Wintrust Financial
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Wintrust Financial - 10-K annual report


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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996

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

0-21923
Commission File Number

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:

COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act

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 for 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 by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant was approximately $101,858,000 as of March 21, 1997. As of March 21,
1997, the registrant had outstanding 7,997,359 shares of Common Stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Annual Shareholder's Report for the year ended December 31, 1996
are incorporated by reference into Parts I and II hereof and portions of the
Proxy Statement for the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
May 22, 1997 are incorporated by reference into Part III.
TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I
Page

ITEM 1. Business.................................................... 1

ITEM 2. Properties.................................................. 21

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings........................................... 22

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders........... 22


PART II

ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters.................................... 23

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data..................................... 24

ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.................... 25

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 25

ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure.................... 25


PART III

ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......... 25

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation ..................................... 25


ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management ........................................ 25

ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 26


PART IV

ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K ................................... 26

Signatures.................................................. 31
PART I.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois Corporation (the "Company"), is a
financial services holding company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, with
total assets of approximately $700 million at December 31, 1996. The Company
engages in community banking and specialty finance through its operating
subsidiaries: North Shore Community Bank and Trust Company ("North Shore Bank");
Lake Forest Bank and Trust Company ("Lake Forest Bank"); Hinsdale Bank and Trust
Company ("Hinsdale Bank"); Libertyville Bank and Trust Company ("Libertyville
Bank"); Barrington Bank and Trust Company, N.A. ("Barrington Bank"); and First
Premium Services, Inc. ("First Premium").

Through its banking subsidiaries, Lake Forest Bank, Hinsdale Bank, North Shore
Bank, Libertyville Bank and Barrington Bank (collectively, the "Banks"), the
Company provides community-oriented, personal and commercial banking services in
affluent suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Through First Premium, the Company is in
the business of originating commercial insurance premium finance loans on a
national basis, a portion of which are purchased by the Banks.

Effective September 1, 1996, pursuant to the terms of a reorganization agreement
dated as of May 28, 1996, which was approved by shareholders of all of the
parties, the Company completed a reorganization transaction to combine the
separate activities of the holding companies of each of the Company's operating
subsidiaries (other than Barrington Bank which was opened in December 1996). As
a result of the transaction, the Company (formerly known as North Shore
Community Bancorp, Inc., the name of which was changed to Wintrust Financial
Corporation in connection with the reorganization) became the parent holding
company of each of the separate businesses, and the shareholders and warrant
holders of each of the separate holding companies exchanged their shares for
Common Stock and their warrants for a combination of shares of Common Stock and
Warrants of the Company (the "Reorganization"). The Reorganization was accounted
for as a pooling-of-interests transaction and, accordingly, the Company's
financial statements have been restated on a combined and consolidated basis to
give retroactive effect to the combined operations throughout the reported
historical periods.

Prior to the Reorganization, each of the Banks shared the services of the
persons now serving as the Company's five senior executive officers, who
allocated their time among the different entities. As a larger, combined
financial services company, the Company expects to benefit from greater access
to financial and managerial resources while maintaining its commitment to
localized decision-making and to its community banking philosophy. Management
also believes the Company is positioned to compete more effectively with other
larger and more diversified banks, bank holding companies and other financial
services companies as it pursues its growth strategy through additional branch
openings and de novo bank formations, potential acquisitions of specialized
finance companies and other expansion.

BANKING SUBSIDIARIES
- --------------------

The Company provides banking and financial services to individuals, small
businesses, local governmental units and institutional clients residing
primarily in the Banks' local service areas. These services include traditional
demand, NOW, money market, savings and time deposit accounts, as well as a
number of innovative deposit products targeted to specific market segments.

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The Banks offer home equity,  home mortgage,  real estate and commercial  loans,
safe deposit facilities, trust services and other innovative and traditional
services specially tailored to meet the needs of customers in their market
areas.

Each of the Banks was founded as a de novo banking organization (i.e., started
new) within the last six years. 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 increased in affluent suburbs for locally owned and
operated, highly personal service-oriented banks. As a result, Lake Forest Bank
was founded in December 1991 to service the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff
communities. The Lake Bluff branch was opened in 1994. In 1993, Hinsdale Bank
was opened to service the communities of Hinsdale and Burr Ridge. Its Clarendon
Hills branch was opened in 1996. In 1994, North Shore Community Bank was started
in order to service Wilmette and Kenilworth. A Glencoe branch was opened in
1995, and a Winnetka branch was opened in 1996 to service Winnetka and
Northfield. In 1995, Libertyville Bank was opened to service Libertyville,
Vernon Hills and Mundelein. In December 1996, Barrington Bank was opened to
service the Barrington/Inverness areas. All Banks are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Company ("FDIC") and are subject to regulation, supervision
and regular examination by the Illinois State Director of Financial Institutions
and the Federal Reserve Bank.


NON-BANKING SUBSIDIARIES
- ------------------------

First Premium commenced operations approximately six years ago and is
headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. Based on limited industry data available
in certain state regulatory filings and First Premium management's experience in
and knowledge of the premium finance industry, management estimates that, ranked
by loan origination volume, First Premium is one of the top 10 premium finance
companies operating in the United States. Loans are originated by First
Premium's own sales force, working with medium and large insurance agents and
brokers throughout the United States. Insurance premiums are financed primarily
for commercial customers' purchase of property and casualty insurance.

First Premium is licensed or otherwise qualified to do business as an insurance
premium finance company in 45 states and the District of Columbia, and has
applied for licenses in three additional states. Virtually all of its
outstanding loans are commercial accounts.


COMPETITION
- -----------

The Company competes in the commercial banking industry through its
subsidiaries, North Shore Bank, Lake Forest Bank, Hinsdale Bank, Libertyville
Bank and Barrington Bank, in the communities each serves. The commercial banking
industry is highly competitive, and the Banks face strong direct competition for
deposits, loans, and other financial-related services. The Banks compete
directly in Cook, DuPage and Lake counties with other commercial banks, thrifts,
credit unions, stockbrokers, and the finance divisions of automobile companies.
Some of these competitors are local, while others are statewide or nationwide.
The Banks have developed a community banking and marketing strategy. In keeping
with this strategy, the Banks provide highly personalized and responsive service
characteristic of locally-owned and managed institutions. As such, the Banks
compete for deposits principally by offering depositors a variety of deposit
programs, convenient office locations, hours and other services, and for loan
originations primarily through the interest rates and loan fees they charge, the
efficiency and quality of services they provide to borrowers

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and the variety of their loan products.  Some of the financial  institutions and
financial services organizations with which the Banks compete are not subject to
the same degree of regulation as that imposed on bank holding companies,
Illinois banking corporations and national banking associations. In addition,
the larger banking organizations have significantly greater resources than those
that will be available to the Banks. As a result, such competitors have
advantages over the Banks in providing certain non-deposit services.

First Premium encounters intense competition from numerous other firms,
including a number of national commercial premium finance companies, companies
affiliated with insurance carriers, independent insurance brokers who offer
premium finance services, banks and other lending institutions. Some of First
Premium's competitors are larger and have greater financial and other resources
and are better known than First Premium. In addition, there are few, if any,
barriers to entry into this industry in the event other firms, particularly
insurance carriers and their affiliates, seek to compete in this market.

First Premium believes that it offers better service and more flexibility with
regard to late payments and policy cancellations than affiliates of insurance
carriers, banks and other lending institutions. First Premium competes with
these entities by emphasizing a high level of knowledge of the insurance
industry, flexibility in structuring financing transactions, and the timely
purchase of qualifying contracts. First Premium believes that its commitment to
account service also distinguishes it from its competitors. It is First
Premium's policy to notify the insurance agent when an insured is in default and
to assist in collection, if requested by the agent. To the extent that
affiliates of insurance carriers, banks, and other lending institutions add
greater service and flexibility to their financing practices in the future, the
Company's operations could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that
First Premium will be able to continue to compete successfully in its markets.

EMPLOYEES
- ---------

At December 31, 1996, the Company and subsidiaries employed a total of 226
full-time-equivalent persons, consisting of 73 executives, management and
supervisory personnel and 153 clerical employees. The Company and the Banks
provide their employees with comprehensive medical and dental plans, life
insurance plans, and 401(k) plans. The Company considers its relationship with
employees to be good.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
- --------------------------
Bank holding companies and banks are extensively regulated under federal and
state law. References under this heading to applicable statutes or regulations
are brief summaries of portions thereof which do not purport to be complete and
which are qualified in their entirety by reference to those statutes and
regulations. Any change in applicable laws or regulations may have a material
adverse effect on the business of commercial banks and bank holding companies,
including the Company and the Banks. However, management is not aware of any
current recommendations by any regulatory authority which, if implemented, would
have or would be reasonably likely to have a material effect on liquidity,
capital resources, or operations of the Company or the Banks.

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BANK HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION

The Company and each of its bank holding company subsidiaries, Lake Forest,
Hinsdale and Libertyville, are registered as "bank holding companies" with the
Federal Reserve and, accordingly, are subject to supervision by the Federal
Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act (the Bank Holding Company Act and the
regulations issued thereunder, are collectively the "BHC Act"). The Company is
required to file with the Federal Reserve periodic reports and such additional
information as the Federal Reserve may require pursuant to the BHC Act. The
Federal Reserve examines the Company and may examine the Banks.

The BHC Act requires prior Federal Reserve approval for, among other things, the
acquisition by a bank holding company of direct or indirect ownership or control
of more than five percent of the voting shares or substantially all the assets
of any bank or bank holding company, or for a merger or consolidation of a bank
holding company with another bank holding company. With certain exceptions, the
BHC Act prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring direct or indirect
ownership or control of voting shares of any company which is not a bank or bank
holding company and from engaging directly or indirectly in any activity other
than banking or managing or controlling banks or performing services for its
authorized subsidiaries. A bank holding company may, however, engage in or
acquire an interest in a company that engages in activities which the Federal
Reserve has determined, by regulation or order, to be so closely related to
banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto,
such as owning and operating the premium finance business conducted by First
Premium. Under the BHC Act and Federal Reserve regulations, the Company and the
Banks are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection
with an extension of credit, lease, sale of property, or furnishing of services.

Any person, including associates and affiliates of and groups acting in concert
with such person, who purchases or subscribes for five percent or more of the
Company's Common Stock may be required to obtain prior approval of the Illinois
Commissioner and the Federal Reserve. Under the Illinois Banking Act, any person
who thereafter acquires stock of the Company such that its interest exceeds ten
percent of the Company, may be required to obtain the prior approval of the
Illinois Commissioner and under the Change in Bank Control Act, a person may be
required to obtain the prior regulatory approval of the FDIC or OCC, in the case
of Barrington Bank, and the Federal Reserve before acquiring the power to
directly or indirectly direct the management, operations or policies of the
Company or the Banks or before acquiring control of 25 percent or more of any
class of the Company's or Banks' outstanding voting stock. In addition, any
Company, partnership, trust or organized group that acquires a controlling
interest in the Company or the Banks may have to obtain approval of the Federal
Reserve to become a bank holding company and thereafter be subject to regulation
as such.

It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that the Company is expected to act as a
source of financial strength to the Banks and to commit resources to support the
Banks. The Federal Reserve takes the position that in implementing this policy,
it may require the Company to provide such support when the Company otherwise
would not consider itself able to do so.

The Federal Reserve has adopted risk-based capital requirements for assessing
bank holding company capital adequacy. These standards define regulatory capital
and establish minimum capital standards in relation to assets and off-balance
sheet exposures, as adjusted for credit risks. The Federal Reserve's risk-

- 4 -
based guidelines apply on a consolidated  basis for bank holding  companies with
consolidated assets of $150 million or more and on a "bank-only" basis for bank
holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $150 million, subject to
certain terms and conditions. Under the Federal Reserve's risk-based guidelines,
capital is classified into two categories. For bank holding companies, Tier 1 or
"core" capital consists of common shareholders' equity, perpetual preferred
stock (subject to certain limitations) and minority interests in the common
equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, and is reduced by goodwill,
certain other intangible assets and certain investments in other Companies
("Tier 1 Capital"). Tier 2 capital consists of the allowance for loan and lease
losses (subject to certain conditions and limitations), perpetual preferred
stock, "hybrid capital instruments," perpetual debt and mandatory convertible
debt securities, and term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred
stock.

Under the Federal Reserve's capital guidelines, bank holding companies are
required to maintain a minimum ratio of qualifying capital to risk-weighted
assets of 8.0%, of which at least 4.0% must be in the form of Tier 1 Capital.
The Federal Reserve also requires a minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 Capital to
total assets of 3.0%, except that bank holding companies not rated in the
highest category under the regulatory rating system are required to maintain a
leverage ratio of 1.0% to 2.0% above such minimum. The 3.0% Tier 1 Capital to
total assets ratio constitutes the minimum leverage standard for bank holding
companies, and will be used in conjunction with the risk-based ratio in
determining the overall capital adequacy of banking organizations. In addition,
the Federal Reserve continues to consider the Tier 1 leverage ratio in
evaluating proposals for expansion or new activities.

In its capital adequacy guidelines, the Federal Reserve emphasizes that the
foregoing standards are supervisory minimums and that banking organizations
generally are expected to operate well above the minimum ratios. These
guidelines also provide that banking organizations experiencing internal growth
or making acquisitions will be expected to maintain strong capital positions
substantially above the minimum levels.

BANK REGULATION

Under Illinois law, each of North Shore Bank, Lake Forest Bank, Hinsdale Bank
and Libertyville Bank are subject to supervision and examination by the Illinois
Commissioner. As an affiliate of these Banks, the Company is also subject to
examination by the Illinois Commissioner. Barrington Bank is subject to
supervision and examination by the OCC pursuant to the National Bank Act and
regulations promulgated thereunder. Each of the Banks is a member of the Federal
Reserve Bank and as such is also subject to examination by the Federal Reserve.

The deposits of the Banks are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund under the
provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the "FDIA"), and the Banks are,
therefore, also subject to supervision and examination by the FDIC. The FDIC
requires that the appropriate federal regulatory authority (the Federal Reserve
Bank and/or the FDIC in the case of Lake Forest Bank, North Shore Bank, Hinsdale
Bank and Libertyville Bank, or the OCC, in the case of Barrington Bank) approve
any merger and/or consolidation by or with an insured bank, as well as the
establishment or relocation of any bank or branch office. The FDIC also
supervises compliance with the provisions of federal law and regulations which
place restrictions on loans by FDIC-insured banks to their directors, executive
officers and other controlling persons.

- 5 -
Furthermore,  banks  are  affected  by the  credit  policies  of other  monetary
authorities, including the Federal Reserve, which regulate the national supply
of bank credit. Such regulation influences overall growth of bank loans,
investments, and deposits and may also affect interest rates charged on loans
and paid on deposits. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have had a
significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and
are expected to continue to do so in the future.

All banks located in Illinois have traditionally been restricted as to the
number and geographic location of branches which they may establish. The
Illinois Banking Act was amended in June 1993, however, to eliminate such
branching restrictions. Accordingly, banks located in Illinois are now permitted
to establish branches anywhere in Illinois without regard to the location of
other banks' main offices or the number of branches previously maintained by the
bank establishing the branch.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION REGULATION GENERALLY

Transactions with Affiliates. Transactions between a bank and its holding
company or other affiliates are subject to various restrictions imposed by state
and federal regulatory agencies. Such transactions include loans and other
extensions of credit, purchases of securities and other assets, and payments of
fees or other distributions. In general, these restrictions limit the amount of
transactions between an institution and an affiliate of such institution, as
well as the aggregate amount of transactions between an institution and all of
its affiliates, and require transactions with affiliates to be on terms
comparable to those for transactions with unaffiliated entities.

Dividend Limitations. As a holding company, the Company is primarily dependent
upon dividend distributions from its operating subsidiaries for its income.
Federal and state statutes and regulations impose restrictions on the payment of
dividends by the Company and the Banks.

Federal Reserve policy provides that a bank holding company should not pay
dividends unless (i) the bank holding company's net income over the prior year
is sufficient to fully fund the dividends and (ii) the prospective rate of
earnings retention appears consistent with the capital needs, asset quality and
overall financial condition of the bank holding company and its subsidiaries.

Illinois law also places certain limitations on the ability of the Company to
pay dividends. For example, the Company may not pay dividends to its
shareholders if, after giving effect to the dividend, the Company would not be
able to pay its debts as they become due. Since a major source of the Company's
revenue is dividends the Company receives and expects to receive from the Banks,
the Company's ability to pay dividends is likely to be dependent on the amount
of dividends paid by the Banks. No assurance can be given that the Banks will,
in any circumstances, pay dividends to the Company.

As Illinois state-chartered banks, none of Lake Forest Bank, North
Shore Bank, Hinsdale Bank nor Libertyville Bank may pay dividends in an amount
greater than its current net profits after deducting losses and bad debts out of
undivided profits provided that its surplus equals or exceeds its capital. For
the purpose of determining the amount of dividends that an Illinois bank may
pay, bad debts are defined as debts upon which interest is past due and unpaid
for a period of six months or more unless such debts are well-secured and in the
process of collection. Furthermore, federal regulations also prohibit any
Federal Reserve member bank, including each of the Banks, from declaring
dividends in any calendar year in excess of its net profit for the year plus the
retained net profits for the preceding two years. Similarly, as a

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national  association,  Barrington Bank may not declare dividends in any year in
excess of its net profit for the year plus the retained net profits for the
preceding two years. Furthermore, the OCC may, after notice and opportunity for
hearing, prohibit the payment of a dividend by a national bank if it determines
that such payment would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

In addition to the foregoing, the ability of the Company and the Banks
to pay dividends may be affected by the various minimum capital requirements and
the capital and non-capital standards established under the Federal Deposit
Insurance Company Improvements Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), as described below. The
right of the Company, its shareholders and its creditors to participate in any
distribution of the assets or earnings of its subsidiaries is further subject to
the prior claims of creditors of the respective subsidiaries.

Standards for Safety and Soundness. The FDIA, as amended by FDICIA and the
Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 requires the
Federal Reserve, together with the other federal bank regulatory agencies, to
prescribe standards of safety and soundness, by regulations or guidelines,
relating generally to operations and management, asset growth, asset quality,
earnings, stock valuation, and compensation. The Federal Reserve, the OCC and
the federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted, effective August 9, 1995, a
set of guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards pursuant to FDICIA,
as amended. The guidelines establish general standards relating to internal
controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation,
credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, and compensation,
fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things,
appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures
specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as
an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the
amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by
an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder. In addition,
each of the Federal Reserve and the OCC adopted regulations that authorize, but
do not require, the Federal Reserve or the OCC, as the case may be, to order an
institution that has been given notice by the Federal Reserve or the OCC, as the
case may be, that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness
standards to submit a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an
institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any
material respect to implement an accepted compliance plan, the Federal Reserve
or the OCC, as the case may be, must issue an order directing action to correct
the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to
which an undercapitalized association is subject under the "prompt corrective
action" provisions of FDICIA. If an institution fails to comply with such an
order, the Federal Reserve or the OCC, as the case may be, may seek to enforce
such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties. The
Federal Reserve, the OCC and the other federal bank regulatory agencies also
proposed guidelines for asset quality and earnings standards.

A range of other provisions in FDICIA include requirements applicable to closure
of branches; additional disclosures to depositors with respect to terms and
interest rates applicable to deposit accounts; uniform regulations for
extensions of credit secured by real estate; restrictions on activities of and
investments by state-chartered banks; modification of accounting standards to
conform to generally accepted accounting principles including the reporting of
off-balance sheet items and supplemental disclosure of estimated fair market
value of assets and liabilities in financial statements filed with the banking
regulators; increased penalties in making or failing to file assessment reports
with the FDIC; greater restrictions on extensions of credit to directors,
officers and principal shareholders; and increased reporting requirements on
agricultural loans and loans to small businesses.

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In August,  1995,  the Federal  Reserve,  OCC,  FDIC and other  federal  banking
agencies published a final rule modifying their existing risk-based capital
standards to provide for consideration of interest rate risk when assessing the
capital adequacy of a bank. Under the final rule, the Federal Reserve, the OCC
and the FDIC must explicitly include a bank's exposure to declines in the
economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates as a factor in
evaluating a bank's capital adequacy. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the OCC and
other federal banking agencies also have adopted a joint agency policy statement
providing guidance to banks for managing interest rate risk. The policy
statement emphasizes the importance of adequate oversight by management and a
sound risk management process. The assessment of interest rate risk management
made by the banks' examiners will be incorporated into the banks' overall risk
management rating and used to determine the effectiveness of management.

Prompt Corrective Action. FDICIA requires the federal banking regulators,
including the Federal Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC, to take prompt corrective
action with respect to depository institutions that fall below certain capital
standards and prohibits any depository institution from making any capital
distribution that would cause it to be undercapitalized. Institutions that are
not adequately capitalized may be subject to a variety of supervisory actions
including, but not limited to, restrictions on growth, investment activities,
capital distributions and affiliate transactions and will be required to submit
a capital restoration plan which, to be accepted by the regulators, must be
guaranteed in part by any company having control of the institution (such as the
Company). In other respects, FDICIA provides for enhanced supervisory authority,
including greater authority for the appointment of a conservator or receiver for
under-capitalized institutions. The capital-based prompt corrective action
provisions of FDICIA and their implementing regulations apply to FDIC-insured
depository institutions. However, federal banking agencies have indicated that,
in regulating bank holding companies, the agencies may take appropriate action
at the holding company level based on their assessment of the effectiveness of
supervisory actions imposed upon subsidiary insured depository institutions
pursuant to the prompt corrective action provisions of FDICIA.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts. Under FDICIA, as an FDIC-insured institution,
each of the Banks is required to pay deposit insurance premiums based on the
risk it poses to the insurance fund. The FDIC has authority to raise or lower
assessment rates on insured deposits in order to achieve certain designated
reserve ratios in the insurance funds and to impose special additional
assessments. The FDIC recently amended the risk-based assessment system and on
December 11, 1995, adopted a new assessment rate schedule for BIF insured
deposits. The new assessment rate schedule, effective with respect to the
semiannual premium assessment beginning January 1, 1996, provides for an
assessment range of zero to 0.27% (subject to a $2,000 minimum) of insured
deposits depending on capital and supervisory factors. Each depository
institution is assigned to one of three capital groups: "well capitalized,"
"adequately capitalized" or "less than adequately capitalized." Within each
capital group, institutions are assigned to one of three supervisory subgroups:
"healthy," "supervisory concern" or "substantial supervisory concern."
Accordingly, there are nine combinations of capital groups and supervisory
subgroups to which varying assessment rates would be applicable. An
institution's assessment rate depends on the capital category and supervisory
category to which it is assigned.

During 1996, the Banks, other than Barrington Bank, were assessed at an average
annual rate of the statutory minimum of $2,000. Deposit insurance may be
terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe
or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue
operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or
condition imposed by the FDIC.

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The  management  of each of the Banks does not know any  practice,  condition or
violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.

The Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 enacted on
September 30, 1996 provides that beginning with semi-annual periods after
December 31, 1996, deposits insured by the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") will also
be assessed to pay interest on the bonds (the "FICO Bonds") issued in the late
1980s by the Financing Company to recapitalize the now defunct Federal Savings &
Loan Insurance Company. For purposes of the assessments to pay interest on the
FICO Bonds, BIF deposits will be assessed at a rate of 20.0% of the assessment
rate applicable to SAIF deposits until December 31, 1999. After the earlier of
December 31, 1999 or the date on which the last savings association ceases to
exist, full pro rata sharing of FICO assessments will begin. It has been
estimated that the rates of assessment for the payment of interest on the FICO
Bonds will be approximately 1.3 basis points for BIF-assessable deposits and
approximately 6.4 basis points for SAIF-assessable deposits. The payment of the
assessment to pay interest on the FICO Bonds should not materially affect the
Banks.

Federal Reserve System. The Banks are subject to Federal Reserve regulations
requiring depository institutions to maintain non-interest-earning reserves
against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking
accounts). The Federal Reserve regulations generally require 3.0% reserves on
the first $51.3 million of transaction accounts plus 10.0% on the remainder. The
first $4.3 million of otherwise reservable balances (subject to adjustments by
the Federal Reserve) are exempted from the reserve requirements. The Banks are
in compliance with the foregoing requirements.

Community Reinvestment. Under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"), a
financial institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent
with the safe and sound operation of such institution, to help meet the credit
needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for
financial institutions nor does it limit an institution's discretion to develop
the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its
particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires each federal
banking agency, in connection with its examination of a financial institution,
to assess and assign one of four ratings to the institution's record of meeting
the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its
evaluation of certain applications by the institution, including applications
for charters, branches and other deposit facilities, relocations, mergers,
consolidations, acquisitions of assets or assumptions of liabilities, and
savings and loan holding company acquisitions. The CRA also requires that all
institutions make public disclosure of their CRA ratings. Each of the Banks
received "satisfactory" ratings from the FDIC on their most recent CRA
performance evaluations. As of the date of this report, Barrington Bank has not
undergone a regulatory CRA performance evaluation.

In April 1995, the Federal Reserve, the OCC and other federal banking agencies
adopted amendments revising their CRA regulations. Among other things, the
amended CRA regulations substitute for the prior process-based assessment
factors a new evaluation system that would rate an institution based on its
actual performance in meeting community needs. In particular, the proposed
system would focus on three tests: (i) a lending test, to evaluate the
institution's record of making loans in its assessment areas; (ii) an investment
test, to evaluate the institution's record of investing in community development
projects, affordable housing, and programs benefiting low or moderate income
individuals and businesses; and (iii) a service test, to evaluate the
institution's delivery of services through its branches, ATMs and other offices.

- 9 -
The amended CRA regulations  also clarify how an  institution's  CRA performance
would be considered in the application process.

Brokered Deposits. Well-capitalized institutions are not subject to limitations
on brokered deposits, while an adequately capitalized institution is able to
accept, renew or rollover brokered deposits only with a waiver from the FDIC and
subject to certain restrictions on the yield paid on such deposits.
Undercapitalized institutions are not permitted to accept brokered deposits.
Each of the Banks is eligible under the statutory standard to accept brokered
deposits and may use this funding source from time to time when management deems
it appropriate from an asset/liability management perspective.

Enforcement Actions. Federal and state statutes and regulations provide
financial institution regulatory agencies with great flexibility to undertake
enforcement action against an institution that fails to comply with regulatory
requirements, particularly capital requirements. Possible enforcement actions
range from the imposition of a capital plan and capital directive to
receivership, conservatorship or the termination of deposit insurance.

Interstate Banking and Branching Legislation. On September 29, 1994, the
Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Efficiency Act of 1994 (the "Interstate
Banking Act") was enacted. Under the Interstate Banking Act, adequately
capitalized and adequately managed bank holding companies will be allowed to
acquire banks across state lines subject to certain limitations. In addition,
under the Interstate Banking Act, beginning on June 1, 1997, banks will be
permitted to merge with one another across state lines and thereby create a main
bank with branches in separate states. After establishing branches in a state
through an interstate merger transaction, a bank could establish and acquire
additional branches at any location in the state where any bank involved in the
interstate merger could have established or acquired branches under applicable
federal and state law.

Under the Interstate Banking Act, states may adopt legislation permitting
interstate mergers before June 1, 1997. Alternatively, states may adopt
legislation before June 1, 1997, subject to certain conditions, opting out of
interstate branching. Illinois adopted legislation, effective September 29,
1995, permitting interstate mergers beginning on June 1, 1997. It is anticipated
that this interstate merger and branching ability will increase competition and
further consolidate the financial institutions industry.

MONETARY POLICY AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

The earnings of banks and bank holding companies are affected by general
economic conditions and also by the fiscal and monetary policies of federal
regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve. Through open market
transactions, variations in the discount rate and the establishment of reserve
requirements, the Federal Reserve exerts considerable influence over the cost
and availability of funds obtainable for lending or investing.

The above monetary and fiscal policies and resulting changes in interest rates
have affected the operating results of all commercial banks in the past and are
expected to do so in the future. The Banks and their respective holding
companies cannot fully predict the nature or the extent of any effects which
fiscal or monetary policies may have on their business and earnings.

- 10 -
SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICAL DATA

Pages 1, 25 and 26 of the Annual Report to Shareholders and pages 11-21 of this
Report contain supplemental statistical data as required by The Exchange Act
Industry Guide 3 which is incorporated into Regulation S-K of the Securities and
Exchange Acts. This data should be read in conjunction with the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, and Management's Discussion
and Analysis which are contained in its 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders filed
herewith as Exhibit 13.1 and incorporated herein by reference.


ASSET-LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

As a continuing part of its financial strategy, the Company attempts to manage
the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on its 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.

An institution with more assets than liabilities repricing over a given time
frame is considered asset sensitive and will generally benefit from rising
rates. The table on the following page illustrates the Company's estimated
interest rate sensitivity and periodic and cumulative gap positions as
calculated as of December 31, 1996.

- 11 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TIME TO MATURITY OR REPRICING
-----------------------------

0-90 91-365 1-5 OVER 5 TOTAL
-----
DAYS DAYS YEARS YEARS
---- ---- ----- -----

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Loans................................ $228,471 $132,812 $104,638 $26,627 $492,548
Securities........................... 56,606 6,028 10,233 1,521 74,388
Interest-bearing bank deposits....... 2,478 16,254 - - 18,732
Federal funds sold................... 38,835 - - - 38,835
Other................................ - - - 81,534 81,534
---------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total assets....................... $326,390 $155,094 $114,871 $109,682 $706,037
---------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
NOW.................................. $57,490 $ - $ - $ - $57,490
Savings and money market............. 168,976 - - - 168,976
Time deposits........................ 171,686 102,630 49,235 848 324,399
Short term borrowings................ 7,058 - - - 7,058
Notes payable........................ 22,057 - - - 22,057
Other................................ - - - 126,057 126,057
---------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total liabilities and $427,267 $102,630 $49,235 $126,905 $706,037
shareholders' equity..........
---------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

Rate sensitive assets (RSA)............. $326,390 $481,484 $596,355 $706,037

Rate sensitive liabilities (RSL)........ 427,267 529,897 579,132 706,037
---------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------

Cumulative gap $(100,877) $17,223
(GAP = RSA - RSL)..................... $(48,413) $ -
---------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------

Cumulative RSA/RSL...................... 0.76 0.91 1.03
Cumulative RSA/Total assets............. 0.46 0.68 0.84
Cumulative RSL/Total assets............. 0.61 0.75 0.82

GAP/Total assets........................ (14)% (7)% 2%
GAP/RSA................................. (31)% (10)% 3%
</TABLE>

- 12 -
While the gap position  illustrated  above is a useful tool that  management can
assess for general positioning of the Company's and its subsidiaries' balance
sheets, 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 income due to changes in rates
over a two-year time horizon. Management measures such percentage change
assuming an instantaneous permanent parallel shift in the yield curve of 200
basis points, both upward and downward. Utilizing this measurement concept, the
interest rate risk of the Company, expressed as a percentage change in net
income over a two-year time horizon due to changes in interest rates, at
December 31, 1996, is as follows:


+200 BASIS -200 BASIS
POINTS POINTS
------ ------
Percentage change in net income due
to an immediate 200 basis point
change in interest rates over a
two-year time horizon..... 23.0% (13.3)%
--------------- --------------

SECURITIES PORTFOLIO

Tables presenting the carrying amounts and gross unrealized gains and losses for
securities held-to-maturity and available-for-sale at December 31, 1996 and 1995
(in thousands) are included by reference to page 12 and page 13 of the 1996
Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference.

Maturities of securities as of December 31, 1996 by maturity distribution are as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Within From 1 From 5 After Federal
1 to 5 to 10 10 Reserve
Year years Year years Bank Stock Total
------------ ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury obligations $ 9,689 $ 5,001 $ - $ - N/A $ 14,690
Federal agency obligations 19,641 - - - N/A 19,641
Municipal 317 - - - N/A 317
Other 32,989 5,230 - - N/A 38,219
Federal Reserve Bank stock N/A N/A N/A N/A 1,521 1,521
------------ ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------

Total $62,636 $10,231 $ - $ - $1,521 $74,388
------------ ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------
</TABLE>

The weighted average yield for each range of maturities of securities is shown
below as of December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Within From 1 From 5 After Federal
1 to 5 to 10 10 Reserve
Year years Year years Bank Stock Total
------------ ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury obligations 5.55% - - - - 5.55%
Federal agency obligations 5.47% - - - - 5.47%
Municipal 6.06% - - - - 6.06%
Other 5.71% 5.85% - - - 5.73%
Federal Reserve Bank stock - - - - 6.00% 6.00%
<FN>
* Yields on tax-advantaged securities reflect a tax equivalent adjustment based
on a marginal corporate tax rate of 34% in 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

- 13 -
Securities of a Single Issuer
- -----------------------------

There were no securities of any single issuer which had book value in excess of
ten percent of shareholders' equity at December 31, 1996.

LOAN PORTFOLIO

Classification of Loans
- -----------------------

The following table shows the Company's loan portfolio by category for the five
previous fiscal years (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- ----------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial/commercial real estate $182,403 $101,271 $ 45,587 $13,642 $ 4,659
Home equity 87,303 54,592 26,244 13,090 6,351
Indirect auto 91,212 38,831 - - -
Residential real estate 51,673 37,074 26,188 14,095 9,020
Installment 23,716 12,524 4,865 6,193 5,642
Premium finance 59,240 15,703 93,349 63,534 23,383
--------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
495,547 259,995 196,233 110,554 49,055
Less: Unearned finance charges 2,999 1,764 2,251 1,278 528
--------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
Total $492,548 $258,231 $193,982 $109,276 $48,527
=============== ============= ============== ============== =============
</TABLE>

Commercial and commercial real estate loans. The commercial loan component is
comprised primarily of commercial real estate loans, lines of credit for working
capital purposes, and term loans for the acquisition of equipment. Commercial
real estate is predominantly owner occupied and secured by a first mortgage lien
and assignment of rents on the property. Equipment loans are fully amortized
over 24 to 60 months and secured by titles and/or U.C.C. filings. Working
capital lines are renewable annually and supported by business assets, personal
guarantees and often some sort of additional collateral. Commercial business
lending is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk than
traditional bank lending. The vast majority of commercial loans are made within
the Banks' immediate market areas. The increase can be attributed to an emphasis
on business development calling programs and superior servicing of existing
commercial loan customers which has increased referrals.

In addition to the home mortgages originated by the Banks' lending officers, the
Company participates in mortgage warehouse lending by providing interim funding
to unaffiliated mortgage brokers to finance residential mortgages originated by
such brokers for sale into the secondary market. The Company's loans to the
mortgage brokers are secured by the business assets of the mortgage companies as
well as the underlying mortgages, the majority of which are funded by the
Company on a loan-by-loan basis after they have been pre-approved for purchase
by third party end lenders who forward payment directly to the Company upon
their acceptance of final loan documentation. In addition, the Company may also
provide interim financing for packages of mortgage loans on a bulk basis in
circumstances where the mortgage brokers desire to competitively bid a number of
mortgages for sale as a package in the secondary market. Typically, the Company
will serve as sole funding source for its mortgage warehouse lending customers
under short-term revolving credit agreements. Amounts advanced with respect to
any particular mortgages

- 14 -
are usually  required  to be repaid  within 15 days.  The Company has  developed
strong relationships with a number of mortgage brokers and is seeking to expand
its customer base for this niche business.

The following table classifies the commercial loan portfolio category at
December 31, 1996 by date at which the loans mature:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FROM ONE
ONE YEAR TO FIVE AFTER
OR LESS YEARS FIVE YEARS TOTAL
------- ----- ---------- -----
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial loans and commercial
real estate loans................ 115,349 55,469 7,586 178,404
Commercial paper................... 3,999 - - 3,999
Premium finance loans.............. 57,453 - - 57,453
</TABLE>


Of those loans maturing after one year, $59.8 million have fixed rates.

Home equity loans. The Company's home equity loan products are generally
structured as lines of credit secured by first or second position mortgage liens
on the underlying property with loan-to-value ratios not exceeding 80%,
including prior liens, if any. The Banks' home equity loans feature competitive
rate structures and fee arrangements. In addition, the Banks periodically offer
promotional home equity loan products as part of their marketing strategy often
featuring lower introductory rates.

Indirect auto loans. As part of its strategy to pursue specialized earning asset
niches to augment loan generation within the Banks' target markets, the Company
finances fixed rate automobile loans funded indirectly through unaffiliated
automobile dealers. As of December 31, 1996, indirect auto loans comprised
approximately 79.4% of the Company's consumer loan portfolio. Indirect
automobile loans are secured by new and used automobiles and are generated by a
network of automobile dealers located in the Chicago area with which the Company
has established relationships. These credits generally have an original maturity
of 36 to 60 months and the average actual maturity is estimated to be
approximately 37 months. The risk associated with this portfolio is diversified
amongst many individual borrowers. Management continually monitors the dealer
relationships and the Banks are not dependent on any one dealer as a source of
such loans. Like other consumer loans, the indirect auto loans are subject to
the Banks' stringent credit standards.

Residential real estate mortgages. The residential real estate category includes
one- to four-family adjustable rate mortgages that have repricing terms
generally from one to three years, construction loans to individuals, and bridge
financing loans for qualifying customers. The adjustable rate mortgages are
often non-agency conforming, may have terms based on differing indexes, and
relate to properties located principally in the Chicago metropolitan area or
vacation homes owned by local residents. Adjustable-rate mortgage loans
decrease, but do not eliminate, the risks associated with changes in interest
rates. Because periodic and lifetime caps limit the interest rate adjustments,
the value of adjustable-rate mortgage loans fluctuates inversely with changes in
interest rates. In addition, as interest rates increase, the required payments
by the borrower increases, thus increasing the potential for default. The
Company does not generally originate loans for its own portfolio with long-term
fixed rates due to interest rate risk considerations. However, the Banks do
accommodate customer requests for fixed rate loans by originating

- 15 -
and selling the loans into the secondary  market,  in connection  with which the
Company receives servicing fee income.

Premium finance loans. The Company internally originates premium
finance loans at First Premium which generally sells them to the Banks or funds
the loans through asset securitization facilities. See "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources." All premium finance loans, however financed, are subject to
the Company's stringent credit standards, and substantially all such loans are
made to commercial customers.
The Company rarely finances consumer insurance premiums, which are regarded by
management as riskier loans.

First Premium offers financing of approximately 80% of an insurance
premium primarily to commercial purchasers of property and casualty and
liability insurance who desire to pay insurance premiums on an installment
basis. The premium finance loan allows the insured to spread the cost of the
insurance policy over time. First Premium markets its financial services
primarily by establishing and maintaining relationships with medium and large
insurance agents and brokers and by offering a high degree of service and
innovative products. Senior management is significantly involved in First
Premium's marketing efforts, currently focused almost exclusively on commercial
accounts which it believes provide higher returns at lower risk. Loans are
originated by First Premium's own sales force by working with insurance agents
and brokers throughout the United States. As of December 31, 1996, First Premium
had the necessary licensing and other regulatory approvals to do business in 45
states and the District of Columbia and has applied for licenses in three
additional states.

In financing insurance premiums, the Company does not assume the risk
of loss normally borne by insurance carriers. Typically the insured buys an
insurance policy from an independent insurance agent or broker who offers
financing through First Premium. The insured makes a down payment of
approximately 15% to 25% of the total premium and signs a premium finance
agreement with First Premium for the balance due, which amount First Premium
disburses directly to the insurance carrier or its agents to satisfy the unpaid
premium amount. As the insurer earns the premium ratably over the life of the
policy, the unearned portion of the premium secures payment of the balance due
to First Premium by the insured. Under the terms of the Company's standard form
of financing contract, the Company has the power to cancel the insurance policy
if there is a default in the payment on the finance contract and to collect the
unearned portion of the premium from the insurance carrier. In the event of
cancellation of a policy, the cash returned in payment of the unearned premium
by the insurer should be sufficient to cover the loan balance and generally the
interest and other charges due as well.

Other. Included in other loans is a wide variety of personal and
consumer loans to individuals. The Banks have been originating consumer loans in
recent years in order to provide a wider range of financial services to their
customers. Consumer loans generally have shorter terms and higher interest rates
than mortgage loans but generally involve more credit risk than mortgage loans
due to the type and nature of the collateral.

The Company had no loans to businesses or governments of foreign countries at
any time during the reporting periods.

- 16 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

RISK ELEMENTS IN THE LOAN PORTFOLIO

Nonaccrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans
- -------------------------------------------

Nonaccrual loans at December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual loans . . . . . . . . . . . $1,686 $1,778 $ 4 $ 4 $ 44
Loans past due 90 days or more . . 95 142 16 - 88
Restructured loans . . . . . . . . . . - - - - -
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
Total non-performing loans . . 1,781 1,920 20 4 132
Other real estate owned . . . . . . . - - - - -
Total non performing assets . . $1,781 $1,920 $ 20 $ 4 $ 132
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------
Total non-performing loans to
total loans . . 0.36% 0.74% 0.01% -% 0.27%
Total non-performing assets to
total assets . . 0.25% 0.41% 0.01% -% 0.16%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.34% 0.69% -% -% 0.09%
</TABLE>

It is the policy of the Company to discontinue the accrual of interest income on
any loan for which there is a reasonable doubt as to the payment of interest or
principal. Nonaccrual loans are returned to an accrual status when the financial
position of the borrower indicates there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to
the payment of principal or interest. Other than those loans indicated above,
the Company had no significant loans (1) for which the terms had been
renegotiated, or (2) for which there were serious doubts as to the ability of
the borrower to comply with repayment terms.

Other Real Estate Owned. The Company did not have any Other Real Estate Owned at
the end of any of the reporting periods.

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

In addition to those loans disclosed under "Nonaccrual, Past Due and
Restructured Loans", there are certain loans in the portfolio which management
has identified, through its problem loan identification system which exhibit a
higher than normal credit risk. However, these loans do not represent
non-performing loans to the Company. Management's review of the total loan
portfolio to identify loans where there is concern that the borrower will not be
able to continue to satisfy present loan repayment terms includes factors such
as review of individual loans, recent loss experience and current economic
conditions. Loans in this category include those with characteristics such as
those past maturity more than 45 days, those that have recent adverse operating
cash flow or balance sheet trends, or have general risk characteristics that the
loan officer feels might jeopardize the future timely collection of principal
and interest payments. The principal amount of loans in this category as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995 were approximately $1.1 million and $604,000,
respectively. Loans in this category generally include loans that were
classified for regulatory purposes. At December 31, 1996, there were no
significant loans which were classified by any bank regulatory agency that are
not included in the aforementioned potential

- 17 -
problem loans,  nonaccrual,  past due and  restructured  loans.  At December 31,
1996, the Company was not a lender for any highly-leveraged transactions.

Loan Concentrations
- -------------------

Loan concentrations are considered to exist when there are amounts loaned to a
multiple number of borrowers engaged in similar activities which would cause
them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At December 31,
1996, the Company had no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans,
except for indirect auto and premium finance loans as discussed above.

Foreign Loans
- -------------

The Company had no loans to businesses or governments of foreign countries at
any time during the reporting periods.

- 18 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Analysis of the Allowance for Possible Loan Losses (in thousands)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ---- ----

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at beginning of period ........................ $2,763 $1,702 $1,357 $ 961 $ 818

Loans charged-off
- -----------------
Residential real estate ............................. - - - - -
Commercial and commercial real estate ............... (22) - (20) - -
Home equity ......................................... (140) (25) - - -
Premium finance ..................................... (207) (247) (40) (5) -
Financing leases .................................... (583) (109) (205) (728) (965)
Indirect auto ....................................... (123) - - - -

Other loans ......................................... (28) (18) - - -
------------------------------ --------------- ------------- -----------
Total loans charged-offs .......................... (1,103) (399) (265) (733) (965)
------------------------------ --------------- ------------- -----------

Recoveries
- ----------
Residential real estate ............................. - - - - -
Commercial and commercial real estate ............... - - - - -
Home equity ......................................... - - - - -
Premium finance ..................................... 24 30 3 2 -
Financing leases .................................... - - - - -
Indirect auto ....................................... - - - - -
.
Other loans ......................................... 17 - - - -
------------------------------ --------------- ------------- -----------
Total recoveries ................................. 41 30 3 2 -
------------------------------ --------------- ------------- -----------

Net loans charged-off ............................... (1,062) (369) (262) (731) (965)
------------------------------ --------------- ------------- -----------

Reduction due to subsidiary sold .................... - - (8)
Provision for possible loan losses .................. 1,935 1,430 607 1,127 1,116
------------------------------ --------------- ------------- -----------

Balance at the end of period ........................ $3,636 $2,763 $1,702 $1,357 $ 961
============================== =============== ============= ===========

Average total loans ................................. $347,076 $183,614 $148,209 $79,052 $40,528
============================== =============== ============= ===========

Net loans charged-off to average total loans ........ 0.31% 0.20% 0.18% 0.92% 2.38%
============================== =============== ============= ===========
</TABLE>

Both the provision and the allowance are based on an analysis of individual
credits, prior and current loss experience, overall growth in the portfolio,
current economic conditions, and other factors. An allocation of the ending
allowance for loan losses by major loan type is presented below (in thousands):

- 19 -
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses
- -------------------------------------------

DECEMBER 31, 1996 December 31, 1995
----------------------------------- -------------------------------
% OF LOANS % of loans
IN EACH in each
CATEGORY TO category to
AMOUNT TOTAL LOANS Amount total loans
--------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Residential real estate ........................ $ 34 10% $ 26 14%
Commercial and commercial real estate .......... 996 37 1,044 39
Home equity .................................... 402 18 282 21
Premium finance ................................ 288 12 281 6
Indirect auto .................................. 432 18 190 15
Other loans .................................... 128 5 49 5
Unallocated .................................... 1,356 - 891 -
--------------- ------------------ -------------- ---------------

Total ........................................ $3,636 100% $2,763 100%
=============== ================== ============== ===============
</TABLE>

The above allocation is made for analytical purposes. Prior to 1995, management
did not perform a specific allocation of the allowance for possible loan losses
by category. It is not anticipated that charge-offs during the year ending
December 31, 1997 will exceed the amount allocated to any individual category of
loan. For further review of the loan loss provision and the allowance for
possible loan losses reference is made to pages 34 and 35 of Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Statements of the 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders filed herewith as Exhibit 13.1, and incorporated herein by
reference.

DEPOSITS

The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities of time deposits in
denominations of $100,000 or more at December 31, 1996 (in thousands):

Maturing within 3 months ................................ $ 60,755
After 3 but within 6 months ............................. 32,534
After 6 but within 12 months ............................ 44,145
After 12 months ......................................... 22,234
--------------

Total ................................................. $159,668
==============

- 20 -
RETURN ON EQUITY AND ASSETS

The following table presents certain ratios relating to the Company's equity
and assets:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ----

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Return on average total assets (0.17)% 0.40% (0.88)%
Return on average common shareholders' equity (2.33)% 4.66% (12.20)%
Dividend payout ratio 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

Average equity to average total assets 7.4% 8.6% 7.2%
Ending total risk based capital ratio 8.0% 11.9% 9.6%
Leverage ratio 6.4% 8.5% 7.1%
</TABLE>


SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

The information required in connection with Short-Term Borrowings is contained
under the caption "Analysis of Financial Condition - Short-Term Borrowings" in
the 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders filed herewith as Exhibit 13.1, and is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company's executive offices are located in the main bank facility of Lake
Forest Bank. Lake Forest Bank has five physical banking locations. Lake Forest
Bank's main bank facility is located at 727 N. Bank Lane, Lake Forest, Illinois,
and is a three story, 18,000 square foot brick building. Lake Forest Bank
constructed a drive-in, walk-up banking facility on land leased from the City of
Lake Forest on the corner of Bank Lane and Wisconsin Avenue in Lake Forest,
approximately one block north of the main banking facility. Lake Forest Bank
also leases a 1,200 square foot, full service banking facility at 103 East
Scranton Avenue in Lake Bluff and a 2,100 square foot, full service banking
facility on the west side of Lake Forest, Illinois at 810 South Waukegan Road.
Lake Forest maintains automated teller machines at each of its locations except
the 810 South Waukegan Road facility. A drive-in and walk-up banking facility
was opened in the first quarter of 1997 at 911 S. Telegraph Road in the West
Lake Forest Train Station. Lake Forest Bank has no offsite automated teller
machines

North Shore Bank currently has four physical banking locations. North Shore Bank
owns the main bank facility, a one story brick building that is located at 1145
Wilmette Avenue in downtown Wilmette, Illinois. North Shore bank also owns a
newly constructed 9,600 square foot drive-in, walk-up banking facility at 720
12th Street, approximately one block west of the main banking facility. North
Shore Bank leases a full service banking facility at 362 Park Avenue in Glencoe,
Illinois. Additionally, during May, 1996, North Shore Bank opened a branch
banking facility in Winnetka, Illinois where it leases approximately 4,000
square feet. North Shore bank maintains automated teller machines at each of its
locations, except Glencoe and Winnetka. North Shore has no offsite automated
teller machines.

- 21 -
Hinsdale Bank currently has three physical banking locations. Hinsdale Bank owns
its main bank facility, a two story brick building located at 25 East First
Street in downtown Hinsdale, Illinois. Hinsdale Bank constructed a 1,000 square
foot drive-in, walk-up banking facility at 130 West Chestnut, approximately two
blocks west of the main banking facility. Hinsdale Bank maintains automated
teller machines at both of its locations. Hinsdale Bank has no offsite automated
teller machines. Hinsdale Bank also has a building in Clarendon Hills which has
approximately 6,000 square feet. Clarendon Hills Bank, a branch of Hinsdale
Bank, currently occupies approximately 2,000 square feet as a full service
banking facility and leases the remainder of the space to unrelated parties.

Libertyville Bank currently has two physical banking locations. Libertyville
Bank owns the main bank facility, which is a 13,000 square foot two story brick
building located at 507 North Milwaukee Avenue in downtown Libertyville,
Illinois. Libertyville Bank also owns a 2,500 square foot drive-in, walk-up
banking facility at 201 Hurlburt Court, approximately five blocks southeast of
the main banking facility. Libertyville Bank maintains automated teller machines
at both of its locations. Libertyville Bank has no offsite automated teller
machines.

Barrington Bank currently has one physical banking location, a 2,860 square foot
space which it is leasing. The building is located at 202 South Cook Street in
Barrington, Illinois. This location will serve as a temporary facility for the
Bank until such time as its permanent facility is completed. Barrington Bank has
purchased property located at 201 South Hough in Barrington and has designed for
new construction a 15,000 square foot frame structure with an attached
drive-through facility. This building will serve as Barrington Bank's main bank
facility when construction is completed, currently scheduled for late 1997.

First Premium's offices are located at 520 Lake Cook Road, Suite 300, Deerfield,
Illinois 60015. First Premium leases approximately 12,000 square feet of office
space at a cost of $27,000 per month under a eight-year and nine month lease
expiring in the year 2000.


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiaries from time to time are subject to pending and
threatened legal action and proceedings arising in the normal course of
business. Since the Banks act as depositories of funds, they are from time to
time named as defendants in various lawsuits (such as garnishment proceedings)
involving claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts. Any such
litigation currently pending is incidental to such Bank's business and, based on
information currently available to management, management believes the outcome
of such actions or proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the
operations or financial condition of the Company or its subsidiaries.

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

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1996.

- 22 -
PART II.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Other than certain restricted shares, the majority of the Common Stock is freely
tradable by persons other than those who are currently affiliates of the
Company. At December 31, 1996, the principal market for the Company's Common
Stock was the over-the-counter (OTC) market where bid and asked prices were
quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board. However, on March 13, 1997 the common stock
began trading on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol WTFC. Prior to the
Company's listing on The Nasdaq National Market there had not been active
trading in the Common Stock. Prior to the Company's Reorganization in September,
1996, there was no established public market for the shares of the Company's
predecessor companies.

The table below sets forth the high and low per share bid prices quoted
for the Common Stock during the fourth quarter of 1996, the first full quarterly
period for which there has been limited trading in the Common Stock. Such
over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail
mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions. Furthermore, for the period from October 1, 1996 to October 18,
1996, bids for the Common Stock quotations were being maintained by only one
market maker.

BID
---
1996 HIGH LOW
---- ---- ---
Fourth quarter $15.62 $12.50


The low bid price for the fourth quarter was quoted during the period at the
beginning of the quarter when there was only one market maker maintaining
quotations on the OTC Bulletin Board.


APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS
- ---------------------------------------------

As of March 21, 1997 there were approximately 2,189 holders of record of the
Company's common stock which has no par value.

DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK
- -------------------------

The Company has not previously paid dividends on its common stock but rather has
retained earnings to facilitate growth of the Company. Because the Company's
consolidated net income consists largely of net income of the Banks and First
Premium, the Company's ability to pay dividends depends upon its receipt of
dividends from the Banks and First Premium. The Banks' ability to pay dividends
is regulated by banking statutes. See "Financial Institution Regulation
Generally - Dividend Limitations" on page 6 of this Report.

- 23 -
In addition,  each of North Shore Bank, Libertyville Bank and Barrington Bank is
subject to additional restrictions prohibiting the payment of dividends by a de
novo bank in its first three years of operations. The de novo periods will end
for North Shore Bank, Libertyville Bank and Barrington Bank in September 1997,
October 1998 and December 1999, respectively. In addition, the payment of
dividends may be restricted under certain financial covenants in the Company's
revolving line of credit.

The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of the Company's Board of
Directors and depends upon earnings, capital requirements, regulatory
limitations, tax considerations, the operating and financial condition of the
Company and other factors. Reference is made to note 13 of the 1996 Annual
Report to Shareholders, attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1, which is incorporated
herein by reference for a description of the restrictions on the ability of
certain subsidiaries to transfer funds to the Company in the form of dividends.

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

In December 1996, options to purchase 34,622 shares of the Company's Common
Stock were granted pursuant to an employee stock option plan to a limited number
of key employees. Such options were issued in reliance on the exemption from
registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

In December 1996, in connection with the Company's acquisition of Wolfhoya
Investments, Inc. ("Wolfhoya"), the Company issued an aggregate of 87,556 shares
of Common Stock to the shareholders of Wolfhoya, all of whom are directors or
officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, in reliance on the exemption from
registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. As part of such
acquisition, each outstanding warrant to purchase shares of common stock of
Wolfhoya was adjusted in accordance with its terms to represent the right to
purchase an appropriately adjusted number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company. An aggregate of 16,838 Warrants were received by the former
shareholders of Wolfhoya as a result of that transaction, not involving the sale
of securities by the Company. Options that were granted by Wolfhoya prior to its
acquisition by the Company in the fourth quarter of 1996 were also adjusted in
connection with such acquisition into options to purchase 68,534 shares of the
Company's Common Stock.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Certain information required in response to this item is contained in the Annual
Report to Shareholders under the caption "Selected Financial Highlights" and is
incorporated herein by reference. The Company's preferred stock for the last
five years are presented as follows (in thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
---- ---- ---- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income (loss) from continuing
operations $ (973) 1,514 (2,000) (3,146) (5,837)
Net income (loss) from continuing
operations per common share $ (0.16) 0.24 (0.50) (1.07) (2.63)
Preferred stock $ - 503 503 503 503
Cash dividends declared per common share $ - - - - -
</TABLE>

- 24 -
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information required in response to this item is contained in the Annual
Report to Shareholders under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and is incorporated herein by
reference. The discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and supplementary data contained in the Annual Report to
Shareholders.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The information required in response to this item is contained in the Annual
Report to Shareholders under the caption "Consolidated Financial Statements,"
and is incorporated herein by reference. Also, refer to Item 14 of this Report
for the Index to Financial Statements.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required in response to this item will be contained in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") for its Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 22, 1997 under the caption "Management"
and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required in response to this item will be contained in the
Company's Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation" and is
incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and
management is incorporated by reference to the section "Principal Shareholders"
in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May
22, 1997.

