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Wintrust Financial Corp (WTFC)
NASDAQ:WTFC

Wintrust Financial (WTFC) AI Stock Analysis

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WTFC

Wintrust Financial

(NASDAQ:WTFC)

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Outperform 79 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$167.00
â–²(12.91% Upside)
WTFC scores well primarily on strong financial fundamentals (healthy profitability, strong cash generation, and solid ROE) and a supportive earnings outlook (stable NIM and positive operating leverage). Technicals are constructive but not especially strong, and valuation is reasonable with a modest dividend. Main risks highlighted are mortgage softness, modest credit/NPL uptick, and monitored CRE office concentration.
Positive Factors
Profitability & Margins
Durable high margins reflect efficient core banking and fee businesses, enabling strong internal capital generation. Sustained profitability supports reinvestment, cushioning against cyclical NIM pressure and providing capacity for buybacks, dividends, and strategic initiatives over months.
Free Cash Flow Conversion
Very strong cash conversion indicates the franchise converts earnings into liquidity reliably, underpinning lending capacity, capital build, and discretionary uses. High FCF relative to net income reduces refinancing reliance and improves resilience through economic cycles.
Loan & Deposit Franchise Momentum
Consistent double-digit loan and deposit growth demonstrates durable commercial and retail traction and supports NII expansion. Market share gains in key Midwest markets signal scalable, relationship-driven growth that can sustain funding advantages and franchise value over several quarters.
Negative Factors
Mortgage Revenue Weakness
Mortgage sales and servicing revenues can swing materially with rates; prolonged high rates constrain origination and fee income. For a bank with meaningful mortgage activity, sustained weakness would reduce noninterest income and pressure growth and ROE over the medium term.
Concentrated CRE Office Exposure
A concentrated office CRE book creates idiosyncratic downside if office fundamentals weaken further. Even with current low NPLs, this sub-portfolio could lead to elevated provisions or losses, pressuring capital and earnings resilience if tenant demand or valuations deteriorate.
Reserve Sensitivity to Macroeconomic Assumptions
Reliance on forward-looking CECL reductions tightens current reserves; a deteriorating macro could require swift lift in provisioning. This sensitivity risks earnings volatility and capital strain if downside economic scenarios materialize, making credit shock absorption more uncertain.

Wintrust Financial (WTFC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Wintrust Financial Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWintrust Financial Corporation operates as a financial holding company. It operates in three segments: Community Banking, Specialty Finance, and Wealth Management. The Community Banking segment offers non-interest bearing deposits, non-brokered interest-bearing transaction accounts, and savings and domestic time deposits; home equity, consumer, and real estate loans; safe deposit facilities; and automatic teller machine (ATM), online and mobile banking, and other services. It also engages in the retail origination and purchase of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market; and provision of lending, deposits, and treasury management services to condominium, homeowner, and community associations, as well as asset-based lending for middle-market companies. In addition, this segment offers loan and deposit services to mortgage brokerage companies; lending to restaurant franchisees; direct leasing; small business administration loans; commercial mortgages and construction loans; and financial solutions. It provides personal and commercial banking services primarily to individuals, small to mid-sized businesses, local governmental units, and institutional clients. The Specialty Finance segment offers commercial and life insurance premiums financing for businesses and individuals; accounts receivable financing, value-added, and out-sourced administrative services; and other specialty finance services, as well as data processing of payrolls, billing, and cash management services to temporary staffing industry. The Wealth Management segment provides trust and investment, asset management, tax-deferred exchange, securities brokerage, and retirement plan services. The company operates 173 banking facilities and 228 ATMs in the Chicago metropolitan area, southern Wisconsin, northwest Indiana, and Florida. Wintrust Financial Corporation was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois.
How the Company Makes MoneyWintrust Financial generates revenue through several key streams. The primary source of income comes from net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on loans and the interest paid on deposits. The company's loan portfolio includes commercial loans, residential mortgages, and consumer loans, which contribute significantly to interest income. Additionally, Wintrust earns non-interest income from various fees associated with banking services, wealth management, and investment services. This includes service charges on deposit accounts, mortgage origination fees, and asset management fees. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships and acquisitions, which enhance its product offerings and expand its customer base, further contributing to its overall earnings.

Wintrust Financial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 20, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 22, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed strong, broad-based operating momentum: record full-year and quarterly earnings, double-digit loan and deposit growth, stable margin and positive operating leverage, plus market share gains and solid credit metrics. The primary negatives were mortgage revenue weakness, a slight uptick in nonperforming loans, modestly higher noninterest expense items (notably health insurance), and some concentrated CRE office exposure — risks management is monitoring. Overall the positives materially outweigh the challenges.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Full-Year Net Income
Net income for full year 2025 was $824 million, up 19% from $695 million in 2024; diluted EPS was $11.40 versus $10.31 in 2024 (approximately +10.6%).
Quarterly Record Net Income and Strong Q4 Performance
Q4 net income was $223 million, a record for a quarter and up 3% ($7 million) from the prior quarter; quarter benefited from solid loan and deposit growth and a slightly improved margin.
Robust Loan and Deposit Growth
Full-year loans grew 11% and deposits grew 10% in 2025. In Q4 the firm added roughly $1.0 billion of deposits (annualized ~7%) and $1.0 billion of loans (annualized ~8%).
Stable and Healthy Net Interest Margin and Record NII
Net interest margin ranged 3.50%–3.56% during 2025 with Q4 at 3.54%; record quarterly net interest income driven by a $1.1 billion increase in average earning assets and a 4-basis-point NIM increase, producing a $16.9 million QoQ increase in NII.
Strong Operating Leverage
Net revenue increased 11.2% while noninterest expense growth was 3.4 percentage points lower (net revenue was 340 basis points higher than noninterest expense growth), demonstrating positive operating leverage while investing in the business.
Improved Capital and Tangible Book Value
Tangible book value rose by over $13 to nearly $89 per share; management reports steadily building capital while maintaining organic growth plans and an authorized buyback (~$200 million) available if appropriate.
Market Share Gains and Geographic Momentum
Moved into third position in deposit market share in the Chicago area; also reported strong market share gains in Wisconsin and West Michigan and continued momentum across core Midwestern markets.
Credit Metrics Largely Stable and Low Losses
Provision for credit losses remained consistent in the $20M–$30M quarterly range; charge-offs declined to 17 basis points from 19 basis points QoQ; management highlights disciplined monitoring and early problem identification.
CRE and Office Exposure Actively Managed
Commercial real estate NPLs decreased from 0.21% to 0.18%; CRE office exposure stands at $1.7 billion (12.1% of CRE, 3.2% of total loans) and is being monitored with quarterly deep dives.
Customer Experience Differentiation
Net Promoter Scores improved and were described as best-in-class in both retail and commercial banking, supporting the franchise's relationship-driven growth strategy.
Negative Updates
Mortgage Revenue Softness and Uncertain Mortgage Outlook
Mortgage revenue remains soft and mortgage banking volumes/applications are low; management views mortgage performance as a potential swing factor for 2026 and is hopeful but not relying on a substantial pickup absent rate declines below ~6%.
Slight Increase in Nonperforming Loans
Nonperforming loans rose from $162.6 million (31 bps) to $185.8 million (35 bps) QoQ — an increase though management characterizes the level as manageable and largely episodic.
Rising Noninterest Expense Components
Noninterest expense increased to $384.5 million in Q4 from $380 million, driven by higher employee health insurance claims, OREO expenses, travel & entertainment and other items; health insurance claims noted as a market-wide pressure.
Noninterest Income Pressure from Lower Security Gains and Mortgage Weakness
Other noninterest income was $130.4 million in Q4, slightly below the prior quarter ($130.8 million), with the small decline attributed to lower security gains and continued mortgage revenue softness.
Concentrated CRE Office Exposure Risk
CRE office portfolio totals $1.7 billion (12.1% of CRE), a concentrated sub-portfolio that management continues to monitor closely despite current low NPL and charge-off metrics.
Reserve Sensitivity to Macroeconomic Assumptions
Management has modestly reduced reserves over the past two years driven by CECL-model outputs and improving economic forecasts — a potential vulnerability if macro conditions deteriorate, since CECL is forward-looking.
Seasonality and Near-Term Growth Variability
Management cautioned that Q1 is typically the slowest quarter and that seasonality (especially in premium finance and mortgage) can make quarterly growth uneven in the first half of the year.
Company Guidance
Wintrust’s 2026 guidance calls for mid‑ to high‑single‑digit loan growth funded by similar mid‑ to high‑single‑digit deposit growth, a relatively stable net interest margin around 3.5% (2025 range 3.50%–3.56%, Q4 3.54%), and continued positive operating leverage (management modeled mid‑ to high‑single‑digit revenue growth with noninterest expense growth roughly 4%–5% off the Q4 run‑rate). Management expects to manage deposit beta in the low‑60s on a full cycle, to backfill maturing hedges as needed, and to see improved noninterest income (wealth and service fees) with mortgage serving as upside if rates fall (a 25–50 bps decline would meaningfully increase refiable balances). Credit is expected to remain stable (Q4 nonperforming loans ~35 bps, charge‑offs 17 bps, quarterly provision in 2025 ~$20–30M), while CRE is being closely monitored (office exposure $1.7B, 12.1% of CRE / 3.2% of total loans); this guidance is anchored to a $71B+ balance sheet and strong 2025 results (net income $824M, EPS $11.40, tangible book value ≈ $89; loans/deposits +11%/+10% in 2025).

Wintrust Financial Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong profitability (TTM net margin 18.85%; EBIT/EBITDA margins 25.63%/27.79%) and improving free cash flow (35.09% growth; FCF nearly matching net income at 95.87%). Balance sheet leverage is moderate (debt-to-equity 0.61) with solid ROE (11.55%), though rising debt and some margin pressure are noted risks.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Wintrust Financial has demonstrated strong revenue growth over the years, with a TTM revenue growth rate of 1.78%. The company maintains healthy profitability margins, with a gross profit margin of 61.52% and a net profit margin of 18.85% in the TTM period. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also robust at 25.63% and 27.79%, respectively, indicating efficient operational management. However, the slight decline in gross profit margin over the years suggests potential cost pressures.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, indicating moderate leverage. The return on equity (ROE) is strong at 11.55%, showcasing effective utilization of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio stands at 10.12%, suggesting a solid equity base relative to total assets. However, the increase in total debt over the years could pose a risk if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Wintrust Financial has shown significant improvement in free cash flow, with a growth rate of 35.09% in the TTM period. The free cash flow to net income ratio is high at 95.87%, indicating strong cash generation relative to net income. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is not available, but the overall cash flow position appears strong, supporting the company's liquidity and investment capabilities.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.17B3.97B3.33B2.21B1.86B1.90B
Gross Profit2.57B2.35B2.16B1.88B1.77B1.43B
EBITDA1.19B1.05B929.85M782.63M739.59M486.15M
Net Income786.18M695.04M622.63M509.68M466.15M292.99M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets69.63B64.88B56.26B52.95B50.14B45.08B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments9.04B8.76B5.80B5.50B7.85B7.90B
Total Debt4.28B4.24B3.66B3.60B2.43B2.44B
Total Liabilities62.58B58.54B50.86B48.15B45.64B40.96B
Stockholders Equity7.05B6.34B5.40B4.80B4.50B4.12B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.14B635.52M697.97M1.32B1.07B-582.11M
Operating Cash Flow1.15B721.56M744.38M1.38B1.13B-518.47M
Investing Cash Flow-6.38B-5.95B-3.24B-3.49B-5.93B-7.18B
Financing Cash Flow5.06B5.26B2.43B2.20B4.89B7.74B

Wintrust Financial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price147.90
Price Trends
50DMA
140.70
Positive
100DMA
135.57
Positive
200DMA
129.11
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.72
Positive
RSI
56.84
Neutral
STOCH
21.32
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WTFC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 147.9 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 145.92, above the 50-day MA of 140.70, and above the 200-day MA of 129.11, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.72 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 56.84 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 21.32 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WTFC.

Wintrust Financial Risk Analysis

Wintrust Financial disclosed 55 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Wintrust Financial reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Wintrust Financial Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$9.73B12.7412.11%1.40%3.58%13.93%
77
Outperform
$9.29B13.2822.83%2.43%20.72%3.63%
76
Outperform
$9.47B13.4212.59%1.37%38.81%10.38%
72
Outperform
$8.61B9.7113.39%2.97%0.12%27.30%
70
Outperform
$11.85B17.5510.09%3.21%-7.07%31.09%
69
Neutral
$9.76B10.1613.50%1.80%6.30%25.28%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WTFC
Wintrust Financial
147.90
18.12
13.96%
CMA
Comerica
92.86
28.34
43.92%
ONB
Old National Bancorp Capital
24.40
1.21
5.22%
UMBF
UMB Financial
127.27
8.73
7.36%
ZION
Zions Bancorporation National Association
59.43
3.06
5.43%
WAL
Western Alliance
90.21
2.49
2.84%

Wintrust Financial Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Wintrust Financial Amends Receivables Purchase Agreement
Neutral
Dec 16, 2025

On December 15, 2025, First Insurance Funding of Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Wintrust Financial Corporation, entered into an amendment to its Receivables Purchase Agreement with Plaza Trust, extending the maturity date to December 15, 2026, and reducing the facility limit from $650 million to $580 million. The amendment also includes technical changes, and Wintrust confirmed its performance guarantee, while a new fee letter modifies fund costs and rates.

The most recent analyst rating on (WTFC) stock is a Buy with a $158.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wintrust Financial stock, see the WTFC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Wintrust Financial Amends Credit Agreement with Lenders
Neutral
Dec 8, 2025

On December 4, 2025, Wintrust Financial Corporation, a company involved in financial services, executed amendments to its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association and other lenders. The Fourth Amendment introduces outbound investment rule provisions, protective language in confidentiality clauses, and extends the Revolving Credit Maturity Date to December 3, 2026. The Fifth Amendment reduces the Commitment Fee on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment from 0.30% to 0.25% per annum.

The most recent analyst rating on (WTFC) stock is a Buy with a $157.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Wintrust Financial stock, see the WTFC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 26, 2026