WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
10-Q, 2000-11-14
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 September 30, 2000
                         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, 8,609,499 shares, as of November 10, 2000.


<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                        PART I. -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements.____________________________________________  1-8

ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
             Results of Operations. ______________________________________  9-30

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks. ____ 31-33


                          PART II. -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings. ______________________________________________   34

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities. __________________________________________   34

ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities. ________________________________   34

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders._____________   34

ITEM 5.  Other Information. ______________________________________________   34

ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. _______________________________   34

         Signatures ______________________________________________________   35

         Exhibit Index ___________________________________________________   36



<PAGE>
                                     PART I
                           ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)


                                                                  September 30,        December 31,         September 30,
                                                                      2000                 1999                  1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                   <C>                  <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks                                                 $  52,097            $  53,066            $  38,391
Federal funds sold                                                         16,624               28,231               59,161
Interest-bearing deposits with banks                                          180                2,547                3,746
Available-for-Sale securities, at fair value                              318,585              205,795              164,747
Loans, net of unearned income                                           1,486,929            1,278,249            1,202,256
    Less: Allowance for possible loan losses                               10,231                8,783                8,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loans                                                           1,476,698            1,269,466            1,194,056
Premises and equipment, net                                                83,843               72,851               68,257
Accrued interest receivable and other assets                               37,331               35,943               35,213
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net                                  10,948               11,483                1,308
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total assets                                                      $ 1,996,306           $1,679,382           $1,564,879
============================================================================================================================


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
  Non-interest bearing                                                  $ 184,821            $ 154,034            $ 125,870
  Interest bearing                                                      1,541,071            1,309,588            1,262,572
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total  deposits                                                     1,725,892            1,463,622            1,388,442

Short-term borrowings                                                      41,910               59,843               40,025
Notes payable                                                              33,250                8,350                7,350
Long-term debt - trust preferred securities                                51,050               31,050               31,050
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities                             46,834               23,570               17,158
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities                                                   1,898,936            1,586,435            1,484,025
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock                                                               -                    -                    -
  Common stock                                                              8,850                8,771                8,174
  Surplus                                                                  83,612               82,792               73,165
  Common stock warrants                                                       100                  100                  100
  Treasury stock, at cost                                                  (3,863)                   -                    -
  Retained earnings (deficit)                                              10,020                3,555                  749
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                     (1,349)              (2,271)              (1,334)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total shareholders' equity                                             97,370               92,947               80,854
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                        $ 1,996,306          $ 1,679,382          $ 1,564,879
============================================================================================================================
</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             Nine Months Ended
                                                                       September 30,                 September 30,
                                                                    2000           1999            2000          1999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
INTEREST INCOME
  Interest and fees on loans                                          $34,160        $24,990        $ 93,962       $69,993
  Interest bearing deposits with banks                                      4             44              24           165
  Federal funds sold                                                      320            504           1,056         1,074
  Securities                                                            4,424          2,546          11,249         7,244
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total interest income                                              38,908         28,084         106,291        78,476
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTEREST EXPENSE
   Interest on deposits                                                20,949         14,401          55,847        40,167
   Interest on short-term borrowings and notes payable                  1,032            727           3,232         1,470
   Interest on long-term debt - trust preferred securities              1,287            734           2,855         2,203
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total interest expense                                            23,268         15,862          61,934        43,840
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INTEREST INCOME                                                    15,640         12,222          44,357        34,636
Provision for possible loan losses                                      1,307            990           3,671         2,707
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income after provision for possible loan losses           14,333         11,232          40,686        31,929
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NON-INTEREST INCOME
  Fees on mortgage loans sold                                             792            533           2,017         2,750
  Service charges on deposit accounts                                     478            399           1,426         1,080
  Trust fees                                                              508            295           1,474           770
  Gain on sale of premium finance receivables                             640            377           2,877           640
  Administrative services revenue                                       1,184              -           3,338             -
  Net securities gains (losses)                                           (69)            15             (94)           15
  Other                                                                   960            398           2,237         1,188
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total non-interest income                                           4,493          2,017          13,275         6,443
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
  Salaries and employee benefits                                        7,139          4,984          20,267        15,256
  Occupancy, net                                                          961            743           3,111         2,088
  Equipment expense                                                     1,360            796           3,646         2,126
  Data processing                                                         735            551           2,114         1,544
  Advertising and marketing                                               327            309             898         1,041
  Professional fees                                                       478            242           1,130           828
  Amortization of intangibles                                             178             35             535           105
  Premium finance defalcation                                           4,520              -           4,520             -
  Other                                                                 2,428          1,770           6,903         5,506
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total non-interest expense                                         18,126          9,430          43,124        28,494
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes                                                700          3,819          10,837         9,878
Income tax expense                                                       (199)         1,292           3,497         3,257
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                                              $ 899        $ 2,527         $ 7,340       $ 6,621
===========================================================================================================================
Net income per common share - Basic                                    $ 0.10         $ 0.31          $ 0.84        $ 0.81
===========================================================================================================================
Net income per common share - Diluted                                  $ 0.10         $ 0.30          $ 0.82        $ 0.78
===========================================================================================================================
Cash dividends declared per common share                               $ 0.05         $ 0.00          $ 0.10        $ 0.00
===========================================================================================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding                              8,671          8,173           8,743         8,166
Dilutive potential common shares                                          252            310             226           322
===========================================================================================================================
Average common shares and dilutive common shares                        8,923          8,483           8,969         8,488
===========================================================================================================================
</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, except share data)

                                                                                                            Accumulated
                                                                                                               other
                                              Compre-                         Common     Retained              compre-     Total
                                              hensive    Common                stock     earnings   Treasury  hensive  shareholders'
                                              income     stock      Surplus    warrants  (deficit)   Stock  income(loss)   equity
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>      <C>          <C>     <C>            <C>      <C>        <C>
Balance at December 31, 1998                              $ 8,150  $ 72,878     $ 100   $ (5,872)      $ -      $ (51)     $ 75,205

Comprehensive Income:
Net income                                      $ 6,621         -         -         -      6,621         -           -        6,621
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax:
   Unrealized losses on securities, net of
    reclassification adjustment                  (1,283)        -         -         -          -         -      (1,283)      (1,283)
                                            ------------
Comprehensive Income                            $ 5,338
                                            ============

Common stock issued upon exercise
   of stock options                                            19       221         -          -         -           -          240

Common stock issued through
   employee stock purchase plan                                 5        66         -          -         -           -           71

--------------------------------------------            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at September 30, 1999                             $ 8,174  $ 73,165     $ 100      $ 749       $ -    $ (1,334)    $ 80,854
============================================            ============================================================================

Balance at December 31, 1999                              $ 8,771  $ 82,792     $ 100    $ 3,555       $ -    $ (2,271)    $ 92,947

Comprehensive Income:
Net income                                      $ 7,340         -         -         -      7,340         -            -       7,340
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax:
   Unrealized gains on securities, net of
    reclassification adjustment                     922         -         -         -          -         -          922         922
                                            ------------
Comprehensive Income                            $ 8,262
                                            ============

Cash dividends declared on common stock                         -         -         -       (875)        -            -        (875)

Purchase of treasury stock, 242,300 shares at cost              -         -         -           -   (3,863)           -      (3,863)

Common stock issued upon exercise
   of stock options                                            75       768         -           -        -            -         843

Common stock issued through
   employee stock purchase plan                                 4        52         -           -        -            -          56

--------------------------------------------            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at September 30, 2000                             $ 8,850  $ 83,612     $ 100    $ 10,020 $ (3,863)    $ (1,349)   $ 97,370
============================================            ============================================================================

                                                                           Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                                                                  2000        1999
                                                                               ------------------------
Disclosure of reclassification amount:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period                        $ 1,493    $ (2,021)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income            (94)         15
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)                                                     665        (753)
                                                                               ------------------------
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities                                          $ 922    $ (1,283)
                                                                               ========================

</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)
                                                                             For the Nine Months Ended
                                                                         September 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             2000                 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                 <C>
Operating Activities:
  Net income                                                                     $ 7,340             $ 6,621
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
    Provision for possible loan losses                                             3,671               2,707
    Depreciation and amortization                                                  5,448               2,832
    Deferred income tax benefit                                                     (521)             (1,822)
    Net accretion/amortization of securities                                         954                (637)
    Originations of mortgage loans held for sale                                (114,328)           (202,216)
    Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale                          108,480             212,394
    Purchase of trading securities                                                (2,940)                  -
    Proceeds from sale of trading securities                                       2,945                   -
    Gain on sale of trading securities                                                (5)                  -
    Gain on sale of premium finance receivables                                   (2,877)               (640)
    Gains (loss) on sale of Available-for-Sale securities                             94                 (15)
    Increase (decrease) in other assets, net                                      (1,345)             (2,650)
    Increase in other liabilities, net                                            23,264               4,519
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                         30,180              21,093
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investing Activities:
  Proceeds from maturities of Available-for-Sale securities                       84,007             345,726
  Proceeds from maturities of Held-to-Maturity securities                              -               5,000
  Proceeds from sale of Available-for-Sale securities                            581,458               8,078
  Purchases of Available-for-Sale securities                                    (777,903)           (310,814)
  Proceeds from sale of premium finance receivables                              175,741              39,873
  Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits with banks                             2,367               4,117
  Net increase in loans                                                         (377,919)           (261,145)
  Purchases of premises and equipment, net                                       (15,905)            (13,813)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities                                          (328,154)           (182,978)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financing Activities:
  Increase in deposit accounts                                                   262,270             159,288
  Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net                              (17,933)             40,025
  Proceeds from notes payable                                                     34,900               7,350
  Repayment of notes payable                                                     (10,000)                  -
  Proceeds from trust preferred securities offering                               20,000                   -
  Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options                                 843                 240
  Common stock issued through employee stock purchase plan                            56                  71
  Purchase of treasury stock                                                      (3,863)                  -
  Dividends paid                                                                    (875)                  -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                                        285,398             206,974
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                        (12,576)             45,089
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period                                  81,297              52,463
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period                                       $68,721            $ 97,552
=============================================================================================================
</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  of a normal or
recurring nature for a fair  presentation of results as of the dates and for the
periods covered by the consolidated financial statements.

Wintrust  is a  bank  holding  company  currently  engaged  in the  business  of
providing  community  banking  services  through  its  banking  subsidiaries  to
customers  in the Chicago  metropolitan  area,  trust and  investment  services,
financing of commercial  insurance  premiums,  and financing and  administrative
services to the temporary services industry.

As of  September  30,  2000,  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").

The Company  provides  financing  of  commercial  insurance  premiums  ("premium
finance  receivables")  on a  national  basis,  through  its  subsidiary,  First
Insurance Funding  Corporation  ("FIFC").  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 wholly-owned
trust  and  investment  subsidiary,  Wintrust  Asset  Management  Company,  N.A.
("WAMC"),  which 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.  In October 1999,  Hinsdale Bank acquired
Tricom,  Inc.  of  Milwaukee  ("Tricom"),  a  provider  of  short-term  accounts
receivable financing ("Tricom finance receivables") and value-added  out-sourced
administrative  services, such as data processing of payrolls,  billing and cash
management services, to temporary staffing clients located throughout the United
States.

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, 1999.  Operating results for the three-month and nine-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.

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>
(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.

(3) Earnings Per Share
    ------------------

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  For the Three Months Ended           For the Nine Months Ended
                                                                         September 30,                       September 30,
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    2000               1999              2000             1999
                                                               ----------------   ---------------   ----------------  --------------

<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>                <C>             <C>
     Net income                                   (A)                 $  899           $ 2,527           $ 7,340         $ 6,621
                                                               ================   ===============   ================  ==============

     Average common shares outstanding            (B)                  8,671             8,173             8,743           8,166
     Effect of dilutive common shares                                    252               310               226             322
                                                               ----------------   ---------------   ----------------  --------------

     Weighted average common shares and
        effect of dilutive common shares          (C)                  8,923             8,483             8,969           8,488
                                                               ================   ===============   ================  ==============

     Net income per average
        common share - Basic                     (A/B)               $  0.10           $  0.31            $ 0.84          $ 0.81
                                                               ================   ===============   ================  ==============

     Net income per average
        common share - Diluted                   (A/C)               $  0.10           $  0.30            $ 0.82          $ 0.78
                                                               ================   ===============   ================  ==============
</TABLE>


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 an offering of $31.05  million of 9.00%
Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities. Also, in June 2000, the Company completed
an  additional  offering of $20  million of 10.50%  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  offerings have 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 first offering of 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,
1999.

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>
(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.

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 table is a summary of certain operating information for reportable
segments for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 and
1999 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       For the Three Months                          For the Nine Months
                                                        Ended September 30,                          Ended September 30,
                                                    2000                  1999                    2000                 1999
                                               ----------------      ----------------        ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                                  <C>                   <C>                      <C>                  <C>
     Net Interest Income:
     Banking                                         $  14,931             $  11,552               $  41,339            $  32,573
     Premium Finance                                     3,657                 3,117                  10,049                9,417
     Indirect Auto                                       1,498                 2,096                   5,151                5,993
     Tricom                                                968                     -                   2,601                    -
     Trust                                                 118                   106                     359                  338
     Inter-segment eliminations                         (4,103)               (3,829)                (11,746)             (11,363)
     Other                                              (1,429)                 (820)                 (3,396)              (2,322)
                                               ----------------      ----------------        ----------------     ----------------
        Total                                        $  15,640             $  12,222               $  44,357            $  34,636
                                               ================      ================        ================     ================

     Non-interest Income:
     Banking                                         $   2,275             $   1,512                $  6,015             $  5,413
     Premium Finance                                       640                   377                   2,877                  640
     Indirect Auto                                           -                     1                       -                    1
     Tricom                                              1,201                     -                   3,368                    -
     Trust                                                 508                   295                   1,474                  770
     Inter-segment eliminations                           (131)                 (168)                   (459)                (381)
                                               ----------------      ----------------        ----------------     ----------------
        Total                                        $   4,493             $   2,017                $ 13,275             $  6,443
                                               ================      ================        ================     ================
</TABLE>


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       For the Three Months                          For the Nine Months
                                                        Ended September 30,                          Ended September 30,
                                                   2000                  1999                    2000                 1999
                                               ----------------      ----------------        ----------------     ----------------
<S>                                                  <C>                   <C>                      <C>                  <C>
     Segment Profit (Loss):
     Banking                                         $   4,222             $   2,712                $ 10,476             $  7,600
     Premium Finance                                    (1,664)                1,206                     933                3,240
     Indirect Auto                                         293                   775                   1,330                2,184
     Tricom                                                510                     -                   1,180                    -
     Trust                                                 (93)                 (134)                   (308)                (546)
     Inter-segment eliminations                         (1,120)               (1,294)                 (3,310)              (3,705)
     Other                                              (1,249)                 (738)                 (2,961)              (2,152)
                                               ----------------      ----------------        ----------------     ----------------
        Total                                          $   899             $   2,527                $  7,340             $  6,621
                                               ================      ================        ================     ================


     Segment Assets:
     Banking                                        $2,002,570            $1,597,087
     Premium Finance                                   372,459               277,022
     Indirect Auto                                     227,437               268,063
     Tricom                                             32,741                     -
     Trust                                               2,431                 2,354
     Inter-segment eliminations                       (649,478)             (583,550)
     Other                                               8,146                 3,903
                                               ----------------      ----------------
        Total                                       $1,996,306            $1,564,879
                                               ================      ================
</TABLE>

                                     - 8 -
<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 September 30,
2000,  compared with December 31, 1999,  and September 30, 1999, and the results
of operations for the  three-month  and nine-month  periods ended  September 30,
2000  and 1999  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 nine years,
with an average life of its six subsidiary  banks of  approximately  five 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,  FIFC and WAMC 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  operating  subsidiaries  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 to continue  for up to two more 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, has 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 a new
full-service branch facility in south Crystal Lake in September 1999. In October
1999,  North Shore Bank  opened a new  full-service  branch  facility in Skokie,
Illinois.  In February 2000, the Lake Forest Bank opened a new temporary  branch
facility in  Highwood,  Illinois and in  September  2000 moved to its  permanent
facility in Highwood.  In July 2000  Libertyville  Bank opened a second facility
for its Wauconda Community Bank branch in Wauconda,  Illinois. In addition,  the
Company  anticipates  opening its seventh de novo bank in  Northbrook,  Illinois
later this year. Expenses related to these new banking operations  predominantly
impact  only  the  2000  operating  results  presented  in this  discussion  and
analysis.

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

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 lending capacity within each of the Banks,  FIFC, WAMC and
Tricom. One aspect of this strategy is to continue to pursue specialized earning
asset niches,  and to maintain the mix of earning assets such that loans,  which
are  higher-yielding,  are kept at a level of between 85% and 90% of our deposit
funds.  Another aspect of this strategy is a continued  focus on less aggressive
deposit  pricing  at  those  Banks  with  significant   market  share  and  more
established customer bases.

FIFC has been the Company's most significant specialized earning asset niche and
is  expected to reach  approximately  $1 billion in premium  finance  receivable
volume during 2000. The majority of these  receivables have been retained within
the Banks' loan portfolios as part of the strategy noted above.  However,  since
the second  quarter of 1999, as a result of the  continued  solid growth in loan
originations,  FIFC has, from time to time, sold a portion of new receivables to
an unrelated third party. In addition to recognizing  gains on the sale of these
receivables,  the proceeds have provided the Company with additional  liquidity.
It is possible that similar future sales may occur depending on the level of new
volume  growth in  relation  to the  desired  capacity  within the  Banks'  loan
portfolios.

The  October  1999  acquisition  of Tricom is  another  significant  step in the
Company's  strategy to pursue  specialized  earning  asset  niches.  Tricom is a
Milwaukee-based  company that has been in business for  approximately  ten years
and  specializes  in  providing,   on  a  national  basis,  short-term  accounts
receivable financing and value-added out-sourced  administrative  services, such
as data processing of payrolls, billing and cash management services, to clients
in  the  temporary  staffing  industry.  By  virtue  of  the  Company's  funding
resources, this acquisition provides Tricom with additional capital necessary to
expand its financing services in a national market. Tricom's revenue principally
consists of interest  income from financing  activities  and fee-based  revenues
from  administrative  services.  In addition to expanding the Company's  earning
asset niches,  this  acquisition has added to the level of fee-based  income and
augmented its community-based banking revenues.

Other newer  specialized  earning  asset niches  include Lake Forest  Bank's MMF
Leasing Services  equipment  leasing  division,  a previously  established small
business  that  was  acquired  in July  1998,  and  Barrington  Bank's  recently
established  program that provides  lending and deposit services to condominium,
homeowner and community  associations.  In addition,  Hinsdale  Bank's  mortgage
warehouse  lending program  provides loan and deposit  services to approximately
thirty  mortgage  brokerage  companies  located  predominantly  in  the  Chicago
metropolitan  area.  The Company plans to continue  pursuing the  development or
acquisition of other specialty finance  businesses that generate assets suitable
for bank investment and/or secondary market sales.

With the formation of WAMC,  the Company is expanding  the trust and  investment
management services that had already been provided prior to October 1998 through
the trust department of the Lake Forest Bank. With a separately  chartered trust
subsidiary,  the  Company  is now  better  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  is  offered  by  WAMC's  experienced  trust
professionals.  Since the fourth quarter of 1998, WAMC has provided the services
of  experienced  trust  professionals  at North  Shore Bank,  Hinsdale  Bank and
Barrington  Bank.  As in the  past,  a full  complement  of trust  professionals
continues to operate from offices at the Lake Forest Bank. Prospective trust and
investment  customers at  Libertyville  Bank and Crystal Lake Bank are currently
being served on an appointment  basis, as the need arises.  Services  offered by
WAMC typically will include traditional trust products and services,  as well as
investment management, financial planning and 401(k) management services.

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>
Similar to starting a de novo bank, the  introduction of expanded trust services
has caused  relatively  high overhead levels when compared to initial fee income
generated to date. The overhead consists  primarily of the salaries and benefits
of experienced trust professionals. Management currently anticipates that WAMC's
efforts to attract trust business will begin to generate  sufficient  trust fees
to  absorb  the  overhead  of WAMC and make  that  entity a  contributor  to the
Company's profits within the next two years.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

EARNINGS SUMMARY

Net income for the quarter  ended  September  30, 2000 totaled $0.9  million,  a
decrease of $1.6 million, or 64%, from the third quarter of 1999. On a per share
basis, net income for the third quarter of 2000 totaled $0.10 per diluted common
share, a $0.20 per share,  or 67%,  decrease from the third quarter of 1999. The
return on average  equity for the third quarter of 2000  decreased to 3.66% from
12.46% for the prior year quarter.  The third quarter 2000 results were impacted
by a  non-recurring  pre-tax charge of $4.5 million related to a fraudulent loan
scheme  perpetrated by one  independent  insurance  agency against the Company's
premium  finance  subsidiary.  Excluding the charge,  net income for the current
quarter  would have been $3.6  million or $0.41 per  diluted  common  share,  an
increase of 44% over the third quarter of 1999.

For the nine months ended  September 30, 2000,  net income totaled $7.3 million,
or $0.82 per diluted  common  share,  an increase of $0.7  million,  or 11%, and
$0.03 per diluted  share,  when  compared to the same period in 1999.  On a year
to-date-basis, net income, excluding the charge, totaled $10.1 million, or $1.12
per diluted common share, an increase of $3.4 million,  or 52%,  compared to the
$6.6 million,  or $0.78 per diluted  common share reported in the same period in
1999.

The Company has commenced legal action against the parties involved in the fraud
and is vigorously pursuing all avenues of recovery.  This includes reimbursement
under its insurance  bond.  The Company  remains  optimistic  about its recovery
prospects; however the amount and timing of a recovery, if any, are not known at
this time.

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
NET INTEREST INCOME

The following  tables present a summary of the Company's net interest income and
related net interest  margins,  calculated on a fully taxable  equivalent basis,
for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000 and 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        For the Quarter Ended                       For the Quarter Ended
                                                         September 30, 2000                          September 30, 1999
                                               -----------------------------------------    ---------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)                               Average      Interest       Rate            Average       Interest      Rate
----------------------                         ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

<S>                                              <C>              <C>             <C>         <C>             <C>            <C>
Liquidity management assets (1) (2)              $   280,801      $  4,766         6.75%      $  231,273       $ 3,096        5.31%
Loans, net of unearned income (2)                  1,452,769        34,292         9.39        1,173,278        25,065        8.48
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------
   Total earning assets                            1,733,570        39,058         8.96%       1,404,551        28,161        7.95%
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

Interest-bearing deposits                          1,494,168        20,949         5.58%       1,225,090        14,401        4.66%
Short-term borrowings and notes payable               63,774         1,032         6.44           59,315           727        4.86
Long-term debt - trust preferred securities           51,050         1,287        10.08           31,050           734        9.46
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------
   Total interest-bearing liabilities              1,608,992        23,268         5.75%       1,315,453        15,862        4.78%
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

Tax equivalent net interest income                                $ 15,790                                    $ 12,299
                                                                =============                               =============
Net interest margin                                                                3.62%                                      3.47%
                                                                              ==========                                  =========
Core net interest margin(3)                                                        3.92%                                      3.68%
                                                                              ==========                                  =========
-------------------------------
<FN>
(1)   Liquidity management assets include securities,  interest earning deposits with banks and federal funds sold.
(2)   Interest income on tax advantaged loans and securities reflects a tax-equivalent adjustment based on a marginal federal
      corporate tax rate of 35% and 34% in 2000 and 1999, respectively.  This total adjustment is $150,000 and $77,000 for the
      quarters ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
(3)   The core net interest margin excludes the interest expense associated with the Company's Trust Preferred Securities.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      For the Nine Months Ended                   For the Nine Months Ended
                                                          September 30, 2000                          September 30, 1999
                                               -----------------------------------------    ---------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)                               Average      Interest       Rate            Average       Interest      Rate
----------------------                         ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

<S>                                              <C>              <C>              <C>        <C>             <C>             <C>
Liquidity management assets (1) (2)              $   253,279      $ 12,386         6.53%      $  216,047      $  8,490        5.25%
Loans, net of unearned income (2)                  1,378,206        94,317         9.14        1,103,881        70,154        8.50
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------
   Total earning assets                            1,631,485        67,644         8.74%       1,319,928        78,644        7.97%
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

Interest-bearing deposits                          1,409,148        55,847         5.29%       1,157,076        40,167        4.64%
Short-term borrowings and notes payable               69,273         3,232         6.23           44,439         1,470        4.42
Long-term debt - trust preferred securities           38,948         2,855         9.77           31,050         2,203        9.46
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------
   Total interest-bearing liabilities              1,517,369        61,934         5.45%       1,232,565        43,840        4.76%
                                               ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

Tax equivalent net interest income                                $ 44,769                                    $ 34,804
                                                                =============                               =============
Net interest margin                                                                3.67%                                      3.53%
                                                                              ==========                                  =========
Core net interest margin(3)                                                        3.90%                                      3.75%
                                                                              ==========                                  =========
-------------------------------
<FN>
(1)   Liquidity management assets include securities, interest earning deposits with banks and federal funds sold.
(2)   Interest income on tax advantaged loans and securities reflects a tax-equivalent adjustment based on a marginal federal
      corporate tax rate of 35% and 34% in 2000 and 1999, respectively.  This total adjustment is $412,000 and $168,000 for the
      nine-month periods ended September 30, 2000and 1999, respectively.
(3)   The core net interest margin excludes the interest expense associated with the Company's Trust Preferred Securities.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>
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.

Tax-equivalent  net interest  income for the quarter  ended  September  30, 2000
totaled $15.8 million,  an increase of $3.5 million,  or 28%, as compared to the
$12.3  million  recorded  in the same  quarter  of 1999.  This  increase  mainly
resulted  from loan  growth,  the  October  1999  acquisition  of  Tricom,  Inc.
("Tricom")  and  management's  ability to control  funding  costs in the current
interest  rate  environment  and was  somewhat  offset by the  issuance of $20.0
million  of the  Company's  10.5%  trust  preferred  securities  in  June  2000.
Tax-equivalent  interest and fees on loans for the quarter  ended  September 30,
2000 totaled $34.3 million,  an increase of $9.2 million, or 37%, over the prior
year quarterly total of $25.1 million.  This growth was  predominantly  due to a
$279 million, or 24%, increase in average total loans.

For the third quarter of 2000, the net interest margin was 3.62%, an increase of
15 basis points when  compared to the margin of 3.47% in the prior year quarter.
This increase resulted primarily from higher yields on both loans and securities
coupled  with solid loan  growth,  including  the  addition of Tricom as well as
continued  control  of funding  costs.  The net  interest  margin for the second
quarter of 2000 was 3.73%.  The decrease in margin from the previous quarter was
due in part to the  issuance  of $20.0  million  of the  Company's  10.5%  trust
preferred  securities in June 2000. The core net interest margin, which excludes
the interest expense  associated with the Company's trust preferred  securities,
was 3.92% in the third quarter,  compared to 3.68% in the third quarter of 1999,
and 3.94% in the second quarter of 2000.

The yield on total  earning  assets  for the third  quarter of 2000 was 8.96% as
compared to 7.95% in 1999, an increase of 101 basis points  resulting  primarily
from  increases in the prime  lending  rate,  general  market rate  increases on
liquidity  management  assets,  and the  acquisition  of  Tricom.  The  yield on
interest  earning  assets  also  increased  20 basis  points  from the  previous
quarter's  yield of 8.76%.  The third quarter 2000 loan yield of 9.39% increased
91 basis points when compared to the prior year quarterly yield of 8.48% and was
due  primarily to a higher  average prime lending rate of 9.50% during the third
quarter of 2000  versus an  average  prime  lending  rate of 8.10% for the third
quarter of 1999.  The Company's  loan  portfolio does not re-price in a parallel
fashion to increases in the prime rate due to a portion of the  portfolio  being
longer-term fixed rate loans.

The rate paid on interest-bearing  deposits averaged 5.58% for the third quarter
of 2000  versus  4.66% for the same  quarter of 1999,  an  increase  of 92 basis
points.  This increase was caused by continued  increases in market rates, which
was  somewhat  offset by  management's  decision  to be less  aggressive  on its
deposit  pricing.  The rate paid on  short-term  borrowings  and  notes  payable
increased to 6.44% in the third quarter of 2000 as compared to 4.86% in the same
quarter  of 1999,  due  primarily  to a higher  outstanding  balance  under  the
company's revolving credit agreement with an unaffiliated bank and a higher rate
environment for the Company's short-term funding sources.

