FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP INC
10-K, 1999-03-05
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-K
Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
    Act of 1934 [No Fee Required] for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998

[_] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934 [No Fee Required]

Commission File Number 0-10967
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

               Delaware                             36-3161078
    (State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     incorporation or organization)

                    300 Park Blvd., Suite 405, P.O. Box 459
                          Itasca, Illinois  60143-0459
              (Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)


                                 (630) 875-7450
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                          Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
                        Preferred Share Purchase Rights
           Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [_]  No [_] 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [_].

As of February 26, 1999, 28,933,060  shares of common stock of the Registrant
were outstanding.  The aggregate market value of the shares of common stock held
by non-affiliates as of such date was approximately $968,593,000 based on the
NASDAQ Stock Market closing price.

Documents incorporated by reference:
Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Shareholders' Meeting - Parts I
and III
<PAGE>
 
                                   FORM 10-K
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                Page
                                                                ----
                                     Part I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>         <C>                                                 <C>
Item 1.     Business............................................  3
Item 2.     Properties.......................................... 10
Item 3.     Legal Proceedings................................... 10
Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of
              Security Holders.................................. 10

                                    Part II

Item 5.     Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and
              Related Shareholder Matters....................... 11
Item 6.     Selected Financial Data............................. 12
Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations............... 13
Item 7a.    Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about
              Market Risk....................................... 13
Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data......... 40
Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
              on Accounting and Financial Disclosure............ 64

                                    Part III

Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.. 64
Item 11.    Executive Compensation.............................. 65
Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
              and Management.................................... 65
Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...... 65

                                    Part IV

Item 14.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and 
              Reports on Form 8-K..............................  65
</TABLE> 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                     PART 1

                                ITEM 1. BUSINESS
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. ("First Midwest" or the "Company") is a Delaware
corporation that was incorporated in 1982 for the purpose of becoming a multi-
bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. On
February 28, 1983, the Company received approval from the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board") to become a bank
holding company and on March 31, 1983, the Company was formed through an
exchange of common stock. The Company is Illinois' 3rd largest publicly traded
banking company with assets of approximately $5.2 billion at year-end 1998 and
is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Itasca, Illinois. The Company and its
Affiliates employed approximately 1,700 full time equivalent employees at
December 31, 1998.

The Company has responsibility for the overall conduct, direction and
performance of its subsidiaries (the "Affiliates") hereinafter described. The
Company provides specialized services to the Affiliates in various areas,
establishes Company policies and procedures and serves as a source of strength
in providing capital and other resources as needed. Responsibility for the
management of the Affiliates rests with their respective Boards of Directors and
Officers. There was no material change in the lines of business of the Company
or its Affiliates during 1998.

Banking Affiliate - First Midwest Bank, National Association

The Company's banking affiliate is First Midwest Bank, National Association (the
"Bank").  At December 31, 1998, the Bank had $5.2 billion in total assets and
$4.1 billion in total deposits and operated 76 banking offices, primarily in
northern Illinois and Iowa.

The Bank is engaged in commercial and retail banking and offers a broad range of
lending, depository and related financial services including accepting deposits;
commercial and industrial, consumer and real estate lending; collections; safe
deposit box operations; and other banking services tailored for individual,
commercial and industrial, and governmental customers. Structurally, the Bank is
comprised of two divisions, a sales division in five geographical regions and a
support division providing corporate administrative and support services through
various functional departments. At year-end 1998, the Bank had approximately
1,530 full time equivalent employees operating in 76 banking offices, primarily
in suburban metropolitan Chicago, as further discussed below.

Approximately 85% of the Bank's assets are located in the suburban metropolitan
Chicago area. Within the Chicago metropolitan area, the Bank operates in three
of the fastest growing counties in Illinois; Lake and McHenry Counties, north
and northwest of the City of Chicago, and Will County, southwest of the City.
Lake County has the highest average household income in the State of Illinois
and the third highest employment rate, with employment growth rates estimated to
be approximately 27% for the period 1998 through 2007. McHenry County, which is
adjacent to Lake County on the West, has the fourth highest average household
income and the eleventh highest employment rate, with employment growth rate
estimated to be approximately 17% for the same forward period. Will County ranks
seventh and sixth by the same measures, respectively, and has employment growth
rates estimated to be approximately 20% for the same forward period. The Bank
has the largest share of bank deposits in the Will County market and the second
largest in the Lake and McHenry markets, with an estimated 10% of Lake County,
14% of McHenry County and 19% of Will County.

Another approximate 11% of the Bank's assets are located in the "Quad Cities"
area of Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa which includes the Illinois cities of
Moline and Rock Island and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad
Cities region has a population of approximately 400,000, employment in excess of
200,000 jobs, and annual retail sales of approximately $2.5 billion. Employment
growth in this market area is projected to be approximately 8% for the period
1998 through 2005. The Bank has an approximate 7% market share, or the third
largest, in the Quad Cities.

The Bank maintains branch operations in downstate Illinois primarily in
Vermilion and Champaign Counties, that represent approximately 4% of the Bank's
total assets.  Champaign, Illinois is the home of the University of Illinois.
The Bank has approximately 15% of the total deposits in the Vermilion County
market.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Trust, Investment Management, Mortgage Banking and Insurance Affiliates

In addition to the Bank, the Company also operates four Affiliates that offer
trust, investment advisory and mortgage banking-related services as well as
insurance products. These Affiliates operate in the same markets served by the
Bank.

First Midwest Trust Company, N.A. (the "Trust Company") provides trust and
investment management services to its clients, acting as executor,
administrator, trustee, agent, and in various other fiduciary capacities. As of
December 31, 1998, the Trust Company had approximately $2.2 billion in assets
under management and in nondiscretionary custody accounts, comprised of accounts
ranging from small personal investment portfolios to large corporate employee
benefit plans.

First Midwest Mortgage Corporation ("FMMC") began operations on January 1, 1994
and was formed as a separate company to consolidate the residential real estate
mortgage loan origination, sales and servicing operations conducted by the Bank.
Information with respect to the residential real estate mortgage loan operations
of FMMC can be found in the "Noninterest Income" section of Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations located
on page 22.

First Midwest Insurance Company operates as a reinsurer of credit life, accident
and health insurance sold through the Bank, primarily in conjunction with the
consumer lending operations.

Heritage Bank, National Association provides trust and investment management
services to its clients and during 1998 operated an insurance agency that
offered a broad range of insurance products. In connection with the merger of
the other Heritage Financial Services, Inc. subsidiaries discussed below, the
insurance agency was transferred to First Midwest Bank, National Association.
Heritage Bank, National Association continues to operate as a provider of trust
and investment management services.

Merger with Heritage Financial Services, Inc.

On July 1, 1998, the Company merged with Heritage Financial Services, Inc.
("Heritage") in a transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. As a
result of the merger of Heritage into the Company, Heritage Bank and Heritage
Trust Company, subsidiaries of Heritage, became direct subsidiaries of First
Midwest. On October 26, 1998 Heritage Bank was merged into First Midwest Bank,
National Association. On December 31, 1998 Heritage Trust Company was merged
into the First Midwest Trust Company. A discussion of the merger with Heritage
is included under the "Acquisitions" of Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations located on page 13 and in Note 2
to "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" located on page 48.

Competition

Illinois, and more specifically the metropolitan Chicago area, is a highly
competitive market for banking and related financial services. Competition is
generally expressed in terms of interest rates charged on loans and paid on
deposits, the ability to garner new deposits, the scope and type of services
offered, extended banking hours, access to bank services through branches, and
the offering of additional services such as fiduciary and brokerage services.
The Bank competes with other banking institutions and savings and loan
associations, personal loan and finance companies, and credit unions within its
market areas. In addition, the Bank competes for deposits with money market
mutual funds and investment brokers. The Bank's market areas are experiencing
increased competition from the acquisition of local financial institutions by
out-of-state commercial banking institutions.

The Trust Company competes with retail and discount stock brokers, investment
advisors, mutual funds, insurance companies, and to a lesser extent, financial
institutions. Factors influencing the type of competition experienced by the
Trust Company generally involve the variety of products and services that can be
offered to clients. With the proliferation of investment management service
companies such as mutual funds and discount brokerage services over the last
several years, competition for the Trust Company includes not only financial
service providers within market areas served but also competitors outside of the
geographic areas in which the Trust Company maintains offices.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Offering a broad array of products and services at competitive prices is an
important element in competing for customers. However, the Company believes that
by delivering quality services through a systematic approach in which a
customer's financial needs are the object and measurement of sales activities is
the most important aspect in retaining and expanding its customer base, and
differentiates First Midwest from many of its competitors.

Supervision and Regulation
 
The Company and its Affiliates are subject to regulation and supervision by
various governmental regulatory authorities including, but not limited to, the
Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the
"OCC"), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), the Illinois
Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate Companies (the "Commissioner of
Illinois"), the Arizona Department of Insurance, the Internal Revenue Service
and state taxing authorities. Financial institutions and their holding companies
are extensively regulated under federal and state law. The effect of such
statutes, regulations and policies can be significant, and cannot be predicted
with a high degree of certainty.

Federal and state laws and regulations generally applicable to financial
institutions, such as the Company and the Affiliates, regulate, among other
things, the scope of business, investments, reserves against deposits, capital
levels relative to operations, the nature and amount of collateral for loans,
the establishment of branches, mergers, consolidations and dividends. This
supervision and regulation is intended primarily for the protection of the
FDIC's bank (the "BIF") and savings association (the "SAIF") insurance funds and
the depositors, rather than the stockholders of a financial institution.

The following references to material statutes and regulations affecting the
Company and its Affiliates are brief summaries thereof and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to such statutes and regulations. Any change in
applicable law or regulations may have a material effect on the business of the
Company and its Affiliates.

  Illinois Banking Law

Illinois bank holding companies are permitted to acquire banks and bank holding
companies, and be acquired by bank holding companies, located in any state which
authorizes such acquisitions under qualifications and conditions which are not
unduly restrictive, as determined by the Commissioner of Illinois, when compared
to those imposed under Illinois law.

Under interstate banking legislation, adequately capitalized and managed bank
holding companies are permitted to acquire control of a bank in any state.
States, however, may prohibit acquisitions of banks that have not been in
existence for at least five years. The Federal Reserve Board is prohibited from
approving an application if the applicant controls more than 10 percent of the
total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions nationwide. In
addition, interstate acquisitions may also be subject to statewide concentration
limits.

The Federal Reserve Board would be prohibited from approving an application if,
prior to consummation, the applicant controls any insured depository institution
or branch in the home state of the target bank, and the applicant, following
consummation, would control 30 percent or more of the total amount of deposits
of insured depository institutions in that state. This legislation also provides
that the provisions on concentration limits do not affect the authority of any
state to limit the percentage of the total amount of deposits in the state which
would be held or controlled by any bank or bank holding company to the extent
the application of this limitation does not discriminate against out-of-state
institutions. States may also waive the statewide concentration limit. The
legislation authorizes the Federal Reserve Board to approve an application
without regard to the 30 percent statewide concentration limit, if the state
allows a greater percentage of total deposits to be so controlled, or the
acquisition is approved by the state bank regulator and the standard on which
such approval is based does not have the effect of discriminating against out-
of-state institutions.

Interstate branching under the Interstate Banking and Branching Act (the
"Branching Act") permits banks to merge across state lines, thereby creating a
bank headquartered in one state with branches in other states. Approval of
interstate bank mergers will be subject to certain conditions including:
adequate capitalization; adequate management; Community Reinvestment Act
compliance; deposit concentration limits (as set forth above); and compliance
with federal and state antitrust laws. An interstate merger transaction may
involve the acquisition of a branch without the acquisition of the bank only if
the law of the state in which the branch is located permits out-of-state banks
to acquire a branch of a bank in that state without acquiring the bank.
Following the consummation of an interstate transaction,

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
the resulting bank may establish additional branches at any location where any
bank involved in the transaction could have established a branch under
applicable federal or state law, if such bank had not been a party to the merger
transaction.

Interstate branches will be required to comply with host state community
reinvestment, consumer protection, fair lending, and intrastate branching laws,
as if the branch were chartered by the host state. An exception is provided for
national bank branches if federal law preempts the state requirements or if the
OCC determines that the state law has a discriminatory effect on out-of-state
banks. All other laws of the host state will apply to the branch to the same
extent as if the branch were a bank, the main office being located in the host
state.

The interstate branching by merger provisions became effective on June 1, 1997,
and allowed each state, prior to the effective date, the opportunity to "opt
out", thereby prohibiting interstate branching within that state. Of those
states in which First Midwest's banking subsidiaries are located (Illinois and
Iowa), neither has adopted legislation to "opt out" of the interstate branching
provisions. Furthermore, pursuant to the Branching Act, a bank is now able to
add new branches in a state in which it does not already have banking operations
if such state enacts a law permitting such de novo branching.

The effects on the Company of the changes in interstate banking and branching
laws cannot be accurately predicted, but it is likely that there will be
increased competition from national and regional banking firms headquartered
outside of Illinois.

  Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, As Amended

A bank holding company is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956, as amended (the "Act"), and must register with Federal Reserve
Board under that Act. A bank holding company is required by the Act to file an
annual report of its operations and such additional information as the Federal
Reserve Board may require and is subject, along with its subsidiaries, to
examination by the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board has
jurisdiction to regulate the terms of certain debt issues of bank holding
companies including the authority to impose reserve requirements.

The Act currently prohibits a bank holding company, or any subsidiary thereof,
other than a bank, from acquiring all or substantially all the assets of any
bank located outside of Illinois or for a bank holding company or any subsidiary
from acquiring five percent (5%) or more of the voting shares of any bank
located outside of Illinois unless such acquisition is specifically authorized
by the laws of the state in which the bank is located and the acquiror receives
prior approval from the Federal Reserve Board. The acquisition of five percent
(5%) or more of the voting shares of any bank located in Illinois requires the
prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board and is subject to state law
limitations.

The Act also prohibits, with certain exceptions, a bank holding company from
acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than five percent (5%)
of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank and from engaging in any
business other than that of banking, managing and controlling banks, or
furnishing services to banks and their subsidiaries, except that bank holding
companies may engage in, and may own shares of, companies engaged in certain
businesses found by the Federal Reserve Board to be "so closely related to
banking...as to be a proper incident thereto". Under current regulations of the
Federal Reserve Board, a bank holding company and its nonbank subsidiaries are
permitted, among other activities, to engage in such banking-related business
ventures as sales and consumer finance, equipment leasing, computer service
bureau and software operations, mortgage banking and brokerage, and sale and
leaseback and other forms of real estate banking. The Act does not place
territorial restrictions on the activities of a bank holding company or its
nonbank subsidiaries.

Federal law prohibits acquisition of "control" of a bank or bank holding company
without prior notice to certain federal bank regulators. "Control" is defined in
certain cases as the acquisition of as little as 10% of the outstanding shares.
Furthermore, under certain circumstances, a bank holding company may not be able
to purchase its own stock where the gross consideration will equal 10% or more
of the company's net worth without obtaining approval of the Federal Reserve
Board.

  Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989

The passage of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act
of 1989 ("FIRREA") resulted in significant changes in the enforcement powers of
federal banking agencies, and more significantly, the manner in

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
which the thrift industry is regulated. While FIRREA's primary purpose was to
address public concern over the financial crises of the thrift industry through
the imposition of strict reforms on that industry, FIRREA grants bank holding
companies more expansive rights of entry into "the savings institution" market
through the acquisition of both healthy and failed savings institutions. Under
the provisions of FIRREA, a bank holding company can expand its geographic
market or increase its concentration in an existing market by acquiring a
savings institution, but it cannot expand its product market by acquiring a
savings institution.

  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (the "FDIC
Improvement Act") introduced a comprehensive and fundamentally changed approach
to banking supervision, generally subjecting banking institutions to
significantly increased regulation and supervision. Some of the provisions
contained in the FDIC Improvement Act include the implementation of a risk-
related premium system for FDIC-insured deposits, revisions in the process of
supervision and examination for depository institutions, and federal deposit
insurance reforms. The FDIC Improvement Act has had, and is expected to continue
to have, a broad and significant impact on the structure and condition of the
banking industry.

  Regulation of Mortgage Banking Operations

FMMC's primary regulator is the Federal Reserve Board. FMMC is also subject to
the rules and regulations of various governmental regulatory authorities
including, but not limited to, the Federal Housing Authority ("FHA"), the
Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), Veterans Administration
("VA"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") and Federal National
Mortgage Association ("FNMA") with respect to originating, processing, selling
and servicing mortgage loans. Those rules and regulations, among other things,
establish underwriting guidelines which include provisions for inspections and
appraisals, require credit reports on prospective borrowers, and fix maximum
loan amounts. Moreover, lenders such as FMMC are required annually to submit to
FNMA, FHA and FHLMC audited financial statements, and each regulatory entity has
its own financial requirements. FMMC's affairs are also subject to examination
by FNMA, FHA, FHLMC and VA at all times to assure compliance with the applicable
regulations, policies and procedures. Mortgage origination activities are
subject to, among others, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Federal Truth-in-
Lending Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures
Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder which prohibit discrimination and
require the disclosure of certain basic information to mortgagors concerning
credit terms and settlement costs. Additionally, there are various state and
local laws and regulations affecting FMMC's operations as well as requirements
promulgated by various private investors such as life insurance companies and
others to whom loans have been sold.

  Capital Guidelines

The Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and the FDIC have established risk-based
capital guidelines to provide a framework for assessing the adequacy of the
capital of national banks and their bank holding companies (collectively
"banking institutions"). These guidelines apply to all banking institutions
regardless of size and are used in the examination and supervisory process as
well as in the analysis of applications to be acted upon by the regulatory
authorities. These guidelines require banking institutions to maintain capital
based on the credit risk of their operations, both on and off-balance sheet.

The minimum capital ratios established by the guidelines are based on both tier
1 and total capital to total risk-based assets. Total risk-based assets are
calculated by assigning each on-balance sheet asset and off-balance sheet item
to one of four risk categories depending on the nature of each item. The amount
of the items in each category is then multiplied by the risk-weight assigned to
that category (0%, 20%, 50% or 100%). Total risk-based assets equals the sum of
the resulting amounts. At December 31, 1998, banking institutions were required
to maintain a minimum ratio of tier 1 capital to total risk-based assets of
4.0%, with "tier 1 capital" generally defined as stockholders' equity less
certain intangible assets. In addition, banking institutions are required to
maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-based assets of 8.0%,
with at least 50% of the risk-based capital requirement to be met with tier 1
capital. Total capital is generally defined to include tier 1 capital plus
limited levels of the reserve for loan losses.

In addition to the risk-based capital requirements, the Federal Reserve Board,
the OCC and the FDIC require banking institutions to maintain a minimum
leveraged-capital ratio to supplement the risk-based capital guidelines. The
leverage ratio is intended to ensure that adequate capital is maintained against
risks other than credit risk. The

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
leverage standards required by the regulators establish a minimum required ratio
of tier 1 capital to total assets for a banking institution based on the
regulatory rating assigned to the institution at on-site examinations conducted
by its primary regulator. For banking institutions receiving the highest rating
available from its primary regulator, a minimum ratio of 3% is required,
assuming that the institution is not experiencing, or anticipating to
experience, significant growth. All other banking institutions will be expected
to maintain a ratio of tier 1 capital to total assets of at least 4% to 5%,
depending upon their particular circumstances and risk profiles, as determined
by their primary regulator.

The Company exceeds the minimum required capital guidelines for both risk-based
capital ratios and the leverage ratio at December 31, 1998. The Company's
capital structure and capital ratios relative to the regulatory guidelines are
further detailed in the "Capital Management and Dividends" section of
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations located on page 26.

  Dividends

In addition to capital guidelines, there are various national and state banking
regulations which limit the ability of the Affiliates to pay dividends to the
Company. Since the Company is a legal entity, separate and distinct from its
Affiliates, its dividends to stockholders are not subject to such bank
regulatory guidelines.

The Bank and the Trust Company are national banking associations and as such are
limited in the amount of dividends that they can pay to the Company under
Sections 56 and 60 of the National Bank Act. Section 56 restricts a national
bank from paying dividends if it would impair the institution's capital by
barring any payments in excess of net profits then on hand. Section 56 further
requires that a bank deduct losses and bad debts from "net profits then on
hand". It also specifies that a portion of a bank's capital surplus account may
be included as "net profits then on hand", to the extent that it represents
earnings from prior periods. Dividends on preferred stock are not subject to the
limitations set forth in Section 56. Section 60 requires OCC approval if the
total of all dividends declared on common stock in any calendar year will exceed
the institution's net profits of that year combined with its retained net
profits of the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus. In
calculating its net profits under Section 60, a national bank may not add back
provisions made to its reserve for loan losses nor deduct net charge-offs.
Unlike Section 56, dividends on preferred stock are subject to the limitations
set forth in Section 60.

Dividends from FMMC may be paid to the extent that such dividends do not reduce
the capital of FMMC below $1,000,000.

The appropriate Federal regulatory authority is authorized to determine, under
certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank or bank
holding company, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound
practice and to prohibit payment thereof.

  FDIC Insurance Premiums

The Bank's deposits are predominantly insured through the BIF while certain
deposits held by the Bank are insured through the SAIF, both of which are
administered by the FDIC. As insurer, the FDIC imposes deposit insurance
premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of, and to require reporting
by, FDIC-insured institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution
from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose
a serious risk to the FDIC.

The FDIC's deposit insurance premiums are assessed through a risk-based system
under which all insured depository institutions are placed into one of nine
categories and assessed insurance premiums on deposits based upon their level of
capital and supervisory evaluation. For 1999, the Bank will pay premium
assessments on both its BIF and SAIF insured deposits in order to service the
interest on the Financing Corporation ("FICO") bond obligations which were used
to finance the cost of "thrift bailouts" in the 1980's. The FICO assessment
rates for the first semi-annual period of 1999 were set at $.0122 per $100 of
insured deposits for BIF assessable deposits and $.061 per $100 in deposits for
SAIF assessable deposits. These rates may be adjusted quarterly to reflect
changes in assessment basis for the BIF and SAIF. By law, the FICO rate on BIF
assessable deposits must be one-fifth of the rate on SAIF assessable deposits
until the insurance funds are merged or until January 1, 2000, whichever occurs
first.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Monetary Policy and Economic Conditions

The earnings of the Company are affected by general economic conditions in
addition to the policies of various governmental regulatory authorities. In
particular, the actions and policies of the Federal Reserve Board exert a major
influence on interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits, credit
conditions and the growth of loans and the price of assets such as securities.
Some of the methods used by the Federal Reserve Board to promote orderly
economic growth by influencing interest rates and the supply of money and credit
include open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the
discount rate on member-bank borrowings, and changes in reserve requirements
against member-bank deposits.

In addition to the actions of the Federal Reserve Board, the Company's earnings
are also affected by FDIC insurance premiums and the annual fees charged by the
OCC, which is responsible for the supervision of national banks. The effect of
the various measures used by the Federal Reserve Board and other regulatory
authorities on the future business and earnings of the Company cannot be
reasonably predicted.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                               ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Affiliates own substantially all of the properties in which their various
offices are located.  The following table summarizes the Company's properties by
location:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
Affiliate                Markets Served              Property Type/Location                    Ownership
- ---------                --------------              -----------------------                   ----------
<S>                      <C>                         <C>                                       <C>  
The Company                                          Administrative office: Itasca, Illinois   Leased

First Midwest Bank,      Cook, Champaign,            Administrative office: Itasca, Illinois   Fifty-four
National Association     DuPage, Grundy, Knox,       Seventy-six banking offices located       owned/Twenty-
                         Lake, LaSalle, Rock         in markets served.                        two/leased
                         Island, Vermilion
                         and Will Counties, 
                         Illinois; Scott County, 
                         Iowa

First Midwest Trust      Same markets served         Main office: Joliet, Illinois             Owned
Company, N.A. and        by the Bank                 Additional Trust offices located in
Heritage Bank, N.A.                                  Danville, Deerfield, Lake Forest, 
                                                     Moline, Morris, Tinley Park, Illinois;
                                                     Davenport, Iowa.

First Midwest Mortgage   Same markets served         Main office: Joliet, Illinois             Owned
Corporation              by the Bank                 Additional offices located 
                                                     within each banking office.

</TABLE> 
In addition to the banking locations listed above, the Bank owns 106 automatic
teller machines, some of which are housed within a banking office and some of
which are independently located.

                           ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are certain legal proceedings pending against First Midwest and its
Affiliates in the ordinary course of business at December 31, 1998. In assessing
these proceedings, including the advice of counsel, First Midwest believes that
liabilities arising from these proceedings, if any, would not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition of First Midwest.

          ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no items submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1998.

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

               ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
                        AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

First Midwest's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the
symbol "FMBI". Stock price quotations can be found in The Wall Street Journal
and other major daily newspapers. As of December 31, 1998, there were
approximately 3,500 stockholders of record. The following table sets forth the
common stock price, dividends per share and book value per share during each
quarter of 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1998                                    1997
                                     ----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
                                       Fourth     Third        Second      First        Fourth      Third       Second      First
                                     ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Market price of common stock
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
   High...........................     $   41.63   $   48.00   $   52.00   $   45.00   $   45.25   $   37.75   $   33.88   $   32.50
   Low............................     $   35.00   $   34.12   $   42.50   $   38.00   $   36.00   $   31.25   $   29.50   $   29.38
   Quarter-end....................     $   38.06   $   39.56   $   43.97   $   43.50   $   43.75   $   37.50   $   31.69   $   29.75
Cash dividends per share..........     $   0.240   $   0.225   $   0.225   $   0.225   $   0.225   $   0.200   $   0.200   $   0.200
Dividend yield at quarter-end/(1)/         2.40%       2.28%       2.05%       2.07%       1.89%       2.13%       2.52%       2.68%
Book value per share at
    quarter-end...................     $   15.60   $   15.65   $   16.01   $   15.80   $   15.65   $   15.38   $   14.79   $   14.23
Number of shares traded...........     2,551,229   3,685,416   1,833,825   2,069,212   2,098,930   1,982,587   2,115,114   2,245,149
                                     ============ =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ==========

</TABLE>

/(1)/ Ratios are presented on an annualized basis.

A discussion regarding the regulatory restrictions applicable to the Affiliates'
ability to pay dividends to the Company is included in the "Dividends" section
under Item 1 located on page 8. A discussion of the Company's philosophy
regarding the payment of dividends is included in the "Capital Management and
Dividends" section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations located on page 26.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                        ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Consolidated financial information reflecting a summary of the operating results
and financial condition of First Midwest for the five years ended December 31,
1998 is presented in the table that follows. The previously reported information
contained herein has been restated to include the acquisition of Heritage
Financial Services, Inc. ("Heritage") in July, 1998 which was accounted for as a
pooling of interests. This summary should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in
this Form 10-K. A more detailed discussion and analysis of the Heritage
acquisition and the factors affecting First Midwest's financial condition and
operating results is presented in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" starting on the following
page.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Years ended December 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1998                1997               1996          1995         1994
                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Results (Amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                <C>           <C>           <C>
Interest income.................................      $  364,597          $  361,661         $  352,617    $  349,564    $  295,368
Interest expense................................         177,016             168,518            168,975       175,656       125,804
Net interest income.............................         187,581             193,143            183,642       173,908       169,564
Provision for loan losses/(1)/..................           5,542               9,365              8,189        11,654         8,743
Noninterest income..............................          55,462              47,372             42,554        41,106        36,976
Noninterest expense.............................         142,654             140,671            135,763       132,664       131,032
Special charge, net of (credits)/(2)/...........          16,148               5,446                300         3,529         3,900
Income tax expense..............................          23,995              28,425             27,234        22,469        20,972
Net income/(3)/.................................      $   54,704          $   56,608         $   54,710    $   44,698    $   41,893
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share Data

Basic earnings per share........................      $     1.87          $     1.93         $     1.86    $     1.52    $     1.43
Diluted earnings per share/(3)/.................            1.84                1.89               1.82          1.49          1.41
Cash dividends declared.........................           0.915               0.825              0.704         0.608         0.544
Book value at period end........................           15.60               15.65              14.30         13.35         11.41
Market value at period end......................           38.06               43.75              32.63         23.10         19.19
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Ratios

Return on average equity/(3)/...................           11.78%              13.16%             13.55%        12.21%        12.57%
Return on average assets/(3)/...................            1.07%               1.18%              1.15%         0.96%         0.97%
Net interest margin - tax equivalent............            4.21%               4.52%              4.33%         4.16%         4.39%
Dividend payout ratio...........................           49.72%              42.65%             37.92%        39.98%        37.91%
Average equity to average assets ratio..........            9.12%               8.98%              8.51%         7.90%         7.74%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Highlights (Amounts in thousands).                                    As of December 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1998                1997               1996          1995         1994
                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets....................................      $5,192,887          $4,933,495         $4,804,020    $4,727,179    $4,495,538
Loans...........................................       2,664,417           3,044,794          2,991,229     2,934,010     2,683,917
Deposits........................................       4,050,451           3,935,607          3,690,242     3,572,243     3,329,567
Stockholders' equity............................         452,898             459,719            418,130       393,843       333,830
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


/(1)/   1998, 1997 and 1995 include $650, $1,293 and $548, respectively, in
        provisions for loan losses incident to conforming the credit policies of
        acquirees to those of First Midwest.

/(2)/   Special charges in 1998, 1997 and 1995 include acquisition costs and
        expenses incident to the Heritage, SparBank and CF Bancorp, Inc.
        acquisitions, respectively; see "Acquisitions" on page 13. 1996 includes
        a special assessment expense for SAIF of $1,603, net of acquisition
        credits of $1,340. 1994 represents restructure expenses.

/(3)/   Net income, diluted earnings per share, return on average equity and
        return on average assets on a pro-forma basis excluding the after-tax
        effect of the provisions for loan losses and special charges described
        in (1) and (2) above are as follows:

   Pro Forma Selected Financial Data
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Years ended December 31,
                                 ---------------------------------------------------
Pro Forma                          1998       1997       1996       1995       1994
- ---------                        -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net income.....................  $67,237    $61,690    $54,504    $47,874    $44,272
Diluted earnings per share ....  $  2.26    $  2.06    $  1.81    $  1.59    $  1.49
Return on average assets ......     1.32%      1.29%      1.15%      1.03%      1.03%
Return on average equity.......    14.48%     14.34%     13.49%     13.08%     13.29%
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
           ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

The following discussion and analysis is intended to address the significant
factors affecting First Midwest's consolidated income statements for the years
1996 through 1998 and statements of condition as of December 31, 1997 and 1998.
The discussion is designed to provide stockholders with a more comprehensive
review of the operating results and financial condition than could be obtained
from a review of the consolidated financial statements alone and should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes
thereto and other financial information presented in this Form 10-K.

A condensed review of operations for the fourth quarter of 1998 is included on
page 38. The review provides an analysis of the quarterly earnings performance
for the fourth quarter of 1998 as compared to the same period in 1997.

The consolidated financial statements and financial information for all
previously reported periods presented herein have been restated to include First
Midwest's July 1, 1998 acquisition of Heritage which was accounted for as a
pooling-of-interests and is discussed in the "Acquisitions" section that
follows.

All dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except per share date. Unless
otherwise stated, all earnings per share data included in this section and
through the remainder of this discussion are presented on a diluted basis.

ACQUISITIONS

Heritage Financial Services, Inc.

On July 1, 1998, First Midwest consummated the merger with Heritage in a
transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. Heritage, headquartered in
suburban Chicago, was a multi-bank holding company whose subsidiaries included a
17 branch commercial bank, a trust company and a subsidiary that offered trust
services and operated an insurance agency business. Heritage had total assets
and stockholders' equity of approximately $1.4 billion and $131 million,
respectively, as of July 1, 1998. Each outstanding share of Heritage Common
Stock, no par value, was converted into .7695 shares of First Midwest Common
Stock, $.01 par value, resulting in the issuance of approximately 9.6 million
shares of First Midwest Common Stock. First Midwest merged Heritage's commercial
bank and trust company, into First Midwest Bank, National Association and First
Midwest Trust Company, respectively, in the fourth quarter 1998. The remaining
subsidiary, Heritage Bank, National Association, continues to offer trust
services to customers of First Midwest; the insurance agency business formerly
operated by this subsidiary was transferred to First Midwest Bank, National
Association in connection with the commercial bank merger.

In connection with the merger, First Midwest recognized, in the third quarter of
1998, a pretax merger-related charge totalling $16,798 consisting of $16,148 in
customary acquisition related costs and expenses and $650 in provision for loan
losses incident to conforming the commercial bank's credit policies to First
Midwest's. Further information regarding the transaction is included under Item
1 of this Form 10-K located on page 4 and in Note 2 to "Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements" located on page 48.
 
SparBank, Incorporated

On October 1, 1997, First Midwest consummated the merger with SparBank,
Incorporated ("SparBank"), the holding company of McHenry State Bank ("MSB") a
$499 million commercial bank, located in McHenry, Illinois. The transaction was
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests with an exchange of common stock
resulting in the issuance of approximately 3.2 million shares of First Midwest
Common Stock to SparBank shareholders. In connection with the merger, First
Midwest recorded a merger-related charge in the amount $5,082 or $.17 per share
relating to the acquisition consisting of $4,292 in acquisition related costs
and expenses and $790 in provision for loan losses incident to conforming MSB's
credit policies to First Midwest's. On February 23, 1998, MSB was merged into
First Midwest Bank, National Association. Further information regarding the
transaction is included in Note 2 to "Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements" located on page 48.

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
SUMMARY OF RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS

Net Income

Net income for 1998 totaled $54,704 or $1.84 per share as compared to $56,608 or
$1.89 per share in 1997 and $54,710 or $1.82 per share in 1996 and included
certain special items detailed on Table 1 that follows. First Midwest's pro
forma net income before special items for 1998 totaled $67,237 or $2.26 per
share as compared to $61,690 or $2.06 per share in 1997 and $54,504 or $1.81 per
share in 1996.

Table 1 reconciles the reported net income to pro forma net income before
special items on an after-tax basis for 1998, 1997 and 1996:

                                    Table 1
                        Analysis of Reported Net Income
                 Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  Diluted
                                                         Net      Earnings
                                                        Income   Per Share
                                                     ----------  ---------
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>
Reported Net Income - 1998                             $54,704      $ 1.84
  Merger related (net of tax):
    Expenses......................................      12,143        0.41
    Provisions for loan losses....................         390        0.01
                                                     ----------  ---------
Pro Forma Net Income before special items - 1998..     $67,237      $ 2.26
                                                     ==========  =========

Reported Net Income - 1997                              56,608      $ 1.89
  Merger related (net of tax):
    Expenses......................................       4,292        0.14
    Provisions for loan losses....................         790        0.03
                                                     ----------  ---------
Pro Forma Net Income before special items - 1997..      61,690      $ 2.06
                                                     ==========  =========

Reported Net Income - 1996                             $54,710      $ 1.82
  Merger related credits (net of tax).............      (1,190)      (0.04)
  Special SAIF assessment (net of tax)............         984        0.03
                                                     ----------  ---------
Pro Forma Net Income before special items - 1996..     $54,504      $ 1.81
                                                     ==========  =========
</TABLE>

Pro forma net income per share increased by 9.7% from 1997 to 1998 and followed
an increase of 13.8% from 1996 to 1997. The improvement in 1998 as compared to
1997 resulted from higher levels of noninterest income, a decrease in the
provision for loan losses and controlled noninterest expense. The increase in
1997 as compared to 1996 was due primarily to a higher net interest margin and
the resulting improvement in net interest income. Special items occurring in
both 1998 and 1997 resulted from the mergers with Heritage and SparBank,
respectively.

Performance Ratios

Return on average stockholders' equity for 1998 was 11.78% as compared to 13.16%
in 1997 and 13.55% in 1996. Return on average assets for 1998 was 1.07% as
compared to 1.18% in 1997 and 1.15% in 1996.

Excluding the special items discussed above both return on average stockholders'
equity and assets has improved over the last three years. Pro forma return on
average stockholders' equity was 14.48% in 1998, 14.34% in 1997 and 13.49% in
1996 while pro forma return on average assets was 1.32% in 1998, 1.29% in 1997
and 1.15% in 1996.

Credit Quality

Nonperforming loans totaled $20,638 or .77% of net loans at December 31, 1998,
as compared to $11,838 or .39% of net loans at December 31, 1997. Foreclosed
real estate decreased to $1,015 at December 31, 1998 from $5,119 at December 31,
1997. Nonperforming assets totaled $21,653 or .81% of loans plus foreclosed real
estate at December 31, 1998 as compared to $16,957 or .56% at the prior year-
end.

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
Capital and Dividends

First Midwest's capital structure continued to be strong at December 31, 1998,
with Tier 1 and Total Capital to risk-based assets of 12.04% and 13.29%,
respectively. The capital levels of First Midwest are in excess of those
designated as "well-capitalized" by the FDIC Improvement Act with such levels
having been maintained consistently as of each quarter end since inception of
the capital ratios required by the FDIC Improvement Act beginning in 1989.

The Company's capital position and earnings have allowed it to increase its
dividend in 1998, for the sixth straight year, to an indicated annual rate of
$.96 per share, from $.90 in 1997 and $.80 in 1995.

MANAGEMENT OF NET INTEREST MARGIN

Net Interest Income

Net interest income represents the difference between interest income and fees
earned on loans, securities and other earning assets and interest expense paid
for the funding sources used to finance those assets. Changes in net interest
income generally occur due to fluctuations in the volume of earning assets and
paying liabilities and the rates earned and paid, respectively, on those assets
and liabilities. Net interest margin represents net interest income as a
percentage of total interest earning assets. For purposes of this discussion,
both net interest income and margin have been adjusted to a fully tax equivalent
basis for certain tax-exempt loans and securities.

Table 2 summarizes First Midwest's average earning assets and funding sources
over the last three years. Additionally, the table shows interest income and
expense related to each category of assets and funding sources and the yields
earned and the rates paid on each.

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                                    Table 2
                    Net Interest Income and Margin Analysis

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1998                               1997                               1996
                             -------------------------------    -------------------------------    -------------------------------
                                                       Yield                              Yield                              Yield
                               Average                 /Rate      Average                 /Rate       Average                /Rate
                               Balance     Interest     (%)       Balance      Interest    (%)        Balance     Interest    (%)
                             -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>          <C>
Assets:
Interest bearing deposits
 with banks................. $     1,431  $       195  13.63    $     3,697  $       236   6.38    $     4,230  $       293   6.93
Securities:
  Available for sale/(1)/...   1,570,759       96,804   6.16      1,301,810       90,159   6.93      1,329,181       87,993   6.62
  Held to maturity/(1)/.....     115,224       12,285  10.66        134,931       10,569   7.83        141,565       11,724   8.28
                             -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----
    Total securities........   1,685,983      109,089   6.47      1,436,741      100,728   7.01      1,470,746       99,717   6.78

Federal funds sold and
 securities purchased under
 agreements to resell.......      48,314        2,649   5.48         30,773        1,659   5.39         30,946        1,783   5.76
Mortgages held for sale.....      43,950        3,378   7.69         13,131        1,026   7.81         18,895        2,061  10.91
Loans, net of unearned
 discount/(1)(2)(3)/........   2,945,126      260,389   8.84      2,998,890      267,543   8.92      2,895,154      256,708   8.87
                             -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----
    Total interest earning
    assets/(1)(2)/..........   4,724,804      375,700   7.95      4,483,232      371,192   8.28      4,419,971      360,562   8.16
                                          -----------  -----                 -----------  -----                 -----------  -----
Cash and due from banks.....     157,992                            159,421                            184,701
Reserve for loan losses.....     (45,715)                           (45,460)                           (40,384)
Other assets................     256,048                            194,016                            179,514
                             -----------                        -----------                        -----------
    Total assets............ $ 5,093,129                        $ 4,791,209                        $ 4,743,802
                             ===========                        ===========                        ===========
Liabilities and
  Stockholders' Equity:

Savings deposits............ $   533,078  $    13,696   2.57    $   555,268  $    14,865   2.68    $   580,938  $    15,668   2.70
NOW accounts................     430,272        9,798   2.28        411,128        9,568   2.33        397,600        9,284   2.34
Money market deposits.......     493,700       19,241   3.90        422,851       16,103   3.81        399,570       14,081   3.52
Time deposits...............   1,882,182      103,477   5.50      1,798,172      100,129   5.57      1,736,307       97,437   5.61
Short-term borrowings.......     597,630       30,804   5.15        523,829       27,853   5.32        615,891       32,505   5.28
                             -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----    -----------  -----------  -----
    Total interest bearing
    liabilities.............   3,936,862      177,016   4.50      3,711,248      168,518   4.54      3,730,306      168,975   4.53
                                          -----------  -----                 -----------  -----                 -----------  -----
Demand deposits.............     642,201                            594,100                            560,928
Other liabilities...........      49,584                             55,598                             48,708
Stockholders' equity........     464,482                            430,263                            403,860
                             -----------                        -----------                        -----------
    Total liabilities
     and stockholders'
     equity................. $ 5,093,129                        $ 4,791,209                        $ 4,743,802
                             ===========                        ===========                        ===========
Net interest
  income/margin/(1)/........              $   198,684   4.21                 $   202,674   4.52                 $   191,584   4.33
                                          ===========  =====                 ===========  =====                 ===========  =====
</TABLE>
- ------------

/(1)/  Interest income and yields are presented on a tax equivalent basis,
       assuming a federal tax rate of 35%.

/(2)/  Loans on a nonaccrual basis for the recognition of interest income
       totaling $20,638, $11,699 and $16,974, as of December 31, 1998, 1997 and
       1996, respectively, and are included in loans, net of unearned discount,
       for purposes of this analysis.

/(3)/  The amount of loan fees is not material in any of the years presented.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Table 3 analyzes the changes in interest income, interest expense and net
interest income that result from changes in volumes of earning assets and
funding sources, as well as fluctuations in interest rates.

                                    Table 3
    Changes in Net Interest Income Applicable to Volumes and Interest Rates

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 as Compared to 1997                             Interest Income/Expense                     Increase/(Decrease) due to: /(1)/
- ------------------------                         ---------------------------------             ---------    ----------  ----------
                                                                          Increase
                                                     1998       1997     (Decease)                 Volume     Rate         Total
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------   ----------  ----------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>         <C>                   <C>          <C>         <C>
Interest bearing deposits with banks............ $      195  $      236  $      (41)           $       50   $      (91) $      (41)
Securities:
  Available for sale/(2)/.......................     96,804      90,159       6,645                14,232       (7,587)      6,645
  Held to maturity - taxable....................      1,451         865         586                   718         (132)        586
  Held to maturity - nontaxable/(2)/............     10,834       9,704       1,130                (1,171)       2,301       1,130
Federal funds sold and securities
  purchased under agreements
  to resell/(2)/................................      2,649       1,659         990                   961           29         990
Mortgages held for sale.........................      3,378       1,026       2,352                 2,369          (17)      2,352
Loans, net of unearned discount/(2)/............    260,389     267,543      (7,154)               (4,768)      (2,386)     (7,154)
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------   ----------  ----------
Total interest income/(2)/...................... $  375,700  $  371,192  $    4,508            $   12,391   $   (7,883) $    4,508
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------   ----------  ----------
Savings deposits................................ $   13,696  $   14,865  $   (1,169)           $     (581)  $     (588) $   (1,169)
NOW accounts....................................      9,799       9,568         231                   428         (197)        231
Money market deposits...........................     19,241      16,103       3,138                 2,752          386       3,138
Time deposits...................................    103,477     100,129       3,348                 4,597       (1,249)      3,348
Short-term borrowings...........................     30,803      27,853       2,950                 3,772         (822)      2,950
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------   ----------  ----------
  Total interest expense........................    177,016     168,518       8,498                10,968       (2,470)      8,498
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------   ----------  ----------
    Net interest income/(2)/.................... $  198,684  $  202,674  $   (3,990)           $    1,423   $   (5,413) $   (3,990)
                                                 ==========  ==========  ==========            ==========   ==========  ==========

1997 as Compared to 1996                             Interest Income/Expense                     Increase/(Decrease) due to:/(1)/
- ------------------------                         ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------------------------------
                                                                                                                           Increase
                                                       1997       1996   (Decrease)                Volume     Rate         Total
                                                 ----------  ----------  -----------          -----------   ----------  ----------
Interest bearing deposits with banks............ $      236  $      293  $      (57)          $       (36)   $     (21) $      (57)
Securities:
  Available for sale/(2)/.......................     90,159      87,993       2,166                (1,742)        3908       2,166
  Held to maturity - taxable....................        865       1,112        (247)                 (194)         (53)       (247)
  Held to maturity - nontaxable/(2)/............      9,704      10,612        (908)                 (309)        (599)       (908)
Federal funds sold and securities
  purchased under agreements
  to resell/(2)/................................      1,659       1,783        (124)                  (11)        (113)       (124)
Mortgages held for sale.........................      1,026       2,061      (1,035)                 (537)        (498)     (1,035)
Loans, net of unearned discount/(2)/............    267,543     256,708      10,835                 9,247        1,588      10,835
                                                 ----------  ---------- -----------            ----------   ----------  ----------
Total interest income/(2)/...................... $  371,192  $  360,562  $   10,630            $    6,418    $   4,212  $   10,630
                                                 ----------  ---------- -----------            ----------   ----------  ----------

Savings deposits................................ $   14,865  $   15,668  $     (803)           $     (687)  $     (116) $     (803)
NOW accounts....................................      9,568       9,284         284                   316          (32)        284
Money market deposits...........................     16,103      14,081       2,022                   846        1,176       2,022
Time deposits...................................    100,129      97,437       2,692                 3,440         (748)      2,692
Short-term borrowings...........................     27,853      32,505      (4,652)               (4,899)         247      (4,652)
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------   ----------  -----------
  Total interest expense........................    168,518     168,975        (457)                 (984)         527        (457)
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------            ----------   ----------  ------------
    Net interest income/(2)/.................... $  202,674  $  191,587  $   11,087            $    7,402   $    3,685  $   11,087
                                                 ==========  ==========  ==========            ==========   ==========  ============
</TABLE>
- ------------------------

  /(1)/   For purposes of this table, changes which are not due solely to
          volume changes or rate changes are allocated to such categories on
          the basis of the percentage relationship of each to the sum of the
          two.

  /(2)/   Interest income is presented on a tax equivalent basis.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Net interest margin in 1998 decreased to 4.21% from 4.52% in 1997 and 4.33% in
1996. The decrease in net interest margin in 1998 is primarily due to four
factors: (i) a lower level of high yielding loans; (ii) a reduction in the
overall yield of the securities available for sale portfolio relating primarily
to collateralized mortgage obligations; (iii) a higher level of public funds at
lower interest spreads; and, (iv) the purchase of corporate owned life
insurance.

As noted on Table 3, the most significant factor effecting the reduction in net
interest income from 1997 to 1998 was a decrease in interest income on the loan
portfolio attributable to both lower volumes and, to a lesser extent, lower
rates earned on the portfolio. The year-to-year reduction in loan volumes is due
to two factors; securitized loans transferred to the securities available for
sale portfolio and the planned outplacement of certain higher risk loans. During
1998, First Midwest securitized approximately $245 million in 1 - 4 family
residential real estate loans and transferred them to the securities available
for sale portfolio as a result of the integration of both the Heritage and
SparBank loan portfolios. Additionally, during 1998 First Midwest undertook the
planned outplacement of approximately $50 million in higher risk loans from both
the First Midwest and Heritage loan portfolios in an effort to improve the risk
profile of the consolidated portfolio.

First Midwest's collateralized mortgage obligation ("CMO") portfolio of 
mortgage-backed securities is carried in the securities available for sale
category. As noted in Table 2, the yield on securities available for sale
decreased to 6.16% in 1998 from 6.93% in 1997 and 6.62% in 1996. The reduction
in the overall rate earned was due primarily to the CMO portfolio and resulted
from the overall low interest rate environment and its impact on mortgage
refinancings generally. As a result of the trend in refinancings, mortgage loan
prepayments and the resulting prepayments on the CMO portfolio increased
significantly in 1998 and, the overall investment yield was negatively impacted.
To minimize earnings volatility, First Midwest restructured its securities
available for sale portfolio during 1998, selling a portion of its CMO portfolio
and reinvesting the proceeds in a combination of U.S. Government and tax-exempt
securities.

Also contributing to the reduction in net interest margin during 1998 was an
increase in public funds deposited by local governments accompanied by a
reduction in the net interest spread earned on such funds of approximately 85
basis points, primarily during the second half of 1998. The increase in volumes
was due primarily to a seasonal, higher level of tax receipts and operating
funds deposited by this core customer base while the decrease in interest spread
was primarily due to the volatility in the interest rate markets during the
third quarter of 1998.

Finally, First Midwest purchased approximately $100 million in corporate owned
life insurance during 1998, while no such investment existed in 1997. While the
life insurance asset is reflected on the statement of condition as a non-earning
asset with the related income being reflected in noninterest income, the cost of
funding the assets flows through net interest income in the form of interest
expense. The earnings on corporate owned life insurance produces an after-tax
earnings rate of approximately 9.1%. The impact of this investment on net
interest margin in 1998 was a reduction of approximately 10 basis points.

While First Midwest is able to partially insulate itself against volatility in
the interest rate markets through asset/liability management techniques and the
establishment of funding/liquidity policies, improvement in net interest margin
and income in future quarters will be dependent on its ability to generate
higher yielding assets, primarily in the form of loan growth.

The following sections entitled "Rate Sensitivity Management" and "Funding and
Liquidity Management" describe the techniques used by First Midwest in managing
the volatility and other factors affecting net interest income and net interest
margin.

Rate Sensitivity Management

First Midwest's earning assets and funding sources do not respond uniformly to
changing market interest rates because of the differing interest rate, repricing
and maturity characteristics of the various balance sheet categories of assets
and liabilities. Interest rate risk is the degree to which these market interest
rate fluctuations can affect net interest income. While there are several ways
in which to analyze interest rate risk, the traditional method is called "gap"
analysis. Gap analysis is a static management tool used to identify mismatches
or gaps in the repricing of assets and liabilities within specified periods of
time.

First Midwest's gap analysis as of December 31, 1998 is presented in Table 4.
Earning assets and interest bearing liabilities are presented within selected
time intervals over a one-year forward period based upon their repricing and
maturity characteristics. In a perfectly matched gap analysis, an equal amount
of rate-sensitive assets and liabilities would be reflected as repricing within
each given time interval. A positive interest rate sensitivity gap indicates
more assets than liabilities will reprice in that time period, while a negative
gap indicates more liabilities will reprice.


                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                                    Table 4
               Analysis of Rate Sensitive Assets and Liabilities
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                  181-365
At December 31, 1998                                1-31 Days     31-90 Days     91-180 Days        Days
- --------------------                               -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Rate Sensitive Assets (RSA)....................... $ 1,091,351    $   282,751    $   273,872    $   409,563
Rate Sensitive Liabilities (RSL).................. $ 2,494,527    $   346,559    $   395,108    $   357,245
Interest Sensitivity Gap (GAP)
  (RSA less RSL):
  Incremental..................................... $(1,403,176)   $   (63,808)   $  (121,236)   $    52,318
  Cumulative...................................... $(1,403,176)   $(1,466,984)   $(1,588,220)   $(1,535,902)
  Cumulative, excluding Savings and NOW accounts.. $  (515,505)   $  (579,313)   $  (700,549)   $  (648,231)
RSA/RSL (Ratio)...................................        43.7%          81.5%          69.3%         114.6%
GAP/Total Assets (Cumulative).....................       (27.0)%        (28.2)%        (30.6)%        (29.6)%
GAP/Total Assets (Cumulative, excluding Savings
and NOW accounts).................................        (9.9)%        (11.2)%        (13.5)%        (12.5)%
                                                   ===========    ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

The preceding table reflects a cumulative liability-sensitive balance sheet over
a one year time frame which likely will more positively affect net interest
income if interest rates fall than if they rise.  However, while the gap
analysis is widely used in the industry, it is unable to capture other factors
affecting the sensitivity of the balance sheet, such as the time lags required
for certain assets and liabilities to reprice because of their varying
sensitivity to changes in market interest rates. Furthermore, included in the
total for rate-sensitive liabilities are $887,671 in savings and NOW accounts.
While immediately repriceable, the rates paid on these deposit accounts will not
change in direct correlation with changes in the general level of short-term
interest rates.  For example, if First Midwest's base lending rate declines by
100 basis points, the interest rate paid on these deposits will not immediately
decline by the full 100 basis points.  Conversely, if lending rates increase by
the same amount, the rates paid on these deposits will likewise not increase
immediately or by the full 100 basis points.

For the reasons noted above, a static gap analysis has limitations in its
usefulness and its ability to effectively present the rate sensitivity of a
balance sheet.  Accordingly, First Midwest uses a more dynamic approach to
measuring interest rate risk by conducting simulations that demonstrate the
changes that would occur in net interest income under different interest rate
scenarios and balance sheet structures.  This form of modeling is conducted
monthly, involves adjustments to balance sheet volumes over a 12 month forward
period, incorporates a repricing analysis of earning assets and funding sources
and considers certain other off-balance sheet hedging vehicles such as interest
rate exchange agreements (swaps), as further described below.  Furthermore,
First Midwest has generally followed a policy of maintaining a balanced mix of
rate-sensitive assets and liabilities, making each side of the balance sheet
approximately equally flexible in reacting to changes in market interest rates
so that net interest income will not be adversely affected by more than 5%,
regardless of whether interest rates rise or fall rapidly.  The simulations
described above, coupled with policy guidelines intended to limit the
sensitivity of net interest income to changes in interest rates, provide
guidance to First Midwest in adjusting its strategies based on projections of
the future interest rate environment to ensure maximization of net interest
income.

The net interest income simulation model used by First Midwest to assess the
direction and magnitude of changes in net interest income resulting from changes
in interest rates utilizes interest rate scenarios that show interest rates
gradually rising by 100-200 basis points, falling by 100-200 basis points and
remaining flat over a 12 month horizon.  Additionally the model has the
capability of determining the affect on net interest income of an immediate and
sustained parallel change in interest rates.  Key assumptions in the model
include prepayment speeds on mortgage-related assets, cash flows and maturities
of derivative and other financial instruments, changes in loan volumes and
pricing, deposit sensitivity and First Midwest's capital plans.  The assumptions
are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely estimate
net interest income or precisely predict the impact of higher or lower rates on
net interest income.  Actual results will differ from simulated results due to
timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in interest
rate market conditions and strategies, among other factors.  Furthermore, First
Midwest also believes that immediate and sustained changes in interest rates
will not necessarily impact all interest bearing liabilities in the same
fashion.  As discussed above, an immediate increase or decrease in First
Midwest's base lending rate may not result in an immediate, identical increase
in rates paid on non-maturing, non-indexed interest bearing liabilities such as
savings accounts and NOW accounts. Accordingly, First Midwest analyzes the
impact of immediate and sustained parallel changes in interest rates both
including and excluding non-maturing, non-indexed deposits.  Based on the
results of its simulation model and the assumptions included therein, as of
December 31, 1998, exclusive of the effect of the rate increase on non-maturing,
non-indexed 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
deposits, First Midwest would expect a decrease in net interest income of 3.0%
and an increase in net interest income of 2.3% if interest rates experienced an
immediate increase or decrease, respectively, by 100 basis points over a 12
month period. If non-maturing, non-indexed deposits were included in this
analysis and were immediately affected by such increase or decrease in interest
rates, the reduction in net interest income from a rise in rates of 100 basis
points would be 9.1% while an improvement in net interest income of 5.6% would
result from a reduction in interest rates of 100 basis points. Comparative data
for 1997 is not presented due to the Heritage acquisition and the resulting
pooling-of-interests restatement. First Midwest believes that its interest rate
sensitivity position is appropriate given the current economic and interest rate
environment.

As a part of its approach to controlling the interest rate risk within its
balance sheet, First Midwest has entered into interest rate swaps with third
parties in order to limit variations in net interest income. The advantages of
using interest rate swaps include the ability to maintain or increase liquidity,
lower capital requirements as compared to cash instruments, enhance net interest
margin and to customize the interest rate swap agreement to meet desired risk
parameters. Interest rate swap transactions involve exchanges of fixed and
floating rate interest payments without the exchange of the underlying notional
(i.e., principal) amount on which the interest payments are calculated. The net
cash flow paid or received by First Midwest on these transactions is treated as
an adjustment to the interest income and expense on the underlying earning asset
or funding source to which the swap relates. These swaps earn interest at LIBOR
and pay interest at the prime rate (as quoted in The Wall Street Journal) less
238 basis points. The weighted average rate being received by First Midwest at
year-end 1998 was 5.608% while paying 5.290% on the $350,000 notional amount of
the basis swaps.

The primary risk associated with interest rate swap transactions is credit risk,
or the ability of the swap counterparty to perform its interest payment
obligation under the terms of the agreement. Credit risk on the interest rate
swap transactions consists of the aggregate net interest payable to First
Midwest by the counterparty in addition to the aggregate unrealized gain on the
swap position. First Midwest controls this credit risk by maintaining a policy
limiting credit exposure to any one counterparty to not more than 2.5% of
consolidated stockholders' equity. In addition, First Midwest's interest rate
swap transactions generally require the establishment of a mutual mark-to-market
arrangement whereby cash collateral may be required to be on deposit with First
Midwest and/or the counterparty.

As of December 31, 1998, First Midwest had total interest rate swaps with an
aggregate notional amount of $467,600 in place, hedging various balance sheet
categories. The specific terms of these swaps as well as the fair value are
detailed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page
60. First Midwest does not act as an intermediary in arranging interest rate
swaps for customers.

Funding and Liquidity Management

Liquidity management is the ability to provide funding sources at a minimum cost
to meet fluctuating deposit, withdrawal and loan demand needs. First Midwest's
liquidity policy establishes parameters as to how liquidity should be managed to
maintain flexibility in responding to changes in liquidity needs over a 12-month
forward period, including the requirement to formulate a quarterly liquidity
compliance plan for review by the Board of Directors.

While asset liquidity provides funds through the maturity and sale of loans,
securities, and other interest earning assets, another source of liquidity is
liability liquidity, consisting primarily of interest bearing and noninterest
bearing deposits as well as repurchase agreements. Other liability funding
sources potentially include funds purchased facilities available through
certain correspondent banks and funding through the discount window borrowing
facilities of the Federal Reserve System.

Table 5 provides a year-to-year comparison of the sources of First Midwest's
liability funding based upon average balances over the last three years.
Average, rather than period-end, balances are more meaningful in analyzing First
Midwest's funding sources because of the inherent fluctuations that occur on a
monthly basis within most deposit categories.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
                                    Table 5
                       Funding Sources - Average Balances

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 % of                 % of                 % of
                                                      1998      total      1997      total      1996      total

                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>     <C>          <C>     <C>          <C>
Demand deposits................................     $  642,201   14.03   $  594,100   13.80   $  560,928   13.10
Savings deposits...............................        533,078   11.64      555,268   12.90      580,938   13.50
NOW accounts...................................        430,272    9.40      411,128    9.60      397,600    9.30
Money market accounts..........................        493,700   10.78      422,851    9.80      399,570    9.30
Time deposits in denominations of $100 or less.      1,363,762   29.78    1,396,571   32.40    1,403,545   32.70
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 Core deposits.................................      3,463,013   75.63    3,379,918   78.50    3,342,581   77.90
Time deposits in denominations of $100 or more.        518,420   11.32      401,601    9.30      332,762    7.80
Repurchase agreements..........................        451,620    9.86      480,992   11.20      566,208   13.20
Funds purchased and other short-term borrowings        146,010    3.19       42,837    1.00       49,683    1.10
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Total funding sources..........................     $4,579,063  100.00   $4,305,348  100.00   $4,291,234  100.00
                                                 ===============================================================

</TABLE>

The increase in average core deposits experienced in 1998 results from a
combination of product introductions coupled with a new advertising campaign and
the use of multi-media advertising, primarily in the Chicago suburban markets.
The front end costs applicable to the advertising promotions are reflected in
the increase in advertising and promotion costs shown on Table 12 and the
discussion following that table.  The increase in time deposits of $100 or more
resulted from higher levels of governmental deposits as discussed in the "Net
Interest Income" section located on page 15.

Tables 6 and 7 that follow provide additional information regarding First
Midwest's wholesale deposit and short-term funding activities: 

                                    Table 6
                  Maturities of Time Deposits of $100 or More
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    As of
                                December 31,
                                    1998
                              ---------------
<S>                             <C>
Maturing within 3 months........     $322,872
After 3 but within 6 months.....       91,410
After 6 but within 12 months....       84,838
After 12 months.................       54,853
                                    ----------
 Total..........................     $553,973
                                    ==========
</TABLE>

                                    Table 7
                        Short-term Borrowing Activities
                                        
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           As of December 31,
                                   ---------------------------------
                                       1998       1997       1996
                                   ---------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>
Repurchase agreements.............    $457,103   $423,601   $540,148
Funds purchased..................       40,000        ---     19,000
Other short-term borrowings /(1)/...   126,796     60,000     19,798
                                   ---------------------------------
  Total                               $623,899   $483,601   $578,946
                                   =================================
</TABLE>

/(1)/ Includes Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Maximum Amount Outstanding at                 Weighted Average Interest Rate
                                        Any Month End                                  December 31,
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1998        1997        1996           1998        1997       1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>        <C>         <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
Repurchase agreements........   $555,778   $ 535,302   $ 629,747         4.56%       5.05%      5.28%
Funds purchased..............     92,000      95,000      71,500         4.53%        ---       2.17%
Other short-term borrowings..    189,906      60,001      28,462         5.25%       4.56%      7.02%
                              ==============================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Years ended December 31,
                                                              -----------------------------------
                                                                   1998        1997        1996
                                                              ------------ ----------- ----------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Aggregate short-term borrowings - average amount outstanding..   $597,630    $523,829    $615,891
Weighted average interest rate paid for each year.............       5.15%       5.32%       5.28%
                                                              ============ =========== ==========
</TABLE>

Historically, First Midwest has made extensive use of repurchase agreements as a
deposit surrogate because this funding source is not subject to the reserve
requirements applicable to interest bearing deposits and has also realized
direct cost savings in prior years because FDIC insurance premiums were not
assessed on these funding sources.

During 1998, First Midwest reduced its reliance on repurchase agreements as a
funding source because the cost of these funds became more expensive relative to
both core deposit funding and other short-term borrowing sources.  As a result,
First Midwest placed a greater reliance on funds purchased and FHLB advances.
As interest rates dropped in 1998, First Midwest once again emphasized the use
of repurchase agreements as a funding source.

The liquidity needs of First Midwest (parent company) consist primarily of
operating expenses and dividend payments to First Midwest's stockholders.  The
primary source of liquidity for the parent company is dividends from Affiliates.
However, this source can also be supplemented by fees assessed to Affiliates, a
practice which has not been utilized in recent years.  The parent company has
short term credit facilities available to fund cash flow needs totaling $80,000
at December 31, 1998.  The parent company also has the ability to enhance its
liquidity position by raising capital or incurring debt.  The parent company had
$27,000 of debt outstanding under its short-term credit facilities as of year-
end 1998.

ANALYSIS OF NET OVERHEAD

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income, exclusive of net security gains, increased by 16.7% and
10.2% in 1998 and 1997, respectively, reflecting improvements in virtually all
categories, as further discussed below.  The following table analyzes the
components of noninterest income, excluding net security gains, for the years
1996 through 1998:

                                    Table 8
                      Analysis of Noninterest Income /(1)/
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Years ended December 31,         % Change
                                             ------------------------------  ---------------------
                                                 1998      1997      1996    1998-1997   1997-1996
                                             ---------- --------- ---------  ---------- ----------
<S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>            <C>         <C>         
Service charges on deposit accounts........    $17,100   $16,735   $15,604        2.2%        7.2%
Trust and investment management fees.......      9,134     8,411     7,981        8.6%        5.4%
Other service charges, commissions and fees     10,197     9,428     8,759        8.2%        7.6%
Mortgage banking revenues..................      8,535     6,161     5,719       38.5%        7.7%
Corporate owned life insurance.............      3,135       ---       ---        N/M         N/M
Other income...............................      5,704     5,354     3,763        6.5%       42.3%
                                             ---------- --------- ---------  ---------- ----------
 Total noninterest income..................    $53,805   $46,089   $41,826       16.7%       10.2%
                                             ========== ========= =========  ========== ==========
</TABLE>

(1) For a discussion of Security Gains, refer to the "Investment Management"
    section located on page 28.
N/M - Not a meaningful ratio.

Service charges on deposit accounts, the largest component of noninterest
income, consists of fees on both interest bearing and noninterest bearing
deposit accounts as well as charges for items such as insufficient funds,
overdrafts and stop payment requests.  Service charges on deposit accounts
include both hard dollar charges and charges assessed through account analysis,
the latter being reduced by earnings credits indexed to a short-term U.S.
Treasury yield and generally applicable to business deposit accounts.  The
increases of $365, or 2.2% in 1998 and $1,131 or 7.2% in 1997 were both due to
higher volumes of business checking accounts and the resulting higher service
charges.

The Trust Company provides trust and investment management services to its
customers, acting as executor, administrator, trustee, agent, and in various
other fiduciary capacities for client accounts.  Trust and investment management
fees generally follow the amount of total assets under management as well as
conditions in the equity and credit markets because fees are often assessed on
the market value of managed funds.  Assets under management totaled $2.2 billion
at December 31, 1998 representing an increase from the $1.8 billion at year-end
1997 and $1.6 billion at year-end 1996.  Changes in trust assets under
management from year-to-year results from a combination of growth in new
business, offset by attrition, in addition to equity and bond market conditions
impacting the valuation of the trust assets.  This category of noninterest
income increased by 8.6%

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
in 1998, and 5.4% in 1997. The increase in 1998 was broad-based and effected
all types of trust accounts with the largest portion of the increase being
realized in the personal trust category. The increase in 1997 was not as broad
based and concentrated in employee benefit trusts.

The increase in other service charges, commissions and fees, which totaled 8.2%
in 1998 and 7.6% in 1997, primarily relates to revenue generated by debit card
income, merchant credit card fees and alternative investment revenues.

In 1998 First Midwest purchased certain life insurance policies with five
national insurance carriers all of whom were rated in the top ranking levels by
the insurance carrier rating agencies. The policies, on which First Midwest is
the beneficiary, insure the lives of certain key First Midwest executives and
were purchased with the proceeds of securities sales from the available for sale
portfolio. Corporate owned life insurance income represents the cash buildup
from the life insurance policies. The cash buildup is afforded tax favored
treatment and serves as a proxy for tax exempt income. The tax equivalent yield
on the corporate owned life insurance policies, which totaled $100,135 at
December 31, 1998, was approximately 9.1%.

Other income increased by 6.5% in 1998 over 1997, following a 42.3% increase in
1997 over 1996. The increase in both years was attributable to both higher
volumes of automatic teller machine ("ATM") activity as well as a general
increase in fee schedules for ATM's.

First Midwest conducts its residential real estate mortgage loan origination,
sales and servicing operations through FMMC. Mortgage banking revenues from
these operations are a major component of noninterest income and include
commissions and fees from third party loan servicing, realized gains on the sale
of loans into the secondary market and origination and other fees received at
closing.

The following Tables 9 through 11 summarize mortgage loan origination, sales and
servicing activities for the years 1996 through 1998 as well as the mortgage
banking revenues that have resulted from these activities:

                                    Table 9
                 Residential Real Estate Originations and Sales

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Years ended December 31,
                                                ------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>        <C>
                                                  1998       1997       1996
                                                ------------------------------
Residential real estate mortgage loans:
  Originated..................................  $552,081   $208,056   $237,648
  Sold to third parties.......................  $470,284   $152,812   $166,162
                                                ==============================
  </TABLE>

                                    Table 10
                       Mortgage Loan Servicing Portfolio

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   As of December 31,
                                           ------------------------------------
<S>                                           1998         1997         1996
                                           ------------------------------------
Residential real estate mortgage loans:     <C>          <C>          <C>
  Serviced for third parties.............  $1,474,206   $1,051,598   $  835,649
  Serviced for First Midwest's portfolio.     276,134      258,617      323,339
                                           ------------------------------------
    Total loans serviced.................  $1,750,340   $1,310,215   $1,158,988
                                           ====================================
</TABLE>

                                    Table 11
                           Mortgage Banking Revenues

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Years ended December 31,
                                                     --------------------------
                                                       1998      1997     1996
                                                     --------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
Loan production income.............................  $ 3,276   $ 1,357   $1,166
Servicing fee income...............................    4,084     3,609    3,363
  Less: Amortization of mortgage servicing rights..   (4,047)   (1,240)    (641)
Gains on sales of mortgage loans...................    5,222     2,288      443
Gains on sales of mortgage servicing rights........       --       147    1,388
                                                     --------------------------
  Total mortgage banking revenues..................  $ 8,535   $ 6,161   $5,719
                                                     ==========================
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
Mortgage banking revenues increased by 38.5% in 1998 over 1997, following an
increase of 7.7% in 1997 over 1996.  The 1998 increase was primarily production
related, evidenced by the $344 million, or 165% increase in loans originated in
1998 as compared to 1997.  The increase in 1997 over 1996 was attributable to
more favorable market timing with gains on the sale of mortgage loans increasing
to $2.3 million as compared to $.4 million in 1996.

Although servicing fee income increased by $475 or 13.2% in 1998 as compared to
1997, due in large part to the volumes of loans sold to third parties in 1998,
the related amortization of mortgage servicing rights also increased by $ 2,807
or 226% due to market interest rates and their affect on refinancing of
mortgages.  As mortgages are refinanced, the mortgage servicing rights related
to such mortgages likewise must be written down in full.  It is First Midwest's
policy to use financial derivatives to hedge interest rate risk associated with
mortgage servicing rights to minimize the impairment of such servicing rights
resulting from a drop in interest rates and the attendant increase in mortgage
refinancings.  Note 16 to "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" located
on page 60 describes First Midwest's hedging policy and the financial
derivatives involved.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense totaled $158,802 in 1998 as compared to $146,117 in 1997 and
$136,063 in 1996.  Noninterest expense in each of the three years included
certain special items relating to FDIC assessments and acquisition expenses.
The following table analyses the major components of noninterest expense for the
years 1996 through 1998 and provides further detail related to the special
items:
                                    Table 12
                        Analysis of Noninterest Expense

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Years ended December 31,          % Change
                               -----------------------------   ------------------------
                                   1998      1997      1996       1998-1997   1997-1996
                               -----------------------------   ------------------------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
Compensation expense...........   77,294    75,061    72,999         3.0         2.8
Occupancy expense..............   12,039    11,891    10,974         1.2         8.4
Equipment expense..............    8,354     8,442     7,993        (1.1)        5.6
Computer processing expense....    9,846     9,129     8,134         7.9        12.2
Professional services..........    7,849     7,546     7,378         4.0         2.3
Advertising and promotions.....    4,576     3,959     3,607        15.6         9.8
Other expenses.................   22,696    24,643    24,678        (7.9)       (0.1)
                               ------------------------------   -----------------------
 Subtotal......................  142,655   140,671   135,763         1.4         3.6
                               ------------------------------   -----------------------

Special items:
FDIC - SAIF assessment.........      ---       ---     1,640         N/M         N/M
Acquisition expense (credits)..   16,148     5,446    (1,340)        N/M         N/M
                               ------------------------------   -----------------------
Total noninterest expense......  158,802   146,117   136,063         8.70%       7.4%
                               ==============================   =======================

 Efficiency ratio /(1)/........     56.1%     56.2%     57.9%
                               ==============================
</TABLE>


/(1)/ Excludes special charges/(credits) in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

N/M - Not a meaningful ratio.

Compensation expense, the largest component of noninterest expense, includes
employee salaries and wages, retirement and other employee benefits and expense
relating to temporary personnel costs.  Table 13 analyzes the components of
compensation expense for the years 1996 through 1998:

                                    Table 13
                        Analysis of Compensation Expense
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Years ended December 31,           % Change
                                              -----------------------------------------------------
                                                  1998      1997      1996    1998-1997   1997-1996
                                              -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
Salaries and wages............................   $61,872   $59,151   $57,368       4.6%        3.1%
Retirement and other employee benefits........    14,026    15,063    14,532      (6.9)%       3.7%
Temporary personnel expense...................     1,396       847     1,099      64.8%      (22.9)%
                                              -----------------------------------------------------
 Total compensation expense

Average full-time equivalent (FTE) employees..     1,746     1,815     1,840      (3.8)%      (1.4)%
                                              =====================================================
</TABLE>

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
Compensation expense for 1998 must be analyzed within the context of two
material factors that occurred in late 1997 and throughout 1998; the
acquisitions previously described and a restructuring of First Midwest's
retirement plans. On October 1, 1997 the SparBank acquisition was consummated
and in February 1998 its bank subsidiary was merged into First Midwest Bank,
National Association. On July 1, 1998, the Heritage acquisition was closed and
on October 26, 1998 its bank subsidiary was likewise merged. Furthermore,
Heritage's trust subsidiary was merged into First Midwest Trust Company on
December 31, 1998. The result of these mergers was staff reductions at both bank
and trust facilities with an offsetting increase in temporary personnel expense
to accommodate the significant level of merger activity. Since most of the
merger activity occurred in late 1998, First Midwest expects the benefits of
this merger activity and the related staff reductions to be more fully realized
in 1999. Another factor affecting salaries and wages in 1998 was the
restructuring of First Midwest's retirement benefits effective January 1, 1998.
As a result of the restructuring, First Midwest increased base salaries of
certain positions to make them more market competitive and reduced retirement
benefits which were found to be in excess market levels. The result contributed
to the increase in salary and wages in 1998 and the reduction in retirement and
other employee benefit costs. A discussion of First Midwest's retirement
benefits and the expenses related thereto is included in Note 12 to "Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements" located on page 55.

Occupancy expense increased by 1.2% in 1998 over 1997 following a 8.4% increase
in 1997 over 1996. The 1997 increase reflects the operational costs of four
additional branches established in last half of 1996, with two additional
branches opened in the third quarter of 1997 and rental increases on certain
leased facilities. The 1998 increase reflects the full year operational costs of
the branches established in 1997 as well as four additional branches in 1998 and
the expansion of an operations center to accommodate the SparBank and Heritage
acquisitions. Offsetting a portion of the occupancy cost increases in 1998 were
savings realized from the merger activity.

Equipment expense decreased by 1.1% in 1998, as compared to 1997, following a
5.6% increase in 1997 over 1996. The increase in 1997 reflects higher equipment
depreciation expense as a result of Companywide computer hardware upgrades and
capitalized purchases of furniture and equipment for the additional branches
established in 1996 and 1997. The decrease in 1998 resulted from an absence of
the high volume computer hardware upgrades as well as cost savings associated
with the merger activities.

Computer processing expense increased by 7.9% in 1998 over 1997 and followed a
12.2% increase in 1997 over 1996. The increases in both 1998 and 1997 were
primarily volume driven but also included costs related to the merger
activities. Additionally, the 1997 increase was due to the implementation of a
wide-area network on a Companywide basis.

The increase in professional fees in 1998 related primarily to legal costs
associated to the loan securitizations as well as costs incurred to establish
the hedging activities discussed under the "Noninterest Income" section related
to mortgage banking activities. The increase in 1997 related to the legal costs
associated with the sale of certain 1 - 4 residential mortgage loans during that
year.

Advertising and promotions expense increased in both 1998 and 1997 over prior
years primarily as a result of a new multi-media advertising campaign targeting
primarily at the suburban metropolitan Chicago. Additionally, in both 1998 and
1997, additional advertising costs were incurred related to the SparBank and
Heritage acquisitions to ensure maximum customer retention.

Acquisition expenses related to both the SparBank and Heritage acquisitions were
recorded in 1997 and 1998, respectively, and included customary investment
banking and professional fees and anticipated severance and related benefits due
to staff reductions. A discussion of the acquisitions, including the special
charges incurred, is included under the "Acquisitions" section of Managements
Discussion and Analysis located on page 13 and in Note 2 to "Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements" located on page 48.

Income Taxes

First Midwest annually develops an income tax plan for the current year and
updates its long term plan which addresses a three-year tax planning horizon.
First Midwest's goal in tax planning is the maximization of long term, after-tax
profitability on a consolidated basis and not necessarily a reduction in the
absolute income tax expense recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
First Midwest's provision for income taxes includes both federal and state
income tax expense. An analysis of the provision for income taxes and the
effective income tax rates for the periods 1996 through 1998 are detailed in
Table 14.

                                   Table 14
                        Analysis of Income Tax Expense

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                           1998          1997           1996
                                        -----------    ---------     -----------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>           <C>
Income before income tax expense......     $78,699      $85,033        $81,944
Income tax expense....................     $23,995      $28,425        $27,234
Effective income tax rate.............        30.5%        33.4%          33.2%
                                        ===========    =========     ===========
</TABLE>

Certain acquisition-related expenses recorded during 1998 and 1997 were not
deductible for income tax purposes and affected the effective tax rates for both
years. Factoring out the acquisition related charges for 1998 and 1997, the
effective tax in each period would have been 29.5% and 32.7%, respectively. The
decrease in the effective tax rate for both 1998 and 1997 as compared to the
prior years is due primarily to planned increases in state tax exempt income.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND DIVIDENDS

A strong capital structure is crucial in maintaining investor confidence,
accessing capital markets and enabling First Midwest to take advantage of future
profitable growth opportunities. First Midwest has developed a policy to manage
its capital structure and that of its Affiliates in accordance with regulatory
guidelines and to ensure the appropriate use of this resource. First Midwest's
Capital Policy requires that each Affiliate maintain a capital ratio in excess
of the minimum regulatory guidelines and also acts as an internal discipline in
analyzing business risks and internal growth opportunities, in addition to
setting targeted levels of return on equity. Under regulatory capital adequacy
guidelines, First Midwest and its banking subsidiaries are subject to various
capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Capital
adequacy guidelines require that First Midwest and its banking subsidiaries meet
specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities
and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting
practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to
qualitative judgements by the regulators about components of capital and assets,
risk weightings and other factors. Quantative measures established by regulation
to ensure capital adequacy require First Midwest and its banking subsidiaries to
maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in
the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital to
average assets (as defined). First Midwest believes that, as of December 31,
1998, First Midwest and First Midwest Bank, National Association meet all
capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

As of December 31, 1998, the most recent notification from the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency categorized First Midwest Bank, National Association
as "well capitalized" under the regulatory framework for the FIDICA. To be
categorized as "well capitalized", a bank must maintain minimum Total and Tier 1
capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets ratios as
set forth in the table below.

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
The following table summarizes the actual capital amounts and ratios for First
Midwest and compares them to the capital levels and ratios necessary to be
categorized as adequately capitalized and well capitalized:

                                   Table 15
                             Capital Measurements

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    First Midwest            For Capital         Well Capitalized for
                                                       Actual              Adequacy Purposes            FDICIA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Capital      Ratio       Capital     Ratio       Capital     Ratio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
As of December 31, 1998:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............   $ 480,611     13.29%     $ 277,310     8.00%     $ 346,637    10.00%
     First Midwest Bank, N.A..................     379,210     11.27        269,237     8.00        336,546    10.00

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............     417,321     12.04        138,655     4.00        207,982     6.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A..................     337,138     10.02        134,619     4.00        201,928     6.00

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio:
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............     417,321      8.04        154,993     3.00        258,322     5.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A..................     337,138      6.64        152,340     3.00        253,900     5.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of December 31, 1997:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............   $ 463,266     13.33%     $ 278,080     8.00%     $ 347,600    10.00%
     First Midwest Bank, N.A./(1)/............     404,036     11.93        270,995     8.00        338,744    10.00

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............     419,773     12.08        139,040     4.00        208,560     6.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A./(1)/............     361,648     10.68        135,498     4.00        203,246     6.00

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio:
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............     419,773      8.60        146,387     3.00        243,978     5.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A. /(1)/...........     361,648      7.52        144,222     3.00        240,371     5.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     /(1)/  Restated as of December 31, 1997 to include merged banks.

     First Midwest believes that it has a responsibility to reward its
     stockholders with a meaningful current return on their investment and, as
     part of the Company's dividend policy, the Board of Directors reviews its
     dividend payout ratio periodically to ensure that it is consistent with
     internal capital guidelines and industry standards. As a result of improved
     performance from operations as well as First Midwest's perceived future
     prospects, the Board of Directors has increased the quarterly dividend
     every year since 1993. Additionally, at its November 1996 meeting, the
     Board also declared a 5-for-4 stock split effected in the form of a stock
     dividend which was paid in December 1996. The following table summarizes
     the dividend increases declared since 1993:

<PAGE>
 
                                   Table 16
                          Dividend Increases Declared

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Quarterly Rate
                   Date             Per Share       % Increase
               -------------     --------------     ----------
               <S>               <C>                <C>
               November 1998         $ .24               7%
               November 1997         $.225              13%
               November 1996         $ .20              18%
               February 1996         $ .17              13%
               February 1995         $ .15              15%
               February 1994         $ .13              13%
</TABLE>

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

The investment portfolio is managed to maximize the return on invested funds
within acceptable risk guidelines, to meet pledging requirements and to adjust
balance sheet rate sensitivity to insulate net interest income against the
impact of changes in interest rate movements.

The following table sets forth the year-end carrying value of securities for the
last three years:

                                   Table 17
                           Composition of Securities
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     December 31,
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1998                      1997                       1996
                                      ---------------------      ---------------------      ---------------------
                                                       % of                       % of                       % of
                                         Amount       Total          Amount      Total          Amount      Total
                                      -----------    ------      -----------    ------      -----------    ------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>
By Type:
   Mortgage-backed securities........ $ 1,258,337     62.0%      $   946,541     62.5%      $   676,021     46.1%
   State and municipal securities....     434,944     21.4%          324,549     21.4%          201,039     13.7%
   U.S. Treasury and other
     U.S. Government agencies........     304,888     15.0%          192,319     12.7%          521,556     35.6%
   Other securities..................      29,910      1.6%           52,019      3.4%           67,534      4.6%
                                      -----------    ------      -----------    ------      -----------    ------
   Total.............................   2,028,079    100.0%        1,515,428    100.0%        1,466,150    100.0%
                                      ===========    ======      ===========    ======      ===========    ======
By Classification:
   Available for sale................ $ 1,979,115     97.6%      $ 1,377,134     90.9%      $ 1,327,845     90.6%
   Held to maturity..................      48,964      2.4%          138,294      9.1%          138,305      9.4%
                                      -----------    ------      -----------    ------      -----------    ------
   Total............................. $ 2,028,079    100.0%      $ 1,515,428    100.0%      $ 1,466,150    100.0%
                                      ===========    ======      ===========    ======      ===========    ======
</TABLE>

The following sections describe First Midwest's securities portfolios:

Securities Available for Sale - Securities which First Midwest believes could be
sold prior to maturity in order to manage interest rate, prepayment or liquidity
risk are classified as securities available for sale and are carried at fair
market value. Unrealized gains and losses on this portfolio segment are reported
on an after-tax basis as a separate component of stockholders' equity in
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.

At December 31, 1998, after-tax net unrealized net gains on the securities
available for sale portfolio totaled $9,875. This compares to an after-tax net
unrealized gain on such portfolio of $12,011 as of the prior year end. The
unrealized net appreciation on this portfolio represents the difference, net of
taxes, between the aggregate cost and market value of the portfolio. This
balance sheet component will fluctuate as current market interest rates and
conditions change, thereby affecting the aggregate market value of this
portfolio.

In July, 1998, First Midwest reclassified $85,519 in securities from the held to
maturity portfolio (described below) to the available for sale portfolio as a
result of the Heritage acquisition, conforming the securities acquired to First
Midwest's interest rate and credit risk policies.

The maturity distribution and average yields, on a tax equivalent basis, of the
securities available for sale portfolio at December 31, 1998 are presented in
Table 18.


                                      28
<PAGE>
 
                                   Table 18
                         Securities Available for Sale
                  Maturity Distribution and Portfolio Yields

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               As of December 31, 1998
                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 One year or less                     One year to five years            Five years to ten years
                               -----------------------------      -----------------------------      ----------------------------
                                Market    Amortized    Yield       Market    Amortized    Yield       Market    Amortized   Yield
                                 Value       Cost       (%)         Value       Cost       (%)         Value       Cost      (%)
                               --------   ---------    -----      --------   ---------    -----      --------   ---------   -----
<S>                            <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
US .Treasury securities....... $ 17,682      17,566     5.93         2,049       2,009     6.02           ---         ---     ---
US Agency securities..........  137,565     137,576     5.23       125,069     125,119     5.43           ---         ---     ---
Mortgage backed securities....   93,957      93,155     7.58       564,796     568,479     7.62       278,252     277,724    7.04
State & Municipal
   securities /(1)/...........    6,952       6,963     8.46        32,460      33,477     8.59        38,562      44,426    7.83
Other securities..............    8,609       8,598     1.25           ---         ---      ---           ---         ---     ---
                               --------   ---------    -----      --------   ---------    -----      --------   ---------   -----
   Total...................... $264,765    $263,858     6.06      $724,374    $729,084     7.28      $ 36,754    $322,150    7.15
                               ========   =========    =====      ========   =========    =====      ========   =========    ====
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       After ten years                          Total
                               -----------------------------      ---------------------------------
                                Market    Amortized    Yield        Market       Amortized    Yield
                                 Value       Cost       (%)          Value          Cost       (%)
                               --------   ---------    -----      ----------    ----------    -----
<S>                            <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>
US .Treasury securities.......      ---         ---      ---      $   19,731        19,575     5.99
US Agency securities..........   21,225      21,225     5.72         283,859       283,920     5.35
Mortgage backed securities...   321,318     318,828     7.10       1,258,323     1,258,186     7.36
State & Municipal
   securities /(1)/...........  330,593     307,765     7.72         408,557       392,631     7.82
Other securities..............       36          10      ---           8,645         8,608     1.25
                               --------   ---------    -----      ----------    ----------    -----
   Total...................... $676,177    $647,828     7.35      $1,979,115    $1,962,920     7.12
                               ========   =========    =====      ==========    ==========    =====
</TABLE>


/(1)/ Yields on state and municipal securities are reflected on a tax equivalent
      basis, assuming a federal tax rate of 35%.

The maturity distributions of mortgaged-backed securities in Table 18 are based
upon the contractual maturities of such securities. Actual maturities of the
securities in Table 18 may differ from that reflected in the table due to
securities with call features which are assumed to be held to contractual
maturity for maturity distribution purposes.

In 1997 First Midwest restructured its mortgaged backed securities portfolio
through the purchase of a mixture of short-term average life, high coupon
collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO's") and long-term tax exempt
securities. First Midwest felt that the combination of the CMO's and long-term
tax exempt securities would provide interest rate risk protection if interest
rates rose due to the high coupons on the CMO's and would also provide
protection if rates declined due to the lack of callability of the long-term tax
exempt securities.

During 1998, the CMO portfolio underperformed initial expectations as a result
of the decline in market interest rates and the historically high mortgage
prepayments that occurred as mortgage holders refinanced their debt. The
increase in prepayments reduced the expected income from the CMO portfolio
because the unamortized portion on the CMO balances being paid-down was
amortized immediately as required by generally accepted accounting principles.
In order to limit the future, potential negative impact on interest income as a
result of the performance of the CMO portfolio, First Midwest sold the poorest
performing portion of that portfolio and offset the effect of the loss by
selling a portion of the long-term tax exempt securities portfolio at a like
gain. The proceeds from the sale of the securities were reinvested in similar
municipal securities, U.S. Agency securities and more stable, longer-term cash
flow mortgage-backed securities. The increase in the mortgage-backed securities
portfolio from December 31, 1997 to 1998 was due in part to this reinvestment,
but was primarily attributable to the $245 million in loan securitizations
described in the "Net Interest Margin" section located on page 15. Note 4 to
"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" located on page 50 includes an
analysis of the securities portfolio including the proceeds and gains/losses
from the sales.

Excluding securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and
corporations, there were no investments in securities from one issuer that
exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders' equity on December 31,1998 or 1997.

Securities Held to Maturity - Securities which First Midwest has the ability and
intent to hold until maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and
are accounted for using historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premium
and accretion of discount. First Midwest has no trading account securities.

The maturity distribution and average yields, on a tax equivalent basis, of the
securities held to maturity portfolio as of December 31, 1998 are presented on
Table 19.


                                      29
<PAGE>
 
                                   Table 19
                          Securities Held to Maturity
                  Maturity Distribution and Portfolio Yields
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   As of December 31, 1998
                                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          One year or less          One year to five years      Five years to ten years
                                     --------------------------   --------------------------   --------------------------
                                     Market   Amortized   Yield   Market   Amortized   Yield   Market   Amortized   Yield
                                     Value      Cost       (%)    Value      Cost       (%)    Value      Cost       (%)     
                                     ------   ---------   -----   ------   ---------   -----   ------   ---------   -----
<S>                                  <C>      <C>         <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>
U.S. Treasury securities...........  $  645    $  644      5.48   $  254    $  252      6.03   $   --    $   --       --
U.S. Agency securities.............      --        --        --      404       403      5.42       --        --       --
State &  municipal securities/(1)/.   2,579     2,565      9.27    8,429     8,147      8.48    7,609     6,936     9.57
Other securities...................     113       113     10.44       51        50      6.13       --        --       --
                                     ------    ------     -----   ------    ------      ----   ------    ------     ----
  Total............................  $3,337    $3,320      8.58   $9,138    $8,853      8.26   $7,609    $6,936     9.57
                                     ======    ======     =====   ======    ======      ====   ======    ======     ====
Market value as a percent
  of amortized cost................  100.51%                      103.22%                      109.70%
                                     ======                       ======                       ======

                                                      As of December 31, 1998
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------
                                           After ten years                    Total
                                     ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                     Market    Amortized   Yield   Market    Amortized   Yield   
                                     Value        Cost      (%)    Value        Cost      (%)    
                                     -------   ---------   -----   -------   ---------   -----   
<S>                                  <C>       <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>     
U.S. Treasury securities...........  $    --    $   --       --    $   899       896     6.22
U.S. Agency securities.............       --        --       --        404       403     5.42
State &  municipal securities/(1)/.    9,596     8,740     9.75     28,213    26,388     9.26
Other securities...................   21,114    21,114     6.25     21,278    21,277     6.27
                                     -------   -------     ----    -------   -------     ----
  Total............................  $30,710   $29,853     7.27    $50,794   $48,964     7.87
                                     =======   =======     ====    =======   =======     ====
Market value as a percent
  of amortized cost................  102.87%                       103.74%
                                     =======                       =======
</TABLE>

/(1)/ Yields on state and municipal securities are reflected on a tax equivalent
      basis, assuming a federal tax rate of 35%.

Securities Gains, Net - Net gains increased in 1998 to $1,657 as compared to
$1,283 in 1997 and $728 in 1996.

LOAN PORTFOLIO AND CREDIT QUALITY

Portfolio Composition

Loans represent the principal source of revenue to First Midwest because, as a
category, they are both the largest component and the highest yielding asset on
the statement of condition. The corollary to generating higher yields, however,
is the assumption of credit risk associated with the loan portfolio. Among the
ways in which credit risk is controlled is through diversification of the loan
portfolio and the limitation of the amount of loans extended to any one industry
or group of borrowers.

Over the past several years, First Midwest has migrated toward a loan portfolio
that it has attempted to distribute approximately evenly among the categories of
commercial and industrial (including agricultural), consumer (including real
estate 1 - 4 family) and real estate (both commercial and construction). This
type of diversification spreads the risk and reduces the exposure to economic
downturns that may occur in different segments of the economy or in different
industries.

It is First Midwest's policy to concentrate its lending activities in the
geographic market areas it serves, generally lending to consumers and small to
mid-sized businesses from whom deposits are gathered in the same market areas.
As a result, First Midwest had no consequential out-of-market loans at December
31, 1998. First Midwest does not engage in lending to foreign countries or
foreign entities.

The following table summarizes the total loans outstanding, and their percent of
the loan portfolio, for the periods 1994 through 1998:

                                   Table 20
                                Loan Portfolio

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       As of December 31,
                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           % of                % of                % of                % of                % of
                                  1998     Total      1997     Total      1996     Total      1995     Total      1994     Total
                               ----------  -----   ----------  -----   ----------  -----   ----------  -----   ----------  -----
<S>                            <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>
Commercial and industrial....  $  721,599   27.1   $  723,425   23.8   $  721,989   24.1   $  717,755   24.4   $  604,785   22.5
Agricultural.................      49,397    1.9       39,014    1.3       48,461    1.6       34,297    1.2       35,535    1.3
Consumer.....................     688,774   25.8      754,727   24.8      765,256   25.6      674,111   23.0      655,587   24.4
Real estate - 1-4 family.....     257,307    9.7      506,077   16.6      537,785   18.0      641,151   21.9      542,363   20.2
Real estate - commercial.....     769,514   28.8      858,627   28.2      755,584   25.3      734,112   25.0      741,272   27.6
Real estate - construction...     148,469    5.6      129,290    4.2      136,019    4.5      105,383    3.6       76,008    2.9
Other........................      29,357    1.1       33,634    1.1       26,135    0.9       27,201    0.9       28,367    1.1
                               ----------  -----   ----------  -----   ----------  -----   ----------  -----   ----------  -----
  Total......................  $2,664,417  100.0   $3,044,794  100.0   $2,991,229  100.0   $2,934,010  100.0   $2,683,917  100.0
                               ==========  =====   ==========  =====   ==========  =====   ==========  =====   ==========  =====
</TABLE>

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
Total loans decreased by 12.5% in 1998 after experiencing four years of growth
from 1994 through 1997. The decrease in total loans was primarily attributable
to four factors; (i) the securitization of $245 million 1-4 family fixed rate
mortgages acquired as a part of the SparBank and Heritage loan portfolios; (ii)
lower levels of nonmortgage loan originations as a result of more stringent
underwriting and administration standards adopted during 1998; (iii) the
outplacement from various loan categories of approximately $50 million in loans
that no longer met heightened credit standards; and (iv) pricing and
underwriting competitive circumstances that became more acute in 1998. All of
these factors contributed to the decline of the loan portfolio, but the loan
securitization factor was by far the most significant, representing 64% of the
total $380 million decline in total loans outstanding. Commercial and industrial
loans are diversified from an industry standpoint and include loans extended to
manufacturing, retailing and other service businesses. Consistent with First
Midwest's emphasis upon relationship banking, most of these credits represent
core, multi-relationship customers who also maintain deposit relationships and
utilize other First Midwest banking services such as cash management.

Consumer loans consist of loans made directly to individuals for various
personal purposes as well as indirect installment loans represented mainly by
automobile financings acquired from dealerships in First Midwest's primary
markets. This category also includes direct home equity loans and other direct
installment loans. The 8.7% decrease in this loan category in 1998 from 1997 is
reflective of the tightened underwriting standards implemented during 1998.

Real estate 1-4 family loans decreased by 49.2%, or $248,770, in 1998 primarily
due to the first quarter 1998 $70 million loan securitization and the fourth
quarter 1998 $175 million securitization, as well as accelerated paydowns that
were experienced as a result of increased refinancings related to the general
decline in mortgage loan interest rates during of 1998. Real estate 1-4 family
loans are comprised predominantly of owner-occupied residential properties.

In addition to the real estate 1-4 family loans generated for its own portfolio,
First Midwest also conducts a substantial residential real estate mortgage loan
origination, sales and servicing operation through its mortgage banking
subsidiary. In 1998 First Midwest originated in its primary markets
approximately $552,000 in real estate 1-4 family loans. Sales of such loans to
the public and private investors totaled approximately $470,000, representing
85% of such loans originated in 1998. This compares to 1997's $208,000 in real
estate 1-4 family loans originated and $153,000 in sales into the secondary
market. First Midwest's strategy has been to originate and retain in its
portfolio adjustable-rate mortgages while selling fixed-rate mortgages to third
party investors, retaining the servicing rights thereon. This line of business,
along with the attendant servicing operations, is further described in the
"Noninterest Income" section beginning on page 22.

Real estate commercial loans, totaling $769,514, represent multi-unit
residential mortgages and commercial real estate mortgages, many housing the
operations of the borrower's business. The decrease in commercial real estate
loans from 1997 to 1998 of $89,113 was due primarily to heightened competition
during the course of 1998 from secondary markets. During the first three
quarters of 1998, many First Midwest commercial real estate borrowers were being
attracted by long-term low rate loans being offered through the secondary
markets. First Midwest felt that loans on such terms were not appropriate for
its portfolio and elected not to compete on those terms. With the volatility
that the bond and credit markets experienced during the early fourth quarter of
1998 this trend began to reverse and First Midwest expects this reversal to
continue into 1999.

Real estate construction loans, which increased by 14.8% or $19,179 in 1998,
consist primarily of single family and multi-family residential projects located
in the primary market areas of First Midwest's banking offices. Real estate-
construction loans are a profitable line of lending for First Midwest due to the
higher level of interest rates and fees earned on such loans as compared to
other loan categories and the favorable loss experience on these loans. First
Midwest closely monitors its extension of credit to customers in this loan
category in order to limit its exposure to construction projects.

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans

Table 21 summarizes the maturity distribution of First Midwest's commercial,
agricultural, commercial real estate and real estate construction loan
portfolios as well as the interest rate sensitivity of loans in these categories
that have maturities in excess of one year.

                                   Table 21
         Maturities and Rate Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates
                                        
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Due in      Due after 1
                                                1 year     year through    Due after
                                               or less        5 years       5 years        Total
                                               --------    ------------    ---------     ----------
At December 31, 1998
- --------------------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Commercial, industrial and agricultural...     $485,229      $265,123      $ 20,644      $  770,996
Real estate - commercial..................      169,625       509,824        90,065         769,514
Real estate - construction................      117,741        30,728           --          148,469
                                               --------      --------      --------      ----------
                                               $772,595      $805,675      $110,709      $1,688,979
                                               ========      ========      ========      ==========
                                         =================================================
</TABLE>

                      Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans
                            Maturing in Over 1 Year

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Fixed Rate    Floating Rate
                                                ----------    -------------
At December 31, 1998
- --------------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>
Commercial, industrial and agricultural....      $218,277       $ 67,490
Real estate - commercial...................       499,664        100,125
Real estate - construction.................         9,424         21,404
                                                 --------       --------
  Total....................................      $727,365       $189,019
                                                 ========       ========
</TABLE>

Credit Quality Management and the Reserve for Loan Losses

The minimization of credit risk involves the establishment and monitoring of
formal credit policies and procedures as well as continuing surveillance and
evaluation of the quality, trends and collectability of the loan portfolio.
First Midwest has implemented a comprehensive and standardized credit
administration policy and procedures which are monitored by an internal loan
review staff. These policies and procedures are reviewed and modified on an
ongoing basis in order to remain suitable for the management of risk as
conditions change and new financial products having credit risk are offered.
First Midwest's credit administration policies include a loan rating system and
an analysis by the internal loan review staff of all loans and commitments over
a fixed limit, as well as statistical sampling of loans under such dollar limit.
Furthermore, each account officer is vested with the responsibility of
monitoring their respective loan customer relationships and acts as the first
line of defense in determining changes in the loan ratings on credits for which
they are responsible. First Midwest believes that any significant change in the
overall quality of the loan portfolio will first manifest itself in the
migration of loan ratings within the monitoring system.

First Midwest maintains a reserve for loan losses to absorb inherent losses in
the loan portfolio. The appropriate level of the reserve for loan losses is
determined by systematically performing a review of the loan portfolio quality
as required by the credit administration policies and procedures described
above. The reserve for loan losses consists of three elements; (i) reserves
established for specific loans developed through detailed credit reviews; (ii)
reserves based on historical loan loss experience; and, (iii) reserves based on
general economic conditions as well as specific economic factors in the markets
in which First Midwest operates.

The specific reserves are based on the detailed analysis of loans over a
specified dollar limit, as discussed above, as well as loans where the internal
credit rating is below a predetermined classification. Specific reserves for
commercial loans are based on an ongoing review of individual loans outstanding
and binding commitments to lend, whereas consumer and retail loan reserve
allocations are based upon the evaluation of pools or groups of such loans. The
portion of the reserve based on historical loan loss experience is determined
statistically using a loss migration analysis that examines loss experience and
the related internal rating of loans charged off. The loss migration analysis is
performed quarterly and loss factors are periodically updated based on actual
experience. The portion of the reserve based on general economic conditions and
other factors is considered the unallocated portion of the reserve. This portion
considers general economic conditions and involves a higher degree of
subjectivity in its determination. This segment of the reserve considers risk
factors that may not have not manifested themselves in First Midwest's
historical loss experience used to determine the allocated component of the
reserve.

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
Table 22 shows the allocation of the reserve for loan losses by loan category as
well as charge-off and recovery information for the last 5 years. In 1998, First
Midwest refined its allocation methodology to more closely align the projected
losses in each category of the loan portfolio with the migration analysis and
historical loan loss experience methodology discussed above. Additionally, based
upon the Year 2000 planning discussed in the section entitled "Impact of the
Year 2000" located on page 36, First Midwest has also incorporated an allocation
of the reserve for loan losses totalling $1,500 to loan categories that contain
loans to customers categorized as high risk with respect to their Year 2000
compliance. Accordingly, First Midwest has allocated a larger portion of its
reserve for loan losses in 1998 than in prior years.

The provision for loan losses charged to operating expense in any given year is
dependent on factors including loan growth and changes in the composition of the
loan portfolio, net charge-off levels and Management's assessment of the reserve
for loan losses based upon the credit administration policies and procedures
discussed above. The 1998 provision for loan losses totalled $5,542, and
includes $650 representing a one-time provision to conform Heritage's credit
policies to First Midwest's. The 1997 provision for loan losses of $9,365
includes $1,296 representing a one-time provision to likewise conform SparBank's
credit policies. The reduction in the provision for loan losses in 1998 is
directly attributable to the decrease in loan volumes discussed under the
"Portfolio Composition" section located on page 30. Based upon the reduction in
loans outstanding in 1998 and the risk profile of the portfolio generally, First
Midwest determined that the provision could be appropriately reduced.

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
                                   Table 22
                  Analysis of the Reserve for Loan Losses and
                        Summary of Loan Loss Experience
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Years ended December 31,
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1998        1997        1996        1995       1994
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance at beginning of year...........................  $ 46,965    $ 41,609    $ 39,729    $ 36,059    $32,564
   Loans charged-off...................................   (12,955)    (12,060)    (10,576)    (11,158)    (9,198)
   Recoveries on loans previously charged-off..........     3,738       8,051       3,088       3,174      3,100
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................    (9,217)     (4,009)     (7,488)     (7,984)    (6,098)
   Provisions charged to operating expense.............     5,542       9,365       8,189      11,654      8,743
   Reserve of acquired bank............................      ---         ---        1,179        ---         850
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Balance at end of year.................................  $ 43,290    $ 46,965    $ 41,609    $ 39,729    $36,059
                                                         ========    ========    ========    ========    =======

Allocation of the reserve for loan losses by
 loan category:
   Commercial and industrial...........................     6,214       4,409       4,671       5,263      7,223
   Agricultural........................................     2,634         113         115         121        492
   Consumer............................................     8,407       6,057       4,347       5,269      5,577
   Real estate - 1 - 4 family..........................     1,205       2,859       3,257       2,833      4,013
   Real estate - commercial............................     3,130       3,640       3,155       3,311      2,807
   Real estate - construction..........................     1,004         218         290         508        231
   Other...............................................       686         309         300         192        575
   Unallocated.........................................    20,010      29,360      25,474      22,232     15,141
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Total.............................................  $ 43,290    $ 46,965    $ 41,609    $ 39,729    $36,059
                                                         ========    ========    ========    ========    =======

Reserve as a % of loans at year-end....................      1.62%       1.54%       1.39%       1.35%      1.34%
                                                         ========    ========    ========    ========    =======

Commercial and industrial loans:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $ (4,551)   $ (2,454)   $ (3,033)   $ (4,710)   $(5,301)
   Recoveries..........................................       945       4,733         799       1,258      1,416
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $ (3,606)   $  2,279    $ (2,234)   $ (3,452)   $(3,885)
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Agricultural loans:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $    (35)   $     (5)   $     (1)       ---     $   (74)
   Recoveries..........................................      ---         ---         ---           38         13
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $    (35)   $     (5)   $     (1)   $     38    $   (61)
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Consumer loans:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $ (7,458)   $ (8,437)   $ (6,197)   $ (4,903)   $(2,242)
   Recoveries..........................................     2,625       3,049       2,033       1,672        900
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $ (4,833)   $ (5,388)   $ (4,164)   $ (3,231)   $(1,342)
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Real estate - 1 - 4 family:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $    (56)   $   (169)   $   (167)   $    (61)   $  (393)
   Recoveries..........................................      ---           28          52         111        190
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $    (56)   $   (141)   $   (115)   $     50    $  (203)
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Real estate - commercial:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $   (215)   $   (710)   $   (732)   $ (1,356)   $(1,031)
   Recoveries..........................................       150         220         157          36        477
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $    (65)   $   (490)   $   (575)   $ (1,320)   $  (554)
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Real estate - construction loans:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $    (12)   $    (52)       ---         ---        ---
   Recoveries..........................................      ---         ---         ---           47         73
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $    (12)   $    (52)       ---     $     47    $    73
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Other loans:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $   (628)   $   (233)   $   (446)   $   (128)   $  (157)
   Recoveries..........................................        18          21          47          12         31
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $   (610)   $   (212)   $   (399)   $   (116)   $  (126)
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------

Total loans:
   Charge-offs.........................................  $(12,955)   $(12,060)   $(10,576)   $(11,158)   $(9,198)
   Recoveries..........................................     3,738       8,051       3,088       3,174      3,100
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
     Net charge-offs...................................  $ (9,217)   $ (4,009)   $ (7,488)   $ (7,984)   $(6,098)
                                                         --------    --------    --------    --------    -------
   Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans
    outstanding for the period.........................      0.31%       0.13%       0.26%       0.28%      0.24%
                                                         ========    ========    ========    ========    =======
</TABLE>

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
Nonperforming Loans and Assets

Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, restructured loans and
foreclosed real estate. Past due loans are loans which are delinquent 90 days or
more and are still accruing interest. It is First Midwest's policy to
discontinue the accrual of interest income on any loan when there is reasonable
doubt as to the timely collectability of interest or principal. Nonaccrual loans
are returned to accrual status when the financial position of the borrower and
other relevant factors indicate there is no longer doubt as to such
collectability.

The following table summarizes nonperforming assets and past due loans for the
past five years as well as certain information relating to interest income on
nonaccrual and restructured loans outstanding during 1998:

                                   Table 23
              Analysis of Nonperforming Assets and Past Due Loans
                                        
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Years ended December 31,
                                         ---------------------------------------------------
                                          1998       1997       1996       1995       1994
                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Nonaccrual loans.....................    $20,638    $11,699    $16,974    $15,138    $15,208
Restructured loans...................         --        139         --      7,917      8,317
                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
 Total nonperforming loans...........     20,638     11,838     16,974     23,055     23,525
Foreclosed real estate...............      1,015      5,119      6,589      6,459     11,219
                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
Total nonperforming assets...........    $21,653    $16,957    $23,563    $29,514    $34,744
                                         =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
90 days past due loans...............    $ 5,342    $ 5,736    $ 5,498    $ 5,507    $ 6,116
                                         =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
Nonperforming loans to total loans...       0.77%      0.39%      0.57%      0.79%      0.88%
                                         =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
Nonperforming assets to total loans
 plus foreclosed real estate.........       0.81%      0.56%      0.79%      1.00%      1.29%
                                         =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
Nonperforming assets to total assets.       0.42%      0.34%      0.49%      0.62%      0.77%
                                         =======    =======    =======    =======    =======

Reserve for loan losses as a % of:
 Total loans at year end.............       1.62%      1.54%      1.39%      1.35%      1.34%
 Nonperforming loans.................        210%       397%       245%       172%       153%
                                         =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>

The effect of nonaccrual and restructured loans on interest income for 1998 is
presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        1998
                                                                                       ------
<S>                                                                                   <C>
Interest which would have been included at the original contract rates............     $2,263
Interest included in income during the year.......................................       (532)
                                                                                       ------
Interest income not recognized....................................................     $1,731
                                                                                       ======
</TABLE>

Nonperforming loans totaled $20,638 at year-end 1998 as compared to $11,838 at
year-end 1997, increasing as a percentage of total loans to .77% in 1998 from
 .39% in 1997. The increase in nonaccrual loans in 1998 is primarily attributable
to two commercial loan customers, each comprising approximately one half of the
increase. First Midwest's disclosure with respect to impaired loans is contained
in Note 6 to "Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements" located on page
52.

In addition to the loans summarized in Table 23, the Securities and Exchange
Commission Industry Guide for Bank Holding Companies requires that certain other
loans in the portfolio which First Midwest is monitoring, but where existing
conditions do not warrant classification as nonaccrual or restructured, be
disclosed. These loans, which totaled $27,026 at December 31, 1998, as compared
to $44,151 at year-end 1997, continue to accrue interest and are specifically
considered in the evaluation of the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses.

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE

Notice is hereby given that the Year 2000 statement set forth below is being
designated a Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure in accordance with Section 7(b) of
the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act.

Introduction

Since April 1997, First Midwest has been engaged in the process of addressing a
potential problem that is facing all users of automated information systems,
including personal computers, that is generally referred to as the Year 2000
Issue. The issue is the result of computer systems processing transactions based
upon 2 digits representing the year of the transaction rather than 4 full digits
(i.e. 99 for 1999). These computer systems may not operate properly when the
last two digits become "00", as will occur on January 1, 2000. In some cases,
this could result in a system failure, miscalculations causing disruptions of
operations or the temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices or
engage in similar normal business activities. The issue could effect a wide
variety of automated information systems such as main frame computer
applications, personal computers, communications systems, including telephone
systems, and other information systems utilized by not only First Midwest but
also its customers and vendors.

The most significant of First Midwest's automated information systems affected
by the Year 2000 Issue are the data processing systems used to process
transactions and information for loan, deposit and trust customers, and for
First Midwest's mortgage loan origination and servicing activities. First
Midwest currently purchases the services for these systems from two nationally
recognized data processing vendors. Other programs and applications used in
First Midwest's operations that will be affected by the Year 2000 Issue include
building and security systems, equipment (including proof machines, sorters and
cash dispensers), hardware (including routers, servers, printers and
controllers), ATM modems and computer software. The majority of these items have
been purchased from outside vendors who are responsible for maintenance of the
systems and modifications to enable uninterrupted usage. Additionally, First
Midwest does have some in-house applications, interface equipment and interfaces
that must be reviewed and modified.

A detailed discussion of the state of readiness, risks, contingency plans and
costs associated with First Midwest's plan to address the Year 2000 Issue are
discussed below.
 
State of Readiness

First Midwest's Year 2000 plan process began in April 1997. At that time, the
Chief Information Officer/Executive Vice President of First Midwest Bank, N.A.
was appointed the Year 2000 plan coordinator and a steering committee was formed
consisting of representatives from the appropriate disciplines across the
Company. The Year 2000 steering committee has been meeting regularly since
August 1997. The Company's internal auditor is a participant at the Committee
meetings. To date, First Midwest has completed the initial awareness phase as
well as the assessment phase, identifying all mission critical applications,
vendors and external agents. First Midwest is currently on schedule for the
finalization of the renovation process and the testing (i.e. validation) of
hardware and software. First Midwest is substantially completed with the
renovation and testing of all mission critical applications. The remaining
renovation and testing of mission critical applications will occur in the first
quarter of 1999. A third party consulting firm has been retained to review the
testing of Year 2000 mission critical applications. The review commenced in
December 1998 and will conclude in February 1999.

First Midwest relies on outsourced data processing for core banking applications
from two nationally recognized data processing vendors. Both vendors have
advised First Midwest that the computer programming language ("code") affected
by the Year 2000 Issue has been fully renovated and tested, and was placed in
production as of October 31, 1998. Year 2000 compliance testing of the mainframe
banking applications is planned for the first quarter of 1999. This will occur
with the renovated live code. Of the 565 mission critical applications requiring
renovation, approximately 73% have been renovated and 27% are scheduled for
renovation in 1999. Of the total mission critical applications, 53% are
currently compliant.

The Year 2000 plan has been fully documented in a narrative format which
outlines the procedures and processes used to achieve compliance. The Year 2000
plan is divided into a number of sections focusing on applications (software,
hardware, equipment, forms, etc.), third party vendors, and customer or external
agent relationships. In March 1998 a review of the plan was conducted by a
consulting firm with expertise in Year 2000 compliance resulting in two
recommendations for enhancement to the plan being made, both of which were
implemented. Additionally during 1998, the compliance plan and activities of
both First Midwest Bank, N.A. and First Midwest Trust Company were formally
reviewed by the OCC, their primary bank regulator. The Year 2000 plan
coordinator periodically submits written reports to the Board of Directors
relative to the Company's Year 2000 plan status and compliance.

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
Risks From Year 2000 Issues

The predominant risk associated with the Year 2000 issue for First Midwest rests
with the functionality of the mainframe systems. Since First Midwest relies
heavily on outsourced processing, the preparedness of both outside vendors are
of paramount importance. The inability of these vendors to process mainframe
information would be detrimental to the Company's ability to process
transactions and serve customers, and for this reason, the Company has entered
into an agreement for contingency processing with a third nationally recognized
data processing vendor in the event of Year 2000 noncompliance by either primary
data processing vendors. In addition, the Company closely monitors the progress
of these vendors with regard to their preparedness as stated above. The Year
2000 renovated code is currently functional in the live system and has been
tested by both of the primary data processing vendors. Proxy test results have
been reviewed and maintained for further assurance of compliance by these two
vendors.

With regard to other turnkey systems and hardware, First Midwest has a program
of renovation in process with testing having commenced in November 1998 with
completion scheduled for February 1999.

Customers also present potential risk relative to their compliance with Year
2000 within their own organizations. First Midwest has identified critical
relationships and has initiated a plan to assess the Year 2000 sufficiency of
its customer base. As of November 1998 the identified portfolio of mission
critical customer relationships has been rated "low" on a scale of high,
moderate or low Year 2000 risk. In addition, for any customers rated "high"
risk, a follow-up review is conducted every 3 weeks, for "moderate" ratings a
follow-up review is conducted every 4 weeks, and for "low" risk customers, a
follow up review is conducted every ninety days. Although it is very difficult
to assess or quantify the Year 2000 risk level of customer relationships, the
percentage of mission critical customers rated "high" is 14% at year-end 1998.

Vendors and other third party relationships are also under continuing
evaluation. First Midwest relies on a number of critical vendors with whom
communications relative to Year 2000 risk levels are regularly reviewed. Of such
vendors, one of the more critical is First Midwest's outsourced item processing
vendor. That vendor, another nationally recognized data processor, is considered
well-advanced with its Year 2000 compliance efforts. Of all third party vendors
and suppliers, perhaps the most difficult assessment of Year 2000 risk are
utility companies, such as electrical, gas and telephone. This is a risk that is
shared by everyone and cannot be accurately quantified at this time.

Contingency Plans

The primary contingency plan of First Midwest is the contingency processing
agreement with the vendor discussed above. The purpose of this agreement is to
hold a place for converting to that data processor in the event that either, or
both, primary data processing vendors do not become Year 2000 compliant and
First Midwest elects to proceed with this contingency plan.

First Midwest, as part of its contingency plan, has identified the core business
units and functions of the Company and the associated computer applications
pertinent to these core business units and functions. Trigger dates and
contingency plans have been identified for each of the mission critical systems
applicable to these units and functions, none of which have required execution
at this time. Furthermore, First Midwest has identified failure scenarios and is
in the process of developing information to identify (1) the minimum level of
output and services, (2) critical requirements/tools to produce the minimum
level of outputs and services and (3) recovery plans for minimum levels of
outputs and services. As of December 1998, the Year 2000 steering committee has
begun to aggressively address business resumption plans to ensure that the
critical components of First Midwest's operations will continue in the event of
a failure scenario. This process includes analyzing the critical risk factors
and preparing in advance to mitigate such risks. It is anticipated that business
resumption risk plans will fully be in place not later than June 30, 1999.
 
A formal conversion process along with a designated team of internal managers
will prepare for the century turn beginning in October 1999 and respond to
operational problems and issues that may arise. This readiness process is
intended to further mitigate problems and define the support structure to
respond to the issues that arise after the century turn.

Costs to Address Year 2000 Issues

First Midwest's plan to become Year 2000 compliant is being executed with
internal resources, primarily through its Information Systems staff. First
Midwest currently expects to utilize minimal contract consulting to supplement
its internal staff. As First Midwest relies predominantly on outsourced vendors
for most of the core applications, significant costs associated with Year 2000

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
renovation are not expected to be experienced. First Midwest has been informed
by its primary data processing vendors that they have no current expectation to
pass on Year 2000 compliance costs to First Midwest as the service contracts
with these vendors make no such provision. As a result, the primary costs that
are expected to be incurred with the Year 2000 plan involve micro-computer
hardware replacement and upgrades, operating system upgrades, software
replacement and equipment and forms upgrades. These costs, as well as the
payroll costs and consulting expenses incurred, will be expensed as incurred.

Based on the Year 2000 plan as currently being executed and the best available
information, First Midwest does not anticipate the cost to address the Year 2000
issues will have a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results
of operations or liquidity.

QUARTERLY REVIEW

Table 24 summarizes First Midwest's quarterly earnings performance for 1998 and
1997:

                                   Table 24
                     Quarterly Earnings Performance /(1)/

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1998 Quarters                              1997 Quarters
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Fourth      Third     Second      First     Fourth      Third     Second      First
                                   -------    -------    -------    --------   -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest income..................  $89,380    $92,720    $90,641    $91,856    $92,605    $92,458    $88,763    $87,835
Interest expense.................   43,949     45,778     44,442     42,847     43,907     43,369     40,758     40,484
Net interest income..............   45,431     46,942     46,199     49,009     48,698     49,089     48,005     47,351
Provision for loan losses/(2)/...    1,003      2,404        867      1,268      3,359      2,376      1,372      2,258
Noninterest income...............   15,219     14,003     13,697     12,543     12,575     12,182     10,869     11,746
Special charges/(3)/.............       --     16,148         --         --      5,446         --         --         --
Noninterest expense..............   35,247     35,269     35,529     36,609     35,017     35,739     35,593     34,322
Income tax expense...............    7,077      2,470      6,965      7,483      6,101      7,343      7,204      7,777
Net income.......................   17,323      4,654     16,535     16,192     11,350     15,813     14,705     14,740
Pro forma net income
   before special items/(4)/.....  $17,323    $17,188    $16,535    $16,192    $16,431    $15,813    $14,705    $14,740
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share.........  $  0.60    $  0.16    $  0.56    $  0.55    $  0.39    $  0.54    $  0.50    $  0.50
Diluted earnings per share,......  $  0.59    $  0.16    $  0.55    $  0.54    $  0.38    $  0.53    $  0.49    $  0.49
Pro forma diluted earnings per
   share before special
   items./(4)/...................  $  0.59    $  0.58    $  0.55    $  0.54    $  0.56    $  0.54    $  0.50    $  0.50
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average equity.........    15.18%      3.88%     14.16%     14.26%      9.97%     14.30%     14.06%     14.35%
Pro forma return on
   average equity before
   special items/(4)/............    15.18%     14.34%     14.16%     14.26%     14.44%     14.30%     14.06%     14.35%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average assets.........     1.32%      0.36%      1.31%      1.33%      0.92%      1.29%      1.26%      1.27%
Pro forma return on
   average assets before
   special items/(4)/............     1.32%      1.32%      1.31%      1.33%      1.33%      1.29%      1.26%      1.27%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest margin - tax
   equivalent....................     3.98%      4.09%      4.17%      4.48%      4.42%      4.53%      4.59%      4.55%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Notes:
/(1)/ All ratios are presented on an annualized basis.

/(2)/ Third quarter 1998 and fourth quarter 1997 provision for loan losses
      includes $650 and $1,293, respectively, in provisions for loan losses
      incident to conforming acquirees, credit policies to First Midwest's.

/(3)/ Third quarter 1998 and fourth quarter 1997 special charges include
      acquisition expenses in connection with the Heritage and SparBank
      acquisitions, respectively.

/(4)/ Represents net income, diluted earnings per share, return on average
      equity and return on average assets on a pro-forma basis excluding the
      after-tax effect of the provisions for loan losses and special charges
      described in (2) and (3) above.

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
FOURTH QUARTER 1998 vs. 1997

Net income for the fourth quarter of 1998 increased to a record $17.3 million or
$0.59 per diluted share, as compared to 1997 fourth quarter net income before
special charge of $16.4 million or $0.55 per diluted share, representing an
increase on a per diluted shared basis of 7.3%. A fourth quarter 1997 special
charge represented acquisition and related costs incurred in connection with the
merger of SparBank.

The fourth quarter of 1998 saw a continuation of net interest margin compression
and the related decline in net interest income experienced earlier in 1998.
Contributing to this decline were a number of factors including lower average
loans outstanding, higher than average and more expensive governmental deposits
and the costs of investing in corporate owned life insurance (the income on
which is reported as a component on noninterest income). Of these factors, the
most significant was lower average loans outstanding which was attributable to
(i) the securitizations during 1998 of $245 million of fixed rate mortgages
acquired from the Heritage and SparBank portfolios; (ii) lower levels of non-
mortgage originations as a result of more stringent underwriting and
administration standards adopted during 1998; (iii) the outplacement from
various portfolios of approximately $50 million in loans that no longer met
heightened credit standards; and (iv) pricing and underwriting competitive
circumstances.

Offsetting the decline in net interest income were increases in service charges
and fees, mortgage banking revenues and higher trust and investment management
fees. Additionally, a lower provision for loan losses was warranted due to the
decline in loans outstanding and the increase in the reserve for loan losses as
a percentage of total loans. The cost savings related to the Heritage
acquisition realized in the fourth quarter of 1998 resulted in flat quarter-to-
quarter noninterest expense which also offset the decline in net interest
income.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

The preceding "Business", "Legal Proceeding" and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of this Form
10-K contain various "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represents First Midwest's expectations
and beliefs concerning future events including, without limitation, the
following: the Company's efforts in retaining and expanding its customer base
and differentiating it from its competition; the FDIC insurance premium
assessments for 1999; the impact from liabilities arising from legal proceedings
on its financial condition; the impact of certain securities sales, and interest
rates in general, on the volatility of its net interest income; the impact of
policy guidelines and strategies on net interest income based on future interest
rate projections; the ability to provide funding sources for both the Bank and
the Parent Company; the benefits of 1998 merger activity on future years'
overhead expense; the impact of portfolio diversification and the outplacement
of high risk loans on future levels of loan losses; the reversal in the trend of
competition for real estate-commercial loans and the effect of loan growth
generally on the improvement in net interest income; the assessment of its
provision and reserve for loan loss levels based upon future changes in the
composition of its loan portfolio, loan losses, collateral value and economic
conditions; and Management's assessment of the impact of the Year 2000 on the
financial condition, results of operations and liquidity of the Company.

The Company cautions that these statements are further qualified by important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set
forth in the forward looking statements due to market, economic and other
business-related risks and uncertainties effecting the realization of such
statements. Certain of these risks and uncertainties included in such forward
looking statements include, without limitations, the following: dynamics of the
markets served in terms of competition from traditional and nontraditional
financial service providers can effect both the funding capabilities of the
Company in terms of deposit garnering as well as the ability to compete for
loans and generate the higher yielding assets necessary to improve net interest
income; future legislation and actions by the Federal Reserve Board may result
in the imposition of costs and constraints on the Company through higher FDIC
insurance premiums, significant fluctuations in market interest rates and
operational limitations; significant fluctuations in market interest rates may
affect the ability to reinvest proceeds from the maturities and prepayments on
certain categories of securities and affect the overall yield of the portfolio;
business expansion activities and other efforts to retain customers may increase
the need for staffing and the resulting personnel expense in future periods;
deviations from the assumptions used to evaluate the appropriate level of the
reserve for loan losses as well as future purchases and sales of loans may
affect the appropriate level of the reserve for loan losses and thereby affect
the future levels of provisioning; the steps necessary to address the Year 2000
Issue include ensuring that not only First Midwest's automated systems, but also
those of vendors and customers, can become Year 2000 compliant.

Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from expected
results in these statements. First Midwest does not undertake, and specifically
disclaims, any obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

                                      39
<PAGE>
 
              ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

                          FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
                            (Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      December 31,
                                                                                ------------------------
                                                                                   1998          1997
                                                                                ----------    ----------
<S>                                                                             <C>           <C>
Assets
Cash and due from banks..................................................       $  156,524    $  166,188
Funds sold and other short-term investments..............................               12        33,919
Mortgages held for sale..................................................           75,235        26,857
Securities available for sale, at market value...........................        1,979,115     1,377,134
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (market value of
   $50,794 and $142,108 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively).....           48,964       138,294
Loans, net of unearned discount..........................................        2,664,417     3,044,794
Reserve for loan losses..................................................          (43,290)      (46,965)
                                                                                ----------    ----------
  Net loans..............................................................        2,621,127     2,997,829

Premises, furniture and equipment........................................           78,168        78,805
Accrued interest receivable..............................................           36,362        34,890
Investment in corporate owned life insurance.............................          100,135            --
Other assets.............................................................           97,245        79,579
                                                                                ----------    ----------
  Total assets...........................................................       $5,192,887    $4,933,495
                                                                                ==========    ==========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
  Demand deposits........................................................       $  695,484    $  659,226
  Savings deposits.......................................................          529,322       537,874
  NOW accounts...........................................................          452,028       400,750
  Money Market deposits..................................................          516,512       466,531
  Time deposits..........................................................        1,857,105     1,871,226
                                                                                ----------    ----------
    Total deposits.......................................................        4,050,451     3,935,607

  Short-term borrowings..................................................          623,899       483,601
  Accrued interest payable...............................................           17,245        18,935
  Other liabilities......................................................           48,394        35,633
                                                                                ----------    ----------
    Total liabilities....................................................        4,739,989     4,473,776
                                                                                ----------    ----------

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized, none issued....               --            --
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 60,000 shares authorized: 30,364
    and 30,070 shares issued at December 31, 1998 and 1997 respectively;
    29,032 and 29,376 shares outstanding at December 31, 1998 and
    1997, respectively...................................................              290           294
  Additional paid-in capital.............................................           86,054        87,137
  Retained earnings......................................................          399,446       375,117
  Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.....................            9,875        12,011
  Treasury stock, at cost; 1,332 and 694 shares at December 31,
  1998 and 1997, respectively............................................          (42,767)      (14,840)
                                                                                ----------    ----------
    Total stockholders' equity...........................................          452,898       459,719
                                                                                ----------    ----------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...........................       $5,192,887    $4,933,495
                                                                                ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------------

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      40
<PAGE>
 
                          FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                 (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Years ended December 31,
                                                         --------------------------------------------
                                                            1998             1997             1996
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>              <C>
Interest Income
Loans..................................................  $  259,495       $  266,775       $  255,860
Securities:
  Available for sale - taxable.........................      78,986           77,274           81,178
  Available for sale - nontaxable......................       9,918            7,498            3,409
  Held to maturity - taxable...........................       1,451              865            1,112
  Held to maturity - nontaxable........................       8,526            6,328            6,921
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
    Total interest on securities.......................      98,881           91,965           92,620
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------

Funds sold and other short-term investments............       6,221            2,921            4,137
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
    Total interest income..............................     364,597          361,661          352,617
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------

Interest Expense
Savings deposits.......................................      13,696           14,865           15,668
NOW accounts...........................................       9,798            9,568            9,284
Money market deposits..................................      19,241           16,103           14,081
Time deposits..........................................     103,477          100,129           97,437
Short-term borrowings..................................      30,804           27,853           32,505
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
    Total interest expense.............................     177,016          168,518          168,975
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
  Net interest income..................................     187,581          193,143          183,642

Provision for Loan Losses..............................       5,542            9,365            8,189
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
  Net interest income after provision for loan losses..     182,039          183,778          175,453
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
Noninterest Income
Service charges on deposit accounts....................      17,100           16,735           15,604
Trust and investment management fees...................       9,134            8,411            7,981
Other service charges, commissions and fees............      10,197            9,428            8,759
Mortgage banking revenues..............................       8,535            6,161            5,719
Security gains, net....................................       1,657            1,283              728
Corporate owned life insurance income..................       3,135               --               --
Other..................................................       5,704            5,354            3,763
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
    Total noninterest income...........................      55,462           47,372           42,554
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and wages.....................................      63,268           59,998           58,467
Retirement and other employment benefits...............      14,026           15,063           14,532
Occupancy expense of premises..........................      12,039           11,891           10,974
Equipment expense......................................       8,354            8,442            7,993
Computer processing expense............................       9,846            9,129            8,134
Professional services..................................       7,849            7,546            7,378
Advertising and promotions.............................       4,576            3,959            3,607
Special assessment for SAIF............................          --               --            1,640
Acquisition and restructure charges/(credits)..........      16,148            5,446           (1,340)
Other expenses.........................................      22,696           24,643           24,678
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
    Total noninterest expense..........................     158,802          146,117          136,063
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
Income before income tax expense.......................      78,699           85,033           81,944
Income tax expense.....................................      23,995           28,425           27,234
                                                         ----------       ----------       ----------
  Net Income...........................................  $   54,704       $   56,608       $   54,710
                                                         ==========       ==========       ==========

Per Share Data
  Basic earnings per share.............................  $     1.87       $     1.93       $     1.86
  Diluted earnings per share...........................  $     1.84       $     1.89       $     1.82
  Weighted average shares outstanding..................      29,331           29,320           29,470
  Weighted average diluted shares outstanding..........      29,803           29,903           30,076
</TABLE>
- -----------------------------------------------
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      41
<PAGE>
 
                          FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                 (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Accumulated               
                                                               Additional                             Other                
                                                    Common       Paid-in    Retained    Treasury   Comprehensive           
                                                     Stock       Capital    Earnings     Stock        Income         Total 
                                                   ---------   ----------   --------   ---------   -------------   --------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>     
Balance at December 31, 1995                        $34,948      $53,015    $307,611   $ (6,097)     $ 4,366       $393,843 
Comprehensive Income:                                                                                                      
 Net income.....................................         --           --      54,710         --           --         54,710 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                                                                                    
  Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities,                                                                                 
   net of reclassification adjustment...........         --           --          --         --       (1,847)        (1,847)
                                                                                                                   --------
 Total comprehensive income.....................                                                                     52,863 
 
Dividends ($.704 per share).....................         --           --     (12,047)        --           --        (12,047)
Cash dividends paid by acquiree prior                                                                                      
 to combination.................................         --           --      (7,100)        --           --         (7,100)
Reclassification due to setting par value                                                                                  
 at $.01 per common share.......................    (34,673)      34,673          --         --           --             --
Purchase of treasury stock......................         --           --          --    (12,681)          --        (12,681)
Issuance of treasury stock to benefit plans.....         --            9          --      1,131           --          1,140 
Exercise of stock options.......................         17       (1,612)        (20)     3,727           --          2,112 
                                                   --------    ---------    --------   --------      -------       --------
Balance at December 31, 1996                            292       86,085     343,154    (13,920)       2,519        418,130 

Comprehensive Income:                                                                                                      
 Net income.....................................         --           --      56,608         --           --         56,608 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                                                                                    
  Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net                                                                              
   of reclassification adjustment...............         --           --          --         --        9,492          9,492  
                                                                                                                   --------
 Total comprehensive income.....................                                                                     66,100
  
Dividends ($.825 per share).....................         --           --     (14,594)        --           --        (14,594)
Cash dividends paid by acquiree prior to                                                                                   
 combination....................................         --           --      (7,062)        --           --         (7,062)
Purchase of treasury stock......................         --         (120)         --    (13,463)          --        (13,583)
Issuance of treasury stock to benefit plans.....         --           70          --        896           --            966 
Sale of treasury stock..........................         --          180          --      4,620           --          4,800 
Exercise of stock options.......................         --          924      (2,989)     7,027           --          4,962 
Par value adjustment on net common                                                                                         
 shares issued..................................          2           (2)         --         --           --             --
                                                   --------    ---------    --------    -------      -------       --------

Balance at December 31, 1997                            294       87,137     375,117    (14,840)      12,011        459,719 

Comprehensive Income:                                                                                                      
 Net income.....................................         --           --      54,704         --           --         54,704 
 Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                                                                                    
  Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net                                                                              
   reclassification adjustment..................         --           --          --         --       (2,136)        (2,136)
                                                                                                                   --------
Total comprehensive income.....................          --           --          --         --           --         52,568 
Dividends ($.915 per share).....................         --           --     (24,829)        --           --        (24,829)
Cash dividends paid by acquiree prior to                                                                                   
 combination....................................         --           --      (2,715)        --           --        (2,715)
Purchase of treasury stock......................         --       (1,081)          9    (34,362)          --       (35,434)
Issuance of treasury stock to benefit plans.....         --           88          --      1,409           --         1,497 
Exercise of stock options.......................         --         (123)     (2,840)     5,103           --         2,140 
Fair market value adjustment to treasury                                                                                   
 stock held in Grantor Trust....................         --           29          --        (77)          --           (48)
Par value adjustment on net common                                                                                         
 shares issued..................................         (4)           4          --         --           --            --
                                                   --------    ---------    --------   --------      -------      --------
Balance at December 31, 1998                        $   290      $86,054    $399,446   $(42,767)     $ 9,875      $452,898 
                                                   --------    ---------    --------   --------      -------      --------
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
                          FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (Amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Year ended December 31,
                                                                                              -------------------------------------
Operating Activities                                                                              1998         1997        1996
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------
<S>                                                                                           <C>           <C>         <C>
Net income.................................................................................   $    54,704   $  56,608   $    54,710
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
  Provision for loan losses................................................................         5,542       9,365         8,189
  Depreciation and amortization............................................................         8,799       8,888         8,553
  Net amortization of premium on securities................................................        12,078       3,927        (4,471)
  Net (gains) on sale of securities........................................................        (1,657)     (1,283)         (728)
  Net (gains) on sales of premises and equipment...........................................          (454)       (694)         (142)
  Net pension cost.........................................................................         1,613         629           487
  Net (decrease) increase in deferred income taxes.........................................        (1,448)     (2,694)        2,475
  Net amortization of purchase accounting adjustments, goodwill and other intangibles......         3,835       5,201         4,679
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
  Net (increase) decrease in loans held for sale...........................................       (48,378)    (13,365)        6,519
  Net (increase) decrease in accrued interest receivables..................................        (1,472)       (764)        2,003
  Net (increase) decrease in other assets..................................................       (18,348)    (14,373)       (6,525)
  Purchases of corporate owned life insurance..............................................      (100,135)         --            --
  Net (decrease) increase in accrued interest payable......................................        (1,690)      2,052        (2,477)
  Net increase in other liabilities due to loan purchase principal and interest settlement.            --          --        66,570
  Other net increase (decrease) in other liabilities.......................................         4,558     (65,931)           (8)
  Other net................................................................................        (2,039)         --            --
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------
  Other net cash provided (used) by operating activities...................................       (84,492)    (12,434)      139,834
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------

Investing Activities
Securities available for sale:
  Proceeds from maturities, repayments and calls...........................................     1,668,965     579,847       435,309
  Proceeds from sales......................................................................       823,029     366,898     1,172,845
  Purchases................................................................................    (2,770,758)   (988,719)   (1,451,154)
Securities held to maturity:
  Proceeds from maturities, repayments and calls...........................................        15,529      16,290        18,772
  Purchases................................................................................       (11,293)    (10,648)      (28,269)
Loans made to customers, net of principal collected........................................       124,706     (56,443)     (176,295)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned.............................................         5,177       4,401         5,170
Proceeds from sales of premises, furniture and equipment...................................           363       2,552           262
Purchases of premises and equipment........................................................       (10,787)    (12,484)      (10,616)
Purchase price of acquired bank, net of cash...............................................            --          --        (7,798)
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------
      Net cash (used) by investing activities..............................................      (155,069)    (98,306)      (41,774)
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------

Financing Activities
Net increase in deposit accounts...........................................................       115,033     245,440        36,925
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings...........................................       140,298     (95,345)     (136,964)
Net purchases of treasury stock............................................................       (33,937)     (5,369)      (10,265)
Cash dividends.............................................................................       (27,544)    (21,656)      (19,147)
Exercise of stock options..................................................................         2,140       1,709           836
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------
      Net cash provided (used) by financing activities.....................................       195,990     124,779      (128,615)
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------

      Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents.................................       (43,571)     14,039       (30,555)
      Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period.................................       200,107     186,068       216,623
                                                                                              -----------   ---------   -----------
      Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period.......................................   $   156,536   $ 200,107   $   186,068
                                                                                              ===========   =========   ===========

Supplemental disclosures:
Income taxes paid..........................................................................   $    23,016   $  32,697   $    24,027
Interest paid to depositors and creditors..................................................       178,894     166,542       169,333
Non-cash transfers of loans to foreclosed real estate......................................         1,534      (1,485)        5,745
Non-cash transfers to securities available for sale from loans.............................       245,000          --       141,164
Non-cash transfers to securities available for sale from securities held to maturity.......        85,519          --            --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. ("First Midwest") is a Delaware corporation that was
incorporated in 1982, began operations on March 31, 1983 and was formed through
an exchange of common stock. First Midwest, the third largest Illinois based
publicly traded banking company, has operations primarily located in Northern
Illinois with approximately 85% of its banking assets in the suburban
metropolitan Chicago area. First Midwest is engaged in commercial and retail
banking and offers a broad array of lending, depository and related financial
services tailored for individual, commercial and industrial and governmental
customers. Additionally, First Midwest offers trust, investment management,
mortgage banking and insurance services in the same markets served by its
banking operations.

The accounting and reporting policies of First Midwest and its subsidiaries (the
"Affiliates") conform to generally accepted accounting principles and general
practice within the banking industry. The preparation of consolidated financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires
Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in
the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results
could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of the significant
accounting policies followed in the preparation of the consolidated financial
statements.

Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts and results of operations of First Midwest after elimination of all
significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Assets held by Affiliates in
a fiduciary or agency capacity are not assets of the Affiliates and,
accordingly, are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation - Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1997 and
1996 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 1998 presentation. For
purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents
have been defined by Management to include cash and due from banks, funds sold
and other short-term investments. First Midwest uses the accrual basis of
accounting for financial reporting purposes, except for immaterial sources of
income and expense which are recorded when received or paid.
 
Business Combinations and Other Financial Disclosures - Certain business
combinations have been accounted for under the pooling-of-interests method of
accounting. This method requires the assets, liabilities and shareholders'
equity of the merged entity to be retroactively combined with First Midwest's
respective accounts at recorded value. Prior period financial statements and
other financial disclosures have been restated to give effect to business
combinations accounted for under this method.

Mortgages Held for Sale - First Midwest originates residential real estate
mortgage loans which are to be sold in the secondary market, including loans
securitized under programs with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
("FHLMC"), and the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"). Mortgage
loans held for sale may be hedged with forward sales commitments in order to
minimize interest rate exposure by contracting for the sale of loans in the
future at specific prices. Gains and losses from hedging transactions on
residential real estate mortgage loans held for sale are included in the cost of
the loans in determining the gain or loss when the loans are sold. Residential
real estate mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate
cost or fair value.

Securities - Securities which Management believes could be sold prior to
maturity in order to manage interest rate risk, prepayment or liquidity risk are
classified as securities available for sale and are carried at fair market value
with unrealized gains and losses reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income. Held to maturity securities, which include any security for which First
Midwest has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are valued
at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of
discount computed principally using the interest method, adjusted for actual
prepayments, if any. A decline in the market value of any available for sale or
held to maturity security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary
results in a charge to earnings thereby establishing a new cost basis for such
security. First Midwest has no trading account securities. Gain or loss on the
sale of securities is determined based on the adjusted cost of the specific
security sold.

Loans - Loans are carried at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned
discount, including certain net deferred loan fees. Unearned discount on certain
consumer installment loans is credited to income over the term of the loan using
the level yield method. Interest income on loans is accrued based on principal
amounts outstanding.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
Generally a loan, including an impaired loan, is classified as nonaccrual and
the accrual of interest thereon discontinued when, in the opinion of Management,
there is reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal.
When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income
in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is
charged against the reserve for loan losses. Interest received on nonaccrual
loans is either applied against principal or reported as interest income,
according to Management's judgment as to the collectability of principal.
Nonaccrual loans are returned to an accrual status when, in the opinion of
Management, the financial condition of the borrower and other relevant factors
indicate there is no longer reasonable doubt as to the timely payment of
principal or interest.

Reserve for Loan Losses - The reserve for loan losses is increased by provisions
charged to operating expenses, decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries, and
is available for losses incurred on loans, including certain accrued interest
receivable.

The reserve for loan losses is maintained in an amount that Management believes
is adequate to absorb loan losses inherent in the portfolio. The provision for
loan losses is based on Management's judgment as to the adequacy of the reserve
for loan losses, after considering such factors as the volume and character of
the portfolio, present and prospective financial condition of the borrowers,
general economic conditions and past loan loss experience.

Specific reserves are established for any impaired commercial, real estate
commercial and real estate construction loans for which the recorded investment
in the loan exceeds the measured value of the loan. A loan is considered
impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all
contractual principal and interest due according to the terms of the loan
agreement. Loans subject to impairment valuation are defined as nonaccrual and
restructured loans exclusive of smaller balance homogeneous loans such as home
equity, installment and 1-4 family residential loans. The value of the loan is
determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted
at the loan's effective interest rate, the market price of the loan or the fair
value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell, if the loan is collateral
dependent.

Foreclosed Real Estate - Foreclosed real estate includes properties acquired in
partial or total satisfaction of certain loans and is included in other assets
in the accompanying consolidated statements of condition. Properties are
recorded at the lower of the recorded investment in the loans for which the
properties previously served as collateral or the fair value, which represents
the estimated sales price of the properties on the date acquired less estimated
selling costs. Any writedowns in the carrying value of a property at the time of
acquisition are charged against the reserve for loan losses. The carrying value
of foreclosed real estate properties is periodically reviewed by Management. Any
write-downs of the properties subsequent to acquisition, as well as gains or
losses on disposition and income or expense from the operations of foreclosed
real estate, are recognized in operating results in the period they are
realized.

Premises, Furniture and Equipment - Premises, furniture and equipment are stated
at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is determined by the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Rates of
depreciation are generally based on the following useful lives: building - 25 to
40 years; building improvements, furniture and equipment - 3 to 5 years. Gains
and losses on dispositions are reflected in other income and other expense,
respectively. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as
incurred.

Long-lived assets to be held and those to be disposed of and certain intangibles
are evaluated for impairment using the guidance provided by Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of ", which was
adopted on January 1, 1996. The provisions of this statement establish when an
impairment loss should be recognized and how it should be measured.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Goodwill, representing the excess of purchase
price over the fair value of net assets acquired using the purchase method of
accounting, is being amortized using the straight-line method over periods not
exceeding twenty years. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, goodwill totaling
approximately $22,874 and $25,040, respectively, is included in other assets in
the accompanying consolidated statements of condition. At December 31, 1998, the
average remaining life of unamortized goodwill was 10 years.

Core deposit intangibles, representing the premium associated with the
acquisition of certain deposit liabilities, are being amortized to operating
expense on an accelerated basis over the average lives of such deposit
liabilities. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, core deposit intangibles totaling
approximately $3,131 and $3,336 respectively, are included in other assets in
the accompanying consolidated statements of condition.

Goodwill and other intangibles, which collectively represent less than 1% of
total assets, are periodically assessed for recoverability through review of
various economic factors to determine whether any impairment exists.

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights - First Midwest recognizes as separate assets the
rights to service mortgage loans for others, however those rights are acquired.
After the residential mortgage loan portfolio is stratified by servicing type,
loan type, rate type and interest rate, the fair value of the mortgage servicing
rights ("MSR") is determined using the present value of estimated expected
future cash flows assuming a market discount rate and certain forecasted
prepayment rates based on the industry experience. MSRs are amortized in
proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated net servicing income. The
assessment of impairment on MSRs is based on the current fair value of those
rights. Such impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance established
through a charge to expense. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, mortgage servicing
rights of $15,006 and $9,526 respectively, are included in other assets in the
accompanying statements of condition. First Midwest hedges its exposure to the
prepayment risk associated with the servicing rights by using off-balance sheet
derivative financial instruments.

Advertising Costs - All advertising costs incurred by First Midwest are expensed
in the period in which they are incurred.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Interest Rate Risk Management - As part of managing First Midwest's interest
rate risk, derivative financial instruments are used to hedge market values and
to alter the cash flow characteristics of certain on-balance sheet assets and
liabilities. The derivative financial instruments used to manage interest rate
risk consist of interest rate swaps. The derivative instruments used to manage
interest rate risk are linked with a specific asset or liability or a group of
related assets or liabilities at the inception of the derivative contract and
have a high degree of correlation with the associated balance sheet item during
the hedge period. Net interest income or expense on derivative contracts used
for interest rate risk management is accrued to the income or expense related to
the asset or liability, or group, being hedged. Realized gains and losses on
contracts, either settled or terminated, are deferred and are recorded as either
an adjustment to the carrying value of the related on-balance sheet asset or
liability or are amortized into interest income or expense over either the
remaining original life of the derivative instrument or the expected life of the
associated asset or liability. Unrealized gains or losses on these contracts are
not recognized on the balance sheet. First Midwest does not hold or issue
derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Mortgage Servicing Rights Risk Management - The market value of First Midwest's
mortgage servicing rights portfolio is adversely affected when mortgage interest
rates decline and mortgage loan prepayments increase. To hedge the market value
of its fixed rate servicing rights portfolio, First Midwest uses futures
contracts balanced with put and call options. The hedge position is marked-to-
market monthly, with realized and unrealized gains and losses offsetting the
changes in the value of the mortgage servicing rights. The adjusted carrying
value is the basis used for evaluating impairment. Realized gains and losses on
settled or terminated contracts are recorded on the income statement.

Income Taxes - First Midwest's deferred income tax assets and liabilities are
computed annually for differences between the financial statement and tax basis
of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in
the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to periods in which
the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are
established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount
expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for
the period adjusted for the change during the period in deferred tax assets and
liabilities.

First Midwest and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax
return. The intercompany settlement of taxes paid is based on tax sharing
agreements which generally allocate taxes to each entity on a separate return
basis.

Net Income Per Share - Effective December 31, 1997, First Midwest adopted FASB
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," which establishes standards for computing and
presenting earnings per share ("EPS") and applies to entities with publicly held
common stock or potential common stock. It replaces the presentation of primary
EPS with earnings per common share ("basic EPS") which is computed by dividing
net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the
period. The basic EPS computation excludes the dilutive effect of all common
stock equivalents. Further, FASB No. 128 requires additional disclosures
including dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the
Statement of Income for all periods presented. Diluted EPS reflects the
potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue
common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. First Midwest's
potential common shares represent shares issuable under its stock option plans.
Such common stock equivalents are computed based on the treasury stock method
using the average market price for the period. Further disclosures are presented
in Note 10: Earnings Per Share.

Stock-Based Compensation - Effective January 1, 1996, First Midwest adopted FASB
No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". FASB No. 123 establishes
financial accounting and reporting standards for stock-based compensation plans.
First Midwest elected to continue accounting for stock-based employee
compensation plans in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25 and
related interpretations, as FASB No. 123 permits, and to follow the pro forma
net income, pro forma earnings per share, and stock-based compensation plan
disclosure requirements set forth in FASB No. 123. Further disclosures are
presented in Note 14: Stock Option Plans.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of
Liabilities - Effective January 1, 1997, First Midwest adopted FASB No. 125,
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment
of Liabilities," which provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers
and servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities. Such
standards are based on a consistent "financial components" approach that focuses
on control. Under that approach, after a transfer of financial assets, an entity
recognizes on its balance sheet all assets it controls and liabilities it has
incurred and would remove from the balance sheet assets it no longer controls
and liabilities it has satisfied. FASB No. 125 provides consistent standards for
distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers that
are secured borrowings. Transactions covered by FASB No. 125 include
securitizations, repurchase agreements, securities lending, loan syndications
and participations and asset servicing. Accordingly, First Midwest has modified
several agreements to meet the new requirements to enable it to continue
recognizing transfers of certain receivables to third parties as sales. FASB No.
125 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial position or
results of operations of First Midwest.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 1998, First Midwest adopted FASB Statement No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income," which establishes standards for reporting and
display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of financial
statements. Comprehensive income is the total of reported net income and all
other revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted
accounting principles bypass reported net income. FASB No. 130 requires that
comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with
the same prominence as other financial statements and requires an entity to (a)
classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial
statement and (b) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income
separately from retained earnings and surplus in the equity section of the
balance sheet. FASB No. 130 requires that First Midwest include unrealized gains
or losses, net of tax on securities available for sale in other comprehensive
income, which, prior to adoption, were reported separately in stockholders'
equity. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
requirements of FASB No. 130. The adoption of FASB No. 130 had no impact on the
consolidated financial position or results of operations of First Midwest.

In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes standards for public
companies to report certain financial information about operating segments in
interim and annual financial statements. Operating segments are components of a
business about which separate financial information is available and that are
evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to
allocate resources and assessing performance. The statement also requires public
companies to report certain information about their products and services, the
geographic areas in which they operate and certain information about their
products. FASB No.131 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997. First Midwest's chief operating decision
maker evaluates the operations of the Company as one operating segment,
commercial banking, due to the materiality of the commercial banking operation
to the Company's financial condition and results of operations, taken as a
whole, and as a result separate segment disclosures are not required. First
Midwest offers the following products and services to external customers:
deposits, loans, mortgage banking related services and trust services. Revenues
for each of these products and services are disclosed separately in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Effective January 1, 1998, First Midwest adopted FASB Statement No. 132,
"Employer's Disclosures about Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits,"
which supersedes the disclosure requirements in FASB No. 87, "Employers'
Accounting for Pensions," FASB No. 88, "Accounting for Settlements and
Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits," and
FASB No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Post-retirement Benefits Other than
Pensions." The overall objective of FASB No. 132 is to improve and standardize
disclosures about pensions and other post-retirement benefits and to make the
required information easier to prepare and more understandable. The statement
addresses disclosure issues only and does not change the measurement or
recognition provisions specified in the above statements. The adoption of FASB
No.132 had no impact on the consolidated financial position or results of
operations of First Midwest.

In June 1998, FASB issued Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". The Statement establishes accounting and
reporting standards requiring that derivative instruments (including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded on the balance
sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value. FASB No. 133
requires that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in
earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting
for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related
changes in value of the hedged item in the income statement and requires that a
company document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that
qualify for hedge accounting. FASB No. 133 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 1999. A company may also implement the Statement as of
the beginning of any fiscal quarter after its issuance (that is, fiscal quarters
beginning June 16, 1998 and thereafter). FASB No. 133 cannot be applied
retroactively; it must be applied to (a) derivative instruments and (b) certain
derivative instruments embedded in hybrid contracts that were issued, acquired,
or substantively modified after December 31, 1997 (and, at the company's
election, before January 1, 1998). First Midwest has not yet quantified nor
determined the extent to which the Statement will alter its use of certain
derivatives in the future and the impact on its financial position or results of
operations.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
2. ACQUISITIONS

Heritage Financial Services, Inc.

On July 1, 1998, First Midwest consummated the merger with Heritage Financial
Services, Inc. ("Heritage"), in a transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-
interests. Heritage had total assets and stockholders' equity of approximately
$1.4 billion and $131 million, respectively, as of July 1, 1998. Each
outstanding share of Heritage common stock, no par value, was converted into
 .7695 shares of First Midwest Common Stock, $.01 par value, resulting in the
issuance of approximately 9.6 million shares of First Midwest Common Stock.

The following table shows gross revenues (representing net interest income and
noninterest income, exclusive of security gains), net income and diluted
earnings per share on an individual and combined basis for the periods
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Six months    Years ended December 31,
                                                                               ended June    ------------------------
                                                                                30, 1998        1997           1996
                                                                               ----------    ----------      --------
<S>                                                                             <C>            <C>           <C>
Gross Revenues:
  First Midwest............................................................     $ 90,741       $180,954      $172,151
  Heritage.................................................................       30,233         58,278        53,317
                                                                                -------------------------------------
  Combined.................................................................     $120,974       $239,232      $225,468
                                                                                ========       ========      ========


Net Income:
  First Midwest............................................................      23,305          38,815        39,872
  Heritage.................................................................       9,421          17,793        14,838
                                                                                -------        --------      --------
  Combined.................................................................     $32,726         $56,608      $ 54,710
                                                                                =======        ========      ========


Diluted Earnings Per Share:
  First Midwest............................................................     $  1.16        $   1.92      $   1.95
  Heritage.................................................................     $  0.75        $   1.43      $   1.19
  Combined.................................................................     $  1.09        $   1.89      $   1.82
</TABLE>

The combined consolidated results of operations are not necessarily indicative
of the results that would have occurred had the merger been consummated in the
past or which may be attained in the future.

In connection with the merger, First Midwest recognized a third quarter 1998
pre-tax merger related charge of $16,798 consisting of $16,148 in merger
expenses and $650 in provision for loan losses incident to conforming Heritage's
credit policies to First Midwest's. The merger expenses, certain of which are
nondeductible for income tax purposes, were recorded through the establishment
of a reserve which is comprised of the following components as of the dates
indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       December 31,    July 1,
                                                                                          1998          1998
                                                                                       ------------   --------
<S>                                                                                    <C>            <C>
Reserve for Merger Expenses:
    Employee severance, outplacement, retirement programs
      and related costs....................................................               $  681       $ 6,977
    Contract termination fees and other related costs......................                  329           923
    Investment advisor fees................................................                   --         4,238
    Legal, accounting and other professional fees..........................                   80         1,312
    Branch closing costs...................................................                  500           500
    Other..................................................................                   --         2,198
                                                                                        --------       -------
                                                                                          $1,590       $16,148
                                                                                        ========       =======
</TABLE>

                                       48
<PAGE>

SparBank, Incorporated

On October 1, 1997 First Midwest consummated the merger of SparBank,
Incorporated ("SparBank"), in a transaction that was structured as a tax-free
exchange and accounted for as a pooling-of-interests, resulting in the issuance
of 3,231 shares of First Midwest Common Stock to SparBank stockholders.

Coincident with the SparBank merger, First Midwest recorded $6,742 in merger-
related costs consisting of $5,446 in acquisition expenses and $1,296 in
provisions for loan losses incident to conforming SparBank's credit policies to
First Midwest's. The merger expenses, certain of which are nondeductible for
income tax purposes, were recorded through the establishment of a reserve which
is comprised of the following components as of the dates indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                December 31,
                                                                            --------------------
                                                                            1998          1997
                                                                            ----          ----
<S>                                                                         <C>          <C>
Reserve for Merger Expenses:
     Employee severance, outplacement, retirement programs
       and related costs..................................................  $126         $1,546
     Contract termination fees and other related costs....................    --            920
     Investment advisor fees..............................................    --          1,401
     Legal, accounting and other professional fees........................   415          1,264
     Other................................................................    --            315
                                                                            ----         ------
                                                                            $541         $5,446
                                                                            ====         ======
</TABLE>

3. REGULATORY AND CAPITAL MATTERS

Banking regulations and capital guidelines limit the amount of dividends that
may be paid by banks. Future payment of dividends by First Midwest Bank,
National Association (the "Bank") is dependent on individual regulatory capital
requirements and levels of profitability. Since First Midwest is a legal entity,
separate and distinct from the Bank, the dividends of First Midwest are not
subject to such bank regulatory guidelines.

First Midwest and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital
requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Under capital
adequacy guidelines, First Midwest and the Bank must meet specific guidelines
that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-
balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The
capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by
the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Quantative
measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require First
Midwest and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier 1
capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and
of Tier 1 capital to average assets (as defined). Management believes that, as
of December 31, 1998, First Midwest and the Bank meet all capital adequacy
requirements to which they are subject.

As of December 31, 1998, the most recent notification from the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency categorized the Bank as "well capitalized" under the
regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as "well
capitalized", the banking subsidiary must maintain minimum Total and Tier 1
capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets ratios as
set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that
notification that Management believes have changed the Bank's category.

                                      49
<PAGE>
 
The following table summarizes the actual capital ratios for First Midwest and
its banking subsidiary, as well as those required to be categorized as
adequately capitalized and well capitalized.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   First Midwest             For Capital         Well Capitalized for
                                                       Actual             Adequacy Purposes              FDICIA
                                               -------------------       ------------------       -------------------
                                                Capital      Ratio        Capital     Ratio        Capital      Ratio
                                               ---------    ------       ---------    -----       ---------    ------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
As of December 31, 1998:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc............... $ 480,611    13.29%       $ 277,310    8.00%       $ 346,637    10.00%
     First Midwest Bank, N.A..................   379,210    11.27          269,237    8.00          336,546    10.00

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............   417,321    12.04          138,655    4.00          207,982     6.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A..................   337,138    10.02          134,619    4.00          201,928     6.00

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio:
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............   417,321     8.04          154,993    3.00          258,322     5.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A..................   337,138     6.64          152,340    3.00          253,900     5.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of December 31, 1997:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc............... $ 463,266    13.33%       $ 278,080    8.00%       $ 347,600    10.00%
     First Midwest Bank, N.A./(1)/............   404,036    11.93          270,995    8.00          338,744    10.00

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets):
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............   419,773    12.08          139,040    4.00          208,560     6.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A./(1)/............   361,648    10.68          135,498    4.00          203,246     6.00

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio:
     First Midwest Bancorp, Inc...............   419,773     8.60          146,387    3.00          243,978     5.00
     First Midwest Bank, N.A./(1)/............   361,648     7.52          144,222    3.00          240,371     5.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


/(1)/  Restated to include Heritage Bank and McHenry State Bank as of December
       31, 1997.

First Midwest is required to maintain reserve balances at the Federal Reserve
Bank based upon deposit levels and other factors. Included in cash and due from
banks at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are balances totaling $12,820 and $19,916,
respectively, which represent the aggregate amount of reserve balances,
including required reserves, that First Midwest maintains as a member of the
Federal Reserve System.

4.  SECURITIES

Securities Available for Sale - The amortized cost and market value of
securities available for sale at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      December 31, 1998                                         December 31, 1997
                     ----------------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------------------------
                                      Gross         Gross                                       Gross         Gross
                     Amortized     Unrealized    Unrealized      Market         Amortized    Unrealized    Unrealized      Market
                        Cost          Gains        Losses        Value             Cost         Gains        Losses        Value
                     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------      ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                  <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
U. S. Treasury
  securities........ $   19,575       $   156      $    --     $   19,731      $  128,564       $   400      $   (14)    $  128,950
U.S. Agency
  securities........    283,920           251         (312)       283,859          62,183            87           --         62,270
Mortgage-backed
  securities........  1,258,184         8,172       (8,020)     1,258,336         938,161         9,544       (1,164)       946,541
State and Municipal
  securities........    392,633        17,567       (1,644)       408,556         194,994        10,551           (9)       205,536
Other securities....      8,609            24           --          8,633          33,435           421          (19)        33,837
                     ----------       -------      --------    ----------      ----------       -------      --------    ----------
    Total........... $1,962,921       $26,170      $(9,976)    $1,979,115      $1,357,337       $21,003      $(1,206)    $1,377,134
                     ==========       =======      ========    ==========      ==========       =======      ========    ==========
</TABLE>


                                      50
<PAGE>

In conjunction with the Heritage acquisition, First Midwest transferred certain
state and municipal securities with an amortized cost of $85,519 from the held
to maturity portfolio to available for sale portfolio incident to conforming the
securities acquired to First Midwest's interest rate and credit risk policies.
At the time of transfer, the net unrealized gain on these securities totaled
$3,427.

The following is a summary of the contractual maturities of available for sale
securities at December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Amortized        Market
          Available-for-Sale                 Cost          Value
          ------------------             -----------     ----------
          <S>                            <C>             <C>
          One year or less..............  $  263,859     $  264,765
          One year to five years........     729,082        724,374
          Five years to ten years.......     322,150        316,804
          Over ten years................     647,828        673,172
                                         -----------     ----------
          Total.........................  $1,962,921     $1,979,115
                                         ==========================
</TABLE>


The maturity distributions of mortgaged-backed securities above are based upon
the contractual maturities of such securities. Actual maturities of the
securities listed above may differ from that reflected in the table due to
securities with call features which are assumed to be held to contractual
maturity for maturity distribution purposes.

Proceeds from the sales, maturities and paydowns of securities available for
sale in 1998, 1997 and 1996 were $2,491,994, $946,745, and $1,608,154
respectively. Gross gains and losses realized on those sales totaled $10,006 and
$(8,405) in 1998, $2,840 and $(1,557) in 1997, and $2,129 and $(1,451) in 1996.
Income tax expense recognized on net securities gains was $625 in 1998, $500 in
1997, and $223 in 1996.

Securities Held to Maturity - The amortized cost and market value of securities
held to maturity at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        December 31, 1998                                  December 31, 1997
                          ----------------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------------
                                        Gross         Gross                               Gross         Gross
                          Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized    Market     Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized    Market
                            Cost        Gains         Losses      Value        Cost       Gains         Losses      Value
                          ----------------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. Treasury securities.  $   896      $    3      $    --      $   899    $  1,099      $    5      $    --     $   1,104
U.S. Agency securities...      403           2           (1)         404          --          --           --            --
State and municipal
  securities.............   26,388       1,825           --       28,213     119,013       3,861          (71)      122,803
Other securities.........   21,277           1           --       21,278      18,182          19           --        18,201
                          ----------------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------------
   Total.................  $48,964     $ 1,831      $    (1)     $50,794    $138,294      $3,885      $   (71)     $142,108
                          ==============================================    ===============================================
</TABLE>

The decrease in state and municipal securities is attributable to the
reclassification of Heritage securities from the held to maturity portfolio to
the available for sale portfolio on July 1, 1998, as discussed above.

The following is a summary of the contractual maturities of held to maturity
securities at December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Amortized      Market
          Held-to-Maturity:               Cost          Value
          -----------------             ---------      -------
          <S>                           <C>            <C>
          One year or less............    $ 3,320      $ 3,337
          One year to five years......      8,853        9,138
          Five years to ten years.....      6,936        7,609
          Over ten years..............     29,855       30,710
                                        ---------      -------
          Total                           $48,964      $50,794
                                        =========      =======
</TABLE>


Actual maturities may differ from those reflected in the table above due to
securities with call features which are assumed to be held to contractual
maturity for maturity distribution purposes.

Proceeds from sales represent securities sold within ninety days of contractual
maturity; no material gains or losses result from such sales. Gross gains
recorded as a result of transactions in the held to maturity portfolio totaled
$56 in 1998. Gross gains in 1997 and 1996 were $0 and $50, respectively.

The book value of securities available for sale, securities held to maturity and
securities purchased under agreements to resell, which were pledged to secure
deposits and for other purposes as permitted or required by law at December 31,
1998 and 1997 totaled $1,643,254 and $901,231 respectively.

                                      51

<PAGE>

5. LOANS

First Midwest concentrates its lending activity in the geographic market areas
that it serves, generally lending to consumers and small- to mid-sized
businesses from whom deposits are garnered in the same market areas. Over the
past several years, First Midwest has migrated toward a loan portfolio that is
distributed approximately evenly between the categories of commercial and
industrial (including agricultural), consumer (including real estate 1-4
family) and real estate (both commercial and construction). This distribution
reduces the exposure to economic downturns that may occur in different segments
of the economy or in different industries. At December 31, 1998, First Midwest
had no consequential out-of-market originated loans.

The following table provides the book value of loans by major classification at
December 31, 1998 and 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                December 31,
                                           -----------------------
                                              1998         1997
                                           ----------   ----------
     <S>                                   <C>          <C>
     Commercial and industrial............ $  721,599   $  723,425
     Agricultural.........................     49,397       39,014
     Consumer.............................    688,774      754,727
     Real Estate - 1-4 family...........      257,307      506,077
     Real Estate - commercial.............    769,514      858,627
     Real Estate - construction...........    148,469      129,290
     Other................................     29,357       33,634
                                           ----------   ----------
       Loans, net of unearned discount.... $2,664,417   $3,044,794
                                           ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

The book value of loans that were pledged to secure deposits and for other
purposes as required or permitted by law totaled $167,183 and $153,739 at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

During 1998, First Midwest securitized approximately $245 million in 1-4 family
real estate loans, retaining such assets in its securities available for sale
portfolio as mortgage backed securities.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The fair value of capitalized mortgage servicing rights was $16,113 on December
31, 1998 and $10,424 on December 31, 1997. First Midwest serviced $1,474,206,
$1,051,598 and $835,649 for other investors as of December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

Based upon current fair values, capitalized mortgage servicing rights are
periodically assessed for impairment, which is recognized in income during the
period in which impairment occurs by establishing a corresponding valuation
allowance. For purposes of performing impairment evaluation, First Midwest
evaluates and measures impairment of its servicing rights using stratifications
based on risk characteristics of the underlying loans. These stratifications
include source of origination (retail, correspondent or purchased), loan type
(fixed or adjustable) and interest rate. Impairment is recognized through a
valuation allowance allocated by individual stratum. First Midwest had no
activity in the valuation allowance for mortgage servicing rights during 1998.
The valuation allowance balance was $243 at December 31, 1998 and 1997 and $458
at December 31, 1996.

6. RESERVE FOR LOAN LOSSES/IMPAIRED LOANS

Transactions in the reserve for loan losses during the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996 are summarized below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Years ended December 31,
                                            ----------------------------
                                              1998      1997      1996
                                            --------  --------  --------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>
Balance at beginning of year............    $ 46,965  $ 41,609  $ 39,729
  Loans charged-off.....................     (12,955)  (12,060)  (10,576)
  Recoveries on loans previously
  charged-off...........................       3,738     8,051     3,088
                                            --------  --------  --------
     Net recoveries (charge-offs).......      (9,217)   (4,009)   (7,488)
  Provision for loan losses.............       5,542     9,365     8,189
  Reserve of acquired bank..............          --        --     1,179
                                            --------  --------  --------
Balance at end of year..................    $ 43,290  $ 46,965  $ 41,609
                                            ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

                                      52
<PAGE>
 
Information with respect to impaired loans for 1998, 1997 and 1996 is provided
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             December 31,
                                                                   ------------------------------
                                                                       1998      1997      1996
                                                                   ---------   --------   -------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>        <C>
Recorded Investment in Impaired Loans:
  Recorded investment requiring specific loan loss reserves/(1)/..    $   325   $ 3,009   $ 2,500
  Recorded investment not requiring specific loan loss reserves...     15,890     7,801    12,536
                                                                   ----------   -------   -------
      Total recorded investment in impaired loans.................    $16,215   $10,810   $15,036
                                                                   ==========   =======   =======
 
Specific loan loss reserve related to impaired loans..............    $   232   $   952   $ 1,189
                                                                   ==========   =======   =======
 
                                                                       Years Ended December 31,
                                                                   ------------------------------
                                                                       1998      1997      1996
                                                                   ----------   -------   -------
Average recorded investment in impaired loans......................   $15,552   $14,079   $23,873
Interest income recorded...........................................   $    52   $   215   $   912
                                                                   ==========   =======   =======
</TABLE>

/(1)/ These impaired loans require a specific reserve allocation because the
 value of the loans is less than the recorded investments in the loans.
 

7.  PREMISES, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

The cost, accumulated depreciation and net book value of premises, furniture and
equipment at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               December 31,
                          --------------------
                              1998      1997
                          ---------   --------
<S>                       <C>         <C>
Land......................   21,883   $ 21,513
Premises..................   75,922     74,698
Furniture and equipment...   48,399     50,008
                          ---------   --------
   Total cost.............  146,204    146,219
Accumulated depreciation..  (68,036)   (67,414)
                          ---------   --------
   Net book value.........   78,168   $ 78,805
                          =========   ========
</TABLE>

Depreciation and amortization expense on premises, furniture and equipment for
the years 1998, 1997 and 1996 totaled $8,799, $8,888 and $8,553 respectively.

8. DEPOSITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Deposits were comprised of the following:          December 31,
                                           --------------------------
                                                1998         1997
                                           -------------   ----------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>
Noninterest bearing demand deposits.......    $  695,484   $  659,226
Interest bearing demand deposits..........       452,028      400,750
Savings and money market deposits.........     1,045,834    1,004,405
Time deposits less than $100..............     1,303,132    1,356,068
Time deposits $100 or more................       553,973      515,158
                                           -------------   ----------
 Total deposits                               $4,050,451   $3,935,607
                                           =============   ==========
</TABLE>
                                                                                
The maturities of time deposits as of December 31, 1998, for the years 1999
through 2003, were $1,547,634, $159,469, $92,239, $34,081 and $20,325,
respectively.

                                      53
<PAGE>
 
9. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The following is a summary of short-term borrowings at December 31, 1998 and
1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         December 31,
                                                                   ----------------------
                                                                       1998       1997
                                                                   ----------------------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>
Repurchase agreements............................................     $457,103   $423,601
Funds purchased..................................................       40,000        --
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other short-term borrowings..      126,796     60,000
                                                                      --------   --------
     Total short-term borrowings.................................     $623,899   $483,601
                                                                      ========   ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Maximum Amount Outstanding at      Weighted Average Interest Rate
                                        Any Month End                        December 31,
                               --------------------------------   ---------------------------------
                                  1998        1997        1996       1998        1997        1996
                               ----------   --------   ---------   --------    --------    --------
<S>                            <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
Repurchase agreements.........  $555,778    $535,302    $629,747     4.56%      5.05%        5.28%
Funds purchased...............    92,000      95,000      71,500     4.53%        --         2.17%
Other short-term borrowings...   189,906      60,001      28,462     5.25%      4.56%        7.02%
                               =========    ========    ========     =====      =====       =======
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Years ended December 31,
                                                                  -----------------------------------
                                                                       1998        1997        1996
                                                                  -----------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>           <C>         <C>
Aggregate short-term borrowings - average amount outstanding....     $597,630    $523,829    $615,891
Weighted average interest rate paid during each year............         5.15%       5.32%       5.28%
                                                                  ===================================
</TABLE>


Not included in the above table are unused short-term credit lines available to
Affiliates totaling $155 million at December 31, 1998, exclusive of certain
correspondent bank and Federal Reserve Bank discount window borrowing
facilities.

Repurchase agreements are treated as financings and the obligations to
repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the consolidated
statements of condition.  The securities underlying the agreements remain in the
respective asset accounts.

As of December 31, 1998 First Midwest did not have amounts at risk under
repurchase agreements with any individual counter-party or group of related
counter-parties which exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity.

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank are collateralized by qualifying
securities and loans.

10.  EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Years ended December 31,
                                                         ------------------------------
                                                            1998       1997       1996
                                                         --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Income.............................................  $ 54,704   $ 56,608   $ 54,710
                                                         ========   ========   ========
Average common shares outstanding......................    29,331     29,320     29,470

Common share equivalents - assuming exercise
     of dilutive stock options.........................       472        583        606
                                                         --------   --------   --------
Average common shares and common share
     equivalents outstanding...........................    29,803     29,903     30,076
                                                         ========   ========   ========

Basic earnings per share...............................  $   1.87   $   1.93   $   1.86
Diluted earnings per share.............................  $   1.84   $   1.89   $   1.82
</TABLE>

                                      54
<PAGE>
 
11.  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The related income tax effect and reclassification adjustments to the components
of other comprehensive income for years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 1998      1997      1996
                                                                             ---------   -------   -------
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during the period:
<S>                                                                            <C>       <C>       <C>
     Unrealized net gains/(losses).......................................      $ 5,321   $15,831   $(3,028)
     Related tax (expense)/benefit.......................................       (2,075)   (6,244)    1,181
                                                                               -------   -------   -------
     Net.................................................................        3,246     9,587    (1,847)
                                                                             ---------   -------   -------

Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized during the period:
  Realized net gains.....................................................        8,823       155        --
  Related tax expense....................................................       (3,441)      (60)       --
                                                                             ---------   -------   -------
     Net.................................................................        5,382        95        --
                                                                             ---------   -------   -------
Total other comprehensive income.........................................      $(2,136)  $ 9,492   $(1,847)
                                                                             =========   =======   =======
</TABLE>

12. RETIREMENT PLANS

A summary of the First Midwest retirement plans, including the funding policies
and benefit information, is presented below:

First Midwest Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (Profit Sharing Plan) - The Profit
Sharing Plan covers substantially all full-time employees, provides for
retirement benefits based upon vesting requirements with full vesting after 7
years and allows for contributions by participants of up to 10% of defined
compensation on a tax sheltered basis under the provisions of Section 401 of the
Internal Revenue Code.

First Midwest provides a matching contribution to the Profit Sharing Plan of 2%
of defined compensation of the participants, and a discretionary contribution of
up to an additional 6%, based upon both individual Affiliate performance and the
overall consolidated performance of First Midwest.

First Midwest Pension Plan (Pension Plan) - The Pension Plan covers
substantially all full-time employees, is noncontributory, and provides for
retirement benefits based upon years of service and compensation levels of the
participants.  Actuarially determined pension costs are charged to current
operations.

The following table summarizes the Pension Plan for the years ended:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            December 31,
                                                                                         -------------------

                                                                                           1998      1997
                                                                                         -------   -------
<S>                                                                                      <C>       <C>
Change in benefit obligation:
     Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year..........................         $14,135   $ 8,187
     Service cost...............................................................           1,530       610
     Interest cost..............................................................             878       608
     Actuarial (gains)/losses...................................................             638       457
     Benefits paid..............................................................          (1,033)     (721)
     Business combinations......................................................              --     4,877
     Settlements................................................................          (1,875)       --
     Special termination benefits...............................................             582       117
                                                                                         -------   -------
Projected benefit obligation at end of year.....................................         $14,855   $14,135
                                                                                         =======   =======

Change in plan assets:
     Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year.............................         $14,529   $ 9,410
     Actual return on plan assets...............................................           2,397     1,724
     Employer contributions.....................................................             229        --
     Benefits paid..............................................................          (1,033)     (721)
     Business combinations......................................................              --     4,116
     Settlements................................................................          (2,735)       --
                                                                                         -------   -------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year........................................         $13,387   $14,529
                                                                                         =======   =======
</TABLE>
                                       55
<PAGE>
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     December 31,
                                                                 -------------------
                                                                   1998        1997
                                                                 --------    -------
<S>                                                              <C>         <C>
Reconciliation of funded status:
  Over (under) funded..........................................   (1,468)        394
  Unrecognized transition obligation (asset)...................     (221)       (496)
  Unamortized prior service cost...............................     (258)       (339)
  Unrecognized net actuarial losses............................      342         220
                                                                 --------    -------
Net accrued benefit cost recognized............................  $(1,605)    $  (221)
                                                                 ========    =======

Amounts recognized in the consolidated statement of condition
  consist of:
      Accrued benefit liability................................   (1,605)       (221)
                                                                 --------    -------
Net accrued benefit cost recognized............................  $(1,605)    $  (221)
                                                                 ========    =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 December 31,
                                                       -----------------------------
                                                         1998       1997        1996
                                                       -------     -----       -----
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>         <C>
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
  Service cost.......................................  $ 1,530     $ 610       $ 542
  Interest cost......................................      878       608         536
  Expected return on plan assets.....................   (1,021)     (691)       (654)
  Recognized transition obligation (asset)...........     (216)     (274)       (274)
  Amortization of prior service cost.................      (81)      (98)        (98)
  Recognized net actuarial loss......................       --        67          69
  Business combinations..............................       --       290         366
  Settlements........................................      (59)       --          --
  Special termination benefits.......................      582       117          --
                                                       -------     -----       -----
Net periodic cost....................................  $ 1,613     $ 629       $ 487
                                                       =======     =====       =====


Weighted-average assumptions:
  Discount rate......................................     7.00%     7.25%       7.50%
  Expected return on plan assets.....................     8.00%     8.00%       8.00%
  Rate of compensation increase......................     4.50%     4.50%       4.50%
</TABLE>

First Midwest Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - In the fourth quarter 1998,
the ESOP plan was terminated with participant account balances merged into the
Profit Sharing Plan. Contributions to the ESOP totaled .5% of defined
compensation for all participants in 1997 and 1996.

The aggregate expense related to First Midwest's retirement plans for the
periods noted, included in retirement and other employee benefits in the
accompanying consolidated statements of income, is summarized in the table
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Years ended December 31,
                                                        ----------------------------
                                                         1998      1997        1996
                                                        ------    ------     -------
<S>                                                     <C>       <C>         <C>
Profit Sharing Plan..................................   $2,874    $4,220      $4,339
Pension Plan.........................................    1,613       629         487
ESOP.................................................       --       156         137
                                                        ------    ------      ------
                                                        $4,487    $5,005      $4,963
                                                        ======    ======      ======
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998, the Profit Sharing Plan held as investments 1,471 shares
of First Midwest common stock, representing 5.1%, in aggregate, of the total
shares outstanding at such date. Fair value of shares held by the Profit Sharing
Plan at December 31, 1998 was approximately $56,000 and dividends paid during
1998 totaled $925.

                                       56
<PAGE>

13.  INCOME TAXES

Total income taxes (benefits) reported in the consolidated income statements for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 include the following
components:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Years ended December 31,
                                       ---------------------------
                                        1998      1997      1996
                                       -------   -------   -------
<S>                                    <C>       <C>       <C>
Current tax expense:
  Federal..........................    $24,026   $28,468   $21,506
  State............................      1,417     2,651     3,253
                                       -------   -------   -------
     Total.........................     25,443    31,119    24,759
                                       -------   -------   -------
Deferred tax expense (benefit):
  Federal..........................     (1,191)   (2,508)    2,046
  State............................       (257)     (186)      429
                                       -------   -------   -------
     Total.........................     (1,448)   (2,694)    2,475
                                       -------   -------   -------
     Total income tax expense......    $23,995   $28,425   $27,234
                                       =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>


Differences between the amounts reported in the consolidated financial
statements and the tax bases of assets and liabilities result in temporary
differences for which deferred tax assets and liabilities have been recorded.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          December 31,
                                                     ----------------------
                                                      1998           1997
                                                     -------        -------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>
  Deferred tax assets:
     Reserve for loan losses.....................    $14,836        $16,494
     Unrealized losses...........................      1,147             --
     Account retirement benefits.................      1,854            946
     Acquisition charge..........................      2,337          1,045
     State tax benefits..........................      2,095          1,727
     Other.......................................      1,690          2,263
                                                     -------       --------
       Deferred tax assets.......................     23,959         22,475
                                                     -------       --------

  Deferred tax liabilities:
     Mortgage servicing rights...................     (2,673)        (1,454)
     Purchase accounting adjustments.............     (2,332)        (3,086)
     Other.......................................     (1,265)        (1,694)
                                                     -------       --------
     Total deferred tax liabilities..............     (6,270)        (6,234)
                                                     -------       --------
       Net deferred tax assets...................     17,689         16,241
Tax effect of adjustment related
to available for sale securities.................     (6,316)        (6,308)
                                                     -------       --------
Net deferred tax assets including adjustments....    $11,373        $ 9,933
                                                     =======       ========
</TABLE>

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in other assets and other
liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of
condition.  Management believes that it is more likely than not that the
deferred tax assets will be fully realized, therefore no valuation allowance has
been recorded as of December 31, 1998 or 1997.

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
The differences between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective
tax rate on income for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Years ended December 31,
                                                     ------------------------
                                                      1998     1997    1996
                                                     -----    ------  -------
<S>                                                  <C>      <C>     <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate................     35.0%    35.0%   35.0%
  Tax exempt income, net of interest 
  expense disallowance...........................     (7.9)    (5.5)   (4.5)
  State income tax, net of federal tax effect....      1.0      1.7     2.9
  Other, net.....................................      2.4      2.2     0.2
                                                     -----    -----   -----  
Effective tax rate...............................     30.5%    33.4%   33.2%
                                                     =====    =====   =====  
</TABLE>


As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, First Midwest's retained earnings includes an
appropriation for Citizens Federal's thrift tax bad debt reserves of
approximately $2,480 for which no provision for federal or state income taxes
has been made.  If, in the future, this portion of retained earnings is
distributed as a result of the liquidation of First Midwest or its Affiliates,
federal and state income taxes would be imposed at the then applicable rates.

14. STOCK OPTION PLANS

1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (the "1989 Plan") - In February 1989, the
Board of Directors of First Midwest adopted the 1989 Plan which allows for the
granting of both incentive and non-statutory ("nonqualified") stock options,
stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance units and performance
shares to certain key employees.  The total number of shares of First Midwest's
common stock available for awards under the 1989 Plan as amended may not exceed
2,097 of which 100 shares may be granted in restricted stock.

Since inception of the 1989 Plan, in February of each year certain key employees
have been granted nonqualified stock options. The option exercise price is set
at the fair market value of First Midwest common stock on the date the options
are granted.  Except in the case of death or disability of a 1989 Plan
participant, after two years following the date of the grant 50% of the options
can be exercised with the remaining 50% becoming exercisable three years after
the grant date.  Upon a change in control of First Midwest, as defined in the
1989 Plan, all options become fully exercisable and non-forfeitable.  The
options generally may be exercised within a period of ten years following the
date of the grant.

Nonemployee Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Directors Plan") - During 1997,
the Board of Directors of First Midwest adopted the Directors Plan which
provides for the granting of nonqualified options for shares of common stock to
outside directors and nonmanagement Board members of the Company.  A maximum of
25 nonqualified options for shares of common stock are available for grant under
the Directors Plan.  The timing, amounts, recipients and other terms of the
option grants are determined by the provisions of, or formulas in, the Directors
Plan.  The exercise price of the options is equal to the fair market value of
the common stock on the grant date.  All options have a term of ten years from
the date of grant and become exercisable one year from the grant dates subject
to accelerated vesting in the event of death, disability, or a change in
control, as defined in the Directors Plan.  Directors elected during the service
year are granted options on a pro rata basis to those granted to the directors
at the start of the service year.

A combined summary of the nonqualified stock option transactions under the 1989
Plan and Directors Plan for the periods noted are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Years ended December 31,
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                 1998                            1997                           1996
                                        --------------------------    ---------------------------    --------------------------
                                                        Average                         Average                        Average
                                                        Exercise                        Exercise                       Exercise
                                         Options          Price         Options          Price         Options          Price
                                        ---------      -----------    ----------       ----------    ----------       ---------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>               <C> 
Outstanding at beginning of year         1,394            $14.42          1,736          $12.39           1,687         $11.40
   Granted............................     185             41.28            136           22.80             160          22.80
   Canceled...........................     (15)            33.88            (36)          19.47             (19)         19.47
   Exercised..........................    (600)             9.28           (442)           6.78             (92)         11.00
                                         -----                            -----                           -----
Outstanding at end of year............     964             23.69          1,394           14.42           1,736          12.39
                                         =====                            =====                           =====
                                                                                        
Exercisable at end of year............     617            $17.62          1,041          $12.65           1,315         $10.00
                                         =====                            =====                           =====
</TABLE>

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
The following is a summary of options outstanding and exercisable at December
31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Options Outstanding                 Exercisable Options
                                       -----------------------------------     ------------------------
                                                   Weighted
                                                   Average        Weighted
                                                  Remaining       Average                   Weighted
                                                 Contractual      Exercise                  Average
Range of Exercise Prices               Shares    Life (Years)      Price       Shares    Exercise Price
- ------------------------------------   -------   ------------    ---------     ------    --------------
<S>                                    <C>       <C>              <C>          <C>       <C>
$11.90 - $17.90.....................     316         2.6           $15.31        316         $15.31
$18.40 - $22.80.....................     354         6.2            21.31        285          20.96
$32.06 - $46.08.....................     294         7.4            37.83         16          45.83
                                      ------     -------          -------      -----         ------
Total...............................     964         5.4           $23.69        617         $17.62
                                      ======     =======          =======      =====         ======
</TABLE>

The weighted average fair values of options at their grant date during 1998,
1997 and 1996 were $9.02, $7.67 and $4.83, respectively. The estimated fair
value of each option granted is calculated using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. The following table summarizes the weighted average assumptions
used in the model:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1998     1997     1996
                                               -----    -----    -----
<S>                                            <C>      <C>      <C>
         Risk-free interest rate.............  5.40%    6.30%    5.80%
         Dividend yield......................  2.38%    2.63%    2.72%
         Expected stock volatility...........  0.23     0.18     0.17
         Expected years until exercise.......   5.0      6.0      6.0
</TABLE>

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. Option valuation models such as the Black-Scholes require the
input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price
volatility. First Midwest's stock options have characteristics significantly
different from traded options and inasmuch as changes in the subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in Management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

Effective January 1, 1997, First Midwest adopted FASB No. 123 "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," which provided new accounting guidelines governing
the treatment of employee stock options granted subsequent to December 31, 1994.
As First Midwest continues to account for its Plan in accordance with ABP
Opinion 25, as allowed under FASB No. 123, no compensation cost has been
recognized in connection with nonqualified stock options granted in any year.
Pursuant to FASB No. 123 disclosure requirements, pro forma net income and
earnings per share are presented below as if compensation cost for employee
stock options was determined under the fair value method and amortized to
expense over the options' vesting period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Years ended December 31,
                              ----------------------------------------------------------
                                   1998                1997                1996
                              -----------------   -----------------    -----------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
                                           Pro                 Pro                  Pro
                              Reported    forma   Reported    forma    Reported    forma
                              --------   -------  --------   -------   --------   -------
  Net income................   $54,704   $54,059   $56,608   $56,200    $54,710   $54,376
                              ========   =======   =======   =======    =======   =======
  Basic earnings per share..   $  1.87   $  1.84   $  1.93   $  1.92    $  1.86   $  1.85
                              ========   =======   =======   =======    =======   =======
</TABLE>

15.  STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

On February 15, 1989, the Board of Directors of First Midwest declared a
dividend, paid March 1, 1989, of one right ("Right") for each outstanding share
of common stock of First Midwest held on record on March 1, 1989 pursuant to a
Rights Agreement dated February 15, 1989. The Rights Agreement was amended and
restated on November 15, 1995 and again amended on June 18, 1997, to exclude the
SparBank acquisition. As amended, each right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from First Midwest one 1/100 of a share of Series A Preferred Stock for
a price of $100, subject to adjustment. The Rights will be exercisable only if a
person or group has acquired, or announces the intention to acquire, 10% or more
of First Midwest's outstanding shares of common stock. First Midwest is entitled
to redeem the Rights at $0.01 per Right, subject to adjustment, at any time
prior to the earlier of the tenth business day following the acquisition by any
person or group of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of First Midwest common
stock, or the expiration of the Rights in November, 2005.

                                      59
<PAGE>
 
As a result of the Rights distribution, 600 of the 1,000 shares of authorized
preferred stock were reserved for issuance as Series A Preferred Stock.

16.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

In the normal course of business, First Midwest is a party to financial
instruments with off-balance sheet risk in order to meet the financing needs of
its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.
All financial instruments are held or issued for purposes other than trading.
These instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of
credit, commercial letters of credit (collectively "credit commitments"),
forward sales agreements, interest rate swap transactions and futures contracts.
Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest
rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statements of condition.

Credit Commitments - Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend funds
to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in
the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other
termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the
commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total
commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Midwest to
guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The letters of credit
are generally issued in favor of a municipality where construction is taking
place to ensure that the borrower adequately completes the construction.
Commercial letters of credit are conditional guarantees of payment to a third
party on behalf of a First Midwest customer who is generally involved in
international business activity such as the importing of goods.

First Midwest's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the
other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit,
standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit is represented by the
contractual amount of those instruments. However, as First Midwest uses the same
credit policies in making credit commitments as it does for on-balance sheet
instruments, this exposure is minimized due to various collateral requirements
in place. Credit commitments whose contractual amounts represent credit risk as
of December 31, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Contract
                                                                         Amount
                                                                        --------
<S>                                                                     <C>
Commitments to extend credit..........................................  $718,334
Standby letters of credit.............................................  $ 48,305
Commercial letters of credit..........................................  $    707
                                                                        ========
</TABLE>
Of the total $718,334 in commitments to extend credit, $117,769 represent unused
home equity lines of credit.

Forward Sales Agreements - First Midwest enters into certain sales contracts for
the future delivery of loans at a specified price and date. These contracts, in
the form of forward sales agreements, are entered into to limit exposure to
fluctuation in interest rates in First Midwest's mortgage loan sales operations.
As of December 31, 1998, forward sales agreements totaled $71,980. As part of
such loan sales operations, First Midwest generally contracts for the sale of
loans without recourse. At December 31, 1998, loans sold with recourse totaled
$15,650.

Interest Rate Swap Transactions - Interest rate swap transactions generally
involve the exchange of fixed and floating rate interest payment obligations
without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. First Midwest enters
into interest rate swaps as part of its asset and liability management process.
Credit exposure on the interest rate swaps is comprised of the aggregate net
interest payable to First Midwest by the counterparty in addition to the
aggregate unrealized gain on the interest rate swap position. First Midwest
maintains a policy limiting credit exposure to any one counterparty to not more
than 2.5% of consolidated stockholders' equity. In addition, First Midwest's
interest rate swaps generally require the establishment of a mutual mark-to-
market arrangement whereby cash collateral may be required to be on deposit with
First Midwest and/or the agreement's counterparty.

First Midwest had interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount totaling
$467,600 in place, hedging various balance sheet categories, as of December 31,
1998. Further information with respect to these interest rate swap contracts is
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             Weighted                    Weighted Average Rate
                                                             Average      Fair Value   -------------------------
                                                 Notional    Maturity       as of      Interest
                                                  Amount    (in years)     12/31/98    Received    Interest Paid
                                                 --------   ----------    -----------  --------    -------------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
Type of Interest Rate Swap:
Receive fixed rate/Pay variable rate.........    $117,600       0.11         $1,542       6.46%         5.37%
Basis swaps..................................     350,000       0.10            ---       5.61%         5.29%
                                                 ========   ========         ======    =======       =======
</TABLE>

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that First Midwest
would pay or receive to terminate the swap agreements at the reporting date,
taking into account current interest rates and the credit worthiness of the swap
counterparties.

Financial Derivatives Related to the Hedging of Mortgage Servicing Rights -
First Midwest uses financial derivatives to hedge interest rate risk associated
with mortgage servicing rights ("MSRs").  The market value of the MSRs is
adversely affected when mortgage interest rates decline and mortgage prepayments
increase.  The hedge policy of First Midwest relative to MSRs is to hedge
against changes in the asset value of MSRs arising from unanticipated interest
rate driven prepayments.  First Midwest uses the value of futures contracts on
10-year U.S. Treasury Notes to hedge the present values of the cashflows of the
mortgage loans underlying the MSRs, balanced with puts and calls to hedge
convexity.  Convexity is defined as the sensitivity of the underlying mortgage
loan lives to changes in interest rates.  First Midwest hedges all fixed rate,
capitalized MSRs.  Adjustable rate and balloon mortgages are not hedged because
there is no effective method to predict duration of prepayment of these assets.
Since 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are priced off the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note
curve, the 10-year Treasury Note closely approximates the changes in the value
of the 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and their associated servicing virtually in
all interest rate environments.  It is the policy of First Midwest to have
between 80% and 125% correlation between the change in market value of the MSRs
and the value of the change in the hedge position.  First Midwest began using
financial derivatives to hedge MSR value changes in August, 1998.  From that
time until December 31, 1998, the correlation, was not below 95%.  As of
December 31, 1998, the value of the hedge, net of broker commissions, was $346,
with a correlation of 97%.  Should such correlation approach 80% or 125%, First
Midwest would adjust the hedge coverage to bring correlation back into line with
Policy.

The hedge position is marked-to-market monthly, with realized and unrealized
gains and losses recognized as an adjustment to the capitalized MSRs.
Impairment analysis of the MSRs includes combined unrealized gains and losses on
open hedge positions, resulting in a net impairment value.  For the year ending
December 31, 1998, there was no impairment in net MSR value.  The contract value
of the underlying financial derivatives hedging MSRs is carried off balance
sheet and detailed in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  As of December 31, 1998
                                                --------------------------
                                                Face Amount   Market Value
                                                ------------  ------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>
     Futures                                       $54,701       $54,812
     Long Options                                      220           153
     Short Options                                    (460)         (436)
                                                   -------       -------
     Total Hedge Contract Value                    $54,461       $54,529
                                                   =======       =======
</TABLE>
The cash margin requirement for the options fluctuates with the market value of
the instruments and is adjusted daily. First Midwest carries the margin amount
($1,208 at December 31, 1998) on its balance sheet as an asset. To terminate the
hedge, the difference between the face amount and the market value would be
settled between the broker and First Midwest and would result in a gain or loss
flowing directly to the income statement.

17.  ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Generally accepted accounting principles require disclosure of the estimated
fair values of certain financial instruments, both assets and liabilities on and
off the balance sheet, for which it is practical to estimate the fair value.
Because the estimated fair values provided herein exclude disclosure of the fair
value of certain other financial instruments and all non-financial instruments,
any aggregation of the estimated fair value amounts presented would not
represent the underlying value of First Midwest. Examples of non-financial
instruments having significant value include core deposit intangibles, mortgage
loan servicing rights, the future earnings potential of significant customer
relationships, and the value of First Midwest's trust company operations and
other fee-generating businesses. In addition, other significant assets including
property, plant and equipment and goodwill are not considered financial
instruments and therefore have not been valued.

Various methodologies and assumptions have been utilized in Management's
determination of the estimated fair value of First Midwest's financial
instruments which are detailed below. The fair value estimates are made at a
discrete point in time based upon relevant market information. Because no market
exists for a significant portion of these financial instruments, fair value
estimates are based on judgements regarding future expected economic conditions
and loss experience and risk characteristics of the financial instruments. These
estimates are subjective, involve uncertainties and cannot be determined with
precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

                                      61
<PAGE>
 
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of
financial instruments:

Cash and Due from Banks, Fed Funds Sold and Other Short-Term Investments - The
carrying amount of these short-term instruments is a reasonable estimate of fair
value.

Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity - The fair value of
securities is based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes. If a quoted market
price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for
similar securities.

Loans - The fair value of loans was estimated using present value techniques by
discounting the future cash flows of the remaining maturities of the loans. The
discount rate was based on the U.S. Treasury securities yield curve, with rate
adjustments for prepayment, liquidity and credit risk. The primary impact of
credit risk on the present value of the loan portfolio, however, was
accommodated through the use of the reserve for loan losses, which is believed
to represent the current fair value of all possible future losses for purposes
of the fair value calculation.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable - The estimated fair value of accrued
interest receivable and payable approximates their carrying value.

Deposit Liabilities - The fair value of demand deposits, saving and NOW
deposits, and certain money-market deposits is considered to be equal to the
amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity
certificates of deposits is estimated by discounting the deposits based on
maturities using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining
maturities.

Short-term Borrowings - The fair value of repurchase agreements is estimated by
discounting the agreements based on maturities using the rates currently offered
for repurchase agreements of similar remaining maturities. The carrying amount
of funds sold and other short-term borrowings approximates fair value because of
the short-term nature of these instruments.

Interest Rate Swaps - The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated
amount that First Midwest would receive or pay to terminate the swap agreements
at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the
creditworthiness of the swap counterparties.

Future Contracts - The fair value of futures contracts is the estimated amount
that First Midwest would receive or pay to terminate the hedge at the reporting
date.

Commitments - Given the limited interest rate exposure posed by the commitments
outstanding at year-end due to their general variable nature, coupled with the
general short-term nature of the commitment periods entered into, termination
clauses provided in the agreements, and the market rate of fees charged, First
Midwest has not estimated the fair value of commitments outstanding and believes
that, if measured, the resulting fair value would be immaterial.

The book value and estimated fair value of First Midwest's financial instruments
at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         December 31, 1998               December 31, 1997
                                                    ---------------------------     ---------------------------
                                                                      Estimated                       Estimated
                                                     Book Value      Fair Value      Book Value      Fair Value
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Financial Assets:
   Cash and due from banks......................... $   156,524     $   156,524     $   166,188     $   166,188
   Funds sold and other short-term investments.....          12              12          33,919          33,919
   Mortgages held for sale.........................      75,235          75,235          26,857          26,857
   Securities available for sale...................   1,979,115       1,979,115       1,377,134       1,377,134
   Securities held to maturity.....................      48,964          50,794         138,294         142,108
   Loans, net of reserve for loan losses...........   2,621,127       2,649,839       2,997,829       3,071,088
   Accrued interest receivable.....................      36,362          36,362          34,890          34,890
                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Financial Liabilities:
   Deposits........................................ $ 4,050,451     $ 4,061,595     $ 3,935,607     $ 3,978,915
   Short-term borrowings...........................     623,899         625,052         483,601         484,482
   Accrued interest payable........................      17,245          17,245          18,935          18,935
                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments:
   Interest rate swaps.............................          --           1,542              --             960
   Future contracts................................ $        --     $        68     $        --     $        --
                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>


                                      62
<PAGE>
 
18.  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER MATTERS

There are certain legal proceedings pending against First Midwest and its
Affiliates in the ordinary course of business at December 31, 1998. In assessing
these proceedings, including the advice of counsel, First Midwest believes that
liabilities arising from these proceedings, if any, would not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition of First Midwest.

19.  CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following represents the condensed financial statements of First Midwest
Bancorp, Inc., the Parent Company:

                            Statements of Condition
                             (Parent Company only)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               December 31,
                                                            ------------------
                                                              1998      1997
                                                            --------  --------
<S>                                                         <C>       <C>
Assets:
  Cash and interest bearing deposits......................  $  1,645  $  9,579
  Investment in and advances to Affiliates................   475,862   447,689
  Other assets............................................    24,131    15,172
                                                            --------  --------
    Total assets..........................................  $501,638  $472,440
                                                            ========  ========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities..................  $ 21,740  $ 12,721
  Short term borrowings...................................    27,000        --
  Stockholders' equity....................................   452,898   459,719
                                                            --------  --------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity............  $501,638  $472,440
                                                            ========  ========
</TABLE>

                              Statements of Income
                             (Parent Company only)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Years ended December 31,
                                                                            ------------------------------
Income:                                                                       1998       1997       1996
                                                                            --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                                         <C>        <C>        <C>
  Dividends from Affiliates...............................................  $ 92,864   $ 48,411   $ 49,271
  Interest income.........................................................     2,994      1,554      1,632
  Security transactions and other income..................................       502        493        180
                                                                            --------   --------   --------
    Total income..........................................................    96,360   $ 50,458   $ 51,083
                                                                            --------   --------   --------
Expenses:
  Interest expense........................................................       598        141        604
  Salaries and employee benefits..........................................     2,585      2,916      2,555
  Acquisition and restructure charges/(credits)...........................    16,148      5,446     (1,316)
  Other expenses..........................................................     3,316      1,977      2,900
                                                                            --------   --------   --------
    Total expenses........................................................    22,647     10,480      4,743
                                                                            --------   --------   --------
Income before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed income
  of Affiliates...........................................................    73,713     39,978     46,340
Income tax benefit........................................................     5,122      2,452      1,818
                                                                            --------   --------   --------
Income before equity in undistributed income of Affiliates................    78,835     42,430     48,158
Equity in undistributed income of Affiliates..............................   (24,131)    14,178      6,552
                                                                            --------   --------   --------
    Net income............................................................  $ 54,704   $ 56,608   $ 54,710
                                                                            ========   ========   ========
</TABLE> 
                                      63
<PAGE>
 
                           Statements of Cash Flows
                             (Parent Company only)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Years ended December 31,
                                                                            -----------------------------------
Operating Activities                                                          1998         1997         1996
                                                                            -----------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
   Net Income.............................................................. $ 54,704     $ 56,608     $ 54,710
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
      by operating activities:
   Equity in undistributed income from Affiliates..........................   24,131      (14,178)      (6,552)
   Net (increase) decrease in other assets.................................    3,405        1,566           70
   Net increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities.......    9,396       (1,504)         429
                                                                            -----------------------------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities............................   75,808       42,492       48,657
                                                                            -----------------------------------
Investing Activities
   Purchases of securities net of proceeds from sale/maturity of
      securities...........................................................   (3,840)      (1,504)        (696)
   Other asset sales.......................................................    4,569        1,169          219
   Purchase of bank subsidiary.............................................       --           --      (16,820)
                                                                            -----------------------------------
   Net cash provided (used) by investing activities........................      729         (335)     (17,297)
                                                                            -----------------------------------
Financing Activities
   Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings........................   27,000       (7,000)       7,000
   Net purchases of treasury stock.........................................  (33,937)      (5,369)     (10,265)
   Exercise of stock options...............................................    2,140        1,709          836
   Cash dividends..........................................................  (27,544)     (21,656)     (19,147)
   Capital contributions and other advances,
      and repayments (to) from Affiliates..................................  (52,130)     (27,865)       4,426
                                                                            -----------------------------------
         Net cash (used) by financing activities...........................  (84,471)     (60,181)     (17,150)
                                                                            -----------------------------------
   Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalent.........................   (7,934)     (18,024)      14,210
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year..........................    9,579       27,603       13,393
                                                                            -----------------------------------
   Cash and cash equivalents at end of year................................ $  1,645     $  9,579     $ 27,603
                                                                            ===================================
</TABLE>



           ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
                      ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
                                        
     None.

                                   PART III

          ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     Information regarding the Directors and Executive Officers of First
Midwest, their family relationships and their business experience is contained
in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of First Midwest, which is incorporated herein by reference.


                                      64
<PAGE>
 
                        ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Information regarding compensation of the Executive Officers of First
Midwest is contained in the "Executive Officers and Executive Compensation"
section of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of First Midwest, which is incorporated herein by reference.

     The Compensation Committee's Report on Executive Compensation contained in
the "Executive Compensation" section of the Registrant's Proxy Statement shall
not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating
by reference the Registrant's Proxy Statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, except to the extent First Midwest specifically incorporates
this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed "filed" under
such Acts.


                     ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                        BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and
management is contained in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of First Midwest, which is incorporated herein by
reference.


            ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions of
First Midwest is contained in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1999
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of First Midwest, which is incorporated herein by
reference.


                                    PART IV

              ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND
                              REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a) The following exhibits, financial statements and financial statement
schedules are filed as part of this report:


                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     Consolidated Statements of Condition - December 31, 1998 and 1997

     Consolidated Statements of Income - Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996

     Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996

     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     Reports of Independent Auditors

     
                                  65

<PAGE>
 
                         FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     All financial statement schedules have been omitted from this Annual Report
because the required information is presented in the consolidated financial
statements or in the notes thereto, the amounts involved are not significant, or
the required subject matter is not applicable.


                                    EXHIBITS

     See Exhibit Index appearing on page 70.

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K - Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the period
     covered by this report as follows:
 

     (1)  On December 2, 1998 First Midwest filed a report on Form 8-K to report
          the completion of its previously announced 850,000 share repurchase
          program that began on September 2, 1998 and expired on November 14,
          1998.

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
Management's Report

To Our Stockholders:

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared by
Management, which is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the data
presented. In the opinion of Management, the financial statements, which
necessarily include amounts based on Management's estimates and judgments, have
been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
appropriate to the circumstances.

     Management depends upon First Midwest's system of internal controls in
meeting its responsibilities for reliable financial statements. This system is
designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that
transactions are properly recorded and executed in accordance with Management's
authorization. Judgments are required to assess and balance the relative cost
and the expected benefits of these controls. As an integral part of the system
of internal controls, First Midwest relies upon a professional Internal Audit
function who conduct operational, financial, and special audits, and coordinate
audit coverage with the Independent Auditors.

     The consolidated financial statements have been audited by the Independent
Auditors, Ernst and Young LLP, who render an independent professional opinion on
Management's financial statements.

     The Audit Committee of First Midwest's Board of Directors, composed solely
of outside directors, meets regularly with the Internal Auditors, the
Independent Auditors and Management to assess the scope of the annual
examination plan and to discuss audit, internal control and financial reporting
issues, including major changes in accounting policies and reporting practices.
The Internal Auditors and the Independent Auditors have free access to the Audit
Committee, without Management present, to discuss the results of their audit
work and their evaluations of the adequacy of internal controls and the quality
of financial reporting.



ROBERT P.  O'MEARA                       DONALD J.  SWISTOWICZ

 
Robert P. O'Meara                        Donald J. Swistowicz
Chairman and                             Executive Vice President,
Chief Executive Officer                  Chief Financial and Accounting Officer

January 20, 1999

                                      67

<PAGE>
 
Reports of Independent Auditors
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of condition of First
Midwest Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We did not audit the 1997 and 1996 financial statements of Heritage
Financial Services, Inc., which statements reflect total assets constituting
26.7% of the consolidated financial statement totals as of December 31, 1997 and
which reflect net income constituting 31.4% and 27.2% of the consolidated
financial statement totals for the two years in the period ended December 31,
1997. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been
furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to data included for
Heritage Financial Services, Inc., is based solely on the report of the other
auditors.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits and, for 1997 and 1996, the report of other auditors
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, based on our audits and, for 1997 and 1996, the report of other
auditors, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of First Midwest Bancorp,
Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
January 20, 1999

Report of Independent Auditors

To the Shareholders of
Heritage Financial Services, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Heritage
Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and the
related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and
cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Heritage Financial
Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
January 19, 1998

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
                              EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number                   Description of Documents
- -------                  ------------------------

3     Restated Certificate of Incorporation is incorporated herein by reference
      to Exhibit 3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 1996.

3.1   Restated By-laws of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to
      Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31,
      1994.

4     Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, Form of Rights Certificate and
      Designation of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company, dated November 15,
      1995, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits (1) through (3) of
      the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
      and Exchange Commission on November 21, 1995.

4.1   First Amendment to Rights Agreements, dated June 18, 1997, is incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of First Midwest's Amendment No. 2 to the
      Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission on June 30, 1997.

10    1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan of the Company is incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit A which was filed with the Company's Proxy
      Statement dated May 9, 1989.

10.1  First and Second Amendments to 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan are
      incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly
      Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 1996.

10.2  Third, Fourth and Fifth Amendments to 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive
      Plan are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's
      Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42273), filed
      with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 1997.

10.3  Sixth Amendment to 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan is incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
      10-K dated December 31, 1997.

10.4  Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan is incorporated herein by
      reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
      dated December 31, 1997.

10.5  Nonqualified Stock Option-Gain Deferral Plan is incorporated herein by
      reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
      dated December 31, 1997.

10.6  Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors is incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration
      Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-34007), filed with the
      Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 1990.

10.7  Restated Nonqualified Retirement Plan is incorporated herein by reference
      to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December
      31, 1997.

10.8  Form of Letter Agreement for Nonqualified Stock Options Grant executed
      between the Company and executive officers of the Company pursuant to the
      Company's Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by
      reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
      dated December 31, 1991.

10.9  Form of Letter Agreement for Nonqualified Stock Options Grant executed
      between the Company and directors of the Company pursuant to the Company's
      Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan is incorporated herein by
      reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
      dated December 31, 1997.

10.10 Form of Indemnification Agreements executed between the Company and
      executive officers and directors of the Company is incorporated herein by
      reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
      dated December 31, 1991.

10.11 Form of Employment Agreements executed between the Company and certain
      executive officers of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to
      Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December
      31, 1997.

10.12 Form of Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreements executed between the
      Company and certain executive officers of the Company is incorporated
      herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
      10-K dated December 31, 1991.

10.13 Form of Amendment to Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreements executed
      between the Company and certain executive officers of the Company is
      incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual
      Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 1992.

                                      69
<PAGE>
 
10.14  Form of Right of First Refusal Agreement executed between the Company and
       certain Shareholders of the Company is incorporated herein by reference
       to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated
       December 31, 1994.

10.15  Investment Agreement dated June 18, 1998 between the Company and all of
       the Stockholders of SparBank, Incorporated is incorporated herein by
       reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
       S-3 (Registration No. 333-37809), filed with the Securities and Exchange
       Commission on October 14, 1997.

11     Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings - The computation of
       basic and diluted earnings per share is described in Note 1 of the
       Company's Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in "Item 8.
       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this document.

13     Quarterly Report to Security Holders for the quarter ended December 31,
       1998.

21     Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23     Consents of Experts and Counsel.

27     Financial Data Schedule.


- --------------------------
Exhibits 10 through 10.13 are management contracts or compensatory plans or
arrangements required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to item 14(a)3.
 
All other Exhibits which are required to be filed with this Form are not
applicable.

                                      70
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                          FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP, INC.
                                  Registrant

 
                                    
                          By      ROBERT P. O'MEARA
                             --------------------------
                                  Robert P. O'Meara
                    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has
been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in
their capacities on February 26, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Signatures
        ----------
<S>                                                    <C>
ROBERT P. O'MEARA
- ------------------------------------------------
Robert P. O'Meara                                      Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer


JOHN M. O'MEARA
- ------------------------------------------------
John M. O'Meara                                        President, Chief Operating Officer and Director


DONALD J. SWISTOWICZ
- ------------------------------------------------
Donald J. Swistowicz                                   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer


VERNON A. BRUNNER
- ------------------------------------------------
Vernon A. Brunner                                      Director


WILLIAM J. COWLIN
- ------------------------------------------------
William J. Cowlin                                      Director


BRUCE S. CHELBERG
- ------------------------------------------------
Bruce S. Chelberg                                      Director


O. RALPH EDWARDS
- ------------------------------------------------
O. Ralph Edwards                                       Director


JOSEPH W. ENGLAND
- ------------------------------------------------
Joseph W. England                                      Director


BROTHER JAMES GAFFNEY, FSC
- ------------------------------------------------
Brother James Gaffney, FSC                             Director


THOMAS M. GARVIN
- ------------------------------------------------
Thomas M. Garvin                                       Director


JACK PAYAN
- ------------------------------------------------
Jack Payan                                             Director


JOHN L. STERLING
- ------------------------------------------------
John L. Sterling                                       Director


J. STEPHEN VANDERWOUDE
- ------------------------------------------------
J. Stephen Vanderwoude                                 Director


RICHARD T. WOJCIK
- ------------------------------------------------
Richard T. Wojcik                                      Director
</TABLE>

                                       71

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 13
                                                                               


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                         CONTACT: James M. Roolf
                                                                  630/875-7452

                                                          TRADED: Nasdaq

                                                          SYMBOL: FMBI


                FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP REPORTS INCREASED FOURTH
                 QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 1998 OPERATING EARNINGS


ITASCA, IL., JANUARY 21, 1999 - First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMBI) today
reported  net income for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 increased to a
record $17.3 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, as compared to 1997's fourth
quarter net income before special charge of $16.4 million, or $0.55 per diluted
share, representing an increase on a per diluted share basis of 7.3%.  This
equates to returns on average equity and average assets for the quarter just
ended of 15.18% and 1.32%, respectively.  (Fourth quarter 1998's net income is
compared with fourth quarter 1997's net income before special charge as a
special charge in connection with the acquisition of Sparbank, Incorporated was
recorded in the fourth quarter of 1997.  See footnote (1) on page 5.)

Full year 1998 net income before special charge increased to a record $67.2
million, or $2.26 per diluted share, as compared to 1997's same income of $61.7
million, or $2.06 per diluted share, representing an increase on a per diluted
share basis of 9.7%.  For the year, returns on average equity and average assets
were 14.48% and 1.32%, respectively.  (1998's net income on a before special
charge basis is compared with 1997's performance on the same basis as a special
charge in connection with the acquisition of Heritage Financial Services, Inc.
was recorded in the third quarter of 1998.                             
<PAGE>
 
See footnote (1) on page 5.)

The improved operating performance of the fourth quarter and full year 1998 is
attributable to a combination of increases achieved in all categories of
noninterest income and tightly controlled noninterest expenses.  Across the
board increases in service charges and fees coupled with surging mortgage
banking revenues (from 1998 originations of $550 million that were almost 2-1/2
times those of 1997) and new life insurance income combined to increase total
noninterest income for the quarter and full year by some 20% and 17%,
respectively.  On the expense side, factoring out the Heritage and Sparbank
acquisition charges, operating expenses were virtually flat for both the quarter
and full year.  This was accomplished while the cost savings related to the
Heritage acquisition were, as projected, only approximately 40% realized as of
year end 1998.  Further, this occurred even as distribution channels were
expanded during 1998 with the opening of four new branches, twelve new ATM's and
a significant expansion early in the year of the telemarketing department.

The fourth quarter saw a continuation of interest margin compression and the
related decline in net interest income experienced earlier in the year.
Contributing to this circumstance were a number of factors including lower
average loan outstandings, higher than average more expensive governmental
deposits and the cost of investments in corporate owned life insurance (the
income on which is reported as a component of noninterest income).  Of these the
most significant was lower average loan outstandings which were relatable to (i)
the securitizations during 1998 of $245 million ($70 million in the first
quarter and $175 million in the fourth quarter) of fixed rate mortgages acquired
as a part of the Heritage and Sparbank portfolios, (ii) lower levels of non
mortgage loan originations as a result of a more stringent underwriting and
administration standards adopted during the year, (iii) the out placement from
various portfolios of approximately $50 million in loans that no longer met
heightened credit standards, and (iv) pricing and underwriting competitive
circumstances.                     

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Improvement in both components of interest margin have been aggressively
addressed. The fourth quarter saw the implementation of selected (including some
governmental) deposit repricing with comprehensive repricing to occur in early
1999. On the asset side, a number of expanded loan generation sources have been
identified that are expected to enhance asset yields.

While higher than a year ago, year end nonperforming assets stood at their
lowest level of the year reflective of significant improvement in the fourth
quarter. The level of nonperformers is related in part to the implementation of
the more stringent credit standards described above as well as a comprehensive
review and re-rating as appropriate of the acquired portfolios. Focusing on the
largest component, a very manageable ten commercial loan relationships account
for approximately 50% of nonaccruing loans. Nonperforming assets are believed to
be properly identified, adequately reserved and well managed.

During the fourth quarter of 1998 First Midwest increased its quarterly dividend
to $0.24 per share representing the seventh such increase in the last six years.
The new rate is payable on January 25, 1999 to shareholders of record as of
December 25, 1998.

With assets of $5.2 billion, First Midwest is the largest independent and eighth
overall largest banking company in the highly attractive suburban Chicago
banking market.  As the premier independent suburban Chicago banking company,
First Midwest provides commercial banking, trust, investment management,
mortgage and related financial services to a broad array of customers through 76
offices and 105 ATMs located in more than 40 communities of northern Illinois.

                                       3         
<PAGE>
 
                          Forward Looking Statements

The preceding press release contains various "forward looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represents
First Midwest's expectations and benefits concerning future events including,
but not limited to, the following: cost savings related to the integration of
the Heritage acquisition; the impact of future loan generation on asset yields
and net interest margin; and, Management's ability to identify, manage and
establish reserve for loan loss levels for nonperforming loans and assets.

First Midwest cautions that these statements are further qualified by important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set
forth in the forward looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties
affecting the realization of such statements.  Certain of these risks and
uncertainties included in the forward looking statements include, without
limitations, the following: operational limitations and costs relating to
changing technologies and their affect on First Midwest's ability to sustain
efficient operations; significant fluctuations in interest rates, deterioration
in local economic conditions, price competition and their cumulative effect on
existing and future borrowers' credit needs and credit quality; and deviations
from the assumptions used to evaluate the appropriate level of the reserve for
loan losses.

Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from expected
results in these statements. First Midwest does not undertake, and specifically
disclaims, any obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.
                       
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                          First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
                       Consolidated Financial Highlights
                                  (unaudited)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                         ($ in thousands, except per share data)
                                                               Quarters Ended                           Twelve Months Ended
                                                                 December 31,                               December 31,
                                                            ----------------------                      ---------------------
                                                            1998              1997                      1998             1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>                          <C>           <C> 
Operating Results
- -----------------

Net Income                                                  $17,323        $11,350                      $54,704       $56,608
Net Income - Before Special Charges (1)                      17,323         16,432                       67,237        61,690


Per Common Share
- ----------------

Diluted Income Per Share                                    $  0.59        $  0.38                      $  1.84       $  1.89
Diluted Income Per Share - Before Special Charges (1)          0.59           0.55                         2.26          2.06
Dividends Declared                                            0.240          0.225                        0.915         0.825
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Performance Ratios
- ------------------

Return on Average Equity                                      15.18%          9.98%                       11.78%        13.16%
Return on Average Equity - Before Special Charges             15.18%         14.44%                       14.48%        14.34%
Return on Average Assets                                       1.32%          0.92%                        1.07%         1.18%
Return on Average Assets - Before Special Charges              1.32%          1.33%                        1.32%         1.29%
</TABLE> 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 31,                                                                                       1998             1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                           <C>               <C> 
Balance Sheet Highlights
- ------------------------

Total Assets                                                                                   $5,192,887        $4,933,495
Loans                                                                                           2,664,417         3,044,794
Deposits                                                                                        4,050,451         3,935,607
Stockholders' Equity                                                                              452,898           459,719
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
 (1) In the fourth quarter of 1997 a special charge was recorded in the amount
     $5,082 or $0.17 per share in connection with the acquisition of SparBank,
     Incorporated. In third quarter of 1998 a special charge was recorded in the
     amount of $12,533 or $0.42 per share in connection with the acquisition of
     heritage Financial Services, In

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
===================================================================================================================================
                                            Stock Performance and Dividend Information
                                                           (NASDAQ:FMBI)

                                                               1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarters                                                                                             Dividends
Ended                                           High              Low               Close             Declared
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>              <C>                 <C>                  <C> 
March 31                                      $45.00           $38.00              $43.50               $0.225  
June 30                                        52.00            42.50               44.00                0.225
September 30                                   48.00            34.13               39.56                0.225
December 31                                    41.63            35.00               38.06                0.240
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Exhibit 21



                        SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    State of Jurisdiction
Subsidiary                                                                            of Incorporation
- ----------------------------------------------------                                ---------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
First Midwest Bank, N.A.                                                                   Illinois

First Midwest Insurance Company                                                            Arizona

First Midwest Trust Company, N.A.                                                          Illinois

First Midwest Mortgage Corporation                                                         Illinois

Heritage Bank, N.A.                                                                        Illinois
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following documents of our
report dated January 20, 1999 with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. included in the Annual Report 
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998:

 .   Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-20439) pertaining to the First
    Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.

 .   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-25136) pertaining to the First
    Midwest Bancorp Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.

 .   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-42980) pertaining to the First
    Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.

 .   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-42273) pertaining to the First
    Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.

 .   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-63095) pertaining to the First
    Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan.

 .   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-63097) pertaining to the First
    Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified Retirement Plan.



    ERNST & YOUNG LLP


    Chicago, Illinois
    February 26, 1999
<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.2



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements of our report dated January 19, 1998 with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Heritage Financial Services, Inc. included in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 1998:

 .    Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-20439) pertaining to the First
     Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.

 .    Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-25136) pertaining to the First
     Midwest Bancorp Inc. Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.

 .    Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-42980) pertaining to the First
     Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.

 .    Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-42273) pertaining to the First
     Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 1989 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan.

 .    Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-63095) pertaining to the First
     Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Non-employee Stock Option Plan.

 .    Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-63097) pertaining to the First
     Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified Retirement Plan.



     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


     Chicago, Illinois
     February 26, 1999


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 9
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         156,524
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                    12
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,979,115
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          48,964
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            50,794
<LOANS>                                      2,664,417
<ALLOWANCE>                                   (43,290)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,192,887
<DEPOSITS>                                   4,050,451
<SHORT-TERM>                                   623,899
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             17,245
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           290
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     452,608
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               5,192,887
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                259,495
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               98,881
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 6,221
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               364,597
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             146,212
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             177,016
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          187,581
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    5,542
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               1,657
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                158,802
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 78,699
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      78,699
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    54,704
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.21
<LOANS-NON>                                     20,638
<LOANS-PAST>                                     5,342
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 27,026
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                46,965
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   12,955
<RECOVERIES>                                     3,738
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               43,290
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            23,280
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                         20,010
        

</TABLE>


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