ROSEMONT, Ill., May 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wintrust Financial Corporation ("Wintrust") (Nasdaq:WTFC) announced the appointment of Pam Sharar-Stoppel as President for Wheaton Bank & Trust Company ("WBT"). Based in Wheaton, WBT has five locations in Chicago's western suburbs: Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and Naperville.

Currently Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Sharar-Stoppel joined WBT five years ago and brings more than 30 years of commercial banking and leadership experience to the bank.

Stacey Huels is stepping down from his position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of WBT to start a new firm, (First Focus Capital Partners, LLC) and pursue private equity investment opportunities. He will remain active in the bank and agreed to continue to actively serve as a director on the WBT board.

"Stacey started with one location and only $25 million in assets when he took over in 2004," said Wintrust CEO, Ed Wehmer. "Stacey led the growth of the bank to five locations and more than $750 million in assets. He also took it through two acquisitions and the opening of additional locations in Naperville. We thank Stacey for his many contributions and wish him the very best in his new venture. We're honored that he will continue serving as a director."

"Pam has successfully led a major expansion of the commercial lending team and customer base, has been an integral part of the Wheaton team, and is highly regarded by her clients and peers," stated Huels. "Pam embraces the community bank model and brings diverse experience and talent to her new role which will serve her well."

Robert Hutchinson, who has been instrumental in developing the bank's strong community banking reputation in Wheaton, will work to repeat that success in Glen Ellyn by becoming the President of Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust, and maintaining his leadership over the bank's Business Banking team and CRA efforts.

Wintrust also announced that Robert Paszczak, Vice Chairman, is being promoted to Chairman. Bob joined the bank two years ago and has distinguished himself as an accomplished leader as well as a mentor to others. He has enjoyed an impressive banking career and his wealth of experience and relationships are highly valued.

About Wintrust Financial Corporation

Wintrust Financial Corporation is a financial holding company with assets of approximately $17 billion whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (Nasdaq:WTFC). Built on the "HAVE IT ALL" model, Wintrust offers sophisticated technology and resources of a large bank while focusing on providing service-based community banking to each and every customer. Wintrust operates fifteen community bank subsidiaries, with more than 100 banking offices located in the greater Chicago and Milwaukee market areas. Wintrust also provides wealth management services, commercial insurance premium financing, mortgage origination, short-term accounts receivable financing, and certain administrative services, such as data processing of payrolls, and billing and treasury management services to its customers.