WINTRUST FINANCIAL Business Summary

Wintrust Financial Corp (WTFC) operates as a diversified financial holding company that generates revenue primarily through net interest income from its loan portfolio and non-interest income derived from wealth management, mortgage banking, and specialty finance fees. The company’s business is organized into three primary segments: Community Banking, which provides retail and commercial services through a network of over 170 locations; Specialty Finance, focusing on niche markets such as insurance premium financing and accounts receivable services; and Wealth Management, offering trust, investment, and brokerage solutions. Wintrust employs a unique decentralized model, maintaining 16 separately chartered community banks to preserve local brand equity while leveraging a centralized administrative infrastructure. Its primary competitors include Old National Bancorp, Associated Banc-Corp, and Huntington Bancshares; Wintrust differentiates itself by positioning as a relationship-driven alternative to large national banks, maintaining a dominant mid-market presence in the Chicago metropolitan area and southern Wisconsin. The company was founded in 1991 by Edward J. Wehmer, who currently serves as Founder, Senior Advisor, and Chairman Emeritus following a planned leadership transition. Timothy S. Crane serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer, having assumed the role in May 2023 after a long tenure as President and a prior 24-year career at BMO Harris Bank. The executive team includes Vice Chairman and COO David A. Dykstra, CFO David L. Stoehr, and Chief Lending Officer Richard B. Murphy, all of whom possess extensive experience in regional banking and M&A execution. The Board of Directors is led by Chairman H. Patrick Hackett, Jr. and was recently expanded in late 2025 to include Laura Kohl (CIO of Morningstar) and David Richter (Managing Director at GCM Grosvenor), adding significant technology and private credit expertise. Wintrust is heavily backed by institutional investors, with major positions held by The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation.