WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
10-Q, 1997-05-14
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


                QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1997
                         Commission File Number 0-21923


                         WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             Illinois                                  36-3873352
_---------------------------------------    ------------------------------------
(State of incorporation of organization)    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                               727 North Bank Lane
                           Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
              -----------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (847) 615-4096
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes X  No
                     ---   ---

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of issuer's  class of common
stock, as of the last practicable date.

Common Stock - no par value, 8,019,893 shares, as of May 13, 1997.


<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                        PART I. -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----

ITEM 1.   Financial Statements and Notes (Unaudited) ....................  1-6

ITEM 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
               Results of Operations ....................................  7-19


                          PART II. -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   This item has been omitted from this Form since it is
               inapplicable or would contain a negative response ........   20

ITEM 2.   Changes in Securities .........................................   20

ITEM 3.   This item has been omitted from this Form since it is
               inapplicable or would contain a negative response ........   20

ITEM 4.   Matters submitted to a Vote of Security Holders ...............   20

ITEM 5.   Other information .............................................   20

ITEM 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ..............................   20

          Signatures ....................................................   21

          Exhibit Index .................................................   22

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                       MARCH 31,            December 31,          March 31,
ASSETS                                                                    1997                  1996                 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                      <C>               <C>
Cash and due from banks-noninterest bearing                        $     23,976             $  36,581         $     10,869
Federal funds sold                                                       46,319                38,835               49,236
Interest-bearing deposits with banks                                     15,001                18,732               19,100
Available-for-Sale securities, at market value                           62,650                69,387              103,173

Held-to-Maturity securities, at amortized cost                            5,001                 5,001                5,001
Loans, net of unearned income                                           566,894               492,548              299,773
    Less: Allowance for possible loan losses                              4,073                 3,636                2,961
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loans                                                           562,821               488,912              296,812
Premises and equipment, net                                              31,892                30,277               25,361
Accrued interest receivable and other assets                             14,997                16,426               10,103
Goodwill and organizational costs                                         1,914                 1,886                  509
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total assets                                                   $    764,571            $  706,037           $  520,164
===============================================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
 Noninterest bearing                                               $     74,850             $  67,164          $    47,416
 Interest bearing                                                       607,343               550,865              407,812
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total  deposits                                                     682,193               618,029              455,228

Short-term borrowings                                                         -                 7,058                    -
Notes payable                                                             6,503                22,057               12,512
Other liabilities                                                        12,344                16,273               11,362
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities                                                   701,040               663,417              479,102
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholders' equity
  Preferred stock                                                             -                     -                  503
     issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996, and 113,063
     issued and outstanding at December 31, 1995
  Common stock                                                            7,997                 6,603                5,905
      6,515,880 and 5,830,866 issued and outstanding at December 31,
     1996 and 1995, respectively
  Surplus                                                                71,678                52,871               50,917
  Common stock warrants                                                     100                   100                   75
  Retained deficit                                                      (16,234)              (16,963)             (16,346)
  Net, unrealized gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale
    securities, net of tax                                                  (10)                    9                    8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total shareholders' equity                                           63,531                42,620               41,062
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                       $  764,571             $ 706,037            $ 520,164
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
                     PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996
                      (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

                                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                         MARCH 31,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>
Interest income                                                  $ 13,078     $  8,287
Interest expense                                                    7,826        5,207
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                                                 5,252        3,080

Provision for possible loan losses                                    679          410
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income after provision for
possible loan losses                                                4,573        2,670
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noninterest income                                                  1,592        2,014
Securities gains, net                                                --           --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income                                            1,592        2,014
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noninterest expense                                                 6,354        4,958
Merger related expenses                                              --           --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expense                                           6,354        4,958
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes                                           (189)        (274)

Income tax (benefit) expense                                         (918)          82
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income (loss)                                                $    729     $   (356)
=======================================================================================

Net income (loss) per common share                               $   0.10     $  (0.06)
=======================================================================================
Weighted average common shares and
common share equivalents outstanding                                7,293        5,862
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                                                       NET
                                                                                                    UNREALIZED
                                                                                                   GAIN (LOSS)
                                                                                                  ON SECURITIES      TOTAL
                                         PREFERRED    COMMON                            RETAINED    AVAILABLE    SHAREHOLDERS'
                                           STOCK       STOCK      SURPLUS    WARRANTS  (DEFICIT)     FOR SALE        EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995              $   503   $  5,831   $   50,053   $     75   $ (15,990)  $       15     $    40,487

Net loss                                                                                    (356)                        (356)

Common stock issuance                           -         78          908          -           -            -             986

epurchase of common stock                       -         (4)         (44)         -           -            -             (48)

Change in net unrealized gain on securities
  available-for-sale, net of tax effect         -          -            -          -           -           (7)             (7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1996                 $   503   $  5,905   $   50,917   $     75   $ (16,346) $         8      $    41,062
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Balance at December 31, 1996              $     -   $  6,603   $   52,871   $    100   $ (16,963)$          9      $    42,620

Net income                                      -          -            -          -         729            -              729

Common stock issued upon exercise
   of stock options                             -         16           79          -           -            -               95

Common stock issued in conjunction with
    public offering, net of issuance costs      -      1,378       18,728          -           -            -           20,106

Change in net unrealized gain on securities
  available-for-sale, net of tax effect         -          -            -          -           -          (19)             (19)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1997                 $     -   $  7,997   $   71,678   $    100   $ (16,234)$        (10)     $    63,531
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNADUDITED)
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                MARCH 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              1997              1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                        <C>                  <C>
  Net income (loss)                                                        $    729             ($356)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
        used for, or provided by, operating activities:
    Provision for possible loan losses                                          679               410
    Depreciation and amortization                                               518               440
    Deferred income tax (benefit) expense                                      (918)               82
    Net accretion/amortization of investment securities                        (163)             (209)
    Decrease (increase) in other assets, net                                  2,288            (1,266)
    Decrease in other liabilities, net                                       (3,949)           (1,766)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                         (817)           (2,665)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from maturities of Available-for-Sale securities                  30,170           100,966
  Purchases of securities                                                   (23,270)         (146,042)
  Net decrease in interest bearing deposits                                   3,731            31,500
  Net increase in loans                                                     (74,587)          (41,753)
  Purchases of premises and equipment, net                                   (2,102)           (1,730)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                      (66,057)          (57,059)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Increase in deposit accounts                                               64,164            49,570
  Decrease in short-term borrowings, net                                     (7,058)             (867)
  Proceeds from notes payable                                                     -             1,754
  Repayment of notes payable                                                (15,554)                -
  Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs                            20,201               938
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                    61,753            51,395
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                    (5,121)           (8,329)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD                             75,416            68,434
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                                $  70,295        $   60,105
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Basis of Presentation
    ---------------------

The  consolidated  financial  statements of Wintrust  Financial  Corporation and
Subsidiaries  ("Wintrust" or "Company")  presented herein are unaudited,  but in
the  opinion  of  management  reflect  all  necessary  adjustments  for  a  fair
presentation  of  results  as of the dates and for the  periods  covered  by the
consolidated financial statements.

The  consolidated  Wintrust  entity was formed on  September  1, 1996  through a
merger  transaction  whereby the holding  companies  of Lake  Forest,  Hinsdale,
Libertyville  and First  Premium  were  merged  with newly  formed  wholly-owned
subsidiaries of North Shore Community  Bancorp,  Inc. (which changed its name to
Wintrust  Financial   Corporation   concurrent  with  the  merger).  The  merger
transaction was accounted for in accordance with the pooling-of-interest  method
of  accounting  for  a  business  combination.   Accordingly,  the  consolidated
financial  statements  included herein reflect the combination of the historical
financial  results of the five entities and the recorded  assets and liabilities
have been carried forward to the consolidated company at their historical cost.

In October 1996,  Wintrust  purchased a company  known as Wolfhoya  Investments,
Inc.  ("Wolfhoya") for a purchase price of approximately $1.3 million.  Wolfhoya
was a company organized prior to the merger transaction by certain directors and
officers of the Company for purposes of  organizing a de novo banking  operation
in  Barrington,  Illinois.  At the date of purchase by  Wintrust,  Wolfhoya  had
purchased  real  estate for a  permanent  banking  location  and  constructed  a
temporary banking location in downtown Barrington. Wolfhoya had also secured the
services of its top three  executive  officers  to run the new de novo bank.  On
December 19, 1996,  Wintrust opened Barrington Bank and Trust Company,  the bank
that Wolfhoya had begun to organize prior to the  acquisition.  The  acquisition
was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and the purchase price
was paid for by issuing  approximately 88,000 shares of Wintrust common stock to
the shareholders of Wolfhoya.

The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  are unaudited and do not
include  information  or  footnotes  necessary  for a complete  presentation  of
financial  condition,  results of operations  or cash flows in  accordance  with
generally accepted accounting principles.  Operating results for the three-month
periods  presented  are not  necessarily  indicative of the results which may be
expected for the entire year.

(2) Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 122:
    --------------------------------------------------

In May 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standard  No. 122,  "Accounting  for  Mortgage  Servicing
Rights,  an amendment of Financial  Accounting  Standard No. 65" (SFAS No. 122).
The statement  requires the recognition as separate assets the rights to service
mortgage  loans for others,  however  those  rights are  acquired.  SFAS No. 122
requires  that  when a  definitive  plan  exists  to sell the  loan  and  retain
servicing  rights,  the cost of the mortgage will be allocated  between the loan
and the related mortgage  servicing right based on their relative fair values at
the date of  origination  or purchase;  otherwise the date of sale will be used.
Mortgage  servicing  rights  are  amortized  ratably  over  the  period  of  the
associated  estimated net servicing income. SFAS No. 122 also requires assessing
the

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>
capitalized  mortgage  servicing rights for impairment by comparing the recorded
book value to the fair value of those rights.

(3) Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 114 and No. 118:
    --------------------------------------------------------------

The Company follows the guidance of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standard
No. 114 (as amended by  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standard No. 118),
"Accounting  by Creditors  for  Impairment  of a Loan - Income  Recognition  and
Disclosures" to account for impaired loans. A loan is considered  impaired when,
based on current  information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be
unable to collect all amounts  due.  Impaired  loans under SFAS No. 114 and SFAS
No. 118 are considered by the Company to be nonaccrual loans, restructured loans
and loans with principal  and/or  interest at risk,  even if the loan is current
with  all  payments  of  principal  and  interest.  Impairment  is  measured  by
determining  the fair value of the loan based on the  present  value of expected
cash flows,  the market price of the loan,  or the fair value of the  underlying
collateral.  If the fair value of the loan is less than the recorded book value,
a valuation  allowance  is  established  as a  component  of the  allowance  for
possible loan losses.

Interest income is not accrued on loans where management has determined that the
borrowers  may  be  unable  to  meet   contractual   principal  and/or  interest
obligations,  or where interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, unless
the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Cash receipts
on  nonaccrual  loans are generally  applied to the principal  balance until the
remaining balance is considered  collectible,  at which time interest income may
be recognized when received.

(4) Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 125
    --------------------------------------------------

As of January 1, 1997, the Company adopted Financial  Accounting Standards Board
Statement No. 125,  "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial  Assets
and  Extinguishments  of Liabilities"  (SFAS No. 125). SFAS No. 125 is effective
for  transfers  and  servicing  of  financial  assets  and   extinguishments  of
liabilities  occurring  after December 31, 1996,  and is applied  prospectively.
SFAS No. 125 provides  accounting  and  reporting  standards  for  transfers and
servicing  of  financial  assets  and  extingushments  of  liabilities  based on
consistent  application  of a  financial  components  approach  that  focuses on
control.  It  distinguishes  transfers of  financial  assets that are sales from
transfers that are secured borrowings. The adoption of SFAS No. 125 did not have
a material impact on the Company's financial position,  results of operations or
liquidity.

(5) Cash and Cash Equivalents
    -------------------------

For the  purposes of the  Consolidated  Statements  of Cash  Flows,  the Company
considers  cash and cash  equivalents  to  include  cash and due from  banks and
federal funds sold which have an original maturity of 90 days or less.

(6) Per Common Share Data
    ---------------------

Earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income, after consideration of
preferred stock  dividends,  by the weighted  average number of shares of common
stock and common stock equivalents  outstanding during the period.  Common stock
equivalents are calculated using the treasury stock method.

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>
                                     ITEM 2
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Wintrust Financial Corporation ("Wintrust" or "Company") is a multi-bank holding
company  currently  engaged in the  business  of  providing  financial  services
primarily  through  its  banking   subsidiaries  to  customers  in  the  Chicago
metropolitan area and financing the payment of insurance premiums, on a national
basis, through its subsidiary,  First Premium Services,  Inc. ("First Premium").
As of March 31, 1997,  Wintrust owned five bank subsidiaries  ("Banks"),  all of
which  started  as de novo  institutions,  including  Lake  Forest  Bank & Trust
Company ("Lake Forest"), Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company ("Hinsdale"), North Shore
Community  Bank &  Trust  Company  ("North  Shore"),  Libertyville  Bank & Trust
Company ("Libertyville") and Barrington Bank & Trust Company ("Barrington").

The  consolidated  Wintrust  entity was formed on  September  1, 1996  through a
merger  transaction  whereby the holding  companies  of Lake  Forest,  Hinsdale,
Libertyville  and First  Premium  were  merged  with newly  formed  wholly-owned
subsidiaries of North Shore Community  Bancorp,  Inc. (which changed its name to
Wintrust  Financial   Corporation   concurrent  with  the  merger).  The  merger
transaction was accounted for in accordance with the pooling-of-interest  method
of  accounting  for  a  business  combination.   Accordingly,  the  consolidated
financial  statements  included herein reflect the combination of the historical
financial  results of the five entities and the recorded  assets and liabilities
have been carried forward to the consolidated company at their historical cost.

In October 1996,  Wintrust  purchased a company  known as Wolfhoya  Investments,
Inc.  ("Wolfhoya") for a purchase price of approximately $1.3 million.  Wolfhoya
was a company that had a sole  business  purpose of organizing a de novo banking
operation in Barrington, Illinois. At the date of purchase by Wintrust, Wolfhoya
had secured a permanent  banking  location and  constructed a temporary  banking
location in downtown  Barrington.  Wolfhoya had also secured the services of its
top three executive  officers to run the new de novo bank.  Barrington opened on
December 19, 1996. The  acquisition  was accounted for using the purchase method
of  accounting  and the  purchase  price was paid for by  issuing  approximately
88,000  shares  of  Wintrust  common  stock  to the  shareholders  of  Wolfhoya.
Accordingly,  the  Company's  consolidated  financial  statements  reflects  the
financial  condition and results of  operations of Barrington  since the date of
acquisition.

Each of Lake Forest,  Hinsdale,  Libertyville and First Premium are wholly-owned
by mid-tier  holding  companies  known as Lake Forest  Bancorp,  Inc.,  Hinsdale
Bancorp,  Inc.,  Libertyville  Bancorp,  Inc., and Crabtree Capital Corporation,
respectively. These mid-tier holding companies are all owned 100% by Wintrust.

The existing operating  subsidiaries have all started operations within the last
seven years.  Each of the  operating  subsidiaries  were started in an effort to
fulfill a financial services need in the banking and insurance premium financing
industries.  Lake Forest,  Hinsdale,  North Shore,  Libertyville  and Barrington
began banking operations in December 1991, October 1993, September 1994, October
1995 and December  1996,  respectively.  Subsequent  to those  initial  dates of
operations,   each  of  the  banks,  except  Libertyville  and  Barrington  have
established  additional  full service  banking  facilities.  First Premium began
operations  in 1990 and is primarily  involved in the  financing of property and
casualty insurance premiums written through  independent  insurance

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>
brokers on a national basis for commercial customers.  Since its commencement of
operations,  First Premium has consistently  expanded its umbrella of operations
to include  additional  states in which it can operate.  As such,  Wintrust is a
growth  oriented  company  which is still  undertaking  to establish  additional
market share in the communities and industry segments it serves.

The management of Wintrust presents the following discussion and analysis of its
financial  condition as of March 31, 1997  compared  with  December 31, 1996 and
March 31, 1996 and the results of  operations  for the periods  ending March 31,
1997 and 1996.  This  discussion  should be read in conjunction  with Wintrust's
unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in this report.

OVERVIEW

Wintrust  reported  net income for the quarter  ended March 31, 1997 of $729,000
compared  to a net loss of  $356,000 in the prior  year.  A  significant  factor
contributing to the net income in 1997 was the recording of a net tax benefit of
$918,000.  The  income  tax  benefit  recorded  in 1997  reflected  management's
determination  that certain of the Company's  subsidiaries  earnings history and
projected   future  earnings  were  sufficient  to  make  a  judgment  that  the
realization  of a portion of the net deferred tax assets not  previously  valued
was more likely than not to occur.  Excluding  the impact of income  taxes,  the
Company recorded  pre-tax losses of  approximately  $189,000 and $274,000 in the
first three months of 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The reduction in the pre-tax
net loss  was a  result  of  improved  results  at the  Company's  four  banking
subsidiaries  that existed as of March 1996 and at the Company's premium finance
subsidiary.  However,  the improvement  accomplished at those  subsidiaries  was
offset by an expected pre-tax loss of approximately $483,000 at Barrington,  the
Company's newest de novo bank opened in December, 1996.  Additionally,  the 1997
results were negatively  impacted by the costs associated with the first year of
operations at the Company's full services banking facilities opened in Winnetka,
Illinois and  Clarendon  Hills,  Illinois in May 1996 and August  1996,  and the
opening a new drive-up banking facility in Lake Forest, Illinois during February
1997.

The loss in 1996 was attributable in part to start up costs associated with full
service banking  operations in (a) Libertyville,  Illinois via a newly chartered
de novo bank during October 1995, and (b) Glencoe,  Illinois in October 1995 via
a full service branch banking facility.  Additionally,  North Shore and Hinsdale
opened separately located  drive-up/walk-up  facilities in the fourth quarter of
1995.  Generally,  a community bank's results of operations are reliant upon the
net interest income to produce an overall profit for the bank. However, as these
banking  locations  were only  operational  for less than one year, the revenues
generated  through  the net  interest  income  were  not  sufficient  to  offset
organizational  expenses  and the overhead  established  to support full service
banking  operations,  as has been  typical  during  the first  twelve to fifteen
months of the Company's  start-up  banking  operations  and was  anticipated  by
management during its planning of these facilities.

Total assets grew $58.5  million,  or 8% to $764.6  million as of March 31, 1997
compared to December 31, 1996.  Loans increased $74.4 million,  up 15% from year
end. Over the same period,  deposits grew $64.2 million,  up 10%.  Shareholders'
equity  increased $20.9 million to $63.5 million at March 31, 1997 compared with
$42.6 million at December 31, 1996 due  primarily to the proceeds  received from
the Company's common stock offering.

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest  income is defined as the difference  between  interest  income and
fees on earning  assets and  interest  expense on deposits and  borrowings.  The
related net interest  margin  represents the net interest  income on a fully tax
equivalent  basis as a percentage of average  earning  assets during the period.
The following  table  presents a summary of Wintrust's  net interest  income and
related net interest  margin,  calculated  on a fully taxable  equivalent  basis
(dollars in thousands).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                      MARCH 31, 1997                                 MARCH 31, 1996
                                        -----------------------------------------     -------------------------------------------
                                             AVERAGE      INTEREST        RATE             AVERAGE        INTEREST        RATE
                                        --------------- ------------- -----------     --------------- --------------- -----------

<S>                                           <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>
Interest bearing deposits with banks          $  16,167     $     227       5.62%           $  33,910      $    47        5.59%
Federal funds sold                               51,213           651       5.09               53,171           706       5.31
Investment securities*                           72,136           970       5.38               94,475         1,245       5.27
Loans, net of unearned discount*                516,717        11,257       8.71              265,177         5,876       8.86
                                        --------------- ------------- -----------     --------------- ------------- -----------
Total earning assets                          $ 656,233       $13,105       7.99%            $446,733       $ 8,301       7.43%
                                        --------------- ------------- -----------     --------------- ------------- -----------

Interest-bearing deposits                     $ 580,814       $ 7,481       5.15%            $383,937       $ 4,886       5.09%
Short-term borrowings                               818             7       3.35                  508             6       4.72
Term debt                                        19,015           338       7.11               13,251           315       9.51
                                        --------------- ------------- -----------     --------------- ------------- -----------
Total interest-bearing liabilities            $ 600,647       $ 7,826       5.21%            $397,696       $ 5,207       5.24%
                                        --------------- ------------- -----------     --------------- ------------- -----------

Taxable equivalent net interest income                        $ 5,279                                       $ 3,094
                                                        =============                                 =============

Net interest spread                                                         2.78%                                         2.20%
                                                                      ===========                                   ===========

Net interest margin                                                         3.22%                                         2.77%
                                                                      ===========                                   ===========

<FN>
*    Interest income on tax advantaged investment securities and loan reflects a
     tax equivalent adjustment based on a marginal federal corporate tax of 34%.
     The total tax-equivalent adjustment reflected in the above table is $27,000
     and $14,000 in 1997 and 1996, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The net interest  margin  increased  0.45% to 3.22% in the first quarter of 1997
from 2.77% in the year ago period.  The increase in the net interest  margin was
primarily  the  result  of a  shift  in the  composition  of the  earning  asset
portfolio  whereby loans  constituted  approximately  79% of the average earning
assets  during  the  first  quarter  of 1997  compared  to only 59% in the first
quarter  of 1996.  Contributing  to the  increase  of loans is the fact that the
Company is now maintaining the premium finance loans originated by First Premium
as assets of the subsidiary banks.  First Premium had previously funded its loan
generation  through a securitization  facility whereby most loans were sold into
the secondary  market,  with servicing  retained by First  Premium.  The cost of
First Premium's  funding was more expensive than the cost of funds that could be
provided by the  subsidiary  banks'  deposit  base.  As such,  subsequent to the
consummation of the merger in September 1996,  First Premium has sold their loan
production  to the  subsidiary  banks.  The sale of the  loans to the  banks has
enabled the

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>
consolidated  Wintrust entity to enjoy a larger net interest margin in the first
quarter of 1997 as the high yielding insurance premium loans remain on the books
of the Company using a lower overall cost of funds.

Additionally,  the  Company's  borrowing  costs have been reduced by lower rates
charged on term debt.  During the first quarter of 1996, each of the predecessor
companies were distinct  entities with a relatively higher borrowing rates. As a
result  of the  consummation  of  the  merger  and  consolidation  of  the  debt
outstanding at each of the  predecessor  companies,  Wintrust was able to secure
more favorable interest rate terms from its lender.

Despite an increase in the net interest margin as discussed above, the Company's
net  interest  margin is low  compared  to industry  standards  for a variety of
reasons.  First, as de novo banking  institutions,  Wintrust's  subsidiary banks
have been aggressive in attempting to provide competitive  interest rates to the
communities they serve. This strategy fulfills the organization's  objectives of
providing the communities with favorable  banking products and thereby garnering
high market  penetration and deposit growth.  Management  believes that a strong
core deposit base will allow the organization to fund various  diversified asset
niches in the future that will provide long-term  shareholder value. Next, as de
novo banking  institutions,  Wintrust's  subsidiary  banks have been cautious to
originate  high quality loans as opposed to  originating  higher  yielding loans
that  bring  more  credit  risk with  them.  Also,  the  subsidiary  banks  have
purposefully  maintained an investment portfolio that is short-term in nature in
order to facilitate the funding of quality loan demand as it emerged and to keep
the banks in a liquid condition in the event that deposit levels fluctuated.  In
the current interest rate environment,  the short-term  investment portfolio has
been  yielding  less  than  a  portfolio  with  extended  maturities;   however,
management  believed  that this method of  investing  was prudent  given de novo
status of the banks.


RECONCILIATION OF THE NET INTEREST INCOME ACCORDING TO RATE AND VOLUME VARIANCES

The following table presents a reconciliation of Wintrust's net interest income,
calculated on a fully taxable  equivalent  basis between the three month periods
ended  March 31,  1996 and March 31,  1997.  The  reconciliation  sets forth the
change in the net interest income as a result of changes in volumes,  changes in
rates and the  change due to the  combination  of volume  and rate  changes  (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                             <C>
 Fully tax equivalent net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 1996             $   3,094
     Change due to average earning assets fluctuations (volume)                                     1,451
     Change due to interest rate fluctuations (rate)                                                  503
     Change due to rate/volume fluctuations (mix)                                                     231
                                                                                                ----------
 Fully tax equivalent net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 1997             $   5,279
                                                                                                ==========
</TABLE>

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>


NONINTEREST INCOME

Total noninterest  income decreased  approximately  $422,000,  or 21%, to $1.6
million for the first three  months of 1997,  as compared to $2.0 million in the
same period in 1996. The following table presents noninterest income by category
(in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                               ----------------------------
                                                                1997                   1996
                                                         -------------------    -------------------

<S>                                                                <C>                      <C>
Fees on mortgage loans sold                                        $  425                   $320
Gains on sale of premium finance loans                                  -
                                                                                             967
Loan servicing fees                                                   176                    335
Service charges on deposit accounts                                   158                     73
Trust fees                                                            154                    115
Securities gains, net                                                   -                     49
Other income                                                          679                    155
                                                         -------------------    -------------------
     Total noninterest income                                     $ 1,592                $ 2,014
                                                         ===================    ===================
</TABLE>

Beginning in the fourth  quarter of 1996 First  Premium  began  selling  premium
finance loans to the banking subsidiaries.  Previously, such loans had been sold
to a third-party securitization facility whereby gains on the sale of such loans
and related  servicing  fees were  recorded.  Fee income earned in 1997 by First
Premium  in  conjunction  with  the  sale  and  servicing  of such  loans to the
subsidiary  banks was eliminated as an intercompany  transaction.  Consequently,
gains  on the sale of  premium  finance  loans  sold  and  loan  servicing  fees
decreased from 1996 to 1997.  Although these income categories declined in 1997,
the Company's  net interest  margin was impacted  positively  by the  additional
interest income that the bank subsidiaries earn over the life of such loans.

Fees on mortgage loans sold relate to income derived by the subsidiary banks for
services rendered in originating and selling  residential real estate loans into
the  secondary  market.  Such fees rose  $105,000 or 33% in the first quarter of
1997 to $425,000  from  $320,000  in 1996.  The  increase  came as a result of a
favorable interest rate environment and the efforts of experienced lenders.

Service charges on deposit  accounts more than doubled to $158,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 from $73,000 from the year ago period.  The increase
is  primarily a result of the 50%  increase in deposit  balances  from March 31,
1996 to March 31,  1997.  The  majority of service  charges on deposit  accounts
relates to customary  fees on accounts in overdraft  positions  and for returned
items on an account.  The level of service charges  received on deposit accounts
is  substantially  below  peer  group  levels  as  management  believes  in  the
philosophy of providing high quality  service without  encumbering  that service
with numerous activity charges. That philosophy has contributed to the growth in
retail deposits.

Trust fees  increased  34% to $154,000  from $115,000 for the three months ended
March 31,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The  continuing  efforts  of the trust
management  team to  establish  new  account  relationships  and the  "hands on"
customer  service  provided  to our trust  customers  has  resulted  in a steady
increase  in  trust  fees.   Management   anticipates  adding  additional  trust
departments to existing banks during the remainder of 1997 and during 1998.

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
Other  noninterest  income in 1997  increased to $679,000 from $155,000 one year
earlier.  The  increase is  primarily  related to the  settlement  of a lawsuit.
Excluding  the impact of such  settlement,  other  noninterest  income  remained
relatively stable.


NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Total noninterest expense increased  approximately $1.4 million, or 28%, to $6.4
million for the first three  months of 1997,  as compared to $5.0 million in the
same  period of 1996.  The  following  table  presents  noninterest  expenses by
category (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                             MARCH 31,
                                               --------------------------------------
                                                     1997                 1996
                                               -----------------    -----------------
<S>                                                 <C>                   <C>
Salaries and employee benefits                      $ 3,456               $2,497
Net occupancy expense                                   482                  398
Data processing                                         321                  223
Advertising and marketing                               296                  141
Other                                                 1,799                1,699
                                               -----------------    -----------------
     Total noninterest expense                       $6,354               $4,958
                                               =================    =================
</TABLE>

Salaries  and employee  benefits  increased to $3.5 million for the three months
ended  March 31,  1997 as  compared  to $2.5  million for the same period of the
prior year. The increase of  approximately  $1.0 million is partially the result
of one additional bank (Barrington),  two additional full-service branch banking
facilities (located in Winnetka,  Illinois and Clarendon Hills, Illinois), and a
drive-up  banking  facility in Lake Forest  that were in the  operations  of the
first quarter of 1997 but that were not operational  during the first quarter of
1996.  Barrington  accounted  for $0.3  million  of the  salaries  and  employee
benefits expense in the first quarter of 1997 and the additional  branch banking
facilities  contributed  approximately $0.2 million to the increase. In addition
to the increased staffing to support the new banking  facilities,  the growth in
deposit and loan accounts at the previously  existing banking locations required
additional  staffing to maintain  our standard of  excellent  customer  service.
Also, contributing to the increase in salaries were normal salary increases.

Occupancy expenses  increased $84,000,  or 21%, for the three months ended March
31, 1997 to $482,000 from $398,000 for the same period of 1996, due primarily to
the addition of Barrington and additional branch locations. The Company performs
significant research into the demographic nature of a location before entering a
new  community  with  a  physical  banking  presence.  Management  believes  the
communities  have embraced our commitment to the true community  banking concept
as evidenced by the significant growth in deposits  subsequent to the opening of
each of these new facilities.

For the three months ended March 31, 1997, data processing expenses increased by
$98,000  to  $321,000,  or 44%,  over the  first  three  months  of  1996.  Data
processing  expenses are highly dependent on the number of accounts processed by
the Banks.  As a result,  the  increase  of deposit and loan  balances  from the
year-ago  level of  approximately  50% and 89%,  respectively,  was the  primary
reason for  increase in this  expense  category.

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>
Additionally,  the first three months of 1997 included data processing costs for
Barrington which opened in December 1996.

Advertising  and  marketing  expenses  increased to $296,000 for the first three
months of 1997 compared to $141,000 for the first three months of 1996. Wintrust
considers  effective  marketing to be a cornerstone  of  establishing  effective
market share in the communities  served.  The Company's strategy in establishing
new banking locations is to develop community oriented deposit and loan products
to attract its deposit base and achieve a relatively  high level of  penetration
into the  communities'  population  of  households.  Accordingly,  the continued
growth in banking locations caused the level of marketing  expenses to increase.
Management anticipates that similar levels of marketing expense will be incurred
in future quarters as Wintrust  continues to establish its base of customers and
promotes the opening of additional banking locations.

Other noninterest expenses increased by $100,000, or 6%, to $1.8 million for the
three  months  ended March 31, 1997 from $1.7 million for the first three months
of 1996. This category of expenses contains  insurance  expense,  stationary and
supplies expense,  postage expense, legal fees, audits and examinations expense,
amortization of organizational costs, and other sundry expenses. The 6% increase
in this  category  is a general  increase  due to the higher  volume of accounts
outstanding at the banking subsidiaries.

Despite the increases in various noninterest expense categories during the first
three months of 1997 compared to 1996,  Wintrust's ratio of noninterest expenses
to total average assets  declined to 3.5% in 1997 from 4.0% in 1996,  reflecting
management's  commitment  to  maintaining  low  overhead  costs while  providing
superior customer service.  Additionally,  Wintrust's net overhead ratio of 2.6%
for the  three  months  ended  March  31,  1997  is  approximately  the  same as
Wintrust's  peer group.  Thus,  despite  the  significant  expansion  of banking
operations  over the last year,  the  Company  has  controlled  its  noninterest
expenses in a fashion that is comparable  to bank holding  companies in its peer
group.

INCOME TAXES

The  Company  recorded  an income tax  benefit of  $918,000  for the first three
months of 1997,  whereas an income  tax  expense of  approximately  $82,000  was
recorded in the same period of 1996.  Prior to the merger date of  September  1,
1996, each of the merging  companies except Lake Forest had net operating losses
and,  based  upon  the  start-up  nature  of the  organization,  there  was  not
sufficient  evidence to justify the full  realization  of the net  deferred  tax
assets generated by those losses.  Accordingly,  during 1996,  certain valuation
allowances were established against deferred tax assets with the combined result
being that a minimal  amount of federal tax expense or benefit was recorded.  As
the entities become profitable,  the recognition of previously unvalued tax loss
benefits are available,  subject to certain  limitations,  to offset tax expense
generated from profitable  operations.  The income tax benefit  recorded in 1997
reflected management's  determination that certain of the Company's subsidiaries
earnings  history  and  projected  future  earnings  were  sufficient  to make a
judgment  that the  realization  of a portion of the net deferred tax assets not
previously valued was more likely than not to occur.

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL CONDITION

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS

Wintrust's  consolidated total assets at March 31, 1997 were $764.6 million,  an
8% increase from the prior year-end level of $706.0 million,  and a 47% increase
from the March 31, 1996 level as a result of strong deposit growth.  Total loans
at March 31, 1997 were $566.9  million,  an increase of $74.3  million,  or 15%,
from year-end,  and an increase of $267.1 million or 89% from the level one year
ago. As can be seen from the table below,  the growth in the loan  portfolio has
been  diversified   amongst  all  categories  of  loans  with  each  categories'
percentage to total earning assets staying  relatively  constant.  However,  the
level of premium finance loans in relation to total earning assets has increased
more than other earning assets since the prior year-end. The increase in premium
finance  receivables  reflects the change to internally  financing First Premium
loans  by  the  Company's  banking   subsidiaries  from  being  sold  through  a
securitization facility as was done during the first three quarters of 1996.

At March 31, 1997 total  securities  and other money  market  investments  (i.e.
federal  funds  sold and  interest-bearing  deposits  with  banks)  were  $129.0
million,  down 2% from $132.0  million at December 31, 1996,  and 27% lower than
their year-ago level. The decline in securities and money market  investments is
a result of funds being invested in the previously  mentioned growth in the loan
portfolio.  As of March 31, 1997, total securities and money market  investments
were comprised of 25% in U.S. Treasury and government agency securities,  12% in
short-term  interest-bearing deposits with banks, 36% in overnight federal funds
sold,  and  27%  in  other  debt  and  equity  securities.  As a  result  of the
significant  growth in  deposit  and  loans,  it has been  Wintrust's  policy to
maintain its investment  portfolio in short-term,  liquid,  and diversified high
credit quality investments. Wintrust maintained no trading account securities at
March 31, 1997 or in any of the other previous reporting periods.

The  following  table  sets forth  Wintrust's  end of period  earning  assets by
category and their respective balance and percent of total earning assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   MARCH 31, 1997              December 31, 1996              March 31, 1996
                                      ----------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Loans:                                     BALANCE        PERCENT        Balance        Percent       Balance         Percent
                                      --------------- ------------- -------------------------------------------- --------------
<S>                                        <C>              <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>               <C>
 Commercial                                $199,323         29%          $182,403         29%         $121,404          26%
 Home equity                                 91,832         13             87,303         14            59,288          12
 Indirect auto                               98,650         14             89,999         15            43,428           9
 Residential real estate                     55,087          8             51,673          8            12,654           3
 Premium finance                             94,503         14             57,453          9            13,127           3
 Other                                       27,499          4             23,717          4            49,872          10
                                      --------------- ------------- -------------------------------------------- --------------
   Total loans                              566,894         82            492,548         79           299,773          63
                                      --------------- ------------- -------------------------------------------- --------------

 Federal funds sold, money
   market deposits and securities           128,971         18            131,955         21           176,510          37
                                      --------------- ------------- -------------------------------------------- --------------

 Total earning assets                      $695,865        100%           $624,503       100%         $476,283         100%
                                      =============== ============= ============================================ ==============
</TABLE>

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

DEPOSITS

Total  deposits  at March 31,  1997 were  $682.2  million or 50% higher than the
year-ago  level of $455.2 million and 10% higher than the year-end 1996 level of
$618.0  million.  The following  table sets forth the composition of the deposit
balances by category  and those  categories'  relative  percentage  of the total
deposits as of the date specified.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         MARCH 31, 1997              December 31, 1996                March 31, 1996
                                  ----------------------------- -----------------------------  -----------------------------
                                                     PERCENT                       Percent                        Percent
                                       BALANCE       OF TOTAL        Balance       of Total         Balance       of Total
                                  ----------------------------- -----------------------------  -----------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                 <C>         <C>               <C>         <C>                <C>
Demand                               $   74,850          11%         $  67,164         11%         $ 47,416           11%
NOW                                      59,377           9             57,490          9            40,481            9
Money market                            122,195          18            105,508         17            82,679           18
Savings                                  57,001           8             63,469         10            51,061           11
Certificates of deposit                 368,770          54            324,398         53           233,591           51
                                  ----------------------------- -----------------------------  -----------------------------
Total                                 $ 682,193         100%         $ 618,029        100%        $ 455,228          100%
                                  ============================= =============================  =============================
</TABLE>

The  continued  growth in deposit  accounts for the three months ended March 31,
1997 is due  primarily  to the  Company's  desire to  increase  market  share in
communities  they serve and to  establishing  market share in communities  which
were previously lacking a true community managed bank, that is, banks with local
management and boards of directors.  Specifically,  the opening of Barrington in
December  1996 and its growth in deposits  contributed  to the  increase  during
1997. As each of the new banking  locations is opened,  special  deposit account
promotions  are offered to the  households in those  communities.  Customers who
open a combination of accounts  (generally a combination of an  interest-bearing
and a non-interest  bearing account) during the initial months of operations are
afforded  special  privileges  as a  "founder"  depositor  of  the  bank.  These
privileges  customarily  include  rights to  receive  free safe  deposit  boxes,
favorable  loan and deposit rates as compared to stated market rates,  and other
selected perquisites. This "founder" account has been highly successful with the
most popular  interest-bearing  account option being the  certificate of deposit
account.  The banks  continue  to  aggressively  promote  their  products to the
communities  they  serve  and  attempt  to meld the  competitive  products  with
superior customer service.  The result has been and should continue to be growth
in all deposit categories.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Shareholders' equity grew to $63.5 million at March 31, 1997, from $42.6 million
at December  31, 1996.  The primary  components  of the change in  shareholders'
equity are the  additional  issuance of equity  capital  through an common stock
offering of $20.1 million and the year-to-date net income of approximately  $0.7
million.  The proceeds of the stock  offering in the first  quarter were used to
retire debt and general corporate purposes.

During the first quarter of 1997, the Company completed its direct  subscription
and  community  offering of its Common Stock.  The aggregate  sale was 1,377,512
shares of common stock at a price of $15.50 per share,  including 400,000 shares
which were  underwritten  by EVEREN  Securities,  Inc. The net  proceeds  (gross
proceeds less issuance  costs) from the sale of these shares were  approximately
$20.1 million.  Also,  subsequent

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
to March 31, 1997, an additional  20,000 shares were sold to EVEREN  Securities,
Inc., at a price of $15.50 per share, under an option provided by the Company in
conjunction with the previously underwritten shares.

The following table reflects various  consolidated  measures of capital at March
31, 1997 and December 31, 1996:
s<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 MARCH 31,            December 31,
                                                                   1997                   1996
                                                           ----------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                   <C>
Leverage ratio                                                          8.5%                 6.4%
Ending tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted asset ratio                     10.1%                 7.3%
Ending total capital to risk-adjusted asset ratio                      10.8%                 8.0%
Dividend payout ratio                                                   0.0%                 0.0%
</TABLE>

The   Company's    consolidated    leverage   ratio   (Tier   1   capital   less
intangibles/average  quarterly  assets less  intangibles)  was 8.5% at March 31,
1997 which places the Company  above the "well  capitalized"  regulatory  level.
Consolidated  Tier 1 and total  risk-based  capital  ratios  were also above the
"well capitalized" regulatory levels at 10.1% and 10.8%, respectively.  Based on
guidelines  established by the Federal  Reserve Bank, a bank holding  company is
required to maintain a Tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted asset ratio of 4.0% and a
total capital to risk-adjusted  asset ratio of 8.0%.  Management is not aware of
any known trends, events, regulatory  recommendations or uncertainties that will
have any adverse effect on Wintrust's capital resources.

ASSET QUALITY

Allowance for Possible Loan Losses
- ----------------------------------

A  reconciliation  of the activity in the balance of the  allowance for possible
loan  losses  for the three  month  periods  under  review  is shown as  follows
(dollars in thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                    -------------------------------------------
                                                           1997                     1996
                                                    ------------------      -------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                      <C>
Balance at beginning of period                        $      3,636             $      2,763
Provision for possible loan losses                             679                      410
Charge-offs                                                   (265)                    (216)
Recoveries                                                      23                        4
                                                    ------------------      -------------------
Balance at March 31                                   $      4,073             $      2,961
                                                    ==================      ===================

Loans at March 31                                     $    566,894             $    299,773
                                                    ==================      ===================

Allowance as a percentage of loans                            0.72%                    0.99%
                                                    ==================      ===================

Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of :
     Loans                                                    0.17%                    0.28%
                                                    ==================      ===================
     Annualized provision for possible
          loan losses                                        35.64%                   51.71%
                                                    ==================      ===================
</TABLE>

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>

Management  believes  that  the  loan  portfolio  is well  diversified  and well
secured,  without undue concentration in any specific risk area. Control of loan
quality is  continually  monitored by management and is reviewed by the Board of
Directors  and its Credit  Committee on a monthly  basis.  Independent  external
review of the loan  portfolio  is  provided  by the  examinations  conducted  by
regulatory authorities, independent public accountants in conjunction with their
annual audit,  and an independent  loan review performed by an entity engaged by
the Board of  Directors.  The amount of additions to the  allowance for possible
loan losses  which are charged to earnings  through the  provision  for possible
loan  losses are  determined  based on a variety of  factors,  including  actual
charge-offs during the year,  historical loss experience,  delinquent loans, and
an evaluation of current and prospective economic conditions in the market area.
Management  believes the allowance for possible loan losses is adequate to cover
any potential losses.

Loan losses related to commercial  insurance premium financing are minimal since
they are generally fully secured by unearned insurance  premiums.  If a borrower
defaults,  First Premium seeks to obtain a refund of unearned  premiums from the
insurer. First Premium bears the credit risk of collections from the insurer. In
the event an insurer becomes insolvent and unable to pay claims to an insured or
refund unearned  premiums upon  cancellation  of a policy to a finance  company,
each state  provides a state  guaranty fund that will pay such a refund,  less a
per claim deductible in certain states.  First Premium diversifies its financing
activities among a wide range of brokers and insurers.


Past Due Loans and Non-performing Assets

The following table presents the Company's non-performing assets as of March 31,
1997 and December 31, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             MARCH 31,             December 31,
                                                                1997                   1996
                                                         -------------------    -------------------
<S>                                                               <C>                     <C>
Nonaccrual loans                                                  $    977                $ 1,686
Loans past due 90 days or more                                         979                     95
Restructured loans                                                       -                      -
                                                         -------------------    -------------------
     Total non-performing loans                                      1,956                  1,781
Other real estate owned                                                  -                      -
                                                         -------------------    -------------------
     Total non-performing assets                                   $ 1,956                $ 1,781
                                                         ===================    ===================

Total non-performing loans to total loans                            0.35%                  0.36%
Total non-performing assets to total assets                          0.26%                  0.25%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans                                      0.17%                  0.34%
</TABLE>

As of March 31, 1997,  the allowance for possible loan losses as a percentage of
non-performing loans was 208%.

As of March 31,  1997,  two  individual  credits  represent  approximately  $1.3
million  of the total  non-performing  assets.  The  remaining  $0.6  million of
non-performing  assets are generally  comprised of small  consumer and

                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>
auto loan delinquencies, loans secured by residential real estate and commercial
loans that are partially secured by residential real estate  properties.  Due to
the small number of loans past due,  collection of the loans is very  manageable
and management is vigorously pursuing the full collection of each account.

The recorded  investment in loans  considered to be impaired under SFAS No. 114,
at March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996 was  approximated  $1.5 million and $1.4
million,  respectively, for which no specific allowance for possible loan losses
was required in accordance with SFAS No. 114.

Potential Problem Loans
- -----------------------

In addition to those loans  disclosed  under "Past Due Loans and  Non-performing
Assets",  there  are  certain  loans  in  the  portfolio  which  management  has
identified,  through its problem  loan  identification  system  which  exhibit a
higher  than  normal  credit  risk.  However,   these  loans  do  not  represent
non-performing  loans to the  Company.  Management's  review of the  total  loan
portfolio to identify loans where there is concern that the borrower will not be
able to continue to satisfy present loan repayment  terms includes  factors such
as review of  individual  loans,  recent loss  experience  and current  economic
conditions.  Loans in this category include those with  characteristics  such as
those past maturity more than 45 days, those that have recent adverse  operating
cash flow or balance sheet trends, or have general risk characteristics that the
loan officer feels might  jeopardize  the future timely  collection of principal
and interest  payments.  The  principal  amount of loans in this  category as of
March 31, 1997 and  December 31, 1996 were  approximately  $1.3 million and $1.1
million, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

Wintrust manages the liquidity position of its banking operations to ensure that
sufficient  funds are available to meet  customers'  needs for loans and deposit
withdrawals.  The  liquidity to meet the demand is provided by maturing  assets,
liquid  assets that can be converted to cash,  and the ability to attract  funds
from  external  sources.  Liquid  assets  refer  to  federal  funds  sold and to
marketable, unpledged securities which can be quickly sold without material loss
of principal.

Interest rate sensitivity is the fluctuation in earnings  resulting from changes
in  market  interest  rates.   Wintrust   continuously  monitors  not  only  the
organization's  current net interest margin,  but also the historical  trends of
these margins. In addition, Wintrust also attempts to identify potential adverse
swings in net  interest  income in future  years,  as a result of interest  rate
movements,  by performing computerized simulation analysis of potential interest
rate  environments.  If a potential  adverse swing in net interest margin and/or
net income are identified,  Wintrust then would take appropriate  actions within
its  asset/liability  structure to counter these potential  adverse  situations.
Please  refer  to  the  section  entitled  "Net  Interest  Income"  for  further
discussion.

INFLATION

A banking organization's assets and liabilities are primarily monetary.  Changes
in the  rate of  inflation  do not  have as great  an  impact  on the  financial
condition of a bank as do changes in interest rates. Moreover, interest rates do
not necessarily change at the same percentage as does inflation.  An analysis of
a  banking  organization's  asset  and  liability  structure  provides  the best
indication  of how a banking  organization  is positioned to respond to changing
interest rates and maintain profitability.

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>
IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128:
- ---------------------------------------------------

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 128,  "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS No. 128).
SFAS No. 128 supersedes APB Opinion 15,  "Earnings Per Share," and specifies the
computation,  presentation  and disclosure  requirements  for earnings per share
(EPS) for entities with  publicly  held common stock or potential  common stock.
SFAS No.  128 was issued to  simplify  the  computations  of EPS and to make the
United States standard more  compatible with EPS standards of the  International
Accounting  Standards  Committee.  It replaces the  presentation  of primary and
fully-diluted EPS, respectively. It also requires dual presentation of basic and
diluted EPS on the face of the income  statement  for all entities  with complex
capital   structures  and  requires  a  reconciliation   of  the  numerator  and
denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the
diluted EPS computation.

Basic EPS,  unlike  primary EPS,  excludes  dilution and is computed by dividing
income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common
shares  outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution
that could occur if  securities  or other  contracts  to issue common stock were
exercised or  converted  into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common
stock that then shared in the  earnings  of the entity.  Diluted EPS is computed
similarly to fully-diluted EPS under APB 15.

SFAS No. 128 is effective for financial  statements  for both interim and annual
periods  ending  after  December 15, 1997 and is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 129:
- ----------------------------------------------------

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 129, "Disclosure of Information about Capital
Structure"  (SFAS No. 129). SFAS No. 129 provides  required  disclosures for the
capital  structure of companies and is effective for  financial  statements  for
periods  ending  after  December 15, 1997.  The  required  disclosures  had been
included in a number of separate statements and opinions.  As such, the issuance
of SFAS  No.  129 is not  expected  to  require  significant  revision  of prior
disclosures.

                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>
                                     PART II

ITEMS 1:

This item has been omitted from this Form 10-Q since it is inapplicable or would
contain a negative response.

ITEM 2: CHANGE IN SECURITIES

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
- ----------------------------------------

In January 1997, as a result of an exercise of stock options, the Company issued
an aggregate of 16,411  shares of Common Stock of the Company in reliance on the
exemption from  registration  pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. An
aggregate of $95,200 was received as payment for the exercise price.

ITEMS 3:

This item has been omitted from this Form 10-Q since it is inapplicable or would
contain a negative response.

ITEM 4: MATTERS SUBMITTED TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6:    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 (a) Exhibits
     --------
           Computation of Net Income Per Common Share - Exhibit 11
           Financial Data Schedule - Exhibit 27

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
    --------------------

No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company  during the quarter ended March
31, 1997.

                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                         WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                  (Registrant)

Date: May 14, 1997                     /s/ Edward J. Wehmer
                                       President & Chief Operating Officer

Date: May 14, 1997                     /s/ David A. Dykstra
                                       Executive Vice President
                                       & Chief Financial Officer
                                       (Principal Accounting Officer)

                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit 11               Computation of Net Income Per Common Share

Exhibit 27               Financial Data Schedule


                                     - 22 -

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   EXHIBIT 11

                         WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                   COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

                      (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31
                                                          -----------------------------------
                                                               1997               1996
                                                          ----------------  -----------------

<S>                                                              <C>              <C>
Net income (loss)                                     (A)        $  729           $  (356)
                                                          ================  =================

Average common shares outstanding                                 6,816              5,862
Average common share equivalents  (1)                               477                  -
                                                          ----------------  -----------------

Weighted average common shares and
       common share equivalents                       (B)         7,293              5,862
                                                          ================  =================

Net income (loss) per average
      common share                                  (A/B)       $  0.10          $  (0.06)
                                                          ================  =================
<FN>
(1) Common share equivalents  result from stock options,  stock rights and stock
warrants  being  treated  as if they  had been  exercised  and are  computed  by
application  of the treasury  stock  method.  No common share  equivalents  were
assumed to be  outstanding  for the  three-months  period  ended  March 31, 1996
because accounting  standards require that the computation of earnings per share
shall not give effect to common stock  equivalents for any period in which their
inclusion would have the effect  decreasing the loss per share amount  otherwise
computed.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains  summary  financial   information  extracted  from  the
quarterly unaudited financial  statements of Wintrust Financial  Corporation for
the quarter ended March 31, 1997,  and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001015328
<NAME>                        Wintrust Financial Corporation
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                               23,976
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               15,001
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     46,319
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                          0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                          62,650
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                5,001
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                  4,881
<LOANS>                                             566,894
<ALLOWANCE>                                           4,073
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      764,571
<DEPOSITS>                                          682,193
<SHORT-TERM>                                              0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                  12,344
<LONG-TERM>                                           6,503
                                     0
                                               0
<COMMON>                                              7,997
<OTHER-SE>                                           55,534
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                      764,571
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                      11,230
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                     1,848
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                          0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                     13,078
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                    7,481
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    7,826
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                 5,252
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                           679
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                        0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                       6,354
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        (189)
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                              729
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                            729
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0.10
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                         3.22
<LOANS-NON>                                             977
<LOANS-PAST>                                          1,956
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                          0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                       1,338
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                      3,636
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                          (265)
<RECOVERIES>                                             23
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                     4,073
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                  2,505
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                       0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                               1,568
        

</TABLE>


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