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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:

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)

(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


Certain Terms

Certain terms that we use in the accompanying 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

2020 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, First Midwest, 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 ASC 718

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718

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, 2019

Gain Deferral Plan

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

Internal Revenue Code

Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

^KRX Index

KBW Nasdaq Regional Banking Index (First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. is included in this index)

M&A

Mergers and acquisitions

Named executive officers or NEOs

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 27, 2020

SEC

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

TSR

Total Stockholder Return


Table of Contents

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Welcome to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Annual Meeting ofStockholders

April 11, 2017





17, 2020

Dear Stockholder:

Fellow Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc., which will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 201720, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., Central time, at the Westin Chicago NorthwestO’Hare Hotel, 400 Park Boulevard, Itasca,6100 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60143.

60018.

As part of our precautions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and in light of the priority we place on the health, safety and well-being of our stockholders and colleagues, we are planning for the possibility that the Annual Meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication. If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance and details on how to participate will be publicly announced in a press release, available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/pressreleases, and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as proxy material.If we hold a virtual meeting, you will need the control number included on your Proxy Card in order to participate. 

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 20162019 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,

michaellscuddera02.jpg

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 20, 2020
9:00 a.m., Central time.time

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue

Suite 1300

Chicago, Illinois 60631

Place: Westin O’Hare Hotel, 6100 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018

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

As part of our precautions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and in light of the priority we place on the health, safety and well-being of our stockholders and colleagues, we are planning for the possibility that the Annual Meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication.  If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance and details on how to participate will be publicly announced in a press release, available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/pressreleases,  and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as proxy material.  If we hold a virtual meeting, you will need the control number included on your Proxy Card in order to participate.

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 20162019 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, 2017.2020.

w

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

Record Date:March 27, 2020

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 orand 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 17, 2020

and Corporate Secretary

By Order of the Board of Directors,


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

April 11, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS, CONT.

39

40

Pay-for-Performance

40

Compensation Program Performance Metrics

42

2019 CEO Pay Decisions

43

2020 Compensation Program Updates

43

Stockholder Say-on-Pay Vote in 2019

44

Our Executive Compensation Philosophy

44

46

Compensation Procedures

47

2019 Peer Group

48

2020 Peer Group

48

Performance

50

How We Measure Company Performance

50

50

51

2019 Compensation Program

52

Principal ElementsComponents of Our Executive Compensation Program in 2016

52

Base Salary

53

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

53

Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation (Performance Shares and Restricted Stock)

58

Retirement and Other Welfare Benefits

61

Perquisites

62

Policies, Guidelines and Other Practices

63

Stock Ownership Guidelines

63

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63

64

64

65

66

66

68

69

71

71

72

72

73

74

CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure

79

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

80

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One Pierce Place, Suite 1500
Itasca, Illinois 60143
PROXY STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION AND

PROXY STATEMENT

PROXY SUMMARY

This

We are furnishing 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 usedfor use at our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement, the accompanying Proxy Card and our 20162019 Annual Report are first being sent or otherwise made available to stockholders is April 11, 2017.17, 2020.  The following is a summary of items to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

Date, Time and Place of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

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Date and Time:

Time
May 17, 2017 at 20, 2020
9:00 a.m., Central time

Picture 46

Place*
Westin O’Hare Hotel
6100 North River Road
Rosemont, Illinois 60018

Picture 47

Record Date
March 27, 2020

*As part of our precautions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and in light of the priority we place on the health, safety and well-being of our stockholders and colleagues, we are planning for the possibility that the Annual Meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication.  If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance and details on how to participate will be publicly announced in a press release, available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/pressreleases, and filed with the SEC as proxy material.  If we hold a virtual meeting, you will need the control number included on your Proxy Card in order to participate.

Matters to be Considered at the Annual Meeting

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

2020 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 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 toCompany.  Our Board recommends that you vote FOR the Board followingelection of each of the 2016 annual meetingnominees belowSee Item 1  Election of stockholders.Directors.

2020 Director Nominees for Election

Barbara A. Boigegrain

Kathryn J. Hayley

Ellen A. Rudnick

Michael J. Small

CEO and General Secretary of Wespath Benefits and Investments

CEO of Rosewood Advisory Services, LLC

Former Executive Vice President of UnitedHealthcare

Senior Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Founder and CEO of K4 Mobility LLC

Former President and CEO of Gogo, Inc. 

Thomas L. Brown

Peter J. Henseler

Mark G. Sander

Stephen C. Van Arsdell

Former Senior Vice President and CFO of RLI Corp

President of TOMY International

President and COO of the Company

Former Senior Partner, Chairman and CEO of Deloitte & Touche LLP

Phupinder S. Gill

Frank B. Modruson

Michael L. Scudder

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

Former CEO of CME Group, Inc.

President of Modruson & Associates, LLC

Former Partner and CIO of Accenture plc

Chairman and CEO of the Company

Lead Independent Director of the Company

Former Chairman and CEO of Madison River Communications Corp.

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.
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.


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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 20162019 to our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

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 2017.2020.  See Item 3  Ratification of the Appointment of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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.

2

TermMeaning
401(k) Plan

First 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



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Table of Contents

Proxy Summary


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

How to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder of record of the Company at the close of business on March 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 officers of the Company 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

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The web address for Internet voting can be found on theyour 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 theyour 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 theyour 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


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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

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

A copy of our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019 accompanies this Proxy Statement.  The Notice, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report are available at www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelations.  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.

Certain Financial Information Presented on an Adjusted Basis

This Proxy Statement contains references to certain financial information on an adjusted basis.  This information, as adjusted, excludes certain items, such as acquisition and integration related expenses.  We believe that presenting certain financial information in this manner assists stockholders in understanding our core financial performance and in assessing the Company’s underlying operational performance since these items do not pertain to our core business operations.  Exclusion of these items facilitates better comparability between periods and enhances comparability for peer comparison purposes.  For a list of stockholders available for inspection?

A listreconciliation of the stockholders of recordGAAP and non-GAAP financial measures discussed in thisProxy Statement, which include net income, earnings, earnings per share, return on assets and return on average tangible common equity, in each case as of the Record Date will be available for inspection for purposes germaneadjusted to the Annual Meeting during ordinary business hours atexclude certain items, see 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?
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-K10‑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 February 28, 2020.www.firstmidwest.com/investorrelations after its filing with the SEC.


2020 Proxy Statement

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ABOUT FIRST MIDWEST

First Midwest Today

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. is a relationship-focused financial institution and one of the largest independent publicly traded bank holding companies based on assets headquartered in Chicago and the Midwest, with approximately $19 billion of assets (including our acquisition of Park Bank in Milwaukee that we completed on March 9, 2020) and an additional $12 billion of assets under management.  The Company’s principal subsidiary, First Midwest Bank, and other affiliates provide a full range of commercial, treasury management, equipment leasing, consumer, wealth management, trust and private banking products and services.  The primary footprint for our branch network and other locations is in metropolitan Chicago, southeast Wisconsin, northwest Indiana, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa.

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Growth in 2019

Building on our momentum, 2019 was an exceptionally strong and productive year for our Company during which we continued to execute on our strategic priorities of building and maintaining the highest quality and engaged team, growing and diversifying our revenues through organic growth and disciplined acquisitions, and managing business risk.  This strategy resulted in added scale and talent to provide us with the resources and strategic flexibility to continue to grow profitably.

In 2019, we generated total revenues of $862 million and net income, adjusted, of $217 million, both of which were at record levels for our Company.  We finished 2019 with assets of approximately $18 billion.  Underlying these strong financial results, in addition to growth, were controlled expenses.  Our acquisition activity also contributed to our strong 2019 performance.  During the first quarter of 2019, we completed our acquisition of Northern Oak Wealth Management, adding over $800 million of assets under management.  In the second quarter of 2019, we completed our acquisition and integration of Bridgeview Bank, which contributed an additional $1.2 billion of assets, $1.0 billion of deposits and $711 million of loans.  We also announced our acquisition of Park Bank in 2019 and completed this transaction in early March 2020.  Park Bank adds an additional $1.1 billion of assets, $1.0 billion of deposits and $720 million of loans.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

About First Midwest

Performance Highlights of 2019

Organizationally, we achieved a number of successes in 2019, which are summarized below.  As noted above under Proxy Summary—Certain Financial Information Presented on an Adjusted Basis,  we discuss our performance in this proxy statement both on a reported GAAP basis and on an adjusted basis.  The adjusted information primarily excludes acquisition and integration expenses, which allows us to properly assess our performance on a core basis and relative to peers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record Earnings

 

 

Net Interest Income

 

 

Efficiency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20%

 

 

14%

 

 

55%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generated reported earnings per share of $1.82, an increase of 20% from 2018 and 90% from 2017.  Earnings per share, adjusted, were $1.98,  up from $1.67 for 2018.

 

 

Increased net interest income to $588 million, up 14% from 2018.

 

 

Improved our efficiency ratio by nearly 300 bps to 55% from 58% for 2018. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

 

Average Deposits

 

 

Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$18 billion

 

 

13%

 

 

12%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increased total assets to $18 billion at December 31, 2019, up 15% from the end of 2018 and 27% from 2017.  Following the completion of our acquisition of Park Bank in the first quarter of 2020, our total assets are now approximately $19 billion.

 

 

Grew average total deposits to $13 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 13% from 2018.  Average core deposits continued to be strong at 77% for the year ended December 31, 2019.    We now hold a top 10 deposit share in the Chicago MSA.

 

 

Grew total loans to nearly $13 billion at December 31, 2019, an increase of 12% from December 31, 2018.  Maintained solid credit quality with net charge-offs to total loans of 31 bps, compared to 38 bps in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Assets

 

 

Capital

 

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.28%

 

 

10.5%

 

 

148th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Achieved a return on average assets, adjusted, of 1.28%, up 9.5% and 31% from 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

Maintained strong regulatory capital ratios.  Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets grew to 10.5% at December 31, 2019, an increase of over 30 bps from the end of 2018.  Total capital to risk-weighted assets grew to 13.0% at December 31, 2019 from 12.6% in 2018.

 

 

Paid our 148th consecutive quarterly cash dividend in 2019.  With continued confidence in our Company and business strategy and our desire to return value to our stockholders, our Board increased cash dividends to $0.54 per share in 2019, a 20% increase from 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board
Diversity

 

 

Corporate Social Responsibility

 

 

Industry Leadership and Recognition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One-third of our directors are diverse on the basis of gender or race.  We were recognized by 2020 Women on Boards for having at least 20% gender diversity on our Board of Directors.  Three of our directors also were named to WomenInc.’s 2019 most influential female directors list.

 

 

As we continued to grow in 2019, we did so with respect for our environmental impact and an emphasis on social responsibility, strong corporate governance and uncompromised integrity.  We enhanced our CSR resources in 2019 by creating the new position of Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity & Inclusion.

 

 

Our CEO was elected to the board of directors of the American Bankers Association and currently serves as chair of the ABA’s CEO council.  In addition, several of our senior officers received various industry and community recognitions.

2020 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

About First Midwest

Our Vision, Mission and Values

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Picture 24

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VISION

MISSION

VALUES

To be the partner of choice for financial services in the markets we serve, and one of the nation’s top performing financial institutions.

To help our clients achieve financial success.

To serve our clients with integrity, excellence, responsibility and passion.

During 2019, we remained focused on our vision, mission and values, which drive our culture that is centered on client needs, rooted in service excellence, dedicated to bettering our communities, focused on attracting top industry talent and influenced by technological change.  These factors provide significant momentum for future earnings growth and enhance our position as a premier Midwest-based commercial bank committed to helping our clients achieve financial success.  This commitment is at the core of all that we do.

Strategic Priorities

In building our platform for continued profitable growth, we focus on the following priorities in order to position the Company for future success.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – OUR COMMITMENT

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 clients, regardless of stature or wealth, with respect and a focus on their financial needs.  Since then, our colleagues have maintained that commitment.

Anchored in our vision, mission and values, we drive business performance and accelerate economic and social momentum by investing in our colleagues, clients and the communities we serve.  With best in class corporate citizenship and an integration of diversity and inclusion into the foundation of our culture, we are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our clients, communities, stockholders and other stakeholders.

We are proud of our commitment to corporate social responsibility.  In 2019, we deepened our investment in sustainability by creating the new position of Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity & Inclusion.  The purpose of this position is to enhance and execute an integrated corporate social responsibility strategy that is aligned with our growth agenda as well as our ability to create long-term stockholder value.  Our framework for this strategy is outlined below.

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Building Diversity
in Our Organization

We seek to attract top talent to serve our clients and to build high-performing teams through the power of diversity.  We continue to seek out opportunities to increase and encourage diversity throughout all levels of the Company.

   We were recently recognized by 2020 Women on Boards for achieving at least 20% gender diversity on our Board of Directors.

   Three of our directors were named to WomenInc.’s 2019 most influential female directors list.

   Our current colleague base is comprised of 70% women and 34% racial minorities.   In 2019, 47% of our hires into senior roles were women and 24% were racial minorities.

   We attract top talent through our rotational development program for recent college graduates interested in careers in commercial banking and wealth management.  In 2019, 50% of participants were diverse on the basis of gender or race.

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Driving an Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where colleagues and clients are valued and respected.  Our robust development and training programs are central to strengthening our inclusive culture.

   In 2019, we launched unconscious bias training sessions throughout the Company to provide our colleagues with the tools necessary to sharpen their inclusive leadership and cultural competency skills.

   We redesigned our learning curriculum geared towards new and aspiring leaders to emphasize the power of inclusive leadership as a means of inspiring high-performing teams and employees.

