First BancTrust Corporation to Acquire Rantoul First Bank, S.B.

First BancTrust Corporation to Acquire Rantoul First Bank, S.B.



PARIS, Ill., April 18  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First BancTrust Corporation
(NASDAQ:FBTC) and Rantoul First Bank, S.B. (OTC PK: RFBK) announced today that
they have agreed to an acquisition transaction in which Rantoul First Bank will
be acquired.  This transaction is valued at approximately $4.2 million, all of
which will be paid in cash.  First BancTrust is the parent holding company of
First Bank & Trust, S.B., which has community-banking locations in Paris,
Marshall and Savoy, Illinois.  Rantoul First Bank has one banking location in
Rantoul, Illinois.

Under terms of the agreement, Rantoul First Bank shareholders are expected to
receive $22.10 per share in cash for each share of its common stock held. There
are 190,961 shares of Rantoul First Bank common stock outstanding, according to
its 2004 annual report.

"The addition of Rantoul First Bank is an excellent fit," said Terry J. Howard,
president and chief executive officer of First BancTrust.  "This acquisition
will give us an increased presence in Champaign County, the most vibrant
economic area in east-central Illinois, and will complement our existing
location in Savoy.  We have said one of our goals has been to generate growth
through strategic acquisitions but we would be disciplined in our efforts.  The
opportunity provided by Rantoul First Bank meets our criteria," Howard added.

"First BancTrust and Rantoul First Bank have a great deal in common.  Both
organizations have a tradition of community banking.  Our respective customer
bases are very similar.  Both firms have management with extensive experience
in community banking.  We believe that these similarities will allow a smooth
and rapid integration once the transaction is completed.  Rantoul First Bank
customers will continue to enjoy the same high quality of service to which they
are accustomed but will also gain access to additional products and services
already available to customers of First BancTrust.  We believe the similarities
between our two organizations also provide opportunities for significant cost
savings," Howard added.

Commenting on the transaction, Rantoul First Bank president and chief executive
officer Ronnie R. Shambaugh said, "This combination represents an opportunity
for Rantoul First Bank shareholders to realize fair value for their investment
and should provide our customers with access to a wider variety of financial
products.  We look forward to working closely with First BancTrust management
to integrate our operations with theirs."

Howard said First BancTrust expects to fund the transaction from external
sources.

As of December 31, 2004, First BancTrust had assets of $231 million and Rantoul
First Bank had assets of $31 million.  Upon completion of the transaction,
First BancTrust's assets are projected to rise to approximately $264 million
after purchase-related accounting adjustments, according to Howard.

The transaction is subject to approval by regulatory authorities and Rantoul
First Bank shareholders, and customary closing conditions.  It is expected to
close during the third quarter of 2005.

The acquisition is expected to be minimally dilutive to First BancTrust's
financial results in 2005 and accretive in 2006 and thereafter.

About First BancTrust

First BancTrust Corporation is a holding company that owns all of the capital
stock of First Bank & Trust, S. B., an Illinois-chartered savings bank that
conducts business from its main office located in Paris, Illinois, and branch
banks in Marshall and Savoy, Illinois.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The Company intends such
forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for
forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 as amended, and is including this statement for purposes of
these safe harbor provisions.  Forward-looking statements, which are based on
certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of
the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe,"
"expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar
expressions.  The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of
future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain.  Factors which could have a
material adverse affect on the operations and future prospects of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in:
interest rates; general economic conditions; legislative/regulatory provisions;
monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the
U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality of composition of the
loan or investment portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows;
competition; demand for financial services in the Company's market area; and
accounting principles, policies, and guidelines.  These risks and uncertainties
should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue
reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Further information
concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that
could materially affect the Company's financial results, is included in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

DATASOURCE: First BancTrust Corporation



CONTACT:  Terry J. Howard, President and Chief Executive Officer, of

First BancTrust, [phone], Michael Arneth or Brien Gately of The

Investor Relations Company, [phone]

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