WTFC Wintrust Financial Corporation

The Small Business Administration recently recognized Village Bank & Trust ("VBT"), a Wintrust Community Bank, as the 2013 Small Lender of the Year. VBT has seven locations in Chicago's suburbs: Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Park Ridge, and Prospect Heights.

Since 1963, the Small Business Administration has sponsored a National Small Business Week recognizing small business owners for their personal successes and contributions to our nation. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the National Small Business Week.

"Village Bank & Trust's hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication to the community has helped them succeed," said Karen G. Mills, U.S. Small Business Administrator. "The SBA is delighted to recognize their achievements and role in driving our nation's economic growth."

The Small Business Administration has planned a weeklong series of events from Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21, 2013 that will be interesting, educational, and enjoyable. As an award winner, VBT is looking forward to attending the National Small Business Week Events to identify more ways to support their small business clients. They will be recognized at the final celebration to be held in Washington, D.C. on Friday June 21, 2013 at the Renaissance Hotel.

About Wintrust Financial Corporation

Wintrust Financial Corporation is a financial holding company with assets of approximately $17 billion whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (Nasdaq:WTFC). Built on the "HAVE IT ALL" model, Wintrust offers sophisticated technology and resources of a large bank while focusing on providing service-based community banking to each and every customer. Wintrust operates fifteen community bank subsidiaries, with more than 100 banking offices located in the greater Chicago and Milwaukee market areas. Wintrust also provides wealth management services, commercial insurance premium financing, mortgage origination, short-term accounts receivable financing, and certain administrative services, such as data processing of payrolls, and billing and treasury management services to its customers.

CONTACT: Thomas J. Huffman
         Senior Vice President - SBA Lending
         Village Bank & Trust
         847.590.7030
         thuffman@bankatvillage.com