Announcing Two New Managing Directors Joining the First Bank & Trust Team

Robert R. Yohanan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank & Trust has announced the appointment of Kelly J. O'Keeffe and Brogan M. Ptacin to the staff of First Bank & Trust. Messsrs O'Keeffe and Ptacin will join First Bank & Trust as Managing Directors with responsibility for corporate business development throughout the Chicagoland area, with particular emphasis in the west suburbs.

Mr. Yohanan said, "We are extremely fortunate to have attracted individuals of Kelly's and Brogan's experience and caliber. With our very strong capital base, high quality loan portfolio and excellent liquidity, First Bank & Trust is well positioned to benefit from the wide middle market expertise of these two superb bankers."

Owen E. Beacom, Managing Director and Chief Lending Officer of First Bank & Trust, stated that, "Kelly and Brogan will unquestionably help First Bank & Trust take advantage of opportunities in the middle market banking scene".

Mr. O'Keeffe has an extensive background in commercial banking having started his career as a bank examiner. He later worked at Northern Trust Bank, First National Bank of Chicago and Royal American Bank, where he was President. He joined Midwest Bank as a result of its acquisition of Royal American. He is a graduate of St. Ambrose University. He and his wife Tina live in Arlington Heights.

Mr. Ptacin has a long history in commercial banking in Chicago at American National Bank, Royal American Bank, where he was head of commercial banking and Midwest Bank as a result of its acquisition of Royal American Bank. He is a graduate of Creighton University. He and his wife Anne live in Arlington Heights.