Wintrust Financial Corporation Reports Record Net Income

ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wintrust Financial Corporation (“Wintrust”, “the Company”, “we” or “our”) (Nasdaq: WTFC) announced record net income of $700.1 million, or $9.89 per diluted common share, for the first nine months of 2026 compared to net income of $600.8 million, or $8.25 per diluted common share, for the same period of 2025. This represents a year-to-date net income increase of 17% compared to the same period of 2025. Pre-tax, pre-provision income (non-GAAP) for the first nine months of the year totaled a record $1.0 billion, compared to $884.1 million for the first nine months of 2025.

The Company reported record quarterly net income of $239.1 million, or $3.37 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2026, compared to net income of $233.7 million, or $3.30 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2026. Pre-tax, pre-provision income (non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2026 totaled $352.2 million, as compared to $341.1 million for the second quarter of 2026.

Timothy S. Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our strong momentum in the first half of the year continued into the third quarter leading to consistent and record results for the first nine months of 2026. The third quarter of 2026 produced the seventh consecutive quarter of record net income for the Company.”

Additionally, Mr. Crane noted, “Net interest income came in at $621.6 million for the quarter, an increase of $24.2 million, or 16% annualized, from the second quarter of 2026. Net interest margin of 3.51% in the third quarter remained in line with our expectations, and we believe our balance sheet is well positioned to support stable performance through changing interest rate environments.”

Highlights of the third quarter of 2026:

Comparative information to the second quarter of 2026, unless otherwise noted

“We are encouraged by our strong third quarter performance and record results year-to-date. We believe we are well-positioned to build on our strong momentum and deliver further revenue growth as we close out the year. Our unique market position and strong customer relationships continue to create long-term franchise value in the markets we serve. We are proud of our latest deposit market share gains in Illinois and remain committed to expanding our market presence in Wisconsin and west Michigan. Our focus remains on delivering consistent balance sheet growth, expanding net interest income while maintaining a disciplined approach to expense management, which should generate positive operating leverage for the year”, Mr. Crane concluded.

The graphs shown on pages 3-7 illustrate certain financial highlights of the third quarter of 2026 as well as historical financial performance. See “Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios” at Table 18 for additional information with respect to non-GAAP financial measures/ratios, including the reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial measures/ratios.

Graphs available at the following link: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/70c22597-0785-4d8f-b369-f25a29b18ff9

SUMMARY OF RESULTS:

BALANCE SHEET

Total assets increased $1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the second quarter of 2026, driven by a $1.1 billion increase in total loans. The robust loan growth was diversified across all major loan portfolios.

Total liabilities increased by $1.5 billion in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the second quarter of 2026, driven by a $1.3 billion increase in total deposits. Strong organic deposit growth in the third quarter of 2026 was driven by our diverse customer base and product offerings. Non-interest bearing deposit balances represented 19% of total deposits and average non-interest bearing deposit balances have remained stable in recent quarters. The Company's loans-to-deposits ratio ended the quarter at 91.0%.

For more information regarding changes in the Company’s balance sheet, see Consolidated Statements of Condition and Table 1 through Table 3 in this report.

NET INTEREST INCOME

For the third quarter of 2026, net interest income totaled $621.6 million, compared to $597.4 million in the second quarter of 2026. The increase in net interest income in the third quarter of 2026 was driven by strong average earning asset growth of $2.1 billion.

Net interest margin was 3.49% (3.51% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the third quarter of 2026, down one basis point compared to the second quarter of 2026. The yield on earning assets remained flat during the third quarter of 2026 while loan yields decreased by one basis point. Funding cost on interest-bearing deposits decreased one basis point compared to the second quarter of 2026. The net free funds contribution in the third quarter of 2026 decreased two basis points compared to the second quarter of 2026.

For more information regarding net interest income, see Table 4 through Table 8 in this report.

ASSET QUALITY

The allowance for credit losses totaled $486.1 million as of September 30, 2026, an increase from $481.2 million as of June 30, 2026. A provision for credit losses totaling $25.9 million was recorded for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $23.1 million recorded in the second quarter of 2026. The provision for credit losses recognized in the third quarter of 2026 reflects growth in the portfolio, stable credit quality and a mostly stable macroeconomic forecast. However, given future economic performance remains uncertain, allowance results capture uncertainty related to credit spreads, equity market valuations, consumer & business sentiment, and the job market. For more information regarding the allowance for credit losses and provision for credit losses, see Table 11 in this report.

