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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;18, 2007
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
</DIV>
<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>












<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><I>Registration Statement<BR>
Under<BR>
The Securities Act of 1933</I></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of <BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>36-3145350</B><BR>
(I.R.S. employer<BR>
identification no.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">122 West Madison Street<BR>
Ottawa, Illinois 61350<BR>
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORPORATION<BR>
EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="57%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>With a copy to:</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Kurt R. Stevenson</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>Timothy E. Kraepel</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>Howard &#038; Howard Attorneys, P.C.</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Centrue Financial Corporation</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>The Pinehurst Office Center, Suite&nbsp;101</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>122 West Madison Street</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>39400 North Woodward Avenue</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>Ottawa, Illinois 61350</B>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304-5151</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">(Name and address of agent for service)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><B>(248)&nbsp;645-1483</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><B>(815)&nbsp;431-2720</B></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="CENTER" colspan="23">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">per share</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="CENTER">Title of Securities to be Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">(3)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">(3)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registration fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Deferred Compensation Obligations (1)</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,200,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">N/A</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,200,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">67.54</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $1.00 par value (2)</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">92,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">24.46</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,250,320</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">69.09</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Deferred Compensation Obligations are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of
Registrant to pay deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the
above-referenced Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The fee is calculated pursuant to Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Plus, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416, an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be issuable in
the event of an adjustment as a result of an increase in the number of issued shares of
Registrant&#146;s Common Stock resulting from a subdivision of such shares, the payment of stock
dividends or certain other capital adjustments as provided in the above-referenced Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan.
</TD>
</TR>


<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(c) and (h)&nbsp;based on the $24.46 average of the high and low prices of Registrant&#146;s Common Stock
on The Nasdaq Global Market on December&nbsp;13, 2007.
</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">








<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information*</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">PART II.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#009">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#010">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#012">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="k22330exv5w1.htm">Opinion of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="k22330exv23w1.htm">Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="k22330exv24.htm">Power of Attorney</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>






