE goals for each year of the performance period.  The goals for each year are based on the Company’s Board-approved budget and are established and approved by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each year.  The target goal for core return on average tangible common equityRACTE, adjusted, was set at 11.18%15.02% for 20162018, up from 13.20% for 2017.  For 2018, we achieved actual RATCE, adjusted, of 15.40% as compared to 11.56%12.54% for 2015 to reflect the budgeted short-term impact on the Company’s tangible common equity resulting largely from the issuance2017.

2019 Proxy Statement

53


Table of Common Stock in connection with mergerContents

Compensation Discussion and acquisition activity in 2016 and, to a lesser extent, the costs associated with the investment in systems and talent to support organizational growth as well as to position the Company for the heightened regulatory scrutiny resulting from the Company exceeding $10 billion in assets. For 2016, we achieved actual core return on average tangible common equity of 11.56% as compared to 10.92% for 2015.Analysis

Our Compensation Committee awarded performance shares in 20162018 in furtherance of the following strategic objectives:

u

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

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

u

Encourage achievement of business goals that will enhance the long-term value of our Common Stock and increase the value of our Common Stock.

Encourage achievement of business goals that will enhance the long-term value of our Common Stock and increase the value of our Common Stock.

u

Create a long-term focus based on sustainable results.

Create a long-term focus based on sustainable results.

u

Link pay with corporate performance.

Link pay with corporate performance.

u

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

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

u

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

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

u

Discourage our named executive officers from taking excessive or imprudent risks to enhance their compensation.

In February 2016,2018, our Compensation Committee granted performance share award opportunities to our named executive officers as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

Number of Performance

    

 

 

 

Target Performance Share

 

Shares Awarded for

 

Grant Date Fair Value of

 

 

Award Opportunity

 

20182020 Performance

 

Performance Share Award

 

 

(Expressed as a Percentage

 

Period (Based on Target

 

Opportunity (Based on

Named Executive Officer

 

of Base Salary)

 

Award Level)

 

Target Award Level)

Michael L. Scudder

 

100

%  

34,061

 

$

890,952

Mark G. Sander

 

70

%  

18,373

 

 

480,593

Patrick S. Barrett

 

40

%

8,463

 

 

221,372

Michael W. Jamieson

 

40

%  

7,165

 

 

187,420

Thomas M. Prame

 

30

%  

4,274

 

 

111,797
Named Executive Officer Target Performance Share Award Opportunity (Expressed as a Percentage of Base Salary) Number of Performance Shares Awarded for 2016-2018 Performance Period (Based on Target Award Level) Grant Date Fair Value of Performance Share Award Opportunity (Based on Target Award Level)
Michael L. Scudder 65% 31,843
 $546,426
Mark G. Sander 60% 21,265
 364,907
Paul F. Clemens 25% 5,889
 101,055
Thomas M. Prame 20% 3,808
 65,345
Nicholas J. Chulos 20% 3,504
 60,129


59


Conclusion of 2014-20162016-2018 Performance Period. In 2014,2016, our named executive officers (other than Messrs. Barrett and Jamieson, who had not yet joined the Company) were awarded performance shares subject to a three-year performance period that concluded on December 31, 2016.2018.  Earned awards are subject to vesting one-third on each of March 15, 2019, 2020 and 2021.  As with the performance shares awarded in February 2016 ,2018, the performance metrics applicable to the performance shares awarded in 20142016 were total stockholder returnTSR relative to the Company’s peer group and core return on the Company’s average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, relative to budget, each weighted at 50%.  The range of performance and possible payout for each metric were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relative TSR

 

    

Threshold

    

Target

    

Maximum

 

Percentile

 

25th

 

50th

 

90th

 

Payout (% of Target)

 

25

100

200

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RATCE, adjusted

 

 

    

Year

    

Threshold

    

Target

    

Maximum

 

RATCE, adjusted

 

2016

 

10.06

%  

11.18

%  

11.74

%

 

 

2017

 

11.88

%  

13.20

%  

13.86

%

 

 

2018

 

13.52

%  

15.02

%  

15.77

%

Payout (% of Target)*

 

 

 

25

%  

100

%  

200

%


*At the end of the performance period, the actual performance for each year is averaged to determine the final payout as a percentage of target.

Relative Total Stockholder Return (TSR)
  Threshold Target Maximum
Percentile 25th 50th 90th
Payout (% of Target) 25% 100% 200%

Core Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (CRATCE)
  Year Threshold Target Maximum
CRATCE 2014 9.10% 10.10% 10.60%
  2015 10.40% 11.56% 12.14%
  2016 10.06% 11.18% 11.74%
Payout (% of Target)(1)
   25% 100% 200%

(1)

54

At the end of the performance period, the actual performance for each year is averaged to determine the final payout as a percentage of target.

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

In February 2017,2019, based on the Company’s performance during the 2014-20162016‑2018 performance period, our Compensation Committee certified the Company’s performance applicable to the 20142016 performance shares as follows:follows (including certain adjustments to RATCE in accordance with our performance share program): 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

Payout as a

    

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

2016-2018 Actual

 

Percentage

 

Payout

 

Performance Goal

    

 

 

Performance

 

of Target

 

Percentage

 

Relative TSR (50%)

 

 

 

36th Percentile

 

59

%  

30

%

RATCE, adjusted (50%)

 

2016

 

11.56

%

159

%  

 

 

 

 

2017

 

12.54

%

63

%

 

 

 

 

2018

 

15.40

%

150

%

 

 

 

 

3-Year Average

 

 

 

124

%

62

%

Total Percentage Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

92

%

Performance Goal 
2014-2016 Actual
Performance
 
Payout as a
Percentage
of Target
 
Weighted
Payout
Percentage
Relative TSR (50% weighting) 
40th Percentile(1)
 72.0% 36.0%
CRATCE (50% weighting) 
3-Year Average(2)
 83.0% 41.5%
Total Percentage Earned     77.5%
(1)The Company’s TSR during the performance period was 52.3%, as compared to average TSR for our peer group of 51.3%. Performance shares are earned based on the Company’s TSR ranked against the TSR for each of the companies in our peer group during the performance period. Using this methodology, the Company’s TSR was at the 40th percentile as compared to the peer group.
(2)CRATCE was equal to 9.16%, or 30% of target, for 2014, 10.92%, or 59% of target, for 2015, and 11.56%, or 159% of target, for 2016, which resulted in an average performance at 83.0% of target.


60


Accordingly, subject to applicable vesting provisions, as described above, our named executive officers will earn their 2016 performance share awards for(2016-2018 performance period) as follows:

Picture 39

Messrs. Barrett and Jamieson were not employees of the 2014-2016Company at the time the 2016 performance periodshare awards were granted and, as follows:

a2014perfshareawardschartpro.jpg
such, are not reflected in this table.

Restricted Stock Awards. In 2016,2018, our named executive officers were awarded restricted stock or restricted stock units that fully vest over a three-year period in equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, assuming continued employment with the Company.  Executives who have attained, or will attain during the vesting cycle, the age of 65 receive restricted stock units.  Mr. ClemensAll of our named executive officers received restricted stock units in 2016 because he will turn age 65 during the three-year vesting cycle.2018.

2019 Proxy Statement

55


Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The number of shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units awarded in a given year is determined based on a percentage of the named executive officer’s base salary, and then is adjusted upward or downward depending upon the officer’sofficer���s individual performance rating for the year. year, other than for awards to our Chief Executive Officer as to whom individual performance is not considered.

Base Salary
($)

x

Restricted
Stock Award
Opportunity
(% of Salary)

x

Individual
Performance
(upward or
downward)

=

Shares of
Restricted
Stock
(#)

We accrue cash dividends that otherwise would be paid on the restricted stock, and the Common Stock underlying restricted stock units, but the accrued, unpaid dividends on the unvested shares or units are not paid to the named executive officer unless the underlying shares vest.

In 2016,2018, our Compensation Committee granted restricted stock or restricted stock unit award opportunities to our named executive officers as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Restricted Stock

    

 

    

 

 

 

Award Opportunity

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Expressed as a

 

Number of Shares of

 

Grant Date Fair Value

 

 

Percentage of

 

Restricted Stock

 

of Shares of Restricted

Named Executive Officer

 

Base Salary)

 

Granted

 

Stock Granted

Michael L. Scudder

 

50

%  

17,031

 

$

425,009

Mark G. Sander

 

50

%  

13,780

 

 

343,880

Patrick S. Barrett

 

40

%

9,310

 

 

232,331

Michael W. Jamieson

 

40

%  

7,523

 

 

187,736

Thomas M. Prame

 

40

%  

5,983

 

 

149,306
Named Executive Officer 
Restricted Stock/Unit Award Opportunity (Expressed as a Percentage of
Base Salary)
 Number of Shares of Restricted Stock/Units Granted Grant Date Fair Value of Shares of Restricted Stock/Units Granted
Michael L. Scudder 50% 28,169
 $473,803
Mark G. Sander 50% 20,379
 342,775
Paul F. Clemens 35% 7,832
 131,734
Thomas M. Prame 35% 7,998
 134,526
Nicholas J. Chulos 40% 9,812
 165,038

Retirement and Other Welfare Benefits

We provide our named executive officers with retirement, health, life and disability insurance and other welfare benefits under plans that are generally available to all employees of the Company who meet plan eligibility requirements.  Our retirement plans constitute our 401(k) Plan, PensionDeferred Compensation Plan and Deferred CompensationPension Plan.  Executive officers are eligible to participate in these plans on the same basis as other employees in accordance with the terms of the plans.



61


Over

Under the last several years, upon the recommendation of management, our Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors have approved various amendments to our Pension Plan. The first set of amendments were adopted in 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 (1) Pension Plan to freeze future benefit accruals under this plan, (2) Deferred Compensation Plan such that no annual pension restoration amounts will be credited to this plan on behalf of any participant, and (3) 401(k) Plan, to provide employer contributions to this plan on behalf of all eligible employees of (a)the Company makes an annual contribution equal to 2% of an employee’s total cash compensation (subject to a six-year vesting schedule), (b) on behalf of all eligible employees and a matching contribution equal to 100% of an employee’s first 3% of pre-tax contributions and 50% of the employee’s next 2% of pre-tax contributions, and (c) for the 2014 and 2015 plan years, a transition benefit only for participants in the Pension Plan as of January 1, 2014 equal to a contribution of 2% of total cash compensation for participants aged 40-49, 3% of total compensation for participants aged 50-59, and 4% of total cash compensation for participants aged 60 and older.

The amendments to our retirement plans assist us in controlling the costs of the Pension Plan and encouraging employees to assume a more active role in their retirement planning, while continuing to provide appropriate, competitive retirement benefits for our employees.
contributions.

Our Deferred Compensation Plan allows certain employees to elect to defer a portion of their base salaries and annual cash incentive compensation and also allows us to provide make-up benefits to our executive officers for any reduction in benefits under our 401(k) Plan due to limitations on contributions to the plan imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.

Eligibility to participate in our noncontributory tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan was frozen in 2007.  Benefit accruals under the Pension Plan were frozen effective as of January 1, 2014 and no additional benefits will accrue to participants after that date, including for Mr. Scudder, who is the only named executive officer who participates in the plan.  Less than 25% of our employees participate in the Pension Plan.

Perquisites

56

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Perquisites

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

These perquisites include a vehicle policy that provides a car allowance to our named executive officers.officers, other than our Chief Executive Officer, who receives Company-provided automobile transportation for business purposes in lieu of a car allowance.  We also provide a mobile telephone servicestipend to our named executive officers, reimburse them for various subscriptions and industry, trade and professional organization dues and also reimburse certain of them for a portion of country club dues, which memberships are used to promote the business interests of the Company.  For our Chief Executive Officer, we also provide security and financial planning services.

5

Policies, Guidelines and Other Practices

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 executive officersmanagement team and our stockholders.  For 2017,We believe our Compensation Committee increased the stock ownership guidelines are significant and reinforce our desire for our Chief Executive Officer from three-times base salaryexecutives to five-times base salary, andretain a meaningful portion of equity.  The guidelines for our Chief Operating Officer from two-times base salary to three-times base salary. Under the guidelines, our named executive officers are encouraged to hold shares of Common Stock as follows:

Position

Stock Ownership Guidelines

PositionStock Ownership Guideline

Chief Executive Officer

Five-times

5x base salary

Chief Operating Officer

Three-times

3x base salary

Chief Financial Officer

Two-times

2x base salary

Other Named Executive Officers

Two-times

2x base salary

All of our

Our named executive officers have met these guidelines, other than Messrs. Barrett and Jamieson who joined the Company in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are in the process of accumulating shares to comply with our stock ownership guidelines.  For purposes of the guidelines, we include shares owned directly or indirectly by the executive and his spouse and minor children and unvested restricted stock.



62


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.  WeOur 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan also includes clawback provisions.  Additionally, we have a policy that prohibits our employees, including our named executive 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 ourChief Risk Officer performs an executive compensation program and conducts a risk assessment relativeand presents the assessment results to this program.the Compensation Committee.  The Committee reviews the results and discusses the risk assessment with its independent compensation consultant.  This risk assessment allows our Compensation Committee to confirm that our executive compensation program is designed such that executive officers are not

2019 Proxy Statement

57


Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

encouraged to take excessive or imprudent risks to enhance their compensation.  As part of its risk assessment process in 2016,2018, the Compensation Committee confirmed the following:

u

The risks associated with the Company’s compensation plans for all employees are appropriately identified and managed by the Company.

The risks associated with the Company’s compensation plans for all employees are appropriately identified and managed by the Company;

u

The Company’s compensation plans for all employees do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company as a whole.

The Company’s compensation plans for all employees do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company as a whole;

u

The Company’s incentive compensation policies do not undermine the safety and soundness of the Company by encouraging employees to take imprudent risks.

u

The Company’s compensation plans for all employees are compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and are supported by strong and effective corporate governance practices.

Tax Considerations

As a result of the Company by encouraging employees to take imprudent risks;December 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and

The Company’s compensation plans for all employees are compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and are supported by strong and effective corporate governance practices.
Tax Considerations
Jobs Act of 2017, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limitswas amended, effective January 1, 2018, to limit the ability of public companies to deduct for federal income tax purposes certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our Chief Executive Officer andany individual who is (or after 2016 was) the chief executive officer or other named executive officers. However,officer of the company, except for certain grandfathered amounts.  Prior to amendment by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, this deduction limitation doesdid not apply to amounts that qualifyqualified as performance-based compensation. We structurecompensation, and we typically structured our annual cash incentive compensation and performance sharesshare awards to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).  Our Compensation Committee considers the structure of executive compensation and the deductibility ofdetermines the compensation for federal income tax purposes, butof our executive officers consistent with its compensation philosophy, which promotes a pay-for-performance environment intended to create stockholder value, and believes the benefit of this approach outweighs deductibility limitations.  As a result, the Compensation Committee retainswill continue to have the flexibilitydiscretion to provide, and has approved,approve compensation that is non-deductible.
although its deductibility may be limited.

Employment and Restrictive Covenant Agreements with Our Executive Officers

We have entered into employment agreements with our senior management, including our named executive officers.  The Compensation Committee has determined that the terms of the agreements are consistent with competitive practices and are important to attracting and retaining high caliber executive talent.  The agreements describe the executive’s position, compensation and benefits, including severance payments in the event of a termination of employment.  The agreements also impose confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-disparagement obligations on the executive.  In the event of a termination of employment by the Company without cause or by the executive officer for good reason prior to or following a change-in-control of the Company, severance benefits are triggered.  Certain aspects of these agreements for our named executive officers are detailed in the tables and narrative following this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

The employment agreements do not provide for walk-away rights upon a change-in-control or any tax gross-up payments relating to severance benefits following a change-in-control.  In addition, our named executive officers are bound by separate Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenant Agreements that supplement the confidentiality and restrictive covenants set forth inAgreements.  Each of our named executive officers’ employment agreements.officers is subject to confidentiality, non-disparagement and non-solicitation covenants.  The duty to maintain the confidentiality non-



63


solicitation andthe Company’s confidential information generally continues indefinitely, the non-disparagement covenants apply for a period of 12 months (18 months for our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer) followingtwo years after termination of employment for Messrs. Scudder and must be compliedSander and one year after termination for our other executive officers and the non-solicitation covenants apply for two years after termination of employment for Mr. Scudder, eighteen months after termination (subject to extension to two years if termination occurs in connection with asor following a conditionchange-in-control) for Mr. Sander and one year after termination for our other executive officers.  Additionally, Messrs. Scudder and Sander are subject to receiving equitynon-competition provisions, which apply for two years after termination of employment for Mr. Scudder and short-term incentive cash awards.one year after termination (subject to extension to two years if termination occurs in connection with or following a change-in-control) for Mr. Sander.

58

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

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

J. Stephen Vanderwoude (Chair)

Barbara A. Boigegrain (Vice-Chair)(Chair)

Br. James Gaffney, FSC

Kathryn J. Hayley

Peter J. Henseler

Ellen A. Rudnick

Members, Compensation Committee



2019 Proxy Statement

59



64


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

2016

2018 Summary Compensation Table

The table and explanatory notes below summarize the total compensation for the years 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 20142016 paid to or earned by our named executive officers other than Mr. Chulos,Messrs. Barrett and Jamieson, who waswere not a named executive officerofficers in 2015 or 2014.2016.  The information relating to Mr. ChulosMessrs. Barrett and Jamieson for those years2016 has been omitted in accordance with SEC rules.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

  

  

 

  

Pension

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-qualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

Name and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Incentive Plan

 

Compensation

 

All Other

 

 

Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus(1)

 

Awards(2)

 

Compensation(3)

 

Earnings(4)

 

Compensation(5)

 

Total

Michael L. Scudder

 

2018

 

$

850,000

 

$

 —

 

$

1,391,224

 

$

722,500

 

$

226,790

 

$

249,063

 

$

3,439,577

Chairman and Chief

 

2017

 

 

846,000

 

 

 —

 

 

1,515,354

 

 

624,750

 

 

272,472

 

 

131,571

 

 

3,390,147

Executive Officer

 

2016

 

 

824,307

 

 

50,000

 

 

1,088,685

 

 

542,307

 

 

153,763

 

 

146,311

 

 

2,805,373

Mark G. Sander

 

2018

 

$

655,000

 

$

 —

 

$

872,035

 

$

425,750

 

$

105,997

 

$

133,372

 

$

2,192,154

President and Chief

 

2017

 

 

645,941

 

 

 —

 

 

900,037

 

 

417,235

 

 

72,150

 

 

93,403

 

 

2,128,766

Operating Officer

 

2016

 

 

596,325

 

 

35,000

 

 

753,495

 

 

344,198

 

 

32,359

 

 

80,398

 

 

1,841,775

Patrick S. Barrett

 

2018

 

$

526,769

 

$

 —

 

$

487,086

 

$

273,900

 

$

5,246

 

$

407,495

 

$

1,700,496

EVP and Chief

 

2017

 

 

504,000

 

 

485,000

 

 

1,609,524

 

 

262,200

 

 

2,534

 

 

118,808

 

 

2,982,066

Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael W. Jamieson

 

2018

 

$

445,923

 

$

 —

 

$

388,054

 

$

234,675

 

$

14,481

 

$

59,347

 

$

1,142,480

EVP and Director,

 

2017

 

 

439,231

 

 

 —

 

 

347,236

 

 

176,176

 

 

1,427

 

 

64,418

 

 

1,028,488

Commercial Banking,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Midwest Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas M. Prame

 

2018

 

$

354,654

 

$

 —

 

$

274,292

 

$

150,732

 

$

2,690

 

$

37,759

 

$

820,127

EVP and Director,

 

2017

 

 

345,430

 

 

 —

 

 

296,026

 

 

140,140

 

 

1,947

 

 

32,565

 

 

816,108

Consumer Banking,

 

2016

 

 

320,436

 

 

12,500

 

 

211,604

 

 

144,567

 

 

1,585

 

 

32,522

 

 

723,214

First Midwest Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Name and
Principal Position
 Year Salary 
Bonus(1)
 
Stock
Awards(2)
 
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(3)
 
Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(4)
 
All Other
Compensation(5)
 Total
                 
Michael L. Scudder 2016 $824,307
 $50,000
 $1,088,685
 $542,307
 $153,763
 $146,311
 $2,805,373
President and Chief Executive Officer                
 2015 800,000
 
 1,254,111
 521,196
 179,501
 133,384
 2,888,192
                
 2014 750,000
 47,000
 1,103,667
 482,400
 221,576
 64,644
 2,669,287
                 
Mark G. Sander 2016 $596,325
 $35,000
 $753,495
 $344,198
 $32,359
 $80,398
 $1,841,775
Senior EVP and Chief Operating Officer                
 2015 579,880
 
 862,121
 318,108
 38,139
 77,979
 1,876,227
                
 2014 545,000
 20,015
 723,140
 304,159
 19,915
 72,685
 1,684,914
                 
Paul F. Clemens 2016 $396,315
 $15,000
 $248,248
 $180,631
 $7,934
 $46,784
 $894,912
EVP and Chief Financial Officer                
 2015 386,528
 
 307,127
 160,355
 6,923
 34,054
 894,987
                
 2014 376,000
 9,898
 263,999
 156,593
 5,268
 48,088
 859,846
                 
Thomas M. Prame 2016 $320,436
 $12,500
 $211,604
 $144,567
 $1,585
 $32,522
 $723,214
EVP and Director, Strategic Planning and Consumer Banking, First Midwest Bank                
 2015 309,163
 
 228,690
 133,897
 1,648
 30,478
 703,876
                
 2014 300,158
 9,839
 199,877
 127,560
 1,068
 20,034
 658,536
                 
Nicholas J. Chulos 2016 $295,077
 $30,000
 $236,546
 $149,522
 $2,355
 $29,479
 $742,979
EVP, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel                
                
                
                

(1)

For 2017, Mr. Barrett received a one-time make-whole cash payment in connection with his recruitment to the Company as our Chief Financial Officer.  For 2016, and 2014, amounts represent the cash portion of a supplemental achievementstrategic activities award paid in recognition of the successful completion of acquisitions and other transactions during the applicable year.transactions.  The amounts do not include the portion of the award paid in shares of restricted stock, or restricted stock units, which portion is included as to the 2014 award, in the “Stock Awards” column for 2015 and will be included, as to the 2016 award, in the “Stock Awards” column for 2017 in our proxy statement for our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. For 2016, this2017.  This supplemental award totaled: $100,000 for Mr. Scudder, $70,000 for Mr. Sander $30,000 for Mr. Clemens,and $25,000 for Mr. Prame, with 50% of the award paid in cash and $60,000 for Mr. Chulos. For additional information regarding the 2016 award, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive Compensation50% paid in 2016—Supplemental Achievement Award. For 2014, this supplemental award totaled: $88,000 for Mr. Scudder, $49,652 for Mr. Sander, $25,424 for Mr. Clemens and $24,607 for Mr. Prame.restricted stock.

(2)

Amounts represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards, including performance shares and restricted stock and restricted stock unitshare awards, granted under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan during the period, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718.  Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 17 to our annual audited financial statements included in our Form 10-K.10‑K.  The grant-date fair value of the performance shares is based on a target level of performance and will likely vary from the actual amount the individual earns upon vesting of applicable awards.  Assuming the highest level of performance, the grant-date fair value of the 20162018 performance share awards would be:  $814,234$1,315,935 for Mr. Scudder, $543,814$709,830 for Mr. Sander, $150,572$326,957 for Mr. Clemens, $97,371Barrett, $276,809 for Mr. PrameJamieson and $89,597$165,126 for Mr. Chulos.Prame.  The amounts in this column also include dividends accrued on unvested awards of performance shares restricted stock and restricted stock units (which amounts are not paid unless the underlying shares vest).  For 2016,2018, these amounts totaled:  $68,457$75,263 for Mr. Scudder, $45,813$47,562 for Mr. Sander, $15,459$33,383 for Mr. Clemens, $11,732Barrett, $12,898 for Mr. PrameJamieson and $11,380$13,189 for Mr. Chulos.Prame.  For 2017, amounts for Messrs. Scudder, Sander and Prame include the stock portion of a supplemental strategic activities award and for Mr. Barrett include one-time make-whole performance share and restricted stock awards granted in connection with his recruitment to the Company as our Chief Financial Officer.  See note 1, above, for additional details regarding the supplemental strategic activities award.

(3)

Amounts represent cash bonuses paid under our performance-based short-term incentive compensation plan for the years indicated.

(4)

60

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables

(4)

Amounts represent the actuarial increase in the present valuerealized earnings of the benefit undernamed executive officer in our Pension Plan forDeferred Compensation Plan.  For Mr. Scudder, who is the only named executive officer who participates in our Gain Deferral Plan and Pension Plan, amounts also include his realized earnings in our Gain Deferral Plan and the plan. Theseactuarial increase or decrease in the present value of his benefits under the Pension Plan.  The Pension Plan amounts were determined using the interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.  For 2018, the present value of Mr. Scudder’s benefits under the Pension Plan decreased $71,170.  Benefit accruals under the Pension Plan were frozen effective as of January 1, 2014.  For additional information, see Executive Compensation Tables—Pension Benefits.



65


Plan were frozen effective as of January 1, 2014. For additional information, see Executive Compensation Tables—Pension Benefits. The amounts in this column also include realized earnings of the named executive officer in our Deferred Compensation Plan.

(5)

Amounts represent the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions to Defined Contribution Retirement Plans and Perquisites

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

Perquisites

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qualified

 

Qualified

 

Personal

 

 

Name

 

Year

 

Plan(a)

 

Plan(b)

 

 Benefits(c)

 

Total

Michael L. Scudder

 

2018

 

$

16,500

 

$

122,866

 

$

109,697

(d) 

$

249,063

 

 

2017

 

 

16,200

 

 

65,670

 

 

49,701

(d) 

 

131,571

 

 

2016

 

 

15,900

 

 

98,011

 

 

32,400

 

 

146,311

Mark G. Sander

 

2018

 

$

16,500

 

$

82,418

 

$

34,454

 

$

133,372

 

 

2017

 

 

16,200

 

 

40,868

 

 

36,335

 

 

93,403

 

 

2016

 

 

15,900

 

 

39,162

 

 

25,336

 

 

80,398

Patrick S. Barrett

 

2018

 

$

16,500

 

$

10,965

 

$

380,030

(e)

$

407,495

 

 

2017

 

 

 —

 

 

46,800

 

 

72,008

(e)

 

118,808

Michael W. Jamieson

 

2018

 

$

16,500

 

$

6,942

 

$

35,905

 

$

59,347

 

 

2017

 

 

 —

 

 

36,540

 

 

27,878

 

 

64,418

Thomas M. Prame

 

2018

 

$

16,500

 

$

9,046

 

$

12,213

 

$

37,759

 

 

2017

 

 

16,200

 

 

3,890

 

 

12,475

 

 

32,565

 

 

2016

 

 

15,900

 

 

3,688

 

 

12,934

 

 

32,522
Contributions to Defined Contribution Retirement Plans and Perquisites
Name Year 
Qualified
Plan(a)
 
Non-
Qualified
Plan(b)
 
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits(c)
 Total
            
Michael L. Scudder 2016 $15,900
 $98,011
 $32,400
(d) $146,311
  2015 23,850
 88,893
 20,641
(d) 133,384
  2014 22,231
 24,231
 18,182
(d) 64,644
            
Mark G. Sander 2016 $15,900
 $39,162
 $25,336
(d) $80,398
  2015 15,900
 36,011
 26,068
(d) 77,979
  2014 11,431
 36,643
 24,611
(d) 72,685
            
Paul F. Clemens 2016 $15,900
 $19,306
 $11,578
(d) $46,784
  2015 15,900
 6,754
 11,400
(d) 34,054
  2014 15,600
 20,013
 12,475
(d) 48,088
            
Thomas M. Prame 2016 $15,900
 $3,688
 $12,934
(d) $32,522
  2015 15,683
 3,258
 11,537
(d) 30,478
  2014 7,509
 
 12,525
(d) 20,034
            
Nicholas J. Chulos 2016 $15,900
 $2,547
 $11,032
(d) $29,479

(a)

The Company maintains the 401(k) Plan as its defined contribution plan.  For eligible employees, this plan provides for an annual 2% automatic Company contribution and matching Company contributions.  All Company contributions were made on eligible compensation under our 401(k) Plan, subject to compensation limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.

(b)

The Company maintains the Deferred Compensation Plan as its nonqualified deferred compensation plan.  This plan provides for a tax-deferred vehicle to accommodate contributions that are otherwise limited and not able to be made to our tax-qualified plans, as well as voluntary participant contributions.  The Deferred Compensation Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

(c)

No

Represents amounts paid to the named executive officer for an annual automobile allowance (other than, beginning in 2017, Mr. Scudder, who receives Company-provided automobile transportation for business purposes in lieu of an automobile allowance) and amounts paid by the Company on behalf of the named executive officer for other customary perquisites, including a mobile telephone stipend and reimbursement for subscriptions and industry, trade and professional organization dues.  For Mr. Scudder, also includes amounts paid by the Company on his behalf for security and financial planning services.  For Messrs. Sander and Jamieson, also includes amounts paid by the Company on their behalf for country club dues, which memberships are maintained for business entertainment but may be used for personal use.  Except as otherwise described, no individual perquisite paid to any of our named executive offers exceeded $25,000 for any of the years listed.

(d)

Represents amounts paid to the named executive officer for an annual automobile allowance

For Mr. Scudder, also includes $63,802 in 2018 and amounts$32,920 in 2017 paid by the Company on behalffor use of the named executive officerCompany-provided automobile transportation for other customary perquisites. business purposes in lieu of an automobile allowance.

(e)

For Mr. Sander,Barrett, also represents amountsincludes $366,469 in 2018 and $60,826 in 2017 paid by the Company onfor temporary living and relocation expenses in connection with his behalf for country club dues, which membership is maintained for business entertainment but may be used for personal use.relocation to the Chicago area.


2019 Proxy Statement

61



66

Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables


2016

2018 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table provides information with regard to the stock awards granted during 20162018 (and reported as Stock Awards in the Summary Compensation Table) and the annual cash incentive compensation award opportunity for 20162018 for our named executive officers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Grant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards:

 

Date Fair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Value of

 

 

 

 

Estimated Possible Payouts Under

 

Estimated Possible Payouts Under

 

Shares of

 

Stock and

 

 

Grant

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)

 

Stock or

 

Option

Name

    

Date

    

Threshold

    

Target

    

Maximum

    

Threshold

    

Target

    

Maximum

    

Units(3)

    

Awards(4)

Michael L.

 

 

 

$

361,250

 

$

722,500

 

$

1,246,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scudder

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,515

 

34,061

 

68,122

 

 

 

$

890,952

 

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,031

 

 

425,009

Mark G.

 

 

 

$

212,875

 

$

425,750

 

$

734,419

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sander

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,593

 

18,373

 

36,746

 

 

 

$

480,593

 

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,780

 

 

343,880

Patrick S.

 

 

 

$

99,000

 

$

264,000

 

$

440,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barrett

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,116

 

8,463

 

16,926

 

 

 

$

221,372

 

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,310

 

 

232,331

Michael W.

 

 

 

$

83,813

 

$

223,500

 

$

372,966

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamieson

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,791

 

7,165

 

14,330

 

 

 

$

187,420

 

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,523

 

 

187,736

Thomas M.

 

 

 

$

49,770

 

$

142,200

 

$

235,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prame

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,069

 

4,274

 

8,548

 

 

 

$

111,797

 

 

2/21/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,983

 

 

149,306

Name Grant Date 
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 or Units(3)
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(4)
  Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum 
                   
Michael L. Scudder   $123,600
 $494,400
 $825,648
          
  2/17/2016       7,961
 31,843
 63,686
   $546,426
  2/17/2016             28,169  473,803
                   
Mark G. Sander   $74,515
 $298,058
 $488,815
          
  2/17/2016       5,316
 21,265
 42,530
   $364,907
  2/17/2016             20,379  342,775
     
  
  
  
  
  
    
Paul F. Clemens   $39,619
 $158,476
 $259,901
          
  2/17/2016       1,472
 5,889
 11,778
   $101,055
  2/17/2016             7,832  131,734
     
  
  
  
  
  
    
Thomas M. Prame   $32,029
 $128,117
 $207,550
          
  2/17/2016       952
 3,808
 7,616
   $65,345
  2/17/2016             7,998  134,526
                    
Nicholas J. Chulos   $29,471
 $117,882
 $190,970
          
  2/17/2016       876
 3,504
 7,008
   $60,129
  2/17/2016             9,812  165,038

(1)

Amounts reflect the range of possible payouts under our short-term cash incentive compensation plan based on a combination of Company performance and individual performance rating assumptions.  For additional information, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2018 Compensation Program in 2016—Program—Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.

