May 4, 2015

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MidWestOne Financial Group, the parent company of MidWestOne Bank, announced on May 1, 2015 it has completed its merger with Central Bancshares, parent of Central Bank. The combined company has approximately $3 billion in assets, and is one of the largest publicly traded financial services companies operating in Iowa and Minnesota. The Barack Ferrazzano Financial Institutions Group represented MidWestOne in the merger, which combined Central's 20 branches spread through Minnesota, western Wisconsin and Florida into MidWestOne's existing 25 banking centers in Iowa. Barack Ferrazzano's legal team was led by John E. Freechack and Robert M. Fleetwood.

"This is an exciting time for MidWestOne," said Charles N. Funk, President and Chief Executive Officer of MidWestOne. "We are excited to welcome the staff of Central Bank to our company. As we blend the cultures of two fine banks, we begin a new chapter in the 80 year history of this company."

For more information about this merger, please click here.

Update:  MidwestOne and Central Bancshares merger featured on U.S. News - Best Lawyers 'In The News - Chicago' online column.

 Barack Ferrazzano Financial Institutions Group

In recent years, our 30-attorney Group has represented more than 250 financial institutions across the country. Our M&A experience is unparalleled-over the past decade, our Group ranked #1 in the Midwest region by number of announced bank and thrift merger and acquisition transactions, according to SNL Financial. The Financial Institutions Group was again named as one of the top financial institution groups in the nation in the U.S. News & Best Lawyers 2015 report.

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