First Midwest Bank is expanding its footprint in Milwaukee by opening a commercial banking office to better serve clients across Wisconsin.

In January 2019, First Midwest established a wealth presence through its acquisition of Northern Oak Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser with approximately $800 million of assets under management.

“We have been looking to further expand our footprint in Milwaukee for some time given the market’s proximity to Chicago and the growth between these two metropolitan areas,” said Michael L. Scudder, chairman and CEO of First Midwest Bancorp. “Our new commercial banking office enhances our commercial and wealth capabilities in Milwaukee and provides clients in this market with one-on-one access to our bankers, as well a broader range of commercial real estate, private banking and wealth management solutions.”

First Midwest’s Commercial Banking office is comprised of teams focused on middle market and commercial real estate. Daniel Brandt recently joined First Midwest to lead its commercial real estate team. Prior to joining First Midwest, he was a senior vice president and relationship manager in the Commercial Real Estate division at Old National Bank. Regina Levchets, vice president, also joined the Milwaukee commercial real estate team from Old National Bank. She has more than 12 years of real estate, business development and relationship management experience. Brandt and Levchets join Mark Bruss, senior vice president and Commercial Banking officer, who was hired in 2018 to enhance and grow First Midwest’s corporate and institutional banking capabilities in the middle market.

“As we looked to expand our commercial capabilities in Milwaukee, it was important for us to add local, established bankers who know the market,” said Mike Jamieson, executive vice president and director of Commercial Banking. “Daniel and Regina have more than a decade of commercial real estate experience and impressive track records in servicing Milwaukee-based clients. We are excited to welcome them to First Midwest.”

First Midwest’s principal subsidiary, First Midwest Bank, and other affiliates provide a full range of commercial, treasury management, equipment leasing, consumer, wealth management, trust and private banking products and services through locations in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, southeast Wisconsin, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa.