WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
10-Q, 2000-05-15
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


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

                  For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 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, 8,756,177 shares, as of May 8, 2000.


<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                        PART I. -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                                            Page

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements.__________________________________________    1-7

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

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


                          PART II. -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings. ____________________________________________     29

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities. ________________________________________     29

ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities. ______________________________     29

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

ITEM 5.  Other Information. ____________________________________________     29

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

         Signatures ____________________________________________________     30

         Exhibit Index _________________________________________________     31

<PAGE>
                                     PART I
                           ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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


                                                                        March 31,        December 31,         March 31,
                                                                          2000               1999               1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>                <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks                                                    $  42,664          $  53,066          $  32,989
Federal funds sold                                                            97,099             28,231             28,945
Interest-bearing deposits with banks                                             288              2,547              3,545
Available-for-Sale securities, at fair value                                 210,825            205,795            195,142
Loans, net of unearned income                                              1,307,796          1,278,249          1,071,016
    Less: Allowance for possible loan losses                                   9,359              8,783              7,518
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loans                                                              1,298,437          1,269,466          1,063,498
Premises and equipment, net                                                   74,891             72,851             61,966
Accrued interest receivable and other assets                                  36,382             35,943             31,972
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net                                     11,305             11,483              1,379
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total assets                                                         $ 1,771,891         $1,679,382         $1,419,436
===========================================================================================================================


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
 Non-interest bearing                                                      $ 155,507          $ 154,034          $ 117,463
 Interest bearing                                                          1,378,154          1,309,588          1,135,336
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total  deposits                                                        1,533,661          1,463,622          1,252,799

Short-term borrowings                                                         68,721             59,843             40,033
Notes payable                                                                 14,050              8,350              2,000
Long-term debt - trust preferred securities                                   31,050             31,050             31,050
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities                                29,574             23,570             16,330
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities                                                      1,677,056          1,586,435          1,342,212
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock                                                                  -                  -                  -
  Common stock                                                                 8,838              8,771              8,161
  Surplus                                                                     83,487             82,792             73,001
  Common stock warrants                                                          100                100                100
  Treasury stock, at cost                                                     (1,306)                 -                  -
  Retained earnings (deficit)                                                  6,235              3,555             (4,038)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                        (2,519)            (2,271)                 -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total shareholders' equity                                                94,835             92,947             77,224
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                           $ 1,771,891        $ 1,679,382        $ 1,419,436
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                     March 31,
                                                             2000                 1999
===========================================================================================
<S>                                                          <C>                  <C>
INTEREST INCOME
  Interest and fees on loans                                 $ 28,738             $ 21,663
  Interest bearing deposits with banks                             16                   71
  Federal funds sold                                              247                  193
  Securities                                                    3,308                2,351
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total interest income                                      32,309               24,278
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTEREST EXPENSE
   Interest on deposits                                        16,599               12,550
   Interest on short-term borrowings and notes payable          1,107                  177
   Interest on long-term debt - trust preferred securities        735                  735
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total interest expense                                    18,441               13,462
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INTEREST INCOME                                            13,868               10,816
Provision for possible loan losses                              1,141                  784
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net interest income after provision for possible loan losses   12,727               10,032
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NON-INTEREST INCOME
  Fees on mortgage loans sold                                     483                1,298
  Service charges on deposit accounts                             469                  334
  Trust fees                                                      472                  225
  Gain on sale of premium finance receivables                   1,241                    -
  Administrative services revenue                               1,013                    -
  Net securities gains                                              3                    -
  Other                                                           597                  451
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total non-interest income                                   4,278                2,308
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
  Salaries and employee benefits                                6,335                5,079
  Occupancy, net                                                1,010                  676
  Equipment expense                                             1,149                  628
  Data processing                                                 680                  482
  Advertising and marketing                                       249                  369
  Professional fees                                               295                  310
  Amortization of intangibles                                     178                   35
  Other                                                         2,213                1,957
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total non-interest expense                                 12,109                9,536
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes                                      4,896                2,804
Income tax expense                                              1,774                  970
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                    $ 3,122              $ 1,834
===========================================================================================
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC                            $ 0.35               $ 0.22
===========================================================================================
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED                          $ 0.35               $ 0.22
===========================================================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding                      8,798                8,155
Dilutive potential common shares                                  213                  323
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares and dilutive common shares                9,011                8,478
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         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                             $ 1,834          -         -           -       1,834           -            -        1,834
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
   Unrealized gains on securities,
    net of reclassification adjustment      51          -         -           -           -           -           51           51
                                       --------
Comprehensive Income                   $ 1,885
                                       ========

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

- -------------------------------------             --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1999                         $ 8,161  $ 73,001       $ 100    $ (4,038)        $ -          $ -     $ 77,224
=====================================             ================================================================================

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

Comprehensive Income:
Net income                             $ 3,122          -         -           -       3,122           -            -        3,122
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss),
 net of tax:
   Unrealized losses on securities,
    net of reclassification adjustment    (248)         -         -           -           -           -         (248)        (248)
                                       --------
Comprehensive Income                   $ 2,874
                                       ========

Cash dividends declared on common stock                 -         -           -        (442)          -            -         (442)

Purchase of treasury stock, 85,200
   shares at cost                                       -         -           -           -      (1,306)           -       (1,306)

Common stock issued upon exercise
   of stock options                                    67       695           -           -           -            -          762

- -------------------------------------             --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2000                         $ 8,838  $ 83,487       $ 100     $ 6,235    $ (1,306)    $ (2,519)    $ 94,835
=====================================             ================================================================================

                                                                              Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                    2000        1999
                                                                                   ------      ------
Disclosure of reclassification amount:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period                         $ (439)      $  57
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income                       3           -
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)                                                    (194)          6
                                                                                    --------     -------
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities                                         $ (248)      $  51
                                                                                    ========     =======
</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 Period Ended
                                                                            March 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          2000               1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                                             $ 3,122            $ 1,834
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
    Provision for possible loan losses                                     1,141                784
    Depreciation and amortization                                          1,466                993
    Deferred income tax benefit                                              (75)              (370)
    Net accretion/amortization of securities                                 241               (135)
    Originations of mortgage loans held for sale                         (35,839)           (89,574)
    Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale                   43,962             88,575
    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                           (1,241)                 -
    Gain on sale of Available-for-Sale securities                             (3)                 -
    Decrease in other assets, net                                           (176)            (1,614)
    Increase in other liabilities, net                                     6,004              3,691
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                 18,602              4,184
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from maturities of Available-for-Sale securities               16,233            144,025
  Proceeds from maturities of Held-to-Maturity securities                      -              5,000
  Proceeds from sale of Available-for-Sale securities                      1,998                  -
  Purchases of Available-for-Sale securities                             (23,935)          (129,854)
  Proceeds from sale of premium finance receivables                       71,414                  -
  Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits with banks                     2,259              4,318
  Net increase in loans                                                 (108,408)           (78,255)
  Purchases of premises and equipment, net                                (3,328)            (5,759)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                   (43,767)           (60,525)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Increase in deposit accounts                                            70,039             23,645
  Increase in short-term borrowings, net                                   8,878             40,033
  Proceeds from notes payable                                              5,700              2,000
  Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options                         762                134
  Repurchase of common stock                                              (1,306)                 -
  Dividends paid                                                            (442)                 -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                 83,631             65,812
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                 58,466              9,471
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD                          81,297             52,463
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                              $139,763           $ 61,934
====================================================================================================
</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  March  31,  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  periods presented are
not  necessarily  indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire
year.  Reclassifications  of  certain  prior  period  amounts  have been made to
conform with the current period presentation.

(2) Cash and Cash Equivalents
    -------------------------

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

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

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      For the Three Months
                                                                         Ended March 31,
                                                               ----------------------------------
                                                                    2000               1999
                                                               ----------------   ---------------

<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>
     Net income                                      (A)             $ 3,122           $ 1,834
                                                               ================   ===============

     Average common shares outstanding               (B)               8,798             8,155
     Effect of dilutive common shares                                    213               323
                                                               ----------------   ---------------

     Weighted average common shares and
        effect of dilutive common shares             (C)               9,011             8,478
                                                               ================   ===============

     Net income per average
        common share - Basic                        (A/B)            $  0.35           $  0.22
                                                               ================   ===============

     Net income per average
        common share - Diluted                      (A/C)            $  0.35           $  0.22
                                                               ================   ===============
</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 its offering of $31.05 million of 9.00%
Cumulative  Trust  Preferred  Securities.  For  purposes of  generally  accepted
accounting principles, these securities are considered to be debt securities and
not a component of shareholders' equity. The Trust Preferred Securities offering
has increased  Wintrust's  regulatory capital under Federal Reserve  guidelines.
Interest expense on the Trust Preferred Securities is also deductible for income
tax purposes. For further information on the Trust Preferred Securities,  please
refer to Note 10 of the Company's  Consolidated Financial Statements included in
the Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

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

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

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>
The net  interest  income and  segment  profit of the banking  segment  includes
income and related  interest costs from portfolio loans that were purchased from
the premium finance and indirect auto segments. For purposes of internal segment
profitability  analysis,  management  reviews the results of its premium finance
and indirect  auto segments as if all loans  originated  and sold to the banking
segment were retained  within that  segment's  operations;  thereby  causing the
inter-segment  elimination  amounts shown in the following  table. The following
table is a summary of certain operating  information for reportable segments for
the three-month periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          For the Three Months
                                                             Ended March 31,
                                                       2000                  1999
                                                  ----------------      ----------------
<S>                                                    <C>                   <C>
     NET INTEREST INCOME:
     Banking                                           $   12,594             $  10,056
     Premium Finance                                        3,532                 3,132
     Indirect Auto                                          1,875                 1,864
     Tricom                                                   797                   N/A
     Trust                                                    122                   108
     Inter-segment eliminations                           (4,156)               (3,609)
     Other                                                  (896)                 (735)
                                                  ----------------      ----------------
        Total                                           $  13,868             $  10,816
                                                  ================      ================

     NON-INTEREST INCOME:
     Banking                                            $   1,714             $   2,140
     Premium Finance                                        1,241                     -
     Indirect Auto                                              -                     -
     Tricom                                                 1,017                   N/A
     Trust                                                    472                   225
     Inter-segment eliminations                             (166)                  (57)
                                                  ----------------      ----------------
        Total                                           $   4,278             $   2,308
                                                  ================      ================

     SEGMENT PROFIT (LOSS):
     Banking                                            $   2,848             $   2,361
     Premium Finance                                        1,331                   944
     Indirect Auto                                            550                   671
     Tricom                                                   283                   N/A
     Trust                                                  (121)                 (232)
     Inter-segment eliminations                           (1,077)               (1,206)
     Other                                                  (692)                 (704)
                                                  ----------------      ----------------
        Total                                           $   3,122             $   1,834
                                                  ================      ================

     SEGMENT ASSETS:
     Banking                                           $1,793,904            $1,450,907
     Premium Finance                                      303,524               274,444
     Indirect Auto                                        260,691               236,718
     Tricom                                                30,667                   N/A
     Trust                                                  2,375                 2,672
     Inter-segment eliminations                         (624,112)             (549,907)
     Other                                                  4,842                 4,602
                                                  ----------------      ----------------
        Total                                          $1,771,891            $1,419,436
                                                  ================      ================
</TABLE>

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

                                     ITEM 2
                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                       CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The  following  discussion  and analysis of financial  condition as of March 31,
2000,  compared with December 31, 1999,  and March 31, 1999,  and the results of
operations for the  three-month  periods ended March 31, 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, have established  additional  full-service  banking facilities.
FIFC  began  operations  in 1990 and is  primarily  engaged in the  business  of
financing  insurance  premiums written through  independent  insurance agents or
brokers on a national  basis for  commercial  customers.  On September 30, 1998,
WAMC began  operations and offers a full range of trust and investment  services
at many of the Wintrust banks.

Crystal Lake Bank, since moving into its permanent  location in downtown Crystal
Lake in September 1998, opened a new drive-thru facility in March 1999 and 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.  A permanent  facility in Highwood is currently
under construction and should be open later this year. Expenses related to these
new banking  operations  predominantly  impact only the 2000  operating  results
presented in this discussion and analysis.

While committed to a continuing growth strategy,  management's  current focus is
to balance  further asset growth with  earnings  growth by seeking to more fully
leverage the existing capacity within each of the Banks,  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

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>
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 in excess of $900  million 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  will  provide  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  will add to the  level of
fee-based income and augment 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.