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Table of Contents

Corporate Social Responsibility

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Commitment to Community Development

Through proactive engagement with community leaders, we gain a deeper understanding of the needs of our local communities, and we plan our contributions and initiatives based on their needs.  Our culture of philanthropy, community investment and service enables us to provide financial education and support to previously unbanked or underbanked customers in our local communities.

   For more than two decades, the Company has been rated Outstanding by the Federal Reserve under the Community Reinvestment Act.

   We maintain branch locations that we believe are conducive and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve, including low- and moderate-income areas in our geographic footprint.

   In 2019, we extended approximately $186 million of community development loans. 

   In 2019, we donated over $1.5 million to nonprofit organizations in our local communities that supported causes such as health and wellness, poverty eradication and violence prevention. 

   In furtherance of our commitment to small businesses, we provided a $1 million capital investment to the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund, an initiative that provides capital to minority-owned businesses in economically depressed neighborhoods in Chicago. 

   In 2019, we reached over 8,000 participants through educational workshops that focus on saving, budgeting, homeownership and other topics that enhance the financial literacy of community members.  We offer flexible banking products designed to build financial capabilities, including credit-building consumer products, down payment and closing cost assistance programs, and affordable check cashing services.

   We have a lending portfolio that supports our non-profit clients in their mission-driven work to meet community needs.

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Deepening Colleague Engagement

Our colleagues are our most valuable asset.  We recognize that a highly engaged and empowered workforce is key to driving success for our clients,  our business, our communities and our stockholders.  In addition to offering a range of competitive, high-quality benefits, we strive to encourage a culture of service.  This creates an environment where employees are motivated to provide the best service to our clients and the communities we serve.

   We  were recognized as one of the 2019 Chicago Tribune Top Places to Work and as one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Banks.

   Our colleagues dedicate their time,  talent and resources to advance causes important to both them and our Company.

   For many years, we have partnered with United Way in order to maximize our social impact.  United Way has anchored our annual employee giving campaign for many years.

   Civic leadership and skills-based volunteering through board service is highly encouraged and modeled at the top levels of the Company.  Our CEO, members of our executive leadership team and many of our colleagues are active on civic and non-profit boards.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Corporate Social Responsibility

Picture 50

Sustainable Business Operations

We recognize the opportunity to advance economic and social impact through sustainable business operations.  As we continue to build on our strong foundation to ensure that we operate our business responsibly and efficiently, we do so with a strong focus on long-term sustainability. 

   When building or remodeling offices, we do so in an environmentally responsible manner and with an effort to use energy efficiently.

   We have initiated sustainability programs that impact our natural resource preservation, energy conservation and responsible waste management.  Recently, we implemented an enhanced shredding and recycling program at most of our locations.

   In 2019, through our partners, we recycled approximately 413 tons of material, translating to over 7,000 saved trees, 24,000 pounds of pollutants kept from the atmosphere and 1.6 million kilowatts of energy saved.

   We have increased hoteling stations throughout various  Company locations to accommodate colleagues with flexible work schedules, resulting in fewer vehicles on the roads and contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions from our operations.

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Strong Corporate Governance

Our commitment to strong, transparent corporate governance and ethical business practices starts with our Board of Directors and the executive leadership team and is evident throughout our Company.  We view strong corporate governance as an essential component of protecting our clients, colleagues, business reputation and stockholders.

   We adhere to a comprehensive Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct that all colleagues are required to certify that they have reviewed each year.

   Our Board of Directors is comprised of independent directors (other than our Chief Executive Officer and our President), and our independent directors meet regularly throughout the year.

   Stewardship of the Company’s corporate social responsibility resides with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors.  The Committee receives regular updates on strategy, target metrics and results.

   We maintain strong enterprise-risk management processes.

   We maintain an active stockholder engagement program.

   We provide information about our corporate social responsibility initiatives consistent with industry standards.

For a fulsome discussion of our corporate governance practices, see Corporate Governance at First Midwest

Actions in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, our top priority has been the health, safety and well-being of our colleagues, clients and the communities we serve.  We are undertaking significant efforts to support our colleagues, clients and communities and are committed to regular and open communications.  As an organization, we have implemented remote working arrangements where possible while remaining mindful that the banking industry is considered an essential business supporting our nation’s financial system.

We have implemented a number of initiatives for the benefit of our colleagues to help them through this unprecedented and challenging time.  We also have announced several programs and services designed to alleviate some of the financial stress and burden that our clients may be facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are participating as a lender to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program passed as part of the CARES Act.  In addition, we announced a $2.5 million philanthropic commitment through the First Midwest Charitable Foundation to aid in the support of our community and nonprofit partners as we all collectively work to help those impacted by the pandemic.

2020 Proxy Statement

9

ITEM 1—1  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees for Election

Our Board of Directors currently consists of sixteen directors, but will be reduced to fifteen members as described below. Historically, the Board has been divided into three classes, with eachtwelve directors.  Each director servingis elected for a three-yearone-year term.  At each annual meeting, only one class of directors stands for election. This year, as described more fully under Item 2—Approval and Adoption of an Amendment 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 with the nominees standing for election at this Annual Meeting. Accordingly, with respect to the election 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 the declassification of our Board, then our Board of Directors will remain classified, directors will continue to serve for staggered terms and our director nominees will be elected for the terms indicated in the table below.

Nominees for Election
Upon the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors unanimously nominated each of our current directors to stand for election at this year’s Annual Meeting.  These twelve directors are 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 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 in 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 appointed to the Board over the course of the last year and have not yet been placed in a class. J. Stephen Vanderwoude.

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. also currently serves in the class of directors whose term expires at this Annual Meeting. As previously announced, Mr. Chlebowski, who has served as one of our directors since 2007, 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 fifteen members. As such, at and following the Annual Meeting, our Board of Directors will consist of fifteen 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 continuing director nominee fails to receive the required majority vote for election, the nominee willdirector is required to 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 diversevaried operational, financial, risk, technology, corporate governance, leadership and other experience.experience, and possess diversity of thought, gender and race.  Over the past twoseveral years, two 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 morethat our directors are active and engaged Board withand have the skill setsskills necessary to guide the Company as it grows, and as our business strategy and the banking industry around us continue to evolve. The following charts illustrateevolve and as the financial services sector becomes ever more competitive.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Item 1  Election of Directors

Below are certain demographic and operational highlights of our Board of Directors, including the varying tenure, independence, diversity, and qualifications and experience of our continuing directors:directors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 years

 

 

33%

 

 

63 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Independent Director Tenure

 

 

Racial and Gender Diversity

 

 

Average Age

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83%

 

 

Annual Elections

 

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independent

 

 

Directors elected annually for one-year terms

 

 

Satisfy Stock Ownership Guidelines (6x annual cash retainer)*

piechartsproxy2016a01.jpg

*  All of our directors have satisfied our director stock ownership guidelines with the exception of one of our newer directors who is still accumulating stock within the timeframe allowed under the guidelines.

Each of our twelve continuing directors has extensive professional experience that contributes to a diversity of skills, perspectives and leadership qualities on our Board of Directors, as summarized below.

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Leadership

Picture 89

Technology

12 out of 12

3 out of 12

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Risk Management

Picture 87

Finance

8 out of 12

6 out of 12

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Business Operations

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Governance and Compliance

12 out of 12

7 out of 12

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Compensation and Benefits

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Public Company Experience

4 out of 12

11 out of 12

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Picture 11

Regulatory

10 out of 12

8out of 12

2020 Proxy Statement

11

Key Experience
üCEO or senior executive officerüBusiness operations and management
üCorporate governanceüExecutive compensation
üMergers and acquisitionsüStrategic 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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Table of Contents

Item 1  Election of Directors


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.

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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.

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 diversityrange of education, professional experience, background, age, gender or minority status, perspective, viewpointperspectives and skill.skills.  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

12

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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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Table of Contents

Item 1  Election of Directors


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

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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

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

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 and an institutional investment manager that is one of the largest faith-based pension funds in the United States, with $25 billion of assets under management.  Wespath is 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 a former member of 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: 62
Director Since: 2008

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

Through her extensive employee benefits, compensation, executive 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, and ESG and sustainability investing.

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Thomas L. Brown

  Age: 60

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

  Director since: 2017

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Brown served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RLI Corp., a specialty insurer serving diverse niche property, casualty and surety markets from 2017 until his retirement on December 31, 2019.  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 the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.  From 2004 through 2017, Mr. Brown served on the board of trustees of Illinois Wesleyan University.  He also served on the board of directors of Easter Seals Central Illinois.

  Independent:Age: ü63
Director Since: 2017

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.
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.

  He is a certified public accountant.

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



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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: 59
üDirector Since: 2010

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,risk management, operating and senior managementexecutive 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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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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

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

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Ms. Hayley has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Advisory Services, LLC, a business advisory services firm, since 2015.

Previously, Ms. Hayley 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 LLP 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: 61
Director Since: 2016

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 resourcesemployee benefits and talent management experience, Ms. Hayley provides our Board with valuable strategic planning, leadership and businesshuman resources and operations managementbenefits experience, as well as the global insights of a former senior executive of multipleseveral public companies.

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Peter J. Henseler

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

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 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: 61
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 companies.public company, as well as his substantial operational, brand management and marketing experience.

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Frank B. Modruson

  Age: 57

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

  Director since: 2016

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: Independent: 60
üDirector Since: 2016

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 technology, strategy consulting and technologyconsulting 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 technological and operational efficiencies experience to our Board of Directors.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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

Current Position: Senior Advisor and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Committee(s): Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Chair), Compensation Committee, Advisory 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 previously served as the Executive Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago.

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 executive 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: 69
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. 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 governance, business and entrepreneurial experience to our Board of Directors, as well as valuable experience in business management.Directors.

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Michael J. Small
  Age: 59
  Director since: 2010
  Independent: ü
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
  Director since: 2017
  Independent: ü
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.
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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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

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

  Director since: 2014

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  Independent: Insider

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.

Mr. Sander currently serves on the boards of directors of the Chicago Zoological Society (since 2006) and the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls (since 2019).

Age:  61
Director Since: 2014

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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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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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

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

  Director since: 2008

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  Independent: Insider

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 a member of the board of directors of the American Bankers Association and the chair of ABA’s CEO Council.  He is also an active member of the Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America.  Mr. Scudder 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: 59
Director Since: 2008

Mr. Scudder is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bank.
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 and industry experience and expertise, includingas well as a complete understanding of the Company’s vision, strategy and operations.

2020 Proxy Statement

19

Table of Contents

Item 1  Election of Directors

Picture 68

Michael J. Small

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

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.

Mr. Small is an active board member of Leadership Greater Chicago and the Gun Violence Prevention PAC. Mr. Small also serves on the Advisory Council for the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago.

Age: 62
Director 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 executive experience to our Board of Directors, as well as deepstrategic, financial, technology and M&A experience.  He also provides the perspective of a former chief executive officer of a public company.

Picture 71

Stephen C. Van Arsdell

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

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 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 board of directors and a member of the Audit Committee of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (since 2019; NYSE).  He is a member of the Dean’s advisory council for the Geis College of Business at the University of Illinois and Immediate Past Chair of the board of directors of the University of Illinois Alumni Association.  Mr. Van Arsdell currently serves as a member of and chairs the Finance Committee of the board of trustees of the Morton Arboretum and previously chaired the board of trustees of the Conservation Foundation.

Age: 69
Director Since: 2017

Mr. Van Arsdell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master 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 finance, accounting, and risk management experience, together with strategic and leadership skills developed through executive leadership positions with a global accounting and advisory services industry knowledge.organization.

20

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Item 1  Election of Directors

Picture 2

fmbarrowlogorgba02.jpg  

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

  Age: 73

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

  Director since: 1991

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 of Madison River Communications Corp., a company that acquired and operated rural telephone companies.  Prior to his service at 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: Independent: 76
üDirector Since: 1991

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 and risk management, strategic planning, finance, M&A and public company matters to our Board of Directors.

www

*     *     *

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 titled entitledCorporate Governance at First Midwestor visit the Investor Relations section of our website at www.firstmidwest.com/officersdirectors.

Recommendation of our Board of Directors

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.

Directors’ Recommendation

2020 Proxy Statement

21

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.


23


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.


25


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.


26


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 20162019 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 2016,2019, 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 20122019 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 our 2018 annual meeting.

At our 20162019 annual meeting of stockholders, 93%94% of the votes cast (98% if abstentions are excluded) 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 our 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 20172020 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.

Recommendation of our Board of Directors

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


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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


27


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, 2017.2020.  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.

2019.

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

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Services

 

 

 

2018 Services

 

 

 

 

 

Approved by

 

 

 

Approved by

 

 

 

2019

 

Audit Committee

 

2018

 

Audit Committee

 

Audit fees(1)

    

$

2,001,777

    

100

$

1,658,979

    

100

%

Audit-related fees(2)

 

 

263,200

 

100

 

154,400

 

100

%

Tax fees(3)

 

 

174,671

 

100

%

 

455,715

 

100

%

All other fees

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

—  

%

Total fees

 

$

2,439,648

 

 

 

$

2,269,094

 

 

 


 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 tofilings with the sale-leaseback transaction completed during 2016.SEC.

(3)

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

Audit fees for 2019 increased primarily due to the services provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with the Company’s 2019 M&A activity, the pending adoption of the current expected credit losses standard (CECL), and changes in audit scope.  Tax fees for 2018 were elevated due to the services provided by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with federal income tax reform.


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Table of Contents

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.

Recommendation of our Board of Directors

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, 2020.

Directors’ Recommendation

24

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

The Board

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

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of the Audit, Compensation, Enterprise Risk and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of our Board of Directors describe various aspects of 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 and directors are required to be disclosed to the Chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  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.


29


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 our Corporate Governance Guidelines and 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 thea determination of independence.  Management then provides the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the 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.

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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance at First Midwest

Based on the review and recommendation by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, theour 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 Presidentour Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark G. Sander, the Company’s Senior Executive Viceour 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 thatwhat it deems to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.



30


the Board and its committees.  The positionNominating and Corporate Governance Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board the duties and responsibilities of the Chairman and the Lead Independent Director.

Since 2017, Michael L. Scudder has served as our 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 our 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 presentlyleadership structure 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 leadership independent from management.  The Lead Independent Director is empowered with, and exercises, well-defined duties that enable robust, objective oversight of the Company’s affairs and ensure independent challenge of management as appropriate.  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 strong, highly engaged and high-performing Board of Directors.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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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 within 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 all risks, but rather identifying, accepting and managing risks at appropriate levels 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,  policies and policiestolerance ranges 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.

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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance at First Midwest

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 theour enterprise risk management processes,framework, policies and levelsprofiles designed and implemented by management are appropriate and functioning as designed. contemplated.

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 entirely 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 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.

u

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Assists the Board with risk oversight associated with corporate governance, Board and Board committee composition and director and executive 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 and Board committee 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 management of cybersecurity risk.  Senior management is responsible for the day-to-day management of cybersecurity risk and the design and implementation of policies, processes and procedures to address and mitigate this risk.  The Board and our Enterprise Risk Committee 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 2016,2019, the Board held four regularly scheduled meetings, and four special meetings.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 seniorour Chief Executive Officer and members of executive 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.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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Corporate Governance at First Midwest

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, allAll of our current directors including the current nominees for director, attended last year’s annual meeting. Eightmeeting, and 11 of our 12 directors attended 100% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committees on which he or she served during 2016,2019, with the remaining six directorsdirector attending at least 75% of the meetings and with the average attendance for all directors being 95%.

but one meeting.

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 that each committee and the Board of Directors reviews annually.  Our Board 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 description2019, 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 suchthe 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:

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29

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

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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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance at First Midwest

Audit Committee 

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2019

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

Appoint 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 over financial reporting.

Oversee the appointment of the audit services director, who is responsible for the Company’s internal audit function.

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 control 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 significant judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements.

Discuss with management and the independent registered public accounting firm certain reports filed with the SEC.

Discuss with management the Company’s policies and procedures relating to compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to financial reporting and disclosure.

8

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 2019

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

Review and approve our executive compensation philosophy.

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

Review and monitor our 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 the performance of 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 executive management.

Approve the Company’s peer group used for comparative compensation purposes.

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.

Discuss with management the Company’s health and welfare programs.

Appoint the plan administrators for the Company’s retirement plans and the members of the Company’s retirement and benefit plans administrative committee.

Conduct an annual risk assessment of our compensation programs.

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

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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 the Compensation Committee include, among others:

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2019

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.

Approve our enterprise risk management framework and oversee management’s oversight of the processes and systems for implementing and monitoring compliance with this framework.

Approve the Company’s risk appetite statement.

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

Review reports from management relating to its assessment and monitoring of market, liquidity, operational, strategic, compliance, legal and reputational risks at the Company.

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.

4

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:

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.


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Reviewing related person transactions, if and when they arise.
Overseeing

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2019

Ellen A. Rudnick (Chair)
Barbara A. Boigegrain
Peter J. Henseler
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 Chairman of the Board and, if the Chairman 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.

Assist and advise regarding executive management succession.

Approve, subject to stockholder approval where required, amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Discuss with management the Company’s corporate social responsibility program and initiatives.

Assist the Chairman of the Board with director education at the Company.

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.

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Corporate Governance at First Midwest

Advisory Committee

# of Meetings

Committee Members

Primary Responsibilities

in 2019

Michael L. Scudder (Chair)
Barbara A. Boigegrain

Ellen A. Rudnick
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.

Board and Committee Self-Evaluations

The Board of Directors and each of its committees.

Reviewing stockholder proposals and considering responses or actions regarding such proposals.
Advisory Committee.  The primary responsibility of the Advisory Committee is to advise and consult with management with respect to general business matters as needed between regular meetings of the Board 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.

Director Education

The Chairman of the Board oversees director education at the Company, with the input of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  Director education occurs for the full Board and for each of the Board’s committees.  Our education program involves quarterly in-person presentations on relevant topics by management, outside advisors or industry experts, attendance at national and local conferences and meetings (sponsored by federal bank regulatory agencies, the National Association of Corporate Directors and others), access to board and governance related portals maintained by outside advisors or industry experts and subscriptions to pertinent periodicals and other materials.

Related Person Transactions

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

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving (or ratifying) all transactions with related persons.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will take into accountconsider all relevant factors in its analysis, including whether the transaction is on an arm’s length basis with 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.$1,000,000.  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,

From time to time, First Midwest Bank engagedengages in transactions with certainsome of our executive officers, directors and entities with which they are associated.  These transactions involvedinvolve loans extended in accordance with Regulation O of the Federal Reserve and other banking services, all of which wereare 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 diddo not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

32

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Corporate Governance at First Midwest

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 Engagement

In 2019, we initiated a stockholder engagement program in order to promote an open dialogue between the Company and our largest stockholders.  Through this program, we engaged with several of our institutional stockholders owning in the aggregate over 20% of our outstanding Common Stock.  The meetings with our stockholders included discussion of our business strategy, the composition and qualifications of our Board of Directors, corporate governance practices,  executive compensation and corporate social responsibility activities, among other topics.  We value the input and perspectives that we received during these discussions and will carefully consider stockholder feedback as we review our corporate practices.  We plan to continue our engagement program to further open and constructive dialogue with our stockholders. 

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 and addressed 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.

Whistleblower Policy

We have adopted a comprehensive whistleblower policy in furtherance of our commitment to conduct our affairs in compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, accounting standards, accounting controls and audit practices.  The whistleblower policy establishes procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal control or auditing matters.   The whistleblower policy also provides a process for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.  Our Audit Committee oversees the administration of the whistleblower policy and determines the application of corrective action as appropriate.

2020 Proxy Statement

33

INFORMATION REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL

STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of March 24, 2017,27, 2020, 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, unlessUnless 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 102,840,266114,327,151 shares of Common Stock outstanding on March 24, 2017.27, 2020.  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, 2017,27, 2020, 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

 

37,896

 

*

 

Thomas L. Brown

 

15,676

 

*

 

Phupinder S. Gill

 

57,867

 

*

 

Kathryn J. Hayley

 

23,000

 

*

 

Peter J. Henseler

 

27,315

 

*

 

Frank B. Modruson

 

10,171

 

*

 

Ellen A. Rudnick

 

35,758

 

*

 

Mark G. Sander

 

224,511

 

*

 

Michael L. Scudder

 

319,495

 

*

 

Michael J. Small

 

29,851

 

*

 

Stephen C. Van Arsdell

 

24,444

 

*

 

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

 

33,654

 

*

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick S. Barrett

 

73,831

 

*

 

Michael W. Jamieson

 

31,669

 

*

 

Thomas M. Prame

 

60,759

 

*

 

All directors and executive officers (including named executive officers) as a group (23 persons) (4)

 

1,243,326

 

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 27, 2020 is as follows: Mr. Brown, 12,676 shares; Mr. Gill, 30,373 shares; Mr. Henseler, 1,938 shares; Mr. Van Arsdell, 7,944 shares; Mr. Vanderwoude, 21,154 shares; Mr. Scudder, 10,211 shares; and Mr. Prame, 2,130 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, 82373 shares; and Nicholas J. Chulos, 5,276Mr. Prame, 87 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, 70,25658,806 shares; Mark G.Mr. Sander, 52,06241,022 shares; Thomas M. Prame, 19,612Mr. Barrett, 43,958 shares; Mr. Jamieson, 13,618 shares; and Nicholas J. Chulos, 23,348Mr. Prame, 19,977 shares. For Paul F. Clemens,Mr. Jamieson, excludes 20,8679,556 restricted stock units that would not vest within 60 days after March 24, 201727, 2020 under the terms of the applicable award agreements.

(5)

34

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.

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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


37

Table of Contents

Information Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Principal Stockholders, Directors and Management


(7)

(4)

Includes:  136,548 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 24, 2017; 59,19386,461 shares of Common Stock payable to certain directors and executive officers pursuant to our deferred compensation plans; 25,67212,329 shares of Common Stock held in our 401(k) Plan for the accounts of certain executive officers; and 316,777278,195 shares of restricted stock.  Excludes: 34,15821,829 restricted stock units and 61,83383,755 earned performance shares that would not vest within 60 days after March 24, 201727, 2020 under the terms of the applicable award agreements.

Other Security Ownership

The following table identifies each person known to us as of March 24, 201727, 2020 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)

 

15,235,535

 

13.9

%

55 East 52nd Street

 

 

 

 

 

New York, New York 10055

 

 

 

 

 

The Vanguard Group(2)

 

11,689,472

 

10.6

%

100 Vanguard Boulevard

 

 

 

 

 

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

 

 

 

 

 

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(3)

 

7,308,940

 

6.7

%

Building One

 

 

 

 

 

6300 Bee Cave Road

 

 

 

 

 

Austin, Texas 78746

 

 

 

 

 

Wellington Management Group LLP(4)

 

6,038,354

 

5.5

%

c/o Wellington Management Company LLP

 

 

 

 

 

280 Congress Street

 

 

 

 

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02210

 

 

 

 

 


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/A filed with the SEC on January 12, 2017 by BlackRock, Inc., which reported sole voting power as to 9,130,543 shares and sole dispositive power as to 9,365,981 shares as of December 31, 2016.

(2)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 20174, 2020 by The Vanguard Group,BlackRock, Inc., which reported sole voting power as to 96,28515,005,960 shares shared voting power as to 7,138 shares,and sole dispositive power as to 6,783,518 shares and shared dispositive power as to 99,31815,235,535 shares as of December 31, 2016.2019.

(3)

(2)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 201712, 2020 by The Vanguard Group, which reported sole voting power as to 105,546 shares, shared voting power as to 13,142 shares, sole dispositive power as to 11,584,118 shares and shared dispositive power as to 105,354 shares as of December 31, 2019.

(3)

This information is based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, which reported sole voting power as to 6,600,2417,179,409 shares and sole dispositive power as to 6,829,7527,308,940 shares as of December 31, 2016.2019.  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, 2017January 28, 2020 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 3,626,5795,277,399 shares and shared dispositive power as to 4,742,5046,038,354 shares, and WMC shared voting power as to 3,605,3694,865,882 shares and shared dispositive power as to 4,721,2945,616,205 shares, as of December 30, 2016.31, 2019.


2020 Proxy Statement

35


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. group as well as other public companies in the Midwest, which is the area where we primarily compete for director candidates.

For 2019, 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 be increased from $52,500 to $55,000, for a total of $110,000.  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, haswho retired as a director in 2019, elected not to receive any director compensation.

compensation for his service on the Board.

The following table summarizes our annual compensation for non-employee directors for 2016:2019:

 

 

 

 

 

Component

 

    

 Amount

An annual fixed cash retainer for each non-employee director

 

 

$

55,000

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

 

 

$

55,000

An annual fixed cash retainer for the Lead Independent Director

 

 

$

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

Committee

 

Chair Cash Retainer

    

Member Cash Retainer

Audit

$

15,000

$

7,500

Compensation

$

15,000

$

6,000

Enterprise Risk

$

15,000

$

5,000

Nominating and Corporate Governance

$

10,000

$

2,500


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 and Ellen A. Rudnick and Michael J. Small each received an award of 2,4942,643 shares of fully-vested Common Stock for their 20162019 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, who retired from the Board at our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders,Michael J. Small, Stephen C. Van Arsdell and J. Stephen Vanderwoude each elected to receive cash in lieu of shares of fully-vested Common Stock for 2016; each2019, with certain of them has satisfiedthese directors deferring cash compensation into our stock ownership guidelines for directors. In lightDeferred Compensation Plan and using plan balances to purchase shares of his significant holdings of our Common Stock, Robert P. O’Meara also has elected to receive cash in lieu of the stock component of his director compensation.

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.


36

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


39

Table of Contents

Director Compensation


Directors are able to modify their investment allocations 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

2019 Director Compensation Table

The following table and explanatory notes provide information regarding the cash and Common Stock awarded to each non-employee director during 2016.2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

$

72,500

 

$

55,000

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

127,500

Thomas L. Brown

 

 

122,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

122,500

Br. James Gaffney(5)(6)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Phupinder S. Gill

 

 

67,500

 

 

55,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

122,500

Kathryn J. Hayley

 

 

123,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

123,500

Peter J. Henseler

 

 

63,500

 

 

55,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

118,500

Frank B. Modruson

 

 

67,500

 

 

55,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

122,500

Ellen A. Rudnick(6)

 

 

67,875

 

 

55,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

122,875

Michael J. Small

 

 

122,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

122,500

Stephen C. Van Arsdell

 

 

127,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

2,500

 

 

130,000

J. Stephen Vanderwoude

 

 

152,500

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

152,500

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”).718.   Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 1718 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 20162019 was 2,4942,643 shares to each of Barbara A.Ms. Boigegrain, Phupinder S.Mr. Gill, Peter J.Mr. Henseler, Patrick J. McDonnell, Ellen A. RudnickMr. Modruson and Michael J. Small, and 1,149 shares to Frank B. Modruson.Ms. Rudnick.

