for the record

Northwestern Financial Review, Dec 15-Dec 31, 2008

Wells Fargo Bank. NA., Sioux Falls, S.D. granted an exemption from section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W to purchase certain assets and loan commitments from four nonbank affiliates: The Foothill Group, Inc., Santa Monica. Calif.; Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc.; Wells Fargo Trade Capital. Inc.. New York: and Wells Fargo Retail Finance II, LLC, Boston, Mass., in connection with the reorganization of these affiliates into Wells Fargo Bank.

Fifth Third Bank, Grand Rapids, Mich., authorized to assume the deposits and purchase certain assets ot Freedom Bank. Bradenton, FIa.

Notice filed by Spiro P. Argiris, Burr Ridge, III., and others to acquire control of Community Holdings Corp., Palos Hills, III., and thereby indirectly control Family Bank and Trust Company, Palos Hills.

STATE FILINGS

Colorado

FirstBank of Evergreen authorized to open a branch in Golden.

Bank of San Juan, Durango, authorized to be acquired by Glacier Bancorp, Inc., Kalispell, Mont.

The Farmers State Bank of Fort Morgan authorized to be acquired by Wells Fargo of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Illinois

The state issued a charter to First Community Bank of Plainfield.

Golden Eagle Community Bank of Woodstock filed to merge with Republic Bank of Woodstock.

Partners Bank of Glen Carbon merged with First Clover Leaf Bank of Edwardsville.

State Bank of Colusa filed to merge with First State Bank of Western Illinois, LaHarpe.

Community State Bank of Rock Falls filed to open a branch in Sterling.

Farmers State Bank & Trust Co.. Mt. Sterling, filed to open a branch in Mt. Sterling.

Midwest Bank and Trust Company, Elmwood Park, filed to open two branches in Chicago.

Group authorized to organize Great American Bank, Lisle. Group consists of: Mohamed Bahadur, Michael Christie, John Culhane, Kenneth DeMarco, Ajay Jain, Harry Katz, Steven Madlinger. Sanjeev Pandey, Supriyo Roy, Louis Vago and William Smith.

Group filed to organize Premier Commerce Bank. Downers Grove. Group consists of: James J. DeKruyter, William R. Flora, Benjamin T. Ipema, George A. Parhas, Mark A. Scheffers, and John Martin Schreuder.

SBA Bancorp, Inc.. Ashland, authorized to acquire control of First Beardstown Bancorp. Inc.. the sole shareholder of First State Bank Beardstown.

Joseph E. O'Brien, Jonathan E. Michael, James R. DeBord. E. Lee Hoffmann and Angel Gibson authorized to acquire control of Marshall County State Bank, Varna.

Indiana

Greensfork Township State Bank, Lynn, filed for a merger.

Farmers & Merchants Bank, Laotto, filed to open a branch.

Iowa

Hills Bank and Trust Company, Hills, authorized to open a branch in Coralville.

Lincoln Savings Bank, Cedar Falls, authorized to open a branch in Grinnell.

Carrie A. Zorich, Daniel P. Stein & Timothy J. Stein authorized to acquire shares of Central Bancshares, Inc.. Muscatine.

Kansas

Farmers National Bank of Osborne filed to convert to a state charter.

CoreFirst, Topeka, authorized to open a branch in Aurora, Colo.

Minnesota

First Independent Bank, Russell, authorized to merge with First Independent Bank of Wood Lake.