WTFC - Wintrust Financial Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2021 Net Income of $109.1 million and Year-To-Date Net Income of $367.4 million

ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wintrust Financial Corporation (“Wintrust”, “the Company”, "we" or "our") (Nasdaq: WTFC) announced net income of $109.1 million or $1.77 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2021, an increase in diluted earnings per common share of 4% compared to the second quarter of 2021 and an increase of 6% compared to the third quarter of 2020. The Company recorded net income of $367.4 million or $6.00 per diluted common share for the first nine months of 2021 compared to net income of $191.8 million or $3.06 per diluted common share for the same period of 2020.

Highlights of the Third Quarter of 2021:
Comparative information to the second quarter of 2021

• Total loans, excluding Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans, increased by $1.2 billion, or 15% on an annualized basis.
  • Core loans increased by $701 million and niche loans increased by $449 million. See Table 1 for more information.
• PPP loans declined by $797 million in the third quarter of 2021 primarily as a result of processing forgiveness payments.
• Total assets increased by $1.1 billion.
• Total deposits increased by $1.1 billion, including a $459 million increase in non-interest bearing deposits.
• Net interest income increased by $7.9 million as compared to the second quarter of 2021 as follows:
  • Increased $16.3 million primarily due to earning asset growth and a nine basis point decline in deposit costs.
  • Increased $3.0 million due to one additional day in the quarter.
  • Decreased by $11.4 million due to $3.6 million of less PPP interest income and $7.8 million of less PPP fee income.
• Net interest margin decreased by four basis points primarily due to increased liquidity.
• Recorded no material net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to very minimal net charge-offs of $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2021.
• Recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $15.3 million in the second quarter of 2021.
• The allowance for credit losses on our core loan portfolio is approximately 1.38% of the outstanding balance as of September 30, 2021, down from 1.49% as of June 30, 2021. See Table 12 for more information.
• Non-performing loans remained low at 0.27% of total loans, as of September 30, 2021, unchanged from the second quarter of 2021.
• Mortgage banking revenue increased to $55.8 million for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to $50.6 million in the second quarter of 2021.
• Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) increased to $58.32 as compared to $56.92 as of June 30, 2021. See Table 18 for reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.
• Repurchased 134,062 shares of our common stock at a cost of $9.5 million, or an average price of $71.13 per share.

Edward J. Wehmer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The third quarter of 2021 was characterized by significant organic loan and deposit growth, increased net interest income, strong mortgage banking revenue, record wealth management revenue, tangible book value growth and very good credit quality metrics. Wintrust reported net income of $109.1 million for the third quarter of 2021, up from $105.1 million in the second quarter of 2021. On a year-to-date basis, net income totaled $367.4 million for the first nine months of 2021, up from $191.8 million in the first nine months of 2020, a 92% increase. The Company continues to grow as total assets of $47.8 billion as of September 30, 2021 increased by $1.1 billion as compared to June 30, 2021 and increased by $4.1 billion as compared to September 30, 2020."

Mr. Wehmer continued, "The Company experienced significant loan growth, excluding PPP loans, of $1.2 billion or 15%, on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2021, including growth in its commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate loans for investment, commercial insurance premium finance receivable and life insurance premium receivable portfolios. Growth was particularly strong in the commercial loan portfolio due to new customer relationships and a slight increase in line of credit utilization. We are still experiencing historically low commercial line of credit utilization and feel confident that we can continue to grow loans given our robust loan pipelines and diversified loan portfolio. Total deposits increased by $1.1 billion as compared to the second quarter of 2021 primarily in products with zero or near zero interest rates contributing to a decrease in our cost of funds. We continue to emphasize growing our franchise, including gathering low cost deposits, which we believe will drive value in the long term. Our loans to deposits ratio ended the quarter at 83.3% and we believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet customer loan demand."

Mr. Wehmer commented, "Net interest income increased by $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2021 primarily due to earning asset growth and a decline in deposit costs. Even amid a challenging interest rate environment, the Company has managed to increase net interest income for four quarters in a row. Especially noteworthy this quarter was that net interest income increased considerably despite recording $11.4 million of less interest income on PPP loans. This demonstrates that our growth strategy has been able to replace PPP loans and sustain loan portfolio growth benefiting future quarters. Net interest margin decreased by four basis points in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to increased liquidity. Excluding the unfavorable net interest margin impact from increased liquidity, the margin exhibited improvement as the rate on deposits declined nine basis points as compared to a two basis point decline in loan yields. We continue to monitor our excess liquidity position and the available market returns on investments. We believe that deploying liquidity could potentially increase our net interest margin and net interest income. Additionally, we remain in an asset sensitive interest rate position which should allow our net interest income and net interest margin to benefit from future increases in interest rates."

Mr. Wehmer noted, “We recorded mortgage banking revenue of $55.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to $50.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. Loan volumes originated for sale in the third quarter of 2021 were $1.6 billion, down from $1.7 billion in the second quarter of 2021. However, production margin improved in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021. Additionally, the Company recorded an $888,000 decrease in the value of mortgage servicing rights related to changes in fair value model assumptions as compared to a $5.5 million decrease recognized in the second quarter of 2021. Based on current market conditions, we expect that mortgage originations will decline by 20-30% in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to the third quarter of 2021 due to the seasonal decline in home purchase activity and declining refinance volumes.

Commenting on credit quality, Mr. Wehmer stated, "The Company recorded no material net charge-offs in third quarter of 2021. This follows the second quarter of 2021 which also exhibited very low levels of net charge-offs totaling $1.9 million. The recent results demonstrate Wintrust’s conservative credit underwriting approach and our continued diligence in timely addressing problem credits. The Company recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2021 primarily related to improving credit quality in the loan portfolio. The level of non-performing loans remained historically low and unchanged at 0.27% of total loans as of both September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021. The allowance for credit losses on our core loan portfolio as of September 30, 2021 is approximately 1.38% of the outstanding balance. We believe that the Company’s reserves remain appropriate and we remain diligent in our review of credit."

Mr. Wehmer concluded, "Our third quarter of 2021 results continued to demonstrate the multi-faceted nature of our business model which we believe uniquely positions us to be successful. We expect to leverage our differentiated, diversified loan portfolio to outperform peers with respect to loan growth which should allow us to continue to expand net interest income. We are focused on taking advantage of market opportunities to prudently deploy excess liquidity into earning assets including core and niche loans and investment securities while maintaining an interest rate sensitive asset portfolio. We are opportunistically evaluating the acquisition market which has been active for both banks and business lines of various sizes. Of course, we remain diligent in our consideration of acquisition targets and will be prudent in our decision-making, always seeking to minimize dilution."

The graphs below illustrate certain financial highlights of the third quarter of 2021 as well as historical financial performance. See "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios" at Table 18 for additional information with respect to non-GAAP financial measures/ratios, including the reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial measures/ratios.

Graphs available at the following link: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/fef11bc9-4918-4c82-bdbe-c78dadfc914a

SUMMARY OF RESULTS:

BALANCE SHEET

Total asset growth of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2021 was primarily comprised of a $525 million increase in interest bearing deposits with banks and a $1.2 billion increase in total loans, excluding PPP loans. These increases were partially offset by a $797 million decrease in PPP loans and a $59.7 million decrease in mortgage loans held-for-sale. As of September 30, 2021, approximately 95% of PPP loan balances originated in 2020 were forgiven with nearly all of the remaining loan balance in the forgiveness review or submission process. Whereas, as of September 30, 2021, approximately 32% of PPP loan balances originated in 2021 were forgiven, 16% are in the forgiveness review or submission process and 52% have yet to apply for forgiveness. Total loans, excluding PPP loans, increased by $1.2 billion primarily due to growth in the commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate loans for investment, commercial insurance premium finance receivable and life insurance premium receivable portfolios. The Company believes that the $5.2 billion of interest-bearing deposits with banks held as of September 30, 2021 provides more than sufficient liquidity to operate its business plan with the ability to deploy excess liquidity into higher yielding investments when market returns improve.

Total liabilities increased $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2021 resulting primarily from a $1.1 billion increase in total deposits. The increase in deposits was primarily due to a $914 million increase in money market deposits and a $459 million increase in non-interest bearing deposits. The Company's loans to deposits ratio ended the quarter at 83.3%. Management believes in substantially funding the Company's balance sheet with core deposits and utilizes brokered or wholesale funding sources as appropriate to manage its liquidity position as well as for interest rate risk management purposes.

For more information regarding changes in the Company’s balance sheet, see Consolidated Statements of Condition and Tables 1 through 3 in this report.

NET INTEREST INCOME

For the third quarter of 2021, net interest income totaled $287.5 million, an increase of $7.9 million as compared to the second quarter of 2021 and an increase of $31.6 million as compared to the third quarter of 2020. The $7.9 million increase in net interest income in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to earning asset growth and a decline in deposit costs. Additionally, the net interest income growth occurred despite a decline of $11.4 million due to $3.6 million of less PPP interest income and $7.8 million of less PPP fee income. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had approximately $24.8 million of net PPP loan fees that have yet to be recognized in income.

Net interest margin was 2.58% (2.59% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the third quarter of 2021 compared to 2.62% (2.63% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the second quarter of 2021 and up from 2.56% (2.57% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the third quarter of 2020. The net interest margin decrease as compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to the 10 basis point decrease in yield on earning assets and two basis point decrease in the net free funds contribution partially offset by an eight basis point decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the prior quarter is primarily due to a nine basis point decrease in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits primarily due to lower repricing of time deposits. The 10 basis point decrease in the yield on earning assets in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021 was primarily due to a shift in earning asset mix with increasing levels of low yielding liquidity management assets.

For more information regarding net interest income, see Tables 4 through 8 in this report.

ASSET QUALITY

The allowance for credit losses totaled $296.1 million as of September 30, 2021, a decrease of $8.0 million as compared to $304.1 million as of June 30, 2021. The allowance for credit losses decreased primarily due to improving credit quality in the loan portfolio which was partially offset by uncertainty in the positive directionality of macroeconomic factors. A negative provision for credit losses totaling $7.9 million was recorded for the third quarter of 2021 compared to a negative provision of $15.3 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $25.0 million of expense for the third quarter of 2020. For more information regarding the provision for credit losses, see Table 11 in this report.

Management believes the allowance for credit losses is appropriate to account for expected credit losses. The Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") accounting standard requires the Company to estimate expected credit losses over the life of the Company’s financial assets as of the reporting date. There can be no assurances, however, that future losses will not significantly exceed the amounts provided for, thereby affecting future results of operations. A summary of the allowance for credit losses calculated for the loan components in each portfolio as of September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, and March 31, 2021 is shown on Table 12 of this report.

Net charge-offs totaled $2,000 in the third quarter of 2021, as compared to $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2020. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans were reported as zero basis points in the third quarter of 2021 on an annualized basis compared to two basis points on an annualized basis in the second quarter of 2021 and 12 basis points on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2020. For more information regarding net charge-offs, see Table 10 in this report.

As of September 30, 2021, $32.9 million of all loans, or 0.1%, were 60 to 89 days past due and $128.8 million, or 0.4%, were 30 to 59 days (or one payment) past due. As of June 30, 2021, $19.3 million of all loans, or 0.1%, were 60 to 89 days past due and $73.9 million, or 0.2%, were 30 to 59 days (or one payment) past due. Many of the commercial and commercial real-estate loans shown as 60 to 89 days and 30 to 59 days past due are included on the Company’s internal problem loan reporting system. Loans on this system are closely monitored by management on a monthly basis.

The Company’s home equity and residential real estate loan portfolios continue to exhibit low delinquency rates as of September 30, 2021. Home equity loans at September 30, 2021 that are current with regard to the contractual terms of the loan agreement represent 98.6% of the total home equity portfolio. Residential real estate loans at September 30, 2021 that are current with regards to the contractual terms of the loan agreements comprised 98.4% of total residential real estate loans outstanding. For more information regarding past due loans, see Table 13 in this report.

The outstanding balance of COVID-19 related modified loans totaled approximately $72 million or 0.2% of total loans, excluding PPP loans as of September 30, 2021 as compared to $146 million or 0.5% as of June 30, 2021. The most significant proportion of outstanding modifications changed terms to interest-only payments.

The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 0.22% as of September 30, 2021, compared to 0.22% at June 30, 2021, and 0.42% at September 30, 2020. Non-performing assets totaled $103.9 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $103.3 million at June 30, 2021 and $182.3 million at September 30, 2020. Non-performing loans totaled $90.0 million, or 0.27% of total loans, at September 30, 2021 compared to $87.7 million, or 0.27% of total loans, at June 30, 2021 and $173.1 million, or 0.54% of total loans, at September 30, 2020. Other real estate owned ("OREO") totaled $13.8 million at September 30, 2021, a decrease of $1.7 million compared to $15.6 million at June 30, 2021 and an increase of $4.6 million compared to $9.2 million at September 30, 2020. Management is pursuing the resolution of all non-performing assets. At this time, management believes OREO is appropriately valued at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. For more information regarding non-performing assets, see Table 14 in this report.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Wealth management revenue increased by $841,000 during the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to increased trust and asset management fees. Wealth management revenue is comprised of the trust and asset management revenue of The Chicago Trust Company and Great Lakes Advisors, the brokerage commissions, managed money fees and insurance product commissions at Wintrust Investments and fees from tax-deferred like-kind exchange services provided by the Chicago Deferred Exchange Company.

Mortgage banking revenue increased by $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to an $888,000 unfavorable mortgage servicing rights portfolio fair value adjustment as compared to a $5.5 million decrease recognized in the prior quarter related to changes in fair value model assumptions and a $1.7 million increase in production revenue. Loans originated for sale were $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of $165 million as compared to the second quarter of 2021. The percentage of origination volume from refinancing activities was 44% in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to 47% in the second quarter of 2021. Mortgage banking revenue includes revenue from activities related to originating, selling and servicing residential real estate loans for the secondary market.

During the third quarter of 2021, the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights portfolio increased primarily due to the capitalization of $15.5 million of servicing rights partially offset by a reduction in value of $8.6 million due to payoffs and paydowns of the existing portfolio and a fair value adjustment decrease of $888,000.

The Company recognized net losses on investment securities of $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to net gains of $1.3 million recognized in the second quarter of 2021.

Other non-interest income increased by $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to a $2.0 million increase in interest rate swap fees and a $2.2 million increase in income on partnership investments. Other non-interest income during the second quarter of 2021 included a $4.0 million net gain recorded on the sale of three branches in southwestern Wisconsin.

For more information regarding non-interest income, see Tables 15 and 16 in this report.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased by $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021. The $1.9 million decline is primarily related to $6.3 million of lower compensation expense associated with the mortgage banking operation offset somewhat by higher incentive compensation expense for annual bonus and long-term incentive compensation plans during the third quarter relative to the second quarter.

Advertising and marketing expense totaled $13.4 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $2.1 million as compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase in the third quarter relates primarily to increased sponsorship activity for the summer months. Marketing costs are incurred to promote the Company's brand, commercial banking capabilities and various products, to attract loans and deposits and to announce new branch openings as well as the expansion of the Company's non-bank businesses. The level of marketing expenditures depends on the timing of sponsorship programs utilized which are determined based on the market area, targeted audience, competition and various other factors.

The Company recorded a net OREO gain of $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to a net expense of $769,000 in the second quarter of 2021. The net gain is primarily attributable to the sale of OREO properties during the third quarter of 2021.

Miscellaneous expense in the third quarter of 2021 increased by $2.2 million as compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily impacted by approximately $1.7 million of more travel and entertainment expenses due to increased expenses associated with in-person client relationship meetings and conferences as well as some additional expense associated with an all-employee event to celebrate Wintrust’s 30th anniversary and to thank our employees for performing so well during the pandemic. Additionally, the third quarter of 2021 included a $271,000 reversal of contingent consideration expense related to the previous acquisition of mortgage operations as compared to a $1.4 million reversal of contingent consideration expense in the second quarter of 2021. The Company expects no additional material adjustments to the contingent consideration liability in future periods. Miscellaneous expense also includes ATM expenses, correspondent bank charges, directors fees, telephone, travel and entertainment, corporate insurance, dues and subscriptions, problem loan expenses and lending origination costs that are not deferred.

For more information regarding non-interest expense, see Table 17 in this report.

INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded income tax expense of $40.6 million in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $39.0 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2020. The effective tax rates were 27.12% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 27.08% in the second quarter of 2021 and 21.83% in the third quarter of 2020. The lower effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2020 was a result of a $9.0 million state income tax benefit ($7.1 million after federal taxes) related to the settlement of an uncertain tax position in the quarter.

BUSINESS UNIT SUMMARY

Community Banking

Through its community banking unit, the Company provides banking and financial services primarily to individuals, small to mid-sized businesses, local governmental units and institutional clients residing primarily in the local areas the Company services. In the third quarter of 2021, this unit expanded its loan portfolio and its deposit portfolio. The segment’s net interest margin decreased in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to increased liquidity.

Mortgage banking revenue was $55.8 million for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $5.2 million as compared to the second quarter of 2021. Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $14.1 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $900,000 as compared to the second quarter of 2021 primarily due to higher account analysis fees. The Company’s gross commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines remained strong as of September 30, 2021. Before the impact of scheduled payments and prepayments, gross commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines were estimated to be approximately $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion at September 30, 2021. When adjusted for the probability of closing, the pipelines were estimated to be approximately $900 million to $1.0 billion at September 30, 2021.

Specialty Finance

Through its specialty finance unit, the Company offers financing of insurance premiums for businesses and individuals, equipment financing through structured loans and lease products to customers in a variety of industries, accounts receivable financing and value-added, out-sourced administrative services and other services. Originations within the insurance premium financing receivables portfolio were $3.1 billion during the third quarter of 2021 and average balances increased by $735 million as compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase in average balances in the insurance premium finance receivables portfolios primarily generated a $7.6 million increase in interest income. The Company’s leasing portfolio remained effectively unchanged from the second quarter of 2021 to the third quarter of 2021, with its portfolio of assets, including capital leases, loans and equipment on operating leases, at $2.3 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2021. Revenues from the Company’s out-sourced administrative services business were $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2021, up $131,000 from the second quarter of 2021.

Wealth Management

Through four separate subsidiaries within its wealth management unit, the Company offers a full range of wealth management services, including trust and investment services, tax-deferred like-kind exchange services, asset management, securities brokerage services and 401(k) and retirement plan services. Wealth management revenue totaled $31.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $841,000 compared to the second quarter of 2021. Increases in asset management fees were primarily due to favorable equity market performance during the third quarter of 2021. At September 30, 2021, the Company’s wealth management subsidiaries had approximately $34.5 billion of assets under administration, which included $5.1 billion of assets owned by the Company and its subsidiary banks, representing a $326.3 million increase from the $34.2 billion of assets under administration at June 30, 2021.

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Key Operating Measures

Wintrust’s key operating measures and growth rates for the third quarter of 2021, as compared to the second quarter of 2021 (sequential quarter) and third quarter of 2020 (linked quarter), are shown in the table below:

(1)   Period-end balance sheet percentage changes are annualized.
(2)   See "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios" at Table 18 for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(3)   Net revenue is net interest income plus non-interest income.
(4)   The net overhead ratio is calculated by netting total non-interest expense and total non-interest income, annualizing this amount, and dividing by that period's average total assets. A lower ratio indicates a higher degree of efficiency.
(5)   Excludes mortgage loans held-for-sale.

Certain returns, yields, performance ratios, or quarterly growth rates are “annualized” in this presentation to represent an annual time period. This is done for analytical purposes to better discern, for decision-making purposes, underlying performance trends when compared to full-year or year-over-year amounts. For example, a 5% growth rate for a quarter would represent an annualized 20% growth rate. Additional supplemental financial information showing quarterly trends can be found on the Company’s website at www.wintrust.com by choosing “Financial Reports” under the “Investor Relations” heading, and then choosing “Financial Highlights.”

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Selected Financial Highlights

(1)   Excludes mortgage loans held-for-sale.
(2)   Net revenue is net interest income and non-interest income.
(3)   See “Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios” at Table 18 for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(4)   The net overhead ratio is calculated by netting total non-interest expense and total non-interest income, annualizing this amount, and dividing by that period’s total average assets. A lower ratio indicates a higher degree of efficiency.
(5)   Capital ratios for current quarter-end are estimated.
(6)   The allowance for credit losses includes the allowance for loan losses, the allowance for unfunded lending-related commitments and the allowance for held-to-maturity securities losses.


WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

TABLE 1: LOAN PORTFOLIO MIX AND GROWTH RATES

(1)   Annualized.
(2)   NM - Not meaningful.


TABLE 2: DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO MIX AND GROWTH RATES

(1)   Annualized.
(2)   Represents deposit balances of the Company’s subsidiary banks from brokerage customers of Wintrust Investments, Chicago Deferred Exchange Company, LLC ("CDEC"), trust and asset management customers of the Company and brokerage customers from unaffiliated companies which have been placed into deposit accounts.

TABLE 3: TIME CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT MATURITY/RE-PRICING ANALYSIS
As of September 30, 2021

(1)   Weighted-average rate excludes the impact of purchase accounting fair value adjustments.

TABLE 4: QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCES

(1)   Includes interest-bearing deposits from banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.
(2)   Investment securities includes investment securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity, and equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are included within other assets.
(3)   See "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios" at Table 18 for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(4)   Other earning assets include brokerage customer receivables and trading account securities.
(5)   Loans, net of unearned income, include non-accrual loans.
(6)   Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.

TABLE 5: QUARTERLY NET INTEREST INCOME

(1)   Interest income on tax-advantaged loans, trading securities and investment securities reflects a taxable-equivalent adjustment based on the marginal federal corporate tax rate in effect as of the applicable period.
(2)   See "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios" at Table 18 for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

TABLE 6: QUARTERLY NET INTEREST MARGIN

(1)   Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(2)   See "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios" at Table 18 for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(3)   Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.

TABLE 7: YEAR-TO-DATE AVERAGE BALANCES, AND NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN

(1)   Includes interest-bearing deposits from banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements.
(2)   Investment securities includes investment securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity, and equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are included within other assets.
(3)   Interest income on tax-advantaged loans, trading securities and investment securities reflects a taxable-equivalent adjustment based on a marginal federal corporate tax rate in effect as of the applicable period.
(4)   See “Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios” at Table 18 for additional information on this performance ratio.
(5)   Other earning assets include brokerage customer receivables and trading account securities.
(6)   Loans, net of unearned income, include non-accrual loans.
(7)   Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(8)   Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.


TABLE 8: INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

As an ongoing part of its financial strategy, the Company attempts to manage the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Management measures its exposure to changes in interest rates by modeling many different interest rate scenarios.

The following interest rate scenarios display the percentage change in net interest income over a one-year time horizon assuming increases of 100 and 200 basis points and a decrease of 100 basis points. The Static Shock Scenario results incorporate actual cash flows and repricing characteristics for balance sheet instruments following an instantaneous, parallel change in market rates based upon a static (i.e. no growth or constant) balance sheet. Conversely, the Ramp Scenario results incorporate management’s projections of future volume and pricing of each of the product lines following a gradual, parallel change in market rates over twelve months. Actual results may differ from these simulated results due to timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and management strategies. The interest rate sensitivity for both the Static Shock and Ramp Scenario is as follows:

TABLE 9: MATURITIES AND SENSITIVITIES TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.
SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

Graph available at the following link: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/576d571d-5850-417e-a3ea-048102b0a331

Source: Bloomberg

As noted in the table on the previous page, the majority of the Company’s portfolio is tied to LIBOR indices which, as shown in the table above, do not mirror the same changes as the Prime rate which has historically moved when the Federal Reserve raises or lowers interest rates.  Specifically, the Company has $9.2 billion of variable rate loans tied to one-month LIBOR and $6.5 billion of variable rate loans tied to twelve-month LIBOR. The above chart shows:

TABLE 10: ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

TABLE 11: ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES BY COMPONENT

TABLE 12: ALLOWANCE BY LOAN PORTFOLIO

The table below summarizes the calculation of allowance for loan losses and allowance for unfunded lending-related commitments losses for the Company’s loan portfolios as well as core and niche portfolios, as of September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, and March 31, 2021.

(1)   See Table 1 for additional detail on core and niche loans.

TABLE 13: LOAN PORTFOLIO AGING

TABLE 14: NON-PERFORMING ASSETS AND TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS ("TDRs")

(1)   As of September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021, $445,000 and $320,000, respectively, of TDRs were past due greater than 90 days and still accruing interest. No TDRs as of March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and September 30, 2020 were past due greater than 90 days and still accruing interest.

Non-performing Loans Rollforward

(1)   This includes activity for premium finance receivables and indirect consumer loans.

TDRs

(1)   Included in total non-performing loans.

Other Real Estate Owned

TABLE 15: NON-INTEREST INCOME

NM - Not meaningful.

NM - Not meaningful.

TABLE 16: MORTGAGE BANKING

(1)   Production revenue represents revenue earned from the origination and subsequent sale of mortgages, including gains on loans sold and fees from originations, changes in other related financial instruments carried at fair value, processing and other related activities, and excludes servicing fees, changes in the fair value of servicing rights and changes to the mortgage recourse obligation and other non-production revenue.
(2)   Certain volume adjusted for the estimated pull-through rate of the loan, which represents the Company’s best estimate of the likelihood that a committed loan will ultimately fund.

TABLE 17: NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

NM - Not meaningful.

NM - Not meaningful.

TABLE 18: SUPPLEMENTAL NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES/RATIOS

The accounting and reporting policies of Wintrust conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, certain non-GAAP performance measures and ratios are used by management to evaluate and measure the Company’s performance. These include taxable-equivalent net interest income (including its individual components), taxable-equivalent net interest margin (including its individual components), the taxable-equivalent efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, tangible book value per common share, return on average tangible common equity, pre-tax income, excluding provision for credit losses, and pre-tax income, excluding provision for credit losses, adjusted for net charge-offs. Management believes that these measures and ratios provide users of the Company’s financial information a more meaningful view of the performance of the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and of the Company’s operating efficiency. Other financial holding companies may define or calculate these measures and ratios differently.

Management reviews yields on certain asset categories and the net interest margin of the Company and its banking subsidiaries on a fully taxable-equivalent basis. In this non-GAAP presentation, net interest income is adjusted to reflect tax-exempt interest income on an equivalent before-tax basis using tax rates effective as of the end of the period. This measure ensures comparability of net interest income arising from both taxable and tax-exempt sources. Net interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis is also used in the calculation of the Company’s efficiency ratio. The efficiency ratio, which is calculated by dividing non-interest expense by total taxable-equivalent net revenue (less securities gains or losses), measures how much it costs to produce one dollar of revenue. Securities gains or losses are excluded from this calculation to better match revenue from daily operations to operational expenses. Management considers the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share as useful measurements of the Company’s equity. The Company references the return on average tangible common equity as a measurement of profitability. Management considers pre-tax income, excluding provision for credit losses, and pre-tax income, excluding provision for credit losses, adjusted for net charge-offs, as a useful measurement of the Company’s core net income.

WINTRUST SUBSIDIARIES AND LOCATIONS

Wintrust is a financial holding company whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: WTFC). Its 15 community bank subsidiaries are: Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Wintrust Bank, N.A., in Chicago, Libertyville Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Crystal Lake Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Northbrook Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Schaumburg Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Village Bank & Trust, N.A., in Arlington Heights, Beverly Bank & Trust Company, N.A. in Chicago, Wheaton Bank & Trust Company, N.A., State Bank of The Lakes, N.A., in Antioch, Old Plank Trail Community Bank, N.A. in New Lenox, St. Charles Bank & Trust Company, N.A. and Town Bank, N.A., in Hartland, Wisconsin.