(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. O’MearaMr. Van Arsdell includes payments made on his behalf under a Retirement and Consulting Agreement between the Company and Mr. O’Meara. The amount for Ellen A. Rudnick represents the amount$2,500 paid under our matching gift donation program to eligible educational institutions designated by the director.

(6)

(5)

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


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(7)

Br. James Gaffney has elected not to receive any compensation for his service on the Board of Directors.Directors and retired from the Board at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

(8)

(6)

Upon the retirement of Br. Gaffney from the Board, Ms. HayleyRudnick assumed the additional position of Chair of the Nominating and Mr. Modruson joined our Board in August 2016Corporate Governance Committee and thus received pro-rated compensation for their 2016 Board service.her service in this capacity in 2019.

(9)Included in Robert P. 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.
(10)Mr. Sterling retired from our Board at our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders and thus received pro-rated compensation for his 2016 Board service.
2017

2020 Director Compensation

Consistent with the Compensation Committee’sits annual review of our director compensation program, 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 compensation consultant, Deloitte Consulting LLP,consultant.  At the time of these discussions, the Compensation Committee was considering for approval a proposed new peer group, which was later approved and became the 2020 peer group identified inCompensation Discussion and Analysis—Our Executive Compensation Philosophy—2020 Peer Group.   The Committee considered publicly available director compensation data from the companies in ourthe 2020 peer group and other public companies in the Midwest, as well as other information.  In setting director fees, the Committee desires to compensate our directors at approximately the median compensation level for directors in the 2020 peer group and to continue to attract and retain qualified directors.

2020 Proxy Statement

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Director Compensation

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 prevalent 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 that 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 to $52,500, for a total of $105,000, and recommended this change to our Board of Directors.Directors that for 2020, compensation for our directors, Lead Independent Director, committee chairs and committee members would remain at the same levels as in 2019.  Our Board of Directors unanimously approved the recommended changes to the compensation paid to our directors consistentconcurred with the Compensation Committee’s recommendation effective as of January 1, 2017. The awards of Common Stock will continuenot to be granted as fully-vested shares of Common Stock, and our directors may continue to elect to receive the stock component of theirincrease director compensation for 2020.  Director, Lead Independent Director, committee chair and committee member compensation was at approximately the median compensation level for similar positions at companies in cash.

our 2020 peer group.

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.  AllBased on the closing price of our Common Stock on February 24, 2020, all of our directors own a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock underhave satisfied our stock ownership guidelines except for twowith the exception of one of our newestnewer directors who joined our Boardis still accumulating stock within the past several months and who are intimeframe allowed under the process of accumulating shares to comply with our stock ownership guidelines. Br. Gaffney is exempt from our stock ownership guidelines because he does not accept any director compensation for serving on our Board.


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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our executive compensation philosophy and programsprogram as established by our Compensation Committee.  OurBelow is a roadmap to our Compensation Discussion and Analysis is presented in the following sections:.  

Executive Summary

2020 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

1

Executive Summary

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides information and perspective regarding our 20162019 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. Sander

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.

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



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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 compensationcash components that is at-risk forare performance-based or tied to the executives.
value of our Common Stock.

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.

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis contains references to certain financial information on an adjusted basis.  This information, as adjusted, excludes certain items, such as acquisition and integration related expenses.  For a more detailed discussion of the financial information we present on an adjusted basis, please see the section of this Proxy Statement entitledProxy Summary—Certain Financial Information Presented on an Adjusted Basis.  

Pay-for-Performance

Consistent with our longstanding compensation practices, performance-based cash and equity awards that are performance-based and equity awards that are tied to the value of our Common Stock in 20162019 constituted a significant portion of the compensation package of our named executive officers.  In 2016, approximately two-thirds2019, over 75% of the total direct compensation (base salary, annual cash incentive and long-term stock incentive) paid to each of our Chief Executive Officer and nearly 70% of the total direct compensation paid to our Chief Operating OfficerPresident was at risk, through compensation that either is 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 2020, including having a significant portion of our CEO’s and our President’s compensation tied to corporate performance.

Additionally, our

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Our short-term and long-term performance goals require the Company to achieve performance at or exceeding a Board-approved budget in order for our executives to receive target payout levels and are selected in furtherance of strategic and operating objectives that we believe will create long-term value for our stockholders. stockholders and require the Company to achieve performance at our Board-approved budget in order for our executives to receive target payout levels.  Additionally, our net income, adjusted, goal under our annual cash incentive program must be achieved at least at the threshold level for any payout to be awarded under this program.

Our performance-based compensation programs are designed to be rigorous, as evidenced by the payouts under our annual cash incentive program and performance share program over the last three years reflected below.  We do not believe that our performance goals are centered around our business and financial plans, which we believe will 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payout as a Percentage of Target

 

Program

 

2017

 

2018

 

2019

 

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

 

98%

 

100%

 

107%

*

Performance Shares

 

97%

 

92%

 

100%

 

2016 Achievements

*Reflects core corporate performance only and not the impact of line of business contributions, which were added to our annual cash incentive program for certain NEOs for the first time in 2019. The Company’s activitiesline of business contribution component is discussed more fully below under2019 Compensation Program—Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.

One of our strategic priorities is strategic expansion, and our Compensation Committee reviews Company performance results relative to the net income, adjusted, goal under our annual cash incentive program both with and without the impact of acquisition activity during the year.  The Committee then applies its judgment to best reflect corporate performance when making payout determinations in 2016 reflected significant achievement, growth and transformation. Despiteany given year.

For our 2019 annual cash incentive program, our Compensation Committee decided to exclude a continued low interest rate environment, as well as state and local fiscal struggles, we delivered strong resultsmajority of the 2019 financial contribution of the Bridgeview Bank acquisition, which was completed in 2016 and continuedthe second quarter, from the calculation of the net income, adjusted, performance goal.  This resulted in a reduced payout of 107% of the target award level, excluding line of business contributions.  The reason for this approach was that the financial contribution of our focusBridgeview Bank acquisition had not been included in this performance goal because the impact of the Bridgeview Bank acquisition on our corporate strategic priorities of building2019 results was not quantifiable at the highest quality team, diversifying and growing loans and revenues, and balancing investment and risk. During 2016, we accomplished balanced execution across our business lines that resulted in record revenues of $538 million and record net income of $92.3 million, or $1.14 per share, a 9% improvement from 2015.time the goal was established, as the closing date for the transaction was not then known.  This performance includes costs associated with our M&A activity and other significant transactions. Our total return to stockholders as of the end of 2016 was 39% and 52% over the last year and three years, respectively.is discussed more fully below under2019 Compensation Program—Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.


2020 Proxy Statement

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis


Compensation Program Performance Metrics

Our compensation program is designed to encourage the achievement of goals that further our corporate strategy and create value for our stockholders.  We select several metrics, establish a performance goal for each metric and then measure the extent to which we achieve these goals.  The charts below provide information aboutillustrate our recent growth:

plagrowearnfeebasedroaa02.jpg
Additionally,achievements in 2016, we completed our combination with National Bank & Trust Company (Sycamore/DeKalb, Illinois) and, on January 6, 2017, we 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 have approximately $14 billion in total assets (40% larger than at the start of 2016) and an additional $9.5 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 branches2019 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 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 diversify our revenues by growing fee-based revenues to $145.1 million, an increase of 14% from December 31, 2015 and three-year growth of 31%.
M&A Activity. Completed 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 55 of our branches for a purchase price of $150 million, which resulted in an initial pre-tax gain of almost $90 million and which will add approximately $50 million of tier 1 capital upon our adoption of recent FASB leasing guidance.
Significant Investment in our Leadership. In 2016, we welcomed 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 experience in operating in larger, more diverse businesses.
For a reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures discussed above, which includes earnings, earnings per sharenet income and return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)(RATCE), both as adjusted.  These two metrics constitute important 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 in more detail 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 35

Picture 37



45


Total Stockholder Return

In addition to theour 2019 achievements noted above underAbout First Midwest , 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 20162019 peer group and the NASDAQ Bank Index (the^KRX Index. The Company is included in this index):index.

Picture 4

fmbi2016chart.jpg

42

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

As described more fully below under

Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Peer GroupAnalysis

2019 CEO Pay Decisions

2019 was a successful year for the Company, as we continued our growth, achieved record earnings and remained focused on continued improvement in our operating efficiency.  Our Compensation Committee reviewed target compensation for our Chief Executive Officer in the first quarter of 2019 and set target opportunities for the year.  Based on an assessment of our CEO’s performance and continued importance in leading the Company, as well as an analysis of CEO compensation across our peer group, including the desire to set compensation at approximately the median of the peer group, the Committee made the following decisions relating to CEO compensation for 2019:

u

A 3% increase in base salary to $875,500. 

u

An increase to the target opportunity for the annual cash incentive award from 85% to 100% of base salary.

u

Continuation of the target opportunity for the performance share award of 110% of base salary.

u

Continuation of the target opportunity for the restricted stock award of 60% of base salary.

These actions increased the emphasis on performance-based compensation, linked 75% of our CEO’s pay to performance-based awards and positioned his target total direct compensation at approximately the median of our peer group. 

Based on Company-wide performance under our annual cash incentive program, our CEO earned an award equal to 107% of target for 2019.

The performance share award for the 2017-2019 performance period was earned at 100% of target based on our three-year return on average tangible common equity (RATCE), at its November 2016 meeting,adjusted, and relative total stockholder return (TSR) performance.

2020 Compensation Program Updates

For 2020, our Compensation Committee approved various changescertain updates to our peer group for 2017.compensation program, as follows: 

u

Annual Cash Incentive Program.   For our 2020 annual cash incentive program, the Compensation Committee has determined to use the same metrics as those used for 2019 but with the addition of an efficiency ratio metric.  As such, the metrics for the corporate support participants will be net income, adjusted (weighted at 80%), asset quality (weighted at 10%) and efficiency ratio (weighted at 10%).  For the line of business participants, the Committee determined to use net income, adjusted (weighted at 40%), asset quality (weighted at 10%), efficiency ratio (weighted at 10%) and the direct contribution of the applicable line of business (weighted at 40%).

u

Performance Share Program.  Our performance share program will continue to use two performance metrics, relative TSR and RATCE, adjusted, each weighted at 50%, as well as a three-year performance period.   However, based on  a recommendation from management and the concurrence of the Committee’s independent compensation consultant, our Compensation Committee approved using the ^KRX Index instead of the Company’s peer group to measure relative TSR performance.  Additionally, RATCE, adjusted, also will now be measured and ranked against the companies in the ^KRX Index rather than our budgeted tangible common equity performance for the three-year performance period. The Compensation Committee determined to use the ^KRX Index for purposes of our performance share program because the index is comprised of U.S. regional bank holding companies that are comparable to the Company in terms of size, operations, lines of business and regional presence.  The Company is included in the ^KRX Index.  In addition, unlike our 2019 peer group, which had several companies that were parties to mergers, the ^KRX Index is comprised of a sufficient number of companies to account for the industry consolidation that occurs from time to time.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

u

Restricted Stock Awards.  Beginning in 2020, the restricted stock award granted to our President will be determined in the same way as the restricted stock award granted to our Chief Executive Officer, meaning the award will be solely based on a percentage of the executive’s base salary and individual performance will not be considered.  For our named executive officers other than our CEO and our President, we will continue to award shares of restricted stock based on a percentage of the named executive officer’s base salary, and adjust the award upward or downward depending upon the officer’s individual performance rating for the year.

Stockholder Say-on-Pay Vote in 2016

2019  

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 20162019 (and in 2017)2020), the Compensation Committee considered the say-on-pay approval by 93%of 94% (98% if abstentions are excluded) of the votes cast at our 20162019 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.

2

Our Executive Compensation Philosophy 

Recent Program Enhancements
Double Trigger Vesting for Equity Awards.  Beginning in 2016, our

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 recommendationwith input from our Chief Executive Officerindependent compensation consultant and our Chief Operating Officer, our Compensation Committee determined that the


46


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 Committeemanagement, 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 aligned with our corporate strategies and correlated to the creation of stockholder value.value and sets performance goals for each metric that it believes are sufficiently rigorous.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

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

2020 Proxy Statement

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fmbarrowlogorgba02.jpg  
Executive compensation should be performance-based and reward achievement of corporate objectives.
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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Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis


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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
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 and performance-based equity programs are each capped at 200% of target.

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 annual 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/No Tax Gross-ups on Perquisites
Perquisites represent an immaterial portion of our executive compensation and we do not provide for tax gross-ups on perquisites.

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 Discussion and Analysis

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, our 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 2019.  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 2019.  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 our 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 our 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 and, beginning in 2020, our President.

ü

2020 Proxy Statement

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.

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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.

Role of the Compensation Committee.  Each year, our Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation philosophy of the Company. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves each year, subject to 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 other executive officers. Our Compensation Committee also reviews our Chief Executive Officer’s performance and determines his individual performance rating. The Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer when determining the base salary, annual cash incentive compensation and equity awards for our Chief Operating Officer and the executive officers other than himself. In determining executive compensation, our Compensation Committee considers information provided by the Committee’s compensation consultant and management, and obtained from publicly available information about the companies in our peer group.
Role of Compensation Consultant.  For 2016, 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 compensation to be paid to our executive officers, analysis of compensation practices for 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. Deloitte Consulting participates in Compensation Committee meetings on request, regularly provides input for Committee meetings and attended one meeting in 2016. Members of our Compensation Committee also consult with the compensation consultant outside of Committee meetings. The Committee assesses the independence of the compensation consultant each year and concluded that Deloitte Consulting is independent under applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
How We Measure Company Performance
At the beginning of the year, management recommends to our Compensation Committee, and the Committee 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 dominant metric has historically been an earnings-based performance measure. In 2016, core net income was weighted at 80% of the short-term cash incentive award opportunity, with the remaining 20% tied to asset quality (levels of nonperforming assets and classified loans). 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 based on their individual performance ratings.
For our 2017 annual cash incentive program, the Compensation Committee again determined to use core net income (weighted at 75%) and asset quality (weighted at 10%) metrics, and added execution on certain strategic initiatives (weighted at 15%) as a new metric.
For the performance share component of our executive compensation program in 2016 (2016-2018 performance period), our Compensation Committee selected, and our Board of Directors approved, an external metric (relative total stockholder return) and an internal metric (core return on average tangible common equity) and weighted these metrics equally. With regard to the external metric, the Company’s total stockholder return during a three-year performance period will be compared to total stockholder returns of our peer group for the same period. With respect to the internal metric, the Company’s core return on average tangible common equity for a three-year performance period will be measured against predetermined return on average tangible common equity goals for the same period.


50


Performance shares may be earned based on the level that the metrics are achieved and, if earned, the shares will vest in full following an additional two-year vesting period.
For our 2017 performance share awards (2017-2019 performance period), the Compensation Committee again determined to use relative total stockholder return and core return on average tangible common equity, 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 awards may be earned.

2019 Peer Group

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

Our Compensation Committee uses thispeer information as a reference pointone of several factors when evaluating and setting 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 establishconsiders peer group and other available data, including market surveys, as a competitive market check when establishing the compensation of our named executive officers.  The Committee strives to set compensation at approximately the median for comparable officers using direct comparisons to ourof the 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 the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers.

group.

Our peer group is developed with input from our independent compensation consultant and management, and is approved annually by the Compensation Committee.  TheCompanies in our peer group may be changedremoved from year to yearyear-to-year if a company in the peer group has been acquired or if a peer company’s size, business mix 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  Our 2019 peer group consisted of 21the following 17 companies:

2019 PEER GROUP

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)

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)

References to our “peer group” throughout this Proxy Statement are references to the 2019 peer group described above, unless otherwise indicated.

2020 Peer Group

Several institutions that had been in our peer group are or have been subject to M&A activity, resulting in a projected 2020 peer group of 13 companies, down from 18 in 2017.  As a result, management recommended to our Compensation Committee that it was an appropriate time to re-evaluate the composition of our peer group to ensure the structure of our compensation program continues to be consistent with market developments. Management, with input from the Committee’s independent compensation consultant, considered and analyzed various criteria to develop a list of potential peers for the 2020 peer group.  We considered, among other characteristics, publicly-traded financial institutions with total assets of between $10 billion and $40 billion, whether the business models and performance metrics of these companies are similar to or align with our own, and the geographic presence, branch distribution, M&A activity and TSR performance of potential peers.

48

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

(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

Based on this analysis, in January 2020, upon management’s recommendation and ourwith the 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,consultant’s concurrence, the Compensation Committee approved the following new peer group as our 2020 peer group.  The 2020 peer group was utilized by the Compensation Committee when establishing the compensation of our named executive officers for 2020.

2020 PEER GROUP

Name of Institution

Associated Banc-Corp (Green Bay, WI)

BancorpSouth Bank (Tupelo, MS)*

Banner Corp (Walla Walla, WA)

Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. (Boston, MA)

Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc. (San Antonio, TX)

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

First Financial Bancorp (Cincinnati, OH)

First Interstate BancSystem (Billings, MT)

First Merchants Corp. (Muncie, IN)

Fulton Financial Corporation (Lancaster, PA)*

Glacier Bancorp Inc (Kalispell, MT)

Hancock Whitney Corporation (Gulfport, MS)*

Heartland Financial USA Inc (Dubuque, IA)

Independent Bank Corp. (Rockland, MA)

Old National Bancorp (Evansville, IN)*

Pinnacle Financial Partners (Nashville, TN)

Prosperity Bancshares Inc. (Houston, TX)

Simmons First National Corp (Pine Bluff, AR)

South State Corporation (Greenville, SC)

Trustmark Corporation (Jackson, MS)*

UMB Financial Corporation (Kansas City, MO)*

Umpqua Holdings Corp. (Portland, OR)

United Bankshares Inc. (Charleston, WV)*

Valley National Bancorp (Wayne, NJ)*

Webster Financial Corp. (Waterbury, CT)

Wintrust Financial Corporation (Rosemont, IL)*


*   Denotes an institution that was part of our 2019 peer group.

2020 Proxy Statement

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Compensation Discussion and 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 metrics, and, in certain cases, line of business-specific metrics, and the performance goals attributed to those metrics.  For purposes of determining our annual cash incentive program and our performance share awards, the Company’s actual performance is measured against these performance goals.

The primary metric for our annual cash incentive program has historically been a metric based on our corporate earnings measured against a performance goal determined by our Compensation Committee.  The performance goals for each metric are based on a Board-approved budget for a particular year.  Payouts under our annual cash incentive program are made only if threshold corporate financial performance is achieved and are based on the degree to which the performance goals for each metric are achieved.  This amount may be increased or decreased for individual executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer and our President) based on their individual performance ratings, and also may be decreased if our Compensation Committee determines to use negative discretion to reduce payouts under certain circumstances.

For the performance share component of our executive compensation program, we have historically used an external metric (relative TSR) and an internal metric (RATCE, adjusted), weighted equally at its November 2016 meeting, approved additions50% each, and a three-year performance period.  Performance shares have been earned based on the Company’s (i) TSR performance compared to our peer group and (ii) RATCE performance measured against a performance goal tied to our Board-approved budget.

For our performance share awards granted in February 2020 (2020-2022 performance period), the Compensation Committee determined to continue to use both relative TSR and RATCE, adjusted, weighted equally at 50% each, as set forth below, resulting inthe performance metrics.  Performance goals for both metrics will be measured on a relative basis over the three-year performance period.  Both metrics will be measured against the ^KRX Index rather than against our peer group consistingfor TSR and our budget for RATCE, adjusted, as in prior years.

The Compensation Committee must certify the level of 18 companiesachievement of the performance goals for 2017.both annual cash incentive compensation and performance share awards before the awards may be earned.  The new peer group now includes only companies thatCommittee takes into consideration the overall quality of results and may determine to make certain adjustments.  Over the past three years, our annual cash incentive (as to core corporate performance and excluding line of business contributions) and performance share programs have $10 billion or more in assets due topaid out between 92% and 107% of target, demonstrating the significant differences in regulatory and financial impact for banks with assets in excessrigor 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.
our performance-based compensation programs.

How We Measure Individual Performance

In 2016,2019, 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 our President, was tied to each officer’s individual performance rating for the year and a percentage of the officer’s 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 awards for our Chief Executive Officer and our President are based solely on Company performance.  The annual restricted stock award for our Chief Executive Officer is based solely on a percentage of his base salary.  Beginning in 2020, the annual restricted stock award for our President will also be based solely on a percentage of his base salary.

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

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 Officer reviewPresident annually the performance of their respective direct reports, and our CEO and COO each determine the individual performance ratings of these executivestheir respective direct reports 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.


2020 Proxy Statement

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4

2019 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 our 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,our corporate performance goals and, with the exception of our CEO and our President, 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, management effectiveness and management experienceachievement of individual performance goals.

Components of Our Executive Compensation Program

Picture 55

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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Compensation Discussion and effectiveness.Analysis

The principal elements of our executive compensation program are:
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, scope of responsibility, internal pay 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 2016,2019, 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 OfficerPresident were as follows:

Picture 28

Picture 9

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.Directors at the beginning of the fiscal year based on the 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 our President, whose bonuses are each based entirely on Company performance.  The annual cash incentive element of our compensation program encourages

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

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 by our stockholders and are expressed as a percentage of a named executive officer’s base salary. Our Compensation Committee establishesPlan.  Threshold performance for the core net income, adjusted, corporate performance goals at the beginninggoal must be achieved (regardless of the fiscal year, and threshold performancelevel of achievement for at least one of the corporate performance goals must be achievedother goals) in order for cash bonuses to be earned and paid.

u

Company Performance. Annually, the Compensation Committee selects the performance goals for the fiscal year and the weighting for the metrics selected. In 2019, for those participants who served in a corporate function (accounting/finance, credit, human resources, legal, marketing/communications, operations/IT, and risk), the Company performance goals included only a corporate financial component, and for those participants who served in a line of business function (commercial, consumer and wealth), a line of business goal was included in addition to the corporate financial component.

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 level of achievement of the corporate and individual goals 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 that affects the executive’s bonus.  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

Base Salary
($)

×

Target
Annual
Cash
Incentive
Opportunity
(% of Salary)

×

Company
Performance and Line of Business Performance
(if applicable)

×

Individual
Performance
(if applicable)

=

Annual
Cash
Incentive
Award
($)

The application 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.

The allocation between Company performance andor individual performance, and the target awardbonus opportunity expressed as a percentage of base salary, for our named executive officers in 20162019 were as follows:

Target Bonus Opportunity

Performance Metrics Used

Expressed as a Percentage of

Corporate

Line of Business

Individual

Named Executive Officer

Base Salary

Performance

Performance

Performance

Michael L. Scudder

100

%

Yes

No

No

Mark G. Sander

70

%

Yes

No

No

Patrick S. Barrett

50

%

Yes

No

Yes

Michael W. Jamieson

50

%

Yes

Yes

Yes

Thomas M. Prame

50

%

Yes

Yes

Yes

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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

  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%
*For 2017, Mr. Scudder’s and Mr. Sander’s performance weighting will be 100% Company performance.
For the 2016 fiscal year, 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-leaseback


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Compensation Discussion and Analysis


For all corporate function participants, the Compensation Committee selected two corporate performance metrics for the annual cash incentive program for 2019, which are as follows:

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, 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

transaction

For line of business participants, the Compensation Committee also included the direct contribution of the corresponding line of business as a performance metric for corporate performance.  Of our NEO’s, Messrs. Jamieson and a lease cancellation fee)Prame are line of business participants due to their roles as the dominant performance metric because it encourages executive management to continue to focus on our operating performancedirectors of the Commercial and because this metric is frequently used to assess short-termConsumer lines of business, respectively. The three corporate performance by stockholders andmetrics for 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) becauseannual cash incentive program for the line of the importance and continued emphasis on maintaining a high quality credit portfolio.business participants for 2019 were as follows: 

Metric

Weight

Description

Purpose

Net Income, adjusted

45%

(See above)

(See above)

Asset Quality

10%

(See above)

(See above)

Line of Business Direct Contribution (Commercial, Consumer or Wealth)

45%

Line of business revenue, less direct expenses and estimated credit losses

Encourages each major line of business to focus on its contribution to overall operating performance, aligns incentives with execution of line of business goals, and enhances differentiation in incentive payouts

The Compensation Committee utilized annual cash incentive compensation in 20162019 in furtherance of the following strategic priorities:

u

Emphasize core profitability of the Company.

Emphasize core profitability

u

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.

u

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

u

Balance investment in our business against risk.

u

Continued emphasis on our strong credit quality.

u

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

2020 Proxy Statement

55

Table of the Company.Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Continue to profitably increase our loans and diversify our loan portfolio.
Grow deposits, and maintain our strong core deposit base and low cost of funds.
Continue to diversify our revenues by increasing fee-based revenues.
Balance investment in our business and risk.
Continue our progress on credit quality.
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, if applicable, were as follows:

Performance Range

Threshold     

Target    

Maximum

Metric

(50% of Target)    

(175% of Target)

Net Income, adjusted

$

166 million   

$

207 million  

$

228 million

Asset Quality

$

728 million   

$

550 million  

$

446 million

Line of Business Direct Contribution, Commercial

$

205 million   

$

256 million  

$

282 million

Line of Business Direct Contribution, Consumer

$

133 million   

$

166 million  

$

183 million

Line of Business Direct Contribution, Wealth

$

22 million   

$

27 million  

$

30 million

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 20162019 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):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Named Executive Officers: Michael L. Scudder, Mark G. Sander, Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

2019 Actual

    

Payout as a

    

 

    

Weighted Payout

 

Performance Goal

 

 

Performance

 

Percentage of Target

 

Weighting

 

Percentage

 

Net Income, adjusted (excluding M&A impact)

 

$

196 million

 

93

%  

90

%  

84

%

Asset Quality

 

$

450 million

 

172

%  

10

%  

17

%

Total Payout Earned (excluding M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

101

%

Total Payout Earned (including partial M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

107

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Named Executive Officer: Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

    

 

2019 Actual

    

Payout as a

    

 

    

Weighted Payout

 

Performance Goal

 

 

Performance

 

Percentage of Target

 

Weighting

 

Percentage

 

Net Income, adjusted (excluding M&A impact)

 

$

196 million

 

93

%  

45

%  

42

%

Asset Quality

 

$

450 million

 

172

%  

10

%  

17

%

Line of Business Direct Contribution, Commercial

 

$

256 million

 

100

%

45

%

45

%

Total Payout Earned (excluding M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

104

%

Total Payout Earned (including partial M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Named Executive Officer: Thomas M. Prame

 

 

    

 

2019 Actual

    

Payout as a

    

 

    

Weighted Payout

 

Performance Goal

 

 

Performance

 

Percentage of Target

 

Weighting

 

Percentage

 

Net Income, adjusted (excluding M&A impact)

 

$

196 million

 

93

%  

45

%  

42

%

Asset Quality

 

$

450 million

 

172

%  

10

%  

17

%

Line of Business Direct Contribution, Consumer

 

$

168 million

 

101

%  

45

%  

46

%

Total Payout Earned (excluding M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

105

%

Total Payout Earned (including partial M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

111

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although none of our NEOs were in the Wealth line of business, the performance of this business line is shown below

 

 

    

 

2019 Actual

    

Payout as a

    

 

    

Weighted Payout

 

Performance Goal

 

 

Performance

 

Percentage of Target

 

Weighting

 

Percentage

 

Net Income, adjusted (excluding M&A impact)

 

$

196 million

 

93

%  

45

%  

42

%

Asset Quality

 

$

450 million

 

172

%  

10

%  

17

%

Line of Business Direct Contribution, Wealth

 

$

26 million

 

96

%  

45

%  

43

%

Total Payout Earned (excluding M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

102

%

Total Payout Earned (including partial M&A impact)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

108

%

The net income, adjusted, performance goal was established for 2019 at a time when the financial impact of our Bridgeview Bank acquisition was not quantifiable, as the closing date for this transaction was not then known.  As such, the financial impact of this transaction, which was completed in the second quarter, was not included in the 2019 net income, adjusted, performance goal.  Throughout 2019, our Compensation Committee received updates as to how Company performance tracked, both including and excluding the impact of our Bridgeview Bank acquisition, relative to our performance goals under our annual cash incentive program.  The Committee believed that including the full financial contribution of this acquisition when calculating the net income, adjusted, goal would have resulted in a payout that would not be appropriately reflective of the Company’s level of performance as compared to this goal.

