WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
10-Q, 1999-05-14
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, 1999
                         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, 8,165,313 shares, as of April 30, 1999.


<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                        PART I. -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements.__________________________________________    1-7

ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
               Results of Operations. __________________________________    8-25

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks. __   26-28


                          PART II. -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings. ____________________________________________      29

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities. ________________________________________      29

ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities. ______________________________      29

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.___________      29

ITEM 5.  Other Information. ____________________________________________      29

ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. _____________________________      29

         Signatures ____________________________________________________      30

         Exhibit Index _________________________________________________      31
<PAGE>
                                     PART I
                           ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                                                                 March 31,           December 31,           March 31,
                                                                    1999                 1998                  1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                  <C>                  <C>      
Assets
Cash and due from banks-non-interest bearing                           $ 32,989             $  33,924            $  33,822
Federal funds sold                                                       28,945                18,539               36,701
Interest-bearing deposits with banks                                      3,545                 7,863               71,271
Available-for-Sale securities, at fair value                            195,142               209,119              183,443
Held-to-Maturity securities, at amortized cost                                -                 5,000                5,001
Loans, net of unearned income                                         1,071,016               992,062              758,235
    Less: Allowance for possible loan losses                              7,518                 7,034                5,665
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loans                                                         1,063,498               985,028              752,570
Premises and equipment, net                                              61,966                56,964               48,418
Accrued interest receivable and other assets                             31,972                30,082               18,993
Goodwill and organizational costs                                         1,379                 1,529                1,708
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total assets                                                     $1,419,436            $1,348,048           $1,151,927
==============================================================================================================================

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Deposits:
 Non-interest bearing                                                 $ 117,463            $  131,309            $  95,705
 Interest bearing                                                     1,135,336             1,097,845              950,029
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total  deposits                                                   1,252,799             1,229,154            1,045,734

Short-term borrowings                                                    40,033                     -                    -
Notes payable                                                             2,000                     -               22,903
Long-term debt - trust preferred securities                              31,050                31,050                    -
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities                           16,330                12,639               13,326
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities                                                 1,342,212             1,272,843            1,081,963
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock                                                             -                     -                    -
  Common stock                                                            8,161                 8,150                8,137
  Surplus                                                                73,001                72,878               72,796
  Common stock warrants                                                     100                   100                  100
  Retained deficit                                                       (4,038)               (5,872)             (11,075)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                               -                   (51)                   6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total shareholders' equity                                           77,224                75,205               69,964
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                      $ 1,419,436           $ 1,348,048          $ 1,151,927
==============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
                                                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                                                      March 31,
                                                                              1999                  1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                  <C>    
Interest income
  Interest and fees on loans                                                      $21,663              $16,368
  Interest bearing deposits with banks                                                 71                  990
  Federal funds sold                                                                  193                  813
  Securities                                                                        2,351                1,729
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total interest income                                                          24,278               19,900
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest expense
   Interest on deposits                                                            12,550               11,514
   Interest on short-term borrowings and notes payable                                177                  382
   Interest on long-term debt - trust preferred securities                            735                    -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total interest expense                                                        13,462               11,896
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income                                                                10,816                8,004
Provision for possible loan losses                                                    784                1,267
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income after provision for possible loan losses                       10,032                6,737
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-interest income
  Fees on mortgage loans sold                                                       1,298                1,191
  Service charges on deposit accounts                                                 334                  211
  Trust fees                                                                          225                  166
  Loan servicing fees - mortgage loans                                                 49                   34
  Other                                                                               402                   81
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total non-interest income                                                       2,308                1,683
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-interest expense
  Salaries and employee benefits                                                    5,079                4,278
  Occupancy, net                                                                      676                  572
  Equipment expense                                                                   628                  496
  Data processing                                                                     482                  398
  Advertising and marketing                                                           369                  407
  Professional fees                                                                   310                  326
  Other                                                                             1,992                1,455
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total non-interest expense                                                      9,536                7,932
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes                                                          2,804                  488
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                          970                 (554)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                                                        $ 1,834              $ 1,042
=================================================================================================================
Net income per common share - Basic                                                $ 0.22               $ 0.13
=================================================================================================================
Net income per common share - Diluted                                              $ 0.22               $ 0.12
=================================================================================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding                                          8,155                8,129
Dilutive potential common shares                                                      323                  321
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares and dilutive common shares                                    8,478                8,450
=================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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

                                                                                                            Accumulated
                                                                                                               other
                                                     Compre-                          Common      Retained    Compre-      Total
                                                     hensive    Common                 stock      earnings    hensive  shareholders'
                                                     income      stock      Surplus   warrants   (deficit)    income       equity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>     
Balance at December 31, 1997                                    $  8,118    $ 72,646   $    100    $(12,117)   $     43    $ 68,790

Comprehensive Income:
Net income                                          $  1,042        --         --          --         1,042        --         1,042
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
   Unrealized losses on securities, net of
    reclassification adjustment                          (37)       --         --          --          --           (37)        (37)
                                                    --------
Comprehensive Income                                $  1,005
                                                    ========

Common stock issued upon exercise
   of stock options                                                   19        150        --          --           --          169

- -------------------------------------------------              --------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 1998                                       $  8,137   $ 72,796   $    100    $(11,075)   $      6    $ 69,964
=================================================              ====================================================================

Balance at December 31, 1998                                    $  8,150   $ 72,878   $    100    $ (5,872)   $    (51)   $ 75,205

Comprehensive Income:
Net income                                          $  1,834        --         --          --         1,834        --         1,834
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
   Unrealized gains on securities, net of
    reclassification adjustment                           51        --         --          --          --            51          51
                                                    --------
Comprehensive Income                                $  1,885
                                                    ========

Common stock issued upon exercise
   of stock options                                                   11        123        --          --          --           134

- -------------------------------------------------              --------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 1999                                       $  8,161   $ 73,001   $    100    $ (4,038)   $   --      $ 77,224
=================================================              ====================================================================

                                                                                                Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                                     1999           1998
                                                                                               --------------   -------------
Disclosure of reclassification amount:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period                                             $ 51           $ (37)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains or losses included in net income                               -               -
                                                                                               ------------------------------
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities                                                                 $ 51           $ (37)
                                                                                               ==============================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
                                                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                                                     March 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           1999                   1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>                    <C>    
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                                                              $ 1,834                $ 1,042
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        used for, or provided by, operating activities:
    Provision for possible loan losses                                                        784                  1,267
    Depreciation and amortization                                                             993                    638
    Deferred income tax benefit                                                              (370)                  (554)
    Net accretion/amortization of securities                                                 (135)                    80
    Originations of mortgage loans held for sale                                          (89,574)               (84,192)
    Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale                                    88,575                 80,538
    Increase in other assets, net                                                          (1,614)                (3,546)
    Increase in other liabilities, net                                                      3,691                  2,275
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                        4,184                 (2,452)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from maturities of Available-for-Sale securities                               144,025                144,564
  Proceeds from maturities of Held-to-Maturity securities                                   5,000                      -
  Purchases of Available-for-Sale securities                                             (129,854)              (226,153)
  Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits with banks                                      4,318                 13,829
  Net increase in loans                                                                   (78,255)               (42,667)
  Purchases of premises and equipment, net                                                 (5,759)                (4,802)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                    (60,525)              (115,229)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Increase in deposit accounts                                                             23,645                128,033
  Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net                                        40,033                (35,493)
  Proceeds from notes payable                                                               2,000                  2,501
  Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options                                          134                    169
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                  65,812                 95,210
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                        9,471                (22,471)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                                             52,463                 92,994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                                                  $61,934               $ 70,523
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED 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.

Wintrust  is a  financial  services  holding  company  currently  engaged in the
business  of  providing   community   banking   services   through  its  banking
subsidiaries to customers in the Chicago metropolitan area and financing for the
payment of commercial insurance premiums ("premium finance  receivables"),  on a
national basis,  through its subsidiary,  First  Insurance  Funding  Corporation
("FIFC").  As of March 31, 1999, Wintrust had six wholly-owned bank subsidiaries
(collectively, "Banks"), all of which started as de novo institutions, including
Lake Forest Bank & Trust  Company  ("Lake Forest  Bank"),  Hinsdale Bank & Trust
Company  ("Hinsdale  Bank"),  North Shore Community Bank & Trust Company ("North
Shore  Bank"),   Libertyville  Bank  &  Trust  Company   ("Libertyville  Bank"),
Barrington Bank & Trust Company,  N.A. ("Barrington Bank") and Crystal Lake Bank
& Trust Company,  N.A. ("Crystal Lake Bank"). FIFC is a wholly-owned  subsidiary
of Crabtree Capital Corporation  ("Crabtree") which is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Lake Forest Bank. On September 30, 1998, Wintrust began operating a new trust
and investment  subsidiary,  Wintrust Asset Management  Company,  N.A. ("WAMC").
This wholly-owned subsidiary currently provides trust and investment services at
four of the Wintrust  banks.  Previously,  the Company  provided  trust services
through the trust department of Lake Forest Bank.

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.  The consolidated financial statements
should be read in conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and
notes  included in the Company's  Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998.  Operating results for the three-month  periods presented are
not  necessarily  indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire
year.  Reclassifications  of  certain  prior  period  amounts  have been made to
conform with the current period presentation.


(2) 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.

