Company: WTFCN
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-031671
Chunk: 113

Company: WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 113
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) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. The Company believes that it is appropriate to seek the views of shareholders on the design and effectiveness of the Company’s executive compensation program. Although this vote is advisory and thus non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of the shareholders and will consider the outcome of this “Say on Pay” vote when evaluating our compensation philosophy, policies and practices. At the annual meetings of shareholders held in 2024, 2023 and 2022, we provided our shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the applicable proxy statement. Our shareholders overwhelmingly approved such proposals, with at least 90% of the votes cast in favor in each of those years. In accordance with the preference expressed by our shareholders at the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, we intend to hold a Say on Pay vote on an annual basis at least until the next frequency vote. In 2029, we will again ask our shareholders to consider the appropriate frequency of the Say on Pay vote. Executive Compensation The Company believes that its compensation policies and procedures, which are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee, encourage a culture of pay-for-performance and are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of shareholders. As more fully set forth under “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion & Analysis,” the Compensation Committee continuously evaluates opportunities to further strengthen the Company’s compensation philosophy and objectives and the percentage of the compensation of senior executives which is “at risk” based on Company performance. As always, the Compensation Committee will continue to review all elements of the executive compensation program and take any steps it deems necessary to continue to fulfill the objectives of the program. Shareholders are encouraged to carefully review the “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion & Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement for a detailed discussion of the Company’s executive compensation program. Because this shareholder vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements. The Board has authorized a shareholder vote on the Company’s executive compensation as reflected in the Compensation Discussion & Analysis, including the disclosures regarding named executive officer compensation provided in the various tables included in this Proxy Statement, the accompanying narrative disclosures and the other compensation information provided in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “Say on Pay” proposal, gives the Company’s shareholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the Company’s executive pay program and