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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October&nbsp;8, 2010
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; MARGIN-top: 3pt; 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, DC 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</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<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</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" style="font-size: 10pt"><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">
<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>
<TR></TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Illinois</B><BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or <BR>
Organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>36-3873352</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>727 North Bank Lake<BR>
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Wintrust Financial Corporation<BR>
Retirement Savings Plan</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)</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>David A. Dykstra<BR>
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer<BR>
Wintrust Financial Corporation<BR>
727 North Bank Lane<BR>
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>(847)&nbsp;615-4096</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
&#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" style="FONT-size: 10pt; margin-top: -6pt">
<TR><TD>Large accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></TD>
<TD align="center">Accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center"><br>Non-accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT><BR>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
<TD align="right">Smaller reporting company&nbsp;<FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>


<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" style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&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>Title of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Amount To Be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price Per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><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" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>To Be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B> Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Share</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <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,
without par value<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1) </SUP></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 colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000" nowrap>250,000 shares<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></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 nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">31.39</TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top"> (3) </SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">7,847,500</TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(3)</SUP></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="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">559.53</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</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="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px 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"><SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Reflects shares that may be issued pursuant to the Wintrust Financial Corporation
Retirement Savings Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;).</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (this &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) also covers
(i)&nbsp;pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 199, as amended (the &#147;Securities
Act&#148;), any additional shares of common stock without par value of the Registrant (&#147;Common
Stock&#148;) that become issuable under the Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, or
other similar transaction and (ii)&nbsp;pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, an
indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(3)</SUP></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act, solely
for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based on the average of the high and low
sales prices for the Common Stock reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on October&nbsp;4,
2010.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<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>









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</DIV>

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










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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed by Wintrust Financial Corporation, an
Illinois corporation (the &#147;<U>Registrant</U>&#148;) to register an additional 250,000 shares of the
Registrant&#146;s common stock, no par value, and an indeterminate number of plan interests, to be
issued pursuant to the Wintrust Financial Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the &#147;<U>Plan</U>&#148;).
</DIV>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information specified in Item&nbsp;1 and Item&nbsp;2 of Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 is omitted from this
Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the &#147;<U>Securities Act</U>&#148;), and the introductory note to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8.
</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>

<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 previously filed by the Registrant and the Plan with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the &#147;<U>Commission</U>&#148;) 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, 2009;</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>Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March&nbsp;31, 2010
and June&nbsp;30, 2010;</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>Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March&nbsp;9, 2010, May&nbsp;3, 2010, June&nbsp;2, 2010,
June&nbsp;9, 2010, and August&nbsp;17, 2010 (in each case only to the extent filed and not
furnished);</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 Plan&#146;s Annual Report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2009; 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="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(e)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock contained in the Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.&nbsp;333- 165166) filed with the
Commission on March&nbsp;3, 2010, including any amendment 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 pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold are 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. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein 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
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 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>

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

<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>

<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>

<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"><I>Illinois Business Corporation Act</I>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;8.75 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act (the &#147;<U>IBCA</U>&#148;) provides generally
and in pertinent parts that an Illinois corporation may indemnify its directors, officers,
employees and agents, or anyone 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 (in the case of actions by or in the right of the corporation) or against
expenses, judgments, fines, and settlements (in all other cases) actually and reasonably incurred
by them in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding if, in connection with the matters in
issue, they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the corporation and, in connection with any criminal suit or proceeding,
if in connection with the matters in issue, they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct
was unlawful, 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, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity. If a present or former director, officer or employee of an Illinois
corporation has been successful in the defense of any such action, suit or proceeding, claim, issue
or matter, such person shall be indemnified by the corporation against expenses.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;8.75 of the IBCA further permits an Illinois corporation to pay expenses incurred by
an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding in advance of
the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding if the director or officer undertakes to
repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified
by the corporation. An Illinois corporation may also grant additional indemnification through its
by-laws, agreements, votes of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, and may
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any indemnifiable person against any liability
asserted against such person and incurred by such person in his or her capacity as an indemnifiable
person whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against
liability under the terms of Section&nbsp;8.75 of the IBCA.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><I>The Registrant&#146;s Articles of Incorporation and By-laws</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;NINTH of the Registrant&#146;s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
and Article&nbsp;VI of the Registrant&#146;s Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that the Registrant shall,
to the full extent permitted by law, indemnify those persons whom the Registrant may indemnify
pursuant thereto, and contain provisions substantially similar to Section&nbsp;8.75 of the IBCA. The
foregoing description of the Registrant&#146;s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws are qualified in their entirety by reference to such
documents, which are listed as Exhibits 4.2 and 4.3 hereto.
</DIV>


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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><I>Indemnification Agreements</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has entered into individual indemnification agreements with each of its
non-employee directors and certain of its executive officers (collectively, the
&#147;<U>Indemnification Agreements</U>&#148;), which implement with more specificity the indemnification
provisions provided by the Registrant&#146;s by-laws and provide, among other things, that to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Registrant will indemnify such director or officer
against any and all losses, expenses and liabilities arising out of such director&#146;s or officer&#146;s
service as a director or officer of the Registrant, as the case may be. The Indemnification
Agreements also contain detailed provisions concerning expense advancement and reimbursement. The
Indemnification Agreements are in addition to any other rights each non-employee director or
officer may be entitled to under the Registrant&#146;s articles of incorporation, by-laws and applicable
law.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><I>Directors&#146; and Officers&#146; Liability Insurance</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant has obtained Directors&#146; and Officers&#146; liability insurance. The policy provides
for $55&nbsp;million in coverage including prior acts dating to the Registrant&#146;s inception and
liabilities under the Securities Act.
</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>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Exhibits accompanying this Registration Statement are listed on the accompanying Exhibit
Index.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will submit or has submitted the Plan and any
amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service (&#147;<U>IRS</U>&#148;) in a timely manner and has made
or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan.
</DIV>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this 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 this 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
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->3&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148;
table in the effective registration statement; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in this Registration Statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%"><I>provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) 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 this Registration Statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(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.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(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.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;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 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.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;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 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.
</DIV>






<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->4&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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




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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>The Registrant</I>. 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, State of
Illinois, on this 8<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of October, 2010.
</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"><BR>


<B>WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION</B><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 Chief
Operating Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<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, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this
8<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of October, 2010.
</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="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signatures</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Peter D. Crist
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Peter D. Crist
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board of Directors&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Edward J. Wehmer
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Edward J. Wehmer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" nowrap>President, Chief Executive Officer and Director&nbsp;<BR>
(Principal
Executive Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ David L. Stoehr
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
David L. Stoehr
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" nowrap>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer&nbsp;<BR>
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Bruce K. Crowther
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bruce K. Crowther
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Joseph F. Damico
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Joseph F. Damico
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Bert A. Getz, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bert A. Getz, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ H. Patrick Hackett, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
H. Patrick Hackett, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Scott K. Heitmann
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Scott K. Heitmann
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Charles H. James III
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Charles H. James III
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Albin F. Moschner
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Albin F. Moschner
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Thomas J. Neis
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas J. Neis
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Christopher J. Perry
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Christopher J. Perry
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Hollis W. Rademacher
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Hollis W. Rademacher
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
    <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">/s/ Ingrid S. Stafford
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Ingrid S. Stafford
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>The Plan</I>. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
trustees have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lake Forest, State of Illinois, on this
8<SUP style="FONT-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of October, 2010.
</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"><B>WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN</B><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">Trustee&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>




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




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

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</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="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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">Wintrust Financial Corporation Retirement Savings Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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 Articles of Incorporation of Wintrust
Financial Corporation, as amended (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter
ended June&nbsp;30, 2006)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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">Amended and Restated By-laws of Wintrust Financial
Corporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 of the Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed with
the Commission on January&nbsp;30, 2008)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- 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>
<!-- End Table Body -->
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "c60564sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 47963}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP", "cik": "0001015328", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "363873352", "state-of-incorporation": "IL", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-169844", "film-number": "101116061"}, "business-address": {"street1": "727 N BANK LANE", "city": "LAKE FOREST", "state": "IL", "zip": "60045", "phone": "8476154096"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "727 N BANK LN", "city": "LAKE FOREST", "state": "IL", "zip": "60045"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2010
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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 No.)
727 North Bank Lake
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Retirement Savings Plan
(Full Title of the Plan)
David A. Dykstra
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Wintrust Financial Corporation
727 North Bank Lane
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
(Name and address of agent for service)
(847) 615-4096
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
"large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities
Amount To Be
Offering Price Per
Aggregate Offering
Amount of
To Be Registered
Registered
Share
Price
Registration Fee
Common Stock,
without par value
(1)
250,000 shares
(2)
$
31.39
(3)
$
7,847,500
(3)
$
559.53
(1)
Reflects shares that may be issued pursuant to the Wintrust Financial Corporation
Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan").
(2)
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (this "Registration Statement") also covers
(i) pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 199, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), any additional shares of common stock without par value of the Registrant ("Common
Stock") that become issuable under the Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, or
other similar transaction and (ii) pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, an
indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the Plan.
(3)
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act, solely
for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, based on the average of the high and low
sales prices for the Common Stock reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on October 4,
2010.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed by Wintrust Financial Corporation, an
Illinois corporation (the "
Registrant
") to register an additional 250,000 shares of the
Registrant's common stock, no par value, and an indeterminate number of plan interests, to be
issued pursuant to the Wintrust Financial Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the "
Plan
").
PART I
The information specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this
Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "
Securities Act
"), and the introductory note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents previously filed by the Registrant and the Plan with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "
Commission
") are incorporated herein by reference:
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2009;
(b)
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010
and June 30, 2010;
(c)
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2010, May 3, 2010, June 2, 2010,
June 9, 2010, and August 17, 2010 (in each case only to the extent filed and not
furnished);
(d)
The Plan's Annual Report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009; and
(e)
The description of the Registrant's common stock contained in the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333- 165166) filed with the
Commission on March 3, 2010, including any amendment filed for the purpose of updating
such description.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold are 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. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein 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
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 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.
Illinois Business Corporation Act
Section 8.75 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act (the "
IBCA
") provides generally
and in pertinent parts that an Illinois corporation may indemnify its directors, officers,
employees and agents, or anyone 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 (in the case of actions by or in the right of the corporation) or against
expenses, judgments, fines, and settlements (in all other cases) actually and reasonably incurred
by them in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding if, in connection with the matters in
issue, they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the corporation and, in connection with any criminal suit or proceeding,
if in connection with the matters in issue, they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct
was unlawful, 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, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity. If a present or former director, officer or employee of an Illinois
corporation has been successful in the defense of any such action, suit or proceeding, claim, issue
or matter, such person shall be indemnified by the corporation against expenses.
Section 8.75 of the IBCA further permits an Illinois corporation to pay expenses incurred by
an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding in advance of
the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding if the director or officer undertakes to
repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified
by the corporation. An Illinois corporation may also grant additional indemnification through its
by-laws, agreements, votes of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, and may
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any indemnifiable person against any liability
asserted against such person and incurred by such person in his or her capacity as an indemnifiable
person whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against
liability under the terms of Section 8.75 of the IBCA.
The Registrant's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
Article NINTH of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
and Article VI of the Registrant's Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that the Registrant shall,
to the full extent permitted by law, indemnify those persons whom the Registrant may indemnify
pursuant thereto, and contain provisions substantially similar to Section 8.75 of the IBCA. The
foregoing description of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws are qualified in their entirety by reference to such
documents, which are listed as Exhibits 4.2 and 4.3 hereto.
2
Indemnification Agreements
The Registrant has entered into individual indemnification agreements with each of its
non-employee directors and certain of its executive officers (collectively, the
"
Indemnification Agreements
"), which implement with more specificity the indemnification
provisions provided by the Registrant's by-laws and provide, among other things, that to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Registrant will indemnify such director or officer
against any and all losses, expenses and liabilities arising out of such director's or officer's
service as a director or officer of the Registrant, as the case may be. The Indemnification
Agreements also contain detailed provisions concerning expense advancement and reimbursement. The
Indemnification Agreements are in addition to any other rights each non-employee director or
officer may be entitled to under the Registrant's articles of incorporation, by-laws and applicable
law.
Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance
The Registrant has obtained Directors' and Officers' liability insurance. The policy provides
for $55 million in coverage including prior acts dating to the Registrant's inception and
liabilities under the Securities Act.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The Exhibits accompanying this Registration Statement are listed on the accompanying Exhibit
Index.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will submit or has submitted the Plan and any
amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("
IRS
") in a timely manner and has made
or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan.
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:
(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 this 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 this 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
3
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 this Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in this Registration Statement;
provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) 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 this 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 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 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.
4
SIGNATURES
The Registrant
. 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, State of
Illinois, on this 8
th
day of October, 2010.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
/s/ David A. Dykstra
Name:
David A. Dykstra
Title:
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this
8
th
day of October, 2010.
Signatures
Title
/s/ Peter D. Crist
Peter D. Crist
Chairman of the Board of Directors
/s/ Edward J. Wehmer
Edward J. Wehmer
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal
Executive Officer)
/s/ David L. Stoehr
David L. Stoehr
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Bruce K. Crowther
Bruce K. Crowther
Director
/s/ Joseph F. Damico
Joseph F. Damico
Director
/s/ Bert A. Getz, Jr.
Bert A. Getz, Jr.
Director
/s/ H. Patrick Hackett, Jr.
H. Patrick Hackett, Jr.
Director
/s/ Scott K. Heitmann
Scott K. Heitmann
Director
/s/ Charles H. James III
Charles H. James III
Director
/s/ Albin F. Moschner
Albin F. Moschner
Director
/s/ Thomas J. Neis
Thomas J. Neis
Director
/s/ Christopher J. Perry
Christopher J. Perry
Director
/s/ Hollis W. Rademacher
Hollis W. Rademacher
Director
/s/ Ingrid S. Stafford
Ingrid S. Stafford
Director
The Plan
. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
trustees have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lake Forest, State of Illinois, on this
8
th
day of October, 2010.
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
By:
/s/ David A. Dykstra
Name:
David A. Dykstra
Title:
Trustee
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1*
Wintrust Financial Corporation Retirement Savings Plan
4.2
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wintrust
Financial Corporation, as amended (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2006)
4.3
Amended and Restated By-laws of Wintrust Financial
Corporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the Commission on January 30, 2008)
23.1*
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
*
Filed herewith.