Management believes the allowance for credit losses is appropriate to account for expected credit losses. The Company is required to estimate expected credit losses over the life of the Company’s financial assets as of the reporting date. There can be no assurances, however, that future losses will not significantly exceed the amounts provided for, thereby affecting future results of operations. A summary of the allowance for credit losses calculated for the loan components in each portfolio as of September 30, 2026, June 30, 2026, and March 31, 2026 is shown on Table 12 of this report.

Net charge-offs totaled $21.0 million in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of $7.6 million compared to $13.4 million of net charge-offs in the second quarter of 2026. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans were 15 basis points in the third quarter of 2026 on an annualized basis compared to 10 basis points on an annualized basis in the second quarter of 2026. For more information regarding net charge-offs, see Table 10 in this report.

The Company’s loan portfolio delinquency rates remain low. For more information regarding past due loans, see Table 13 in this report.

Non-performing assets and non-performing loans were stable compared to prior quarter. Non-performing assets totaled $193.3 million and comprised 0.25% of total assets as of September 30, 2026, as compared to $195.2 million, or 0.26% of total assets, as of June 30, 2026. Non-performing loans totaled $176.9 million and comprised 0.31% of total loans at September 30, 2026, as compared to $179.3 million and 0.32% of total loans at June 30, 2026. For more information regarding non-performing assets, see Table 14 in this report.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Non-interest income totaled $136.3 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $141.3 million in the second quarter of 2026.

Wealth management revenue increased by approximately $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to the second quarter of 2026. The increase in the third quarter of 2026 was primarily driven by increased trust and asset management fees from higher assets under management during the period. Wealth management revenue is comprised of the trust and asset management revenue of Wintrust Private Trust Company and Great Lakes Advisors, the brokerage commissions, managed money fees and insurance product commissions at Wintrust Investments and fees from tax-deferred like-kind exchange services provided by the Chicago Deferred Exchange Company.

Mortgage banking revenue totaled $25.5 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to $27.4 million in the second quarter of 2026. The decrease in the third quarter of 2026 was primarily attributed to lower mortgage loan originations and related operational revenue. For more information regarding mortgage banking revenue, see Table 16 in this report.

The Company recognized approximately $1.6 million in net losses on investment securities in the third quarter of 2026 compared to approximately $1.8 million in net gains in the second quarter of 2026. The net losses in the third quarter of 2026 were primarily the result of fair value adjustments on the Company’s equity investment securities with a readily determinable fair value.

For more information regarding non-interest income, see Table 15 in this report.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest expense totaled $405.7 million in the third quarter of 2026, increasing $8.1 million, compared to $397.5 million in the second quarter of 2026. Non-interest expense, as a percent of average assets, decreased to 2.16% in the third quarter of 2026 from 2.21% in the second quarter of 2026.

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased by approximately $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to the second quarter of 2026. This was primarily driven by lower payroll taxes and deferred compensation expense during the third quarter of 2026.

Advertising and marketing expense in the third quarter of 2026 totaled $21.8 million, which was a $1.4 million increase as compared to the second quarter of 2026. The increase in the third quarter was primarily driven by community sponsorship events and media commitments which are historically higher in the second and third quarter of the year. Marketing costs are incurred to promote the Company’s brand, commercial banking capabilities and the Company’s various products, to attract loans and deposits and to announce new branch openings as well as the expansion of the Company’s non-bank businesses. The level of marketing expenditures depends on the timing of sponsorship programs utilized which are determined based on the market area, targeted audience, competition and various other factors. Generally, these expenses are elevated in the second and third quarters of each year.

FDIC insurance totaled $12.1 million in the third quarter of 2026, a $5.5 million increase from the second quarter of 2026. This was primarily the result of the $5.2 million FDIC special assessment reversal recorded in the second quarter of 2026. The special assessments were in response to certain bank failures in 2023 and the reversal was based on the FDIC's final determination of losses to its Deposit Insurance Fund.

For more information regarding non-interest expense, see Table 17 in this report.

INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded income tax expense of $87.3 million in the third quarter of 2026 compared to $84.3 million in the second quarter of 2026. The effective tax rates were 26.7% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to 26.5% in the second quarter of 2026.

BUSINESS SUMMARY

Community Banking

Through community banking, the Company provides banking and financial services primarily to individuals, small to mid-sized businesses, local governmental units and institutional clients residing primarily in the local areas the Company services. In the third quarter of 2026, community banking increased its commercial, commercial real estate and residential real estate loan portfolios.

Mortgage banking revenue was $25.5 million for the third quarter of 2026, a decrease of $1.9 million compared to the second quarter of 2026. See Table 16 for more detail. Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $22.2 million in the third quarter of 2026 as compared to $21.2 million in the second quarter of 2026. The Company’s gross commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines remained solid as of September 30, 2026 indicating momentum for expected continued loan growth in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Specialty Finance

Through specialty finance, the Company offers financing of insurance premiums for businesses and individuals, equipment financing through structured loans and lease products to customers in a variety of industries, accounts receivable financing and value-added, out-sourced administrative services and other services. Originations within the insurance premium financing receivables portfolios were approximately $5.4 billion during the third quarter of 2026. Average balances increased by $781.7 million, as compared to the second quarter of 2026. The Company’s leasing divisions’ portfolio balances increased in the third quarter of 2026, with capital leases, loans, and equipment on operating leases of $3.1 billion, $1.3 billion, and $363.2 million as of September 30, 2026, respectively, compared to $3.1 billion, $1.2 billion, and $363.7 million as of June 30, 2026, respectively. Revenues from the Company’s out-sourced administrative services business were $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2026, which was relatively stable compared to the second quarter of 2026.

Wealth Management

Through wealth management, the Company offers a full range of wealth management services, including trust and investment services, tax-deferred like-kind exchange services, asset management, and securities brokerage services. Wealth management revenue totaled $41.0 million in the third quarter of 2026, an increase as compared to the second quarter of 2026. At September 30, 2026, the Company’s wealth management subsidiaries had approximately $51.5 billion of assets under administration, which excludes assets owned by the Company and its subsidiary banks.

ITEMS IMPACTING COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL RESULTS

Business Acquisition

On September 1, 2026, the Company completed its purchase of the guardianship services business that was previously announced (the “business”). The business has approximately $1.2 billion in assets under management. As of September 30, 2026, the Company preliminarily recorded goodwill of approximately $7.5 million. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the initial purchase accounting for this business acquisition is not finalized and is therefore subject to change.

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Key Operating Measures

Wintrust’s key operating measures and growth rates for the third quarter of 2026, as compared to the second quarter of 2026 (sequential quarter) and third quarter of 2025 (linked quarter), are shown in the table below:

(1) Period-end balance sheet percentage changes are annualized.

(2) See Table 18: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

(3) Net revenue is net interest income plus non-interest income.

(4) The net overhead ratio is calculated by netting total non-interest expense and total non-interest income, annualizing this amount, and dividing by that period’s average total assets. A lower ratio indicates a higher degree of efficiency.

(5) Excludes mortgage loans held-for-sale.

Certain returns, yields, performance ratios, or quarterly growth rates are “annualized” in this presentation to represent an annual time period. This is done for analytical purposes to better discern, for decision-making purposes, underlying performance trends when compared to full-year or year-over-year amounts. For example, a 5% growth rate for a quarter would represent an annualized 20% growth rate.

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Selected Financial Highlights

(1) Excludes mortgage loans held-for-sale.

(2) Net revenue is net interest income plus non-interest income.

(3) See Table 18: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

(5) Capital ratios for current quarter-end are estimated.

(6) The allowance for credit losses includes the allowance for loan losses, the allowance for unfunded lending-related commitments and the allowance for held-to-maturity securities losses.

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

TABLE 1: LOAN PORTFOLIO MIX AND GROWTH RATES

(1) NM - Not Meaningful.

(2) Annualized.

TABLE 2: DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO MIX AND GROWTH RATES

(1) Annualized.

(2) Represents deposit balances of the Company’s subsidiary banks from brokerage customers of Wintrust Investments, Chicago Deferred Exchange Company, LLC (“CDEC”), and trust and asset management customers of the Company.

TABLE 3: TIME CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT MATURITY/RE-PRICING ANALYSIS

As of September 30, 2026

TABLE 4: QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCES

(1) Includes interest-bearing deposits from banks and securities purchased under resale agreements with original maturities of greater than three months. Cash equivalents include federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements with original maturities of three months or less.

(2) Investment securities includes investment securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity, and equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are included within other assets.

(3) Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”)

(4) See Table 18: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

(5) Loans, net of unearned income, include non-accrual loans.

(6) Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.

TABLE 5: QUARTERLY NET INTEREST INCOME

(1) Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”)

(2) Interest income on tax-advantaged loans, trading securities and investment securities reflects a taxable-equivalent adjustment based on the marginal federal corporate tax rate in effect as of the applicable period.

(3) See Table 18: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

TABLE 6: QUARTERLY NET INTEREST MARGIN

(1) Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”)

(2) Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) See Table 18: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

(4) Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.

TABLE 7: YEAR-TO-DATE AVERAGE BALANCES, AND NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN

(3) Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”)

(4) Interest income on tax-advantaged loans, trading securities and investment securities reflects a taxable-equivalent adjustment based on the marginal federal corporate tax rate in effect as of the applicable period.

(5) See Table 18: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

(6) Other earning assets include brokerage customer receivables and trading account securities.

(7) Loans, net of unearned income, include non-accrual loans.

(8) Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

(9) Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.

TABLE 8: INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

As an ongoing part of its financial strategy, the Company attempts to manage the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Management measures its exposure to changes in interest rates by modeling many different interest rate scenarios.

The following interest rate scenarios display the percentage change in net interest income over a one-year time horizon assuming increases and decreases of 100 and 200 basis points as compared to projected net interest income in a scenario with no assumed rate changes. The Static Shock Scenario results incorporate actual cash flows and repricing characteristics for balance sheet instruments following an instantaneous, parallel change in market rates based upon a static (i.e. no growth or constant) balance sheet. Conversely, the Ramp Scenario results incorporate management’s projections of future volume and pricing of each of the product lines following a gradual, parallel change in market rates over twelve months. Actual results may differ from these simulated results due to timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and management strategies. The interest rate sensitivity for both the Static Shock and Ramp Scenario is as follows:

As shown above, the magnitude of potential changes in net interest income in various interest rate scenarios has continued to remain relatively neutral. Management has taken action to reposition its sensitivity to interest rates to stabilize net interest margin following the rise in short term interest rates in 2022 and 2023. To this end, management has executed various derivative instruments including collars, floors and receive-fixed swaps to hedge variable-rate loan exposures. The Company will continue to monitor current and projected interest rates and may execute additional derivatives to mitigate potential fluctuations in the net interest margin in future periods.

TABLE 9: MATURITIES AND SENSITIVITIES TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES

(1) Excludes cash flow hedges with future effective starting dates and those that have matured as of September 30, 2026. The $6.65 billion of cash flow hedging derivatives includes receive fixed swaps, collars and floors of which $5.70 billion were impacting the cash flows of loans indexed to one-month SOFR as of September 30, 2026.

(2) SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

(3) CMT - Constant Maturity Treasury Rate.

Graph available at the following link: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/96398016-9f3a-40ae-b1ba-211e33ef84c1

TABLE 10: ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

TABLE 11: ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES BY COMPONENT

TABLE 12: ALLOWANCE BY LOAN PORTFOLIO

The table below summarizes the calculation of allowance for loan losses and allowance for unfunded lending-related commitments losses for the Company’s loan portfolios as well as core and niche portfolios, as of September 30, 2026, June 30, 2026 and March 31, 2026.

(1) See Table 1 for additional detail on core and niche loans.

TABLE 13: LOAN PORTFOLIO AGING

(1) Early buy-out loans are insured or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, subject to indemnifications and insurance limits for certain loans.

TABLE 14: NON-PERFORMING ASSETS (1)

(1) Excludes early buy-out loans guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. Early buy-out loans are insured or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, subject to indemnifications and insurance limits for certain loans.

Non-performing Loans Rollforward, excluding early buy-out loans guaranteed by U.S. government agencies

Other Real Estate Owned

TABLE 15: NON-INTEREST INCOME

NM - Not meaningful.

BOLI - Bank-owned life insurance.

EBO - Early buy-out.

TABLE 16: MORTGAGE BANKING

(1) Production revenue represents revenue earned from the origination and subsequent sale of mortgages, including gains on loans sold and fees from originations, changes in other related financial instruments carried at fair value, processing and other related activities, and excludes servicing fees, changes in the fair value of servicing rights and changes to the mortgage recourse obligation and other non-production revenue.