56

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

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

Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis


The Company exceeded target

Accordingly, when certifying the results for our 2019 annual cash incentive program, the Compensation Committee considered the financial impact of the Bridgeview Bank transaction on our 2019 results, and decided to exercise its negative discretion and reduced the level of actual Company-wide performance on an overall weighted basis forby excluding a majority of the 2016earnings contribution of Bridgeview Bank from the calculation of the net income, adjusted, performance goal.  This decision resulted in a lower annual incentive compensation award. The Company exceededcash payout equal to 107% of the target both for core net income and for non-performing assets as a percentageaward level (excluding line of loans, finishingbusiness contributions).  If the year at $98.4 million, as compared to a targetfull financial impact of $96.4 million, and 0.93%, as compared to a target of 1.05%, respectively. With respect to the classified loans metric, the Company’s ratio of classified loans to total corporate loans was 4.84% in 2016, as compared to a target of 4.50%, resultingBridgeview Bank had been excluded, this would have resulted in a payout at 66% of target. Classified loan levels improved by101% of target (excluding line of business contributions).  The Committee also used a similar approach and reduced the endpayouts for the named executive officers (and for all other colleagues) whose annual cash incentive included a line of 2016 as comparedbusiness component, resulting in the payouts reflected in the above table.

The Committee believed, when determining the payouts for 2019, that it was appropriate to the beginninginclude a portion of the year. However, becausefinancial contribution of the Bridgeview Bank transaction to recognize the value of this metric utilized average classified loansacquisition.  This was done in order to recognize our executive officers (as well as the other participants in our annual cash incentive program) for the year rather than the levelsuccessful completion and integration 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.

transaction.

Based on the metrics outlined above, which includes the Company’s performance, individual performance for those named executive officers other than our CEO and our President, and the individual performance ratingline of each named executive officer,business direct contribution, if applicable, the Compensation Committee approved the following cash bonus awards under our annual cash incentive compensation program for 2016:

anncashcompchartproxy2a02.jpg
2019:

Picture 16

For 2017,our 2020 annual cash incentive program, the Compensation Committee again determined to use core net income and asset qualitythe same metrics and added execution on certain strategic initiativesas those used for 2019 as described above but with the addition of our efficiency ratio as a new metric.

Supplemental Achievement Award

2020 Proxy Statement

57

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 intended 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 transactions to the Company and the extraordinary amount of effort required by the Company’s employees to successfully complete


57

Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis


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
(Performance Shares and Restricted Stock)

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 objectivesgoals or increases in the Company’s stock price.performance of our Common Stock.  As such, we further align the interests of our executive managementexecutives with that of 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 2019 under our Omnibusstockholder-approved 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan approved by our stockholders.

Plan.

Performance-Based Equity Compensation.

In 2016,2019, 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.period (2019-2021).  If the performance goals are achieved, the performance shares wouldwill be earned.  Once earned, one-third of the performance shares vest immediately, one-third vestin full on March 15 following the following year and the remaining one-third vest at the endconclusion of the second year,three-year performance period, assuming the executive’s 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. For performance shares, no individual performance rating is used to determine the number of shares awarded.  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.Directors.

Base Salary
($)

×

Target
Performance
Share Award
Opportunity
(% of Salary)

×

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 20162019 performance share program, (2016-2018 performance period), with each metric weighted equally at 50% of the total award opportunity. For.  The Compensation Committee selected relative TSR for the external metric the Compensation Committee selected total stockholder return relative to the Company’s peer group. Forand RATCE, adjusted, for the internal metric, the Compensation Committee chose core return on average tangible common equity of the Company relative to the Board-approved budget.

metric.

Our Compensation Committee selected these metrics to encourage our named executive officers to pursue corporate strategies that will enhance long-term stockholder value and buildincrease the value of our Common Stock within acceptable risk tolerances 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

For 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 externalTSR metric, the total stockholder return of the Company and the peer group is calculated for a three-yearin 2019, performance period. Performance shares will bewere earned based on the total stockholder returnTSR of the Company, ranked against the TSR of the companies within our peer group. Total stockholder returngroup, in both cases for a three-year performance period.  TSR 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.

58

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

For the internalRATCE 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 equityRATCE, adjusted, was set at 11.18%15.75% for 20162019, up from 15.02% for 2018.  For 2019, we achieved actual RATCE, adjusted, of 16.13% as compared to 11.56%15.40% for 2015 to reflect the budgeted short-term impact on the Company’s tangible common equity resulting largely from the issuance of Common Stock in connection with merger 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.

2018. 

Our Compensation Committee awarded performance shares in 20162019 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.

In February 2016,2019, 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

 

2019‑2021 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

 

110

%  

44,606

 

$

1,086,223

Mark G. Sander

 

80

%  

23,102

 

 

560,628

Patrick S. Barrett

 

40

%

9,306

 

 

225,833

Michael W. Jamieson

 

40

%  

8,214

 

 

199,333

Thomas M. Prame

 

30

%  

4,813

 

 

116,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relative TSR

 

    

Threshold

    

Target

    

Maximum

 

Percentile

 

25th

 

50th

 

90th

 

Payout (% of Target)

 

25%

 

100%

 

200%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Year

    

Threshold

    

Target

    

Maximum

 

RATCE, adjusted

 

2017

 

11.88

%  

13.20

%  

13.86

%

 

 

2018

 

13.52

%  

15.02

%  

15.77

%

 

 

2019

 

14.17

%  

15.75

%  

16.53

%

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.

2020 Proxy Statement

59

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


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Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis


Conclusion of 2014-2016 Performance Period.  In 2014, our named executive officers were awarded performance shares subject to a three-year performance period that concluded on December 31, 2016. As with the performance shares awarded in February 2016 , the performance metrics applicable to the performance shares awarded in 2014 were total stockholder return relative to the Company’s peer group and core return on the Company’s average tangible common equity relative to budget, each weighted 50%. The range of performance and possible payout for each metric were as follows:
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)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.

In February 2017,2020, based on the Company’s performance during the 2014-20162017‑2019 performance period, our Compensation Committee certified the Company’s performance applicable to the 20142017 performance shares as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

Payout as a

    

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

2017-2019 Actual

 

Percentage

 

Payout

 

Performance Goal

    

 

 

Performance

 

of Target

 

Percentage

 

Relative TSR (50%)

 

 

 

43rd Percentile

 

79

%  

39.5

%

RATCE, adjusted (50%)

 

2017

 

12.54

%

63

%

 

 

 

 

2018

 

15.40

%

150

%

 

 

 

 

2019

 

16.13

%

150

%

 

 

 

 

3-Year Average

 

 

 

121

%

60.5

%

Total Percentage Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

%

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 2017 performance share awards for(2017-2019 performance period) as follows:

Picture 39


*For Mr. Barrett, includes a one-time make-whole performance share award granted in connection with his recruitment to the 2014-2016 performance period as follows:Company in 2017.

a2014perfshareawardschartpro.jpg

60

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Restricted Stock Awards

In 2016,2019, 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. Clemens received restricted stock units in 2016 because he will turn age 65 during the three-year vesting cycle.

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’s individual performance rating for the year. year, other than for awards to our Chief Executive Officer (and, beginning in 2020, our President) as to whom individual performance is not considered.

Base Salary
($)

×

Restricted
Stock Award
Opportunity
(% of Salary)

×

Individual
Performance
(upward or
downward)

=

Shares of
Restricted
Stock
(#)

We accrue cash dividends that otherwise would be paid on the unvested restricted stock and the Common Stock underlying restricted stock units,stock.  The accrued 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 2016,2019, 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

 

60

%  

25,879

 

$

604,922

Mark G. Sander

 

50

%  

17,326

 

 

404,995

Patrick S. Barrett

 

40

%

11,167

 

 

261,029

Michael W. Jamieson

 

40

%  

9,857

 

 

230,407

Thomas M. Prame

 

40

%  

7,701

 

 

180,011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 constituteinclude our 401(k) Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan and Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan.(which is frozen).  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 to each eligible employee’s plan account equal to 2% of an employee’s total cash compensation (subject to a six-year vesting schedule), (b) 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.

Perquisites

2020 Proxy Statement

61

Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Eligibility to participate in our 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 currently participate in the Pension Plan.

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 their country club dues to promotewhen the membership is used for business interestspurposes.  For our Chief Executive Officer, we also provide security and financial planning services.

62

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of the Company.Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

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 Mr. Jamieson who joined the Company in 2016 and is in the process of accumulating shares to comply with our stock ownership guidelines.  It is expected that Mr. Jamieson will satisfy our stock ownership guidelines in 2020.  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 both our Chief Risk Officer and the Committee’s 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 encouraged to take excessive or imprudent risks to enhance their compensation.  As part of its risk assessment process in 2016,2019, 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.

2020 Proxy Statement

63

Table of Contents

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

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 our 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 certain members of 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 supplementinclude confidentiality, non-disparagement and non-solicitation covenants.  The duty to maintain the confidentiality and restrictive covenants set forth in our named executive officers’ employment agreements. 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.

64

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.

Barbara A. Boigegrain (Chair)

Kathryn J. Hayley

Peter J. Henseler

Ellen A. Rudnick

Members, Compensation Committee

2020 Proxy Statement

65

J. Stephen Vanderwoude (Chair)Barbara A. Boigegrain (Vice-Chair)
Peter J. HenselerEllen A. Rudnick
Members, Compensation Committee



64


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

2016

2019 Summary Compensation Table

The table and explanatory notes below summarize the total compensation for the years 2016, 20152019, 2018 and 20142017 paid to or earned by our named executive officers other than Mr. Chulos, who was not a named executive officer in 2015 or 2014. The information relating to Mr. Chulos for those years has been omitted in accordance with SEC rules.officers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

2019

 

$

872,147

 

$

 —

 

$

1,691,145

 

$

936,755

 

$

184,332

 

$

265,258

 

$

3,949,637

Chairman and Chief

 

2018

 

 

850,000

 

 

 —

 

 

1,315,961

 

 

722,500

 

 

226,790

 

 

319,966

 

 

3,435,217

Executive Officer

 

2017

 

 

846,000

 

 

 —

 

 

1,442,993

 

 

624,750

 

 

272,472

 

 

181,053

 

 

3,367,268

Mark G. Sander

 

2019

 

$

672,370

 

$

 —

 

$

965,623

 

$

505,725

 

$

115,712

 

$

159,706

 

$

2,419,136

President and Chief

 

2018

 

 

655,000

 

 

 —

 

 

824,473

 

 

425,750

 

 

105,997

 

 

180,617

 

 

2,191,837

Operating Officer

 

2017

 

 

645,941

 

 

 —

 

 

853,089

 

 

417,235

 

 

72,150

 

 

127,626

 

 

2,116,041

Patrick S. Barrett

 

2019

 

$

541,722

 

$

 —

 

$

486,862

 

$

318,581

 

$

6,500

 

$

103,372

 

$

1,457,037

EVP and Chief

 

2018

 

 

526,769

 

 

 —

 

 

453,703

 

 

273,900

 

 

5,246

 

 

407,495

 

 

1,667,113

Financial Officer

 

2017

 

 

504,000

 

 

485,000

 

 

1,590,966

 

 

262,200

 

 

2,534

 

 

118,808

 

 

2,963,508

Michael W. Jamieson

 

2019

 

$

475,660

 

$

 —

 

$

429,740

 

$

264,100

 

$

23,229

 

$

76,428

 

$

1,269,157

EVP and Director,

 

2018

 

 

445,923

 

 

 —

 

 

375,156

 

 

234,675

 

 

14,481

 

 

64,040

 

 

1,134,275

Commercial Banking,

 

2017

 

 

439,231

 

 

 —

 

 

339,356

 

 

176,176

 

 

1,427

 

 

66,347

 

 

1,022,537

First Midwest Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas M. Prame

 

2019

 

$

372,436

 

$

 —

 

$

296,810

 

$

247,250

 

$

3,394

 

$

49,782

 

$

969,672

EVP and Director,

 

2018

 

 

354,654

 

 

 —

 

 

261,103

 

 

150,732

 

 

2,690

 

 

50,338

 

 

819,517

Consumer Banking,

 

2017

 

 

345,430

 

 

 —

 

 

284,294

 

 

140,140

 

 

1,947

 

 

42,423

 

 

814,234

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 2016 and 2014, amounts represent the2017, Mr. Barrett received a one-time make-whole cash portion of a supplemental achievement award paidpayment in recognition of the successful completion of acquisitions and other transactions during the applicable year. The amounts do not include the portion of the award paid in shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units, which portion is included, asconnection with his recruitment to the 2014 award, in the “Stock Awards” column for 2015 and will be included,Company 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, this supplemental award totaled: $100,000 for Mr. Scudder, $70,000 for Mr. Sander, $30,000 for Mr. Clemens, $25,000 for Mr. Prame and $60,000 for Mr. Chulos. For additional information regarding the 2016 award, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive Compensation 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.Chief Financial Officer.

