As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2003 Registration No. 333- ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) 36-3873352 ILLINOIS 727 NORTH BANK LANE (IRS Employer (State or Other LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS 60045-1951 Identification Jurisdiction of (847) 615-4096 Number) Incorporation or (Address, Including Zip Code, Organization) and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices) DAVID A. DYKSTRA SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 727 NORTH BANK LANE LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS 60045-1951 (847) 615-4096 (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service) The Commission is requested to send copies of all communications to: JENNIFER R. EVANS, ESQ. TIMOTHY J. MELTON, ESQ. JENNIFER DURHAM KING, ESQ. EDWARD B. WINSLOW, ESQ. VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ, P.C. JONES DAY 222 NORTH LASALLE STREET 77 WEST WACKER CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601-1003 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601 (312) 609-7500 (312) 782-3939 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effectiveness of this Registration Statement. If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ ] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [X] 333-108452 If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ] ____________________ CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE ==================================================================================================================================== TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PRICE PER SHARE OFFERING PRICE REGISTRATION FEE Common Stock, without par value* 227,108 $35.80 $8,130,466.40 $659 ====================================================================================================================================---------------------- * Including the preferred share purchase rights associated therewith. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-108452) filed by Wintrust Financial Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on September 3, 2003, as amended, which was declared effective by the Commission on September 15, 2003, including the exhibits thereto, are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 16. Exhibits. 5.1 Opinion of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C. regarding legality.* 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.* 23.2 Consent of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). 24.1 Power of Attorney, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 24.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-108452). ------------------ * Filed herewith. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lake Forest, State of Illinois, on this 15th day of September, 2003. WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION By: /s/ Edward J. Wehmer ------------------------------------- Edward J. Wehmer President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on the 15th day of September, 2003 in the capacities indicated. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Edward J. Wehmer --------------------------------------- President, Chief Executive Edward J. Wehmer Officer and Director /s/ David L. Stoehr Executive Vice President and --------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer David L. Stoehr (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ John S. Lillard* --------------------------------------- Chairman and Director John S. Lillard --------------------------------------- Director Peter D. Crist /s/ Bruce K. Crowther* --------------------------------------- Director Bruce K. Crowther /s/ Bert A. Getz, Jr.* --------------------------------------- Director Bert A. Getz, Jr. --------------------------------------- Director Philip W. Hummer /s/ James B. McCarthy* --------------------------------------- Director James B. McCarthy /s/ Marguerite Savard McKenna* Director --------------------------------------- Marguerite Savard McKenna /s/ Albin F. Moschner* Director --------------------------------------- Albin F. Moschner Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Thomas J. Neis* --------------------------------------- Director Thomas J. Neis --------------------------------------- Director Hollis W. Rademacher --------------------------------------- Director J. Christopher Reyes /s/ John J. Schornack* --------------------------------------- Director John J. Schornack /s/ Ingrid S. Stafford* --------------------------------------- Director Ingrid S. Stafford *Signed pursuant to power of attorney By: /s/ David A. Dykstra --------------------------------- David A. Dykstra Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer EXHIBIT LIST 5.1 Opinion of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C. regarding legality.* 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.* 23.2 Consent of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). 24.1 Power of Attorney, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 24.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-108452). --------------------- * Filed herewith.