Company: WTFCN
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-031671
Chunk: 115

Company: WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 115
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MARLA F. GLABE
SUZET M. MCKINNEY
GREGORY A. SMITH PROPOSAL NO. 4 — RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP TO SERVE AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as auditors for the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. The Board and the Audit Committee recommend that shareholders ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for the Company and its subsidiaries. If shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. Ernst & Young LLP has served as independent registered public accounting firm for the Company since 1999 and is considered by the Board and the Audit Committee to be well qualified. One or more representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting and afforded an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to respond to questions from shareholders. AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT FEES PAID The Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were Ernst & Young LLP. Under its charter, the Audit Committee is solely responsible for reviewing the qualifications of the Company’s independent auditors and selecting the independent auditors for the current fiscal year. 77 TABLE OF CONTENTS The following is a description of the fees billed to the Company by Ernst & Young LLP for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023: Audit Fees: Audit fees include fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP for the review and audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports filed with the SEC, as well as services normally provided by an independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. Aggregate fees for audit services were $3,613,031 in 2024 and $3,184,438 in 2023. Audit-Related Fees: Audit-related fees include fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements. Aggregate fees for audit-related services were $28,620 in 2024 and $27,000 in 2023. Tax Fees: Tax fees include fees for tax compliance, tax return preparation advice and tax planning services. Aggregate fees for