<!-- link1 "PART I." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I.</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information*" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information*</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Information required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in this Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from
the Registration Statement in accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(&#147;Securities Act&#148;), and the Note to Part&nbsp;I on Form S-8.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<!-- link1 "PART II." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;)
by the Registrant (File No.&nbsp;0-28846) are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2006;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2007;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2007;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4)&nbsp;the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September&nbsp;30, 2007;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5)&nbsp;Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April&nbsp;30, 2007;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6)&nbsp;Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May&nbsp;4, 2007;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7)&nbsp;Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July&nbsp;30, 2007;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8)&nbsp;Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December&nbsp;14, 2007;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9)&nbsp;all other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since December&nbsp;31, 2006;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(10)&nbsp;the information contained in the Registrant&#146;s definitive Proxy Statement filed with the
Commission on March&nbsp;23, 2007 relating to its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(11)&nbsp;the description of Registrant&#146;s Common Stock, $1.00 par value which appears under the
caption &#147;Effect of the Merger on Rights of Stockholders&#148; as set forth in Pre-Effective Amendment
No.&nbsp;1 to Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-137013) filed with
the Commission on October&nbsp;3, 2006, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post
effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The securities being registered under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan represent
obligations of the Company to make future payments to the participants in the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan. The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to be an unfunded
arrangement for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or
highly compensated employees as determined under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974. The following description of the material terms of the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan is qualified by reference to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and terms
not defined herein shall be given the meanings set forth in the Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is effective January&nbsp;1, 2008 and is operated in on a
12&nbsp;month plan year beginning January 1 and ending December&nbsp;31. The Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan provides certain executives of the Company and its affiliates who are selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the &#147;Board&#148;) in its sole discretion, the right to defer the receipt of a
portion of their compensation. Eligible executives may defer up to 50% of their annual base salary
and up to 100% of their annual incentive bonus under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The
Company may make discretionary matching contributions with respect to a portion of the
participant&#146;s deferrals and discretionary contributions that are not related to the participant&#146;s
deferrals pursuant to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The amounts deferred under the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan represent an obligation of the Company to make payments to the
participant at some time in the future, in an amount equal to: (1)&nbsp;compensation which the
participant has elected to defer under the terms of the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, (2)
discretionary matching contributions and discretionary Company contributions, to the extent vested,
plus (3)&nbsp;earnings on the foregoing amounts based on a notational investment measurement, all of
which is reflected in the individual accounts maintained for each of the participants.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The amounts deferred by the participant will be credited or debited with investment earnings
or losses based on the assumption that the amount deferred had been invested in the shares of
Company&#146;s common stock as of the date that the amount being deferred would have been paid to the
participant absent the deferral election. Discretionary matching contributions
and discretionary Company contributions will be indexed to one or more investment alternatives
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">chosen by the participant from a selection determined by the Board, which selection may include
Company common stock and which selection may change from time to time. Unless the Company
establishes a rabbi trust, the investment alternatives will be used only for the purpose of
calculating hypothetical returns and the amounts in participants&#146; Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan accounts will not actually be invested in the selected investment funds. The Company may
establish a &#147;rabbi trust&#148; to serve as a source of funds from which the Company can satisfy its
obligations under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Participants in the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan will have no rights to any assets held by any rabbi trust, except as general,
unsecured creditors and assets of the rabbi trust will at all times be subject to the claims of the
Company&#146;s general creditors.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All participants are immediately vested in all elective deferrals under the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan. Participants shall become vested in discretionary matching contributions and
discretionary Company contributions if they are still employed on the 5<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> anniversary of
the last day of the plan year to which the contributions relate. For example, if the Company makes
a discretionary matching contribution that relates to a participant&#146;s deferrals for the 2008 plan
year, the participant would become 100% vested in that matching contribution on December&nbsp;31, 2013,
provided that the participant remains employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company on
that date. On the date of the participant&#146;s death or a Change of Control of the Company, provided
that in either event the participant remains employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company
on that date, a participant shall become 100% vested in all accounts under the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The vested amounts payable to the participants under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
are distributed in accordance with the distribution provisions of the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan. Distributions generally begin at the time of the participant&#146;s separation from
service with the Company. At the time of the participant&#146;s initial participation in the Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan, the participant may elect to begin receiving benefits as of the later
of (1)&nbsp;the participant&#146;s separation from service with the Company or (2)&nbsp;the participant&#146;s
attainment of age 65. The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan generally provides that unless the
participant elects otherwise, the participant&#146;s account will be paid in a lump sum payment as of
the date of a Change of Control of the Company. At the time of the participant&#146;s initial
participation in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, the participant may instead elect to be
paid his or her vested Executive Deferred Compensation Plan account at the same time that benefits
would have been paid to the participant had a Change of Control not occurred but substituting
service with the successor to the Company for service with the Company. Vested Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan accounts are payable in a single lump sum, 5 substantially equal installments or
10 substantially equal installments, as elected by the participant at the time of the participant&#146;s
initial participation in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Vested Executive Deferred
Compensation accounts will be distributed either in cash or Company common stock, as elected by the
participant.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is administered by the person or persons designated
to serve as Administrator by the Board of the Company and in the absence of such
designation, the Company shall serve as Administrator. The Company reserves the right to terminate
the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, in whole or in part, subject to the
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">compliance with applicable law.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A participant&#146;s rights to any amounts credited to his or her accounts may not be alienated,
anticipated, commuted, pledged encumbered or assigned in any manner by the participant and may
only transfer upon the participant&#146;s death pursuant to the beneficiary designation under the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, subject to the compliance with a domestic relations order
that the Board or the Administrator determines is binding upon the Company, taxes required to be
withheld by the Company and payments on behalf of persons who are determine to be disabled or
incapacitated.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If the Company determines that a participant no longer qualifies as a member of a select group
of management or highly compensated employees, the Board has the right to prevent the participant
from making future deferral elections and to distribute the participant&#146;s vested accounts at the
time otherwise provided in by the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (&#147;Section&nbsp;145&#148;), Article
VIII of the Registrant&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Article&nbsp;VII of the
Registrant&#146;s By-Laws provide for the indemnification of the Registrant&#146;s directors and officers in
a variety of circumstances, which may include indemnification for liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933. The general effect of these provisions is to provide that the Registrant shall
indemnify its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in the proceeding in which
such persons are made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of
Registrant, but only if it is determined that they acted in good faith and in a manner they
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was
unlawful. Such determination may be made by (i)&nbsp;a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
disinterested directors, (ii)&nbsp;an independent legal counsel in a written opinion (if no such quorum
is available or if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs), or (iii)&nbsp;the stockholders. The
Registrant will pay expenses incurred by its directors and officers prior to the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding, if the director or officer undertakes to repay such amount
unless it is ultimately determined that they are entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has insurance which, subject to certain policy limits, deductible amounts and
exclusions, insures directors and officers of the Registrant for liabilities incurred as a result
of acts committed in their capacity as directors and officers or claims made against them by reason
of their status as directors or officers.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As permitted pursuant to Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Registrant eliminates
</DIV>

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">the personal monetary liability of a director of the Registrant or its stockholders for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability that results from (i)&nbsp;any breach of the
director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders; (ii)&nbsp;acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii)&nbsp;Section&nbsp;174
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (which Section pertains to a director&#146;s
liability for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions); or (iv)
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein are set forth in the Exhibit
index filed as part of this Registration Statement on page 10 hereof.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the Registration Statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration
Statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->6<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->7<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>The Registrant. </I>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Ottawa, State of Illinois, on December
18, 2007.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORPORATION<BR>
(Registrant)<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Thomas A. Daiber
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Thomas A. Daiber&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Thomas A. Daiber
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas A. Daiber
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President and Chief Executive
Officer and Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Kurt R. Stevenson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Kurt R. Stevenson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting
Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Dennis J. McDonnell
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board
and Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Richard J. Berry
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Walter E. Breipohl
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Randall E. Ganim
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael A. Griffith
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael J. Hejna
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>


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</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

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    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John A. Shinkle
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Mark L. Smith
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">**
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Scott C. Sullivan
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">December&nbsp;18, 2007</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


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<TR>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD valign="top">**By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Kurt R. Stevenson
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Kurt R. Stevenson&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Attorney-in-Fact&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

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</DIV>

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    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="012"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

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    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

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    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Howard &#038; Howard Attorneys, P.C.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC</TD>
</TR>
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    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Howard &#038; Howard Attorneys, P.C. (contained in their
opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>
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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney</TD>
</TR>
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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from
the current report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on December&nbsp;14, 2007)</TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>



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</DIV>



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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2007
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
Registration Statement
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
36-3145350
(I.R.S. employer
identification no.)
122 West Madison Street
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
With a copy to:
Kurt R. Stevenson
Timothy E. Kraepel
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
Centrue Financial Corporation
The Pinehurst Office Center, Suite 101
122 West Madison Street
39400 North Woodward Avenue
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304-5151
(Name and address of agent for service)
(248) 645-1483
(815) 431-2720
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
maximum
maximum
Amount
offering price
aggregate
to be
per share
offering price
Amount of
Title of Securities to be Registered
registered
(3)
(3)
Registration fee
Deferred Compensation Obligations (1)
$
2,200,000
N/A
$
2,200,000
$
67.54
Common Stock, $1.00 par value (2)
92,000
$
24.46
$
2,250,320
$
69.09
(1)
The Deferred Compensation Obligations are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of
Registrant to pay deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the
above-referenced Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The fee is calculated pursuant to Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(2)
Plus, pursuant to Rule 416, an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be issuable in
the event of an adjustment as a result of an increase in the number of issued shares of
Registrant's Common Stock resulting from a subdivision of such shares, the payment of stock
dividends or certain other capital adjustments as provided in the above-referenced Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan.
(3)
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(c) and (h) based on the $24.46 average of the high and low prices of Registrant's Common Stock
on The Nasdaq Global Market on December 13, 2007.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
Item 1. Plan Information*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*
PART II.
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Opinion of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC
Power of Attorney
Table of Contents
PART I.
Item 1. Plan Information*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information*
*
Information required by Part I to be contained in this Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from
the Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
("Securities Act"), and the Note to Part I on Form S-8.
PART II.
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
by the Registrant (File No. 0-28846) are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference:
(1) the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006;
(2) the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007;
(3) the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007;
(4) the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007;
(5) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2007;
(6) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2007;
(7) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 30, 2007;
(8) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2007;
(9) all other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") since December 31, 2006;
(10) the information contained in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement filed with the
Commission on March 23, 2007 relating to its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and
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(11) the description of Registrant's Common Stock, $1.00 par value which appears under the
caption "Effect of the Merger on Rights of Stockholders" as set forth in Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-137013) filed with
the Commission on October 3, 2006, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post
effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities
The securities being registered under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan represent
obligations of the Company to make future payments to the participants in the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan. The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to be an unfunded
arrangement for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or
highly compensated employees as determined under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974. The following description of the material terms of the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan is qualified by reference to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and terms
not defined herein shall be given the meanings set forth in the Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan.
The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is effective January 1, 2008 and is operated in on a
12 month plan year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. The Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan provides certain executives of the Company and its affiliates who are selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") in its sole discretion, the right to defer the receipt of a
portion of their compensation. Eligible executives may defer up to 50% of their annual base salary
and up to 100% of their annual incentive bonus under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The
Company may make discretionary matching contributions with respect to a portion of the
participant's deferrals and discretionary contributions that are not related to the participant's
deferrals pursuant to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The amounts deferred under the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan represent an obligation of the Company to make payments to the
participant at some time in the future, in an amount equal to: (1) compensation which the
participant has elected to defer under the terms of the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, (2)
discretionary matching contributions and discretionary Company contributions, to the extent vested,
plus (3) earnings on the foregoing amounts based on a notational investment measurement, all of
which is reflected in the individual accounts maintained for each of the participants.
The amounts deferred by the participant will be credited or debited with investment earnings
or losses based on the assumption that the amount deferred had been invested in the shares of
Company's common stock as of the date that the amount being deferred would have been paid to the
participant absent the deferral election. Discretionary matching contributions
and discretionary Company contributions will be indexed to one or more investment alternatives
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chosen by the participant from a selection determined by the Board, which selection may include
Company common stock and which selection may change from time to time. Unless the Company
establishes a rabbi trust, the investment alternatives will be used only for the purpose of
calculating hypothetical returns and the amounts in participants' Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan accounts will not actually be invested in the selected investment funds. The Company may
establish a "rabbi trust" to serve as a source of funds from which the Company can satisfy its
obligations under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Participants in the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan will have no rights to any assets held by any rabbi trust, except as general,
unsecured creditors and assets of the rabbi trust will at all times be subject to the claims of the
Company's general creditors.
All participants are immediately vested in all elective deferrals under the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan. Participants shall become vested in discretionary matching contributions and
discretionary Company contributions if they are still employed on the 5
th
anniversary of
the last day of the plan year to which the contributions relate. For example, if the Company makes