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>
(3) Earnings Per Share
    ------------------

The  following  table shows the  computation  of basic and diluted  earnings per
share (in thousands, except per share data):

                                                        For the Three Months 
                                                           Ended March 31,
                                                         1999            1998
                                                      ---------       --------- 
Net income                                        (A)  $ 1,834         $ 1,042
                                                      =========       ========= 

Average common shares outstanding                 (B)    8,155           8,129
Effect of dilutive common shares                           323             321
                                                      ---------       --------- 

Weighted average common shares and
effect of dilutive common shares                  (C)    8,478           8,450
                                                      =========       ========= 

Net income per average common share - Basic     (A/B)   $ 0.22          $ 0.13
                                                      =========       ========= 

Net income per average common share - Diluted   (A/C)   $ 0.22          $ 0.12
                                                      =========       ========= 

The effect of dilutive  common shares  outstanding  results from stock  options,
stock  warrants and shares to be issued under the Employee  Stock Purchase Plan,
all being  treated  as if they had been  either  exercised  or  issued,  and are
computed by application of the treasury stock method.


(4) Long-term Debt - Trust Preferred Securities
    -------------------------------------------

In October 1998,  the Company  completed its offering of $31.05 million of 9.00%
Cumulative  Trust  Preferred  Securities.  For  purposes of  generally  accepted
accounting principles, these securities are considered to be debt securities and
not a component of shareholders' equity. The Trust Preferred Securities offering
has increased  Wintrust's  regulatory capital under Federal Reserve  guidelines.
Interest expense on the Trust Preferred Securities is also deductible for income
tax purposes. For further information on the Trust Preferred Securities,  please
refer to Note 10 of the Company's  Consolidated Financial Statements included in
the Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.


(5) Segment Information
    -------------------

The segment  financial  information  provided in the  following  tables has been
derived from the internal profitability  reporting system used by management and
the chief decision makers to monitor and manage the financial performance of the
Company.  The Company evaluates segment performance based on after-tax profit or
loss and  other  appropriate  profitability  measures  common  to each  segment.
Certain   indirect   expenses  have  been  allocated   based  on  actual  volume
measurements  and other  criteria,  as  appropriate.  Inter-segment  revenue and
transfers  are  generally  accounted  for at current  market  prices.  The other
category, as shown in the following table, reflects parent company information.

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>
The net  interest  income and  segment  profit of the banking  segment  includes
income and related  interest costs from portfolio loans that were purchased from
the premium finance and indirect auto segments. For purposes of internal segment
profitability  analysis,  management  reviews the results of its premium finance
and indirect  auto segments as if all loans  originated  and sold to the banking
segment were retained  within that  segment's  operations;  thereby  causing the
inter-segment elimination amounts shown in the following table.

The  following  is a summary of certain  operating  information  for  reportable
segments  for the  three  month  periods  ended  March  31,  1999  and  1998 (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                            For the Three Months Ended
                                                                                                     March 31,
                                                                                     --------------------------------------
                                                                                          1999                  1998
                                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>                    <C>    
         Net Interest Income:
         Banking                                                                            $ 10,056               $ 7,324
         Premium Finance                                                                       3,132                 2,183
         Indirect Auto                                                                         1,864                 1,122
         Trust                                                                                   108                    66
         Inter-segment eliminations                                                          (3,609)               (2,331)
         Other                                                                                 (735)                 (360)
                                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
            Total                                                                           $ 10,816               $ 8,004
                                                                                     ================      ================

         Non-interest Income:
         Banking                                                                            $  2,140               $ 1,593
         Premium Finance                                                                           -                     -
         Indirect Auto                                                                             -                     1
         Trust                                                                                   225                   166
         Inter-segment eliminations                                                             (57)                  (77)
                                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
            Total                                                                           $  2,308               $ 1,683
                                                                                     ================      ================

         Segment Profit (Loss):
         Banking                                                                            $  2,361                $  521
         Premium Finance                                                                         944                   391
         Indirect Auto                                                                           671                   339
         Trust                                                                                 (232)                    78
         Inter-segment eliminations                                                          (1,206)                    40
         Other                                                                                 (704)                 (327)
                                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
            Total                                                                           $  1,834               $ 1,042
                                                                                     ================      ================

         Segment Assets:
         Banking                                                                          $1,450,907            $1,165,568
         Premium Finance                                                                     274,444               186,835
         Indirect Auto                                                                       236,718               153,516
         Trust                                                                                 2,672                   412
         Inter-segment eliminations                                                        (549,907)             (358,414)
         Other                                                                                 4,602                 4,010
                                                                                     ----------------      ----------------
            Total                                                                         $1,419,436            $1,151,927
                                                                                     ================      ================
</TABLE>

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>
                                     ITEM 2
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The  following  discussion  and analysis of financial  condition as of March 31,
1999,  compared with December 31, 1998,  and March 31, 1998,  and the results of
operations  for the three month  periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 should be
read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company's  unaudited   consolidated  financial
statements  and  notes  contained  in  this  report.  This  discussion  contains
forward-looking  statements that involve risks and  uncertainties  and, as such,
future   results   could  differ   significantly   from   management's   current
expectations. See the last section of this discussion for further information on
forward-looking statements.

OVERVIEW AND STRATEGY

The Company's operating subsidiaries were organized within the last eight years,
with an  average  life of its six  subsidiary  banks of less  than  four  years.
Wintrust  has grown  rapidly  during  the past few years and its Banks have been
among the fastest  growing  community-oriented  de novo  banking  operations  in
Illinois  and  the  country.   Because  of  the  rapid  growth,  the  historical
performance  of the Banks and FIFC has been  affected by costs  associated  with
growing  market  share,  establishing  new de novo  banks,  opening  new  branch
facilities, and building an experienced management team. The Company's financial
performance   over  the  past  several  years   generally   reflects   improving
profitability of the Banks, as they mature,  offset by the significant  costs of
opening new banks and branch facilities.  The Company's experience has been that
it  generally  takes  13-24  months for new  banking  offices  to first  achieve
operational  profitability.  Similarly,  management currently expects a start-up
phase for WAMC of a few years before its operations become profitable.

Lake Forest Bank, Hinsdale Bank, North Shore Bank, Libertyville Bank, Barrington
Bank and Crystal Lake Bank began  operations  in December  1991,  October  1993,
September  1994,  October 1995,  December 1996 and December 1997,  respectively.
Subsequent  to those  initial  dates of  operations,  each of the Banks,  except
Barrington Bank and Crystal Lake Bank, have established additional  full-service
banking  facilities.  FIFC began operations in 1990 and is primarily  engaged in
the  business  of  financing  insurance  premiums  written  through  independent
insurance  agents or brokers on a national  basis for commercial  customers.  On
September 30, 1998,  WAMC began  operations and offers a full range of trust and
investment services at many of the Wintrust banks.

Crystal Lake Bank, since moving into its permanent  location in downtown Crystal
Lake in September 1998,  opened a new drive-thru  facility in March 1999, and is
planning to open a new  full-service  branch  facility in south  Crystal Lake in
mid-1999.  In April and May 1998, North Shore Bank opened new branch  facilities
in  Wilmette  and  Glencoe,  Illinois,   respectively.   In  October  1998,  the
Libertyville  Bank  opened  a new  branch  facility  that is  located  in  south
Libertyville,  which is near Vernon Hills,  Illinois. In December 1998, the Lake
Forest Bank opened a new branch in the newly constructed, upscale senior housing
development  known as Lake  Forest  Place.  Also in late 1998,  Hinsdale  Bank's
Western Springs operation moved into its new, permanent  full-service  facility.
Expenses  related  to these new  banking  operations  and the  start-up  of WAMC
predominantly impact only the first quarter 1999 operating results.

While committed to a continuing growth strategy,  management's  current focus is
to balance  further asset growth with  earnings  growth by seeking to more fully
leverage the existing  capacity within each of the Banks and FIFC. One aspect of
this strategy is to continue to pursue specialized  earning asset niches, and to
shift the mix of earning assets to  higher-yielding  loans.  In addition to Lake
Forest  Bank's  July 1998  acquisition  of the  

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>
operations  of a small  business  engaged in  medical  and  municipal  equipment
leasing,  the  Company  may  pursue  acquisitions  of  other  specialty  finance
businesses  that generate  assets that are suitable for bank  investment  and/or
secondary  market sales.  To further  balance  growth with  increased  earnings,
management  will  continue to focus on less  aggressive  deposit  pricing at the
Banks that have more established customer bases.

With the  formation  of WAMC,  the  Company  intends  to  expand  the  trust and
investment  management  services that have already been provided during the past
several  years  through the trust  department  of the Lake Forest  Bank.  With a
separately  chartered trust  subsidiary,  the Company is now able to offer trust
and investment  management services to all communities served by Wintrust banks,
which  management  believes are some of the best trust  markets in Illinois.  In
addition to offering  these  services to existing bank  customers at each of the
Banks, the Company believes WAMC can successfully  compete for trust business by
targeting  small to mid-size  businesses  and newly affluent  individuals  whose
needs  command  the  personalized  attention  that  will be  offered  by  WAMC's
experienced trust  professionals.  During the fourth quarter of 1998, WAMC added
experienced  trust   professionals  at  North  Shore  Bank,  Hinsdale  Bank  and
Barrington Bank. As in the past, a full complement of trust  professionals  will
continue to operate from offices at the Lake Forest  Bank.  Services  offered by
WAMC typically will include traditional trust products and services,  as well as
investment management, financial planning and 401(k) management services.

Similar to starting a de novo bank, the  introduction of expanded trust services
is expected to cause  relatively  high overhead  levels when compared to initial
fee income  generated  by WAMC.  The  overhead  will  consist  primarily  of the
salaries and benefits of experienced trust professionals. Management anticipates
that WAMC will be  successful  in  attracting  trust  business over the next few
years, to a level that trust fees absorb the overhead of WAMC at that time.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

EARNINGS SUMMARY

Net income for the  quarter  ended  March 31,  1999  totaled  $1.8  million,  an
increase of $792,000, or 76%, over the first quarter 1998 total of $1.0 million.
Net income per common share, on a diluted basis, totaled $0.22 per share for the
first  quarter  of 1999,  compared  to $0.12 per share for the first  quarter of
1998, an increase of $0.10 per share, or 83%.

A significant factor that contributed to the prior year quarterly net income was
the  recognition  of income tax  benefits  from the  realization  of  previously
unvalued tax loss  benefits.  For the three  months  ended March 31,  1998,  the
Company  recorded  income tax benefits of $554,000.  In the current year quarter
ended March 31,  1999,  the  Company,  for  financial  reporting  purposes,  was
fully-taxable for Federal and state income tax purposes and recorded $970,000 of
income tax expense.  See the Income Taxes section later in this  discussion  for
further information.

Due to the prior year recognition of tax benefits,  the Company's true growth in
profitability  over the past year has been masked.  Therefore,  a comparison  of
pre-tax operating income is more representative of the Company's  improvement in
operating results. On a pre-tax basis, operating income totaled $2.8 million for
the first three months of 1999, an increase of $2.3 million,  or 475%,  over the
$488,000 recorded in the first quarter of 1998. This significant  improvement in
operating  results has primarily been the result of enhanced  performance of the
Company's more established subsidiaries.

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>
NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest  income is defined as the difference  between  interest  income and
fees on  earning  assets  and  interest  expense  on  deposits,  borrowings  and
long-term  debt.  The related net interest  margin  represents  the net interest
income on a 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 for the three months ended March
31, 1999 and 1998, calculated on a tax equivalent basis (dollars in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended                            Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31, 1999                                March 31, 1998
                                           ----------------- -------------- ---------    --------------- --------------- ----------
                                                 Average       Interest        Rate           Average        Interest       Rate
                                           ----------------- -------------- ---------    --------------- --------------- ----------
<S>                                               <C>               <C>       <C>             <C>               <C>         <C>  
Interest-bearing deposits with banks              $  5,299          $  71     5.43%           $ 70,510          $  990      5.69%
Federal funds sold                                  17,405            193     4.50              60,122             813      5.48
Investment securities                              178,761          2,351     5.33             121,942           1,729      5.75
Loans, net of unearned income (1)                1,029,591         21,700     8.55             729,496          16,388      9.11
                                           ----------------- -------------- ---------    --------------- --------------- ----------
     Total earning assets                        1,231,056         24,315     8.01%            982,070          19,920      8.23%
                                           ----------------- -------------- ---------    --------------- --------------- ----------

Interest-bearing deposits                        1,093,156         12,550     4.66%            877,652          11,514      5.32%
Short-term borrowings and notes payable             15,946            177     4.50              22,269             382      6.96
Long-term debt - trust preferred securities         31,050            735     9.47                   -               -         -
                                           ----------------- -------------- ---------    --------------- --------------- ----------
     Total interest-bearing liabilities          1,140,152         13,462     4.79%            899,921          11,896      5.36%
                                           ----------------- -------------- ---------    --------------- --------------- ----------

Tax equivalent net interest income                               $ 10,853                                      $ 8,024
                                                             ==============                              ===============

Net interest spread                                                           3.22%                                        2.87%
                                                                            =========                                    ==========

Net interest margin                                                           3.58%                                        3.31%
                                                                            =========                                    ==========
- -------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  Interest  income  on  tax  advantaged   loans  reflects  a  tax  equivalent
     adjustment based on a marginal federal corporate tax rate of 34%. The total
     tax-equivalent  adjustment  is $37,000 and $20,000 for the  quarters  ended
     March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Tax equivalent net interest  income for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 totaled
$10.9  million,  an  increase of $2.8  million,  or 35%, as compared to the $8.0
million  recorded  in the same  quarter of 1998.  This  increase  was mainly the
result of loan  growth  coupled  with a decline in overall  funding  cost rates.
Interest and fees on loans for the quarter  ended March 31, 1999  totaled  $21.7
million,  an increase of $5.3  million,  or 32%,  over the prior year  quarterly
total of $16.4 million.  This growth was predominantly due to a $300 million, or
41%, increase in average total loans.

The net interest  margin of 3.58% for the quarter  ended March 31, 1999 improved
by 27 basis  points  over the first  quarter  1998  margin of 3.31%  mostly as a
result of lower rates paid on interest-bearing  deposits and a higher proportion
of  average  loans  to  total  average   earning   assets.   The  rate  paid  on
interest-bearing  deposits  averaged  4.66% for the first quarter of 1999 versus
5.32% for the same quarter in 1998, a decline of 66 basis  points.  This decline
was  caused by a general  market  decline  in rates  coupled  with  management's
decision to be less  aggressive on its deposit pricing at the more mature banks.
Although the yield on loans  declined 56 basis points to 8.55% when  compared to
the prior year  quarter  yield of 9.11%,  the  proportion  of  average  loans to
average total earning assets  increased from 74% in the first quarter of 1998 to
84% in the first quarter of 1999. This improved loan proportion creates a higher
net interest margin,  as loans earn interest at a higher rate than 


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>
other earning  assets.  The loan yield  declined when compared to the prior year
quarter due mainly to  reductions in the prime lending rate during the last half
of 1998 and competitive  pressures on commercial loan rates.  The yield on total
earning  assets for the first  quarter of 1999 was 8.01% as compared to 8.23% in
1998;  the decline of 22 basis  points due to the lower yields on both loans and
other earning assets,  offset somewhat by the higher proportion of average total
loans.

In early  October  1998,  the  Company  completed  its  9.00%  Cumulative  Trust
Preferred  Securities  offering  totaling $31.05 million,  which is reflected as
long-term  debt in the above  table.  The rate of 9.47% is higher than the 9.00%
coupon rate of the securities as it reflects the amortization of offering costs,
including  underwriting  fees,  legal and  professional  fees, and other related
costs. These securities are considered  capital for regulatory  purposes and the
interest is deductible  for tax  purposes.  The proceeds from this offering have
provided  for,  and will  continue  to provide  for,  the  Company's  growth and
expansion.  The rate paid on short-term borrowings and notes payable declined to
4.50% in the first  quarter of 1999 as compared to 6.96% in the first quarter of
1998.  A general  decline in market  rates and a change in  composition  of this
category were the primary factors causing this 246 basis point decline. In 1998,
most of the  average  balance  comprised  notes  payable  under a line of credit
agreement  with an  unaffiliated  bank, the rate of which was based on 125 basis
points  over the LIBOR  rate.  In 1999,  the average  balance  mainly  comprised
short-term repurchase agreements, which generally have lower rates when compared
to the terms of the bank line of credit agreement.

The net interest  margin for the first quarter of 1999 increased 25 basis points
as compared to the fourth  quarter 1998 margin of 3.33%.  This  improvement  was
mainly due to  management's  decision  to be less  aggressive  on the pricing of
certain  deposit  products,  as mentioned  earlier.  Excluding the impact of the
Trust Preferred Securities capital offering, the first quarter 1999 net interest
margin would have been 3.66%.

The following table presents a  reconciliation  of Wintrust's tax equivalent net
interest  income,  calculated  on a tax  equivalent  basis,  for the three month
periods between March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1999. 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>

                                                                                   Amount
                                                                                   ------
<S>                                                                                <C>    
     Tax equivalent net interest income for the period ended March 31, 1998.....   $ 8,024
          Change due to average earning assets fluctuations (volume)............     2,032
          Change due to interest rate fluctuations (rate).......................       654
          Change due to rate/volume fluctuations (mix)..........................       143
                                                                                -------------
     Tax equivalent net interest income for the period ended March 31, 1999.....   $ 10,853
                                                                                =============
</TABLE>

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
NON-INTEREST INCOME

For the first quarter of 1999,  non-interest income increased $625,000,  or 37%,
over the prior  year  quarter  and  totaled  $2.3  million.  This  increase  was
primarily the result of higher fees from the sale of mortgage  loans,  increased
deposit  service  charges and income from call  option  transactions  related to
certain   securities   held  by  the  Company.   The  following  table  presents
non-interest income by category (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                                                             March 31,
                                                                                ------------------------------------
                                                                                      1999                1998
                                                                                -----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>                 <C>    
               Fees on mortgage loans sold                                             $ 1,298             $ 1,191
               Service charges on deposit accounts                                         334                 211
               Trust fees                                                                  225                 166
               Loan servicing fees - mortgage loans                                         49                  34
               Securities gains, net                                                       -                   -
               Other income                                                                402                  81
                                                                                -----------------   -----------------
                    Total non-interest income                                          $ 2,308             $ 1,683
                                                                                =================   =================
</TABLE>

Fees on  mortgage  loans sold  includes  income  from  originating  and  selling
residential real estate loans into the secondary  market,  the majority of which
are sold without retaining  servicing  rights.  For the three months ended March
31, 1999,  these fees totaled $1.3 million and increased  $107,000,  or 9%, over
the 1998 quarterly  total. A favorable  mortgage rate  environment,  the related
high  levels of  refinancing  activity,  and a healthy  residential  real estate
market  continued  to  result  in high  levels  of fee  income.  There can be no
assurances,  however,  that any or all of these favorable factors will continue.
Accordingly,  future fee income on mortgage  loans sold may not be at the levels
that have been experienced during 1998 and the first quarter of 1999.

Service charges on deposit  accounts  totaled  $334,000 for the first quarter of
1999, an increase of $123,000 as compared to the 1998 quarter. This increase was
due to a higher  deposit  base and a larger  number of accounts at both the more
mature  banks and the newer de novo  banks.  The  majority  of  deposit  service
charges relate to customary fees on overdrawn  accounts and returned items.  The
level of service charges  received 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.

During the first quarter of 1999, the Company recognized  approximately $173,000
in premium income from certain call option transactions. These transactions were
designed to utilize excess  capital at certain banks,  increase the total return
associated  with  holding  certain  securities  as  earning  assets,  and  yield
additional  fee  income.  This  income  is  included  in the  category  of other
non-interest  income  in the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income,  and was the
primary reason for the increase in this category when compared to the prior year
quarter.

Trust fees totaled $225,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1999, a $59,000,  or
36%,  increase over the prior year quarter.  This increase was mainly the result
of new business development efforts generated from a larger staff of experienced
trust officers.  With the September 30, 1998 start-up of WAMC, it is anticipated
that additional fee income will be generated in the future from the expansion of
personalized  trust  and  investment  services  to  each  bank  subsidiary.  The
introduction  of  these  expanded  services,   however,  is  expected  to  cause
relatively  high  overhead  levels  when  compared  to the  initial  fee  income
generated by WAMC, as more fully discussed in the previous Overview and Strategy
section. 

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest  expense for the first  quarter of 1999  totaled  $9.5  million and
increased  $1.6  million,  or 20%,  over the first  quarter  1998  total of $7.9
million.  The  continued  growth  and  expansion  of the de novo  banks  and the
development of WAMC were the primary  causes for this increase.  Since March 31,
1998,  total  deposits  have grown 20% and total loan  balances  have risen 41%,
requiring  higher levels of staffing and other costs to both attract and service
the larger customer base. The following table presents  non-interest  expense by
category (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Three Months
                                                                                       Ended March 31,
                                                                           ---------------------------------------
                                                                                  1999                  1998
                                                                           -------------------    -----------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                  <C>    
                 Salaries and employee benefits                                     $ 5,079              $ 4,278
                 Occupancy, net                                                         676                  572
                 Equipment expense                                                      628                  496
                 Data processing                                                        482                  398
                 Advertising and marketing                                              369                  407
                 Professional fees                                                      310                  326
                 Other                                                                1,992                1,455
                                                                           -------------------    -----------------
                      Total non-interest expense                                    $ 9,536              $ 7,932
                                                                           ===================    =================
</TABLE>

Total  salaries  and  employee  benefits  expense was $5.1 million for the first
quarter of 1999,  an increase of  $801,000,  or 19%, as compared to $4.3 million
for the prior year quarter.  As noted above,  this increase was primarily due to
growth in the Company and the hiring of experienced trust  professionals for the
new WAMC  subsidiary.  As a percent of average  total  assets,  on an annualized
basis,  salaries and employee benefits were 1.52% for the first quarter of 1999,
an improvement from 1.62% in the first quarter of 1998.

Occupancy costs,  equipment expense and data processing for the first quarter of
1999  increased  $104,000,  $132,000 and $84,000,  respectively,  over the first
quarter  1998 totals due to the opening of new  facilities,  as discussed in the
Overview and Strategy section,  and the general growth of the Company's customer
base.

Other  non-interest  expenses  for the three months ended March 31, 1999 totaled
$2.0 million, an increase of $537,000,  or 37%, over the same period in 1998 due
mainly to general  growth of the Company and its customer  base,  including  the
related higher levels of loan and deposit  activities.  This category of expense
includes the amortization of organizational  costs and intangible  assets,  loan
expenses, correspondent bank service charges, postage, insurance, stationary and
supplies and other sundry  expenses.  Approximately  $200,000 of this category's
total for the first quarter of 1999 relates to previously  unamortized  deferred
organizational  costs,  which were  expensed  in  connection  with the  required
adoption of  Statement  of Position  98-5,  "Reporting  on the Costs of Start-up
Activities". This new accounting principle, which became effective as of January
1, 1999, requires companies to write-off  previously  capitalized start-up costs
and expense  future  start-up  costs as incurred.  In the first quarter of 1998,
approximately  $22,000  was  expensed  for the normal  amortization  of deferred
organizational costs.

Despite  the growth of the  Company  and the  related  increases  in many of the
non-interest  expense  categories,  Wintrust's ratio of non-interest  expense to
total average  assets  declined from 3.00% in the first quarter of 1998 to 2.86%
for the first  quarter of 1999,  and is favorable to the  Company's  most recent
peer group ratio. 

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
INCOME TAXES

The Company  recorded  income tax expense of $970,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1999 versus the realization of $554,000 in income tax benefits for the
same period of 1998.  Prior to the  September  1, 1996 merger  transaction  that
formed Wintrust, each of the merging companies, except Lake Forest Bank, 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 become available,  subject to certain limitations, to
offset tax expense generated from profitable operations.  The income tax benefit
recorded in first  quarter of 1998  reflected  management's  determination  that
certain of the 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.
Full recognition of the net operating losses, for financial accounting purposes,
was completed in 1998.

OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS

As shown  in Note 5 to the  Unaudited  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  the
Company's operations consist of four primary segments: banking, premium finance,
indirect auto, and trust. The Company's  profitability is primarily dependent on
the net interest income, provision for possible loan losses, non-interest income
and operating  expenses of its banking  segment.  For the first quarter of 1999,
the banking segment's net interest income totaled $10.1 million,  an increase of
$2.7  million,  or 37%,  as compared  to the $7.3  million  recorded in the same
quarter of 1998.  This  increase was the direct  result of earning asset growth,
particularly  in the loan  portfolio,  as earlier  discussed in the Net Interest
Income section.  The banking segment's  non-interest income totaled $2.1 million
for the first  quarter of 1999,  an increase  of  $547,000,  or 34%,  over first
quarter of 1998.  This  increase  was due mainly to higher fees from the sale of
mortgage loans,  increased  deposit service charges on a larger deposit base and
premium income from certain call option transactions,  as discussed earlier. The
banking segment's  after-tax profit for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 totaled
$2.4  million,  an increase of $1.8  million,  or 353%, as compared to the prior
year quarterly total of $521,000.  This improved profitability was caused mainly
from higher levels of net interest income and non-interest  income, as mentioned
above,  created from the continued growth and maturation of the more established
de novo banks.

Net interest  income from the premium  finance  segment totaled $3.1 million for
the quarter ended March 31, 1999, an increase of $949,000, or 43%, over the $2.2
million  recorded in the same quarter of 1998.  After-tax profit for the premium
finance  segment  totaled  $944,000 for the first  quarter of 1999 and increased
$553,000,  or 141%,  over the  first  quarter  1998  profit of  $391,000.  These
increases  were due  mostly to  higher  levels of  premium  finance  receivables
created from new product offerings and targeted marketing programs, coupled with
the control of servicing costs by enhancing systems capabilities and capacity.

The indirect auto segment  recorded $1.9 million of net interest  income for the
first quarter of 1999, an increase of $742,000, or 66%, as compared to the prior
year quarterly total of $1.1 million.  The first quarter 1999 after-tax  segment
profit  almost  doubled  when  compared  to the prior year  quarter  and totaled
$671,000.  These  increases were caused by growth in  outstanding  indirect auto
loans resulting from higher  origination  volumes from both existing dealers and
new dealer relationships.

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
The trust segment recorded non-interest income of $225,000 for the first quarter
of 1999 as  compared to  $166,000  in the same  quarter of 1998,  an increase of
$59,000,  or 36%.  This  increased  fee income  was the  result of new  business
development  efforts by a larger staff of experienced trust  professionals  that
were hired in connection with the start-up of WAMC. The trust segment  after-tax
loss  totaled  $232,000  for the first  three  months of 1999 as  compared to an
after-tax profit of $78,000 for the same period in 1998. The 1998 profit relates
to operations of the Lake Forest Bank trust department and, accordingly, certain
expenses of the bank were allocated as indirect costs to the trust segment.  The
segment loss in 1999 was caused by the  start-up of WAMC and the related  salary
and employee benefit costs of hiring  experienced trust  professionals.  As more
fully  discussed  in  the  Overview  and  Strategy  section  of  this  analysis,
management  expects a start-up phase for the trust segment of a few years before
its operations become profitable.


FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total  assets  were  $1.42  billion at March 31,  1999,  an  increase  of $267.5
million,  or 23%, over the $1.15 billion a year earlier,  and $71.4 million,  or
5%, over the $1.35  billion at December  31,  1998.  Growth at the newer de novo
banks coupled with continued market share growth at the more mature banks fueled
these increases. Total funding liabilities,  which include deposits,  short-term
borrowings  and  long-term  debt,  were  $1.33  billion at March 31,  1999,  and
increased $257.2 million, or 24%, over the prior year, and $65.7 million, or 5%,
since December 31, 1998. These funding increases were primarily utilized to fund
growth in the loan portfolio.

Interest-Earning Assets

The following  table sets forth,  by category,  the composition of earning asset
balances  and the relative  percentage  of total  earning  assets as of the date
specified (dollars in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               March 31, 1999                December 31, 1998               March 31, 1998
                                       ------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------
Loans:                                      Balance         Percent         Balance        Percent        Balance         Percent
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>
Commercial and commercial                                                                                               
     real estate                             $ 383,841        30%            $ 366,229       30%           $ 253,597       24%
  Premium finance, net                         210,169        16               178,138       14              143,373       13 
  Indirect auto, net                           229,203        18               209,983       17              150,776       14
  Home equity                                  111,070         8               111,537        9              113,765       11
  Residential real estate                      101,612         8                91,525        7               60,250        6
  Installment and other                         35,121         3                34,650        3               36,474        4
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
Total loans, net of
  unearned income                            1,071,016        83               992,062       80              758,235       72
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
Securities and money
  market investments                           227,632        17               240,521       20              296,416       28
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------

Total earning assets                       $ 1,298,648       100%          $ 1,232,583      100%         $ 1,054,651      100%
                                       ================== ============ ================== =========== =================  ==========
</TABLE>

Earning assets as of March 31, 1999 increased  $244.0 million,  or 23%, over the
balance a year earlier, and $66.1 million, or 5%, over the balance at the end of
1998.  Earning assets as a percent of total assets at March 31, 1999 were 91.5%,
relatively  constant  with the ratios of 91.4% and 91.6% as of December 31, 1998
and March 31, 1998,  respectively.

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
Total net loans  were $1.07  billion at March 31,  1999,  an  increase  of $79.0
million,  or 8%, from $992.1  million at December 31,  1998,  and an increase of
$312.8  million,  or 41%, since March 31, 1998.  Solid loan growth in commercial
loans and the specialty  premium  finance and indirect  auto segment  portfolios
were the main factors for these increases.  Due to this growth,  total net loans
comprised 83% of total earning assets at March 31, 1999 as compared to 80% as of
the end of 1998  and 72% at March  31,  1998.  The  loan-to-deposit  ratio  also
increased  to 85.5% as of March 31, 1999 as compared to 80.7% at the end of 1998
and 72.5% as of March 31, 1998.

Commercial  and  commercial  real  estate  loans,  the  largest  loan  category,
comprised  36% of total  loans as of March  31,  1999 and has  increased  $130.2
million, or 51%, since March 31, 1998 and $17.6 million, or 5%, since the end of
1998.  The strong  growth  over the past year has  resulted  mainly from the low
interest  rate  environment,  a healthy  economy  and the  hiring of  additional
experienced lending officers.

Net indirect  auto loans  comprised  21% of total net loans as of March 31, 1999
and increased $78.4 million,  or 52%, over a year ago, and $19.2 million, or 9%,
over the end of 1998.  These  increases  were  primarily  the result of business
development  efforts  that  added new  dealers  to the  established  network  of
metropolitan  Chicago auto dealer  relationships.  The Company  utilizes  credit
underwriting routines that management believes results in a high quality new and
used  auto  loan  portfolio.  The  Company  does  not  currently  originate  any
significant  level  of  sub-prime  loans,  which  are made to  individuals  with
impaired credit  histories at generally  higher interest rates, and accordingly,
with higher levels of credit risk.  Management  continually  monitors the dealer
relationships  and the Banks are not  dependent on any one dealer as a source of
such loans.

Net premium  finance  receivables  totaled  $210.2 million at March 31, 1999 and
comprised 20% of the total loan  portfolio.  This total balance  increased $66.8
million,  or 47%, since March 31, 1998 and $32.0 million,  or 18%, since the end
of 1998.  This growth was primarily the result of increased  market  penetration
from new product offerings and targeted marketing programs.  All premium finance
receivables  originated  by FIFC  are  currently  being  sold to the  Banks  and
consequently  remain an asset of the Company. In the future, it is possible that
a portion of these receivables  could be funded through an asset  securitization
facility  or  sold  to  other  non-affiliated   entities.  All  premium  finance
receivables,  however  financed,  are subject to the Company's  stringent credit
standards, and substantially all such loans are made to commercial customers.

The total of home equity loans has remained relatively constant when compared to
both March 31, 1998 and balance at the end of 1998,  despite the large volume of
home equity loans that have been  refinanced  into first mortgage loans over the
past year as a result of low mortgage loan interest rates. Unused commitments on
home equity  lines of credit have  increased  $41.4  million,  or 24%,  over the
balance at March 31, 1998 and totaled $173.5 million at March 31, 1999.

Residential  real estate loans totaled  $101.6  million as of March 31, 1999 and
increased  $41.4  million,  or 69%, over a year ago and $10.1  million,  or 11%,
since  December  31,  1998.  Mortgage  loans held for sale are  included in this
category and totaled  $19.0  million as of March 31, 1999,  $18.0  million as of
December 31, 1998 and $13.2 million as of March 31, 1998. The Company collects a
fee on the sale of these loans into the secondary  market,  as discussed earlier
in the  Non-interest  Income  section  of this  analysis.  As  these  loans  are
predominantly  long-term fixed rate loans,  the Company  eliminates the interest
rate risk associated with these loans by selling them into the secondary market.
The  remaining  residential  real estate loans in this  category are  maintained
within the Banks'  portfolios and comprise mostly adjustable rate mortgage loans
and  shorter-term  fixed rate mortgage  loans.  The growth in this loan category
over  the  past  year has been due  mainly  to the low  mortgage  interest  rate
environment  and related high levels of  refinancing  activity.  

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
Securities  and  money  market   investments   (i.e.   federal  funds  sold  and
interest-bearing  deposits with banks) totaled $227.6 million at March 31, 1999,
a decline of $68.8 million,  or 23%, since March 31, 1998 and $12.9 million,  or
5%, since  December 31, 1998.  This decline was mostly  caused by a reduction of
short-term interest-bearing deposits with banks, which was necessary to fund the
solid growth of the loan  portfolio.  The Company  maintained no trading account
securities at March 31, 1999 or in any of the other previous reporting periods.

The balances of securities  and money market  investments  fluctuate  frequently
based  upon  deposit  inflows  and  loan  demand.  As a  result  of  anticipated
significant  growth in the  development of de novo banks, it has been Wintrust's
policy  to  maintain  its  securities  portfolio  in  short-term,   liquid,  and
diversified  high credit quality  securities at the Banks in order to facilitate
the  funding of  quality  loan  demand as it emerges  and to keep the Banks in a
liquid condition in the event that deposit levels fluctuate.  Furthermore, since
short-term  investment yields are generally  comparable to long-term  investment
yields in the current  interest rate  environment,  there is little incentive to
invest in securities with extended maturities.

DEPOSITS

Total  deposits  at March 31,  1999 were $1.25  billion,  an  increase of $207.1
million, or 20%, over the March 31, 1998 total and an increase of $23.6 million,
or 2%, since December 31, 1998. The following table sets forth, by category, the
composition of deposit balances and the relative percentage of total deposits as
of the date specified (dollars in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      March 31, 1999                   December 31, 1998                   March 31, 1998
                             ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                   Percent                            Percent                           Percent
                                 Balance          of Total           Balance         of Total           Balance         of Total
                             -----------------  --------------  ------------------ --------------  ------------------ -------------
<S>                              <C>                   <C>          <C>                  <C>            <C>                 <C>
Demand                           $ 117,463             9%           $ 131,309            11%            $  95,705           9%
NOW                                112,542             9              114,283             9                76,728           7
Money market                       232,184            19              227,668            18               223,955          22
Savings                             74,258             6               70,264             6                67,185           7
Certificates of deposit            716,352            57              685,630            56               582,161          55
                             -----------------  --------------  ------------------ --------------  ------------------ -------------

     Total                     $ 1,252,799           100%         $ 1,229,154           100%          $ 1,045,734         100%
                             =================  ==============  ================== ==============  ================== =============
</TABLE>

The percentage  mix of deposits as of March 31, 1999 was  relatively  consistent
with the deposit  mix as of the prior year  dates.  Growth in both the number of
accounts  and  balances  has been the  result of newer de novo  bank and  branch
growth, and continued  marketing efforts at the more established banks to create
additional deposit market share.

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND NOTES PAYABLE

As of March 31, 1999, the Company's short-term  borrowings totaled $40.0 million
and consisted primarily of short-term repurchase agreements.  At March 31, 1999,
the Company  also had $2.0  million  outstanding  on its $40  million  revolving
credit line with an unaffiliated  bank. The  outstanding  balance on this credit
line as of March 31, 1998 was $22.9 million,  which was subsequently paid-off in
October  1998 from the  proceeds of the  Company's  Trust  Preferred  Securities
offering,  as more fully explained below. The Company  continues to maintain the
revolving credit line for corporate  purposes such as to provide capital to fund
continued growth at the Banks,  expansion of WAMC,  possible future acquisitions
and for  other  general  corporate  matters.

                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>
LONG-TERM DEBT - TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

At March 31, 1999,  long-term debt totaled  $31.05  million of 9.00%  Cumulative
Trust  Preferred  Securities,  which were  publicly sold in an offering that was
completed on October 9, 1998. The proceeds were used to pay-off the  outstanding
balance on the revolving  credit line, as mentioned  above.  The Trust Preferred
Securities offering has increased the Company's regulatory capital, has provided
for the continued growth of its banking and trust  franchise,  and will continue
to provide for growth and possible future acquisitions of other banks or finance
related  companies.  The ability to treat these Trust  Preferred  Securities  as
regulatory  capital under Federal Reserve  guidelines,  coupled with the Federal
income tax deductibility of the related interest  expense,  provides the Company
with a cost-effective form of capital. See Note 4 to the Unaudited  Consolidated
Financial   Statements  for  further   information  on  these  Trust   Preferred
Securities.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Total  shareholders'  equity was $77.2  million at March 31, 1999 and  increased
$7.3 million since March 31, 1998 and $2.0 million since the end of 1998.  These
increases  were created  mostly by the  retention of net income and, to a lesser
extent, the exercise of certain options to acquire common stock.

The following table reflects various  consolidated  measures of capital at March
31, 1999, December 31, 1998 and March 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 March 31,            December 31,            March 31,
                                                                   1999                   1998                  1998
                                                           ----------------------  -------------------   --------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>                    <C> 
Leverage ratio                                                          7.5%                 7.5%                   6.0%
Ending tier 1 capital to risk-based asset ratio                         8.2%                 8.5%                   7.4%
Ending total capital to risk-based asset ratio                          9.2%                 9.7%                   8.0%
Dividend payout ratio                                                   0.0%                 0.0%                   0.0%
</TABLE>

The Company's  capital  ratios as of March 31, 1999 were higher in comparison to
the  ratios  a year  earlier  as a  result  of the  Trust  Preferred  Securities
offering,  as  mentioned  earlier.  The  continued  asset growth of the Company,
coupled with slow capital growth  primarily due to expenses  associated with the
newer de novo banks,  necessitated additional capital to both support the growth
and  maintain  the Company in the  "adequately  capitalized"  category for total
risk-based  capital.  Partially  for this reason,  the Company  issued the Trust
Preferred Securities,  which qualify as regulatory capital under Federal Reserve
guidelines. To be "adequately  capitalized",  an entity must maintain a leverage
ratio of at least 4.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based  capital ratio of at least 4.0%, and
a total  risk-based  capital  ratio of at least  8.0%.  To be  considered  "well
capitalized,"  an entity must maintain a leverage ratio of at least 5.0%, a Tier
1 risk-based  capital  ratio of at least 6.0%,  and a total  risk-based  capital
ratio of at least 10.0%. As of March 31, 1999, the Company was considered  "well
capitalized"  under both the leverage  ratio and the Tier 1  risk-based  capital
ratio, and was considered  "adequately  capitalized"  under the total risk-based
capital ratio.

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>


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  is shown as  follows  (dollars  in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                                       March 31,
                                                                    ---------------------------------------------
                                                                          1999                       1998
                                                                    -------------------          ----------------

<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C>    
                 Balance at beginning of period                            $  7,034                   $ 5,116

                 Provision for possible loan losses                             784                     1,267

                 Loans charged-off
                 -----------------
                  Core banking loans                                            101                       612
                  Premium finance                                                95                       140
                  Indirect auto                                                 160                       112
                                                                    -------------------          ----------------
                    Total loans charged-off                                     356                       864
                                                                    -------------------          ----------------
                 Recoveries
                 ----------
                  Core banking loans                                              6                       107
                  Premium finance                                                36                        30
                  Indirect auto                                                  14                         9
                                                                    -------------------          ----------------
                      Total recoveries                                           56                       146
                                                                    -------------------          ----------------

                  Net loans charged off                                        (300)                     (718)
                                                                    -------------------          ----------------

                  Balance at March 31                                      $  7,518                   $ 5,665
                                                                    ===================          ================

                  Loans at March 31                                     $ 1,071,016                 $ 758,235
                                                                    ===================          ================

                  Allowance as a percentage of loans                           0.70%                     0.75%
                                                                    ===================          ================
                  Annualized net charge-offs 
                     as a percentage of average:
                        Core banking loans                                     0.06%                     0.45%
                        Premium finance                                        0.12%                     0.33%
                        Indirect auto                                          0.27%                     0.30%
                                                                    -------------------          ----------------
                            Total loans                                        0.12%                     0.38%
                                                                    ===================          ================
                        Annualized provision for
                            possible loan losses                              38.27%                    56.70%
                                                                    ===================          ================
</TABLE>

                                     - 19 -
<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 Banks'
Board of Directors and their Credit  Committees on a monthly basis.  Independent
external review of the loan portfolio is provided by the examinations  conducted
by regulatory  authorities 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 and
other potential  problem loans, and an evaluation of economic  conditions in the
market area.

The provision for possible loan losses totaled $784,000 for the first quarter of
1999, a decline of $483,000 from the $1.3 million  recorded a year earlier.  The
higher  provision in 1998 was necessary to cover increased core loan charge-offs
that  occurred at one banking  office in early  1998.  For the first  quarter of
1999, net charge-offs  totaled  $300,000 and were  significantly  lower than the
$718,000 of net charge-offs  recorded in 1998. As a percentage of average loans,
annualized  net  charge-offs  for the first  quarter of 1999  declined  to 0.12%
versus  0.38% in the prior  year  quarter,  the  decline  due to the prior  year
charge-offs noted above.

Management  believes the allowance for possible loan losses is adequate to cover
potential  losses in the  portfolio.  There can be no assurance,  however,  that
future losses will not exceed the amounts provided for, thereby affecting future
results of  operations.  The amount of future  additions  to the  allowance  for
possible loan losses will be dependent upon the economy,  changes in real estate
values,  interest rates, the view of regulatory agencies toward adequate reserve
levels, the level of past-due and non-performing loans, and other factors.

                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>
PAST DUE LOANS AND NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

The following table sets forth the Company's  non-performing assets at the dates
indicated.  The information in the table should be read in conjunction  with the
detailed discussion following the table (dollars in thousands).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               March 31,             December 31,            March 31,
                                                                 1999                    1998                   1998
                                                                 ----                    ----                   ----
<S>                                                                  <C>                    <C>                   <C>   
      Past Due greater than 90 days
           and still accruing:
            Core banking loans                                       $  335                 $  800                $  381
            Indirect automobile loans                                   317                    274                    47
            Premium finance receivables                               1,021                  1,214                 1,082
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------
                Total                                                 1,673                  2,288                 1,510
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------

      Non-accrual loans:
            Core banking loans                                        1,423                  1,487                 4,225
            Indirect automobile loans                                   195                    195                    19
            Premium finance receivables                               1,439                  1,455                 2,039
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------
                Total non-accrual loans                               3,057                  3,137                 6,283
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------

      Total non-performing loans:
            Core banking loans                                        1,758                  2,287                 4,606
            Indirect automobile loans                                   512                    469                    66
            Premium finance receivables                               2,460                  2,669                 3,121
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------
                Total non-performing loans                            4,730                  5,425                 7,793
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------

      Other real estate owned                                           590                    587                     -
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------

      Total non-performing assets                                   $ 5,320                $ 6,012               $ 7,793
                                                         ======================   ====================   ===================

      Total non-performing  loans by category as 
        a percent of its own respective category:
            Core banking loans                                         0.28%                  0.38%                 0.99%
            Indirect automobile loans                                  0.22%                  0.22%                 0.04%
            Premium finance receivables                                1.17%                  1.50%                 2.23%
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------
            Total non-performing loans                                 0.44%                  0.55%                 1.03%
                                                         ----------------------   --------------------   -------------------

      Total non-performing assets as a
          percentage of total assets                                   0.37%                  0.45%                 0.68%

      Allowance for possible loan losses as
          a percentage of non-performing loans                       158.94%                129.66%                72.69%

</TABLE>

                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>
Non-performing Core Banking Loans and Other Real Estate Owned

Total  non-performing  loans for the Company's  core banking  business were $1.8
million,  or 0.28%, of the Company's core banking loans as of March 31, 1999, an
improvement  from  the $2.3  million,  or  0.38%,  of core  banking  loans as of
December 31, 1998.  Non-performing  core banking  loans  consist  primarily of a
small number of commercial and real estate loans, of which  management  believes
are well  secured and in the  process of  collection.  The small  number of such
non-performing  loans allows  management the  opportunity to monitor closely the
status of these credits and work with the  borrowers to resolve  these  problems
effectively.  The other real estate  owned  balance of $590,000  consists of one
local  residential  real  estate  property  that is  currently  listed for sale.
Management  believes  the Company is well secured and does not expect to incur a
loss on the property.

Non-performing Premium Finance Loans

Another  significant   category  of  non-performing  loans  is  premium  finance
receivables.  Due to the nature of the collateral,  it customarily  takes 60-150
days to  convert  the  collateral  into  cash  collections.  Accordingly,  it is
important to note that the level of non-performing  premium finance  receivables
is not  necessarily  indicative  of the  loss  inherent  in  the  portfolio.  In
financing  insurance  premiums,  the  Company  does not  assume the risk of loss
normally  borne by insurance  carriers.  Typically the insured buys an insurance
policy  from an  independent  insurance  agent or broker  who  offers  financing
through FIFC.  The insured makes a down payment of  approximately  15% to 25% of
the  total  premium  and  signs a premium  finance  agreement  with FIFC for the
balance due,  which amount FIFC disburses  directly to the insurance  carrier or
its agents to satisfy  the  unpaid  premium  amount.  As the  insurer  earns the
premium ratably over the life of the policy, the unearned portion of the premium
secures  payment of the balance due to FIFC by the  insured.  Under the terms of
FIFC's standard financing  contract,  FIFC has the right to cancel the insurance
policy if there is a default in the payment and to collect the unearned  portion
of the premium from the insurance  carrier.  In the event of  cancellation  of a
policy,  the cash  returned  in payment of the  unearned  premium by the insurer
should generally be sufficient to cover the receivable balance, the interest and
other charges due as well. 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.  FIFC
diversifies its financing activities among a wide range of brokers and insurers.
Due to the  notification  requirements and the time to process the return of the
unearned  premium by most  insurance  carriers,  many  receivables  will  become
delinquent beyond 90 days while the processing of the unearned premium refund to
the Company  occurs.  Management  continues to accrue interest until maturity as
the  unearned  premium by the  insurance  carrier is  ordinarily  sufficient  to
pay-off the outstanding principal and contractual interest due.

Total  non-performing  premium finance  receivables as of March 31, 1999 totaled
$2.5 million,  or 1.17%,  of total premium  finance  receivables.  This compares
favorably  with 1.50% as of December 31, 1998 and 2.23% at March 31, 1998.  This
ratio  fluctuates  throughout  the year due to the nature and timing of canceled
account collections from insurance carriers.

Non-performing Indirect Automobile Loans

Total  non-performing  indirect automobile loans were $512,000 at March 31, 1999
as compared to $469,000 at December 31, 1998.  These loans as a percent of total
indirect auto loans were 0.22% at both March 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998, and
0.04% at March 31, 1998, ratios that are well below standard industry ratios for
this type of loan category. Individual loans comprise smaller dollar amounts and
collection efforts are active. 


                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>
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 are still  considered
performing and, accordingly,  are not included in non-performing loans. Examples
of these  potential  problem loans include  certain loans that are in a past-due
status,  loans with borrowers  that have recent  adverse  operating cash flow or
balance sheet trends, or loans with general risk  characteristics  that the loan
officer feels might  jeopardize  the future  timely  collection of principal and
interest payments.  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.  The
principal  amount of potential  problem  loans as of March 31, 1999 and December
31, 1998 were approximately $4.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively.


LIQUIDITY

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.


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.  Accordingly,
changes in inflation are not expected to have a material  impact on the Company.
An analysis of the  Company's  asset and liability  structure  provides the best
indication of how the organization is positioned to respond to changing interest
rates.


YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE

A critical  issue has  emerged in the banking  industry  and  generally  for all
industries  that are heavily  reliant  upon  computers  regarding  how  existing
software  application  programs and operating  systems can  accommodate the date
value  for the  "Year  2000."  The Year 2000  issue is the  result  of  computer
programs  being  written  using two  digits  (rather  than  four) to define  the
applicable year. As such, certain programs that have time-sensitive software may
recognize  a date using "00" as the year 1900  rather  than the year 2000.  As a
result,  the year 1999 (i.e. `99') could be the maximum date value these systems
will be able to accurately process.  Like most financial service providers,  the
Company may be significantly affected by the Year 2000 problem due to the nature
of financial  information.  Furthermore,  if computer systems are not adequately
changed to properly  identify the Year 2000,  many computer  applications  could
fail or generate erroneous reports.

                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>
During 1997,  management  began the process of working with its two outside data
processors and other software vendors to ensure that the Company is prepared for
the Year 2000.  Management  has been in frequent  contact  with the outside data
providers and has developed  the Company's  testing  strategy and Year 2000 plan
with the knowledge and  understanding  of each of the data providers'  plans and
timetables.  Preliminary  testing by the Company of its outside data  providers'
Year 2000  compliance  efforts  has already  taken  place and final  testwork is
anticipated  to be  completed  in the  second  quarter  of  1999.  Additionally,
critical  in-house hardware and related systems are being reviewed and upgraded,
if necessary,  to be Year 2000  compliant.  Testing of these  critical  hardware
systems, such as workstations, file servers, the wide area network and all local
area  networks,  is expected to be completed  no later than June 30,  1999.  The
completion of upgraded software installations,  where previous software versions
were not Year 2000  compliant,  is anticipated to be completed prior to June 30,
1999. The Company has also completed  customer  assessments to determine whether
any significant potential exposure exists.

The  Company is in the  process of  finalizing  its  contingency  plan and it is
currently  anticipated that applicable testing of this plan will be completed by
June 30, 1999. The Company is regulated by the Federal  Reserve Bank, the Office
of the  Comptroller  of the Currency and the State of Illinois  bank  regulatory
agency,  all of  which  are  active  in  monitoring  preparedness  planning  for
systems-related Year 2000 issues. Total estimated Year 2000 compliance costs are
not  expected  to exceed  $200,000  and,  accordingly,  are not  expected  to be
material to the  Company's  financial  position or results of  operations in any
given year.  This cost does not include  internal  salary and  employee  benefit
costs for persons that have  responsibilities,  or are  involved,  with the Year
2000 project.

The above estimated dates and costs are based on management's best estimates and
include  assumptions  of  future  events,   including  availability  of  certain
resources,  third party modification plans and other factors. However, there can
be no guarantee  that current  estimates  will be achieved,  and actual  results
could  differ  significantly  from these  plans.  In the event the Company  does
experience Year 2000 systems  failures or  malfunctions  and despite the testing
preparedness  efforts,  or if the outside data  processors  prove not to be Year
2000 compliant,  the Company's  operations  would be disrupted until the systems
are restored, and the Company's ability to conduct its business may be adversely
impacted in connection  with  processing  customer  transactions  related to its
banking operations.  Management anticipates, however, that the contingency plans
being developed would enable the Company to continue to conduct  transactions on
a manual basis,  if necessary,  for a limited period of time until the Year 2000
problems are rectified. In addition,  there can be no guarantee that the systems
of the Company's outside data providers,  of which the Company relies upon, will
be timely  converted,  or that failure to convert  would not have a  significant
adverse impact to the Company.

                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking  statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the  Securities  Act and Section 21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934. The Company intends such  forward-looking  statements to be covered by the
safe harbor provisions for forward-looking  statements  contained in the Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995,  and is including this statement for
purposes  of  invoking  these  safe  harbor  provisions.   Such  forward-looking
statements may be deemed to include, among other things,  statements relating to
anticipated  improvements in financial  performance and  management's  long-term
performance goals, as well as statements  relating to the anticipated effects on
financial  results  of  condition  from  expected  development  or  events,  the
Company's business and growth strategies, including anticipated internal growth,
plans to form  additional de novo banks and to open new branch  offices,  and to
pursue  additional  potential  development  or acquisition of banks or specialty
finance businesses.  Actual results could differ materially from those addressed
in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including the
following:

o    The level of reported  net income,  return on average  assets and return on
     average  equity  for the  Company  will in the  near  term  continue  to be
     impacted by start-up costs associated with de novo bank formations,  branch
     openings,  and  expanded  trust  operations.  De novo  banks may  typically
     require 13 to 24 months of operations  before becoming  profitable,  due to
     the impact of organizational and overhead  expenses,  the start-up phase of
     generating  deposits  and the time lag  typically  involved in  redeploying
     deposits into  attractively  priced loans and other higher yielding earning
     assets.  Similarly,  the expansion of trust services  through the Company's
     new trust  subsidiary,  WAMC,  is  expected  to be in a start-up  phase for
     approximately the next few years, before becoming profitable.
o    The  Company's  success to date has been and will  continue  to be strongly
     influenced  by  its  ability  to  attract  and  retain  senior   management
     experienced in banking and financial services.
o    Although  management  believes the  allowance  for possible  loan losses is
     adequate to absorb  losses that may develop in the  existing  portfolio  of
     loans and leases,  there can be no assurance  that the allowance will prove
     sufficient to cover actual future loan or lease losses.
o    If market interest rates should move contrary to the Company's gap position
     on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the "gap" will
     work  against  the Company and its net  interest  income may be  negatively
     affected.
o    The financial  services business is highly competitive which may affect the
     pricing of the Company's loan and deposit products as well as its services.
o    The Company's  ability to adapt  successfully to  technological  changes to
     compete effectively in the marketplace.
o    The  extent  of  the  Company's  success,  and  that  of its  outside  data
     processing providers,  software vendors, and customers, in implementing and
     testing  Year  2000  compliant  hardware,  software  and  systems,  and the
     effectiveness of appropriate contingency plans being developed.
o    Changes in the economic  environment may influence the growth rate of loans
     and  deposits,  the  quality  of the loan  portfolio  and loan and  deposit
     pricing.

                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>
                                     ITEM 3
           QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS


As a continuing part of its financial  strategy,  the Company attempts to manage
the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. This
effort entails providing a reasonable balance between interest rate risk, credit
risk,  liquidity  risk and  maintenance  of  yield.  Asset-liability  management
policies are  established  and monitored by management in  conjunction  with the
boards of directors of the Banks,  subject to general oversight by the Company's
Board of Directors.  The policy establishes  guidelines for acceptable limits on
the  sensitivity  of the market  value of assets and  liabilities  to changes in
interest rates.

Derivative Financial Instruments
One method  utilized by financial  institutions to limit market risk is to enter
into  derivative  financial  instruments.   A  derivative  financial  instrument
includes interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, futures,  forwards,
option contracts and other financial  instruments with similar  characteristics.
The  Company  had not  previously  entered  into any such  derivative  financial
instruments  until August 1998, when the Company  purchased an interest rate cap
contract  that matures in December 1999 and has a notional  principal  amount of
$100 million.  In April 1999, the Company entered into another interest rate cap
contract  with a $60 million  notional  principal  amount that  matures in April
2000.  These  contracts were purchased to mitigate the effect of rising rates on
certain of its  floating  rate deposit  products  and fixed rate loan  products.
During the first quarter of 1999, the Company also entered into certain  covered
call option  transactions  related to certain  securities  held by the  Company.
These  transactions were designed to utilize excess capital at certain banks and
increase the total return  associated  with holding these  securities as earning
assets. The Company may enter into other derivative financial instruments in the
future to more effectively manage its market risk.

Commitments To Extend Credit And Standby Letters Of Credit
In addition,  the Company is a party to financial  instruments  with off-balance
sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the  financing  needs of its
customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and
standby  letters of  credit.  These  instruments  involve,  to varying  degrees,
elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount  recognized in
the  consolidated  statements  of  condition.  Commitments  to extend credit are
agreements  to  lend to a  customer  as long as  there  is no  violation  on any
condition  established in the contract.  Commitments may require collateral from
the  borrower if deemed  necessary  by the Company  and  generally  have a fixed
expiration date. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by
the Banks to guarantee  the  performance  of a customer to a third party up to a
specified  amount and with specific terms and conditions.  Commitments to extend
credit and standby  letters of credit are not  recorded as an asset or liability
by the Company until the instrument is exercised.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
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, management then would take appropriate actions within
its  asset/liability  structure to counter these potential  adverse  situations.
Please refer to the "Net Interest Income" section for further  discussion of the
net  interest  margin.  

                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>
The  Company's  exposure  to  market  risk is  reviewed  on a  regular  basis by
management  and the  boards  of  directors  of the Banks  and the  Company.  The
objective is to measure the effect on net income and to adjust balance sheet and
off-balance  sheet  instruments  to minimize the inherent risk while at the same
time maximize income. Tools used by management include a standard gap report and
a rate  simulation  model whereby changes in net interest income are measured in
the event of various changes in interest rate indices.  An institution with more
assets than  liabilities  repricing over a given time frame is considered  asset
sensitive and will generally benefit from rising rates and conversely,  a higher
level of repricing  liabilities versus assets would be beneficial in a declining
rate environment.  The following table illustrates the Company's gap position as
of March 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Time to Maturity or Repricing
                                                                       -----------------------------

                                                 0-90             91-365              1-5            Over 5
                                                 Days              Days              Years            Years             Total
                                                 ----              ----              -----            -----             -----
                                                                          (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>               <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>        
Assets:
   Loans, net of unearned income........        $ 482,235         $ 254,006          $ 292,167        $ 42,608         $ 1,071,016
   Securities...........................          140,858            18,637             35,548              99             195,142
   Interest-bearing bank deposits.......              749             2,796                  -               -               3,545
   Federal funds sold...................           28,945                 -                  -               -              28,945
   Other................................            2,796                 -                  -         117,992             120,788
                                            ---------------  ----------------   ----------------  --------------   -----------------
     Total rate sensitive assets (RSA)            655,583           275,439            327,715         160,699           1,419,436
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============   =================

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
   NOW..................................          112,542                 -                  -               -             112,542
   Savings and money market.............          292,562                 -                  -          13,880             306,442
   Time deposits........................          362,898           251,694             99,759           2,001             716,352
   Short term borrowings................           40,033                 -                  -               -              40,033
   Notes payable........................            2,000                 -                  -               -               2,000
   Demand deposits & other
      Liabilities.......................           27,994                 -                  -         105,799             133,793
   Trust preferred securities...........                -                 -                  -          31,050              31,050
   Shareholders' equity.................                -                 -                  -          77,224              77,224
                                            ---------------  ----------------   ----------------  --------------   -----------------
     Total rate sensitive liabilities
         and equity (RSL)...............          838,029           251,694             99,759         229,954           1,419,436
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============   =================
Cumulative gap
  (GAP = RSA - RSL)  (1)................       $ (182,446)       $ (158,701)           $ 69,255          $    -
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============

Cumulative RSA/RSL (1)..................         0.78               0.85               1.06
RSA/Total assets........................         0.46               0.19               0.23
RSL/Total assets (1)....................         0.59               0.18               0.07

GAP/Total assets (1)....................            (13)%             (11)%                5%
GAP/Cumulative RSA (1)..................            (28)%             (17)%                6%
- ------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  The gap amount and related  ratios do not  reflect  $160  million  notional
     amount of interest rate caps, as discussed on the following page.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>
While the gap position  illustrated  on the previous  page is a useful tool that
management  can  assess  for  general  positioning  of  the  Company's  and  its
subsidiaries'  balance  sheets,  it is only as of a point  in time  and does not
reflect the impact of either the $100 million notional principal amount interest
rate cap purchased in August 1998 or the $60 million  notional  principal amount
interest rate cap that was recently purchased in April 1999. These interest rate
caps were  purchased to mitigate the effect of rising rates on certain  floating
rate deposit  products and fixed rate loan products.  The $100 million  notional
amount  interest rate cap contract  expires in December 1999 and the $60 million
notional amount interest rate cap contract  expires in April 2000. Both interest
rate caps reprice on a monthly basis.

Management uses an additional  measurement tool to evaluate its  asset/liability
sensitivity which determines  exposure to changes in interest rates by measuring
the  percentage  change in net interest  income due to changes in interest rates
over a two-year  time  horizon.  Management  measures its exposure to changes in
interest rates using many different  interest rate scenarios.  One interest rate
scenario  utilized is to measure the  percentage  change in net interest  income
assuming an  instantaneous  permanent  parallel  shift in the yield curve of 200
basis points,  both upward and downward.  This analysis also includes the impact
of the $100 million notional amount interest rate cap agreement mentioned above.
Utilizing  this  measurement  concept,  the  interest  rate risk of the Company,
expressed as a percentage  change in net  interest  income over a two-year  time
horizon due to changes in interest rates, at March 31, 1999, is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   +200 Basis      -200 Basis
                                                                                     Points          Points
                                                                                     ======          ======
<S>                                                                                       <C>              <C> 
Percentage change in net interest income due to an immediate 200 basis point
  change in interest rates over a two-year time horizon....                               2.1%             1.0%
                                                                                ===============  ===============
</TABLE>

                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>
                                     PART II

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

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

ITEM 2: CHANGES IN SECURITIES.

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

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

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

ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

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

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6:    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) Exhibits
    --------

         27     Financial Data Schedule.

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

        No  reports  on Form 8-K were filed by the  Company  during the  quarter
ended March 31, 1999.


                                     - 29 -
<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 13, 1999            /s/ Edward J. Wehmer
                              President & Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 13, 1999            /s/ David A. Dykstra
                              Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
                              (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: May 13, 1999            /s/ Todd A. Gustafson
                              Vice President - Finance
                              (Principal Accounting Officer)


                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit 27               Financial Data Schedule


                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  9
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains  summary  financial   information  extracted  from  the
unaudited financial  statements of Wintrust Financial  Corporation for the three
months  ended  March 31,  1999 and 1998,  and is  qualified  in its  entirety by
reference to such unaudited consolidated financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0001015328
<NAME>  WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
<S>                                                                 <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                     3-MOS                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                           DEC-31-1999              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                              JAN-01-1999              JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                MAR-31-1999              MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                                           32,989                   33,822
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                            3,545                   71,271
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                                 28,945                   36,701
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                      0                        0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                     195,142                  183,443
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                                0                    5,001
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                                  0                    4,975
<LOANS>                                                       1,071,016                  758,235
<ALLOWANCE>                                                       7,518                    5,665
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                1,419,436                1,151,927
<DEPOSITS>                                                    1,252,799                1,045,734
<SHORT-TERM>                                                     42,033                   22,903
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                              16,330                   13,326
<LONG-TERM>                                                      31,050                        0
                                                 0                        0
                                                           0                        0
<COMMON>                                                          8,161                    8,137
<OTHER-SE>                                                       69,063                   61,827
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                                1,419,436                1,151,927
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                                  21,663                   16,368
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                                 2,615                    3,532
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                                      0                        0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                                 24,278                   19,900
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                               12,550                   11,514
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               13,462                   11,896
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                            10,816                    8,004
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                       784                    1,267
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                                    0                        0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                                   9,536                    7,932
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   2,804                      488
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                        1,834                    1,042
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                       0                        0
<CHANGES>                                                             0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      1,834                    1,042
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                      0.22                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      0.22                     0.12
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                     3.58                     3.31
<LOANS-NON>                                                       3,057                    6,283
<LOANS-PAST>                                                      1,673                    1,510
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                      0                        0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                   4,556                    2,637
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                                  7,034                    5,116
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                      (356)                    (864)
<RECOVERIES>                                                         56                      146
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                                 7,518                    5,665
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                              6,803                    4,203
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                                   0                        0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                             715                    1,462
        

</TABLE>


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