Company: WTFCN
Filing Date: 2025-05-09
Form Type: 424B5
Source: 0001104659-25-046769
Chunk: 114

Company: WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-05-09
Form: 424B5
Chunk 114
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 by a majority of the disinterested directors then in office; and

•

was not nominated for election as a director by the interested shareholder or any affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.

The amendment of our articles of incorporation must be approved by a majority vote of the board of directors and also by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding shares of our common stock; provided , however , that an affirmative vote of at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock entitled to vote is required to amend or repeal certain provisions of the articles of incorporation, including provisions (a) prohibiting cumulative voting rights, (b) relating to certain business combinations, (c) limiting the shareholders’ ability to act by written consent, (d) regarding the minimum number of directors, (e) regarding indemnification of directors and officers by the Company and limitation of liability for directors and (f) regarding amendment of the foregoing supermajority provisions of our articles of incorporation. Our by-laws provide that the power to make, alter, amend, or repeal the by-laws shall be vested in the shareholders or the board of directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors.

The provisions described above are intended to reduce our vulnerability to takeover attempts and certain other transactions that have not been negotiated with and approved by members of our board of directors.

The ability of a third party to acquire equity securities or control of the Company is also limited under applicable banking regulations. The Bank Holding Company Act requires any “bank holding company” (as defined in such act) to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve prior to acquiring more than 5% of our outstanding common stock or another class of our voting securities. Any person other than a bank holding company is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire 10% or more of our outstanding common stock or another class of our voting securities under the Change in Bank Control Act. Any holder of 25% or more of our outstanding common stock or another class of our voting securities, other than an individual, is subject to regulation as a “bank holding company” under the Bank Holding Company Act. For purposes of calculating ownership thresholds under these banking regulations, bank regulators would generally take the position that the maximum number of shares of our common stock or another class of our voting securities (as applicable) that a holder is entitled to receive pursuant to securities convertible into or settled in our common stock or another class of our voting securities, including pursuant to any warrants to purchase our common stock or another class of our voting securities held by such