ROSEMONT, Ill., June 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wintrust Financial Corporation (“Wintrust” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:WTFC) today announced that it has commenced a public offering of 3,000,000 shares of its common stock.  All of the shares included in the offering are primary shares offered by the Company.  Wintrust intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, financing potential acquisitions or other business combinations, including FDIC-assisted acquisitions, investments at the holding company level, providing capital to support the Company’s growth, and reducing or refinancing existing debt.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is serving as the sole underwriter for the offering.

The last reported sale price on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) of Wintrust common stock on June 8, 2016 was $53.78 per share.  Raymond James & Associates, Inc. proposes to offer for sale the shares from time to time in one or more transactions on NASDAQ, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

The shares are being offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus and related preliminary prospectus supplement, copies of which may be obtained from the offices of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716, or by calling toll-free 1-800-248-8863. Investors may also obtain copies of these documents free of charge by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Wintrust

Wintrust is a financial holding company with assets of approximately $23 billion whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Built on the “HAVE IT ALL” model, Wintrust offers sophisticated technology and resources of a large bank while focusing on providing service-based community banking to each and every customer. Wintrust operates fifteen community bank subsidiaries, now with over 150 banking locations located in the greater Chicago and southern Wisconsin market areas. Additionally, the Company operates various non-bank business units, including one of the largest commercial insurance premium finance companies operating in the United States and Canada, a company providing short-term accounts receivable financing and value-added out-sourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, a business unit engaging primarily in the origination and purchase of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market throughout the United States, and companies providing wealth management services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Investors are cautioned that such statements are predictions and actual events or results may differ materially.  Wintrust’s expected financial results or other plans are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.  For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” and the forward-looking statement disclosure contained in Wintrust’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any of the Company’s subsequent SEC filings.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and Wintrust undertakes no duty to update the information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edward J. Wehmer, President & Chief Executive Officer
David A. Dykstra, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 
(847) 939-9000