Company: WTFCN
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-031671
Chunk: 7

Company: WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
Filing Date: 2025-04-03
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 7
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 Meeting, prompt voting is appreciated. Registered shareholders can vote their shares via the internet or by using a toll-free telephone number or use the international number from foreign countries. Instructions for using these convenient services are provided on the proxy card. Of course, you may still vote your shares by submitting the proxy card. A proxy card may be obtained as instructed above under “How do I submit by vote?” If you received a proxy card and chose to vote by mail, we ask that you complete, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly in the postage-paid envelope. BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES AND GOVERNANCE Board of Directors Overview The Board provides oversight with respect to our overall performance, strategic direction, and key corporate policies. It approves major initiatives, advises on key financial and business objectives, and monitors progress with respect to these matters. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business by various reports and documents provided to them on a regular basis, including operating and financial reports made at Board and committee meetings by the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and other officers. The Board has seven standing committees. The principal responsibilities of the standing committees are described under the applicable committee headings below. Additionally, the independent Directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions, with and without management present, at each meeting of the Board and its committees. Corporate Governance Practices We believe that a culture of strong corporate governance is a critical component of our success. Our Board continually evaluates corporate governance developments and strives to adopt “best practices” including: • Annual election of Directors. • Independent Chairman of the Board. • Independent Board. Our Board is comprised of all independent Directors, except our President and CEO and our Founder and Senior Advisor. • Majority vote standard for election of our Directors. • Independent Board committees. In 2024 and early 2025, each of our committees (other than the Executive Committee) was made up entirely of independent Directors other than Mr. Wehmer (who served on the Risk Management Committee and Information Technology & Information Security Committee (“IT/IS Committee”)). We anticipate that following the Annual Meeting, each of our committees (other than the Executive Committee) will be made up entirely of independent Directors. Each standing committee operates under a written charter that has been approved by the respective committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) and the Board. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS • Regular executive sessions of independent Directors. At each meeting of the Board and each of its Committees, the Directors meet without management present in