Form 4: Wintrust CFO Acquires 7,558 Shares via Equity Awards

Wintrust Financial Corp's Chief Financial Officer, David L. Stoehr, acquired 7,558 shares of common stock through equity awards.

Summary

• David L. Stoehr, Chief Financial Officer of Wintrust Financial Corp (WTFC), acquired 7,558 shares of common stock.
• The transaction occurred on January 22, 2026, with an acquisition price of $152.21 per share.
• The acquired shares include 2,133 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted under the Company's 2025 Stock Incentive Plan, which vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.
• Additionally, 5,425 shares were awarded upon the attainment of performance objectives under the Company's Long Term Incentive Program.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Stoehr directly beneficially owns 22,100 shares of Wintrust Financial Corp common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The acquisition of shares by a key executive, especially through performance-based awards, generally reflects positive internal sentiment and strong alignment of interests between management and shareholders. This is a routine compensation event rather than a major strategic announcement.

Positives

• Chief Financial Officer David L. Stoehr increased his direct beneficial ownership in Wintrust Financial Corp by 7,558 shares, aligning his interests with shareholders.
• The acquisition includes 5,425 shares awarded due to the attainment of performance objectives, indicating successful executive performance.
• The transaction reflects the company's use of equity compensation to incentivize and retain key management.

Future Outlook

The 2,133 Restricted Stock Units awarded to the CFO are scheduled to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, indicating a future vesting event and continued long-term incentive for the executive.

Industry Context

Insider acquisitions, particularly those stemming from performance-based equity awards, are a standard component of executive compensation packages within the financial services industry. This practice aims to align the long-term interests of key executives with the company's performance and shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and performance-based share awards is a common and widely accepted practice in executive compensation across the financial sector.
• This compensation structure is comparable to those implemented by major financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, which frequently tie a significant portion of executive pay to long-term equity incentives to foster sustained performance and executive retention.

Related Party Transactions

• Acquisition of 7,558 shares of common stock by Chief Financial Officer David L. Stoehr through equity awards, including 2,133 Restricted Stock Units and 5,425 performance-based shares.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The increased equity ownership by the CFO enhances the alignment of management's interests with those of the shareholders, potentially fostering long-term value creation.
• Employees: The transaction reflects standard executive compensation practices, which can signal stability in leadership and a commitment to performance-based incentives.

Next Steps

• The 2,133 Restricted Stock Units are expected to vest on the third anniversary of the grant date (approximately January 22, 2029, assuming the grant date is the transaction date).

Key Dates

Keywords

Wintrust Financial Corp, WTFC, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Equity Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, CFO, David L. Stoehr