a discretionary matching contribution that relates to a participant's deferrals for the 2008 plan
year, the participant would become 100% vested in that matching contribution on December 31, 2013,
provided that the participant remains employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company on
that date. On the date of the participant's death or a Change of Control of the Company, provided
that in either event the participant remains employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company
on that date, a participant shall become 100% vested in all accounts under the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan.
The vested amounts payable to the participants under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
are distributed in accordance with the distribution provisions of the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan. Distributions generally begin at the time of the participant's separation from
service with the Company. At the time of the participant's initial participation in the Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan, the participant may elect to begin receiving benefits as of the later
of (1) the participant's separation from service with the Company or (2) the participant's
attainment of age 65. The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan generally provides that unless the
participant elects otherwise, the participant's account will be paid in a lump sum payment as of
the date of a Change of Control of the Company. At the time of the participant's initial
participation in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, the participant may instead elect to be
paid his or her vested Executive Deferred Compensation Plan account at the same time that benefits
would have been paid to the participant had a Change of Control not occurred but substituting
service with the successor to the Company for service with the Company. Vested Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan accounts are payable in a single lump sum, 5 substantially equal installments or
10 substantially equal installments, as elected by the participant at the time of the participant's
initial participation in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Vested Executive Deferred
Compensation accounts will be distributed either in cash or Company common stock, as elected by the
participant.
The Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is administered by the person or persons designated
to serve as Administrator by the Board of the Company and in the absence of such
designation, the Company shall serve as Administrator. The Company reserves the right to terminate
the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, in whole or in part, subject to the
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compliance with applicable law.
A participant's rights to any amounts credited to his or her accounts may not be alienated,
anticipated, commuted, pledged encumbered or assigned in any manner by the participant and may
only transfer upon the participant's death pursuant to the beneficiary designation under the
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, subject to the compliance with a domestic relations order
that the Board or the Administrator determines is binding upon the Company, taxes required to be
withheld by the Company and payments on behalf of persons who are determine to be disabled or
incapacitated.
If the Company determines that a participant no longer qualifies as a member of a select group
of management or highly compensated employees, the Board has the right to prevent the participant
from making future deferral elections and to distribute the participant's vested accounts at the
time otherwise provided in by the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("Section 145"), Article
VIII of the Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Article VII of the
Registrant's By-Laws provide for the indemnification of the Registrant's directors and officers in
a variety of circumstances, which may include indemnification for liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933. The general effect of these provisions is to provide that the Registrant shall
indemnify its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in the proceeding in which
such persons are made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of
Registrant, but only if it is determined that they acted in good faith and in a manner they
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was
unlawful. Such determination may be made by (i) a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
disinterested directors, (ii) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion (if no such quorum
is available or if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs), or (iii) the stockholders. The
Registrant will pay expenses incurred by its directors and officers prior to the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding, if the director or officer undertakes to repay such amount
unless it is ultimately determined that they are entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant.
The Registrant has insurance which, subject to certain policy limits, deductible amounts and
exclusions, insures directors and officers of the Registrant for liabilities incurred as a result
of acts committed in their capacity as directors and officers or claims made against them by reason
of their status as directors or officers.
As permitted pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Registrant eliminates
5
Table of Contents
the personal monetary liability of a director of the Registrant or its stockholders for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability that results from (i) any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) Section 174
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (which Section pertains to a director's
liability for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions); or (iv)
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits
The exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein are set forth in the Exhibit
index filed as part of this Registration Statement on page 10 hereof.
Item 9. Undertakings
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the Registration Statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration
Statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
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(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
7
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SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Ottawa, State of Illinois, on December
18, 2007.
CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Thomas A. Daiber
Thomas A. Daiber
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Thomas A. Daiber
Thomas A. Daiber
President and Chief Executive
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
December 18, 2007
/s/ Kurt R. Stevenson
Kurt R. Stevenson
Senior Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting
Officer)
December 18, 2007
**
Dennis J. McDonnell
Chairman of the Board
and Director
December 18, 2007
**
Richard J. Berry
Director
December 18, 2007
**
Walter E. Breipohl
Director
December 18, 2007
**
Randall E. Ganim
Director
December 18, 2007
**
Michael A. Griffith
Director
December 18, 2007
**
Michael J. Hejna
Director
December 18, 2007
8
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Signature
Title
Date
**
John A. Shinkle
Director
December 18, 2007
**
Mark L. Smith
Director
December 18, 2007
**
Scott C. Sullivan
Director
December 18, 2007
**By:
/s/ Kurt R. Stevenson
Kurt R. Stevenson
Attorney-in-Fact
9
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
5.1
Opinion of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
23.1
Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC
23.2
Consent of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C. (contained in their
opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
24
Power of Attorney
99.1
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from
the current report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2007)
10