FIRST OTTAWA BANCSHARES Business Summary

First Ottawa Bancshares, Inc. (FOTB) operates as the bank holding company for American Commercial Bank & Trust, an independent community financial institution primarily serving the North Central Illinois region. The company generates revenue through net interest income—the margin between interest earned on its diversified commercial, real estate, and consumer loan portfolios and interest paid on customer deposits—supplemented by fee-based income from wealth management, trust services, and mortgage banking. Its primary business segments are Commercial Banking, which targets small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in markets such as Ottawa, Yorkville, and Chicago, and Retail Banking, which provides personal financial products and residential lending. Within the Illinois community banking sector, First Ottawa Bancshares competes directly with Central Banc, Inc. (Central Bank Illinois), Tri-County Financial Group, Inc., and FinWise Bancorp. The firm maintains a competitive advantage through its relationship-centric model and local decision-making authority, positioning it as a high-service alternative to larger regional and national financial institutions. The leadership team is led by Steven M. Gonzalo, who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, having held the role since 2018 with a focus on strategic growth and operational modernization. The executive suite includes Daniel Tuerk, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who oversees capital management and regulatory compliance, and John Armstrong, the Chief Operating Officer. The Board of Directors is chaired by George Barr, a prominent regional business figure, and includes Vice Chairman Daniel Miller. The management team consists of seasoned banking professionals with extensive experience in commercial credit and regional economic development. While the company is primarily owned by local stakeholders and institutional value investors, its board provides critical oversight on risk and community reinvestment, ensuring the institution continues its legacy as a cornerstone of the Illinois Valley economy since its establishment in 1865.