Document:

Exhibit

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION 
PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT

This Performance Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is dated as of DATE (the “Grant Date”), by and between Wintrust Financial Corporation, an Illinois corporation (the “Company”), and NAME (the “Participant”) and is governed by the terms of the Wintrust Financial Corporation Long-Term Incentive Program (the “Program”), which was adopted by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company under the Wintrust Financial Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).  Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Program or Plan, as applicable.
1.    Award. 
(a)     General Terms of Award.  Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Program and the Plan, the Participant is hereby granted a target Performance Award consisting of the following two components:  (i) a cash-settled Performance Award with a target opportunity equal to $______ and (ii) a share-settled Performance Award with a target opportunity representing the right to receive ________ shares of the Company’s Common Stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”) (such two components, collectively referred to as the “Performance Award”); provided, however, that the actual amount of cash to be delivered and the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued shall  be determined based upon the satisfaction of the Performance Criteria in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including Exhibit A hereto.   It is understood that this Agreement is subject to the terms of the Program and Plan, to which reference is hereby made for a more detailed description of the terms to which the Performance Award is subject and by which reference the Program and Plan are incorporated herein.  The Program and the Plan shall control in the event there is any conflict between the Program and Plan and this Agreement and on such matters as are not contained in this Agreement.
(b)    Acceptance of Agreement.  The Performance Award shall be null and void unless the Participant shall accept this Agreement by executing it in the space provided below and returning such execution copy to the Company within ninety (90) days following the Participant’s receipt of this Agreement. 
2.    Satisfaction of Performance Criteria.  The cash value of the Performance Award and number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Participant under this Performance Award, in each case, following the completion of the Performance Period (as defined in Exhibit A) shall be determined as described in Exhibit A to this Agreement, which Exhibit A is incorporated into and forms a part of this Agreement.  
 

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3.    Vesting and Termination of Employment.  
(a)    Performance-Based Vesting Conditions.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, the Participant shall be eligible to receive the cash value and number of shares of Common Stock under this Agreement only if the Participant has remained continuously employed by the Company or one of its Affiliates through the date on which the Performance Award is settled pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement.
 (b)    Termination by Reason of Death, Permanent Disability or Retirement.  In the event the employment of the Participant is terminated by reason of the Participant’s death, Permanent Disability or Retirement prior to the date on which the Performance Award is settled  pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, then the Participant shall be entitled to a prorated Performance Award, with such prorated award equal to the cash value and number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Performance Award, determined based on the actual performance during the Performance Period and multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall equal the number of full months such Participant was employed during the Performance Period and the denominator of which shall equal the number of full months in the Performance Period.  
For purposes of this Agreement:
		
	(i)
	Permanent Disability shall mean any mental or physical illness, disability or incapacity that renders the Participant unable to perform his/her duties where a) such Permanent Disability has been determined to exist by a physician selected by the Company or b) the Company has reasonably determined, based on such physician’s advice, that such disability will continue for 180 days or more within any 365-day period, of which at least 90 days are consecutive.  The Participant shall cooperate in all respects with the Company if a question arises as to whether he/she has become disabled (including, without limitation, submitting to an examination by a physician or other health care specialist selected by the Company and authorizing such physician or other health care specialist to discuss the Participant’s condition with the Company).

		
	(ii)
	Retirement shall mean the termination of a Participant’s employment for any reason other than death, Permanent Disability or termination for Cause if it occurs on or after age 65 or on or after age 55 and, as of the date of termination, the sum of the Participant’s attained age as of his/her most recent birthday and the full and completed years of service with the Company (including continuous years of service, if any, with a Subsidiary as of the date such Subsidiary was acquired by the Company) equals or exceeds 75.

(c)    Termination for any Other Reason.  In the event the employment of the Participant is terminated for any reason other than the Participant’s death, Permanent Disability or Retirement prior to the date on which the Performance Award is settled pursuant to Section 6, 

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then the Participant’s Performance Award shall be immediately forfeited by the Participant upon such termination of employment. 
(d)    Change of Control. Upon (i) a Change of Control or (ii) the termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company without Cause or by the Participant due to a Constructive Termination within 18 months following the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Performance Award shall be governed by the terms of Sections 12(a) and 12(b) of the Plan, as applicable; provided, however, that in the event the Performance Award shall vest pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, such Performance Award shall be settled within thirty (30) days following the effective date of the Change of Control in the case of vesting pursuant to Section 12(a) of the Plan or the Participant’s termination of employment in the case of vesting pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Plan; provided further, that if the Change of Control is not a “change in control event,” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, then such Performance Award shall be settled at the same time as set forth in Section 6 to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code.
(e)    Leave of Absence.  The Participant shall not be deemed to have terminated employment during any paid leave of absence, provided that the Participant continues to remain an employee of the Company or one of its Affiliates.  During any Company-approved unpaid leave of absence, the Performance Award shall be prorated, with such prorated award equal to the cash value and number of shares of Common Stock determined at the end of the Performance Period based on the actual performance during the Performance Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall equal the number of full months such Participant was an active employee and on the Company’s payroll during the Performance Period and the denominator of which shall equal the number of full months in the Performance Period, provided that the Participant continues to remain an employee of the Company or one of its Affiliates. 
4.    Non-Solicitation. The Participant understands and acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates (collectively, “Wintrust”), has expended and continues to expend significant time and resources in recruiting, training and retaining Participant and its employees and in the development of valuable business relationships with its consultants and agents, the loss of which would cause significant and irreparable harm to Wintrust.  During Participant’s employment with Wintrust and for twelve (12) months thereafter, Participant agrees and covenants not to directly or indirectly hire, solicit, induce or attempt to hire, solicit or induce any employee, consultant, or agent of Wintrust (i) to terminate such person’s employment or association with Wintrust or (ii) to become employed by or serve in any capacity by a bank or other financial institution which operates or is planned to operate at any facility which is located within a ten mile radius of any principal office or branch office of Wintrust.  This restriction shall not prohibit Participant from hiring a Wintrust employee, consultant or agent in response to a general solicitation to the public. The restrictive covenants in this Agreement are in addition to and do not supersede the restrictive covenants in any other agreement Participant may have with Wintrust. 

5.    Remedies. Participant acknowledges that compliance with the terms of this Agreement is necessary to protect Wintrust’s employment and business relationships and Wintrust’s goodwill and that any breach by Participant of this Agreement shall cause continuing and irreparable injury to Wintrust for which money damages would not be an adequate remedy.  Participant acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates are all intended beneficiaries of 

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this Agreement.  Participant acknowledges that Wintrust shall be, in addition to any other rights or remedies it may have, entitled to injunctive relieve for any breach by Participant of any part of this Agreement.  This Agreement shall not in any way limit the remedies available in law or equity to Wintrust.
6.    Settlement of Performance Award.  No later than the March 15th occurring immediately after the last day of the Performance Period, the Company shall issue a lump sum cash payment and transfer to the Participant the number of shares of Common Stock determined pursuant to Exhibit A;  provided that and except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the Participant has remained continuously employed by the Company or one of its Affiliates through the date on which the Performance Award is settled pursuant to this Section 6.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement to the contrary, no cash payment or Company issuance or transfer of shares of Common Stock shall occur unless and until the Committee has certified that the applicable Performance Criteria have been satisfied, which certification shall occur within 60 days following the last day of the Performance Period.  The Company may effect the issuance and transfer of shares of Common Stock either by the delivery of one or more certificates of Common Stock to the Participant or by an appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company, and in either case by issuing such shares in the Participant’s name or in such other name as is acceptable to the Company and designated in writing by the Participant.  The Company shall pay all original issue or transfer taxes and all fees and expenses incident to the delivery of such shares, except as otherwise provided in Section 3.3 of the Program.  Prior to the settlement of the Award in shares of Common Stock, the holder of such Award shall have no rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award, including, without limitation, voting rights and the right to receive dividends.  The Committee reserves the right to settle the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award in cash having a Fair Market Value as of the date of payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.   
7.    Withholding.  The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary to remit to the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock or an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Agreement.
8.    Clawback Provision.  Participant acknowledges that Participant has read the Company’s Clawback Policy. In consideration of the grant of the Performance Award, the Participant agrees to abide by the Company’s Clawback Policy and any determinations of the Board pursuant to the Clawback Policy. Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Participant agrees that the Company shall have the right to require the Participant to repay the cash and the value of the shares received by the Participant pursuant to this Agreement, as may be required by law (including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and implementing rules and regulations thereunder) or as a result of: (i) a financial restatement if the cash and shares issued to the Participant  under the Agreement was predicated upon achieving certain Performance Criteria that were subsequently the subject of such financial restatement; (ii) the Committee determined that the Participant engaged in intentional misconduct that caused the need for such restatement; and (iii) a lower cash amount or number of shares would have been paid or issued based on the restated results.  This Section 8 shall survive the termination of the Participant’s 

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employment for any reason.  The foregoing remedy is in addition to and separate from any other relief available to the Company due to the Participant’s misconduct or fraud.  Any determination by the Committee with respect to the foregoing shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Participant and all persons claiming through the Participant.
9.    Administration.  The authority to administer and interpret this Agreement shall be vested in the Committee, and the Committee shall have all the powers with respect to this Agreement as it has with respect to the Program and Plan.  Any dispute or disagreement which shall arise under, as a result of, or in any way shall relate to the interpretation or construction or this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee, and any such determination shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes.
10.    Transferability. The Performance Award shall not be subject to execution, collateral assignment, attachment or similar process, unless otherwise permitted by the Committee under the terms of the Program or Plan.  Any such attempted action or other disposition of the Performance Award contrary to the provisions of the Program or Plan shall be null and void, and in such event the Company shall have the right to terminate the Performance Award.  Such termination shall not prejudice any rights or remedies which the Company or an Affiliate may have under this Agreement or otherwise.
11.    Notices.  Each notice relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered in person or by registered mail to Wintrust Financial Corporation, 9700 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018, Attn: General Counsel, or at such other address designated by the Company.  All notices to the Participant or other person or persons succeeding to the Participant’s rights under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Participant or such other person or persons at the Participant’s home address as it then appears on the Company’s records.
12.    Governing Law.  This agreement shall be governed by laws of the State of Illinois and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and the Participant and the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors.
13.    Section 409A.  The Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and shall be interpreted and construed consistently with such intent; provided, however, that in no event shall the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees or advisors be responsible for any such additional tax, interest or related tax penalties that may be imposed under Section 409A of the Code.  Notwithstanding any other provision in the Agreement, Program or Plan, if a Participant is a “specified employee,” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, as of the date of the Participant’s “separation from service,” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, then to the extent any amount payable to the Participant (i) constitutes the payment of nonqualified deferred compensation, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (ii) is payable upon the Participant’s separation from service and (iii) under the terms of this Program would be payable prior to the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service, such payment shall be delayed until the earlier to occur of (a) the first business day following the six-month anniversary of the separation from service and (b) the date of the Participant’s death.  
Wintrust Financial Corporation by:

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______________________________    January 26, 2017___________
Edward J. Wehmer, President             Date 
    and Chief Executive Officer
Participant:

______________________________    _______________________
NAME    Date    

Attest

________________________________    January 26, 2017___________
David A. Dykstra                Date    

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Exhibit A
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Performance Award shall be determined as described in this Exhibit A based upon the level of performance achieved over the period commencing on January 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2019 (“Performance Period”) as determined in accordance with the following schedule; provided, however, that as an initial, unconditional performance goal, the settlement of the Performance Award shall be subject to the Company’s attainment of a Return on Average Assets equal to 40 basis points over the applicable Performance Period.  In the event the Company fails to achieve the ROAA performance goal over the applicable Performance Period, then no portion of the Performance Award shall be paid under the LTIP with respect to the Performance Period.  
If the initial performance goal described above is achieved, the Committee will determine the final amount earned based on Cumulative Adjusted Earnings Per Share goals established by the Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee may adjust these goals or the Company’s performance results to reflect any extraordinary, unusual, infrequently occurring or unanticipated events.  To the extent defined in the Company’s audited financial statements, each performance measure (or component thereof) shall be calculated in accordance with the methodology used for determining such measure for purposes of the Company’s audited financial results.  
	
			
	Performance Measures

	Performance Level
	Cumulative Adjusted EPS over 3 Year Performance Period* 
	Total Payout as a % of Target Opportunity

	Maximum
	$15.51
	150%

	 
	$15.24
	140%

	 
	$14.96
	130%

	 
	$14.56
	120%

	 
	$14.17
	110%

	Target
	$13.78
	100%

	 
	$13.40
	90%

	 
	$13.03
	80%

	 
	$12.66
	70%

	 
	$12.30
	60%

	Threshold
	$11.95
	50%

	<Threshold
	<$11.95
	0%

*May be adjusted for extraordinary, unusual or unanticipated events, acquisition related costs, 50% of the effect on any changes in effective tax rates; excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies related to stock-based compensation awards that are included in income tax expense.Exhibit

EXHIBIT 10.1

RENASANT CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
AMENDMENT

THIS AMENDMENT (the “Amendment”) is made and entered into by and between R. Rick Hart (“Executive”) and Renasant Corporation, a Mississippi corporation (the “Company”), and is intended to amend that certain Executive Employment Agreement by and between Executive and the Company, first effective as of July 1, 2007 (the “Employment Agreement”), as subsequently amended.  

