EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF NORTHERN STATES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NorStates Bank

1601 N. Lewis Avenue

Waukegan, Illinois 60085

State of Organization — Illinois

(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Northern States Financial Corporation)

NorProperties, Inc.

1601 N. Lewis Avenue

Waukegan, Illinois 60085

State of Organization — Illinois

(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Northern States Financial Corporation)

Northern States Statutory Trust I

1601 N. Lewis Avenue

Waukegan, IL 60085

State of Organization — Delaware

(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Northern States Financial Corporation)

Northern States Community Development Corporation

1601 N. Lewis Avenue

Waukegan, Illinois 60085

State of Organization — Illinois

(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NorStates Bank)

XPC LLC

1601 N. Lewis Avenue

Waukegan, Illinois 60085

State of Organization — Illinois

(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of NorStates Bank)