EVANSVILLE, IND. AND CHICAGO — Old National Bancorp (Nasdaq: ONB) and First Midwest Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: FMBI) have entered into a definitive merger agreement valued at $6.5 billion. The two Midwest institutions operate retail bank branches under the Old National Bank and First Midwest Bank brands, respectively. The all-stock transaction is expected to close late this year or early 2022 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the merger agreement. The “merger of equals” arrangement will allow the banks to compete against other banks and lenders in the Midwest for new business, as well as give both organizations the ability to scale and retain their existing personnel and client base. The combined company will be the sixth-largest bank with headquarters in the Midwest. The transaction calls for First Midwest stockholders to receive 1.1336 shares of Old National common stock for each share of First Midwest common stock they own. Following completion of the transaction, former First Midwest stockholders are expected to collectively represent approximately 44 percent of the combined company. This values First Midwest currently at $2.5 billion, according to Market Watch. The combined assets …