(2)

Amounts represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards, including performance shares and restricted stock and restricted stock unitperformance share awards granted under our 2018 Stock and Incentive Plan (for 2019) or Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (for 2017 and 2018) during the period, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718.  Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 1718 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 20162019 performance share awards would be: $814,234$2,172,445 for Mr. Scudder, $543,814$1,121,256 for Mr. Sander, $150,572$451,667 for Mr. Clemens, $97,371Barrett, $398,666 for Mr. PrameJamieson and $89,597$233,597 for Mr. Chulos. The amountsPrame.  In 2019, the stock awards for Mr. Scudder include a one-time special make-up equity grant (awarded in this column also include dividends accrued on unvested awardsthe form of 50% restricted stock and 50% performance shares) in an amount equal to $170,000 to correct a clerical error in the number of performance shares restrictedthat Mr. Scudder should have received in 2018.  This award has the same terms, vesting dates and performance conditions as the grants Mr. Scudder received in 2018.  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 units (which amounts are not paid unlessawards granted in connection with his recruitment to the underlying shares vest). For 2016, these amounts totaled:  $68,457 for Mr. Scudder, $45,813 for Mr. Sander, $15,459 for Mr. Clemens, $11,732 for Mr. Prame and $11,380 for Mr. Chulos.Company as our Chief Financial Officer. 

(3)

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

(4)

Amounts represent the actuarial increase in the present value of the benefit under our Pension Plan for

For Mr. Scudder, who is the only named executive officer who participates in our Pension Plan and Gain Deferral Plan, amounts include the plan. Theseactuarial increase in the present value of his benefits under our Pension Plan and his realized earnings in our Gain Deferral 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, 2016.2019.  For 2019, the present value of Mr. Scudder’s benefits under the Pension Plan increased $179,147.  Benefit accruals under the Pension Plan were frozen effective as of January 1, 2014.  For additional information, seeExecutive Compensation Tables—Pension Benefits.  


66

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.


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.Tables

(5)

Amounts represent the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions to Defined Contribution Retirement Plans, Perquisites and Dividends

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

Perquisites

    

 

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

and Other

 

 

 

Paid on

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qualified

 

Qualified

 

Personal

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

Name

 

Year

 

Plan(a)

 

Plan(b)

 

 Benefits(c)

 

 

 

Shares(d)

 

Total

Michael L. Scudder

 

2019

 

$

16,800

 

$

89,972

 

$

87,162

(e) 

 

$

71,324

 

$

265,258

 

 

2018

 

 

16,500

 

 

122,866

 

 

109,697

(e) 

 

 

70,903

 

 

319,966

 

 

2017

 

 

16,200

 

 

65,670

 

 

49,701

(e) 

 

 

49,482

 

 

181,053

Mark G. Sander

 

2019

 

$

16,800

 

$

65,005

 

$

30,079

 

 

$

47,822

 

$

159,706

 

 

2018

 

 

16,500

 

 

82,418

 

 

34,454

 

 

 

47,245

 

 

180,617

 

 

2017

 

 

16,200

 

 

40,868

 

 

36,335

 

 

 

34,223

 

 

127,626

Patrick S. Barrett

 

2019

 

$

16,800

 

$

36,810

 

$

32,607

 

 

$

17,155

 

$

103,372

 

 

2018

 

 

16,500

 

 

10,965

 

 

380,030

(f)

 

 

 —

 

 

407,495

 

 

2017

 

 

 —

 

 

46,800

 

 

72,008

(f)

 

 

 —

 

 

118,808

Michael W. Jamieson

 

2019

 

$

16,800

 

$

15,534

 

$

33,257

 

 

$

10,837

 

$

76,428

 

 

2018

 

 

16,500

 

 

6,942

 

 

35,905

 

 

 

4,693

 

 

64,040

 

 

2017

 

 

 —

 

 

36,540

 

 

27,878

 

 

 

1,929

 

 

66,347

Thomas M. Prame

 

2019

 

$

16,800

 

$

9,251

 

$

10,919

 

 

$

12,812

 

$

49,782

 

 

2018

 

 

16,500

 

 

9,046

 

 

12,213

 

 

 

12,579

 

 

50,338

 

 

2017

 

 

16,200

 

 

3,890

 

 

12,475

 

 

 

9,858

 

 

42,423
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 compensationretirement 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,401(k) Plan, as well as voluntary participant contributions.  The Deferred Compensationamount in this column reflects matching Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan is subject to Section 409Aand the Company’s 2% automatic contribution for any amount in excess of the Internal Revenue Code.maximum 401(k) Plan limit. 

(c)

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 and amounts paid by the Company on behalf of or reimbursed to the named executive officer for other customary perquisites. For Mr. Sander, also represents amounts paid by the Company on his behalfperquisites, including mobile telephone usage, subscriptions, industry, trade and professional organization dues and, for certain named executive officers, country club dues, which membership ismemberships are maintained for business entertainment purposes but may be used for personal use.  Except as otherwise described in the footnotes to this table, no individual perquisite paid to any of our named executive offers exceeded $25,000 for any of the years listed.  


(d)

Represents accrued dividends paid on performance share and restricted stock awards that vested in 2019.

(e)

Includes $34,776 in 2019, $63,802 in 2018 (includes supplemental security for 2018) and $32,920 in 2017 for Company-provided automobile transportation in lieu of an automobile allowance.  Also includes amounts paid by the Company for home security, financial planning services and an executive physical for Mr. Scudder.

(f)

For Mr. Barrett, also includes $366,469 in 2018 and $60,826 in 2017 paid by the Company for temporary living and relocation expenses in connection with his relocation to the Chicago area.

2020 Proxy Statement

67


66

Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables


2016

2019 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table provides information with regard to the stock awards granted during 20162019 (and reported as Stock Awards in the Summary Compensation Table) and the annual cash incentive compensation award opportunity for 20162019 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.

 

 

 

$

437,750

 

$

875,500

 

$

1,751,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scudder(5)

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,152

 

44,606

 

89,212

 

 

 

$

1,086,223

 

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,879

 

 

604,922

Mark G.

 

 

 

$

236,250

 

$

472,500

 

$

945,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sander

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,776

 

23,102

 

46,204

 

 

 

$

560,628

 

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,326

 

 

404,995

Patrick S.

 

 

 

$

135,950

 

$

271,900

 

$

543,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barrett

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,327

 

9,306

 

18,612

 

 

 

$

225,833

 

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,167

 

 

261,029

Michael W.

 

 

 

$

120,000

 

$

240,000

 

$

480,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamieson

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,054

 

8,214

 

16,428

 

 

 

$

199,333

 

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,857

 

 

230,407

Thomas M.

 

 

 

$

93,750

 

$

187,500

 

$

375,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prame

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,203

 

4,813

 

9,626

 

 

 

$

116,799

 

 

2/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,701

 

 

180,011

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-termannual cash incentive compensation plan based on a combination of Company performance and individual performance rating assumptions.assumptions.  For additional information, seeCompensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2019 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 Omnibus2018 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, seeCompensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2019 Compensation Program in 2016—Program—Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation—Compensation (Performance Shares and Restricted Stock)—Performance-Based Equity CompensationCompensation.. 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 Omnibus2018 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)circumstances).  For additional information, seeCompensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2019 Compensation Program in 2016—Program—Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation—Compensation (Performance Shares and Restricted Stock)—Restricted Stock AwardsDividends 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 Omnibus2018 Stock and Incentive Plan during 2016,2019, 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 1718 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.


(5)

In 2019, the stock awards for Mr. Scudder include a one-time special make-up equity grant (awarded in the form of 50% restricted stock and 50% performance shares) in an amount equal to $170,000 to correct a clerical error in the number of performance shares that Mr. Scudder should have received in 2018.

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Executive Compensation Tables


2016

2019 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, 2016.2019.  All values in the table are based on a market value for our Common Stock of $25.23,$23.06, which was the closing price of our stock on December 30, 2016,31, 2019, 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, 2019, 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

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,339

(2)

$

261,477

 

34,061

(9)

$

785,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,031

(3)

 

392,735

 

44,606

(10)(5)

 

1,028,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,879

(4)(5)

 

596,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,994

(6)

 

230,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,422

(7)

 

447,871

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,423

(8)

 

793,794

 

 

 

 

 

Mark G. Sander

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,998

(2)

$

207,494

 

18,373

(9)

$

423,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,780

(3)

 

317,767

 

23,102

(10)

 

532,732

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,326

(4)

 

399,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,687

(6)

 

154,202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,968

(7)

 

299,042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,916

(8)

 

367,023

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,202

(11)

$

96,898

 

8,463

(9)

$

195,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,220

(12)

 

374,033

 

9,306

(10)

 

214,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,310

(3)

 

214,689

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,167

(4)

 

257,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,149

(8)

 

533,816

 

 

 

 

 

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,089

(11)

$

94,292

 

7,165

(9)

$

165,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,523

(3)

 

173,480

 

8,214

(10)

 

189,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,857

(4)

 

227,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,333

(8)

 

122,979

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas M. Prame

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,528

(11)

$

81,356

 

4,274

(9)

$

98,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,983

(3)

 

137,968

 

4,813

(10)

 

110,988

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,701

(4)

 

177,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,187

(6)

 

27,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,321

(7)

 

53,522

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,242

(8)

 

97,821

 

 

 

 

 


  
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.2019, 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 2014 that vested on February 19, 2017.

(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 vested on February 24, 2020. 

(3)

Represents restricted stock awards granted in 2018, the first tranche of which vested on February 21, 2020 and the second tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 18, 2018.21, 2021.  See note 2, above, for additional information regarding the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards.

(4)

2020 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables

(4)

Represents restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards granted in 2016,2019, the first tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 17, 201820, 2021 and the second tranche of which is scheduled to vest on February 17, 2019.20, 2022.  See note 2, above, for additional information regarding the vesting of restricted stock andawards.

(5)

Includes the special make-up grant awarded to Mr. Scudder in 2019, which consisted of 3,406 shares of restricted stock unit awards.and 3,406 performance shares.  The grant has the same terms, vesting periods and performance conditions as those made in 2018.  For the restricted stock portion, the first tranche vested on February 20, 2020, and the second tranche is scheduled to vest on February 20, 2021.  The performance shares portion may be earned upon completion of the three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2020 if performance levels are achieved using the following two metrics: TSR relative to our peer group and RATCE, adjusted, relative to predetermined goals.



68


(6)

Represents the third tranche of performance shares earned at the completion of a three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2017.  The third tranche vested on March 15, 2020.  See note 8, below, for additional information regarding the vesting of earned performance shares.

(5)

(7)

Represents the second and third tranche of performance shares earned at the completion of a three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2015.2018.  The second tranche vested on March 15, 20172020 and the third tranche is scheduled to vest on March 15, 2018.2021.  See note 6,8, below, for additional information regarding the vesting of earned performance shares.

(6)

(8)

Represents performance shares earned at the completion of a three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2016.2019.  The final number of shares awarded was based on the following metrics: total stockholder returnTSR relative to our peer group at 72%79% of target and core return on average tangible common equityRATCE, adjusted, at 83%121% of target.  The first tranche of these awards vested on March 15, 20172020, and the second and third tranches are scheduled to vest on March 15, 20182021, and March 15, 2019, respectively.2022, respectively.  For additional information, seeCompensation Discussion and Analysis—Principal Elements of Our Executive2019 Compensation Program in 2016—Program—Long-Term At-Risk Equity Compensation—Compensation (Performance Shares and Restricted Stock)—Performance-Based Equity Compensation and —Conclusion―Conclusion of 2014-20162017‑2019 Performance Period.

(7)

(9)

Performance

Represents performance shares that may be earned upon completion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 20172020 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)

(10)

Performance

Represents performance shares that may be earned upon completion of a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 20182021 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.

2016

(11)

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

(12)

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

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Executive Compensation Tables

2019 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table provides information with respect to the value realized by our named executive officers during 20162019 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

 

 

$

 

54,570

 

$

1,223,536

Mark G. Sander

 

 

 

 

37,612

 

 

845,450

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

 

 

20,423

 

 

467,799

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

 

 

9,302

 

 

198,312

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

 

 

10,841

 

 

245,920
  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 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 2016,2019, this limit was $265,000.$280,000.  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.

2020 Proxy Statement

71

2016

Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables

2019 Pension Benefits Table

The following table shows the present value of the accumulated benefit as of December 31, 20162019 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 20162019 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

 

$

913,597

 

$

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, the Deferred Compensation Plan and the Gain Deferral Plan.

