Crane brings extensive experience to Wintrust. A 24 year veteran of Harris Bank, Crane quickly rose through the ranks, achieving President, Head of Retail Banking for Harris N.A. with responsibility for 280 locations. Prior positions with Harris include Executive Vice President & Head of Consumer Lending, Senior Vice President -- Marketing & Product Development, and Vice President -- Commercial Lending.

"We are excited to have someone with Tim's experience and talent, join our leadership team," says Edward J. Wehmer, President & CEO of Wintrust. "We have some of the most talented bankers and best community banks in the area. Tim's proven retail banking leadership will help make them even stronger."

"I'm excited to join Wintrust and look forward to helping their banks continue their record growth," stated Crane. "As one of the strongest community bank organizations in the country, Wintrust presents an amazing opportunity for someone committed to true community banking."

Crane received a B.S. from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Metropolitan Family Services, the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Consumer Bankers Association. Crane is also a member of the Executive Club of Chicago and the Financial Services Roundtable.

ABOUT WINTRUST

Wintrust is a financial holding company with assets of approximately $10 billion whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market . Wintrust operates fifteen community bank subsidiaries that are located in the greater Chicago and Milwaukee market areas. Additionally, the Company operates various non-bank subsidiaries including one of the largest commercial insurance premium finance companies operating in the United States, a company providing short-term accounts receivable financing and value-added out-sourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, companies engaging primarily in the origination and purchase of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market throughout the United States, and companies providing wealth management services including broker-dealer, money management services, advisory services, and trust and estate services. Currently, Wintrust operates more than 75 banking offices and is in the process of constructing several additional branch facilities.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking information in this document can be identified through the use of words such as "may," "will," "intend," "plan," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "would," "believe," "estimate," "contemplate," "possible," and "point." The forward-looking information is premised on many factors, some of which are outlined below. 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, and is including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Such forward-looking statements may be deemed to include, among other things, statements relating to the Company's projected growth, anticipated improvements in earnings, earnings per share and other financial performance measures, and management's long-term performance goals, as well as statements relating to the anticipated effects on financial results of condition from expected developments or events, the Company's business and growth strategies, including anticipated internal growth, plans to form additional de novo banks and to open new branch offices, and to pursue additional potential development or acquisitions of banks, wealth management entities or specialty finance businesses. Actual results could differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including the following:

   --  Competitive pressures in the financial services business which may       affect the pricing of the Company's loan and deposit products as well       as its services (including wealth management services).   --  Changes in the interest rate environment, which may influence, among       other things, the growth of loans and deposits, the quality of the       Company's loan portfolio, the pricing of loans and deposits and       interest income.   --  The extent of defaults and losses on our loan portfolio.   --  Unexpected difficulties or unanticipated developments related to the       Company's strategy of de novo bank formations and openings. De novo       banks typically require 13 to 24 months of operations before becoming       profitable, due to the impact of organizational and overhead expenses,       the startup phase of generating deposits and the time lag typically       involved in redeploying deposits into attractively priced loans and       other higher yielding earning assets.   --  The ability of the Company to obtain liquidity and income from the       sale of premium finance receivables in the future and the unique       collection and delinquency risks associated with such loans.   --  Failure to identify and complete acquisitions in the future or       unexpected difficulties or unanticipated developments related to the       integration of acquired entities with the Company.   --  Legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant       litigation involving the Company.   --  Changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which the       Company operates.   --  The ability of the Company to receive dividends from its subsidiaries.   --  The loss of customers as a result of technological changes allowing       consumers to complete their financial transactions without the use of       a bank.   --  The ability of the Company to attract and retain senior management       experienced in the banking and financial services industries.    

The Company undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Wintrust Financial Corporation

CONTACT: Edward J. Wehmer, President & Chief Executive Officer, orDavid A. Dykstra, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer,both of Wintrust Financial Corporation, +1-847-615-4096

Web site: http://www.wintrust.com/

Story Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall