Each Wintrust Community Bank was founded as a de novo (from scratch) banking organization. The organizational efforts began in 1991 when a group of experienced bankers and local business people identified an unfilled niche in the Chicago metropolitan area retail banking market. As large banks acquired smaller ones and personal service was subjected to consolidation strategies, the opportunity became clear in the suburbs for locally controlled and managed, highly personal service-oriented banks. Since 1991, nine banks and over 40 facilities have been opened on a de novo basis. In 2003, Wintrust began acquiring de novo banking organizations that fit the mold of its current portfolio of bank groups, while continuing to expand via a de novo basis.

Wintrust Community Banks are controlled by a strong, participatory, local board and are managed by a team of experienced bankers who are respected in their community and average more than 20 years of experience per person in the banking business. These ties and their deep knowledge of banking and the neighborhood is a key to each of our bank's success.