---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-23-007726"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WTFC"
cik: "0001015328"
company_name: "WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP"
filed_at: "2023-01-30T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-20T06:19:50.691060+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Wintrust appoints Timothy S. Crane as CEO effective May 1, 2023; Wehmer becomes Executive Chairman

## Summary
- Tim Crane named CEO effective May 1, 2023; appointed to Board immediately; Wehmer to step down as CEO.
- Wehmer to serve as Executive Chairman through May 23, 2024, then as Founder & Senior Advisor through Dec 31, 2026.
- Board increased size from 13 to 14 directors to accommodate Crane's appointment.
- Crane's 2023 compensation: $1M base, STIP target 125% ($1.25M), LTIP target 275% ($2.75M).
- Wehmer receives $12M Transition Award payable in equal monthly installments over 36 months starting May 1.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-23-007726
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WTFC
- cik: 0001015328
- company_name: WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
- filed_at: 2023-01-30T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.03, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015328/000110465923007726/0001104659-23-007726-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015328/000110465923007726/tm234685d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-007726
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-007726.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-23-007726.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Timothy S. Crane was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: appointed Timothy S. Crane, currently the Company’s President, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective May 1, 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015328/000110465923007726/0001104659-23-007726-index.htm
- Executive change
  Timothy S. Crane was appointed as Director at WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: the Board appointed Mr. Crane as a director of the Company, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015328/000110465923007726/0001104659-23-007726-index.htm
- Executive change
  H. Patrick Hackett, Jr. changed role as non-executive Chairman and Lead Independent Director at WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
  - Action: continues as non-executive Chairman and added title of Lead Independent Director
  - Role: non-executive Chairman and Lead Independent Director
  source text: H. Patrick Hackett, Jr. will continue to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board and will have the additional title of Lead Independent Director as of the Effective Date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015328/000110465923007726/0001104659-23-007726-index.htm
- Governance Changes
  WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP: Increased the size of the Board from thirteen (13) to fourteen (14) directors (effective 2023-01-26).
  - Change: bylaw amendment
  - Effective: 2023-01-26
  source text: On January 26, 2023, the Board amended the Company’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, effective immediately. The amendment increases the size of the Board from thirteen (13) to fourteen (14) directors.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015328/000110465923007726/0001104659-23-007726-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.