Wintrust Chairman Steps Down After 9 Years

Change comes a year after bank's founder left the board

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:07pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of polished metal banking ledgers and a single silver fountain pen on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of corporate finance, strategy, and leadership transition.A symbolic representation of the leadership changes underway at one of the Midwest's largest community banks.Chicago Today

The chairman of Wintrust Financial Corp. is stepping down after nine years in the role, the Chicago-based bank announced. The change comes one year after the bank's founder, Ed Wehmer, left the Wintrust board.

Why it matters

Wintrust is one of the largest community banks in the Chicago area, with over $50 billion in assets. The departure of the long-serving chairman signals a shift in the bank's leadership as it navigates the competitive landscape for regional banks.

The details

Wintrust did not provide a reason for the chairman's departure, but said the transition is part of the bank's ongoing succession planning. The chairman, who has not been named, will remain on the board as a director.

  • Wintrust's chairman has served in the role for 9 years.
  • The bank's founder, Ed Wehmer, left the Wintrust board 1 year ago.

The players

Wintrust Financial Corp.

A Chicago-based bank with over $50 billion in assets, one of the largest community banks in the Chicago area.

Ed Wehmer

The founder of Wintrust Financial Corp., who left the bank's board 1 year ago.

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The takeaway

The departure of Wintrust's long-serving chairman signals a shift in the bank's leadership as it navigates the competitive landscape for regional banks in the Chicago area.