UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 3, 2025
Midland States
Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
| Illinois | 001-35272 | 37-1233196 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
1201 Network Centre Drive
Effingham, Illinois 62401
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (217) 342-7321
N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) |
Name
of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock, $0.01 par value | MSBI | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
| Depositary Shares (each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 7.750% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, $2.00 par value) | MSBIP | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b–2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On November 3, 2025, Jeffrey S. Mefford, President of Midland States Bank (the “Bank”) and an Executive Vice President of Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), informed the Company and the Bank that he will retire, effective June 30, 2026 (the “Transition Date”).
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On November 6, 2025, the Company issued a press release regarding Mr. Mefford’s resignation and the Company’s plan to appoint Jeremy A. Jameson, 44, as Executive Vice President — Chief Banking Officer of the Bank, effective as of the Transition Date. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
The information set forth under this Item 7.01 and the attached exhibits shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such term under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including changes in business plans and other risks detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with the SEC. Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included herein are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will,” “propose,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or “continue,” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this document, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description |
| 99.1 | Press Release of Midland States Bancorp, Inc., dated November 6, 2025 |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: November 6, 2025 | MIDLAND STATES BANCORP, INC. | |
| By: | /s/ Nathan Sturycz | |
| Nathan Sturycz | ||
| General Counsel | ||
Exhibit 99.1

MIDLAND STATES BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES PLANNED RETIREMENT OF JEFFREY S. MEFFORD
Effingham, IL, November 6, 2025 – Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSBI) (the “Company”), announced today Jeffrey S. Mefford will retire from his role as President of its wholly-owned subsidiary Midland States Bank (the “Bank”) and as Executive Vice President of the Company on June 30, 2026. Mefford has served as President of the Bank for seven years and has been employed with the Bank for 22 years.
“Jeff has played a key role in our growth over many years, particularly in strengthening our sales culture and deepening client relationships, and we are immensely grateful for his extensive contributions. We wish Jeff the very best in his retirement and appreciate his commitment to a thoughtful transition over the coming months.” said Jeffrey G. Ludwig, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
As part of this succession plan, Jeremy A. Jameson will be promoted to the newly-created role of Executive Vice President - Chief Banking Officer of Midland States Bank where he will be responsible for the Regional Presidents, commercial lending and credit, reporting to Jeff Ludwig. Jameson currently serves as the Executive Vice President - Chief Credit Officer of the Bank.
“Jeremy brings deep credit expertise, strong leadership, and a commitment to the communities we serve. I congratulate Jeremy on his planned promotion and look forward to working with him in his new role. We are coordinating closely to ensure a smooth transition with Jeff in the coming months,” Ludwig concluded.
About Midland States Bancorp, Inc.
Midland States Bancorp, Inc. is a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, and is the sole shareholder of Midland States Bank. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had total assets of approximately $6.91 billion, and its Wealth Management Group had assets under administration of approximately $4.36 billion. The Company provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services and business equipment financing, merchant credit card services, trust and investment management, insurance and financial planning services. For additional information, visit midlandsb.com or follow Midland States Bank on LinkedIn.
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CONTACTS:
Eric T. Lemke, Chief Financial Officer, at elemke@midlandsb.com or (217) 342-7321