- 25 -
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required in response to this item will be contained in the Proxy
Statement under the caption "Certain Transactions," and is incorporated herein
by reference.


PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Documents filed as part of this Report:

1., 2. Financial Statements and Schedules
----------------------------------

The Consolidated Financial Statements are incorporated by reference to
the following pages from the 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders,
attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1:
Page
Consolidated Statements of Condition 6
Consolidated Statements of Income 7
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders'
Equity 8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 10-22
Independent Auditors' Report 22

No schedules are required to be filed with this report.

3. Exhibits (Exhibits marked with a "*" denote management contracts
--------
or compensatory plans or arrangements)

3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wintrust
Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
of the Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement (No 333-18699)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24,
1996).

3.2 By-laws of Wintrust Financial Corporation (incorporated by
reference to pages AC-1 to AC-16 of Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).

10.1 $25 Million Revolving Loan Agreement between LaSalle National
Bank and Wintrust Financial Corporation, dated September 1, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form
S-1 Registration Statement (No 333-18699) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24, 1996).

- 26 -
10.2  Form  of  Wintrust   Financial   Corporation   Warrant  Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645),
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22,
1996).*

10.3 Hinsdale Bancorp, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form
S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.4 Lake Forest Bancorp, Inc. 1991 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form
S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.5 Lake Forest Bancorp, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form
S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.6 Libertyville Bancorp, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's
Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.7 North Shore Community Bancorp, Inc. 1994 Stock Options Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.8 Crabtree Capital Corporation 1987 Stock Option Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's
Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.9 The Credit Life Companies, Incorporated 1987 Stock Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.10 First Premium Services, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.11 Wolfhoya Investments, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (Barrington
Bank and Trust Company Stock Option Plan) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Form S-1 Registration
Statement (No 333-18699) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 24, 1996).*

10.12 North Shore Community Bancorp, Inc. 1993 Stock Rights Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

- 27 -
10.13 Crabtree   Capital   Corporation   1990   Stock   Purchase   Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.14 Phantom Stock Agreement between Lake Forest Bancorp, Inc. and
Edward J. Wehmer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement
(No. 333-4645) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on July 22, 1996).*

10.15 Phantom Stock Agreement between Libertyville Bancorp, Inc. and
Edward J. Wehmer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement
(No. 333-4645) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on July 22, 1996).*

10.16 Phantom Stock Agreement between North Shore Community Bancorp,
Inc. and Anne M. Adams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form S-4 Registration
Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 22, 1996).*

10.17 Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the right to purchase
shares of North Shore Community Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form
S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).

10.18 Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company Lease for drive-up facility
located at the corner of Bank Lane & Wisconsin Avenue, Lake
Forest, Illinois, dated December 11, 1992 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form
S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).

10.19 Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company Lease for banking facility
located at 810 South Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, Illinois
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to
Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 1996).

10.20 Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company Lease for banking facility
located at 666 North Western Avenue, Lake Forest, Illinois, dated
July 19, 1991 and Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.6 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form S-4 Registration
Statement (No. 333-4645) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 22, 1996).

10.21 Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company Lease for banking facility
located at 103 East Scranton Avenue, Lake Bluff, Illinois, dated
November 1, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement
(No. 333-4645) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on July 22, 1996).

- 28 -
10.22 North  Shore  Bank & Trust  Company  Lease for  banking  facility
located at 362 Park Avenue, Glencoe, Illinois, dated July 27,
1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No.
1 to Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22,
1996).

10.23 North Shore Bank & Trust Company Lease for banking facility
located at 794 Oak Street, Winnetka, Illinois, dated June 16,
1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Amendment No.
1 to Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-4645)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22,
1996).

10.24 Barrington Bank and Trust Company Lease for property located at
202A South Cook Street, Barrington, Illinois, dated December 29,
1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company's
Form S-1 Registration Statement (No 333-18699) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24, 1996).

10.25 Real Estate Contract by and between Wolfhoya Investments, Inc.
and Amoco Oil Company, dated March 25, 1996, and amended as of
__________, 1996, relating to the purchase of property located at
201 South Hough, Barrington, Illinois (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.25 of the Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement
(No 333-18699) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on December 24, 1996).

10.26 Form of Employment Agreement (entered into between the Company
and each of Howard D. Adams, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, and Edward J. Wehmer, President) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company's Form S-1 Registration
Statement (No 333-18699) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 24, 1996).*

10.27 First Premium Services, Inc. Lease, as amended, for corporate
offices located at Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, Illinois
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Amendment No. 1 of
the Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement (No 333-18699)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24,
1997).

10.28 Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company Lease for drive-up and walk-up
facility located at 911 South Telegraph Road, Lake Forest,
Illinois, dated November 7, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.28 to Amendment No. 1 of the Company's Form S-1
Registration Statement (No 333-18699) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on January 24, 1997).

10.29 First Amendment to Loan Agreement between Wintrust Financial
Corporation and LaSalle National Bank, Dated March 1, 1997.

13.1 Annual Report to Shareholders.

21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 21.1 of the Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement (No
333-18699) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 24, 1996).


27.1 Financial Data Schedule.

- 29 -
(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

A report on Form 8-K/A, dated September 1, 1996 was filed with the
Commission on November 7, 1996. The report was filed to include the
required proforma financial information (Item 7.a) relating to the
Company's reorganization transaction which was not available at the
time of the initial filing on Form 8-K.

- 30 -
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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

HOWARD D. ADAMS HOWARD D. ADAMS March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Chief Executive Officer

DAVID A. DYKSTRA DAVID A. DYKSTRA March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

HOWARD D. ADAMS HOWARD D. ADAMS March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Chairman of the Board of Directors

EDWARD J. WEHMER EDWARD J. WEHMER March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
President and Director

ALAN W. ADAMS ALAN W. ADAMS March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

JOSEPH ALAIMO JOSEPH ALAIMO March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

PETER CRIST PETER CRIST March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

MAURICE F. DUNNE, JR. MAURICE F. DUNNE, JR. March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

EUGENE HOTCHKISS III EUGENE HOTCHKISS III March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

JAMES KNOLLENBERG JAMES KNOLLENBERG March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

- 31 -
JOHN S. LILLARD              JOHN S. LILLARD                      March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

JAMES E. MAHONEY JAMES E. MAHONEY March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

JAMES B. MCCARTHY JAMES B. MCCARTHY March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

MARQUERITE SAVARD MCKENNA MARQUERITE SAVARD MCKENNA March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

ALBIN F. MOSCHNER ALBIN F. MOSCHNER March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

HOLLIS W. RADEMACHER HOLLIS W. RADEMACHER March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

J. CHRISTOPHER REYES J. CHRISTOPHER REYES March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

JOHN N. SCHAPER JOHN N. SCHAPER March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

JOHN J. SCHORNACK JOHN J. SCHORNACK March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

JANE R. STEIN JANE R. STEIN March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

KATHERINE V. SYLVESTER KATHERINE V. SYLVESTER March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

LEMUEL H. TATE, JR. LEMUEL H. TATE, JR. March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

LARRY WRIGHT LARRY WRIGHT March 21, 1997
------------------------------------
Director

- 32 -