Company: WTFCN
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-031671
Chunk: 62

Company: WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 62
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 Incentive Plan (LTIP) The Committee believes that a substantial portion of each NEO’s compensation should be in the form of long-term incentive compensation in order to further align the interests of our NEOs and shareholders. The framework is also designed to: • provide a competitive compensation opportunity; • foster retention; • allow the Company to compete effectively for talent; • incorporate leading practices; • provide transparency; • support the Company’s long-term strategy and growth objectives; • align management’s long-term compensation with shareholder returns; • link pay and performance; • create a long-term focus based on sustainable results; and • promote long-term NEO stock ownership. Award Mix The Committee administers the LTIP and can determine on an annual basis the mix of awards included in the annual grant. As awarded in 2024, the LTIP mix consists of 100% equity, comprised of 60% performance-based restricted stock units and 40% time-based restricted stock units as indicated below:

| ​ | ​ | Award Vehicle Mix                        | ​ | ​ | ​ | % of Award |   |     |   | ​ | ​ |
| ​ | ​ | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​          | ​ | 60% | ​ | ​ | ​ |
| ​ | ​ | Time-Based Restricted Stock Units        | ​ | ​ | ​ | ​          | ​ | 40% | ​ | ​ | ​ |

Performance-based restricted stock units and time-based restricted stock units are designed to promote pay for performance since the awards vest after three years and the performance-based restricted stock unit awards vest based on the achievement of pre-established long-term goals set in advance by the Committee with results measured over a multi-year performance period (i.e., three years). Each year, the Committee sets three-year performance goals for the LTIP, which results in overlapping performance cycles. Performance-based restricted stock units are earned only at the end of the performance period based on the Company’s actual performance against pre-established goals certified by the Committee, subject to negative discretionary adjustments. In 2024, the Committee selected the following award mix for the 2024-2026 LTIP performance period: • 30% in performance-based restricted stock units, with vesting based on a measurement of earnings per share, as adjusted to exclude income taxes, acquisition-related charges and the provision for credit losses, with such amount being further reduced by actual net charge-offs of loans, over the performance period (“Adjusted EPS”); • 30% in performance-based