(2)

Awards represent the range of estimated possible payouts granted in the form of performance shares under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan, which, if earned, vest in shares of Common Stock.  Our named executive officers are eligible to earn performance shares totaling between 25% and 200% of the number of performance shares granted if performance levels are achieved using the following two metrics:  total stockholder returnTSR relative to a specified peer group of financial institutions and core return on average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, relative to predetermined goals.  If performance levels are below the threshold level of performance, no performance shares are earned.  For additional information, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2018 Compensation Program in 2016—Program—Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation—Performance-Based Equity Compensation.  Dividends on performance shares are accrued but not paid unlessuntil earned performance shares vest.

(3)

Awards represent restricted stock or, in the case of Mr. Clemens, restricted stock unit awards granted under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.  Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards vest over three years in two equal installments beginning two years from the date of grant (subject to continued employment and accelerated vesting under certain circumstances).  For additional information, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2018 Compensation Program in 2016—Program—Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation—Restricted Stock Awards.  Dividends on restricted stock and the Common Stock underlying restricted stock units are accrued but not paid unless the underlying shares vest.

(4)

Amounts represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards, including performance shares and restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, granted under our Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan during 2016,2018, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718.  See notes 2 and 3, above, for additional information regarding these awards.  For the performance shares, the amounts have been calculated taking into consideration the probable outcome of the respective performance conditions atas of the date of grant.  Dividends accrued but not paid until the vesting of the awards of performance shares restricted stock and restricted stock units are not included in the amounts reflected in this column.  Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 17 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.


62

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.



67

Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables


2016

2018 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

The following table provides information regarding unexercised stock options and unvested stock awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2016.2018.  All values in the table are based on a market value for our Common Stock of $25.23,$19.81, which was the closing price of our stock on December 30, 2016,31, 2018, the last trading day of the year, as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market.  Information regarding when unvested awards are scheduled to vest is set forth in the notes to the table.  Vesting also is subject to continued employment and acceleration under certain circumstances.  As of December 31, 2018, no stock options remained outstanding under our equity compensation plans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option Awards(1)

 

Stock Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive

 

Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Awards:

 

Awards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

Number of

 

Market or

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of

 

Unearned

 

Payout Value of

 

 

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Shares or

 

Shares, Units

 

Unearned

 

 

Underlying

 

 

 

 

 

Shares or

 

Units of

 

or Other

 

Shares, Units

 

 

Unexercised

 

Option

 

Option

 

Units of Stock

 

Stock that

 

Rights that

 

or Other Rights

 

 

Options

 

Exercise

 

Expiration

 

that Have Not

 

Have Not

 

Have Not

 

that Have Not

Name

  

Exercisable

  

Price

  

Date

  

Vested

 

Vested

  

Vested

 

Vested

Michael L. Scudder

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,084

(2) 

$

279,004

 

34,423

(8)

$

681,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,679

(3) 

 

449,271

 

34,061

(9)

 

674,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,031

(4) 

 

337,384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,438

(5) 

 

186,967

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,990

(6) 

 

396,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,134

(7)

 

577,145

 

 

 

 

 

Mark G. Sander

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,189

(2) 

$

201,844

 

15,916

(8)

$

315,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,996

(3) 

 

356,501

 

18,373

(9)

 

363,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,780

(4) 

 

272,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,252

(5) 

 

104,042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,375

(6) 

 

264,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,453

(7)

 

385,364

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,404

(10)

$

166,483

 

23,149

(8)

$

458,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,441

(11)

 

642,656

 

8,463

(9)

 

167,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,310

(4)

 

184,431

 

 

 

 

 

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,213

(12) 

$

103,270

 

5,333

(8)

$

105,647

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,178

(10)

 

162,006

 

7,165

(9)

 

141,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,523

(4)

 

149,031

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas M. Prame

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,999

(2)

$

79,220

 

4,242

(8)

$

84,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,057

(10)

 

139,799

 

4,274

(9)

 

84,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,983

(4)

 

118,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

963

(5)

 

19,077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,376

(6)

 

47,069

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,482

(7)

 

68,978

 

 

 

 

 


  
Option Awards(1)
 Stock Awards
Name Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable 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 18,898
 $38.62
 2/21/2017 14,577
(2) $367,778
 30,916
(7) $780,011
  25,019
 28.10
 2/20/2018 38,817
(3) 979,353
 31,843
(8) 803,399
        28,169
(4) 710,704
  
   
        18,101
(5) 456,688
     
        28,319
(6) 714,488
     
         
   
  
   
Mark G. Sander 42,328
 $12.17
 6/20/2021 11,440
(2) $288,631
 20,685
(7) $521,883
   
  
   27,374
(3) 690,646
 21,265
(8) 536,516
        20,379
(4) 514,162
     
        12,058
(5) 304,223
     
        15,762
(6) 397,675
     
                 
Paul F. Clemens 5,380
 $38.62
 2/21/2017 4,911
(2) $123,905
 5,745
(7) $144,946
  18,464
 28.10
 2/20/2018 11,413
(3) 287,950
 5,889
(8) 148,579
        7,832
(4) 197,601
     
        3,526
(5) 88,961
     
        4,531
(6) 114,317
     
                 
Thomas M. Prame  
  
   4,084
(2) $103,039
 3,676
(7) $92,745
        9,209
(3) 232,343
 3,808
(8) 96,076
        7,998
(4) 201,790
     
        2,256
(5) 56,919
     
        2,894
(6) 73,016
     
                 
Nicholas J. Chulos       4,011
(2) $101,198
 3,160
(7) $79,727
        8,648
(3) 218,189
 3,504
(8) 88,406
        9,812
(4) 247,557
     
        1,932
(5) 48,744
     
        2,487
(6) 62,747
     

(1)

None of our named executive officers has been granted a stock option award since 2011.  All outstanding options were exercisable asAs of December 31, 2016 and have an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low sales price of a share of Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the date of grant.2018, no stock options remained outstanding under our equity compensation plans.

(2)

Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards vest over three years in two equal installments beginning two years from the date of grant (subject to continued employment and accelerated vesting under certain circumstances).  Represents the second tranche of restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards granted in 20142016 that vested on February 19, 2017.17, 2019.

(3)

Represents restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards granted in 2015,2017, the first tranche of which vested on February 18, 201724, 2019 and the second tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 18, 2018.24, 2020.  See note 2, above, for additional information regarding the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards.

(4)

Represents restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards granted in 2016,2018, the first tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 17, 201821, 2020 and the second tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 17, 2019.21, 2021.  See note 2, above, for additional information regarding the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards.


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(5)

Represents the third tranche of performance shares earned at the completion of a three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2016.  The third tranche vested on March 15, 2019.  See note 7, below, for additional information regarding the vesting of earned performance shares.

(5)

(6)

Represents the second and third tranche of performance shares earned at the completion of a three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2015.2017.  The second tranche vested on March 15, 2017 and the third tranche is scheduled to vest on March 15, 2018.2019 and March 15, 2020, respectively.  See note 6,7, below, for additional information regarding the vesting of earned performance shares.

(6)

(7)

Represents performance shares earned at the completion of a three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2016.2018.  The final number of shares awarded was based on the following metrics:  total stockholder returnTSR relative to our peer group at 72%59% of target and core return on average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, at 83%124% of target.  The first tranche of these awards vested on March 15, 20172019 and the second and third tranches are scheduled to vest on March 15, 20182020 and March 15, 2019,2021, respectively.  For additional information, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2018 Compensation Program in 2016—Program—Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation—Performance-Based Equity Compensation and Conclusion of 2014-20162016‑2018 Performance Period.

(7)

(8)

Performance

Represents performance shares that may be earned upon completion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 20172019 if performance levels (reflected at target in this table) are achieved using the following two metrics:  total stockholder returnTSR relative to our peer group and core return on average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, relative to predetermined goals.

(8)

(9)

Performance

Represents performance shares that may be earned upon completion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 20182020 if performance levels (reflected at target in this table) are achieved using the following two metrics:  total stockholder returnTSR relative to our peer group and core return on average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, relative to predetermined goals.

(10)

Represents restricted stock awards granted in 2017, the first tranche of which vested on February 22, 2019 and the second tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 22, 2020.  See note 2, above, for additional information regarding the vesting of restricted stock awards.

(11)

Represents a restricted stock award granted in 2017, the first tranche of which vested on February 27, 2019 and the second tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 27, 2020.  See note 2, above, for additional information regarding the vesting of restricted stock awards.

(12)

Represents a restricted stock award granted in 2016 that vests over three years in three equal installments beginning one year from the date of grant (subject to continued employment and accelerated vesting under certain circumstances), the third tranche of which is scheduled to vest on September 29, 2019.

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2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table provides information with respect to the value realized by our named executive officers during 20162018 as a result of the exercise of non-qualified stock options and the vesting of restricted stock awards, or units, based on the average of the high and low sales price of a share of Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the exercise or vesting date, as applicable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

    

Shares Acquired

    

Value Realized

    

Shares Acquired

    

Value Realized

Name

 

on Exercise

 

on Exercise

 

on Vesting

 

on Vesting

Michael L. Scudder

 

 

$

 

61,977

 

$

1,579,566

Mark G. Sander

 

42,328

 

 

584,444

 

41,848

 

 

1,065,423

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

 

 

5,214

 

 

138,171

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

 

 

11,883

 

 

300,902
  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
Michael L. Scudder   40,451
 $668,851
Mark G. Sander   28,602
 472,296
Paul F. Clemens   11,649
 191,167
Thomas M. Prame   9,593
 156,871
Nicholas J. Chulos   6,925
 113,500

Pension Benefits

We maintain a noncontributory tax-qualified defined benefit Pension Planpension plan for eligible employees.  Eligibility to participate in this plan was frozen in 2007.  Benefit accruals under this plan were frozen effective as of January 1, 2014 and no additional benefits will accrue to participants after that date, including for Mr. Scudder, who is the only named executive officer who participates in our Pension Plan.

The amount of the monthly pension benefit under our Pension Plan is based on the average monthly pension-eligible compensation and years of 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 years of credited service is based on the period of employment with the Company, subject to limitations on service prior to 1980.

Pension-eligible compensation consists of base salary, cash bonuses, incentive compensation and vacation pay, but excludes severance and amounts realized from the exercise of non-qualified stock options and the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance share awards.  Pension-eligible compensation is capped by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to tax-qualified pension plans.  For 2016,2018, this limit was $265,000.$275,000.  Any amounts that become ineligible due to the Internal Revenue Code limits are used to compute the pension restoration contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan as discussed further below under the section titled Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation.

Our Pension 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,



69


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 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)60‑65) and by 4% for each of the next five years (ages 55-60)55‑60) that the pension commencement date precedes the normal retirement age of 65.