                                     - 9 -
<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  March 31,  2000  totaled  $3.1  million,  an
increase of $1.3 million, or 70%, over the first quarter of 1999. On a per share
basis, net income for the first quarter of 2000 totaled $0.35 per diluted common
share, a $0.13 per share,  or 59%,  increase over the first quarter of 1999. The
return on average  equity for the first quarter of 2000 increased to 13.32% from
9.75% for the prior year quarter.

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 periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     For the Quarter Ended                       For the Quarter Ended
                                                         March 31, 2000                              March 31, 1999
                                            -----------------------------------------    ---------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)                           Average      Interest       Rate            Average       Interest      Rate
- ----------------------                      ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Liquidity management assets (1) (2)             $ 228,838       $ 3,548         6.24%         $201,465      $ 2,615       5.22%
Loans, net of unearned income (2)               1,309,355        28,844         8.86         1,029,591       21,700       8.55
                                            ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------
   Total earning assets                         1,538,193        32,392         8.47%        1,231,056       24,315       8.01%
                                            ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

Interest-bearing deposits                       1,333,012        16,598         5.01%        1,093,156       12,550       4.66%
Short-term borrowings and notes payable            74,048         1,108         6.02            15,946          177       4.50
Long-term debt - trust preferred securities        31,050           735         9.47            31,050          735       9.47
                                            ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------
   Total interest-bearing liabilities           1,438,110        18,441         5.16%        1,140,152       13,462       4.79%
                                            ---------------- ------------- ----------    --------------- ------------- ---------

Tax-equivalent net interest income                             $ 13,951                                    $ 10,853
                                                             =============                               =============
Net interest margin                                                             3.65%                                     3.58%
                                                                           ==========                                  =========
Core net interest margin (3)                                                    3.76%                                     3.66%
                                                                           ==========                                  =========
- -------------------------------
<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.  The total  adjustment for
      the  quarters  ended  March 31, 2000 and 1999 were  $83,000  and  $37,000,
      respectively.
(3)   The core net  interest  margin  excludes  the net impact of the  Company's
      9.00%   Cumulative  Trust  Preferred   Securities   offering  and  certain
      discretionary investment leveraging transactions.
</FN>
</TABLE>

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.

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>
Tax-equivalent  net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 totaled
$14.0  million,  an increase of $3.1  million,  or 29%, as compared to the $10.9
million recorded in the same quarter of 1999. This increase mainly resulted from
loan growth, the October 1999 acquisition of Tricom and management's  ability to
control funding costs in the current interest rate  environment.  Tax-equivalent
interest and fees on loans for the quarter  ended March 31, 2000  totaled  $28.8
million,  an increase of $7.1  million,  or 33%,  over the prior year  quarterly
total of $21.7 million.  This growth was predominantly due to a $280 million, or
27%, increase in average total loans.

For the first quarter of 2000, the net interest margin was 3.65%, an increase of
seven  basis  points  when  compared  to the  margin of 3.58% in the prior  year
quarter.  This increase resulted  primarily from higher yields on both loans and
securities  coupled with solid loan growth and the addition of Tricom.  The core
net interest  margin,  which excludes the impact of the 9.00%  Cumulative  Trust
Preferred Securities offering and certain  discretionary  investment  leveraging
transactions,  was 3.76% for the first quarter of 2000,  and increased ten basis
points when compared to the prior year quarterly margin of 3.66%.

The rate paid on interest-bearing  deposits averaged 5.01% for the first quarter
of 2000  versus  4.66% for the same  quarter in 1999,  an  increase  of 35 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 6.02% in the first quarter of 2000 as compared to 4.50% in the same
quarter  of 1999,  due  primarily  to a higher  outstanding  balance  under  the
Company's Libor-based revolving credit agreement with an unaffiliated bank and a
higher rate environment for the Company's short-term funding sources.

The yield on total  earning  assets  for the first  quarter of 2000 was 8.47% as
compared to 8.01% in 1999,  an increase of 46 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 first quarter
2000 loan yield of 8.86%  increased 31 basis  points when  compared to the prior
year  quarterly  yield of 8.55% and was due primarily to a higher  average prime
lending rate of 8.69% during the first  quarter of 2000 versus an average  prime
lending  rate of 7.75%  for the  first  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 following table presents a  reconciliation  of the Company's  tax-equivalent
net  interest  income,  calculated  on  a  tax  equivalent  basis,  between  the
three-month  periods ended March 31, 1999 and March 31, 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>
                                                                                                    Amount
                                                                                                    ------
<S>                                                                                               <C>
 Tax-equivalent net interest income for the period ended March 31, 1999                           $  10,853
     Change due to average earning assets fluctuations (volume) ........................              2,731
     Change due to interest rate fluctuations (rate) ...................................                365
     Change due to rate/volume fluctuations (mix) ......................................                  2
                                                                                            -------------------
 Tax-equivalent net interest income for the period ended March 31, 2000                            $ 13,951
                                                                                            ===================
</TABLE>

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
NON-INTEREST INCOME

For the first  quarter of 2000,  non-interest  income  totaled  $4.3 million and
increased $2.0 million,  or 85%, when compared to the same period in 1999.  This
increase  was  mainly  the  result  of gains  from the sale of  premium  finance
receivables,   the  administrative  services  revenue  contributed  by  recently
acquired Tricom and additional  increases in trust fees, deposit service charges
and leased equipment rental income.  Partially  offsetting these increases was a
decline in fees from the sale of mortgage loans, as further explained below. The
following table presents non-interest income by category (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                                    March 31,
                                                       -----------------------------------
                                                             2000               1999
                                                       -----------------   ----------------
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>
Fees on mortgage loans sold                                    $  483            $ 1,298
Service charges on deposit accounts                               469                334
Trust fees                                                        472                225
Gain on sale of premium finance receivables                     1,241                -
Administrative services revenue                                 1,013                -
Net securities gains                                                3                -
Other income                                                      597                451
                                                       -----------------   ----------------
     Total non-interest income                                $ 4,278            $ 2,308
                                                       =================   ================
</TABLE>

Fees on  mortgage  loans sold  includes  income  from  originating  and  selling
residential real estate loans into the secondary  market,  the majority of which
are sold without  retaining  servicing  rights.  For the quarter ended March 31,
2000, these fees totaled $483,000 and declined  $815,000 from the 1999 quarterly
total of $1.3 million.  These  declines were due to lower  mortgage  volumes and
related refinancing  activity due mainly to the rise in mortgage interest rates.
Accordingly,  future fee income on mortgage  loans sold is not expected to be at
the levels that were experienced in the first half of 1999.

As a result of strong  loan  originations  during  the  first  quarter  of 2000,
approximately  $71  million  of  premium  finance  receivables  were  sold to an
unrelated  third party and resulted in the  recognition  of a $1.2 million gain.
The Company  currently is  targeting  its average  loan-to-deposit  ratio in the
range of 85-90%.  During the first quarter of 2000, the ratio was  approximately
88.4%.  Accordingly,  the Company sold excess premium finance  receivables 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.

The administrative services revenue contributed by Tricom, which was acquired in
October  1999,  added  $1.0  million to total  non-interest  income in the first
quarter 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.

Service charges on deposit  accounts  totaled  $469,000 for the first quarter of
2000,  an increase of  $135,000,  or 40%,  when  compared to the same quarter of
1999.  This  increase was 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

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>
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 $472,000 for the first quarter of 2000, a $247,000,  or 110%,
increase  over the same quarter of 1999.  This increase was 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.
The Company 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.

Other  non-interest  income for the first quarter totaled $597,000 and increased
$146,000 over the prior year quarterly total of $451,000.  This increase was due
primarily to a $210,000  increase in rental income from equipment leased through
the MMF Leasing  Services  division of the Lake Forest Bank, a business that was
acquired in mid-1998.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest  expense for the first  quarter of 2000 totaled  $12.1  million and
increased  $2.6  million,  or 27%,  from the first  quarter  1999  total of $9.5
million. The continued growth and expansion of the banks, the development of the
trust and investment  business,  and the October 1999 acquisition of Tricom were
the primary causes for this increase.  Since March 31, 1999,  total deposits and
loan balances have each grown over 22%,  requiring higher levels of staffing and
other costs to both attract and service the larger  customer base. The following
table presents non-interest expense by category (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Three Months
                                                              Ended March 31,
                                                    -----------------------------------
                                                          2000               1999
                                                    ------------------  ----------------
<S>                                                         <C>               <C>
    Salaries and employee benefits                          $ 6,335           $ 5,079
    Occupancy, net                                            1,010               676
    Equipment expense                                         1,149               628
    Data processing                                             680               482
    Advertising and marketing                                   249               369
    Professional fees                                           295               310
    Amortization of intangibles                                 178                35
    Other                                                     2,213             1,957
                                                    ------------------  ----------------
         Total non-interest expense                        $ 12,109           $ 9,536
                                                    ==================  ================
</TABLE>

Salaries and  employee  benefits  expense for the first  quarter of 2000 totaled
$6.3 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 25%, as compared to the prior year
total of $5.1 million.  This increase was  primarily due to the  acquisition  of
Tricom,  the expansion of the trust and investment  business and the addition of
three additional banking facilities. As a percent of average total assets, on an
annualized basis,  salaries and employee benefits were 1.49% for the first three
months of 2000, an improvement from 1.52% in the same period of 1999.

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
For the first  quarter of 2000,  occupancy  costs,  equipment  expense  and data
processing  increased  $334,000  (49%),   $521,000  (83%)  and  $198,000  (41%),
respectively, over the prior year first quarter 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.   Goodwill  and  other   intangibles
amortization  expense  totaled  $178,000  for the  first  quarter  of  2000  and
increased $143,000 over the prior year quarter as a result of the acquisition of
Tricom in October 1999.

Other non-interest  expense,  for the three months ended March 31, 2000, totaled
$2.2 million and increased $256,000, or 13%, due mainly to the factors mentioned
earlier.  This category of expense  includes loan expenses,  correspondent  bank
service charges,  postage,  insurance,  stationary and supplies and other sundry
expenses.

Despite  the  Company's  growth  and  the  related  increases  in  many  of  the
non-interest  expense  categories,  the ratio of  non-interest  expense to total
average assets  declined  slightly from 2.86% for the  three-month  period ended
March 31, 1999, to 2.85% for the 2000 period,  and is favorable to the Company's
most recent peer group ratio. In addition,  the net overhead ratio for the first
three  months of 2000  declined to 1.84% as compared to the first  quarter  1999
ratio of 2.17%.  The overhead  ratio is within  management's  previously  stated
performance goal range of 1.50% - 2.00%.


INCOME TAXES

The Company  recorded  income tax expense of $1.8  million for the three  months
ended March 31, 2000 versus  $970,000 for the same period of 1999.  The increase
was due  primarily to the increase in operating  income from $2.8 million in the
first quarter of 1999 to $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2000.


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,  trust and Tricom.  The  Company's  profitability  is  primarily
dependent  on the net  interest  income,  provision  for  possible  loan losses,
non-interest income and operating expenses of its banking segment.

For the first quarter of 2000, the banking segment's net interest income totaled
$12.6  million,  an increase of $2.5  million,  or 25%, as compared to the $10.1
million  recorded in the same quarter of 1999.  These  increases were the direct
result of earning asset growth,  particularly in the loan portfolio,  as earlier
discussed in the Net Interest Income section. The banking segment's non-interest
income totaled $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2000 and declined $426,000,
or 20%, when compared to the prior year quarter.  This decline was due to a drop
in fees on  mortgage  loans sold that was caused by the recent  rise in mortgage
interest rates and the related lower levels of refinancing  activity.  Partially
offsetting  the  decline in  mortgage  fees were  increases  in deposit  service
charges and rental income on equipment leases.  The banking segment's  after-tax
profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2000,  totaled $2.8 million,  an increase
of  $487,000,  or 21%,  as compared  to the prior year  quarterly  total of $2.4
million. 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.

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
Net interest  income from the premium  finance  segment totaled $3.5 million for
the quarter ended March 31, 2000, an increase of $400,000, or 13%, over the $3.1
million recorded in the same quarter of 1999.  Non-interest income for the three
months  ended March 31, 2000  totaled $1.2 million as a result of gains from the
sale of premium  finance  receivables,  as mentioned  earlier.  No such sales of
premium  finance loans occurred in the first quarter of 1999.  After-tax  profit
for the premium finance segment totaled $1.3 million for the three-month  period
ended March 31, 2000,  and increased  $387,000,  or 41%, over the same period of
1999.  These  increases  were due  mostly to higher  levels of  premium  finance
receivables  created from new product offerings and targeted  marketing programs
and the gain from the sale of receivables.

The indirect auto segment  recorded $1.9 million of net interest  income for the
first  quarter of 2000,  an increase of $11,000,  or 1%, as compared to the 1999
quarterly  total.  Despite a higher level of outstanding  loans,  higher funding
costs associated with this operation resulted in reduced margins related to this
segment's net interest income. After-tax segment profit totaled $550,000 for the
three-month  period ended March 31, 2000, a decline of $121,000 when compared to
the same period of 1999. The decline in this segment's  profitability was caused
mainly by a higher level of credit losses and compressed  margins in 2000 versus
1999.  See  further  discussion  of credit  quality  information  in the  "ASSET
QUALITY" section of this report.

The trust segment recorded non-interest income of $472,000 for the first quarter
of 2000 as  compared to $225,000  for the same  quarter of 1999,  an increase of
$247,000,  or 110%.  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  after-tax loss totaled $121,000 for the three-month  period ended March
31, 2000, as compared to after-tax loss of $232,000 for the same period of 1999.
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.

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  ended March 31,
2000, the Tricom  segment added  $797,000 to the Company's net interest  income,
$1.0 million to the Company's non-interest income, and $283,000 to the Company's
net income. No results are included for the first quarter of 1999 because Tricom
was acquired in October 1999 using the purchase method of accounting.


FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets were $1.77  billion at March 31, 2000, an increase of $352 million,
or 25%, over the $1.42 billion a year earlier,  and $93 million, or 6%, 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 $1.65
billion at March 31, 2000,  and increased  $322 million,  or 24%, over the prior
year,  and $85 million,  or 5%, since  December 31, 1999.  These  increases were
primarily   utilized  to  fund  growth  in  the  loan   portfolio   and  certain
discretionary investment leveraging transactions.

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS

The following  table sets forth,  by category,  the composition of earning asset
balances  and the relative  percentage  of total  earning  assets as of the date
specified (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           March 31, 2000                December 31, 1999               March 31, 1999
                                   ------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------
    Loans:                              Balance         Percent         Balance        Percent        Balance         Percent
                                   ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>           <C>              <C>          <C>               <C>
      Commercial and commercial
          real estate                    $ 503,824         31%            $ 485,776       32%          $  383,841        30%
      Premium finance, net                 225,424         14               219,341       15              210,169        16
      Indirect auto, net                   249,927         16               255,410       17              229,203        18
      Home equity                          146,517          9               139,194        9              111,070         8
      Residential real estate              120,443          7               111,026        7              101,612         8
      Tricom finance receivables            18,319          1                17,577        1                    -         -
      Installment and other                 43,342          3                49,925        3               35,121         3
                                   ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
    Total loans, net of
         unearned income                 1,307,796         81             1,278,249       84            1,071,016        83
                                   ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------
    Securities and money
        market investments                 308,212         19               236,573       16              227,632        17
                                   ------------------ ------------ ------------------ ----------- -----------------  ----------

    Total earning assets               $ 1,616,008        100%          $ 1,514,822      100%         $ 1,298,648       100%
                                   ================== ============ ================== =========== =================  ==========
</TABLE>

Earning assets as of March 31, 2000,  increased  $317 million,  or 24%, over the
balance a year earlier,  and $101 million, or 7%, 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  $1.31  billion  at March 31,  2000,  an  increase  of $30
million,  or 2%, since  December 31, 1999,  and an increase of $237 million,  or
22%, since March 31, 1999.  Solid loan growth in the core commercial  loan, home
equity and  residential  real estate  portfolios  were 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.  Total net loans comprised 81% of total
earning  assets at March 31, 2000 as  compared to 83% a year  earlier and 84% at
the end of 1999.

Commercial  and  commercial  real  estate  loans,  the  largest  loan  category,
comprised  31% of total  earning  assets as of March 31, 2000 and has  increased
$120.0 million, or 31%, since March 31, 1999 and $18.0 million, or 4%, since the
end of 1999.  The  strong  growth  experienced  over the past year has  resulted
mainly from a healthy economy and the hiring of additional  experienced  lending
officers.

Net indirect auto loans  comprised  16% of total earning  assets as of March 31,
2000 and increased  $20.7  million,  or 9%, over a year ago, but decreased  $5.5
million,  or 2%, since the end of 1999.  The decrease from the December 31, 1999
balance was the result of a higher interest rate environment  experienced during
the first three months of 2000 coupled with a traditionally  slow period for new
automobile purchases. Additionally, the Company currently has a desire 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 the
existing level. The Company utilizes credit

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
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.

Net premium  finance  receivables  totaled  $225.4 million at March 31, 2000 and
comprised 14% of the total loan  portfolio.  This total balance  increased $15.3
million,  or 7%, since March 31, 1999 and $6.1 million,  or 3%, since the end of
1999. This growth was primarily the result of increased market  penetration from
new product offerings and targeted 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 first quarter of 2000 the Company sold approximately $71
million of premium finance  receivables to an unrelated third party at a gain of
$1.2 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.

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 March 31,
2000,  outstanding  finance  receivables  totaled $18.3 million,  an increase of
$742,000 or 4% from the December 31, 1999 balance.

Home equity loans totaled $146.5  million at March 31, 2000 and increased  $35.4
million,  or 32%,  since a year earlier and $7.3 million,  or 5%, as compared to
the end of 1999.  This  category of loans has  increased  due mainly to targeted
marketing  programs over the past year. These 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 $24.9 million, or 14%,
over the balance at March 31, 1999 and totaled $198.4 million at March 31, 2000.

Residential  real estate loans totaled  $120.4  million as of March 31, 2000 and
increased $18.8 million,  or 19%, over a year ago and $9.4 million, or 8%, since
December 31, 1999.  Mortgage  loans held for sale are included in this  category
and totaled $8.7  million as of March 31, 2000,  $8.1 million as of December 31,
1999 and $19.0 million as of March 31, 1998.  The Company  collects a fee on the
sale of these  loans into the  secondary  market,  as  discussed  earlier in the
Non-interest  Income section of this analysis.  As these loans are predominantly
long-term  fixed rate  loans,  the Company  eliminates  the  interest  rate risk
associated  with these  loans by selling  them into the  secondary  market.  The
remaining  residential real estate loans in this category are maintained  within
the Banks'  portfolios  and 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.

                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>
Securities  and  money  market   investments   (i.e.   federal  funds  sold  and
interest-bearing  deposits with banks) totaled $308.2 million at March 31, 2000,
an increase of $71.6 million, or 30%, since December 31, 1999 and $80.6 million,
or 35%, since a year earlier. This category as a percent of total earning assets
has  increased  to 19% at March 31, 2000 versus 16% and 17% at December 31, 1999
and March 31, 1999;  respectively.  The increase was caused mainly from the sale
of premium  finance  receivables  totaling  $71 million in the first  quarter of
2000. The Company  maintained no trading account securities at March 31, 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.


DEPOSITS

Total  deposits  at March 31,  2000 were  $1.53  billion,  an  increase  of $281
million,  or 22%,  over the March 31, 1999 total and an increase of $70 million,
or 5%, 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>
                                      March 31, 2000                   December 31, 1999                   March 31, 1999
                             ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                   Percent                            Percent                           Percent
                                 Balance          of Total           Balance         of Total           Balance         of Total
                             -----------------  --------------  ------------------ --------------  ------------------ -------------
<S>                              <C>                   <C>          <C>                   <C>           <C>                 <C>
  Demand                           $ 155,507            10%           $ 154,034            11%            $ 117,463           9%
  NOW                                138,228             9              130,625             9               112,542           9
  Money market                       273,076            18              252,483            17               232,184          19
  Savings                             75,404             5               72,718             5                74,258           6
  Certificates of deposit            891,446            58              853,762            58               716,352          57
                             -----------------  --------------  ------------------ --------------  ------------------ -------------

               Total             $ 1,533,661           100%         $ 1,463,622           100%          $ 1,252,799         100%
                             =================  ==============  ================== ==============  ================== =============
</TABLE>

The percentage  mix of deposits as of March 31, 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 March 31, 2000, the Company's short-term  borrowings totaled $68.7 million
and consisted primarily of short-term repurchase agreements utilized to leverage
certain investment  transactions within several banks' security  portfolios.  At
March 31,  2000,  the  Company  also had $14.1  million  outstanding  on its $40
million revolving credit line with an unaffiliated bank. The outstanding balance
on this credit line as of March 31,  1999 was $2.0  million and $8.4  million at
December 31, 1999. The Company  continues to maintain the revolving  credit line
for corporate  purposes such as to provide  capital to fund continued  growth at
the Banks, expansion of WAMC, possible future acquisitions and for other general
corporate matters.

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>
LONG-TERM DEBT - TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

For each of the reporting  periods,  the long-term debt category consists of the
Company's $31.05 million of 9.00% Cumulative Trust Preferred  Securities,  which
were publicly sold in an offering that was completed in October 1998.  The Trust
Preferred Securities offering increased the Company's regulatory capital and has
provided  for the  continued  growth of its  banking  and trust  franchise.  The
ability to treat these Trust  Preferred  Securities as regulatory  capital under
Federal Reserve guidelines, coupled with the Federal income tax deductibility of
the related interest expense, provides the Company with a cost-effective form of
capital.  See Note 4 to the  Unaudited  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for
further information on these Trust Preferred Securities.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Total  shareholders'  equity was $94.8  million at March 31, 2000 and  increased
$17.6 million since March 31, 1999 and $1.9 million since the end of 1999. These
increases  were the result of the  Company's  corporate  earnings  offset by net
unrealized  losses  of  the  available-for-sale  security  portfolio,   dividend
payments and stock repurchases.  The annualized return on average equity for the
quarter  ended March 31, 2000  increased  to 13.32% as compared to 9.75% for the
prior year period.

The following table reflects various  consolidated  measures of capital at March
31, 2000, December 31, 1999 and March 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 March 31,            December 31,            March 31,
                                                                   2000                   1999                  1999
                                                           ----------------------  -------------------   --------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>                    <C>
Leverage ratio                                                          6.9%                 7.1%                   7.5%
Ending tier 1 capital to risk-based asset ratio                         7.5%                 7.8%                   8.2%
Ending total capital to risk-based asset ratio                          8.1%                 8.4%                   9.2%
Dividend payout ratio                                                   7.1%                 0.0%                   0.0%
</TABLE>

On January 27, 2000,  Wintrust  declared its first  semi-annual cash dividend of
$0.05  per  common   share.   The  dividend  was  payable   February  24,  2000.
Additionally,  the Company  initiated a stock buyback  program  authorizing  the
repurchase of up to 300,000 shares of its common stock.  Through March 31, 2000,
the Company  repurchased  a total of 85,200 shares at an average price of $15.33
per share.

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 March 31, 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's  capital  ratios at March 31, 2000 were lower in comparison to the
ratios a year  earlier due  primarily  to continued  asset  growth.  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.

                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>
ASSET QUALITY

ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES

A  reconciliation  of the activity in the allowance for possible loan losses for
the three months  ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 is shown as follows  (dollars in
thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                                     March 31,
                                                            2000                  1999
                                                      ------------------    -----------------
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>
  Balance at beginning of period                            $  8,783              $ 7,034

  Provision for possible loan losses                           1,141                  784

 Charge-offs
 -----------
  Core banking loans                                             130                  101
  Indirect automobile loans                                      311                  160
  Premium finance receivables                                    201                   95
                                                      ------------------    -----------------
     Total charge-offs                                           642                  356
                                                      ------------------    -----------------
 Recoveries
 ----------
  Core banking loans                                               8                    6
  Indirect automobile loans                                       43                   14
  Premium finance receivables                                     26                   36
                                                      ------------------    -----------------
      Total recoveries                                            77                   56
                                                      ------------------    -----------------

  Net charge-offs                                               (565)                (300)
                                                      ------------------    -----------------

  Balance at March 31                                       $  9,359              $ 7,518
                                                      ==================    =================

  Loans, net of unearned discount
  at March 31                                             $1,307,796           $1,071,016
                                                      ==================    =================

  Allowance as a percentage of loans                               0.72%              0.70%
                                                      ==================    =================

  Annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average:
        Core banking loans                                         0.06%              0.06%
        Indirect automobile loans                                  0.43%              0.27%
        Premium finance receivables                                0.29%              0.12%
                                                      ------------------    -----------------
            Total loans                                            0.17%              0.12%
                                                      ==================    =================
        Annualized provision for
            possible loan losses                                  49.52%             38.27%
                                                      ==================    =================
</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

                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>
the loan  portfolio  is provided by the  examinations  conducted  by  regulatory
authorities and an independent loan review performed by an entity engaged by the
Board of  Directors.  The amount of additions to the allowance for possible loan
losses,  which are charged to earnings  through the  provision for possible loan
losses,  are  determined  based  on  a  variety  of  factors,  including  actual
charge-offs  during the year,  historical loss experience,  delinquent and other
potential problem loans, and an evaluation of economic  conditions in the market
area.

The  provision  for  possible  loan losses  totaled  $1.1  million for the first
quarter  of 2000,  an  increase  of  $357,000  from a year  earlier.  The higher
provision  was  necessary to cover a 22% increase in loan  balances  compared to
March 31, 1999.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2000, net  charge-offs  totaled
$565,000 and increased from the $300,000 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 0.17% in 2000 from 0.12% in 1999. This increase is
the result of a slightly  higher level of  delinquencies  and a more  aggressive
charge-off  philosophy  in managing the indirect auto  portfolio.  Management is
actively monitoring and pursuing methods to reduce the level of delinquencies in
both the indirect and premium finance portfolios.

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.

                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>
PAST DUE LOANS AND NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           March 31,             December 31,             March 31,
                                                              2000                   1999                    1999
                                                              ----                   ----                    ----
<S>                                                             <C>                     <C>                    <C>
      Past Due greater than 90 days
           and still accruing:
            Core banking loans                                   $  362                  $  713                $   335
            Indirect automobile loans                               466                     391                    317
            Premium finance receivables                           2,273                   1,523                  1,021
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
                Total                                             3,101                   2,627                  1,673
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Non-accrual loans:
            Core banking loans                                    1,582                   1,895                  1,423
            Indirect automobile loans                               266                     298                    195
            Premium finance receivables                           2,334                   2,145                  1,439
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
                Total non-accrual loans                           4,182                   4,338                  3,057
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Total non-performing loans:
            Core banking loans                                    1,944                   2,608                  1,758
            Indirect automobile loans                               732                     689                    512
            Premium finance receivables                           4,607                   3,668                  2,460
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
                Total non-performing loans                        7,283                   6,965                  4,730
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

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

      Total non-performing assets                               $ 7,283                 $ 6,965                $ 5,320
                                                      =====================  ======================  =====================

      Total non-performing  loans by category as a percent of its own respective
        category:
            Core banking loans                                       0.23%                   0.32%                  0.28%
            Indirect automobile loans                                0.29%                   0.27%                  0.23%
            Premium finance receivables                              2.04%                   1.67%                  1.17%
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------
               Total non-performing loans                            0.56%                   0.54%                  0.44%
                                                      ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------

      Total non-performing assets as a
        percentage of total assets                                   0.41%                   0.41%                  0.37%

      Allowance for possible loan losses as
        a percentage of non-performing loans                       128.50%                 126.10%                158.94%

</TABLE>

                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>
Non-performing Core Banking Loans

Total  non-performing  loans for the Company's  core banking  business were $1.9
million, or 0.23%, of the Company's core banking loans as of March 31, 2000, and
were down from the ratios of 0.32% and 0.28% as of December 31, 1999,  and March
31,  1999,  respectively.  Although  the  outstanding  core loan  portfolio  has
increased  29% from a year ago,  the  amount of  non-performing  core  loans has
increased only 11% from the prior year totals. Non-performing core banking loans
consist  primarily of a small number of commercial and real estate loans,  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 March  31,  2000 and  1999,  and the  amount  of net  charge-offs  for the
quarters then ended.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 As of            % of Premium                   As of           % of Premium
                                                3/31/00           Finance Rec.                  3/31/99          Finance Rec.
                                                -------           ------------                  -------          ------------
<S>                                               <C>                <C>                         <C>                <C>
     Non-performing premium finance
          receivables                             $4,607,000         2.04%                       $2,460,000         1.17%

     Net charge-offs of premium
          finance receivables                      $ 175,000         0.29%                         $ 59,000         0.12%
</TABLE>


It is important to note that the ratio of net charge-offs is substantially  less
than the ratio of non-performing  assets.  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 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 $732,000 at March 31, 2000.
The ratio of these non-performing loans has increased slightly to 0.29% of total
indirect  automobile loans at March 31, 2000 from 0.27% at December 31, 1999 and
0.23% at March 31,  1999.  Despite the  increase in the level of  non-performing
loans, the ratios continue to be below standard industry ratios for this type of
loan category.

                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>
Potential Problem Loans

In addition to those loans  disclosed  under "Past Due Loans and  Non-performing
Assets,"  there  are  certain  loans  in  the  portfolio  which  management  has
identified,  through its problem loan  identification  system,  which  exhibit a
higher than  normal  credit  risk.  However,  these  loans are still  considered
performing and, accordingly,  are not included in non-performing loans. Examples
of these  potential  problem loans include  certain loans that are in a past-due
status,  loans with borrowers  that have recent  adverse  operating cash flow or
balance sheet trends, or loans with general risk  characteristics  that the loan
officer feels might  jeopardize  the future  timely  collection of principal and
interest payments.  Management's  review of the total loan portfolio to identify
loans where there is concern that the  borrower  will not be able to continue to
satisfy  present  loan  repayment  terms  includes  factors  such as  review  of
individual loans,  recent loss experience and current economic  conditions.  The
principal  amount of potential  problem  loans as of March 31, 2000 and December
31, 1999 was approximately $12.2 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.



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

                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>
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    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.

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


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

Derivative Financial Instruments
One method  utilized by financial  institutions to limit market risk is to enter
into  derivative  financial  instruments.   A  derivative  financial  instrument
includes interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, futures,  forwards,
option contracts and other financial  instruments with similar  characteristics.
As of March 31, 2000, the Company had $375 million notional  principal amount of
interest rate cap contracts that mature in April 2000 ($60  million),  September
2000 ($60  million),  October 2000 ($60  million),  January 2001 ($60  million),
February  2001  ($55  million),  April  2001  ($60  million)  and July 2001 ($20
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  to utilize  excess  capital  at certain  banks and
increase the total return  associated  with holding these  securities as earning
assets. The Company may enter into other derivative financial instruments in the
future to more effectively manage its market risk.

