Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s management, including our President and
Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation of reliable published financial statements. Internal control over financial reporting includes self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.
Because of inherent limitations in any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected, including the possibility of the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time.
Management assessed the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025. This assessment was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management asserts that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025 due to the remediation of the material weaknesses previously disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the "2024 Form 10-K"). The remediation of the material weaknesses previously disclosed are described below under the heading "Remediation of prior material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting."
Remediation of prior material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting . As disclosed in the 2024 Form 10-K, management previously concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023 due to the material weaknesses described in Item 9A of the 2024 Form 10-K. The matters described in Item 9A of the 2024 Form 10-K included the following:
• The Company did not design and maintain controls to assess the risk of material misstatement with contracts related to non-routine transactions.
• The Company did not design and maintain effective internal control activities for evaluating the accounting and financial reporting related to third-party credit enhancement contracts.
• The Company did not design and maintain effective internal controls over loan data, including the activities performed by certain third-party service organizations that perform core lending functions.
The identified material weaknesses resulted in a restatement of the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the interim quarterly periods in 2024 and 2023. During 2025, the Company completed the remediation efforts described in Item 9A of the 2024 Form 10-K. Management instituted a new control regarding its review of contracts related to non-routine transactions, which includes the identification of new contracts or changes in existing contracts which may result in a non-routine transaction. In addition, management enhanced its control for evaluating the accounting and financial reporting related to third-party credit enhancement contracts. Management's
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review of these contracts is completed and documented on a quarterly basis for existing contracts, as well as for any new third-party credit enhancement contracts, and includes analyses regarding provisions of the contracts and review of the applicable accounting guidance. Furthermore, management instituted internal controls over the completeness and accuracy of loan data related to activities performed by third-party service organizations that perform core lending functions for the Company, including reconciliation and system interface control activities. As of December 31, 2025, based on management's assessment, the Company's internal control over financial reporting were effective.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, has been audited by Crowe LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who also has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Crowe LLP has issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, which is included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K and is incorporated into this item by reference.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. Other than the changes described above, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2025 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B – OTHER INFORMATION
During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 9C – DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
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P ART III
ITEM 10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item can be found in the sections titled “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” and “Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors” appearing in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2025, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11 – EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item can be found in the sections titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors” and “Compensation Committee Report” appearing in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2025, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12 – SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Equity Compensation Plans. The following table discloses the number of outstanding options, warrants and rights granted to participants by the Company under our equity compensation plans, as well as the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under these plans as of December 31, 2025. The table provides this information separately for equity compensation plans that have and have not been approved by security holders. Additional information regarding stock incentive plans is presented in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included pursuant to Item 8.
Plan Category (a)
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1)
(c)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders (2)
352,423 $ 28.43 336,771
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders (3)
151,215 $ 28.59 —
Total 503,638 $ 28.46 336,771
(1) The weighted average exercise price only relates to outstanding option awards.
(2) Column (a) includes 138,406 shares that may be issued pursuant to outstanding stock options granted from the 1,550,000 shares authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and 214,017 shares issuable in respect of outstanding restricted stock units credited to participant accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (Effective November 8, 2018) to be issued in accordance with each director’s election following each director’s separation from service or at a date certain from the Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Column (c) reflects 204,697 shares remaining available for issuance under the Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan and 132,074 shares remaining available for issuance under the Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Amended and Restated May 2, 2023).
(3) Column (a) includes 37,457 outstanding stock options granted from the additional 1,000,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Midland States Bancorp, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan pursuant to the February 2, 2016 amendment and restatement, and 113,758 stock units credited to participant accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (Effective November 8, 2018) to be issued in accordance with each director’s election following each director’s separation from service or at a date certain from the additional 1,000,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Midland States Bancorp, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan pursuant to the February 2, 2016 amendment and restatement.
Other information required by Item 12 can be found in the section titled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” appearing in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13– CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item can be found in the sections titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors” appearing in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item can be found in the section titled “Proposal 3 – Ratification of the Appointment of Crowe LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” appearing in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference.