 All of our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our Deferred Compensation Plan. Only Mr. Scudder is eligible to participate in our Gain Deferral Plan because participation in this plan was frozen as of 2005 and, based on their respective dates of hire, Messrs. Sander, Barrett, Jamieson and Prame are not eligible to participate.

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 Company 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-termannual 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 and the associated Gain Deferral Plan shares are held 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

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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 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

2019 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 2016.2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate

 

Aggregate

 

   

 

   

Executive

  

Company

  

Aggregate

  

Withdrawals/

  

Balance at

 

 

 

 

Contributions

 

Contributions

 

Earnings in

 

Distributions

 

December 31,

Name

 

Plan Name

 

in 2019(1)

 

in 2019(2)

 

2019

 

in 2019

 

2019(3)(4)

Michael L. Scudder

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

37,040

 

$

89,972

 

$

178,054

 

$

 

$

4,234,679

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,185

 

 

 

 

234,044

Mark G. Sander

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

57,115

 

$

65,005

 

$

115,712

 

$

 

$

1,289,344

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Patrick S. Barrett

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

15,763

 

$

36,810

 

$

6,500

 

$

 

$

116,614

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Michael W. Jamieson

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

217,705

 

$

15,534

 

$

23,229

 

$

 

$

474,794

 

 

Gain Deferral Plan

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

Thomas M. Prame

 

Deferred Comp. Plan

 

$

 

$

9,251

 

$

3,394

 

$

 

$

77,924

 

 

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 annual 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 are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the2019 Summary Compensation Table.

(3)   Aggregate balances at December 31, 2019 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, 2017 for Mr. Barrett, 2017 for Mr. Jamieson and 2012 for Mr. Prame.  Mr. Scudder has participated in the Gain Deferral Plan since 2004.

(4)   As of December 31, 2019, the portion of the aggregate balances in the Deferred Compensation Plan and Gain Deferral Plan (as applicable) that represent Common Stock are as follows:  10,149 shares for Mr. Scudder, -0- shares for Mr. Sander, -0- shares for Mr. Barrett, -0- shares for Mr. Jamieson and 2,118 shares for Mr. Prame.

2020 Proxy Statement

73

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 for each named executive officer to the Deferred Compensation Plan are included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the 2016 Summary Compensation Table.
(3)Aggregate balances at December 31, 2016 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, 2006 for Mr. Clemens, 2012 for Mr. Prame and 2014 for Mr. Chulos. Mr. Scudder has participated in the Gain Deferral Plan since 2004.
(4)
As of December 31, 2016, 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:  9,573 shares for Mr. Scudder, 0 shares for Mr. Sander, 2,007 shares for Mr. Clemens, 1,998 shares for Mr. Prame and 0 shares for Mr. Chulos.


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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 restrictive covenants applicable to our named executive officers. The non-solicitation provisions in these agreements apply for eighteen months after terminationcase of employment for Messrs. Scudder and Sander, non-competition covenants.  The restrictive covenants to which our named executive officers are subject are described more fully above underCompensation Discussion and one year after termination for Messrs. Clemens, PrameAnalysis—Policies, Guidelines and Chulos.

Other Practices—Employment and 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, 20162019 and that the value of a share of our Common Stock on that day was $25.23,$23.06, which is the closing price of our stock as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market on December 30, 2016,31, 2019, which was the last trading day of the year.

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 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, 2016,2019, 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, 20162019 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

 

67

 

$

2,847,500

Mark G. Sander

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

32,750

 

48

 

 

1,572,000

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

26,400

 

108

 

 

2,851,200

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

894,000

 

 

22,350

 

38

 

 

849,300

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

711,000

 

 

17,775

 

180

 

 

3,199,500

2020 Proxy Statement

75

    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, 20162019 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

 

54,249

 

$

1,250,982

 

101,415

 

$

2,338,630

 

$

3,589,612

Mark G. Sander

 

40,104

 

 

924,798

 

55,520

 

 

1,280,291

 

 

2,205,089

Patrick S. Barrett

 

40,899

 

 

943,131

 

31,893

 

 

735,453

 

 

1,678,584

Michael W. Jamieson

 

21,469

 

 

495,075

 

12,848

 

 

296,275

 

 

791,350

Thomas M. Prame

 

17,212

 

 

396,909

 

12,204

 

 

281,424

 

 

678,333
  
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 and, beginning with the equity awards granted in 2019, our other named executive officers, 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, 2016:2019:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Severance/Salary Continuation

 

Pro-Rated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical

 

 

 

 

   

Monthly

 

Number of

 

 

Total

  

 Annual

 

Equity Awards(2)

  

Benefits/Out-

  

 

Name

   

Amount

  

 Months

  

Amount

 

Bonus(1)

  

Number

  

Value

  

Placement(3)

  

Total

Michael L. Scudder

 

$

145,917

 

24

 

$

3,502,000

 

$

884,255

 

129,721

 

$

2,991,366

 

$

108,830

 

$

7,486,452

Mark G. Sander

 

 

95,625

 

24

 

 

2,295,000

 

 

477,225

 

77,252

 

 

1,781,431

 

 

163,757

 

 

4,717,413

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

45,317

 

6

 

 

271,900

 

 

264,000

 

6,204

 

 

143,064

 

 

139,591

 

 

818,555

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

40,000

 

6

 

 

240,000

 

 

223,500

 

5,476

 

 

126,277

 

 

124,279

 

 

714,056

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

31,250

 

6

 

 

187,500

 

 

142,200

 

7,251

 

 

167,208

 

 

99,079

 

 

595,987

(1)

The pro-rated annual bonus reflects, for Messrs. Scudder and Sander, full 2019 target bonus, and for our other named executive officers, full 2018 target bonus, in each case in accordance with the provisions of their employment agreements.

(2)

Includes shares of restricted stock as follows: 28,306 for Mr. Scudder, 21,732 for Mr. Sander, 3,102 for Mr. Barrett, 2,738 for Mr. Jamieson and 2,139 for Mr. Prame.  Also includes shares underlying vested and unvested performance shares that would vest in the event of a qualifying termination on December 31, 2019 as follows: 101,415 for Mr. Scudder, 55,520 for Mr. Sander, 3,102 for Mr. Barrett, 2,738 for Mr. Jamieson and 5,112 for Mr. Prame.

2020 Proxy Statement

77

  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

Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables

(1)

(3)

Pro-rated annual bonus based on target bonus for year of termination

For Messrs. Scudder and number of days elapsed at date of termination. Amounts reflect full 2016 target bonus and assumes termination occurred on last daySander, reflects an estimate of the year.

(2)Reflectscost 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 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 equity awards, 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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Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables


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, 2016.2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

$

6,128,500

 

54,249

 

$

1,250,982

 

142,506

 

$

3,286,188

 

$

4,537,170

 

$

108,830

 

$

10,774,501

Mark G. Sander

 

 

3,915,000

 

40,104

 

 

924,798

 

77,046

 

 

1,776,681

 

 

2,701,479

 

 

163,757

 

 

6,780,236

Patrick S. Barrett

 

 

2,075,734

 

40,899

 

 

943,131

 

40,918

 

 

943,569

 

 

1,886,700

 

 

130,512

 

 

4,092,946

Michael W. Jamieson

 

 

1,811,182

 

21,469

 

 

495,075

 

20,712

 

 

477,619

 

 

972,694

 

 

115,200

 

 

2,899,076

Thomas M. Prame

 

 

1,301,733

 

17,212

 

 

396,909

 

16,837

 

 

388,261

 

 

785,170

 

 

90,000

 

 

2,176,903

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 2019, 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, 2019, including all full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees.  In 2019, the Company did not have any non-U.S. employees.  No adjustments were made to the compensation data for purposes of annualization or otherwise.

Our determination of the median employee yielded two median employees because, when not including the CEO, we had an even number of employees.  Therefore, we calculated each 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, and we averaged the total compensation of the two median employees in order to arrive at the total compensation of the median employee.

In the2019 Summary Compensation Table, we report the annual cash incentive compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer in 2020 for performance in 2019.  Neither of the two median employees participated in our annual cash incentive program in 2019, but each median employee instead participated in a separate cash incentive plan that paid periodically throughout 2019.  Accordingly, we used the amounts received in 2019 under this periodic cash incentive plan for purposes of calculating each median employee’s 2019 annual total compensation.  For purposes of calculating total compensation for both of our median employees 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 2019 was $57,538, which, when compared to Mr. Scudder’s total compensation of $3,968,330, resulted in a CEO to median employee pay ratio of 69 to 1.  Our pay ratio is 63 to 1, excluding change in pension value, non-qualified deferred compensation earnings and the make-up equity grant (made in 2019 to correct the administrative error made in 2018) that were included in Mr. Scudder’s total compensation for 2019, which totaled $354,332.

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79

  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)to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight ofof: (1) 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, qualifications and qualificationsperformance 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, 2016.2019.  The Audit Committee also has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 16.and the SEC.  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, 20162019 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


2020.

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, 20162019 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

Phupinder S. Gill

Kathryn J. Hayley

Frank B. Modruson

Michael J. Small

Members, Audit Committee

80

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Patrick J. McDonnell (Chair)John F. Chlebowski, Jr. (Vice Chair)
Phupinder S. GillMichael J. Small
Members, Audit Committee

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 27, 2020, the Record Date for the Annual Meeting.  On that date, there were 114,327,151 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 2,228 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, 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 8, 2020 to May 19, 2020, as well as at the Annual Meeting.  In light of our precautions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), if you would like to inspect the list of stockholders of record, we ask that you contact our Corporate Secretary’s office in advance at (708) 831‑7483 so that we can make appropriate arrangements for your reference. review.

Participants in the Company’s Benefit Plans

Current 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 Computershare 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. 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – CAST YOUR VOTE.  Participants without a Company e-mail address will receive proxy materials by mail.

The informationtrustees 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.

2020 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

Other Matters

Proxy Cards

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.

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 holders 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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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Other Matters

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 2019 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, 2020, 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 underItem 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.

2020 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

Other Matters

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


77


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 20162019 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 – Possibility of Virtual 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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First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

Table of Contents

Other Matters

As part of our precautions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and in light of the priority we place on the health, safety and well-being of our stockholders and colleagues, we are planning for the possibility that the Annual Meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication.  If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance and details on how to participate will be publicly announced in a press release, available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/pressreleases,and filed with the SEC as proxy material.    If we hold a virtual meeting, you will need the control number included on your Proxy Card in order to participate.

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.

Stockholder Proposals for 2021 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 2021 annual meeting of stockholders must submit their proposals on or before December 18, 2020 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 2021 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 19, 2021.  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 20, 2020 and no later than January 19, 2021.

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.

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 17, 2020

2020 Proxy Statement

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8750 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300 Chicago, Illinois 60631 Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of directors constitutingmailing this card. Votes submitted electronically must be received by 9:30 AM, Central Time, on May 20, 2020. Online Go to www.envisionreports.com/FMBI or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/FMBI Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + 1. Election of Directors: For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 01 - Barbara A. Boigegrain 05 - Peter J. Henseler 09 - Michael L. Scudder 02 - Thomas L. Brown 06 - Frank B. Modruson 10 - Michael J. Small 03 - Phupinder S. Gill 07 - Ellen A. Rudnick 11 - Stephen C. Van Arsdell 04 - Kathryn J. Hayley 08 - Mark G. Sander 12 - J. Stephen Vanderwoude For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. Approval of an advisory (non-binding) resolution regarding the compensation paid in 2019 to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.’s named executive officers. 3. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020. NOTE: In their discretion, the proxies named on the front of this proxy card are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, and for the election of a person to serve as director if any of the nominees above is unable to serve. Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. + 1 U P X 038PSD B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the election of each of the Corporation shallnominees listed under Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. 2020 Annual Meeting Proxy Card

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Annual Meeting Admission Ticket First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 20, 2020, 9:00 AM Central Time The Westin O’Hare Hotel 6100 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018 Upon arrival, please present this admission ticket and photo identification at the registration desk. As part of our precautions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), we are planning for the possibility that the Annual Meeting may be such number, not fewer than three nor more than twenty,held virtually, solely by means of remote communication. If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance and details on how to participate will be publicly announced in a press release, available on our website at www.firstmidwest.com/pressreleases, and filed with the SEC as shallproxy material. If the Annual Meeting is held solely by means of remote communication, you will be fixed from timeable to time by resolutionaccess the meeting via the internet at www.meetingcenter.io/253702787. To access the meeting, you will need the information that is printed in the shaded bar located on the reverse side of this form. The password for the virtual meeting will be: FMBI2020. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors adoptedAnnual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on May 20, 2020, 9:00 AM Central Time The undersigned stockholder(s) hereby appoint 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 First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. common stock held of record by the affirmativeundersigned on March 27, 2020, at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 20, 2020, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The undersigned hereby further authorizes such proxies to vote ofin their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at least a majority of all membersany adjournment or postponement thereof.

(c)
The successors Receipt 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 successorsNotice of the directors whose terms expire at that2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Proxy Statement in connection with the meeting shall serve a term of office to expire atand 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.Board of Directors shallAnnual 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, thatundersigned under one of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.’s employee benefit plans, then the By-laws ofundersigned hereby directs the Corporation shall not be adopted, amended or repealed bytrustee to vote such shares as designated on the stockholders except by the affirmative vote of 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 ofproxy card. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Proxy — First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Small steps make an impact. Help the Voting Stock shall have the number of votes grantedenvironment by consenting 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.receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/FMBI

(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 effect 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.



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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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