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2018 Pension Benefits Table

The following table shows the present value of the accumulated benefit as of December 31, 20162018 payable to each of the named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each named executive officer under our Pension Plan determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in our 20162018 audited financial statements included in our Form 10-K.10‑K.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

Present Value of

 

Payments

 

    

 

    

Years Credited

    

Accumulated

    

During Last

Name

 

Plan Name

 

Service

 

Benefit

 

Fiscal Year

Michael L. Scudder

 

Pension Plan

 

27.75

 

$

734,450

 

$

Mark G. Sander*

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Patrick S. Barrett*

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Michael W. Jamieson*

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Thomas M. Prame*

 

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 27.75 $694,946
 $
Mark G. Sander* N/A N/A N/A N/A
Paul F. Clemens* N/A N/A N/A N/A
Thomas M. Prame* N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nicholas J. Chulos* N/A N/A N/A N/A
*The Pension Plan was closed to new participants as of April 1, 2007. Based on the dates of hire for Messrs. Sander, Clemens, Prame and Chulos, they are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan.

*The Pension Plan was closed to new participants as of April 1, 2007.  Based on the date of hire for Messrs. Sander, Barrett, Jamieson and Prame, they are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

We maintain two non-qualified deferred compensation plans in which our named executive officers may participate,are participants, the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Gain Deferral Plan.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Deferred Compensation Plan is a non-qualified 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 Pension Plan or been contributed under our 401(k) Plan but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, andCode.  Further, participants may elect to defer up to 75%100% of base salary and up to 100% of short-term cash incentive compensation thatinto the participant has elected to defer.plan.  Deferral elections aremust be made by eligible participants in December of each year for amountsduring the initial or annual enrollment period and apply to becompensation earned in the following calendar year.  The elections remain in effect for each subsequent calendar year until a participant makes a qualifying change.  Participant accounts are deemed to be invested in separate investment accounts in an irrevocable rabbi trust under the Deferred Compensation Plan, with similar investment alternatives as those available under our 401(k) Plan, including an investment account deemed invested in shares of our Common Stock.  Participants are able to modify their investment elections at any time, subject to applicable blackout periods.

Gain Deferral Plan

We maintainestablished the Gain Deferral Plan with the purpose of encouraging stock ownership by certain key executives.  In response to the addition of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, participation in the Gain Deferral Plan was frozen on January 1, 2005 and no additional contributions or deferrals may be made under this plan.  This plan combinescombined traditional deferred compensation arrangements with stock option exercise transactions by allowing eligible stock option participants to defer to a future date the 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, the Gain Deferral Plan was frozen and no additional contributions or deferrals may be made



70


under this plan. Currently, eight stock option participants participate inhave amounts credited under this plan, including Mr. Scudder.  DeferralsDeferred amounts are held for each participant in separate individual accounts in an irrevocable rabbi trust.  Amounts deferred under the Gain Deferral PlanThe amounts 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 Deferred Compensation Plan and the Gain Deferral Plan, payments begin after termination of employment and are payable at the participant’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 Deferred Compensation Plan, and are paid as

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in-kind stock distributions under the Gain Deferral Plan.  Payments to named executive officers will be delayed as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

2016

2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table

The table set forth below summarizes the activity in the Deferred Compensation Plan and Gain Deferral Plan accounts of our named executive officers during 2016.2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate

 

Aggregate

 

   

 

   

Executive

  

Company

  

Aggregate

  

Withdrawals/

  

Balance at

 

 

 

 

Contributions

 

Contributions

 

Earnings in

 

Distributions

 

December 31,

Name

 

Plan Name

 

in 2018(1)

 

in 2018(2)

 

2018

 

in 2018

 

2018(3)(4)

Michael L. Scudder

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

34,332

 

$

97,564

 

$

222,528

 

$

 

$

3,503,267

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,262

 

 

 

 

195,989

Mark G. Sander

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

52,913

 

$

66,473

 

$

105,997

 

$

 

$

946,964

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Patrick S. Barrett

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

827

 

$

624

 

$

5,246

 

$

 

$

60,675

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Michael W. Jamieson

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

160,605

 

$

 

$

14,481

 

$

 

$

185,984

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Thomas M. Prame

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

 

$

4,650

 

$

2,690

 

$

 

$

62,844

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A


Name Plan Name 
Executive Contributions in 2016(1)
 
Company Contributions in 2016(2)
 Aggregate Earnings in 2016 
Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions
in 2016
 
Aggregate Balance at December 31, 2016(3)(4)
             
Michael L. Scudder Deferred Comp. Plan $33,277
 $98,011
 $96,016
 $
 $2,666,280
  Gain Deferral Plan 
 
 3,419
 
 241,538
             
Mark G. Sander Deferred Comp. Plan $79,959
 $39,162
 $32,359
 $
 $630,790
  Gain Deferral Plan N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
             
Paul F. Clemens Deferred Comp. Plan $6,095
 $19,306
 $7,934
 $
 $200,325
  Gain Deferral Plan N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
             
Thomas M. Prame Deferred Comp. Plan $
 $3,688
 $1,585
 $
 $62,623
  Gain Deferral Plan N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
             
Nicholas J. Chulos Deferred Comp. Plan $32,014
 $2,547
 $2,355
 $
 $125,260
  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 our 401(k) Plan, but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, and salary and short-term incentive compensation the named executive officer has elected to defer.

(2)

Company contributions represent amounts that would have been contributed under our tax-qualified benefit plans but for limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan for each named executive officer to the Deferred Compensation Plan are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the 20162018 Summary Compensation Table.

(3)

Aggregate balances at December 31, 20162018 reflect amounts accumulated through the named executive officer’s participation in the plans from:  (a) participant and Company contributions under the Deferred Compensation Plan and (b) participant contributions only under the Gain Deferral Plan.  Our named executive officers have participated in the Deferred Compensation Plan since 1999 for Mr. Scudder, 2011 for Mr. Sander, 20062017 for Mr. Clemens,Barrett, 2017 for Mr. Jamieson and 2012 for Mr. Prame and 2014 for Mr. Chulos.Prame.  Mr. Scudder has participated in the Gain Deferral Plan since 2004.

(4)

As of December 31, 2016,2018, the portion of the aggregate balances in the Deferred Compensation Plan and Gain Deferral Plan (as applicable) that represent Common Stock of the Company are as follows:  9,5739,863 shares for Mr. Scudder, 0-0- shares for Mr. Sander, 2,007-0- shares for Mr. Clemens, 1,998Barrett, -0- shares for Mr. PrameJamieson and 02,065 shares for Mr. Chulos.Prame.


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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 resignation of employment for good reason both prior to and following a change-in-control of the Company.

Overview

Our employment agreements with each of our named executive officers 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’s title, responsibilities, and compensation confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-disparagement covenants by the executive and severance payments to be made to the executive upon certain terminations of employment.  Termination of employment also may impact equity awards that we have granted, as well as benefits payable under our employee benefit plans.

In addition to their employment agreements, our named executive officers are parties to Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenants Agreements with us throughunder which we enhancedthey are subject to confidentiality, non-disparagement, non-solicitation and, in the case of Messrs Scudder and Sander, non-competition covenants.  The restrictive covenants applicable to which our named executive officers. The non-solicitation provisions in these agreements apply for eighteen months after termination of employment for Messrs. Scudderofficers are subject are described more fully above under Compensation Discussion and Sander,Analysis—Policies, Guidelines and one year after termination for Messrs. Clemens, PrameOther Practices—Employment and Chulos.

Restrictive Covenant Agreements with Our Executive Officers.

The following discussion takes each termination of employment situation—voluntary resignation, discharge for cause, discharge without cause, resignation for good reason, death and disability—both prior to and following a change-in-control of the Company, and describes the severance or other additional amounts that the Company would pay or provide to the named executive officer or the officer’s beneficiaries as a result.  The discussion below and the amounts shown reflect certain assumptions we have made in accordance with applicable SEC rules.  These assumptions are that the termination of employment or change-in-control occurred on December 31, 20162018 and that the value of a share of our Common Stock on that day was $25.23,$19.81, which is the closing price of our stock as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market on December 30, 2016,31, 2018, which was the last trading day of the year.

  The discussion below and the amounts shown also assume that the amendments made to Mr. Scudder’s employment agreement and Mr. Sander’s new employment agreement, both effective January 18, 2019, were in effect on December 31, 2018.

The following discussion and amounts exclude the payments and benefits that are not enhanced by a 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:

u

Base salary payable through the date of termination;

Base salary payable through the date of termination;

u

Any other cash compensation earned through the date of termination but not paid, including any amounts earned and vested but not paid under our annual cash incentive compensation program;

Any other cash compensation earned through the date of termination but not paid, including any amounts earned and vested but not paid under our annual cash incentive compensation program;

u

Benefits accrued under our 401(k) Plan, in which all employees participate, and Pension Plan;

Benefits accrued under our 401(k) Plan and Pension Plan in which all employees participate;

u

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

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

u

Balances accrued under our Deferred Compensation Plan and Gain Deferral Plan; and

Balances accrued under our Deferred Compensation Plan and Gain Deferral Plan;

u

Restricted stock and performance shares that have vested prior to the employment termination or change-in-control.

Stock options that have vested and become exercisable, and restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares that have vested, prior to the employment termination or change-in-control.

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Voluntary Resignation

Prior to age 65, we are not obligated to pay amounts over and above vested benefits in the event of employment termination due to voluntary resignation, and all unearned or unvested restricted stock restricted stock unit and performance share awards will lapse and not vest.  Following attainment of age 65, in the event of a named executive officer’s retirement, we have provided that, in addition to payment of the executive’s vested benefits:

u

All unvested restricted stock awards, as well as all earned but unvested performance shares, become fully vested; and

All unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, as well as all earned but unvested performance shares, become fully vested;

u

A pro-rated portion of all unearned performance shares may vest following the end of the performance periods applicable to the executive’s performance share awards outstanding at the time of retirement and as to which the performance periods have not concluded.  The portion of each unearned performance share award that may vest is based on the achievement of the applicable performance goals during the entire performance period, and is calculated by multiplying the target number of performance shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months that have elapsed from the beginning of the applicable performance period to the date of resignation and the denominator of which is 36.

A prorated portion of all unearned performance shares may vest following the end of the performance periods applicable to the executive’s performance share awards outstanding at the time of retirement and as to which the performance periods have not concluded. The portion of each unearned performance share award that may vest is based on the achievement of the applicable performance goals during the entire performance period, and is calculated by multiplying the target number of performance shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months that have elapsed from the beginning of the applicable performance period to the date of resignation and the denominator of which is 36.

As of December 31, 2016,2018, none of our named executive officers had attained age 65.

Discharge for Cause

We are not obligated to pay any amounts over and above vested benefits if a named executive officer’s employment terminates because of discharge for cause.  The named executive officer’s right to exercise vested options expires upon discharge for cause and, ifIf 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 60% 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 executive’s vested benefits, in the event of death or disability.