In addition to the locations noted above, the banks also operate facilities in Illinois in Addison, Algonquin, Aurora, Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Cary, Clarendon Hills, Crete, Countryside, Darien, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe, Glenview, Gurnee, Grayslake, Hanover Park, Highland Park, Highwood, Hoffman Estates, Homer Glen, Itasca, Joliet, Lake Bluff, Lake Villa, Lansing, Lemont, Lindenhurst, Lynwood, Markham, Maywood, McHenry, Mokena, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, Northfield, Norridge, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Riverside, Rolling Meadows, Round Lake Beach, Shorewood, Skokie, South Holland, Spring Grove, Steger, Stone Park, Vernon Hills, Wauconda, Waukegan, Western Springs, Willowbrook, Wilmette, Winnetka and Wood Dale, and in Wisconsin in Burlington, Clinton, Delafield, Delavan, Elm Grove, Genoa City, Kenosha, Lake Geneva, Madison, Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Racine, Wales, Walworth and Wind Lake, and in Dyer, Indiana and in Naples, Florida.

Additionally, the Company operates various non-bank business units:

• FIRST Insurance Funding and Wintrust Life Finance, each a division of Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company, N.A., serve commercial and life insurance loan customers, respectively, throughout the United States.
• First Insurance Funding of Canada serves commercial insurance loan customers throughout Canada.
• Tricom, Inc. of Milwaukee provides high-yielding, short-term accounts receivable financing and value-added out-sourced administrative services, such as data processing of payrolls, billing and cash management services, to temporary staffing service clients located throughout the United States.
• Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A., engages primarily in the origination and purchase of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market through origination offices located throughout the United States. Loans are also originated nationwide through relationships with wholesale and correspondent offices.
• Wintrust Investments, LLC is a broker-dealer providing a full range of private client and brokerage services to clients and correspondent banks located primarily in the Midwest.
• Great Lakes Advisors LLC provides money management services and advisory services to individual accounts.
• The Chicago Trust Company, N.A., a trust subsidiary, allows Wintrust to service customers’ trust and investment needs at each banking location.
• Wintrust Asset Finance offers direct leasing opportunities.
• CDEC provides Qualified Intermediary services (as defined by U.S. Treasury regulations) for taxpayers seeking to structure tax-deferred like-kind exchanges under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified through the use of words such as “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “contemplate,” “possible,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “would” and “could.” Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts, are premised on many factors and assumptions, and represent only management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Similarly, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, such as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (including the emergence of variant strains), and which may include, but are not limited to, those listed below and the Risk Factors discussed under Item 1A of the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any of the Company’s subsequent SEC filings. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of invoking these safe harbor provisions. Such forward-looking statements may be deemed to include, among other things, statements relating to the Company’s future financial performance, the performance of its loan portfolio, the expected amount of future credit reserves and charge-offs, delinquency trends, growth plans, regulatory developments, securities that the Company may offer from time to time, and management’s long-term performance goals, as well as statements relating to the anticipated effects on financial condition and results of operations from expected developments or events, the Company’s business and growth strategies, including future acquisitions of banks, specialty finance or wealth management businesses, internal growth and plans to form additional de novo banks or branch offices. Actual results could differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including the following:

• the severity, magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of variant strains, and the direct and indirect impact of such pandemic, as well as responses to the pandemic by the government, businesses and consumers, on our operations and personnel, commercial activity and demand across our business and our customers’ businesses;
• the disruption of global, national, state and local economies associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which could affect the Company’s liquidity and capital positions, impair the ability of our borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair collateral values and further increase our allowance for credit losses;
• the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial results, including possible lost revenue and increased expenses (including the cost of capital), as well as possible goodwill impairment charges;
• economic conditions that affect the economy, housing prices, the job market and other factors that may adversely affect the Company’s liquidity and the performance of its loan portfolios, particularly in the markets in which it operates;
• negative effects suffered by us or our customers resulting from changes in U.S. trade policies;
• the extent of defaults and losses on the Company’s loan portfolio, which may require further increases in its allowance for credit losses;
• estimates of fair value of certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which could change in value significantly from period to period;
• the financial success and economic viability of the borrowers of our commercial loans;
• commercial real estate market conditions in the Chicago metropolitan area and southern Wisconsin;
• the extent of commercial and consumer delinquencies and declines in real estate values, which may require further increases in the Company’s allowance for credit losses;
• inaccurate assumptions in our analytical and forecasting models used to manage our loan portfolio;
• changes in the level and volatility of interest rates, the capital markets and other market indices (including developments and volatility arising from or related to the COVID-19 pandemic) that may affect, among other things, the Company’s liquidity and the value of its assets and liabilities;
• a prolonged period of near zero interest rates or potentially negative interest rates, either broadly or for some types of instruments, which may affect the Company’s net interest income and net interest margin, and which could materially adversely affect the Company’s profitability;
• competitive pressures in the financial services business which may affect the pricing of the Company’s loan and deposit products as well as its services (including wealth management services), which may result in loss of market share and reduced income from deposits, loans, advisory fees and income from other products;
• failure to identify and complete favorable acquisitions in the future or unexpected difficulties or developments related to the integration of the Company’s recent or future acquisitions;
• unexpected difficulties and losses related to FDIC-assisted acquisitions;
• harm to the Company’s reputation;
• any negative perception of the Company’s financial strength;
• ability of the Company to raise additional capital on acceptable terms when needed;
• disruption in capital markets, which may lower fair values for the Company’s investment portfolio;
• ability of the Company to use technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands and create efficiencies in operations and to manage risks associated therewith;
• failure or breaches of our security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties;
• security breaches, including denial of service attacks, hacking, social engineering attacks, malware intrusion or data corruption attempts and identity theft;
• adverse effects on our information technology systems resulting from failures, human error or cyberattacks (including ransomware);
• adverse effects of failures by our vendors to provide agreed upon services in the manner and at the cost agreed, particularly our information technology vendors;
• increased costs as a result of protecting our customers from the impact of stolen debit card information;
• accuracy and completeness of information the Company receives about customers and counterparties to make credit decisions;
• ability of the Company to attract and retain senior management experienced in the banking and financial services industries;
• environmental liability risk associated with lending activities;
• the impact of any claims or legal actions to which the Company is subject, including any effect on our reputation;
• losses incurred in connection with repurchases and indemnification payments related to mortgages and increases in reserves associated therewith;
• the loss of customers as a result of technological changes allowing consumers to complete their financial transactions without the use of a bank;
• the soundness of other financial institutions;
• the expenses and delayed returns inherent in opening new branches and de novo banks;
• liabilities, potential customer loss or reputational harm related to closings of existing branches;
• examinations and challenges by tax authorities, and any unanticipated impact of the Tax Act;
• changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations, and the impact on the Company’s financial statements;
• the ability of the Company to receive dividends from its subsidiaries;
• uncertainty about the discontinued use of LIBOR and transition to an alternative rate;
• a decrease in the Company’s capital ratios, including as a result of declines in the value of its loan portfolios, or otherwise;
• legislative or regulatory changes, particularly changes in regulation of financial services companies and/or the products and services offered by financial services companies, including those changes that are in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including without limitation the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, and the rules and regulations that may be promulgated thereunder;
• a lowering of our credit rating;
• changes in U.S. monetary policy and changes to the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, including changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise;
• regulatory restrictions upon our ability to market our products to consumers and limitations on our ability to profitably operate our mortgage business;
• increased costs of compliance, heightened regulatory capital requirements and other risks associated with changes in regulation and the regulatory environment;
• the impact of heightened capital requirements;
• increases in the Company’s FDIC insurance premiums, or the collection of special assessments by the FDIC;
• delinquencies or fraud with respect to the Company’s premium finance business;
• credit downgrades among commercial and life insurance providers that could negatively affect the value of collateral securing the Company’s premium finance loans;
• the Company’s ability to comply with covenants under its credit facility; and
• fluctuations in the stock market, which may have an adverse impact on the Company’s wealth management business and brokerage operation.

Therefore, there can be no assurances that future actual results will correspond to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Any such statement speaks only as of the date the statement was made or as of such date that may be referenced within the statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events after the date of the press release. Persons are advised, however, to consult further disclosures management makes on related subjects in its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its press releases.

CONFERENCE CALL, WEBCAST AND REPLAY

The Company will hold a conference call on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. (Central Time) regarding third quarter and year-to-date 2021 results. Individuals interested in listening should call (877) 363-5049 and enter Conference ID #2695417. A simultaneous audio-only webcast and replay of the conference call as well as an accompanying slide presentation may be accessed via the Company’s website at https://www.wintrust.com , Investor Relations, Investor News and Events, Presentations & Conference Calls. The text of the third quarter and year-to-date 2021 earnings press release will be available on the home page of the Company’s website at https://www.wintrust.com and at the Investor Relations, Investor News and Events, Press Releases link on its website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:Edward J. Wehmer, Founder & Chief Executive OfficerDavid A. Dykstra, Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer(847) 939-9000Web site address: www.wintrust.com