For the first nine months of 2000,  tax-equivalent  net interest  income totaled
$44.8  million and  increased  $10.0  million,  or 29%,  over the $34.8  million
recorded  in the same  period of 1999.  This  increase  was also mainly due to a
combination of loan growth and the addition of Tricom and somewhat offset by the
issuance of $20.0 million of the Company's 10.5% trust  preferred  securities in
June 2000. Interest and fees on loans, on a tax equivalent basis,  totaled $94.3
million for the first nine months of 2000, and increased $24.2 million,  or 34%,
over the same  period of 1999.  Average  loans for the first nine months of 2000
grew $274  million,  or 25%, over the average for the first nine months of 1999.
The net interest margin for the first nine months of 2000 was 3.67%, an increase
of 14 basis  points  when  compared  to the same  period  in 1999.  The core net
interest margin was 3.90% on a year-to-date  basis in 2000 compared to 3.75% for
the same period in 1999. Consistent with the third quarter margin improvement as
noted  above,  the  year-to-date  margin  increase was mainly the result of loan
growth,  the  addition of Tricom and the ability to control  funding  costs in a
rising rate environment and somewhat offset by the issuance of the $20.0 million
of the Company's 10.5% trust preferred securities in June 2000.

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
The following table presents a  reconciliation  of the Company's  tax-equivalent
net interest income, calculated on a tax equivalent basis, between the three and
nine-month  periods  ended  September  30,  1999 and  September  30,  2000.  The
reconciliation  sets forth the change in the  tax-equivalent 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>
                                                                                                Three Month           Nine Month
                                                                                                   Period               Period
                                                                                                   ------               ------
<S>                                                                                               <C>                  <C>
    Tax-equivalent net interest income for the period ended Sept. 30, 1999................        $ 12,299             $ 34,804
        Change due to average earning assets fluctuations (volume)........................           2,783                8,407
        Change due to interest rate fluctuations (rate)...................................             560                1,326
        Change due to rate/volume fluctuations mix).......................................             148                  232
                                                                                          --------------------  -------------------
    Tax equivalent net interest income for the period ended Sept. 30, 2000 ....                   $ 15,790             $ 44,769
                                                                                          ====================  ===================
</TABLE>

NON-INTEREST INCOME

For the third  quarter of 2000,  non-interest  income  totaled  $4.5 million and
increased $2.5 million, or 123%, over the prior year quarter. For the first nine
months of 2000,  non-interest  income  totaled $13.3 million and increased  $6.8
million,  or 106%, when compared to the same period in 1999. Gains from the sale
of premium  finance  receivables,  revenues  from Tricom and  increases in trust
fees, deposit services charges and leased equipment rental income were partially
offset by a lower level of fees from the sale of mortgage  loans.  The following
table presents non-interest income by category (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Three Months Ended                       Nine Months Ended
                                                       -----------------------------------      ----------------------------------
                                                                  September 30,                           September 30,
                                                             2000               1999                 2000                1999
                                                       -----------------   ----------------     ----------------    ---------------
<S>                                                            <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>
Fees on mortgage loans sold                                    $  792             $  533             $  2,017            $ 2,750
Service charges on deposit accounts                               478                399                1,426              1,080
Trust fees                                                        508                295                1,474                770
Administrative services revenue                                 1,184                  -                3,338                  -
Gain on sale of premium finance receivables                       640                377                2,877                640
Securities gains (losses), net                                   (69)                 15                 (94)                 15
Other income                                                      960                398                2,237              1,188
                                                       -----------------   ----------------     ----------------    ---------------
     Total non-interest income                                $ 4,493            $ 2,017             $ 13,275            $ 6,443
                                                       =================   ================     ================    ===============
</TABLE>

Fees on  mortgage  loans  sold  include  income  from  originating  and  selling
residential real estate loans into the secondary  market.  For the quarter ended
September 30, 2000,  these fees totaled  $792,000,  an increase of $259,000,  or
49%,  from the prior year  quarter.  For the first nine months of 2000,  fees on
mortgage  loans sold totaled $2.0 million and declined  $733,000,  or 27%,  when
compared  to the same  period of 1999.  In the third  quarter of 1999,  mortgage
rates  rose  causing  a  sharp   decrease  in  mortgage   origination   volumes,
particularly  refinancing activity. Since then mortgage origination volumes have
recovered slightly and stabilized.

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
Service charges on deposit  accounts  totaled  $478,000 for the third quarter of
2000, an increase of $79,000 when compared to the same quarter of 1999.  For the
first nine months of 2000,  deposit  service  charges  totaled  $1.4 million and
increased  $346,000  when compared to the same period of 1999.  These  increases
were due to a higher deposit base and a larger number of accounts at the banking
subsidiaries.  The majority of deposit service charges relates 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.

Trust fees totaled  $508,000 for the third quarter of 2000, a $213,000,  or 72%,
increase over the same quarter of 1999. For the first nine months of 2000, trust
fees totaled $1.5 million and increased  $704,000,  or 91%, over the same period
of 1999.  The  increases  were  mainly  the result of new  business  development
efforts from the staff of experienced  trust officers added since late 1998 with
the formation of Wintrust  Asset  Management  Company.  Wintrust is committed to
growing  the trust  and  investment  business  in order to  better  service  its
customers  and  create  a  more  diversified  revenue  stream.  However,  as the
introduction of expanded trust and investment  services  continues to unfold, it
is expected that  overhead  levels will be high when compared to the initial fee
income that is  generated.  It is  anticipated  that trust fees will  eventually
increase  to a level  sufficient  to absorb  this  overhead  within the next two
years.

The administrative services revenue contributed by Tricom, which was acquired in
October  1999,  added  $1.2  million to total  non-interest  income in the third
quarter of 2000 and $3.3 million for the first nine months of 2000. This revenue
comprises  income  from  administrative  services,  such as data  processing  of
payrolls,  billing and cash management  services,  to temporary staffing service
clients located throughout the United States. Tricom also earns interest and fee
income from  providing  short-term  accounts  receivable  financing to this same
client base, which is included in the net interest income category.

As a result of strong  loan  originations  during  the  third  quarter  of 2000,
approximately  $39  million  of  premium  finance  receivables  were  sold to an
unrelated  third  party and  resulted  in the  recognition  of a $640,000  gain.
Through the first nine  months of 2000,  approximately  $172  million of premium
finance  receivables  have been sold  resulting in a  year-to-date  gain of $2.9
million.  The Company  currently  has a philosophy  of  maintaining  its average
loan-to-deposit  ratio in the range of 85-90%. During the third quarter of 2000,
the ratio was  approximately  87%. At September 30, 2000 loans accounted for 86%
of deposits.  Accordingly,  the Company sold excess premium finance  receivables
volume to an  unrelated  third  party  financial  institution.  Consistent  with
Wintrust's   strategy  to  be  asset-driven  and  the  desire  to  maintain  our
loan-to-deposit  ratio in the aforementioned  range, it is probable that similar
sales of premium finance receivables will occur in the future.

Other  non-interest  income for the third quarter totaled $960,000 and increased
$562,000  over the prior year  quarterly  total of $398,000.  For the first nine
months of 2000,  other  non-interest  income  totaled $2.2 million and increased
$1.0  million or 88%,  over the same period of 1999.  These  increases  were due
primarily to increases in rental income from  equipment  leased  through the MMF
Leasing  Services  division of the Lake Forest  Bank of $231,000  and  $648,000,
respectively, for the three and nine months periods of 2000 compared with 1999.

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest  expense for the third  quarter of 2000 totaled  $18.1  million and
increased  $8.7  million,  or 92%,  from the third  quarter  1999  total of $9.4
million.  Excluding  the  non-recurring  charge of $4.5 million  recorded in the
third  quarter  attributable  to the fraud  perpetrated  against  the  Company's
premium finance subsidiary, non-interest expense increased $4.2 million, or 44%,
from the prior year  quarter.  For the first nine  months of 2000,  non-interest
expense totaled $43.1 million and increased $14.6 million, or 51%, when compared
to the prior year  period.  Excluding  the  non-recurring  charge,  non-interest
expense  increased  $10.1  million,  or 35%,  from the same period in 1999.  The
continued  growth and  expansion of the de novo banks,  the  development  of the
trust and investment  business,  and the October 1999 acquisition of Tricom were
the primary causes for this increase.  Since September 30, 1999,  total deposits
and total loan balances each increased 24%,  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                               Nine Months
                                                    ------------------------------------       -----------------------------------
                                                            Ended September 30,                        Ended September 30,
                                                           2000               1999                   2000               1999
                                                    -------------------  ----------------      ------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>                <C>                   <C>                <C>
    Salaries and employee benefits                           $ 7,139           $ 4,984               $ 20,267           $ 15,256
    Occupancy, net                                               961               743                  3,111              2,088
    Equipment expense                                          1,360               796                  3,646              2,126
    Data processing                                              735               551                  2,114              1,544
    Advertising and marketing                                    327               309                    898              1,041
    Professional fees                                            478               242                  1,130                828
    Premium finance defalcation                                4,520                 -                  4,520                  -
    Other                                                      2,606             1,805                  7,438              5,611
                                                    -------------------  ----------------      ------------------------------------
         Total non-interest expense                         $ 18,126           $ 9,430               $ 43,124           $ 28,494
                                                    ===================  ================      ====================================
</TABLE>

Salaries  and  employee  benefits  expense  totaled  $7.1  million for the third
quarter of 2000, an increase of $2.2  million,  or 43%, as compared to the prior
year quarter total of $5.0 million.  For the first nine months of 2000, salaries
and employee  benefits expense totaled $20.3 million and increased $5.0 million,
or 33%, when  compared to the first nine months of 1999.  These  increases  were
primarily  due to the  acquisition  of Tricom,  the  expansion  of the trust and
investment  business,  four additional banking offices and the salaries of staff
hired to organize the Company's seventh de novo bank in Northbrook, Illinois. As
a percent of average total assets, on an annualized basis, salaries and employee
benefits  were  1.50%  and 1.41%  for the  first  nine  months of 2000 and 1999,
respectively.  The  increase  in  this  ratio  is  primarily  a  result  of  the
administrative  services  staffing  at  Tricom  in 2000.  Since  Tricom  was not
acquired until the fourth quarter of 1999, the 1999 ratio does not reflect those
salaries and employee benefits.

For the third  quarter of 2000,  occupancy  costs,  equipment  expense  and data
processing  increased  $218,000  (29%),   $564,000  (71%)  and  $184,000  (33%),
respectively,  over the prior year third  quarter.  For the first nine months of
2000, the respective  increases were $1.0 million (49%),  $1.5 million (71%) and
$570,000  (37%).  These  increases were due to the general growth of the Company
including  the opening of several new banking  facilities  as  discussed  in the
Overview and Strategy section,  the acquisition of Tricom and the development of
the trust and investment business.

The $4.5  million  charge  recorded  in the third  quarter of 2000 for the fraud
perpetrated   against  the  Company's   premium  finance   subsidiary   includes
approximately  $300,000  of  professional  fees  associated  with the  Company's
pursuit of recovery of the loss. The Company has commenced  legal action against
the parties  involved and is vigorously  pursuing all avenues of recovery.  This
includes  reimbursement under our insurance bond. The Company remains optimistic
about its recovery  prospects;  however the amount and timing of a recovery,  if
any, are not known at this time.

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
Other  non-interest  expense,  for the nine months  ended  September  30,  2000,
totaled  $7.4  million and  increased  $1.8  million,  or 33%, due mainly to the
factors  mentioned  earlier.  This category of expense  includes loan  expenses,
correspondent bank service charges, postage, insurance, stationery and supplies,
goodwill amortization and other sundry expenses.  Goodwill and other intangibles
amortization  expense totaled $178,000 and $535,000 for the three and nine month
periods of 2000,  respectively,  compared to $35,000 and  $105,000  for the same
periods of 1999,  respectively.  The increases in goodwill and other intangibles
amortization expense is a result of the acquisition of Tricom in October 1999.

Despite  the  Company's  growth  and  the  related  increases  in  many  of  the
non-interest  expense  categories,  the net  overhead  ratio for the first  nine
months of 2000, excluding the non-recurring charge of $4.5 million,  declined to
1.88% as compared to the first nine months of 1999 ratio of 2.03%.  The overhead
ratio is within management's stated performance goal range of 1.50% - 2.00%.

INCOME TAXES

The Company  recorded an income tax  benefit of  $199,000  for the three  months
ended  September  30, 2000 versus  income tax expense  $1.3 million for the same
period of 1999. For the first nine months of 2000, approximately $3.5 million of
income tax expense was recorded versus  approximately  $3.3 million in the prior
year period. The decrease was due primarily to the non-recurring  charge of $4.5
million, which generated a tax benefit of approximately $1.8 million.

OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS

As shown  in Note 5 to the  Unaudited  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  the
Company's operations consist of five primary segments: banking, premium finance,
indirect  auto,  Tricom 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 third quarter of 2000, the banking segment's net interest income totaled
$14.9  million,  an increase of $3.4  million,  or 29%, as compared to the $11.6
million  recorded in the same  quarter of 1999.  On a  year-to-date  basis,  the
banking  segment net interest  income  totaled $41.3 million and increased  $8.8
million, or 27%, as compared to the 1999 period. These increases were the direct
result  of  earning  asset  growth  of   approximately   23%  for  the  periods,
particularly  in the loan  portfolio,  as earlier  discussed in the Net Interest
Income section.  The banking segment's  non-interest income totaled $2.3 million
for the third  quarter of 2000 and  increased  $763,000 or 50%, when compared to
the prior year quarter.  The increase was due  primarily to a $259,000  increase
from fees on mortgage  loans  sold,  a $231,000  increase in rental  income from
operating equipment leases and a $79,000 increase in service charges on a higher
level of deposit accounts.  Fees on mortgage loans sold increased from the prior
year  quarter  due  to  a  sharp  reduction  in  mortgage  origination  volumes,
particularly  refinancing  activity,  in the third  quarter of 1999 as  mortgage
rates rose.  The  increase in rental  income is the result of a higher  level of
outstanding  leases from the Company's MMF Leasing  division.  On a year-to-date


                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>
basis,  non-interest income totaled $6.0 million and increased $602,000, or 11%,
as compared to the first nine months of 1999. This increase was due primarily to
a $346,000 increase in deposit service charges and a $733,000 increase in rental
income from lease  equipment and was partially  offset by a $733,000  decline in
fees from the sale of mortgage loans. The banking segment's after-tax profit for
the quarter ended September 30, 2000, totaled $4.2 million,  an increase of $1.5
million,  or 56%, as compared to the prior year quarterly total of $2.7 million.
For the first nine months of 2000,  after-tax  operating  profit for the banking
segment totaled $10.5 million and increased $2.9 million,  or 38%, over the same
period of 1999. This improved  profitability  resulted mainly from higher levels
of net interest  income created from the continued  growth and maturation of the
Company's de novo banks and branches.

Net interest  income from the premium  finance  segment totaled $3.7 million for
the  quarter  ended  September  30, 2000  compared to $3.1  million for the same
quarter of 1999.  On a  year-to-date  basis,  the  premium  finance  segment net
interest income totaled $10.0 million  compared to $9.4 million recorded for the
first nine months of 1999. The increases in net interest  income are a result of
higher levels of  outstanding  receivables  offset  slightly by a higher funding
costs associated with this portfolio in 2000.  Non-interest income for the three
months ended  September 30, 2000 totaled  $640,000  compared to $377,000 for the
same period of 1999. For the first nine months of 2000,  non-interest income for
the premium  finance  segment  totaled  $2.9  million  compared to the  $640,000
recorded in the same period of 1999.  The  increases  are a result of gains from
the sale of additional premium finance receivables in 2000, as mentioned earlier
in this report.  For the three month period ended September 30, 2000 the premium
finance segment  recorded an after tax loss of $1.7 million compared to an after
tax profit of $1.2  million  for the same  period in 1999,  a  decrease  of $2.9
million.  Excluding the $4.5 million pre-tax  non-recurring charge, as mentioned
earlier in this  report,  the  after-tax  net  operating  profit for the premium
finance  segment  would have totaled $1.1 million and $3.7 million for the three
and nine month periods ended  September  30, 2000,  respectively.  Excluding the
non-recurring  charge,  net income for the premium  finance  segment  would have
decreased  $143,000  when  comparing  the third quarter 2000 results to the same
period in 1999,  and increased  $420,000 when  comparing the year to date period
ending September 30, 2000 to the same period in 1999.

The indirect auto segment  recorded $1.5 million of net interest  income for the
third  quarter of 2000, a decline of  $598,000,  or 29%, as compared to the 1999
quarterly total. On a year-to-date basis, net interest income declined $842,000,
or 14%, to $5.2 million from the  comparable  period of 1999. The decline is due
to  management's  efforts  to  reduce  the  level of  outstanding  loans in this
portfolio and higher funding costs in 2000 compared to 1999.  After-tax  segment
profit totaled  $293,000 for the three-month  period ended September 30, 2000, a
decline of $482,000 when compared to the same period of 1999. For the first nine
months of 2000,  after-tax  operating profits were $1.3 million in 2000 compared
to $2.2 million in the first nine months of 1999.  The decline in this segment's
profitability  was  caused  mainly  by a higher  level of credit  losses,  lower
outstanding  loan  balances  and  compressed  margins in 2000 versus  1999.  See
further discussion of credit quality  information in the "ASSET QUALITY" section
of this report.

The Tricom segment data reflects the net interest  income,  non-interest  income
and segment profit associated with short-term accounts receivable  financing and
value-added  out-sourced  administrative  services,  such as data  processing of
payrolls,  billing and cash  management  services,  that Tricom  provides to its
clients in the  temporary  staffing  industry.  For the  quarter and nine months
ended  September 30, 2000,  the Tricom  segment added $968,000 and $2.6 million,
respectively,  to the  Company's  net  interest  income,  $1.2  million and $3.4
million,  respectively,  to the Company's  non-interest income, and $510,000 and
$1.2 million, respectively, to the Company's net income. No results are included
for the third quarter of 1999 because  Tricom was acquired in October 1999 using
the purchase method of accounting.

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

The trust segment recorded non-interest income of $508,000 for the third quarter
of 2000 as  compared to $295,000  for the same  quarter of 1999,  an increase of
$213,000,  or 72%. On a year-to-date  basis,  non-interest  income for the trust
segment  increased to $1.5 million  from  $770,000 in the prior year period,  an
increase  of $704,000  or 91%.  The  increase  was the result of  continued  new
business   development   efforts  by  a  larger  staff  of   experienced   trust
professionals  that were hired in  connection  with the October 1998 start-up of
WAMC. The trust  segment's  after-tax loss totaled  $93,000 for the  three-month
period ended  September 30, 2000,  as compared to an after-tax  loss of $134,000
for the same  period  of 1999.  For the  first  nine  months  of 2000 and  1999,
after-tax losses for this segment were $308,000 and $546,000,  respectively. The
decline in after-tax  segment losses was a direct result of the increased  asset
base managed by WAMC and the  associated  fees.  As more fully  discussed in the
Overview and Strategy section of this analysis,  management expects the start-up
phase  for  the  trust  segment  to  continue  for up to two  years  before  its
operations become profitable.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total  assets were $2.00  billion at  September  30,  2000,  an increase of $431
million,  or 28%, over the $1.56 billion a year  earlier,  and $317 million,  or
19%, over the $1.68 billion at December 31, 1999.  Growth at the newer banks and
branches  coupled  with  continued  market share growth at the more mature banks
were the primary factors for these increases.  Total funding liabilities,  which
include deposits,  short-term borrowings, notes payable and long-term debt, were
$1.85 billion at September 30, 2000,  and increased  $385 million,  or 26%, over
the prior year,  and $289  million,  or 19%,  since  December  31,  1999.  These
increases  were  primarily  utilized  to fund growth in the loan  portfolio  and
certain discretionary investment leveraging transactions.

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>
                                              September 30, 2000              December 31, 1999             September 30, 1999
                                       ------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------
    Loans:                                  Balance         Percent         Balance        Percent        Balance         Percent
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
<S>                                        <C>                 <C>         <C>               <C>         <C>                <C>
      Commercial and commercial
          real estate                        $ 592,553          33%          $ 485,776        32%          $ 447,365         31%
      Premium finance, net                     289,050          16             219,341        15             215,948         15
      Indirect auto, net                       219,026          12             255,410        17             257,030         18
      Home equity                              171,437           9             139,194         9             126,467          9
      Residential real estate                  143,819           8             111,026         7             108,220          8
      Tricom finance receivables                22,609           1              17,577         1                   -          -
      Installment and other                     48,435           3              49,925         3              47,226          3
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
    Total loans, net of
         unearned income                     1,486,929          82           1,278,249        84           1,202,256         84
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
    Securities and money
        market investments                     335,389          18             236,573        16             227,654         16
                                       ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------

    Total earning assets                   $ 1,822,318         100%        $ 1,514,822       100%        $ 1,429,910        100%
                                       ================== ============ ================== =========== =================  ==========
</TABLE>

                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>
Earning assets as of September 30, 2000,  increased  $392 million,  or 27%, over
the balance a year earlier,  and $307  million,  or 20%, over the balance at the
end of 1999. The ratio of earning  assets as a percent of total assets  remained
consistent at approximately  90% - 91% as of each reporting period date shown in
the above table.

Total net loans were $1.49  billion at September  30, 2000,  an increase of $209
million,  or 16%, since  December 31, 1999, and an increase of $285 million,  or
24%, since September 30, 1999.  Solid loan growth in the core  commercial  loan,
home equity and residential real estate portfolios was the main factor for these
increases. Also, showing increases were the specialty premium finance and Tricom
finance receivable segments,  the latter category which was added as a result of
the October 1999 acquisition of Tricom. Offsetting the increases in all of these
loan categories was a decline in the balance of indirect auto loans.  Because of
the impact of the current economic and competitive environment on interest rates
surrounding  this  portfolio,  management  has begun to reduce  the level of new
indirect  auto  loans  originated  and is  dedicating  additional  resources  to
optimize the  profitability  of this loan segment at slightly  reduced levels of
outstanding  receivables.  Total net loans comprised 82% of total earning assets
at September 30, 2000 as compared to 84% a year earlier and at the end of 1999.

Commercial and commercial real estate loans, the largest loan category,  totaled
$593 million at September 30, 2000,  and  comprised 33% of total earning  assets
and 40% of total loans. This category has increased $145 million,  or 32%, since
September 30, 1999 and $107 million,  or 22%,  since the end of 1999. The strong
growth  experienced  over the past year has resulted mainly from a healthy local
economy and the hiring of additional experienced lending officers.

Net premium finance  receivables  totaled $289 million at September 30, 2000 and
comprised 19% of the total loan portfolio. This portfolio increased $73 million,
or 34%, since September 30, 1999 and $70 million, or 32%, since the end of 1999.
This growth was primarily the result of increased  market  penetration  from new
product offerings and marketing programs.  Over the past few years, the majority
of premium finance  receivables  originated by FIFC were being sold to the Banks
and  consequently  remained an asset of the Company.  However,  since the second
quarter of 1999, as a result of the continued solid growth in loan originations,
FIFC has been selling a portion of new  receivables to an unrelated third party.
During the third quarter of 2000 the Company sold  approximately  $39 million of
premium  finance  receivables to an unrelated third party at a gain of $640,000.
For the first nine months of 2000, approximately $172 million of premium finance
receivables  were sold at a gain of $2.9  million.  In addition  to  recognizing
gains on the sale of these  receivables,  the proceeds provided the Company with
additional  liquidity.  It is  possible  that  similar  future  sales  may occur
depending on the level of new volume growth in relation to the desired  capacity
within the Banks' loan portfolios.

Net indirect auto loans  comprised 12% of total earning  assets and 15% of total
loans as of September 30, 2000.  This portfolio  decreased $38 million,  or 15%,
from a year ago, and $36 million, or 14%, since the end of 1999. The decrease in
the  balance is the result of a higher  interest  rate  environment  experienced
during the first nine months of 2000  coupled with a decision by  management  to
reduce its reliance upon indirect automobile lending as a percent of the overall
earning asset portfolio due to competitive pricing and margin concerns. As such,
management  intends to maintain the  outstanding  level of the portfolio near or
slightly below the existing  level.  The Company  utilizes  credit  underwriting
routines  that  management  believes  result 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.


                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>
The October 1999 acquisition of Tricom added a new category of specialty finance
receivables to the Company's earning asset portfolio.  These receivables consist
of  high-yielding  short-term  accounts  receivable  financing to clients in the
temporary  staffing industry located  throughout the United States. At September
30, 2000, outstanding finance receivables totaled $23 million, an increase of $5
million, or 29%, from the December 31, 1999 balance.

Home equity loans  totaled $171 million at September  30, 2000 and increased $45
million,  or 36%,  since a year earlier and $32 million,  or 23%, as compared to
the end of 1999. This category of loans continues to represent  approximately 9%
of total earning  assets and has grown in proportion to the entire growth of the
Company.  The growth is due mainly to targeted  marketing programs over the past
year and higher usage of existing lines than in the past. The marketing programs
generally  use a  short-term  low initial  interest  rate as an incentive to the
borrower.  Unused  commitments on home equity lines of credit have increased $40
million, or 23%, over the $173 million balance at September 30, 1999 and totaled
$213 million at September 30, 2000.

Residential  real estate loans totaled $144 million as of September 30, 2000 and
increased $36 million,  or 33%, over a year ago and $33 million,  or 30%,  since
December 31, 1999.  Mortgage  loans held for sale are included in this  category
and totaled $14 million as of September 30, 2000,  and $8 million as of December
31, 1999 and September 30, 1999. 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 include
mostly  adjustable  rate  mortgage  loans and  shorter-term  fixed rate mortgage
loans.  The growth in this loan  category has been due mainly to the  relatively
low  mortgage  interest  rate  environment  experienced  until  recently  and  a
continued strong local housing market.

Securities  and  money  market   investments   (i.e.   federal  funds  sold  and
interest-bearing  deposits  with banks)  totaled $335  million at September  30,
2000,  an increase of $99  million,  or 42%,  since  December  31, 1999 and $108
million,  or 47%,  since a year  earlier.  This  category  as a percent of total
earning assets was 18% at September 30, 2000 versus 16% at December 31, 1999 and
September 30, 1999.

The Company maintained no trading account securities at September 30, 2000 or as
of any of the other  previous  reporting  dates.  The balances of securities and
money market investments  fluctuate frequently based upon deposit inflows,  loan
demand and proceeds from loan sales.  As a result of  anticipated  growth in the
development  of the de novo banks,  it has been  Wintrust's  policy to generally
maintain its securities and money market  portfolio in short-term,  liquid,  and
diversified high credit quality securities 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.

                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>
DEPOSITS

Total  deposits at September  30, 2000 were $1.73  billion,  an increase of $337
million,  or 24%,  over the  September  30,  1999 total and an  increase of $262
million,  or 18%, since December 31, 1999.  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>
                                    September 30, 2000                 December 31, 1999                 September 30, 1999
                             ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                   Percent                            Percent                           Percent
                                 Balance          of Total           Balance         of Total           Balance         of Total
                             -----------------  --------------  ------------------ --------------  ------------------ -------------
<S>                              <C>                 <C>            <C>                 <C>             <C>               <C>
  Demand                           $ 184,821          11%             $ 154,034          11%              $ 125,870         9%
  NOW                                179,281          10                130,625           9                 140,160        10
  Money market                       286,727          17                252,483          17                 248,602        18
  Savings                             72,815           4                 72,718           5                  71,710         5
  Certificates of deposit          1,002,248          58                853,762          58                 802,100        58
                             -----------------  --------------  ------------------ --------------  ------------------ -------------

               Total             $ 1,725,892         100%           $ 1,463,622         100%            $ 1,388,442       100%
                             =================  ==============  ================== ==============  ================== =============
</TABLE>

The  percentage  mix  of  deposits  as of  September  30,  2000  was  relatively
consistent  with the deposit mix as of the prior year dates.  Growth in both the
number of accounts and balances has been  primarily the result of newer 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 September  30,  2000,  the  Company's  short-term  borrowings  totaled $42
million and consisted primarily of short-term  repurchase agreements utilized to
leverage  certain  investment   transactions   within  several  banks'  security
portfolios and certain customer  repurchase  agreements.  At September 30, 2000,
the Company also had $33 million outstanding on its $40 million revolving credit
line with an unaffiliated  bank. The outstanding  balance on this credit line as
of  September  30,  1999 and  December  31,  1999 was $7 million and $8 million,
respectively.  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,  purchases  of  treasury  stock,  possible  future
acquisitions and for other general corporate matters.

LONG-TERM DEBT - TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

For each of the reporting  periods,  the long-term debt category included $31.05
million of 9.00% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities, which were publicly sold
in an offering that was completed in October 1998. In June of 2000,  the Company
issued another $20.0 million of Trust  Preferred  Securities  bringing the total
long-term debt category to $51.05 million.  The June 2000 offering  consisted of
800,000 shares of $25.00 par value  securities  with a 10.50% interest rate. The
sale of the Trust Preferred Securities  increased Wintrust's  regulatory capital
and  provided  for and will  provide  for the  continued  growth of the  banking
franchise,   and  for   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

                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>
cost-effective  form of capital.  See Note 10 to the Company's 1999 Consolidated
Financial  Statements  for  further  information  on the first  Trust  Preferred
Securities offering.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Total  shareholders'  equity was $97 million at September 30, 2000 and increased
$17 million since September 30, 1999 and $4 million since the end of 1999. These
increases were the result of the Company's corporate earnings offset by dividend
payments  and stock  repurchases.  In addition,  the  increase in  shareholders'
equity from  September  30, 1999 to September  30, 2000 reflects $6 million from
the private  placement of 352,942 shares of common stock in November 1999 and $4
million from the issuance of 227,635  shares of common stock in connection  with
the October 1999 acquisition of Tricom.  Net unrealized  losses on the Company's
available-for-sale security portfolio totaled $1.3 million at September 30, 2000
and  remained  consistent  with the  September  30, 1999  balance  and  declined
$922,000 from the $2.3 million unrealized loss position at December 31, 1999.

On January 27, 2000,  Wintrust  declared its first  semi-annual cash dividend of
$0.05 per common share. The dividends were paid on February 24, 2000. During the
third quarter of 2000, the Company  declared a second  semi-annual cash dividend
of $0.05 per common share payable on August 24, 2000.  Additionally,  during the
first quarter of 2000, the Company initiated a stock buyback program authorizing
the  repurchase of up to 300,000 shares of its common stock.  Through  September
30, 2000, the Company  repurchased a total of 242,300 shares at an average price
of $15.94 per share.

The  annualized  return on average  equity for the quarter  ended  September 30,
2000, excluding the $4.5 million  non-recurring  charge,  increased to 14.74% as
compared  to 12.46% for the prior year  period.  The  following  table  reflects
various  consolidated  measures of capital at September  30, 2000,  December 31,
1999 and September 30, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               September 30,          December 31,          September 30,
                                                                   2000                   1999                  1999
                                                           ----------------------  -------------------   --------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>                    <C>
Leverage ratio                                                          6.3%                 7.1%                   7.0%
Ending tier 1 capital to risk-based asset ratio                         6.9%                 7.8%                   7.8%
Ending total capital to risk-based asset ratio                          8.5%                 8.4%                   8.6%
Dividend payout ratio                                                   9.1%                 0.0%                   0.0%
</TABLE>

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%.  At September 30, 2000,  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.

The Company  attempts to maintain an  efficient  capital  structure  in order to
provide  higher returns on equity.  Additional  capital is required from time to
time,  however,  to support  the growth of the  organization.  The  issuance  of
additional common stock or additional trust preferred securities are the primary
forms  of  capital  that the  Company  considers  as it  evaluates  its  capital
position.

                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>
ASSET QUALITY

Allowance for Possible Loan Losses
A  reconciliation  of the activity in the allowance for possible loan losses for
the three and nine months ended  September 30, 2000 and 1999 is shown as follows
(dollars in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Three Months Ended                           Nine Months Ended
                                                             September 30,                               September 30,
                                                        2000                 1999                  2000                  1999
                                               -------------------     ----------------     -----------------     -----------------
<S>                                                   <C>                   <C>                    <C>                   <C>
 Balance at beginning of period                       $  9,792              $ 7,677                $8,783                $7,034

 Provision for possible loan losses                      1,307                  990                 3,671                 2,707

 Charge-offs
 -----------
  Core banking loans                                       312                  190                   758                   593
  Indirect automobile loans                                348                  156                   979                   795
  Tricom finance receivables                                --                   --                    73                    --
  Premium finance receivables                              288                  193                   647                   383
                                               -------------------     ----------------     -----------------     -----------------
     Total charge-offs                                     948                  539                 2,457                 1,771
                                               -------------------     ----------------     -----------------     -----------------
 Recoveries
 ----------
  Core banking loans                                        10                    9                    21                    19
  Indirect automobile loans                                 47                   33                   120                    61
  Tricom finance receivables                                --                   --                    --                    --
  Premium finance receivables                               23                   30                    93                   150
                                               -------------------     ----------------     -----------------     -----------------
      Total recoveries                                      80                   72                   234                   230
                                               -------------------     ----------------     -----------------     -----------------

  Net charge-offs                                         (868)                (467)               (2,223)               (1,541)
                                               -------------------     ----------------     -----------------     -----------------

  Balance at September 30                            $  10,231              $ 8,200               $10,231                $8,200
                                               ===================     ================     =================     =================

  Loans at September 30                                                                        $1,486,929            $1,202,256
                                                                                            =================     =================

  Allowance as a percentage of loans                                                                    0.69%                0.68%

  Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average:
        Core banking loans                                                                              0.12%                0.12%
        Indirect automobile loans                                                                       0.48%                0.42%
        Tricom finance receivables                                                                      0.48%                   --
        Premium finance receivables                                                                     0.28%                0.15%
            Total loans                                                                                 0.22%                0.19%
        Annualized provision for
            possible loan losses                                                                       60.55%               56.93%
                                                                                            =================     =================
</TABLE>

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.  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.

                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>
The  provision  for  possible  loan losses  totaled  $1.3  million for the third
quarter of 2000, an increase of $317,000 from a year earlier. For the first nine
months of 2000, the provision  totaled $3.7 million and increased  $964,000,  or
36%, over the same period of 1999.  The higher  provision  levels were necessary
due to a 24%  increase in loan  balances  compared to  September  30, 1999 and a
slightly higher level of net charge-offs to average loans during the period. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2000, net  charge-offs  totaled $2.2 million
and  increased  from the $1.5  million of net  charge-offs  recorded in the same
period of 1999.  On a ratio basis,  net  charge-offs  as a percentage of average
loans increased  slightly to 0.22% for the first nine months of 2000, from 0.19%
for the same period in 1999.

Management  believes the allowance for possible loan losses is adequate to cover
inherent  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.


                                     - 25 -
<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>
                                                         September 30,           December 31,           September 30,
                                                              2000                   1999                    1999
                                                              ----                   ----                    ----
<S>                                                             <C>                     <C>                    <C>
      Past Due greater than 90 days
           And still accruing:
            Core banking loans                                   $  539                  $  713                 $  997
            Indirect automobile loans                               323                     391                    354
            Premium finance receivables                           2,107                   1,523                  1,337
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
                Total                                             2,969                   2,627                  2,688
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Non-accrual loans:
            Core banking loans                                      600                   1,895                  1,139
            Indirect automobile loans                               271                     298                    369
            Premium finance receivables                           3,232                   2,145                  1,726
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
                Total non-accrual loans                           4,103                   4,338                  3,234
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Total non-performing loans:
            Core banking loans                                    1,139                   2,608                  2,136
            Indirect automobile loans                               594                     689                    723
            Premium finance receivables                           5,339                   3,668                  3,063
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
                Total non-performing loans                        7,072                   6,965                  5,922
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Other real estate owned                                         -                       -                      -
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Total non-performing assets                               $ 7,072                 $ 6,965                $ 5,922
                                                      =====================  ======================  =====================

      Total non-performing  loans by category as a percent of its own respective
        category:
            Core banking loans                                       0.12%                   0.32%                  0.29%
            Indirect automobile loans                                0.27%                   0.27%                  0.28%
            Premium finance receivables                              1.85%                   1.67%                  1.42%
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
               Total non-performing loans                            0.48%                   0.54%                  0.49%
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Total non-performing assets as a
          percentage of total assets                                 0.35%                   0.41%                  0.38%

      Allowance for possible loan losses as
        a percentage of non-performing loans                       144.67%                 126.10%                138.47%
</TABLE>

Non-performing Core Banking Loans

Total  non-performing  loans for the Company's  core banking  business were $1.1
million, or 0.12%, of the Company's core banking loans as of September 30, 2000,
and were down from the ratios of 0.32% as of  December  31, 1999 and 0.29% as of
September  30, 1999.  Total  non-performing  core banking  loans  declined

                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>
$1.5 million from the December 31, 1999  balances.  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.

Non-performing Premium Finance Receivables

The table below presents the level of non-performing premium finance receivables
as of September  30, 2000 and 1999,  and the amount of net  charge-offs  for the
nine months then ended.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     9/30/00                  9/30/99
                                                                                     -------                  -------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                       <C>
     Non-performing premium finance receivables                                       $5,339                    $3,063
     - as a percent of premium finance receivables                                    1.85%                      1.42%

     Net charge-offs of premium finance  receivables                                   $554                       $233
     - annualized, as a percent of average premium finance receivables                0.28%                      0.15%
</TABLE>

The level of  non-performing  premium  finance  receivables  has gradually  been
increasing over the course of the last year. The increase is related to a higher
number of small balance loans that have become delinquent. Collection of smaller
balance  loans  places  additional  strain on the  collection  staff as the same
general  collection  efforts are required to collect smaller balance loans as is
required  for  average  size  loans.   Management  is  currently   revising  its
underwriting  procedures  as it relates to the  origination  of smaller  balance
loans and has begun to substantially  reduce the amount of smaller balance loans
originated.

It is important to note that the ratio of net charge-offs is substantially  less
than the ratio of  non-performing  assets.  Management has a goal of maintaining
credit  losses for this  portfolio  at a level below 35 basis  points of average
premium  finance  loans  outstanding.  The recent  growth in the  portfolio  has
contributed   to  the  increase  in  delinquent   accounts  and  management  has
implemented   additional   collection  procedures  and  invested  in  additional
collection  staff and is  diligently  working to reduce the level of  delinquent
accounts.  It should be noted  that an  increase  in  delinquent  accounts  also
results in additional late charge income from the borrowers that helps to offset
the impact of the higher level of net charge-offs.

The ratio of non-performing  premium finance receivables  fluctuates  throughout
the year due to the nature  and  timing of  canceled  account  collections  from
insurance  carriers.  Due  to the  nature  of  collateral  for  premium  finance
receivables,  it customarily  takes 60-150 days to convert the  collateral  into
cash  collections.  Accordingly,  the level of  non-performing  premium  finance
receivables is not necessarily indicative of the loss inherent in the portfolio.
In the event of  default,  the  Company  has the power to cancel  the  insurance
policy and  collect  the  unearned  portion of the  premium  from the  insurance
carrier.  In the event of  cancellation,  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. Due to  notification
requirements  and processing time by most insurance  carriers,  many receivables
will become delinquent beyond 90 days while the insurer is processing the return
of the unearned premium.  Management continues to accrue interest until maturity
as the unearned  premium is  ordinarily  sufficient  to pay-off the  outstanding
balance and contractual interest due.

Non-performing Indirect Automobile Loans

Total  non-performing  indirect  automobile loans were $594,000 at September 30,
2000,  compared to $689,000 at December 31, 1999 and  $723,000 at September  30,
1999. The ratio of these non-performing loans to total indirect automobile loans
was 0.27% at September  30, 2000 and December 31, 1999 and 0.28%  September  30,
1999. As noted in the Allowance for Possible Loan Losses table,  net charge-offs
as a percent of total  indirect  automobile  loans  increased  from 0.42% in the
first nine months of 1999 to 0.48% in the first nine months of 2000. Despite the
increase  in the level of net  charge-offs,  these  ratios  continue to be below
standard industry ratios for this type of loan category.  However,  based on the
impact of the current  economic and  competitive  environment  surrounding  this
portfolio,  management has begun to reduce the level of new loans originated and
is  dedicating  additional  resources  to  reduce  the  level of  delinquencies.

                                     - 27 -
<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  September  30,  2000 and
December  31,  1999  was   approximately   $17.1  million  and  $14.4   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,
sales of premium  finance  receivables,  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.



EFFECTS OF NEW ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

In June 1999, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board "FASB" issued Statement
of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  "SFAS"  No. 137 to  effectively  defer the
implementation date of SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and
Hedging  Activities"  for one year. In June 2000,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 138,
"Accounting for Certain Derirative  Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities -
An Amendment of FASB  Statement No. 133." SFAS No. 138 does not amend any of the
fundamental  precepts of SFAS No. 133.  SFAS No. 133 was issued in June 1998 and
establishes,   for  the  first  time,  comprehensive  accounting  and  reporting
standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Previous accounting
standards and methodologies  did not adequately  address the many derivative and
hedging  activities  in the current  financial  marketplace  and,  as such,  the
Securities and Exchange Commission,  and other organizations,  urged the FASB to
deal  expeditiously  with the related  accounting  and reporting  problems.  The
accounting and reporting principles  prescribed by this standard are complex and
will significantly  change the way entities account for these activities.  These
new rules require that all  derivative  instruments be recorded in the statement
of  condition at fair value.  The  recording of the gain or loss could either be
reported in  earnings  or as other  comprehensive  income in the  statements  of
shareholders' equity,  depending on the type of instrument and whether or not it
is designated  and  effective as a hedge.  These new rules are effective for the
Company as of January 1, 2001. The adoption of these new statements is currently
not  expected  to have a  material  effect  on the  Company's  future  financial
condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

                                     - 28 -
<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
results of operations  and financial  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,
specialty  finance  or fee  related  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 and investment  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 and investment
     services through the Company's new trust  subsidiary,  WAMC, is expected to
     continue in a start-up  phase  during the next two 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 Company's  ability to recover on the loss resulting from the fraudulent
     loan scheme perpetrated against the Company's premium finance subsidiary.
o    Unforeseen future events that may cause slower than anticipated development
     and  growth of the  Tricom  business,  changes  in the  temporary  staffing
     industry or difficulties integrating the Tricom acquisition.
o    The  Company may not  identify  attractive  opportunities  to expand in the
     future through  acquisitions of other community  banks,  specialty  finance
     companies  or  fee-based  businesses  or may  have  difficulty  negotiating
     potential acquisitions on terms considered acceptable to the Company.
o    Changes in the economic  environment,  competition,  or other factors,  may
     influence the anticipated growth rate of loans and deposits, the quality of
     the loan portfolio and loan and deposit pricing.

                                     - 29 -
<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.
As of September 30, 2000, the Company had $375 million notional principal amount
of  interest  rate cap  contracts  that  mature in October  2000 ($60  million),
January  2001 ($60  million),  February  2001  ($55  million),  April  2001 ($60
million),  July 2001 ($20 million),  September 2001 ($30 million),  October 2001
($30  million),  November 2001 ($30  million) and December  2001 ($30  million).
These  contracts,  which have various strike rates  measured  against the 91-day
treasury  bill rate,  were  purchased  to mitigate the effect of rising rates on
certain of its  floating  rate deposit  products  and fixed rate loan  products.
During  2000,  the  Company  also  entered  into  certain  covered  call  option
transactions   related  to  certain  securities  held  by  the  Company.   These
transactions  were  designed  primarily to 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  were  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.
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 September 30, 2000.

                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Time to Maturity or Repricing

                                                 0-90             91-365              1-5           5+ Years
                                                 Days             Days               Years           & Other            Total
                                                 ----             ----               -----           -------            -----
                                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>              <C>                   <C>               <C>
ASSETS:
   Loans, net of unearned income........         $657,624          $339,580           $434,838         $54,896         $ 1,486,929
   Securities...........................          164,369            13,022             93,483          47,711             318,585
   Interest-bearing bank deposits.......              180                 -                  -               -                 180
   Federal funds sold...................           16,624                 -                  -               -              16,624
   Other................................                -                 -                  -         173,988             173,988
                                            ---------------  ----------------   ----------------  --------------   -----------------
     Total rate sensitive assets (RSA)            838,797           352,602            528,321         276,586           1,996,306
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============   =================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   NOW..................................          179,281                 -                  -               -             179,281
   Savings and money market.............          359,542                 -                  -               -             359,542
   Time deposits........................          419,868           403,413            177,137           1,830           1,002,248
   Short term borrowings................           41,848                62                  -               -              41,910
   Notes payable........................           33,250                 -                  -               -              33,250
   Demand deposits & other
      liabilities.......................                -                 -                  -         231,655             231,655
   Trust preferred securities...........                -                 -                  -          51,050              51,050
   Shareholders' equity.................                -                 -                  -          97,370              97,370
                                            ---------------  ----------------   ----------------  --------------   -----------------
     Total rate sensitive liabilities
         and equity (RSL)...............        1,033,789           403,475            177,137         381,905           1,996,306
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============   =================
Cumulative gap, excluding interest
  rate caps (GAP = RSA - RSL)  (1)             $(194,992)       $ (245,865)           $105,319          $    -
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============

Cumulative RSA/RSL (1)..................         0.81               0.87               2.98
RSA/Total assets........................         0.42               0.18               0.26
RSL/Total assets (1)....................         0.52               0.20               0.09

GAP/Total assets (1)....................            (10)%             (12)%                5%
GAP/Cumulative RSA (1)..................            (23)%             (21)%                5%
<FN>
(1) The gap amount and related ratios do not reflect $375 million notional amount of interest rate caps, as discussed on the
    following page.
</FN>
</TABLE>

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  off-balance  sheet  interest  rate cap  contracts.  As of
September 30, 2000, the Company had $375 million  notional  principal  amount of
interest rate caps that reprice on a monthly  basis.  These  interest rate caps,
which  mature in  intervals  throughout  the next 15 months,  were  purchased to
mitigate the effect of rising rates on certain  floating  rate deposit  products
and fixed  rate  loan  products.  When the gap  position  in the above  table is
adjusted for the impact of these  interest rate caps,  the Company's  short-term
gap  position  becomes  relatively  neutral in that the level of rate  sensitive
assets  that  reprice  within  one year  approximately  match  the level of rate
sensitive liabilities that reprice within one year.

                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>
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 both interest rate cap agreements 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 September 30, 2000 and 1999, is as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            As of September 30, 2000
                            ------------------------
                                                                                   +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....                             (1.2)%             2.6%
                                                                                ===============  ===============
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            As of September 30, 1999
                            ------------------------
                                                                                   +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....                               1.4%             0.7%
                                                                                ===============  ===============
</TABLE>

                                     - 32 -
<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.

None.

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.
    --------------------

A Form 8-K  report as of  September  7, 2000 was filed  during the  quarter  and
announced that the Company expected to incur a one-time after tax charge of $2.7
million  related to the  discovery of a series of fraudulent  loan  transactions
perpetrated against its premium finance subsidiary.


                                     - 33 -
<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: November 14, 2000              /s/ Edward J. Wehmer
                                     --------------------
                              President & Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 14, 2000              /s/ David A. Dykstra
                                     --------------------
                              Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
                              (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)





                                     - 34 -
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit 27          Financial Data Schedule



                                     - 35 -
<PAGE>


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