The amount of the payments to our named executive officers assuming death or disability on December 31, 20162018 is set forth in the following table:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disability Benefits

 

    

Life Insurance

    

Monthly

    

Months to

    

Total

Name

 

(Death) Benefit

 

Amount

 

Age 65

 

Payment

Michael L. Scudder

 

$

1,000,000

 

$

42,500

 

79

 

$

3,357,500

Mark G. Sander

 

 

750,000

 

 

32,750

 

59

 

 

1,932,250

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

750,000

 

 

26,400

 

120

 

 

3,168,000

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

750,000

 

 

22,350

 

49

 

 

1,095,150

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

700,000

 

 

17,775

 

191

 

 

3,395,025

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69


    Disability Benefits
Name Life Insurance (Death) Benefit Monthly Amount Months to Age 65 Total Payment
Michael L. Scudder $1,000,000
 $41,215
 103
 $4,245,145
Mark G. Sander 750,000
 29,816
 83
 2,474,728
Paul F. Clemens 752,000
 19,816
 7
 138,712
Thomas M. Prame 641,000
 16,022
 215
 3,444,730
Nicholas J. Chulos 590,000
 14,754
 94
 1,386,876


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We also have provided for the vesting of unearned or unvested equity awards in the event of the death or disability of the named executive officer as follows:

u

All unvested restricted stock awards, as well as all earned but unvested performance shares, become fully vested; and

All unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, as well as all earned but unvested performance shares, become fully vested;

u

A pro-rated portion of all unearned performance shares may vest following the end of the performance periods applicable to the executive’s performance share awards outstanding at the time of death or disability and as to which the performance periods have not concluded.  The portion of each unearned performance share award that may vest is based on the achievement of the applicable performance goals during the entire performance period, and is calculated by multiplying the target number of performance shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months that have elapsed from the beginning of the applicable performance period to the date of termination of employment and the denominator of which is 36.

A prorated portion of all unearned performance shares may vest following the end of the performance periods applicable to the executive’s performance share awards outstanding at the time of death or disability and as to which the performance periods have not concluded. The portion of each unearned performance share award that may vest is based on the achievement of the applicable performance goals during the entire performance period, and is calculated by multiplying the target number of performance shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months that have elapsed from the beginning of the applicable performance period to the date of termination of employment and the denominator of which is 36.

The following table summarizes the unvested restricted stock, or restricted stock units, earned but unvested performance shares and unearned performance shares (assuming target performance) that would have vested on December 31, 20162018 if the executive’s employment terminated that day due to death or disability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards

 

Performance Shares

 

Total

Name

    

Number

    

Value

    

Number

    

Value

    

Equity Value

Michael L. Scudder

 

53,794

 

$

1,065,659

 

92,864

 

$

1,839,636

 

$

2,905,295

Mark G. Sander

 

41,965

 

 

831,327

 

54,815

 

 

1,085,885

 

 

1,917,212

Patrick S. Barrett

 

50,155

 

 

993,571

 

18,254

 

 

361,612

 

 

1,355,182

Michael W. Jamieson

 

20,914

 

 

414,306

 

4,944

 

 

97,941

 

 

512,247

Thomas M. Prame

 

17,039

 

 

337,543

 

11,074

 

 

219,376

 

 

556,919
  
Restricted Stock
Awards/Units
 Performance Shares Total Equity Value
Name Number Value Number Value 
Michael L. Scudder 81,563
 $2,057,834
 77,646
 $1,959,009
 $4,016,843
Mark G. Sander 59,193
 1,493,439
 48,698
 1,228,651
 2,722,090
Paul F. Clemens 24,156
 609,456
 13,850
 349,436
 958,892
Thomas M. Prame 21,291
 537,172
 8,870
 223,790
 760,962
Nicholas J. Chulos 22,471
 566,943
 7,694
 194,120
 761,063

Discharge Without Cause; Resignation Forfor Good Reason

Our employment agreements obligate us to pay severance benefits if a named executive officer’s employment is involuntarily terminated other than for cause.  This 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 histhe executive’s appointed positions, responsibilities 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 milesa specified distance from histhe current location.  Our primary obligation inIn these circumstances is to continue the executive’s salary and participation in group health plans for a defined severance period and to pay a pro-rata annual bonus (based on target performance) for the year employment terminates. We will also provide outplacement assistance. The severance period is nine months for Messrs. Scudder and Sander and six months for the other named executive officers. The severance period may be extended for up to an additional six-month period in the Company’s sole discretion. circumstances:

u

Each executive is eligible to receive a pro-rata annual bonus based, in the case of Messrs. Scudder and Sander, on the greater of (1) the executive’s target bonus for the year of termination or (2) the actual bonus earned for the year of termination or, in the case of our other named executive officers, on the executive’s target bonus for the completed year immediately preceding the year of termination;

u

Each executive is eligible to receive severance payments.  In the case of Messrs. Scudder and Sander, these severance payments are equal to 2x the executive’s base salary and target bonus in effect at the time of termination, payable over 24 months.  In the case of our other named executive officers, the executive is eligible to receive six months of salary continuation following termination, subject to extension in the Company’s discretion for up to an additional six months;

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u

Messrs. Scudder and Sander are eligible to receive pro-rata vesting of unearned or unvested equity awards.  To the extent that the provisions of the applicable award agreements are not more favorable, (1) a portion of all unvested restricted stock awards, as well as all earned but unvested performance shares, will vest upon termination of the executive’s employment equal to the total number of shares of common stock subject to the award multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months that have elapsed from the grant date to the date of termination of employment and the denominator of which is the number of whole months in the period from the grant date to the final scheduled vesting date of the award, to the extent that the pro-rata portion exceeds the portion of the award that vested prior to the date of termination of employment, and (2) a portion of all unearned performance shares for which the applicable performance period will end after the date of termination of employment may remain outstanding and be eligible to be earned and vest based on actual performance at the end of the performance period, which portion is equal to the total number of performance shares granted under the award multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of whole months that have elapsed from the first day of the performance period to the date of termination of employment and the denominator of which is the number of months in the performance period;

u

Each executive is eligible to continue to participate in group health plans.  In the case of Messrs. Scudder and Sander, the executive, the executive’s spouse and the executive’s age-eligible dependent children are eligible to maintain health benefits coverage on the same basis, including cost-sharing, as if the executive’s employment continued until the executive and the executive’s spouse are eligible for Medicare coverage and the executive’s dependents are no longer age-eligible for coverage under the Company’s plans.  In the case of our other named executive officers, the executive is eligible to maintain health benefits coverage on the same basis as if the executive’s employment continued for a period of six months, subject to extension in the Company’s discretion for up to an additional six months; and

u

Each of our named executive officers other than Messrs. Scudder and Sander are eligible for outplacement assistance.

The executive is required to reaffirm compliance with the executive’s Confidentiality and Restrictive Covenants Agreement and execute a general release of claims as a condition to receiving severance benefits.



74


Severance

The following table summarizes the severance benefits that would be payable to our named executive officers had their employment been terminated involuntarily without cause or for good reason on December 31, 2016:2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance/Salary Continuation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

 

 

 

Pro-Rated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical

 

 

 

 

   

Monthly

 

of

 

 

Total

  

 Annual

 

Equity Awards(2)

  

Benefits/Out-

  

 

Name

   

Amount

  

 Months

  

Amount

 

Bonus(1)

  

Number

  

Value

  

Placement(3)

  

Total

Michael L. Scudder

 

$

100,938

 

24

 

$

2,422,500

 

$

722,500

 

100,755

 

$

1,995,957

 

$

169,827

 

$

5,310,784

Mark G. Sander

 

 

72,323

 

24

 

 

1,735,750

 

 

425,750

 

63,252

 

 

1,253,022

 

 

184,531

 

 

3,599,053

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

44,000

 

6

 

 

264,000

 

 

260,000

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

129,917

 

 

653,917

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

37,250

 

6

 

 

223,500

 

 

176,000

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

110,514

 

 

510,014

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

29,625

 

6

 

 

177,750

 

 

140,000

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

88,609

 

 

406,359

  Salary Continuation      
Name 
Monthly
Amount
 
Number
of
Months
 
Total Salary
Continuation/
Lump Sum
 
Pro-Rated
Annual
Bonus(1)
 
Medical Benefits/Out-placement(2)
 Total
Michael L. Scudder $68,667
 9 $618,003
 $494,400
 $110,752
 $1,223,155
Mark G. Sander 49,676
 9 447,084
 298,058
 83,405
 828,547
Paul F. Clemens 33,016
 6 198,096
 158,476
 53,100
 409,672
Thomas M. Prame 26,691
 6 160,146
 128,117
 38,435
 326,698
Nicholas J. Chulos 24,559
 6 147,354
 117,882
 43,433
 308,669

(1)

Pro-rated

The pro-rated annual bonus based on target bonusreflects,  for year of terminationMessrs. Scudder and number of days elapsed at date of termination. Amounts reflectSander, full 20162018 target bonus, and assumesfor our other named executive officers, full 2017 target bonus, in each case in accordance with the provisions of their employment agreements.

(2)

For Messrs. Scudder and Sander, includes 29,545 shares and 22,750 shares of restricted stock, respectively, and 71,210 shares and 40,502 shares underlying vested and unvested performance shares, respectively, that would vest in the event of a qualifying termination occurred on last dayDecember 31, 2018.

(3)

For Messrs. Scudder and Sander, reflects an estimate of the year.cost for the executive, his spouse and his age-eligible dependent children to maintain health benefits on the same basis as if the executive’s employment continued until the executive and the executive’s spouse are eligible for Medicare coverage and the executive’s dependents are no longer age-eligible for coverage under the Company’s plans.  For our other

(2)

2019 Proxy Statement

Reflects

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named executive officers, reflects the 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.

Change-in-Control

We have provisions in the employment agreements with our named executive officers and in our employee benefit plans for the payment of severance benefits in the event of a change-in-control of the Company.  In the event of a change-in-control, our employment agreements require a “double trigger” to occur before enhanced severance benefits are paid.  A “double trigger” involves both a change-in-control of the Company and a qualifying termination of the named executive’sexecutive officer’s employment following the change-in-control.  The enhanced severance benefits consist of a lump sum payment of, in the case of Messrs. Scudder and Sander, approximately 2.5 times the sum of base salary, the average of the annual cash incentive compensation earned for the prior three completed years (or, in the case of Mr. Scudder, if greater, his target annual cash incentive compensation for the year in which the termination occurs), and certain other amounts, and, inof:

u

In the case of Messrs. Scudder and Sander, 3x the sum of (1) the executive’s base salary in effect as of the date of termination of employment or, if greater, the date immediately preceding the change-in-control, and (2) the executive’s target bonus in effect for the year in which the change-in-control occurs or, if greater, the year in which the date of termination of employment occurs;

u

In the case of our other named executive officers, 2x the sum of (1) the executive’s base salary in effect as of the date of termination of employment or, if greater, the date immediately preceding the change-in-control, (2) the greater of the average of the annual cash incentive compensation earned by the executive for (a) the three years immediately preceding the year in which the date of termination of employment occurs, or (b) the three years immediately preceding the year in which the change-in-control occurs (or, in the case of Messrs. Barrett and Jamieson, the target annual cash incentive compensation for the year in which the termination occurs), and (3) certain other amounts; and

u

A pro-rata annual bonus based, in the case of Messrs. Scudder and Sander, on target performance for the year employment terminates or, in the case of our other named executive officers, on target performance for the year prior to the year employment terminates.

In addition, our named executive officers approximately 2 timesare eligible to receive the sum of base salary,following additional benefits in the averageevent of the annual cash incentive compensation earned for the prior three completed years (or, in the case of Mr. Clemens, if greater, his target annual cash incentive compensation for the year in which theexecutive’s qualifying termination occurs), and certain other amounts. The lump sum further includes payment offollowing a pro-rata annual bonus (based on target performance) for the year employment terminates. In addition, all unearned and unvested equity awards granted prior to 2016 will vest in full upon a change-in-control, whether or not the executive’s employment terminates. However, beginning with our equity awards granted in 2016, all new equity awards will require a “double trigger” to occur before unearned and unvested equity awards will vest in connection with a change-in-control. As such, both a change-in-control of the Company and a termination of employment within 24 months following the change-in-control by either the executive for good reason or an acquirer without cause must occur in order for the unearned or unvested equity awards to vest. change-in-control:

u

For all unearned and unvested equity awards granted prior to 2016, the awards will vest in full upon a change-in-control, whether or not the executive’s employment terminates.  For all equity awards granted in 2016 or later, a “double trigger” is required to occur before unearned and unvested equity awards will vest in connection with a change-in-control.  As such, both a change-in-control of the Company and a termination of employment within 24 months following the change-in-control by either the executive for good reason or an acquirer without cause must occur in order for the unearned or unvested equity awards to vest;

u

In the case of Messrs. Scudder and Sander, the executive, the executive’s spouse and the executive’s age-eligible dependent children are eligible to maintain health benefits coverage on the same basis, including cost-sharing, as if the executive’s employment continued until the executive and the executive’s spouse are eligible for Medicare coverage and the executive’s dependents are no longer age-eligible for coverage under the Company’s plans; and

u

Each of our named executive officers other than Messrs. Scudder and Sander are eligible for outplacement assistance.

None of the employment agreements with our named executive officers provide for a gross-up payment should the executive be subject to an excise tax under the Internal Revenue Code.


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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.



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The table below summarizes the severance payments we would be obligated to make if a change-in-control occurred and the named executive officer’s employment terminated (other than for cause) on December 31, 2016.2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Lump

 

Equity Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sum Cash

 

Restricted Stock

 

Performance

 

Total

 

Medical

 

 

 

 

Severance

 

Awards

 

Shares

 

Equity

 

Benefits/Out-

 

 

Name

   

Amount

  

Number

  

Value

  

Number

  

Value

  

 Value

   

Placement

     

Total

Michael L. Scudder

 

$

5,440,000

 

53,794

 

$

1,065,659

 

127,048

 

$

2,516,821

 

$

3,582,480

 

$

169,827

 

$

9,192,307

Mark G. Sander

 

 

3,668,000

 

41,965

 

 

831,327

 

72,374

 

 

1,433,729

 

 

2,265,056

 

 

184,531

 

 

6,117,587

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

2,246,375

 

50,155

 

 

993,571

 

31,612

 

 

626,234

 

 

1,619,804

 

 

126,720

 

 

3,992,899

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

1,813,528

 

20,914

 

 

414,306

 

12,498

 

 

247,585

 

 

661,892

 

 

107,280

 

 

2,582,700

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

1,371,385

 

17,039

 

 

337,543

 

15,339

 

 

303,866

 

 

641,408

 

 

85,320

 

 

2,098,113

CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure

In accordance with applicable SEC rules under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we determined an estimate of the ratio of Mr. Scudder’s annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of our median employee.

To determine our median employee for 2018, we considered the W-2 reported total compensation for all employees (other than Mr. Scudder) who were employed by the Company as of December 31, 2018, including all full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees.  No adjustments were made to the compensation data for purposes of annualization or otherwise.

Upon identification of our 2018 median employee, we calculated that employee’s total compensation using the same methodology as required under SEC rules for disclosure in the summary compensation table of our named executive officers’ total compensation.  In the 2018 Summary Compensation Table, we report the annual cash incentive compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer in 2019 for performance in 2018.  Our median employee did not participate in our annual cash incentive compensation program in 2018, but instead participated in a separate cash incentive plan that paid periodically throughout 2018.  Accordingly, we used the amounts received in 2018 under this periodic cash incentive plan for purposes of calculating the median employee’s 2018 annual total compensation.  For both our median employee and Mr. Scudder, we also added the total cost of Company-paid health insurance.

Using the methodology described above, we determined that the annual total compensation of our median employee for 2018 was $60,672, which, when compared to Mr. Scudder’s total compensation of $3,465,098, resulted in a CEO to median employee pay ratio of 57 to 1.  Our pay ratio is 53 to 1, excluding non-qualified deferred compensation earnings included in Mr. Scudder’s total compensation for 2018, which totaled $226,790.

2019 Proxy Statement

73


  Total Lump Sum Cash Severance Amount Equity Awards Total Severance Payment
   
Restricted Stock
Awards/Units
 Performance Shares   
Name  Number Value Number Value 
Total
Equity Value
 
Michael L. Scudder $4,963,183
 81,563
 $2,057,834
 109,179
 $2,754,586
 $4,812,420
 $9,775,603
Mark G. Sander 3,272,446
 59,193
 1,493,439
 69,770
 1,760,297
 3,253,736
 6,526,182
Paul F. Clemens 1,565,926
 24,156
 609,456
 19,691
 496,804
 1,106,260
 2,672,186
Thomas M. Prame 1,238,250
 21,291
 537,172
 12,634
 318,756
 855,928
 2,094,178
Nicholas J. Chulos 1,127,294
 22,471
 566,943
 11,083
 279,624
 846,567
 1,973,861

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’s financial statements and systems of internal control over financial reporting, (2) oversee the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to financial reporting and disclosure, (3) evaluate the independence and qualifications of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and (4) oversee the performance of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and our internal audit function.  The Audit Committee also is solely responsible for the appointment and compensation of the Company’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’s website.

In carrying out its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee relies 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’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 as well as internal controls and procedures that provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations.  The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for planning and carrying out a proper audit of the Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.  The internal auditors are responsible for evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s processes and system of internal controls to achieve the Company’s stated goals and objectives.  It is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits, to determine that the Company’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.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and had discussions with management and Ernst & Young LLP regarding the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.  The Audit Committee also has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 16.auditing standard on “Communications with Audit Committees.”  The Audit Committee has received the required disclosures from Ernst & Young LLP under applicable PCAOB standards regarding auditor independence, and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence.  The Audit Committee has established policies and procedures regarding the pre-approval of all services provided by Ernst & Young LLP.  The Audit Committee has reviewed the audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP for the year ended December 31, 20162018 and considered whether such services are compatible with maintaining its independence, and determined to engage Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2017.



76


2019.

Based upon the Audit Committee’s review of the Company’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 its charter, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20162018 be included in the Company’s Form 10-K10K for the same year filed with the SEC.

Stephen C. Van Arsdell (Chair)

Thomas L. Brown

Patrick J. McDonnell (Chair)John F. Chlebowski, Jr. (Vice Chair)

Phupinder S. Gill

Kathryn J. Hayley

Frank B. Modruson

Michael J. Small

Members, Audit Committee

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


OTHER MATTERS

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a)

Voting Your Shares

You are entitled to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder of record of the Exchange Act requires our directorsCompany at the close of business on March 22, 2019, the Record Date for the Annual Meeting.  On that date, there were 107,000,522 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 2,259 stockholders of record.

Appointing a Proxy

A proxy is your direction to another person to vote your shares.  When you vote your shares, whether via the Internet, by telephone or by signing and executivemailing a Proxy Card, you will appoint certain officers of the 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 vote your shares in advance.

Record Stockholders and persons who own more than 10% of a registered classBeneficial Ownership; Proxy Materials

If you hold shares of our equity securitiesCommon Stock that are registered in your name through our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as of the Record Date, you are the stockholder of record with respect to file reports of ownership of, and transactions in, our equity securities with the SEC. These directors, executive officers and stockholders are also required to furnish us with copies of all reports they file under Section 16(a). Reports of purchases and salesthose shares.

If you hold shares of our securities by such personsCommon Stock indirectly through a bank, broker or similar institution, you are available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/secdocuments/. Based onconsidered a reviewbeneficial owner of those shares but are not the copiesstockholder of such reports,record.  We refer to banks, brokers 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, 2016.

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 of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the sections of this Proxy Statement entitled Audit Committee Reportand Compensation Committee Report will not be deemed incorporated therein, unless specifically provided otherwise in such filing. We also include several website addressessimilar institutions in this Proxy Statement collectively as “brokers.”  In this circumstance, you are a stockholder whose shares are held in “street name” and your broker 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, these materials were sent to you by the broker through which you hold your shares.  As the beneficial owner, you may direct your broker how to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting and the broker is obligated to provide you with a voting instruction form for you to use for this purpose.

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, 8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60631, from May 3, 2019 to May 14, 2019, as well as at the Annual Meeting.

Participants in the Company’s Benefit Plans

Current and former employees who participate in the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan,  First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified Retirement Plan,  First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan and/or the First 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’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. 2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND PROXY VOTE.  Participants without a Company e-mail address will receive proxy materials by mail.

The trustees under these plans (other than the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan) 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 participant in accordance with the instructions received from the participant.  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 participants are not the record owners of the related shares, the participants 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.

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Proxy Cards

If you receive multiple Proxy Cards, this means you hold your reference.shares in more than one account.  To vote all of your shares by proxy, please vote the shares in each account via the Internet or by telephone, or complete, sign, date and return each Proxy Card that you receive.

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

u

you are a stockholder of record, contact our Corporate Secretary’s office at (708) 831‑7483; or

u

you hold Common Stock in street name through a broker, contact your account representative at that organization.

Requirement of a Quorum

A quorum is required to transact business at the Annual Meeting.  The informationholders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on these websites isthe 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, which are described more fully in the following section, are treated as present for quorum purposes.

Voting and Required Votes

If you are a stockholder of record, you may cast your vote via the Internet, by telephone, by mail or in person at the Annual Meeting.  If you hold your shares in street name, you may vote by following your broker’s instructions.  The various methods of voting are described in more detail under Proxy Summary—How to Vote.

If you are a stockholder of record on the Record Date and you properly vote your shares via the Internet, by telephone or by mail, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions.  If you sign and return your Proxy Card, but do not partgive voting instructions, your shares will be voted in the manner recommended by the Board of Directors, as follows:  FOR each director nominee named in this Proxy Statement and FOR each of the other items set forth in the Notice attached to this Proxy Statement.  If you sign and return your Proxy Card, but do not give voting instructions, you also will grant discretionary authority to the named proxies to vote 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, on routine matters, the shares will be voted by the broker through which you hold your shares in accordance with your instructions and, if no instructions are given, your broker is entitled to vote your shares in its discretion.  On non-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 voting instructions for non-routine items, your shares will be treated as “broker non-votes.”  This means your shares will be counted for the purpose of determining if a quorum is present but, except as provided below, will not be included as votes cast with respect to the non-routine items.  The determination of whether a matter is routine or non-routine is made under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

An abstention occurs when a stockholder marks his or her Proxy Card as ABSTAIN and thereby abstains from voting on a matter.

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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

Voting Requirements

Effect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions

Election of Directors (Non-Routine)

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.

Broker non-votes and votes to ABSTAIN are not treated as a “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 Advisory (Non-Binding) Resolution Regarding the Compensation Paid in 2018 to the Company’s Named Executive Officers (Non-Routine)

You may vote FOR or AGAINST the advisory resolution regarding the compensation paid to our named executive officers, or you may ABSTAIN.

This is an advisory resolution that is non-binding on our Board.  A majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR this item in order for it to be considered approved by our stockholders on an advisory basis.

Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this item.  Votes to ABSTAIN will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item.

Ratification of the Appointment of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Routine)

You may vote FOR or AGAINST the ratification of our Audit Committee’s appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019, or you may ABSTAIN.

   A majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be voted FOR ratification in order for this item to pass.

Broker non-votes are not expected to exist because brokers have discretionary authority to vote on this item.  Votes to ABSTAIN will have the effect of a vote AGAINST this item.

As described under Item 1  Election of Directors, if a director who currently serves on the Board of Directors fails to receive a majority of the votes cast FOR his or her election, he or she will tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors for consideration and our Board will determine whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken.

Revoking or Changing a Vote

You can revoke or change your vote at any time before your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting by timely:

u

resubmitting your vote via the Internet or by telephone; or

u

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

u

giving written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary at 8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60631; or

u

voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

If your shares are held in street name, you should contact your broker to change your vote.

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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 of 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 any other person who may be nominated by our Board of Directors.

Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Stockholders who, in accordance with the SEC’s Rule 14a-8, wish to present proposals for inclusion in our proxy materials in connection with our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders must submit their proposals on or before


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December 12, 2017 to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., Attn:  Corporate Secretary, One Pierce Place, Suite 1500, Itasca, Illinois 60143.
In accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation, for a proposal or director nomination to be properly presented at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders (but not necessarily contained in our proxy statement), a stockholder’s notice of the matter must comply with the requirements in our Certificate of Incorporation and 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 16, 2018. As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder under these provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation (and not pursuant to the SEC’s Rule 14a-8) must be received no earlier than November 17, 2017 and no later than January 16, 2018.

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” 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 20162018 Annual Report upon a request orally or in writing, to our Corporate Secretary (1) by mail at One Pierce Place,8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1500, Itasca,1300, Chicago, Illinois 60143,60631, or (2) by telephone at (630) 875-7463.

(708) 831‑7483.

We have been notified that certain brokers and banks holding our Common Stock for their customers also will household proxy materials.  If you hold your shares in street name, 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).

Expenses of 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, employees or affiliates telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication.  Directors, officers and employees will receive no additional compensation for any such solicitation.  Although we do not anticipate using a paid proxy solicitor in connection with the Annual Meeting, we may do so if we believe this to be appropriate.  We will reimburse brokers for costs incurred by them in mailing proxy materials to beneficial owners in accordance with applicable requirements.

Attending the Annual Meeting

All stockholders must bring an acceptable form of identification, such as a valid driver’s license, in order to attend the Annual Meeting.  If you hold shares in street name and would like to attend our Annual Meeting, you also will need to bring an account statement showing that you owned shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date and a “legal proxy” form from the broker through which you hold your shares.  If you attend the Annual Meeting as a representative of a stockholder that is an entity, then you must bring proof of your authorization to attend and act on behalf of that entity.

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Reporting of Voting Results

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting.  Final voting results are expected to be published in a Current Report on Form 8‑K filed with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting.  A copy of this Current Report on Form 8‑K will be available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelationsafter its filing with the SEC.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the 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 reports they file under Section 16(a).  Reports of purchases and sales of our securities by such persons are available on our website at www.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 year ended December 31, 2018.

Stockholder Proposals for 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Stockholders who, in accordance with the SEC’s Rule 14a‑8, wish to present proposals for inclusion in our proxy materials in connection with our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders must submit their proposals on or before December 11, 2019 to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., Attn:  Corporate Secretary, 8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60631.

In accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation, for a proposal or director nomination to be properly presented at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (but not necessarily contained in our proxy statement), a stockholder’s notice of the matter must comply with the requirements in our Certificate of Incorporation and be timely delivered to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., Attn:  Corporate Secretary, 8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60631, not less than 120 nor more than 180 days prior to the date of the meeting, which currently is scheduled for May 20, 2020.  As a result, any notice given by or on behalf of a stockholder under these provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation (and not pursuant to the SEC’s Rule 14a‑8) must be received no earlier than November 22, 2019 and no later than January 21, 2020.

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 of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the sections of this Proxy Statement entitled Compensation Committee Report and Audit 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.

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Additional Information

You may obtain additional information regarding the Company, including our corporate governance policies and practices, by visiting our website at www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelations, or by making a written request to our Corporate Secretary at First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., One Pierce Place,8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1500, Itasca,1300, Chicago, Illinois 60143.60631.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
Nicholas J. Chulos
Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary
and General Counsel
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
April 11, 2017


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Appendix A
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION REGARDING DECLASSIFICATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paragraph (c) of PART III—GENERAL PROVISIONS of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be amended as follows:
ARTICLE FOURTH.  Authorized Stock.
PART III—GENERAL PROVISIONS

(c)

Removal of DirectorsAny or all directors may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock.No director may be removed from office except for cause; provided, that, in addition to any affirmative vote required by law or any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the removal of any director shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 67% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock [it being understood that,Ffor purposes of this paragraph (c), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes granted to it pursuant to this Article Fourth], and such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.
ARTICLE FIFTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be amended as follows:
ARTICLE FIFTH.  Board of Directors.
(a)The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction

By Order of the Board of Directors.

Directors,

(b)

The number

Nicholas J. Chulos

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

April 4, 2019

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VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE w SCAN TO 8750 WEST BRYN MAWR AVENUE, SUITE 1300 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60631 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of directors constitutinginformation up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 14, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the Boardweb 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 Time on May 14, 2019. 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: E71158-P23656 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 ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED UNDER PROPOSAL 1, AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. For ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Against Abstain 1. Election of Directors For ! ! Against Abstain ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 1a. Barbara A. Boigegrain ! ! ! ! 1b. Thomas L. Brown 1k. Stephen C. Van Arsdell 1c. Phupinder S. Gill 1l. J. Stephen Vanderwoude 1d. Kathryn J. Hayley ! ! ! 2. Approval of an advisory (non-binding) resolution regarding the compensation paid in 2018 to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.’s named executive officers. 1e. Peter J. Henseler 1f. Frank B. Modruson ! 3. Ratification of the Corporation shall beappointment of Ernst & Young LLP as First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019. ! ! 1g. Ellen A. Rudnick 1h. Mark G. Sander 1i. Michael L. Scudder 1j. Michael J. Small NOTE: In their discretion, the proxies named on the front of this proxy card are authorized to vote upon such number, not fewer than three nor more than twenty,other matters as shall be fixed from timemay properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, and for the election of a person to timeserve 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 resolutionauthorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date


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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 15, 2019: 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 E71159-P23656 Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors adoptedAnnual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on May 15, 2019, 9:00 AM Central Time at The Rose Hotel Chicago O’Hare, 5200 Pearl Street, Rosemont, Illinois 60018 The undersigned stockholder(s) hereby appoints Patrick S. Barrett and Nicholas J. Chulos, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this proxy card, all shares of Common Stock of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. held of record by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all members thereof.

(c)
The successors of the directors whose terms expire at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders shall serve a term of office to expire at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. At the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, the successors of the directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall serve a term of office to expireundersigned on March 22, 2019, at the 2019 annual meetingAnnual Meeting of stockholders. AtStockholders to be held on May 15, 2019 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 2019 annual meetingAnnual Meeting of stockholders, and at each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter,Stockholders, the successors of the directors whose terms expire at eachProxy Statement in connection with such meeting shall serve a term of office expiring atand the annual meeting of stockholders next following their election.Board of Directors shall2018 Annual Report to Stockholders is hereby acknowledged. This proxy, when properly executed, will be and is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, however, that (1) each director in Class I elected at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1985 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1986, (2) each director in Class II elected at the annual meeting of stockholders


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in 1985 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1987, and (3) each director in Class III elected at the annual meeting of stockholders in 1985 shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 1988.
(d)In the event of any increase or decreasevoted in the authorized number of directors, (1) each director then serving as such shall nevertheless continue as a director ofmanner directed by you. If you sign and return this proxy but do not give any direction, it will be voted in accordance with the class of which he or she is a member until the expiration of his or her current term, or his or her prior death, retirement, resignation, or removal, and (2) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board of Directors among the three classes of directors so as to maintain such classes as nearly equal in number as possible.
(d)(e)
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article Fifth, eEach director shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her death, retirement, resignation or removal. Should a vacancy occur or be created, whether arising through death, retirement, resignation or removal of a director or through an increase in the number of directors of any class, such vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors of all classes then in office although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy arising through death, retirement, resignation or removal of a director shall hold office until the end of the term to which such director’s predecessor was chosen. A director so elected to fill a vacancy created through an increase in the number of directors shall serve a term of office to expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders.serve for the remainder of the then present term of office of the class in which the vacancy shall have occurred or shall have been created.
(e)(f)
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this Article Fifth, whenever the holders of any outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and of the resolutionrecommendations of the Board of Directors providingfor 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 issue of such class or series of Preferred Stock applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Article Fifth, unless expressly provided by such terms.
(f)(g)
The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all members thereof, shall have concurrent power with the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal the By-lawsaccount of the Corporation; provided, however, that the By-lawsundersigned under one of the Corporation shall not be adopted, amended or repealed byCompany’s employee benefit plans, then the stockholders except byundersigned hereby directs the affirmativetrustee to vote ofsuch shares as designated on the holders of at least 67% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class [it being understood that, for purposesreverse side of this paragraph (fg), each share of the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes grantedproxy card. Continued and to it pursuant to Article Fourth hereof], and such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.
(g)(h)
Wherever the term “Board of Directors” is used in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, such term shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation;


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provided, however, that, to the extent any committee of directors of the Corporation is lawfully entitled to exercise the powers of the Board of Directors, such committee, to the extent provided by resolution of the Board of Directors or the By-laws, may exercise any power or authority of the Board of Directors under this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation.
(h)(i)
The books of the Corporation (subject to the provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware) may be kept outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board of Directors. Elections of directors need not be by ballot unless the By-laws so provide.
(i)(j)
No Director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent that such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as it may be in effect from time to time. No amendment to or repeal of this paragraph (ij) shall apply to or have any effectsigned on the liability or alleged liability of any Director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such Director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.reverse side




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Appendix B
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION REGARDING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The first paragraph of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation would be amended as follows:
ARTICLE FOURTH.  Authorized Stock.
The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is Two Hundred Fifty One Million (251,000,000)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 Two Hundred Fifty Million (250,000,000)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”).



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