Form 4: Wintrust Financial Officer Gifts Shares to Charity

Edward J. Wehmer, Founder and Senior Advisor of Wintrust Financial Corp, gifted 15,000 shares of common stock to a charitable foundation.

Summary

• Edward J. Wehmer, a Director, Officer (Founder and Senior Advisor), and 10% Owner of Wintrust Financial Corp (WTFC), reported a transaction on November 25, 2025.
• The transaction involved the disposition of 15,000 shares of Common Stock through a charitable contribution (Code G).
• 7,500 shares were directly gifted to the Edandor Foundation, a charitable foundation, at a price of $0 per share.
• Another 7,500 shares were indirectly gifted by his spouse to the same foundation, also at $0 per share.
• Following these transactions, Mr. Wehmer directly beneficially owns 174,408 shares of Common Stock.
• Indirect beneficial ownership includes 18,487 shares by his spouse and 8,244 shares by a 401(k) Plan.
• Mr. Wehmer also holds 2,382 Depositary Shares of Series F Preferred Stock directly and 3,919 indirectly by his spouse, which were not part of this transaction.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive. While insider holdings decreased, it was due to a charitable gift, which is generally viewed favorably from a philanthropic perspective, rather than a sale for personal gain. It has no direct bearing on the company's operational performance.

Positives

• The transaction represents a charitable contribution, indicating philanthropic activity by a key executive.
• The gift was made to the Edandor Foundation, organized for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes.

Negatives

• The transaction reduces the direct and indirect common stock holdings of a significant insider, though it is a gift rather than a sale for cash.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future financial performance or strategic direction.

Industry Context

Insider transactions, even charitable gifts, are routinely monitored by investors for insights into management's sentiment and holdings. This specific transaction is a personal financial decision by an executive and does not directly reflect broader industry trends or competitive positioning.

Related Party Transactions

• The charitable contribution was made to the Edandor Foundation, which is likely a related party due to the reporting person's involvement in its establishment or governance, consistent with a charitable gift under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: A minor reduction in insider ownership, but the transaction is a gift and not a sale for profit, so the impact on market perception is likely minimal.
• Charitable Organizations: The Edandor Foundation benefits directly from the stock contribution, enabling its charitable activities.

Key Dates

Keywords

WTFC, Wintrust Financial, Edward J. Wehmer, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Stock Gift, Charitable Contribution, Common Stock