SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
Commission File No.: 0-27740

CITIZENS FIRST FINANCIAL CORP.

2101 North Veterans Parkway, Bloomington, Illinois 61704

Registrant’s telephone number:   (309) 661-8700
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock par value $0.01 per share
(Title of class)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for past 90 days.
     Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
     Yes o No þ

     The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, i.e., persons other than directors and executive officers of the registrant is $30,009,294 and is based upon the last sales price of $22.97 as quoted on The Nasdaq National Market on June 30, 2004, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter.

     The Registrant had 1,611,450 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 23, 2005.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

NONE

INDEX

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PART 1

Item 1 Business

General

     Citizens First Financial Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated under Delaware law in January 1996. The Company completed an initial public offering of 2,817,500 shares of common stock on May 1, 1996 in connection with the conversion of Citizens Savings Bank, (the “Bank”) from the mutual to stock form of ownership (the “Conversion”). The Company is a savings and loan holding company and is subject to regulation by the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Currently, the Company does not transact any material business other than through its subsidiary, the Bank. At December 31, 2004, the Company had total assets of $328.3 million, total deposits of $231.0 million and total stockholders’ equity of $36.0 million. The Company’s principal business is conducted primarily through its subsidiary, the Bank. Accordingly, the discussion in this Report addresses the Company’s operations as they are conducted through the Bank.

     The Bank was originally chartered in 1888 by the State of Illinois and in 1989 became a federally chartered savings bank. In April 1999, the Bank was converted from a federally chartered savings bank to an Illinois state savings bank. The Bank’s principal business consists of the acceptance of retail deposits from the general public in the area surrounding its branch offices and the investment of those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, in commercial, agricultural, residential real estate mortgage, commercial real estate, consumer and other loans. The Bank originates loans for investment and for sale. Currently, the Bank’s policy is to sell, on a servicing retained basis, most longer-term fixed rate one-to-four family mortgage loans it originates as a method of controlling its growth, managing its interest rate risk and increasing its loan servicing fee income. The Bank’s revenues are derived principally from interest on its mortgage, consumer and commercial loans, loan servicing fees and, to a lesser extent, the interest on its securities. The Bank’s primary source of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and securities, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and, to a lesser extent, proceeds from the sale of loans and securities. The Bank has a wholly-owned service corporation, CSL Service Corporation, an Illinois-chartered corporation that had been a participant in a real estate joint venture. The service corporation sold its interest in the real estate joint venture in May 2004.

     In November 2004, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Main Street Trust, Inc. (“Main Street”), an Illinois corporation. Main Street Trust, Inc. will acquire all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Each of the Company’s shareholders will have the option of receiving either 1.1051 shares of Main Street’s stock for each share of the Company’s stock or $35.00 of cash for each share of the Company’s common stock or a combination of both. The transaction has been approved by state and federal regulators and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2005. At a special meeting of shareholders on March 8, 2005 shareholders approved the merger agreement.

Market Area and Competition

     The Company is a community-oriented savings institution offering a variety of financial products and services to meet the needs of the communities it serves. The Company’s deposit gathering is concentrated in the communities surrounding its five offices located in the municipalities of Bloomington, Normal and Fairbury, Illinois, which are part of McLean and Livingston Counties. McLean County comprises the greater Bloomington/Normal metropolitan area and Livingston County is adjacent to the greater Bloomington/Normal metropolitan area. The economy in McLean and Livingston Counties has historically benefited from the presence of the national and regional headquarters of State Farm Insurance Company, the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University as well as a variety of agricultural related businesses. These counties are the primary market area for the Bank’s lending and deposit gathering activities.

     The Company faces significant competition both in making loans and in attracting deposits. The greater Bloomington/Normal metropolitan area is a highly competitive

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market. The Company faces direct competition from a significant number of financial institutions operating in its market area, many with a state-wide or regional presence and in some cases a national presence. Many of these financial institutions are significantly larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. State Farm Insurance Company, Bloomington-Normal’s largest business, has a savings bank, which it operates through its agents on a national basis. The Company’s competition for loans comes principally from commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking companies, credit unions and insurance companies. Its most direct competition for deposits has historically come from savings and loan associations and commercial banks. In addition, the Company faces increasing competition for deposits from non-bank institutions such as brokerage firms and insurance companies in such areas as short-term money market funds, corporate and government securities funds, mutual funds and annuities. Competition may also increase as a result of the lifting of restrictions on the interstate operations of financial institutions.

Investment Activities

     The investment policy of the Company, as approved by the Board of Directors, requires management to maintain adequate liquidity and generate a favorable return on investments without incurring undue interest rate and credit risk. The Company has invested primarily in U.S. government sponsored agency issued mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Agency securities, federal funds sold, a Federal Home Loan Bank demand investment account and eligible mutual funds. SFAS 115 requires the Company to designate its securities as held to maturity, available for sale or held for trading. The Company does not currently maintain a portfolio of securities categorized as held to maturity or held for trading. The Company’s investment securities generally consist of U.S. Agency obligations and mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities. The Company’s mortgage-backed securities consist of pass through certificates representing interests in pools of fixed and adjustable rate mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA. At December 31, 2004, the Company’s portfolio of investment and mortgage-backed securities totaled $26.1 million, all of which was categorized as available for sale.

     In recent periods, the Company has primarily invested in securities in order to maintain liquid assets for its operations and as a means of utilizing its excess funding not necessary for loan originations. The Board of Directors reviews all of the activity in the investment portfolio on a monthly basis.

Lending Activities

     Origination, Sale, Servicing and Purchase of Loans The Company’s loan origination activities are conducted primarily by its loan personnel, operating at its five offices. All loans originated by the Company are underwritten by the Company pursuant to the Company’s policies and procedures. The Company originates both adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgage loans, commercial loans and consumer loans. The Company’s ability to originate loans is dependent upon the relative customer demand for the type of loan and demand for fixed-rate or adjustable-rate loans, which is affected by the current and expected future level of interest rates.

     While the Company has in the past, from time to time, sold adjustable-rate one- to four-family loans and retained mortgage loans with terms of 10 years or more, it is currently the general policy of the Company to originate for sale in the secondary market one-to-four family fixed-rate mortgage loans with maturities exceeding ten years and to originate for investment all adjustable-rate one-to-four family mortgage loans and fixed-rate one-to-four family mortgage loans with maturities of ten years or less.

     One-to-Four Family Mortgage Lending The Company currently offers both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residences located in the Company’s primary market area, with maturities of up to thirty years. While the Company has originated such loans secured by properties outside its market area, substantially all of such loans at December 31, 2004 were secured by property located in the Company’s primary market area. One-to-four family mortgage loan originations are generally obtained from the Company’s loan representatives operating in its branch offices and their contacts with the local real estate industry, existing or past customers, and members of the local communities.

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     Multi-Family Lending The Company originates fixed and adjustable-rate multi-family mortgage loans generally secured by 5 to 70 unit apartment and student housing buildings located in the Company’s primary market area. In deciding on whether to make a multi-family loan, the Company considers the qualifications and financial condition of the borrower as well as the value and condition of the underlying property. The factors considered by the Company include: the net operating income of the mortgaged premises before debt service and depreciation; the debt coverage ratio (the ratio of net earnings to debt service); and the ratio of loan amount to appraised value.

     Commercial Real Estate Lending The Company originates commercial real estate loans that are generally secured by properties used for business purposes such as small office buildings or a combination of residential and retail facilities located in the Company’s primary market area.

     Loans secured by commercial real estate properties, like multi-family loans, generally involve larger principal amounts and a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate properties are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. The Company seeks to minimize these risks through its underwriting standards, which require such loans to be qualified on the basis of the property’s income and debt coverage ratio.

     Construction and Land Lending The Company originates loans for the acquisition and development of commercial and residential property located in its primary market area. These loans are offered to local developers and individuals. The majority of the Company’s construction loans are originated primarily to finance the construction of one-to-four family, owner-occupied residential properties and multi-family properties located in the Company’s primary market area. Such loans are offered for the construction of properties that are pre-sold or for which permanent financing has been secured, as well as for properties that are not pre-sold or for which permanent financing has not been secured.

     Construction and land development financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner-occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan is largely dependent upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction or development compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, the Company may be confronted with a project, when completed, having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment.

     Commercial Lending The Company offers commercial loans to businesses operating in the Company’s primary market area on a selective basis.

     Unlike mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income, and which are secured by real property the value of which tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial business loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself. Further, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business. Included in this total are agricultural loans made within our lending area. These agricultural loans are generally offered with one year terms in amounts up to $500,000 and are generally secured by crops, equipment, other assets and personal guarantees.

     Consumer and Other Lending The Company’s portfolio of consumer and other loans primarily consists of fixed-rate, fixed-term home equity loans, adjustable home equity lines of credit, loans secured by automobiles, home improvement loans, loans secured by deposit accounts and unsecured personal loans.

     Loan Servicing The Company generally services all loans it retains for investment and also services a portfolio of one-to-four family mortgage loans for others which is primarily generated from its loan sale activity. Loan servicing includes collecting and remitting loan payments, accounting for principal and interest, making inspections as required of mortgaged premises, contacting delinquent mortgagors,

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supervising foreclosures and property dispositions in the event of unremedied defaults, making certain insurance and tax payments on behalf of the borrowers and generally administering the loans.

Deposit Activities

     Deposits The Company offers a variety of deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms. The Company’s deposit accounts consist of savings, NOW accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificate and brokered deposit accounts. The Company also offers certificate of deposit accounts with balances in excess of $100,000 at negotiated rates (jumbo certificates) and Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). For the year ended December 31, 2004 the balance of core deposits (savings, money market and demand deposit accounts) totaled $90.1 million, or 39.0% of total deposits. The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market rates, prevailing interest rates and competition. The Company’s deposits are obtained predominantly from the areas in which its branch offices are located. The Company relies primarily on customer service and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain these deposits; however, market interest rates and rates offered by competing financial institutions significantly affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits. The Company uses traditional means of advertising its deposit products, including radio and print media and generally does not solicit deposits from outside its market area. While certificate accounts in excess of $100,000 are accepted by the Company, the Company does not actively solicit such deposits. The Company has attempted to increase its deposit customer base and decrease its dependency on certificate accounts by offering interest free checking accounts without minimum balance requirements. The Company has $4.9 million of brokered deposits with maturities from 10 to 21 months at an average rate of 2.4%. Brokered deposits are an alternative source of liquidity that offers the Company the opportunity to obtain funds at a competitive interest rate.

Statistical Data

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

     The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and approximate market value of the investment securities at the dates indicated were:

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The balance of Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago stock owned at December 31 is as follows:

Federal Home Loan Bank stock is stated at cost and is a required investment for institutions that are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. The required investment in the common stock is based on a predetermined formula. The Federal Home Loan Bank stock is recognized based on the price at which it may be resold to the Federal Home Loan Bank.

The yield on the stock is approximately 5.50% at December 31, 2004.

     The maturity distribution (dollars in thousands) and average yields for the securities available for sale portfolio at December 31, 2004 were:

     With the exception of securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations, the Company did not hold any securities of a single issuer, payable from and secured by the same source of revenue or taxing authority, the book value of which exceeded 10% of stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2004.

LOAN PORTFOLIO

Types of Loans

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     Loans held for sale at December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000 were $587,202, $376,088, $6,098,342, $6,910,101 and $1,494,359, respectively, and were not included in the above totals.

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Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates

     Presented in the table below are the maturities of loans (excluding commercial real estate, residential real estate, consumer and other loans) outstanding as of December 31, 2004. Also presented are the amounts due after one year, classified according to the sensitivity to changes in interest rates.

Risk Elements

     Nonaccruing loans are loans which are reclassified to nonaccruing status when in management’s judgment the collateral value and financial condition of the borrower do not justify accruing interest. Interest previously recorded but not deemed collectible is reversed and charged against current income. Interest income on these loans is then recognized when collected.

     Restructured loans are loans for which the contractual interest rate has been reduced or other concessions are granted to the borrower because of deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower resulting in the inability of the borrower to meet the original contractual terms of the loans.

     Interest income of $55,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004, was recognized on the nonaccruing loans listed in the table above, whereas interest income of $67,000 would have been recognized under their original loan terms.

     The Company accounts for impaired loans in accordance with SFAS No. 114 and No. 118, ”Accounting by Creditors for an Impairment of a Loan” and “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan — Income Recognition and Disclosures”. These Statements require that impaired loans within the scope of these Statements be measured at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to

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collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the note.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Impaired Loans

     The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for losses decreased from $3,072,000 at December 31, 2003 to $2,736,000 at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $336,000 or 10.9%. The decrease was primarily due to recoveries in 2004 of charge-off loans in prior years of $410,000, a reduction in the overall loan portfolio, and the Company’s continued emphasis to improve asset quality. (See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.) The allowance is based on ongoing assessments of the estimated probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of several key elements, which include a formula allowance, and a specific allowance for identified problem loans.

     The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans based on the internal risk grade of such loans. Changes in risk grades of both performing and non-performing loans affect the amount of the formula allowance. Loss factors are based on historical loss experience and may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. Loss factors are based on (1) historical loss experience over a three-year period, which management believes approximates a business cycle; (2) individual evaluations of residential, commercial real estate, construction, agricultural, commercial and consumer loans; (3) expected charge-offs by loan classification for one-year; (4) general economic and business conditions affecting the Company’s lending areas; (5) collateral values; (6) loan volumes and concentrations; (7) seasoning of the loan portfolio; (8) specific industry conditions and (9) recent loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio.

     A specific allowance is established in cases where management has identified significant conditions or circumstances related to a loan that management believes indicate the probability that a loss has been incurred.

     The allowance for loan losses is based upon estimates of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of actual losses can vary significantly from the estimated amounts. The methodology includes several features that are intended to reduce the differences between estimated and actual losses. The Company closely monitors any difference of actual and estimated losses and adjusts the methodology accordingly.

     The Company generates commercial, mortgage and consumer loans from customers located primarily in Central Illinois. The Company’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, consumer assets, and business assets. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of their debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent upon economic conditions in

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Central Illinois. Although the risk of non-payment for any reason exists with respect to all loans, certain other more specific risks are associated with each type of loan. The primary risks associated with commercial loans are quality of the borrower’s management and the impact of national and local economic factors. Currently, the business atmosphere remains stable for the local economy in the McLean, Livingston and Tazewell County areas. Risk associated with real estate loans include concentrations of loans in a loan type, such as residential real estate, decline in real estate values and a sudden rise in interest rates. Individual loans face the risk of borrower’s unemployment as a result of deteriorating economic conditions or renewed contract differences between unions and management of several large companies in the Company’s market area. The Company’s strategy with respect to addressing and managing these types of risks is for the Company to follow its loan policies and underwriting criteria.

     The Company has substantially increased its investment in commercial, commercial real estate and construction and land loans in the last five years. Because of the higher degree of risk associated with these types of loans, the Company has increased its allowance for loan losses to reflect this increased risk.

     A provision for loan losses is charged to income to increase the allowance to a level deemed to be adequate based on management’s evaluation. When a loan or a part thereof is considered by management to be uncollectible, a charge is made against the allowance. Recoveries of previously charged-off loans are credited back to the allowance. The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the last five years:

Summary of Loan Loss Experience

     Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb probable loan losses and that the policies and procedures in place to identify and monitor loans for potential losses are satisfactory.

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Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

     Presented below is an analysis of the composition of the allowance for loan losses (in thousands of dollars) and percent of loans in each category to total loans:

     The allowance for loan losses in each category of loans have changed for the years 2000 through 2004 reflecting the changes in the types of loans that the Company was originating, the degree of risk associated with these loans and the performance of specific loans.

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DEPOSITS AND BORROWINGS

Deposits

     The following table shows the average amount of deposits and average rate of interest paid thereon for the years indicated.

     As of December 31, 2004, certificates of deposit and other time deposits (including brokered deposits) of $100,000 or more mature as follows:

RETURN ON EQUITY AND ASSETS

Subsidiary Activities

     At December 31, 2004, the Bank had a wholly-owned service corporation, CSL Service Corporation (“CSL”), an Illinois chartered company. During 2004 CSL sold its interest in a joint venture real estate development (Williamsburg Place LLC). At December 31, 2004 CSL was inactive.

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Personnel

     As of December 31, 2004, the Company had 74 authorized full-time employee positions and 22 authorized part-time employee positions. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit and the Company considers its relationship with its employees to be good.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

General

     The Company, as a savings and loan holding company, is required to file certain reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of the OTS under the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended (the “HOLA”).

     The Bank is an Illinois state chartered savings bank and its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC under the Savings Association Insurance Fund (the “SAIF”). The Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (the “IDFPR”), as its chartering authority, and by the FDIC, as deposit insurer. The Bank must file reports with the IDFPR and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions such as establishing branches and mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions. There are periodic examinations by the IDFPR and the FDIC to assess the Bank’s compliance with various regulatory requirements and its financial condition. This regulation and supervision establishes a framework of activities in which a savings bank can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such regulation, whether by the IDFPR, the FDIC or through legislation, could have a material adverse impact on the Company and the Bank and their operations and stockholders. The Holding Company will also be required to file certain reports with and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations, of the OTS, the IDFPR and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the federal securities laws. Certain of the regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank and to the Holding Company are referred to below or elsewhere herein. However, the description of such requirements is not exhaustive and it does not purport to be a complete description of the applicable laws and regulations.

     The IDFPR has established a schedule for the assessment of “supervisory fees” upon all Illinois savings banks to fund the operations of the IDFPR. These supervisory fees are computed on the basis of each savings bank’s total assets (including consolidated subsidiaries) and are payable at the end of each calendar quarter. A schedule of fees has also been established for certain filings made by Illinois savings banks with the IDFPR. The IDFPR also assesses fees for examinations conducted by the IDFPR’s staff, based upon the number of hours spent by the IDFPR’s staff performing the examination. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Bank paid approximately $72,000 in supervisory fees and expenses.

Bank Regulations

     Capital Requirements. Under the Illinois Savings Bank Act (the “ISBA”) and the regulations of the IDFPR, an Illinois savings bank must maintain a minimum capital at a level not less than that required to maintain insurance of deposits by the FDIC. The IDFPR has the authority to require an Illinois savings bank to maintain a higher level of capital if deemed necessary based on the savings bank’s financial condition, history, management or earnings prospects.

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     The FDIC has also adopted risk-based capital guidelines to which the Bank is subject. The Bank is required to maintain certain levels of regulatory capital in relation to regulatory risk-weighted assets. Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet items to four risk-weighted categories ranging from 0% to 100%, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories perceived as representing greater risk. The guidelines divide a savings bank’s capital into two tiers. The first tier (“Tier I”) includes common equity, retained earnings, certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock (excluding auction rate issues) and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships subject to certain limitations). Supplementary (“Tier II”) capital includes, among other items, cumulative perpetual and long-term limited life preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, certain hybrid capital instruments, term subordinated debt and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations, less required deductions. Savings banks are required to maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%, of which at least 4% must be Tier I capital.

     In addition, the FDIC has established regulations prescribing a minimum Tier I leverage ratio. These regulations provide for a minimum Tier I leverage ratio of 3% for banks that meet certain specified criteria, including that they have the highest examination rating and are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth. All other banks are required to maintain a Tier I leverage ratio of at least 4%. The FDIC may, however, set higher leverage and risk-based capital requirements on individual institutions when particular circumstances warrant.

     The following is a summary of the Bank’s regulatory capital at December 31, 2004:

     The FDIC, along with other federal banking agencies, adopted a regulation providing that the agencies will take account of the exposure of a bank’s capital and economic value to changes in interest rate risk in assessing a bank’s capital adequacy.

     Standards for Safety and Soundness. The federal banking agencies have adopted Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness. The Guidelines set forth safety and soundness standards in various areas such as internal controls, audit, systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth and quality, earnings and compensation that the banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the Guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.

     Lending Restriction. The Bank is prohibited by the ISBA from making secured or unsecured loans for business, commercial or agricultural purposes representing in the aggregate an amount in excess of 15% of its total assets, unless the OBRE authorizes in writing a higher percentage limit for such loans upon the request of an institution.

     The Bank is also subject to a loans-to-one borrower limitation. Under the ISBA, the total loans and extensions of credit by the Bank to any person outstanding at one time must not exceed the greater of $500,000 or 25% of the Bank’s total capital plus general loan loss reserves. In addition, the Bank may make loans in an amount equal to an additional 10% of the Bank’s capital plus general loan loss reserves if secured by readily marketable collateral.

     Dividend Limitations. Under the ISBA, dividends may only be declared when the total capital of the Bank is greater than that required by the ISBA. Dividends may be paid by the Bank out of its net profits. The written approval of the IDFPR must be obtained, however, before a savings bank having total capital of less than 6% of total assets may declare dividends in any year in an amount in excess of 50% of its net profits for that year. A savings bank may not declare dividends in excess of its net profits in any year without the approval of the IDFPR. Finally, the Bank will be unable to pay dividends in an amount which would reduce its capital below the greater of (i) the amount required by the FDIC capital regulations or otherwise specified by the FDIC, (ii) the amount required by the IDFPR or (iii) the amount required for the liquidation

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account established by the Bank in connection with the Bank’s conversion to stock form. The IDFPR and the FDIC also have the authority to prohibit the payment of any dividends by the Bank if the IDFPR or the FDIC determines that the distribution would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

     Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Federal law requires, among other things, that the federal bank regulatory authorities take “prompt corrective action” with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the law establishes various capital categories. The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation. Under the regulations, an institution is deemed to be “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of less than 4%, or generally a leverage ratio of less than 4%. An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of less than 3%, or a leverage ratio of less than 3%. An institution is deemed to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2%.

     “Undercapitalized” banks are subject to growth, capital distribution (including dividend) and other limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. A bank’s compliance with such plan must be guaranteed by any company that controls the undercapitalized institution in an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the Bank’s total assets when deemed undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve the status of adequately capitalized. If an “undercapitalized” bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized”. “Significantly undercapitalized” banks are subject to one or more of a number of additional restrictions, including but not limited to an order by the FDIC to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cease receipt of deposits from correspondent banks or dismiss directors or officers. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions also may not make any payment of principal or interest on certain subordinated debt or extend credit for a highly leveraged transaction or enter into any material transactions outside the ordinary course of business. In addition, subject to a narrow exception, the appointment of a receiver or conservator is required for a “critically undercapitalized” institution within 270 days after it obtains such status.

     Transactions with Affiliates. Transactions between depository institutions and their affiliates are governed by federal law. An affiliate of a savings bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the savings bank, other than a subsidiary. In a holding company context, at a minimum, the parent holding company of a savings bank and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the savings bank. Generally, the extent to which the savings bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions”, including loans, with any one affiliate is limited to 10% of such savings bank’s capital stock and surplus, and there is an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates of 20% of such capital stock and surplus. Federal law also establishes specific collateral requirements for loans or extensions of credit to, or guarantees or acceptances on letters of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate. Covered transactions and a broad list of other specified transactions with an affiliate also must be on terms substantially the same, or no less favorable, to the savings bank or its subsidiary as similar transactions with non-affiliates.

     Federal law also restricts a savings bank with respect to loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders. Loans to directors, executive officers and stockholders who control, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of voting securities of a savings bank, and certain related interests of any of the foregoing, may not exceed the savings bank’s total capital and surplus. Loans to directors, executive officers and principal shareholders must be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, except that such insiders may receive preferential loans made pursuant to a compensation program that is widely available to the Bank’s employees and does not give preference to the insider over other employees. Federal law also requires that the board of directors approve loans to insiders exceeding a certain amount. There are additional limitations on loans to executive officers.

     Enforcement. The IDFPR and the FDIC have extensive enforcement authority over Illinois-chartered savings banks, including the Bank. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue

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cease and desist orders and to remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and to unsafe or unsound practices.

     The IDFPR is given authority by the ISBA to appoint a conservator or receiver for an Illinois savings bank under certain circumstances including, but not limited to, insolvency, a substantial dissipation of assets due to violation of law, regulation or order of the IDFPR or an unsafe or unsound practice or the likelihood that the savings bank will be unable to meet the demands of depositors or pay its obligations in the normal course of business. The FDIC also has authority under federal law to appoint a conservator or receiver for an insured savings bank under certain circumstances.

     Insurance of Deposit Accounts. Deposits of the Bank are presently insured by the SAIF. The FDIC maintains a risk-based assessment system by which institutions are assigned to one of three categories based on their capitalization and one of the three subcategories based on examination ratings and other supervisory information. An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the categories to which it is assigned. Assessment rates for SAIF member institutions are determined semiannually by the FDIC and currently range from zero basis points of assessable deposits for the healthiest institutions to 27 basis points for the riskiest.

     In addition to the assessment for deposit insurance, institutions are required to make payments on bonds issued in the late 1980s by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) to recapitalize the predecessor to the SAIF. Payments toward the FICO bonds amounted to $36,000 in 2004.

     The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in SAIF insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.

     Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. The Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

     Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board regulations require depository institutions to maintain non-interest earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally require that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: for the first $7.0 million of net transaction accounts there is no reserve; for net transaction accounts totaling over $7.0 million and up to $47.6 million the reserve requirement is 3%; and for net transaction accounts greater than $47.6 million, the reserve requirement is $1.218 million plus 10% against that portion of total transaction accounts in excess of $47.6 million. The above dollar amounts and percentages are subject to periodic adjustment by the Federal Reserve Board. The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing requirement.

     Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (the “FHLB”) system, which consists of 12 regional FHLBs. The FHLBs provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. The Bank, as a member of the FHLB of Chicago, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in an amount at least equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20 of its advances (borrowings) from the FHLB, whichever is greater. The Bank is in compliance with this requirement with an investment in FHLB stock at December 31, 2004 of $16,152,500.

     The FHLBs are required to provide funds for the resolution of insolvent thrifts and to contribute funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements could reduce the amount of dividends that the FHLBs pay to their members and could result in the FHLBs imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to their members. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, dividends from the FHLB to the Bank amounted to approximately $921,000, $686,000, and $242,000, respectively.

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     Holding Company Regulation . Federal law allows a state savings bank that qualifies as a “qualified thrift lender” to elect to be treated as a savings association for purposes of the savings and loan holding company provisions of federal law. Such election results in its holding company being regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the OTS rather than as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve Board. The Bank has made such election and has received approval from the OTS for the Company to become a savings and loan holding company. The Company has registered with the OTS and is subject to OTS regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements. In addition, the OTS has enforcement authority over the Company and its non-savings institution subsidiaries. Among other things, this authority permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary savings institution. Additionally, the Bank is required to notify the OTS at least 30 days before declaring any dividend to the Company. Because the Bank is chartered under Illinois law, the Company is also subject to registration with and regulation by the IDFPR.

     As a unitary savings and loan company, the Company is generally not restricted under existing laws as to the types of business activities in which it may engage. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 provides that no company may acquire control of a savings association after May 4, 1999, unless it engages only in the financial activities permitted for financial holding companies under the law and for multiple savings and loan holding companies as described below. Further, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act specifies that existing savings and loan holding companies may only engage in such activities. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, however, grandfathered the unrestricted authority for activities with respect to unitary savings and loan holding companies existing prior to May 4, 1999, such as the Company, so long as the Bank continues to comply with the qualified thrift lender test. Upon any non-supervisory acquisition by the Company of another savings association as a separate subsidiary, the Company would become a multiple savings and loan holding company and would be subject to extensive limitations on the types of business activities in which it could engage. Federal law limits the activities of a multiple savings and loan holding company and its non-insured institution subsidiaries primarily to activities permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act, subject to prior approval of the OTS, and to other activities authorized by OTS regulation. Multiple savings and loan holding companies are prohibited from acquiring or retaining, with certain exceptions, more than 5% of a non-subsidiary company engaged in activities other than those permitted by federal law.

     Federal law prohibits a savings and loan holding company, directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries, from merging with or acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings institution or holding company thereof without prior written approval of the OTS. In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings institutions, the OTS must consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

     The OTS is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, except: (i) interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies; and (ii) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution permit such acquisitions. The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.

     In order to elect and continue to be regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the OTS, the Bank must continue to qualify as a qualified thrift lender. This requires the Bank to maintain compliance with the test for a “domestic building and loan association”, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, or with a Qualified Thrift Lender Test. Under the Test, a savings association is required to maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” (total assets less: (i) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (ii) intangibles, including goodwill; and (iii) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain “qualified thrift investments” (including residential mortgages and related investments, certain mortgage-backed and related securities, and credit card loans, student loans and small business loans) in at least 9 months out of each 12 month period. A holding company of a savings institution that fails to qualify as a qualified thrift lender must either convert to

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a bank holding company and thereby become subject to the regulation and supervision of the Federal Reserve Board or operate under certain restrictions. As of December 31, 2003, the Bank maintained in excess of 65% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments. The Bank also met the test in each of the prior 12 months and, therefore, is a qualified thrift lender.

FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXATION

Federal Taxation

     General. The Company and its affiliates file a consolidated federal income tax return. To the extent a member of the consolidated group incurs a loss which is utilized to reduce the consolidated group’s federal tax liability, that member will be reimbursed by those members that would have incurred federal tax liability if not for the member’s tax loss.

     Amounts provided for income tax expense are based upon income reported for financial statement purposes and do not necessarily represent amounts currently payable to federal or other tax authorities. Deferred income taxes, which principally arise from the temporary differences related to the recognition of certain income and expense items for financial reporting purposes and the period in which they affect federal and state taxable income, are included in the amounts provided for income taxes.

     Bad Debt Reserves. The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (the “1996 Act”), which was enacted on August 20, 1996, made significant changes to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) relating to a savings institution’s use of bad debt reserves for federal income tax purposes and requires such institutions to recapture (i.e. include in income) certain portions of their accumulated bad debt reserves. Prior to the enactment of the 1996 Act, the Bank was permitted to establish tax reserves for bad debts and to make annual additions thereto, which additions, within specified formula limits, were deducted in arriving at the Bank’s taxable income. The Bank’s deduction with respect to “qualifying loans”, which are generally loans secured by certain interests in real property, could be computed using an amount based on a six-year moving average of the Bank’s actual loss experience (the “Experience Method”), or a percentage equal to 8% of the Bank’s taxable income (the “PTI Method”), computed without regard to this deduction and with additional modifications and reduced by the amount of any permitted addition to the non-qualifying reserve. The Bank’s deduction with respect to non-qualifying loans was required to be computed under the Experience Method.

     The 1996 Act. Under the 1996 Act, for its current and future taxable years as a “Small Bank”, the Bank is permitted to make additions to its bad debt reserves for Federal income tax purposes under the Experience Method based on total loans. However, the Bank is required to recapture (i.e. include in income) over a six-year period the excess of the balance of its bad debt reserves as of December 31, 1995 over the balance of such reserves as of December 31, 1987. As of December 31, 1995, the Bank’s bad debt reserve exceeded the balance of such reserve as of December 31, 1987 by $326,713. This excess has been fully recaptured into taxable income as of December 31, 2004.

     Distributions. Under the 1996 Act, if the Bank makes “non-dividend distributions” to the Company, such distributions will be considered to have been made from the Bank’s unrecaptured bad debt reserves (including the balance of its reserves as of December 31, 1987) to the extent thereof, and an amount based on the amount distributed (but not in excess of the amount of such reserves) will be included in the Bank’s income. In general, the term “non-dividend distributions” is defined as distributions in excess of the Bank’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes, distributions in redemption of stock, and distributions in partial or complete liquidation. Dividends paid out of the Bank’s current or accumulated earnings and profits will not cause this pre-1988 reserve to be included in the Bank’s income.

     The amount of additional taxable income created by a non-dividend distribution is an amount that, when reduced by the tax attributable to the income, is equal to the amount of the distribution. Thus, if the Bank makes a non-dividend distribution to the Company, approximately 65% of the amount of such distribution (but not in excess of the amount of such reserves) would be included in income for federal income tax purposes,

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assuming a 35% federal corporate income tax rate. The Bank does not intend to pay dividends that would result in a recapture of any portion of its bad debt reserves.

     Dividends Received Deduction and Other Matters. The Company may exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from the Bank as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations. The corporate dividends received deduction is generally 70% in the case of dividends received from unaffiliated corporations with which the Company and the Bank will not file a consolidated tax return, except that if the Company owns more than 20% of the stock of a corporation distributing a dividend, then 80% of any dividend received may be excluded.

State Taxation

     Illinois State Taxation. The Company and its subsidiaries are required to file Illinois income tax returns and pay tax at an effective tax rate of approximately 4.7% on Illinois taxable income, assuming a 35% Federal income tax rate. For these purposes, Illinois taxable income, generally means federal taxable income subject to certain modifications, the primary one of which is the exclusion of interest income from United States Treasury obligations.

     The Company and its subsidiaries file one combined corporation return for State of Illinois income tax purposes.

     Delaware State Taxation. As a Delaware holding company not earning income in Delaware, the Company is exempted from Delaware Corporate income tax but is required to file an annual report with and pay an annual franchise tax to the State of Delaware.

Critical Accounting Policies

     The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in detail in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions. The financial position and results of operations can be affected by these estimates and assumptions and are integral to the understanding of reported results. Critical accounting policies are those policies that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results, and they require management to make estimates that are difficult, subjective, or complex.

     Allowance for Credit Losses- The allowance for credit losses provides coverage for probable losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses each quarter based on changes, if any, in underwriting activities, the loan portfolio composition (including product mix and geographic, industry or customer-specific concentrations), trends in loan performance, regulatory guidance and economic factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires the use of significant management estimates. Many factors can affect management’s estimates of specific and expected losses, including volatility of default probabilities, rating migrations, loss severity and economic and political conditions. The allowance is increased through provisions charged to operating earnings and reduced by net charge-offs.

     The Company determines the amount of the allowance based on relative risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The allowance recorded for commercial loans is based on reviews of individual credit relationships and an analysis of the migration of commercial loans and actual loss experience. The allowance recorded for homogeneous consumer loans is based on an analysis of loan mix, risk characteristics of the portfolio, fraud loss and bankruptcy experiences, and historical losses, adjusted for current trends, for each homogeneous category or group of loans. The allowance for credit losses relating to impaired loans is based on the loan’s observable market price, the collateral for certain collateral-dependent loans, or the discounted cash flows using the loan’s effective interest rate.

     Regardless of the extent of the Company’s analysis of customer performance, portfolio trends or risk management processes, certain inherent but undetected losses

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are probable within the loan portfolio. This is due to several factors including inherent delays in obtaining information regarding a customer’s financial condition or changes in their unique business conditions, the judgmental nature of individual loan evaluations, collateral assessments and the interpretation of economic trends. Volatility of economic or customer-specific conditions affecting the identification and estimation of losses for larger non-homogeneous credits and the sensitivity of assumptions utilized to establish allowances for homogenous groups of loans are among other factors. The Company estimates a range of inherent losses related to the existence of these exposures. The estimates are based upon the Company’s evaluation of imprecision risk associated with the commercial and consumer allowance levels and the estimated impact of the current economic environment.

     Mortgage Servicing Rights- Mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) associated with loans originated and sold, where servicing is retained, are capitalized and included in other intangible assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The value of the capitalized servicing rights represents the present value of the future servicing fees arising from the right to service loans in the portfolio. Critical accounting policies for MSRs relate to the initial valuation and subsequent impairment tests. The methodology used to determine the valuation of MSRs requires the development and use of a number of estimates, including anticipated principal amortization and prepayments of that principal balance. Events that may significantly affect the estimates used are changes in interest rates, mortgage loan prepayment speeds and the payment performance of the underlying loans. The carrying value of the MSRs is periodically reviewed for impairment based on a determination of fair value. For purposes of measuring impairment, the servicing rights are compared to a valuation prepared based on a discounted cash flow methodology, utilizing current prepayment speeds and discount rates. Impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance and is recorded as amortization of intangible assets.

Forward Looking Statements

     This annual report on Form 10-K (including certain information incorporated by reference) contains forward-looking statements, including certain plans, expectations, goals and projections, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “expects”, “projects” or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those contained or implied by such statements for a variety of factors including, but not limited to: changes in general and/or local economic conditions; movements in interest rates; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; success and timing of business strategies, and; the nature, extent and timing of governmental actions and reforms. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Item 2 Properties

     The Bank conducts its business through an executive and full-service office located in Bloomington and four other full service branch offices. The Company believes that the Bank’s current facilities are adequate to meet the present and immediately foreseeable needs of the Bank and the Company.

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None of the properties owned by the Company are subject to any encumbrance.

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Item 3 Legal Proceedings

     The registrant is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business. Such routine legal proceedings, in the aggregate, are believed by management to be immaterial to the registrant’s financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of 2004 to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

     SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names, ages and positions with the Company and subsidiary bank of all executive officers of the Company are listed below:

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PART II

Item 5 Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

     Citizens First Financial Corp.’s common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol “CFSB”. At December 31, 2004, 1,550,473 shares of the Company’s common stock were held of record by 351 persons or entities, not including the number of persons or entities holding stock in nominee or street name through various brokers or banks.

Per Share

Citizens First Financial Corp. did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2004.

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Item 6 Selected Financial Data

Selected Financial Data (in thousands, except share data)

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The following is a discussion of our financial condition at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 and our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information about our financial condition and results of operations, which is not otherwise apparent from the consolidated financial statements. The following discussion should be read along with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included herein.

OVERVIEW

General

Citizens First Financial Corp. (the “Company”) is the thrift holding company for Citizens Savings Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank was originally chartered in 1888 by the State of Illinois and in 1989 became a federally chartered savings bank. In April 1999, the Bank was converted from a federally chartered savings bank to an Illinois state savings bank. The Bank’s principal business consists of the acceptance of retail deposits from the general public in the area surrounding its main and branch offices and the investment of these deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings into loans and investment securities. The Bank originates one-to-four family residential mortgages, commercial, multi-family, construction and land, commercial real estate, agricultural, consumer and other loans. The Bank has a wholly-owned service corporation, CSL Service Corporation (“CSL”), which is an Illinois-chartered corporation that had invested in Williamsburg LLC (“Williamsburg”), a real estate development joint venture. CSL, who was a 50% owner of Williamsburg, sold its interest in May 2004. The accounts of Williamsburg are consolidated into the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2004, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Main Street Trust, Inc. (“Main Street”), an Illinois corporation. Main Street Trust, Inc. will acquire all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Each of the Company’s shareholders will have the option of receiving either 1.1051 shares of Main Street’s stock for each share of the Company’s stock or $35.00 of cash for each share of the Company’s common stock or a combination of both. The transaction has been approved by state and federal regulators and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2005. At a special meeting of shareholders on March 8, 2005 shareholders approved the merger agreement

Diluted earnings per share increased from $1.01 for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $1.87 for the year ended December 31, 2004, primarily because of decreased losses on foreclosed assets and provision for loan losses and increased net gain from sale of premises and equipment, offset by decreased net gains on loan sales.

Financial Condition

The $44.7 million decrease in loans, net of allowance for loan losses and loans held for sale were used primarily to reduce deposits by $19.0 million and long-term debt by $5.3 million, and increase available-for-sale securities by $5.3 million and cash and cash equivalents by $21.3 million.

The decrease in loans, net of allowances for loan losses and loans held for sale was primarily due to a $14.7 million decrease in commercial real estate loans, $ 13.6 million decrease in residential real estate portfolio loans, $9.0 million decrease in real estate construction loans and a $7.5 million decrease in commercial and agricultural loans. The decreases were primarily due to a decrease in loan originations resulting from increased local competition and emphasis by the Company in 2004 to correct deficiencies noted by the Company’s regulators.

During January 2004, the Bank’s Board of Directors entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“Regulators”). After meeting the terms of the MOU, in December 2004, the Regulators terminated the MOU.

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Results of Operations

Net income increased from $1.6 million in 2003 to $3.0 million in 2004 primarily because of a $2.9 million reduction in the provision (credit) for loan losses, a $659,000 increase in net gain on sale of premises and equipment, a $618,000 decrease in net loss on foreclosed assets, offset by a $1.2 million decrease in net gains on loan sales, a $563,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits expense and a $541,000 increase in professional fees and other expenses.

The decrease in net gains on loan sales was the result of decreased loan sales in 2004 reflecting the increasing interest rate environment that existed through most of 2004. These higher interest rates significantly decreased the amount of residential loan refinancing in 2004.

COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT DECEMBER 31, 2004 and DECEMBER 31, 2003

Total assets decreased from $349.5 million at December 31, 2003 to $328.3 million at December 31, 2004. The $21.2 million or 6.1% decrease was primarily due to the decrease in loans, offset by an increase in interest-bearing deposits and federal funds sold and available for sale securities.

Cash and cash equivalents increased from $16.8 million at December 31, 2003 to $38.1 million at December 31, 2004, an increase of $21.7 million or 126.8%. The increase occurred primarily because of the decrease of gross loans of $45.2 million, offset by the decreases of $19.0 million in deposits and $5.3 million in long-term debt.

Available for sale securities increased from $20.7 million at December 31, 2003 to $26.1 million at December 31, 2004, an increase of $5.4 million or 26.1%. The increase was primarily due to the purchase of $11.3 million of investment securities which was offset by $5.9 million in maturities and principal paydowns.

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses and including mortgage loans held for sale, decreased from $279.8 million at December 31, 2003 to $235.1 million at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $44.7 million or 16.0%. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $14.7 million in commercial real estate loans, $13.6 million in residential real estate loans, $9.0 million in real estate construction loans and $7.5 million in commercial and agricultural loans. The decreases were due to loan repayments. The Company sells primarily fixed rate residential loans in the secondary market (primarily to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) as a source of income from gains on sale and servicing fees and as a means of controlling interest rate risk. The Company sold $6.9 million in loans during 2004. The Company serviced $83.5 million and $96.1 million at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

The Company has a significant concentration in construction and commercial real estate loans related to the real estate market in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Management believes that due to the continued strength of this market, this concentration does not pose a significant risk to the Company.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risks inherent in the loan portfolio and the general economy. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at an amount management considers adequate to cover estimated losses in loans receivable which are deemed probable and can be estimated based on information available to management at such time. While management believes the allowance for loan losses is sufficient to cover future loan losses inherent in its loan portfolio at this time, no assurances can be given that the level of the allowance for loan losses will be sufficient to cover future loan losses incurred or that future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses will not be necessary if economic and other conditions differ substantially from the economic and other conditions used by management to determine the current level of the allowance for loan losses. The allowance is based upon a number of factors, including asset classification, economic trends, industry experience and trends, industry and geographic concentrations, estimated collateral value, management’s assessments of the credit risk inherent in the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, and the Company’s underwriting policies. Management will continue to monitor and modify the allowance for loan losses as conditions dictate. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan

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losses. These agencies may require additional valuation allowances, based on their judgments of the information available at the time of the examination.

The Company’s policy is to charge off loans when it is determined that they are no longer collectible. The policy for loans secured by real estate, which comprise the majority of the loan portfolio, is to establish loss reserves in accordance with the loan classification process, based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company’s policy is to obtain an appraisal or evaluation on all real estate acquired through foreclosure at the time of foreclosure.

The allowance for loan losses decreased from $3,072,000 at December 31, 2003 to $2,736,000 at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $336,000 or 10.9%. The decrease was primarily due to recoveries in 2004 of charged-off loans in prior years of $410,000, a reduction in the overall loan portfolio and the Company’s continued emphasis to improve asset quality. Included in those recoveries was a $389,000 payment from the bankruptcy trustee for a commercial developer. Due to the large amount of recoveries, a reduction in the overall loan portfolio and the Company’s continued emphasis to improve asset quality, the Company recorded a credit to the provision for loan losses of $473,000 during 2004. During 2004, $274,000 of loans were charged-off to the allowance for loan losses.

The Company’s non-performing and potential problem loans increased from $8,428,000 at December 31, 2003 to $10,218,000 at December 31, 2004, an increase of $1,790,000. The non-performing and potential problem loans were considered impaired as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003. The Company has established a loss reserve of $1,513,000 for non-performing and potential problem loans and believes that it has adequately reserved for any potential loss.