(2) Certain volume adjusted for the estimated pull-through rate of the loan, which represents the Company’s best estimate of the likelihood that a committed loan will ultimately fund.

TABLE 17: NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

NM - Not meaningful.

TABLE 18: SUPPLEMENTAL NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES/RATIOS

The accounting and reporting policies of Wintrust conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios are used by management to evaluate and measure the Company’s performance. These include taxable-equivalent net interest income (including its individual components), taxable-equivalent net interest margin (including its individual components), the taxable-equivalent efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, tangible book value per common share, return on average tangible common equity, and pre-tax income, excluding provision for credit losses. Management believes that these measures and ratios provide users of the Company’s financial information a more meaningful view of the performance of the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and of the Company’s operating efficiency. Other financial holding companies may define or calculate these measures and ratios differently.

Management reviews yields on certain asset categories and the net interest margin of the Company and its banking subsidiaries on a fully taxable-equivalent basis (“FTE”). In this non-GAAP presentation, net interest income is adjusted to reflect tax-exempt interest income on an equivalent before-tax basis using tax rates effective as of the end of the period. This measure ensures comparability of net interest income arising from both taxable and tax-exempt sources. Net interest income on a FTE basis is also used in the calculation of the Company’s efficiency ratio. The efficiency ratio, which is calculated by dividing non-interest expense by total taxable-equivalent net revenue (less securities gains or losses), measures how much it costs to produce one dollar of revenue. Securities gains or losses are excluded from this calculation to better match revenue from daily operations to operational expenses. Management considers the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share as useful measurements of the Company’s equity. The Company references the return on average tangible common equity as a measurement of profitability. Management considers pre-tax income, excluding provision for credit losses, as a useful measurement of the Company’s core net income.

WINTRUST SUBSIDIARIES

Wintrust is a financial holding company whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: WTFC) that operates bank retail locations in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas. Its 16 community bank subsidiaries are: Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Beverly Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Crystal Lake Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Libertyville Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Macatawa Bank, N.A., Northbrook Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Old Plank Trail Community Bank, N.A., Schaumburg Bank & Trust Company, N.A., St. Charles Bank & Trust Company, N.A., State Bank of The Lakes, N.A., Town Bank, N.A., Village Bank & Trust, N.A., Wheaton Bank & Trust Company, N.A., and Wintrust Bank, N.A.

Additionally, the Company operates various non-bank businesses:

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified through the use of words such as “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “contemplate,” “possible,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “would” and “could.” Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts, are premised on many factors and assumptions, and represent only management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Similarly, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and which may include, but are not limited to, those listed below and the Risk Factors discussed under Item 1A of the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any of the Company’s subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings. 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 future financial performance, the performance of its loan portfolio, the expected amount of future credit reserves and charge-offs, delinquency trends, growth plans, regulatory developments, securities that the Company may offer from time to time, and management’s long-term performance goals, as well as statements relating to the anticipated effects on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations from expected developments or events, the Company’s business and growth strategies, including future acquisitions of banks, specialty finance or wealth management businesses, internal growth and plans to form additional de novo banks or branch offices. Actual results could differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors and uncertainties, including the following:

Therefore, there can be no assurances that future actual results will correspond to any forward-looking statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Any such statement speaks only as of the date the statement was made or as of such date that may be referenced within the statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events after the date of the press release. Persons are advised, however, to consult further disclosures management makes on related subjects in its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its press releases.

CONFERENCE CALL, WEBCAST AND REPLAY

The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) regarding third quarter and year-to-date 2026 earnings results. Individuals interested in participating in the call by addressing questions to management should register for the call to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN at the Conference Call Link included within the Company’s press release dated September 30, 2026 available at the Investor Relations, News and Events, News link on its website at https://www.wintrust.com. A separate simultaneous audio-only webcast link is included within the press release referenced above. Registration for and a replay of the audio-only webcast with an accompanying slide presentation will be available at https://www.wintrust.com, Investor Relations, News and Events, Events and Presentations link. The text of the third quarter and year-to-date 2026 earnings press release will also be available on the home page of the Company’s website at https://www.wintrust.com and at the Investor Relations, News and Events, News link on its website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

David A. Dykstra, Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer

(847) 939-9000

Amy Yuhn, Executive Vice President, Communications

(847) 939-9591

Web site address: www.wintrust.com