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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;22, 2006</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE<BR>
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Illinois</B><BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction <BR>
of Incorporation or Organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>36-3873352</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>727 North Bank Lane<BR>
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951</B><BR>
(Address, Including Zip Code, of Registrant&#146;s Principal Executive Offices)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>David A. Dykstra<BR>
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,<BR>
Secretary and Treasurer<BR>
727 North Bank Lane<BR>
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951<BR>
(847)&nbsp;615-4096</B><BR>
(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Copies to:<BR>
Lisa J. Reategui<BR>
Sidley Austin LLP<BR>
One South Dearborn Street<BR>
Chicago, Illinois 60603<BR>
(312)&nbsp;853-7000</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Each</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Class of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registered (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Per Share (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Price (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, no
par value per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">500,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$46.57</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$23,285,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$2,491.50</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Reflects shares of common stock (the &#147;Shares&#148;), no par value per share, of Wintrust
Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;), being registered
hereunder that may be issued pursuant to Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this Registration Statement also covers any
additional securities that may be offered or issued pursuant to provisions of the Plan
relating to adjustments for changes resulting from stock dividends, stock splits,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar changes.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee and, pursuant to
Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, based upon the average of the high and
low sales price of the Shares as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on January &#091;insert
date within 5&nbsp;days of filing&#093;, 2007.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>







<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
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<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c11641exv4w4.htm">2007 Stock Incentive Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c11641exv5w1.htm">Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c11641exv23w1.htm">Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<!-- link1 "PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 are omitted from this
Registration Statement in accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part&nbsp;I
of Form S-8 and will be sent or given to participating employees as specified by Rule&nbsp;428 of the
Securities Act.
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the &#147;Commission&#148;) by the Registrant, are incorporated herein by reference:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005 (filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;31, 2006);</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
January&nbsp;5, 2006, January&nbsp;20, 2006, January&nbsp;31, 2006, February&nbsp;15, 2006, February&nbsp;28,
2006, March&nbsp;16, 2006, March&nbsp;30, 2006, April&nbsp;21, 2006, June&nbsp;1, 2006, June&nbsp;5, 2006, June
12, 2006, August&nbsp;1, 2006, August&nbsp;4, 2006, September&nbsp;6, 2006 and January&nbsp;16, 2007;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March&nbsp;31, 2006 (filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;10, 2006);</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(d)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
June&nbsp;30, 2006 (filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;9, 2006);</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(e)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September&nbsp;30, 2006 (filed with the Commission on November&nbsp;9, 2006); and</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">


<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(f)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock contained in its Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on January&nbsp;3, 1997, including the
exhibits thereto and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) after the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration
Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such
documents (such documents, and the documents listed above, being hereinafter referred to as
&#147;Incorporated Documents&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</B>.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In accordance with the Illinois Business Corporation Act (being Chapter&nbsp;805, Act 5 of the
Illinois Compiled Statutes), Articles Eight and Nine of the Registrant&#146;s Articles of Incorporation
provide as follows:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U><B>ARTICLE EIGHT</B></U>: No director of the corporation shall be liable to the corporation or
its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for
liability (a)&nbsp;for any breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
shareholders, (b)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct of
a knowing violation of law, (c)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;8.65 of the BCA, as the same exists or hereafter may
be amended, or (d)&nbsp;for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U><B>ARTICLE NINE, Paragraph&nbsp;1</B></U>: The corporation shall indemnify, to the full extent that
it shall have power under applicable law to do so and in a manner permitted by such law, any person
made or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he
or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or who is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against liabilities and expenses
reasonably incurred or paid by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The
corporation may indemnify, to the full extent that it shall have power under applicable law to do
so and in a manner permitted by such law, any person made or threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer,
</DIV>

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The words &#147;liabilities&#148; and &#147;expenses&#148; shall
include, without limitation: liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts
paid in settlement, expenses, attorneys&#146; fees and costs. Expenses incurred in defending a civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the
corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding in accordance
with the provisions of Section&nbsp;8.75 of the BCA.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which any person indemnified may be entitled under any statute,
by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders, or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
in his official capacity and as to action in any other capacity while holding such office, and
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such director, officer, employee or agent and
shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U><B>Paragraph&nbsp;2</B></U>: The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person referred to in the preceding paragraph against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under
the provisions of this Article or otherwise.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U><B>Paragraph&nbsp;3</B></U>: For purposes of this Article, references to &#147;the corporation&#148; shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers,
employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article with
respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such
constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U><B>Paragraph&nbsp;4</B></U>: The provisions of this Article shall be deemed to be a contract between
the corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this
Article and the relevant provisions of the BCA, or other applicable law, if any, are in effect, and
any repeal or modification of any such law or of this Article shall not affect any rights or
obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any
action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in
part upon any such state of facts.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U><B>Paragraph&nbsp;5</B></U>: For purposes of this Article, references to &#147;other enterprises&#148; shall
include employee benefit plans; references to &#147;fines&#148; shall include any excise taxes assessed on a
person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to &#147;serving at the request of the
corporation&#148; shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with
respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants
and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;6.3 of the Registrant&#146;s By-laws provides as follows:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>SECTION 6.3 MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION</B>. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or
agent of a corporation, or any subsidiary or subsidiaries, as the case may be, has been
</DIV>

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in Sections&nbsp;6.1 and 6.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection therewith.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Illinois Business Corporation Act provides for indemnification of officers, directors,
employees and agents as follows:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>5/8.75 INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS; INSURANCE. </B>(a)&nbsp;A
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding,
if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of
any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of <I>nolo
contendere </I>or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not
act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that
the person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made
a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or
not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, provided that no indemnification shall be
made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person has been adjudged to have
been liable to the corporation, unless, and only to the extent that the court in which such action
or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability,
but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses as the court shall deem proper.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;To the extent that a present or former director, officer or employee of a corporation has
been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding
referred to in subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such
person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection therewith if the person acted in good faith and in a manner
he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;Any indemnification under subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall be
made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that
indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections
(a)&nbsp;or (b). Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or
officer at the time of the determination: (1)&nbsp;by
</DIV>

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">the majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
even though less than a quorum, (2)&nbsp;by a committee of the directors designated by a majority vote
of the directors, even though less than a quorum, (3)&nbsp;if there are no such directors, or if the
directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4)&nbsp;by the shareholders.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)&nbsp;Expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending a
civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person
is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents
may be so paid on such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f)&nbsp;The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted under the other
subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement,
vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g)&nbsp;A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and
incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under
the provisions of this Section.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp;If a corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to a director or officer under
subsection (b)&nbsp;of this Section, the corporation shall report the indemnification or advance in
writing to the shareholders with or before the notice of the next shareholders meeting.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;For purposes of this Section, references to &#147;the corporation&#148; shall include, in addition
to the surviving corporation, any merging corporation (including any corporation having merged with
a merging corporation) absorbed in a merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would
have had the power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so
that any person who was a director, officer, employee or agent of such merging corporation, or was
serving at the request of such merging corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the surviving corporation as such
person would have with respect to such merging corporation if its separate existence had continued.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j)&nbsp;For purposes of this Section, reference to &#147;other enterprises&#148; shall include employee
benefit plans; references to &#147;fines&#148; shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with
respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to &#147;serving at the request of the corporation&#148;
shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect
to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries. A person who acted in good faith
and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and
beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner &#147;not opposed to
the best interest of the corporation&#148; as referred to in this Section.
</DIV>

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(k)&nbsp;The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted under this Section
shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors, and administrators of that person.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(l)&nbsp;The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly apply
only to actions commenced on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General
Assembly. (Last amended by P.A. 92 0033, L. &#145;01, eff. 7 1 01.)
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has purchased $40&nbsp;million of insurance policies which insure the Registrant&#146;s
directors and officers against liability which they may incur as a result of actions taken in such
capacities. In addition, the Registrant maintains fiduciary liability coverage up to a $5&nbsp;million
limit and trust errors and omissions coverage up to a limit of $20&nbsp;million.
</DIV>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wintrust Financial Corporation,
as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the period ended June&nbsp;30, 2006, filed with the
Commission on August&nbsp;9, 2006)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated By-Laws of Wintrust Financial Corporation, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on
Form&nbsp;10-Q for the period ended June&nbsp;30, 2006, filed with the Commission on August
9, 2006)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Junior Serial Preferred Stock A of
Wintrust Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of the
Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1998)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20&nbsp;percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation
of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective Registration Statement; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration
Statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD><I>provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised
that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->8<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #textcolor#; background: #bgcolor#">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>counsel, the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->9<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lake Forest and State of
Illinois, on the 22nd day of
January, 2007.
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ David A. Dykstra
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">David A. Dykstra&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Senior Executive Vice President and<BR>
Chief Operating Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned officers and directors of the Registrant, hereby severally constitute and
appoint Edward J. Wehmer and David A. Dykstra, our true and lawful attorney and agent, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, each with full power to sign for us in our names in the
capacities indicated below all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement, as amended, and generally to do all things in our names and on our behalf
in such capacities to enable the Registrant to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and
all requirements of the Commission.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on
form S-8 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Edward J. Wehmer
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Edward J. Wehmer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
President, Chief
Executive Officer and
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ David L. Stoehr
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
David L. Stoehr</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ David. A. Dykstra
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
David. A. Dykstra</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Senior Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ John S. Lillard
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John S. Lillard</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Chairman and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Allan E. Bulley, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Allan E. Bulley, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Peter D. Crist
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Peter D. Crist</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->10<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Bruce K. Crowther
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bruce K. Crowther</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Joseph F. Damico
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Joseph F. Damico</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Bert A. Getz, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bert A. Getz, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ James B. McCarthy
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James B. McCarthy</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Thomas J. Neis
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas J. Neis</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Hollis W. Rademacher
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Hollis W. Rademacher</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ J. Christopher Reyes
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
J. Christopher Reyes</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ John J. Schornack
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John J. Schornack</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Ingrid S. Stafford
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Ingrid S. Stafford</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">January 22, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->11<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wintrust Financial Corporation,
as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s
Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the period ended June&nbsp;30, 2006, filed with the
Commission on August&nbsp;9, 2006)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated By-Laws of Wintrust Financial Corporation, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on
Form&nbsp;10-Q for the period ended June&nbsp;30, 2006, filed with the Commission on August
9, 2006)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Junior Serial Preferred Stock A of
Wintrust Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of the
Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1998)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="line-height: 5pt"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->12<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>


</BODY>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2006
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Illinois
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
36-3873352
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
(Address, Including Zip Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full Title of the Plan)
David A. Dykstra
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1951
(847) 615-4096
(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Lisa J. Reategui
Sidley Austin LLP
One South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 853-7000
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Class of Securities
Amount to be
Offering Price
Aggregate Offering
Amount of
to be Registered
Registered (1)
Per Share (2)
Price (2)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, no
par value per share
500,000
$46.57
$23,285,000
$2,491.50
(1)
Reflects shares of common stock (the "Shares"), no par value per share, of Wintrust
Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the "Registrant"), being registered
hereunder that may be issued pursuant to Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement also covers any
additional securities that may be offered or issued pursuant to provisions of the Plan
relating to adjustments for changes resulting from stock dividends, stock splits,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar changes.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee and, pursuant to
Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, based upon the average of the high and
low sales price of the Shares as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on January [insert
date within 5 days of filing], 2007.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
2007 Stock Incentive Plan
Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 are omitted from this
Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part I
of Form S-8 and will be sent or given to participating employees as specified by Rule 428 of the
Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") by the Registrant, are incorporated herein by reference:
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005 (filed with the Commission on March 31, 2006);
(b)
The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
January 5, 2006, January 20, 2006, January 31, 2006, February 15, 2006, February 28,
2006, March 16, 2006, March 30, 2006, April 21, 2006, June 1, 2006, June 5, 2006, June
12, 2006, August 1, 2006, August 4, 2006, September 6, 2006 and January 16, 2007;
(c)
The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
March 31, 2006 (filed with the Commission on May 10, 2006);
(d)
The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
June 30, 2006 (filed with the Commission on August 9, 2006);
(e)
The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2006 (filed with the Commission on November 9, 2006); and
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(f)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in its Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on January 3, 1997, including the
exhibits thereto and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
All documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") after the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration
Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such
documents (such documents, and the documents listed above, being hereinafter referred to as
"Incorporated Documents").
Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
In accordance with the Illinois Business Corporation Act (being Chapter 805, Act 5 of the
Illinois Compiled Statutes), Articles Eight and Nine of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation
provide as follows:
ARTICLE EIGHT
: No director of the corporation shall be liable to the corporation or
its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for
liability (a) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
shareholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct of
a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 8.65 of the BCA, as the same exists or hereafter may
be amended, or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
ARTICLE NINE, Paragraph 1
: The corporation shall indemnify, to the full extent that
it shall have power under applicable law to do so and in a manner permitted by such law, any person
made or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he
or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or who is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against liabilities and expenses
reasonably incurred or paid by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The
corporation may indemnify, to the full extent that it shall have power under applicable law to do
so and in a manner permitted by such law, any person made or threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer,
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employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The words "liabilities" and "expenses" shall
include, without limitation: liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, amounts
paid in settlement, expenses, attorneys' fees and costs. Expenses incurred in defending a civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the
corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding in accordance
with the provisions of Section 8.75 of the BCA.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which any person indemnified may be entitled under any statute,
by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders, or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
in his official capacity and as to action in any other capacity while holding such office, and
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such director, officer, employee or agent and
shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
Paragraph 2
: The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person referred to in the preceding paragraph against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under
the provisions of this Article or otherwise.
Paragraph 3
: For purposes of this Article, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate
existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers,
employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article with
respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such
constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
Paragraph 4
: The provisions of this Article shall be deemed to be a contract between
the corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this
Article and the relevant provisions of the BCA, or other applicable law, if any, are in effect, and
any repeal or modification of any such law or of this Article shall not affect any rights or
obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any
action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in
part upon any such state of facts.
Paragraph 5
: For purposes of this Article, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a
person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the
corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with
respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants
and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation.
Section 6.3 of the Registrant's By-laws provides as follows:
SECTION 6.3 MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION
. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or
agent of a corporation, or any subsidiary or subsidiaries, as the case may be, has been
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successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection therewith.
The Illinois Business Corporation Act provides for indemnification of officers, directors,
employees and agents as follows:
5/8.75 INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS; INSURANCE.
(a) A
corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding,
if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of
any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of
nolo
contendere
or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not
act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that
the person had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made
a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or
suit, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or
not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, provided that no indemnification shall be
made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person has been adjudged to have
been liable to the corporation, unless, and only to the extent that the court in which such action