P ART IV
ITEM 15 – EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1) Financial Statements:
The following consolidated financial statements of the registrant and its subsidiaries are filed as part of this document under Item 8 - "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2025 and 2024
Consolidated Statements of Income – Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules are omitted as such information is inapplicable or is included in the financial statements.
(3) Exhibits:
The exhibits are filed as part of this report and exhibits incorporated herein by reference to other documents are as follows:
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Exhibit
No. Description
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Midland States Bancorp, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
3.2 By-laws of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-210683), filed with the SEC on April 11, 2016).
4.1 Specimen common stock certificate of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-210683), filed with the SEC on April 11, 2016).
4.2 Deposit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2022, by and among Midland States Bancorp, Inc., Computershare Inc., Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts described therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 24, 2022)
4.3 Form of depositary receipt representing the Depositary Shares (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2 hereto).
4.4 Description of the Company’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023
4.5 Indenture, dated as of September 20, 2019, between Midland States Bancorp, Inc. and UMB Bank National Association, as trustee, regarding 5.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2034 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 20, 2019).
4.6 Form of 5.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2034 (included in Exhibit 4.7).
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10.1* Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2020, between Midland States Bancorp, Inc., Midland States Bank and Jeffrey Ludwig (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021).
10.2* Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2020, between Midland States Bancorp, Inc., Midland States Bank and Jeffrey Mefford incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021).
10.3* Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2020, between Midland States Bancorp, Inc., Midland States Bank and Eric T. Lemke incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021).
10.4* Change of Control Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2023, between Midland States Bancorp, Inc. and Daniel E. Casey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
10.5* Midland States Bancorp, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-210683), filed with the SEC on May 11, 2016).
10.6* Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (Effective November 8, 2018) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019).
10.7* Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (Effective November 8, 2018) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019).
10.8* The Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Amended and Restated May 1, 2023) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
10.9* The Amended Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated May 1, 2023) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
10.10* Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated May 1, 2023) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
10.11* Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated May 1, 2023) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
10.12* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated May 1, 2023) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
10.13* Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated Midland States Bancorp, Inc. 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated May 1, 2023) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
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19.1 Midland States Bancorp, Inc. Insider Trading Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
21.1 Subsidiaries of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. – filed herewith.
23.1 Consent of Crowe LLP – filed herewith.
31.1 Principal Executive Officer’s Certification required by Rule 13(a)-14(a) – filed herewith.
31.2 Principal Financial Officer’s Certification required by Rule 13(a)-14(a) – filed herewith.
32.1 Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – filed herewith.
32.2 Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – filed herewith.
97.1 Midland States Bancorp, Inc. Clawback Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024).
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101.INS The Inline XBRL Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document – filed herewith.
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document– filed herewith.
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document– filed herewith.
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document– filed herewith.
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document– filed herewith.
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document– filed herewith.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
ITEM 16 – FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MIDLAND STATES BANCORP, INC.
Date: March 2, 2026
By: /s/ Jeffrey G. Ludwig
Jeffrey G. Ludwig
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
/s/ Jeffrey C. Smith Chairman of the Board of Directors March 2, 2026
Jeffrey C. Smith
/s/ Jeffrey G. Ludwig President, March 2, 2026
Jeffrey G. Ludwig Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Eric T. Lemke Chief Financial Officer March 2, 2026
Eric T. Lemke (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ R. Dean. Bingham Director March 2, 2026
R. Dean. Bingham
/s/ Gerald J. Carlson Director March 2, 2026
Gerald J. Carlson
/s/ Jennifer L. DiMotta Director March 2, 2026
Jennifer L. DiMotta
/s/ Travis J. Franklin Director March 2, 2026
Travis J. Franklin
/s/ Jerry L. McDaniel Director March 2, 2026
Jerry L. McDaniel
/s/ Jeffrey M. McDonnell Director March 2, 2026
Jeffrey M. McDonnell
/s/ Richard T. Ramos Director March 2, 2026
Richard T. Ramos
/s/ Robert F. Schultz Director March 2, 2026
Robert F. Schultz
/s/ James F. Deutsch Director March 2, 2026
James F. Deutsch
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