Illinois holding companies merge

Northwestern Financial Review, Jan 1-Jan 14, 2004

An October 2002 merger between two Illinois companies - Kankakee Bancorp, Inc., Kankakee, and Aviston Financial Corporation, Trenton, has created Centrue Financial Corporation. Within a month of the merger, the company acquired Parish Bank and Trust Company in Momence, Ill., bringing Centrue's assets to $635 million.

"This acquisition will mark another important milestone in the 118-year history of the bank and reflects the commitment of Centrue Bank to continue consolidating banking and thrift franchises in our contiguous markets to build the premier financial institution in central Illinois," said Michael A. Griffith, chairman of Centrue Financial.

"We are especially pleased to be expanding our presence in a great community like Momence," said Thomas A. Daiber, president and CEO of Centrue Financial. "Our customers will have the convenience of another facility in their community. They will also benefit from being able to bank at any of our existing Centrue Bank offices, as well as have access to an expanded ATM network."

Centrue Bank operates 18 branches in eight Illinois counties.