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

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
Interest rate sensitivity is the fluctuation in earnings  resulting from changes
in  market  interest  rates.   Wintrust   continuously  monitors  not  only  the
organization's  current net interest margin,  but also the historical  trends of
these margins. In addition, Wintrust also attempts to identify potential adverse
swings in net  interest  income in future  years,  as a result of interest  rate
movements,  by performing computerized simulation analysis of potential interest
rate  environments.  If a potential  adverse swing in net interest margin and/or
net income  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.

                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>
The  Company's  exposure  to  market  risk is  reviewed  on a  regular  basis by
management  and the  boards  of  directors  of the Banks  and the  Company.  The
objective is to measure the effect on net income and to adjust balance sheet and
off-balance  sheet  instruments  to minimize the inherent risk while at the same
time maximize income. Tools used by management include a standard gap report and
a rate  simulation  model whereby changes in net interest income are measured in
the event of various changes in interest rate indices.  An institution with more
assets than  liabilities  repricing over a given time frame is considered  asset
sensitive and will generally benefit from rising rates and conversely,  a higher
level of repricing  liabilities versus assets would be beneficial in a declining
rate environment.  The following table illustrates the Company's gap position as
of March 31, 2000.

<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>              <C>
ASSETS:
   Loans, net of unearned income .......         $554,013       $   313,551           $412,088        $ 28,144         $ 1,307,796
   Securities...........................           71,835            11,455             92,200          35,335             210,825
   Interest-bearing bank deposits.......              288                 -                  -               -                 288
   Federal funds sold...................           97,099                 -                  -               -              97,099
   Other................................                -                 -                  -         155,883             155,883
                                            ---------------  ----------------   ----------------  --------------   -----------------
     Total rate sensitive assets (RSA)            723,235           325,006            504,288         219,362           1,771,891
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============   =================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   NOW..................................          138,228                 -                  -               -             138,228
   Savings and money market.............          320,735                 -                  -          27,745             348,480
   Time deposits........................          387,300           338,565            164,967             614             891,446
   Short term borrowings................           68,721                 -                  -               -              68,721
   Notes payable........................           14,050                 -                  -               -              14,050
   Demand deposits & other
      liabilities.......................                -                 -                  -         185,081             185,081
   Trust preferred securities...........                -                 -                  -          31,050              31,050
   Shareholders' equity.................                -                 -                  -          94,835              94,835
                                            ---------------  ----------------   ----------------  --------------   -----------------
     Total rate sensitive liabilities
         and equity (RSL)...............          929,034           338,565            164,967         339,325           1,771,891
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============   =================
Cumulative gap, excluding interest
  rate caps (GAP = RSA - RSL)  (1)             $(205,799)       $ (219,358)           $119,963          $    -
                                            ===============  ================   ================  ==============

Cumulative RSA/RSL (1)..................         0.78               0.96               3.06
RSA/Total assets........................         0.41               0.18               0.28
RSL/Total assets (1)....................         0.52               0.19               0.09

GAP/Total assets (1)....................            (12)%             (12)%                7%
GAP/Cumulative RSA (1)..................            (28)%             (21)%                8%
- ----------------------------------------
<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>


                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>
While the gap position  illustrated  on the previous  page is a useful tool that
management  can  assess  for  general  positioning  of  the  Company's  and  its
subsidiaries'  balance  sheets,  it is only as of a point  in time  and does not
reflect the impact of off-balance sheet interest rate cap contracts. As of March
31, 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.

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 March 31, 2000 and 1999, is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                AS OF MARCH 31, 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....                               2.4%             0.2%
                                                                                ===============  ===============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                AS OF MARCH 31, 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....                               2.1%             1.0%
                                                                                ===============  ===============
</TABLE>

                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>
                                     PART II

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

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

ITEM 2: CHANGES IN SECURITIES.

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

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

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

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

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  January  24,  2000 was filed  during  the  quarter  and
provided the Company's  fourth quarter  earnings  release dated January 24, 2000
and included a copy of the Company's  letter to shareholders  mailed in February
2000.

A Form 8-K report as of  January  27,  2000 was filed  during  the  quarter  and
announced  the  Company's  declaration  of a $0.05  per share  dividend  and the
announcement of a common stock buyback program authorizing the purchase of up to
300,000 shares of common stock.

                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

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


                         WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                  (Registrant)

Date: May 15, 2000            /s/ Edward J. Wehmer
                              --------------------
                              President & Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 15, 2000            /s/ David A. Dykstra
                              --------------------
                              Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
                              (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit 27               Financial Data Schedule



                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial  information  extracted from the annual
unaudited financial  statements of Wintrust Financial  Corporation for the three
months  ended  March 31,  2000 and 1999,  and is  qualified  in its  entirety by
reference to such unaudited consolidated financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0001015328
<NAME>  WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000

<S>                                               <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           3-MOS                     3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 DEC-31-2000               DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                    JAN-01-2000               JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                      MAR-31-2000               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                 42,664                    32,989
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                    288                     3,545
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                       97,099                    28,945
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                            0                         0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           210,825                   195,142
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                      0                         0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                        0                         0
<LOANS>                                             1,307,796                 1,071,016
<ALLOWANCE>                                             9,359                     7,518
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,771,891                 1,419,435
<DEPOSITS>                                          1,533,661                 1,252,799
<SHORT-TERM>                                           82,771                    42,033
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                    29,574                    16,330
<LONG-TERM>                                            31,050                    31,050
                                       0                         0
                                                 0                         0
<COMMON>                                                8,838                     8,161
<OTHER-SE>                                             85,997                    69,063
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                      1,771,891                 1,419,436
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                        28,738                    21,663
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                       3,571                     2,615
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                            0                         0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                       32,309                    24,278
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                     16,599                    12,550
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     18,441                    13,462
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                  13,868                    10,816
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                           1,141                       784
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                          3                         0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                        12,109                     9,536
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         4,896                     2,804
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                              3,122                     1,834
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0                         0
<CHANGES>                                                   0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                            3,122                     1,834
<EPS-BASIC>                                              0.35                      0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            0.35                      0.22
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                           3.65                      3.58
<LOANS-NON>                                             4,182                     3,057
<LOANS-PAST>                                            3,101                     1,673
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                            0                         0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                        12,183                     4,556
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                        8,783                     7,034
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                            (642)                     (356)
<RECOVERIES>                                               77                        56
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                       9,359                     7,518
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                    6,600                     6,803
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                         0                         0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                 2,759                       715


</TABLE>


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