1.    Effectiveness and Construction.  This Amendment shall be effective as of May 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”).  To the extent the terms of this Amendment and the Employment Agreement shall conflict, for periods on or after the Effective Date the terms of this Amendment shall control.  In all other respects, the terms of the Employment Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect.  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement.  

Executive acknowledges and agrees that nothing contained in this Amendment shall be construed as a basis for (i) a claim of “Constructive Termination” within the meaning of Section 3.4 of the Employment Agreement, (ii) a violation of Section 2.1 of the Employment Agreement, or (iii) a “Termination of Employment” or “Qualifying Termination” (or words of similar import) as defined under those certain Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Agreements by and between Executive and Capital Bank & Trust Company, one dated as of August 20, 2003, and one dated as of July 10, 2006, as the same have been subsequently amended.  

2.    Title and Duties.  From and after the Effective Date, the parties agree that Executive shall serve as the Chairman of the Middle Tennessee Division and perform the job duties commensurate with such position, but in any event he shall devote no more than 60% of the time on such job duties that he expended prior to the Effective Date on his job duties in his capacity as President of the Northern Division of Renasant Bank.  Executive shall continue to report to the Executive Chairman of the Company.  

3.    Renewal.  The Employment Term shall be renewed for an additional one-year period, with such renewed term to expire as of December 31, 2019 (the “Expiration Date”).  

As of the Expiration Date, the Employment Term shall not be renewed or extended, and the Employment Agreement shall be terminated, subject to the survival provisions thereof.  If Executive continues his employment with the Company or the Bank after the Expiration Date, such employment will be deemed “at will,” unless otherwise expressly agreed by the parties.  For the avoidance of doubt, this Amendment shall be deemed constitute the notice of non-renewal contemplated under Section 1.4 of the Employment Agreement. 

4.    Compensation and Benefits.  As of the Effective Date, Executive shall be paid 60% of his Base Compensation in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date.  In all other respects, the payment or provision of Executive’s compensation, perquisites, and other benefits as described in Section 2 of the Employment Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed.  (For avoidance of doubt, any benefit or compensatory opportunity that is determined, whether in whole or in part, with reference to the amount of Executive’s Base Compensation shall be determined taking into account the reduction contemplated under this paragraph 4.)  Executive shall continue to participate in the retirement, health and insurance plans that may be sponsored and maintained by the Bank or the Company for their employees and executives, from 

time to time, it being agreed that his service under this Amendment shall constitute full-time employment for purposes thereof.  

5.    Change in Control.  In the event a Change in Control shall occur on or after the Effective Date, Executive shall be entitled to receive those payments and benefits described in Section 4 of the Employment Agreement; provided that if the aggregate of all such payments and benefits, including any payment or benefit provided to Executive under a separate plan or arrangement would result in any such payment being a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G, the cash payment under subsection 4.2(c) of the Employment Agreement shall be reduced to the minimum extent necessary (but in no event to less than zero) so that no portion of such payments and benefits, as so reduced, is deemed to constitute an “excess parachute payment.”   For this purpose, the determination of whether any reduction is required hereunder shall be made at the expense of the Company and by the Company’s independent accountants or another independent accountant agreed upon by Executive and the Company.  

6.    Executive’s Covenants.  Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that those covenants set forth in Section 5 of the Employment Agreement shall continue in force and effect in accordance with their terms and, for avoidance of doubt, that his “Termination Date” thereunder shall be the date on which he finally ceases to be employed by the Company or the Bank.

THIS AMENDMENT was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on December 20, 2017, to be effective as provided herein.

RENASANT CORPORATION:             R. RICK HART: 

By:/s/ E. Robinson McGraw                         /s/ R. Rick Hart                                                                         
Date: February 27, 2018                    Date: February 27, 2018

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