or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability,
but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses as the court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a present or former director, officer or employee of a corporation has
been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding
referred to in subsections (a) and (b), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such
person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection therewith if the person acted in good faith and in a manner
he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall be
made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that
indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections
(a) or (b). Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or
officer at the time of the determination: (1) by
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the majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of the directors designated by a majority vote
of the directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if the
directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the shareholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending a
civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person
is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Section. Such expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents
may be so paid on such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted under the other
subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement,
vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
(g) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and
incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under
the provisions of this Section.
(h) If a corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to a director or officer under
subsection (b) of this Section, the corporation shall report the indemnification or advance in
writing to the shareholders with or before the notice of the next shareholders meeting.
(i) For purposes of this Section, references to "the corporation" shall include, in addition
to the surviving corporation, any merging corporation (including any corporation having merged with
a merging corporation) absorbed in a merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would
have had the power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so
that any person who was a director, officer, employee or agent of such merging corporation, or was
serving at the request of such merging corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the surviving corporation as such
person would have with respect to such merging corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(j) For purposes of this Section, reference to "other enterprises" shall include employee
benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with
respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation"
shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect
to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries. A person who acted in good faith
and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and
beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to
the best interest of the corporation" as referred to in this Section.
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(k) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted under this Section
shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors, and administrators of that person.
(l) The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly apply
only to actions commenced on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General
Assembly. (Last amended by P.A. 92 0033, L. '01, eff. 7 1 01.)
The Registrant has purchased $40 million of insurance policies which insure the Registrant's
directors and officers against liability which they may incur as a result of actions taken in such
capacities. In addition, the Registrant maintains fiduciary liability coverage up to a $5 million
limit and trust errors and omissions coverage up to a limit of $20 million.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wintrust Financial Corporation,
as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, filed with the
Commission on August 9, 2006)
4.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Wintrust Financial Corporation, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, filed with the Commission on August
9, 2006)
4.3
Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Junior Serial Preferred Stock A of
Wintrust Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998)
4.4*
Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
5.1*
Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered
23.1*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2*
Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
4.1*
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration Statement)
*
Filed herewith.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
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(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation
of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration
Statement;
provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do
not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(b)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised
that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
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counsel, the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lake Forest and State of
Illinois, on the 22nd day of
January, 2007.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
/s/ David A. Dykstra
Name:
David A. Dykstra
Title:
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned officers and directors of the Registrant, hereby severally constitute and
appoint Edward J. Wehmer and David A. Dykstra, our true and lawful attorney and agent, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, each with full power to sign for us in our names in the
capacities indicated below all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement, as amended, and generally to do all things in our names and on our behalf
in such capacities to enable the Registrant to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and
all requirements of the Commission.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on
form S-8 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Edward J. Wehmer
Edward J. Wehmer
President, Chief
Executive Officer and
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ David L. Stoehr
David L. Stoehr
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer
January 22, 2007
/s/ David. A. Dykstra
David. A. Dykstra
Senior Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
January 22, 2007
/s/ John S. Lillard
John S. Lillard
Chairman and Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ Allan E. Bulley, Jr.
Allan E. Bulley, Jr.
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ Peter D. Crist
Peter D. Crist
Director
January 22, 2007
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Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Bruce K. Crowther
Bruce K. Crowther
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ Joseph F. Damico
Joseph F. Damico
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ Bert A. Getz, Jr.
Bert A. Getz, Jr.
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ James B. McCarthy
James B. McCarthy
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ Thomas J. Neis
Thomas J. Neis
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ Hollis W. Rademacher
Hollis W. Rademacher
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ J. Christopher Reyes
J. Christopher Reyes
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ John J. Schornack
John J. Schornack
Director
January 22, 2007
/s/ Ingrid S. Stafford
Ingrid S. Stafford
Director
January 22, 2007
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wintrust Financial Corporation,
as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, filed with the
Commission on August 9, 2006)
4.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Wintrust Financial Corporation, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, filed with the Commission on August
9, 2006)
4.3
Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Junior Serial Preferred Stock A of
Wintrust Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998)
4.4*
Wintrust Financial Corporation 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
5.1*
Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered
23.1*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2*
Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
24.1*
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration Statement)
*
Filed herewith.
12