Non-performing loans, which are loans past due 90 days or more and non-accruing loans, decreased from $2,459,000 at December 31, 2003 to $724,000 at December 31, 2004. The ratio of the Company’s allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans was 377.6% and 124.9% at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Management believes that the problems with these borrowers are identified and not indicative of the loan portfolio in total.

Non-accruing loans decreased from $2,452,000 at December 31, 2003 to $724,000 at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $1,728,000 or 70.4%. At December 31, 2004, non-accrual loans consist of four 1-4 family residential loans with a balance of $408,000, one real estate non-farm/non-residential loan with a balance of $16,000, one commercial and industrial loan with a balance of $298,000 and one consumer loan with a balance of $2,000. The Company has established a loss reserve of $298,000 for non-accrual loans.

Accruing loans delinquent greater than 90 days decreased from $7,000 at December 31, 2003 to $-0- at December 31, 2004.

Potential problem loans are loans that are not classified as non-accrual or 90 days or more delinquent, but due to factors regarding the borrower, the loan or the economy may represent a possible loss to the Company. Potential problem loans increased from $5,969,000 at December 31, 2003 to $9,494,000 at December 31, 2004, an increase of $3,525,000. The Company has established loan loss reserves of $1,215,000 at December 31, 2004 for all potential problem loans. As of December 31, 2004, $6,220,000 of the potential problem loans relates to five borrowers. The first borrower with potential problem loans of $1,568,000 is a developer which is a concern to the company because of the concentration of unsecured loans. The second borrower with a potential problem loan of $1,286,000, is an owner of a commercial facility in Florida that had experienced damage in the 2004 hurricanes. The third borrower with potential problem loans of $1,609,000 is a manufacturing and sales company, which has experienced recent losses. The fourth borrower with potential problem loans of $821,000 is a land development venture, which is a concern to the Company because of delays in the sale of properties. The fifth borrower with potential problem loans of $935,000 is a developer with recent financial difficulties. The remaining potential problem loans have a balance of $3,274,000 and consist of thirty-two residential loans with a balance of $2,207,000, six commercial and industrial loans with a balance of $344,000, three non-farm/non-residential loan with a balance of $557,000, three construction and land development loans with a balance of $113,000 and nine consumer loans with a balance of $53,000. For all of the potential problem loans, the Company believes that it has adequately reserved for any potential loss.

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Other assets especially mentioned (“OAEM”) loans decreased from $15,638,000 at December 31, 2003 to $3,463,000 at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $12,175,000. The primary reason for the decrease was a commercial development loan which had been classified as an OAEM asset at December 31, 2003. This loan had a balance of $11,437,000 at December 31, 2003. During 2004 the loan was re-written with terms that improved the Bank’s collateral and repayment position. OAEM loans are loans that are not classified as non-accrual, delinquent or potential problem, but still require monitoring by the Company due to factors regarding the borrower, the loan or the economy. At December 31, 2004, OAEM loans consists of twenty-three residential loans with a balance of $1,990,000, two non-farm/non-residential loans with a balance of $1,399,000, one commercial and industrial loan with a balance of $43,000 and six consumer loans with a balance of $31,000.

Premises and equipment decreased from $6,183,000 at December 31, 2003 to $5,515,000 at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $668,000. The decrease was primarily due to depreciation expense of $634,000 during 2004 and the sale of the Company’s Normal branch facility in December 2004 which had a book value of $326,000. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $680,000 from the sale and is currently leasing the facility until a new building is constructed.

Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased from $15,206,000 at December 31, 2003 to $16,153,000 at December 31, 2004, an increase of $947,000 due primarily to the receipt of $921,000 in FHLB stock dividends.

Foreclosed assets decreased from $2,135,000 at December 31, 2003 to $92,000 at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $2,043,000 or 96.0%. The decrease was primarily due to the sale of foreclosed assets. During 2004, $631,000 in loans were transferred to foreclosed assets and $2,052,000 of foreclosed assets were sold with a net loss of $121,000. In addition, $148,000 was depreciated for certain foreclosed assets held greater than one year. Foreclosed assets at December 31, 2004 consist entirely of residential properties. Properties transferred to foreclosed assets are appraised or evaluated and, if required, loss reserves are established by management.

Mortgage servicing rights decreased from $469,000 at December 31, 2003 to $356,000 at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $113,000. The decrease was primarily due to the amortization of $154,000 of servicing rights in 2004 offset by $41,000 of new capitalized servicing rights.

Other assets increased from $413,000 at December 31, 2003 to $938,000 at December 31, 2004, an increase of $525,000. The increase was primarily due to a $692,000 decrease in accrued income tax receivable.

Deposits decreased from $250.0 million at December 31, 2003 to $231.0 million at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $19.0 million or 7.6%. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $13.4 million in time deposits and $5.1 million in brokered time deposits. With the increased balances of cash and cash equivalents, the Company did not aggressively compete for certificate of deposit accounts during 2004.

Long-term debt decreased from $64.0 million at December 31, 2003 to $58.7 million at December 31, 2004, a decrease of $5.3 million or 8.1%, due to repayments during 2004. During 2004, the Bank repaid $30.3 million of maturing Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances with an average interest rate of 4.9% and obtained $25.0 million of new FHLB advances at an average rate of 1.6%.

Minority interest in real estate joint venture decreased from $383,000 at December 31, 2003 to $-0- at December 31, 2004 due to the sale in May 2004 of the Company’s interest in the real estate joint venture.

Other liabilities increased from $1.3 million at December 31, 2003 to $1.7 million at December 31, 2004, an increase of $400,000. The primary reason for the increase was a $342,000 increase in accruals for employee and director benefit programs. The employee benefit accruals increased due to no bonuses being paid for 2003. During 2004 the Company achieved its bonus targets and accrued $185,000. The accruals for director benefits increased because of an increase in the anticipated expense of the director retirement benefit.

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Total stockholders’ equity increased by $3,055,000, from $32,992,000 at December 31, 2003 to $36,047,000 at December 31, 2004. The increase resulted from the earnings of the Company of $2,987,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004, the tax benefit related to stock options exercised of $450,000 and exercised stock options of $936,000, offset by the purchase of treasury shares of $703,000, the payment of $614,000 in dividends to stockholders and a decrease in unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities of $1,000.

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Citizens First Financial Corp. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Average Balance Sheet (Dollars in thousands)