ITASCA, IL--(Marketwire - Oct 1, 2012) - First Midwest Bank today announced that David M. Knapp has joined the bank as President of the West Region. Knapp will head the Bank's newly formed West Region Commercial Banking Group, which has been realigned to heighten the focus and take advantage of the Bank's existing market and the growth opportunities in the west and northwest suburban commercial markets.

In making the announcement, Mark G. Sander, President and COO of First Midwest Bank said, "David's experiences in lending, sales management and business development are certain to help us achieve our goal of significantly expanding our market presence in the west and northwest suburban Chicago markets." Adding, "I am very pleased to welcome him to First Midwest. He is an accomplished banking professional and a strong leader, and I look forward to working with him in his new role" said Sander.

Knapp will assume management responsibility for the commercial banking area of DuPage, Kane, McHenry, and western Cook Counties. His leadership and 28 years of banking experience will be invaluable to First Midwest going forward as the bank continues to grow and expand its business in this important geographic market. 

He comes to First Midwest Bank from BMO Harris Bank, where he spent the last four years as the Managing Director and Market Manager in the Commercial Banking and Diversified Industries Group. Prior to that role, David held positions of increasing responsibility at LaSalle Bank and the Northern Trust Company. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois. He and his family currently reside in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

About First Midwest
First Midwest Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Itasca-based First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ FMBI ]), is the premier relationship-based banking franchise in the dynamic Chicagoland banking market with approximately $8 billion in assets. As one of the Chicago metropolitan area's largest independent bank holding companies, First Midwest provides the full range of business, retail banking and wealth management services through some 100 offices located in communities in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa. First Midwest has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune for two straight years as one of the top 20 best places to work in Chicago among large employers. Additionally, Forbes has recognized First Midwest as one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies for 2012.