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, 1998 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. [ ] The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $141,197,000 as of March 23, 1999. As of March 23, 1999, the registrant had outstanding 8,158,477 shares of Common Stock. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998 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 27, 1999 are incorporated by reference into Part III. - 1 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I Page ---- ITEM 1. Business........................................................ 3 ITEM 2. Properties...................................................... 15 ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings............................................... 17 ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............. 17 PART II ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters........................................ 17 ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data......................................... 18 ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.................................. 18 ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks..... 19 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.............. 26 ITEM 11. Executive Compensation.......................................... 26 ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.. 26 ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.................. 26 PART IV ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K. 27 Signatures...................................................... 31 - 2 -
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 $1.3 billion at December 31, 1998. The Company engages in four operating segments: community banking, specialty finance, indirect auto and trust activities through its operating subsidiaries: Lake Forest Bank and Trust Company ("Lake Forest Bank"); Hinsdale Bank and Trust Company ("Hinsdale Bank"); North Shore Community Bank and Trust Company ("North Shore Bank"); Libertyville Bank and Trust Company ("Libertyville Bank"); Barrington Bank and Trust Company, N.A. ("Barrington Bank"); Crystal Lake Bank & Trust Company, N.A. ("Crystal Lake Bank"); First Insurance Funding Corporation ("FIFC") (formerly known as First Premium Services, Inc.) and Wintrust Asset Management Company, N.A. ("WAMC"). FIFC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crabtree Capital Corporation ("Crabtree") which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lake Forest Bank. Through its banking subsidiaries, Lake Forest Bank, Hinsdale Bank, North Shore Bank, Libertyville Bank, Barrington Bank and Crystal Lake Bank (collectively, the "Banks"), the Company provides community-oriented, personal and commercial banking services in affluent suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Through Hinsdale Bank, the Company operates its indirect auto segment, which is in the business of providing new and used automobile loans through a large network of auto dealerships within the Chicago metropolitan area. All indireect auto loans are currently being retained within each of the Banks' loan portfolios. Through FIFC, on a national basis, the Company is in the business of financing the payment of commercial insurance premiums ("premium finance receivables"), which are currently purchased by the Banks and retained in their loan portfolios. On September 30, 1998, WAMC began operations and provides trust and investment services at each of the Banks. Previously, the Company provided trust services through the trust department of the Lake Forest Bank. Effective September 1, 1996, pursuant to the terms of a reorganization agreement, the Company completed a merger transaction to combine the separate activities of the holding companies of each of the Company's operating subsidiaries (other than Barrington Bank and Crystal Lake Bank which were opened in December 1996 and December 1997, respectively). 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 were restated on a combined and consolidated basis to give retroactive effect to the combined operations throughout the reported historical periods. 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 - 3 -
banks, bank holding companies and other financial services companies as it continues its growth strategy through additional branch openings and de novo bank formations, expansion of trust activities, pursuance of specialized earning asset niches and potential acquisitions of banks or specialty finance companies. BANKING - ------- 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 unique deposit products targeted to specific market segments. The Banks offer home equity, home mortgage, consumer, real estate and commercial loans, safe deposit facilities, ATMs, and other innovative and traditional services specially tailored to meet the needs of customers in their market areas. The Hinsdale Bank also operates the indirect auto segment which provides high quality new and used auto loans through a large network of auto dealerships within the Chicago metropolitan area. All indirect auto loans are currently being purchased by the Banks and retained within their loan portfolios. Each of the Banks was founded as a de novo banking organization (i.e., started new) within the last eight 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. A Lake Bluff branch of this bank was opened in 1994. In 1993, Hinsdale Bank was opened to service the communities of Hinsdale and Burr Ridge. Hinsdale Bank established branch facilities in Clarendon Hills and Western Springs in 1996 and 1997, respectively. In 1994, North Shore Bank was started in order to service Wilmette and Kenilworth. North Shore Bank opened branch facilities in Glencoe during 1995 and 1998, and in Winnetka during 1996 to service Winnetka and Northfield. In 1995, Libertyville Bank was opened to service Libertyville, Vernon Hills and Mundelein. Libertyville Bank opened a branch facility in south Libertyville during 1998 to service south Libertyville and Vernon Hills. In December 1996, Barrington Bank was opened to service the greater Barrington/Inverness areas. In December 1997, Crystal Lake Bank was opened to serve the Crystal Lake/Cary communities. All Banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company ("FDIC") and are subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the Illinois State Office of Banks and Real Estate, the Federal Reserve Bank and/or the Office of the Comptroller of Currency ("OCC"). PREMIUM FINANCE - --------------- FIFC commenced operations eight years ago and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. Based on limited industry data available in certain state regulatory filings and FIFC management's experience in and knowledge of the premium finance industry, management estimates that, ranked by origination volumes, FIFC is one of the top five premium finance companies operating in the United States. Premium finance receivables are originated by - 4 -
FIFC'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. Substantially all premium finance receivables are made to commercial accounts. FIFC is licensed or otherwise qualified to do business as an insurance premium finance company in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. TRUST ACTIVITIES - ---------------- With the formation of WAMC, the Company intends to expand the trust and investment management services previously provided through a trust department of the Lake Forest Bank. As a separately chartered non-depository bank subsidiary, the Company is able to offer trust and investment management services to all of the Banks' communities, which management believes are some of the best trust markets in Illinois. In addition to offering these services to existing bank customers at each of the Banks, WAMC intends to target small to mid-size businesses and newly affluent individuals whose needs command the personalized attention that will be offered by WAMC and its experienced trust professionals. Services offered typically include traditional trust products and services, as well as investment management, financial planning and 401(k) management services. WAMC is subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the OCC. COMPETITION - ----------- The Company competes in the commercial banking industry through the Banks 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, Lake and McHenry 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, a 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 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 imposed on bank holding companies, Illinois banking corporations and national banking associations. In addition, the larger banking organizations have significantly greater resources than are available to the Banks. As a result, such competitors have advantages over the Banks in providing certain non-deposit services. FIFC 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 FIFC's competitors are larger and have greater financial and other resources and are better known than FIFC. FIFC competes with these entities by emphasizing a - 5 -
high level of knowledge of the insurance industry, flexibility in structuring financing transactions, and the timely purchase of qualifying contracts. FIFC believes that its commitment to account service also distinguishes it from its competitors. It is FIFC'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 FIFC will be able to continue to compete successfully in its markets. WAMC's primary competition is with more established trust companies of other larger bank holding companies. WAMC is also in competition with other trust companies, brokerage and other financial service companies, stockbrokers and financial advisors. As a new company, it may be more difficult to successfully attract new customers than the more established Chicago area trust companies. However, the Company believes it can successfully compete for trust business by offering personalized attention and customer service to small to mid-size businesses and newly affluent individuals. The recent hiring of several experienced trust professionals from the more established Chicago area trust companies is also expected to help in attracting new customer relationships. There can be no assurances, however, that WAMC will be successful in establishing this new business as a preferred alternative to the larger trust companies, and as a profitable venture. EMPLOYEES - --------- At December 31, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries employed a total of 329 full-time-equivalent employees. The Company provides its employees with comprehensive medical and dental benefit plans, life insurance plans, 401(k) plans and an employee stock purchase plan. The Company considers its relationship with its employees to be good. - 6 -
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS - -------------------------- This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Such forward-looking statements may be deemed to include, among other things, statements relating to anticipated improvements in financial performance and management's long-term performance goals, as well as statements relating to the anticipated effects on financial results of condition from expected development or events, the Company's business and growth strategies, including anticipated internal growth, plans to form additional de novo banks and to open new branch offices, and to pursue additional potential development or acquisition of banks or specialty finance businesses. Actual results could differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including the following: o The level of reported net income, return on average assets and return on average equity for the Company will in the near term continue to be impacted by start-up costs associated with de novo bank formations, branch openings, and expanded trust operations. De novo banks may typically require 13 to 24 months of operations before becoming profitable, due to the impact of organizational and overhead expenses, the start-up phase of generating deposits and the time lag typically involved in redeploying deposits into attractively priced loans and other higher yielding earning assets. Similarly, the expansion of trust services through the Company's new trust subsidiary, WAMC, is expected to be in a start-up phase for approximately the next few years, before becoming profitable. o The Company's success to date has been and will continue to be strongly influenced by its ability to attract and retain senior management experienced in banking and financial services. o Although management believes the allowance for possible loan losses is adequate to absorb losses that may develop in the existing portfolio of loans and leases, there can be no assurance that the allowance will prove sufficient to cover actual future loan or lease losses. o If market interest rates should move contrary to the Company's gap position on interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the "gap" will work against the Company and its net interest income may be negatively affected. o The financial services business is highly competitive which may affect the pricing of the Company's loan and deposit products as well as its services. o The Company's ability to adapt successfully to technological changes to compete effectively in the marketplace. o The extent of the Company's success, and that of its outside data processing providers, software vendors, and customers, in implementing and testing Year 2000 compliant hardware, software and systems, and the effectiveness of appropriate contingency plans being developed. o Changes in the economic environment may influence the growth rate of loans and deposits, the quality of the loan portfolio and loan and deposit pricing. - 7 -
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 or 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, the Banks, FIFC and WAMC. 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, the Banks, FIFC or WAMC. BANK HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION The Company is registered as a "bank holding company" with the Federal Reserve and, accordingly, is 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, FIFC or WAMC. 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 FIFC. 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, Crystal Lake Bank, and WAMC, 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 WAMC and to commit resources to support the Banks and WAMC. 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. - 8 -
The Federal Reserve has 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. 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 Lake Forest Bank, Hinsdale Bank, North Shore 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, Crystal Lake Bank and WAMC are subject to supervision and examination by the OCC pursuant to the National Bank Act and regulations promulgated thereunder. Each of the Banks and WAMC are members 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 and Crystal Lake Bank) approve any merger and/or consolidation by or with an - 9 -
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. 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. 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, the Banks and WAMC. See Part II, Item 5 for further discussion of dividend limitations. 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 potential source of the Company's revenue is dividends the Company 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 - 10 -
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 and WAMC, 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 national associations, Barrington Bank, Crystal Lake Bank and WAMC 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, the Banks and WAMC 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. - 11 -
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. 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. Each depository institution is assigned to one of three capital groups: "well - 12 -
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. 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. 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. 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 $46.5 million of transaction accounts plus 10.0% on the remainder. The first $4.9 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 - 13 -
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 either the Federal Reserve or OCC on their most recent CRA performance evaluations. As of the date of this report, Crystal Lake 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 rates an institution based on its actual performance in meeting community needs. In particular, the focus is 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. 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 to accept brokered deposits (as a result of it capital levels or having received a waiver) 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 - 14 -
the Interstate Banking Act, effective June 1, 1997, banks are 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 can 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. 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. SUPPLEMENTAL STATISTICAL DATA Pages 1, 42 and 43 of the Annual Report to Shareholders and Item 7A of this Form 10-K 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 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders filed herewith as Exhibit 13.1 and 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. In May 1999, construction is expected to be completed on a 15,200 square foot three story addition to the main bank facility. The Company's executive offices and staff of the holding company and Lake Forest Bank will be located on the second and third floors with first floor retail space to be leased to unrelated third parties. 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, a full service banking facility at 103 East Scranton Avenue in Lake Bluff, Illinois; a 2,100 square foot, a full service banking facility on the west side of Lake Forest, Illinois at 810 South Waukegan Road, and a drive-in and walk-up banking facility at 911 S. Telegraph Road in the West Lake Forest Train Station. Lake - 15 -
Forest Bank also maintains a small office facility at a retirement community known as Lake Forest Place at 1100 Pembridge Drive in Lake Forest. Lake Forest Bank maintains automated teller machines at each of its locations except the 810 South Waukegan Road facility. Lake Forest Bank has no offsite automated teller machines. Hinsdale Bank currently has four physical banking locations, all of which are owned. The main bank facility is a two story brick building located at 25 East First Street in downtown Hinsdale, Illinois. The 1,000 square foot drive-in, walk-up banking facility at 130 West Chestnut is approximately two blocks west of the main banking facility. Hinsdale Bank also has full service branches in Clarendon Hills and Western Springs. The buildings in Clarendon Hills and Western Springs are partially used for bank purposes, with the remainder being leased to unrelated parties. Hinsdale Bank maintains 5 ATM machines, one at each location, with the exception of Clarendon Hills which has two. Hinsdale Bank has no offsite automated teller machines. North Shore Bank currently has six 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 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 also leases a full service banking facility at 362 Park Avenue in Glencoe, Illinois and a branch banking facility in Winnetka, Illinois where it leases approximately 4,000 square feet. In 1998, North Shore Bank opened a drive-up and ATM for the Glencoe branch and a small facility at 4th Street and Linden in Wilmette. North Shore Bank maintains automated teller machines at each of its locations, except Winnetka, and has no offsite automated teller machines. Libertyville Bank currently has three 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. A new leased branch facility located at 1167 South Milwaukee Avenue in south Libertyville was opened in October 1998. Libertyville Bank maintains automated teller machines at each of its banking locations and at one offsite location. Barrington Bank currently has one physical banking location at 201 South Hough Street in Barrington, Illinois which is a 12,700 square foot, two story frame construction building that has an attached drive-through facility. Barrington Bank has two automated teller machines but no offsite automated teller machines. In September 1998, Crystal Lake Bank moved into its permanent two story, 12,000 square foot main bank facility located at 70 Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, and has one automated teller machine. In March 1999, Crystal Lake Bank also opened a drive-up facility that is located in the downtown area, near the main bank facility. FIFC's offices are located at 520 Lake Cook Road, Suite 300, Deerfield, Illinois. FIFC leases approximately 12,000 square feet of office space under a contract that expires in the year 2000. WAMC's executive and operations staff are based in office space leased from Lake Forest Bank. WAMC also leases office space for its trust professionals at Lake Forest Bank, Hinsdale Bank, North Shore Bank and Barrington Bank. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders filed herewith as Exhibit 13.1 and incorporated herein by reference. - 16 -
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 ordinary course of business. Any such litigation currently pending is incidental to the Company'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 position of the Company. 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 1998. 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. Prior to March 13, 1997 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 Stock Market(R) under the symbol WTFC. Prior to the Company's listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) 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 following table sets forth the high and low per share bid prices quoted for the Common Stock during 1998 and 1997. Prior to March 13, 1997, the over-the-counter market quotations reflected inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not have necessarily represented actual transactions. 1998 1997 ---- ---- HIGH LOW HIGH LOW ---- --- ---- --- Fourth quarter $ 20.13 16.50 20.50 16.50 Third quarter 23.00 17.13 21.13 16.00 Second quarter 20.38 17.38 17.25 14.00 First quarter 18.50 16.50 16.00 15 APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS - --------------------------------------------- As of February 28, 1999 there were 1,656 shareholders of record of the Company's common stock. - 17 -
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 FIFC, the Company's ability to pay dividends depends upon its receipt of dividends from the Banks and FIFC. The Banks' ability to pay dividends is regulated by banking statutes. See "Financial Institution Regulation Generally - Dividend Limitations" on page 9 of this Form 10-K. During 1998, Lake Forest Bank paid $8.25 million of dividends to the Company. No other subsidiaries paid dividends to the Company during 1998. No cash dividends were paid to the Company by the Banks during the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996. In addition, both Barrington Bank and Crystal Lake Bank are 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 Barrington Bank and Crystal Lake Bank in December 1999 and December 2000, 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. Additionally, the payment of dividends may be restricted under certain terms of the Company's Trust Preferred Securities offering. Reference is made to Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the 1998 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 - --------------------------------------- The Company had no sales of unregistered securities other than those securities previously disclosed in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA Certain information required in response to this item is contained in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders under the caption "Selected Financial Highlights" and is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the Company had no cash dividends declared during any period during the last five years. Also, the Company had no Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996; however, predecessors of the Company did have $503,000 of Preferred Stock outstanding at December 31, 1995 and 1994. 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 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition - 18 -
and Results of Operations". This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS Certain information required in response to this item is contained in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Asset-Liability Management" and in Notes 15 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are incorporated herein by reference. This information should be read in conjunction with the complete Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders. 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, 1998 and 1997 are included by reference to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated herein by reference. Maturities of securities as of December 31, 1998 by maturity distribution are as follows (in thousands): <TABLE> <CAPTION> Federal Within From 1 From 5 to After Agency 1 Year to 5 years 10 years 10 Years Bank Stock Total -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> U.S. Treasury obligations $10,664 - - - N/A 10,664 Federal agency obligations 48,369 - 6,321 - N/A 54,690 Municipal securities 309 195 - - N/A 504 Other 135,635 6,467 - - N/A 142,102 Federal Agency Bank stock * N/A N/A N/A N/A 6,159 6,159 -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total $194,977 6,662 6,321 - 6,159 214,119 ============== ============== ============== ============= =============== ============== </TABLE> The weighted average yield for each range of maturities of securities, on a tax equivalent basis, is shown below as of December 31, 1998: <TABLE> <CAPTION> Federal Within From 1 From 5 to After Agency 1 Year to 5 years 10 years 10 Years Bank Stock Total -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> U.S. Treasury obligations 5.37% - - - - 5.37% Federal agency obligations 5.36% - 5.57% - - 5.39% Municipal securities 5.85% 5.69% - - - 5.79% Other 5.11% 5.62% - - - 5.13% Federal Agency Bank stock * - - - - 6.34% 6.34% -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total securities 5.19% 5.62% 5.57% - 6.34% 5.25% ============== ============== ============== ============= =============== ============== <FN> * - Includes stock of the Federal Reserve Bank and of the Federal Home Loan Bank. </FN> </TABLE> - 19 -
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, 1998. 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 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 - ----------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Commercial/commercial real estate $366,229 235,483 182,403 101,271 45,587 Home equity 111,537 116,147 87,303 54,592 26,244 Residential real estate 91,525 61,611 51,673 37,074 26,188 Premium finance 183,165 131,952 59,240 15,703 93,349 Indirect auto 210,137 139,296 91,211 37,323 - Installment and other 34,650 32,153 23,717 14,032 4,865 ------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- 997,243 716,642 495,547 259,995 196,233 Less: Unearned income 5,181 4,011 2,999 1,764 2,251 ------------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Total $992,062 712,631 492,548 258,231 193,982 ============= =========== ============ ============ =========== </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 generally fully amortized over 24 to 60 months and secured by titles and/or U.C.C. filings. Working capital lines are generally renewable annually and supported by business assets, personal guarantees and oftentimes additional collateral. Commercial business lending is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk than traditional consumer bank lending. The vast majority of commercial loans are made within the Banks' immediate market areas. The increase can be attributed to additional banking facilities, 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, 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 - 20 -
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 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 specialty business. The following table classifies the commercial loan portfolio category at December 31, 1998 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 $ 192,077 138,378 35,774 366,229 Premium finance receivables.... 183,165 - - 183,165 </TABLE> Of those loans maturing after one year, approximately $147.9 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, 1998, indirect auto loans comprised over 85% 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 average initial balance of approximately $15,000 and have an original maturity of 36 to 60 months with the average actual maturity, as a result of prepayments, estimated to be approximately 35-40 months. The Company does not currently originate any significant level of sub-prime loans, which are made to individuals with impaired credit histories at generally higher interest rates, and accordingly, with higher levels of credit risk. 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. - 21 -
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, bridge financing loans for qualifying customers and mortgage loans held for sale into the secondary market. 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 and selling these loans into the secondary market, in connection with which the Company receives fee income. A portion of the loans sold by the Banks into the secondary market are to the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") whereby the servicing of those loans is retained. The amount of loans serviced for FNMA as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $82.1 million and $53.2 million, respectively. All other mortgage loans held for sale are sold into the secondary market without the retention of servicing rights. Premium finance receivables. The Company originates premium finance receivables through FIFC, which, in turn, are sold to the Banks and retained within their loan portfolios. Prior to October 1996, premium finance receivables were sold and serviced pursuant to a securitization facility. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company had no premium finance receivables serviced for others by FIFC. All premium finance receivables 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. FIFC 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. FIFC 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 FIFC's marketing efforts, currently focused almost exclusively on commercial accounts. Loans are originated by FIFC's own sales force by working with insurance agents and brokers throughout the United States. As of December 31, 1998, FIFC had the necessary licensing and other regulatory approvals to do business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In financing insurance premiums, the Company does not assume the risk of loss normally borne by insurance carriers. Typically, the insured buys an insurance policy from an independent insurance agent or broker who offers financing through FIFC. The insured typically makes a down payment of approximately 15% to 25% of the total premium and signs a premium finance agreement for the balance due, which amount FIFC disburses directly to the insurance carrier or its agents to satisfy the unpaid premium amount. The average initial balance of premium - 22 -
finance loans is approximately $14,000 and the average term of the agreements is approximately 10 months. As the insurer earns the premium ratably over the life of the policy, the unearned portion of the premium secures payment of the balance due to FIFC by the insured. Under the terms of 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. The major risks inherent in this type of lending are (1) the risk of fraud on the part of an insurance agent whereby the agent fraudulently fails to forward funds to the insurance carrier or to FIFC, as the case may be; (2) the risk that the insurance carrier becomes insolvent and is unable to return unearned premiums related to loans in default; (3) for policies that are subject to an audit by the insurance carrier (i.e. workers compensation policies where the insurance carrier can audit the insured actual payroll records), the risk that the initial underwriting of the policy was such that the premium paid by the insured are not sufficient to cover the a entire return premium in the event of default; and (4) that the borrower is unable to ultimately satisfy the debt in the event the returned unearned premium is insufficient to retire the loan. FIFC has established underwriting procedures to reduce the potential of loss associated with the aforementioned risks and has systems in place to continually monitor conditions that would indicate an increase in risk factors and to act on situations where the Company's collateral position is in jeopardy. Installment and Other. Included in the installment and other loan category 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. - 23 -
RISK ELEMENTS IN THE LOAN PORTFOLIO For analysis and review of the allowance for possible loan losses; non-accrual, past due and restructured loans; other real estate owned; potential problem loans; and loan concentrations, reference is made to the "Credit Risk and Asset Quality" section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders filed herewith as Exhibit 13.1, and incorporated herein by reference. An allocation of the allowance for possible loan losses by major loan type is presented below (dollars in thousands): Allocation of the Allowance for Possible Loan Losses - ---------------------------------------------------- <TABLE> <CAPTION> December 31, 1998 December 31, 1997 December 31, 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- % of loans % of loans % of loans In each in each in each Category to category to category to Amount Total loans Amount total loans Amount total loans --------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Residential real estate. . . $ 81 9% $ 43 9% $ 34 10% Commercial and Commercial real estate . 2,480 37 1,490 33 996 37 Home equity . . . . . .. . 1,046 11 580 16 402 18 Premium finance. . .. . . 919 18 702 18 288 12 Indirect auto. . . . . . . . 1,205 21 679 19 432 18 Other loans. . . . . . . . . 494 4 218 5 128 5 Unallocated. . . . . . . . . 809 - 1,404 - 1,356 - --------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- ------------ --------------- Total. . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,034 100% $5,116 100% $ 3,636 100% =============== ============== =============== =============== ============ =============== </TABLE> The above allocation is made for analytical purposes. It is not anticipated that charge-offs during the year ending December 31, 1998 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 the "Credit Risk and Asset Quality" section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders filed herewith as Exhibit 13.1, and incorporated herein by reference. Losses incurred during 1997 in the premium finance portfolio exceeded the amount allocated to that category as of December 31, 1996. When the Company allowed the securitization facility to unwind in 1997, the losses inherent in the facility exceeded management's estimates. During 1997, management implemented additional risk measurement systems to assist in better identifying, addressing and quantifying potential losses in the premium finance portfolio and believes that the allocation as of December 31, 1998 is reasonable. - 24 -
DEPOSITS The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities of time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more at December 31, 1998 (in thousands): Maturing within 3 months ................................ $ 186,027 After 3 but within 6 months ............................. 78,640 After 6 but within 12 months ............................ 51,014 After 12 months ......................................... 30,365 --------------- Total ................................................. $ 346,046 =============== 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 1998 1997 1996 ---- ---- ---- <S> <C> <C> <C> Return on average total assets 0.53% 0.56% (0.17)% Return on average common shareholders' equity 8.68% 7.88% (2.33)% Dividend payout ratio 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Average equity to average total assets 6.1% 7.2% 7.4% Ending total risk based capital ratio 9.7% 9.4% 8.0% Leverage ratio 7.5% 6.6% 6.4% </TABLE> SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS The information required in connection with Short-Term Borrowings is contained in the "Analysis of Financial Condition - Short-Term Borrowings and Notes Payable" section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders filed herewith as Exhibit 13.1, and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The information required in response to this item is contained in the 1998 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 - 25 -
None 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 27, 1999 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 27, 1999. 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. - 26 -
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 following financial statements of Wintrust Financial Corporation are filed as part of this document under Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: Consolidated Statements of Condition as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Independent Auditors' Report 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 Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Junior Serial Preferred Stock A of Wintrust Financial Corporation. 3.3 Amended By-laws of Wintrust Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998). 4.1 Rights Agreement between Wintrust Financial Corporation and Illinois Stock Transfer Company, as Rights Agent, dated July 28, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Form 8-A Registration Statement (No. 000-21923) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 1998). - 27 -
4.2 Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement by and between Wintrust Financial Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company dated September 29, 1998, relating to the 9.00% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities of Wintrust Capital Trust I. 4.3 Indenture by and between Wintrust Financial Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company dated September 29, 1998, relating to the 9.00% Subordinated Debentures issued to Wintrust Capital Trust I. 4.4 Amended and Restated Trust Agreement by and among Wintrust Financial Corporation, Wilmington Trust Company and the Administrative Trustees named therein dated September 29, 1998, relating to the 9.00% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities of Wintrust Capital Trust I. 4.5 Form of Preferred Security Certificate of Wintrust Capital Trust I (included as an exhibit to Exhibit 4.4). 4.6 Form of Subordinated Debenture (included as an exhibit to Exhibit 4.3). 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). 10.2 First Amendment to Loan Agreement between Wintrust Financial Corporation and LaSalle National Bank, dated March 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 1997). 10.3 Second Amendment to Loan Agreement between Wintrust Financial Corporation and LaSalle National Bank, dated March 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1998). 10.4 Third Amendment to Loan Agreement between Wintrust Financial Corporation and LaSalle National Bank, dated September 1, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 1998). 10.5 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).* 10.6 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). 10.7 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). - 28 -
10.8 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). 10.9 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). 10.10 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). 10.11 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). 10.12 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). 10.13 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). 10.14 Form of Employment Agreement entered into between the Company and Howard D. Adams, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (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). * - 29 -
10.15 Form of Employment Agreement (entered into between the Company and Edward J. Wehmer, President and Chief Executive Officer). The Company entered into Employment Agreements with David A. Dykstra, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Robert F. Key, Executive Vice President-Marketing, Lloyd M. Bowden, Executive Vice President-Technology and Randolph M. Hibben, Executive Vice President-Investments during 1998 in substantially identical form to this exhibit. * 10.16 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). 10.17 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). 10.18 Wintrust Financial Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Proxy Statement relating to the May 22, 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company). * 10.19 Wintrust Financial Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Proxy Statement relating to the May 22, 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company). * 13.1 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders. 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 23. Consent of Independent Auditors. 27.1 Financial Data Schedule. (b) Reports on Form 8-K None. - 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 EDWARD J. WEHMER EDWARD J. WEHMER March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ President and Chief Executive Officer DAVID A. DYKSTRA DAVID A. DYKSTRA March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) TODD A. GUSTAFSON TODD A. GUSTAFSON March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Vice President - Finance (Principal 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. JOHN S. LILLARD JOHN S. LILLARD March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Chairman of the Board of Directors EDWARD J. WEHMER EDWARD J. WEHMER March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ President and CEO and Director JOSEPH ALAIMO JOSEPH ALAIMO March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director PETER CRIST PETER CRIST March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director BRUCE K. CROWTHER BRUCE K. CROWTHER March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director MAURICE F. DUNNE, Jr. MAURICE F. DUNNE, JR. March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director WILLIAM C. GRAFT WILLIAM GRAFT March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director KATHLEEN R. HORNE KATHLEEN R. HORNE March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director JAMES E. MAHONEY JAMES E. MAHONEY March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director - 31 -
JAMES B. MCCARTHY JAMES B. MCCARTHY March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director MARQUERITE SAVARD MARQUERITE SAVARD MCKENNA March 26, 1999 MCKENNA ------------------------------------ Director ALBIN F. MOSCHNER ALBIN F. MOSCHNER March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director THOMAS J. NEIS THOMAS J. NEIS March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director HOLLIS W. RADEMACHER HOLLIS W. RADEMACHER March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director J. CHRISTOPHER REYES J. CHRISTOPHER REYES March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director PETER RUSIN PETER RUSIN March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director JOHN N. SCHAPER JOHN N. SCHAPER March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director JOHN J. SCHORNACK JOHN J. SCHORNACK March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director INGRID S. STAFFORD INGRID S. STAFFORD March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director JANE R. STEIN JANE R. STEIN March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director KATHARINE V. SYLVESTER KATHARINE V. SYLVESTER March 26, 1999 ----------------------------------- Director LEMUEL H. TATE, JR. LEMUEL H. TATE, JR. March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director LARRY WRIGHT LARRY WRIGHT March 26, 1999 ------------------------------------ Director - 32 -