Employer BrandPlaybook
INTRODUCTION
•Purposeof this Playbook 2 OUR STORY
•A Note From OurChief HROfficer
•What Makes Wintrust Special 5 8
•Company Background
•Our Foundation: Philosophy and Mission, Values, and Commitments
OUR EMPLOYEE VALUE PROPOSITION
•The Three Pillars of Our Employee Value Proposition
•Diversity Positioning 11
EMPLOYEE PROMISE AND KEY MESSAGES
•Our Employer Brand Manifesto
•Employee Value Proposition: Key Messages
•Retail Banking 17 20
CALL TO ACTION: MAKE IT YOURS
•Bring Our Employer Brand to Life
•A Collaborative Effort
APPENDIX: SEGMENTED MESSAGING FOR TALENT ACQUISITION
•Finance
•Corporate
•Creditand Lending
•Information Technology and Information Security
The people on our team are the heart and soul of Wintrust’s identity, culture, and achievements. By clearly articulating this concept in our Employer Brand Playbook, we establish
a
solid
foundation
for attracting and retaining top -tier talent for the long term.
Supported by a robust Employee Value Proposition, this playbook equips our team members with the essential messaging to effectively connect with exceptional talent and contribute to our ongoing growth. It serves as a valuable tool for our most influential brand advocate – our colleagues – enabling them to learn about and promote our employer brand. This playbook serves as a roadmap for us to excel: What makes working here unique? How do we draw in new talent? How do we motivate our workforce? How can each colleague contribute to sharing our story?
Recognizing that everyone has a role to play in bringing the Employee Value Proposition to life, this playbook outlines the specific actions that all roles need to take to build a thriving culture. It is a direct reflection of team member input, experiences, and data.
NORAH LARKE EVPand Chief HR Officer Wintrust Financial Corporation
Purposeof this Playbook
To define WHO we are, WHAT we value, and HOW we work in clear and compelling terms so that all team members can articulate our story and what sets us apart.
This is important because each of us plays a role in communicating and preserving Wintrust’s reputation and culture, which helps attract, engage, and retain both current and future talent. This guide serves as a toolto help our colleagues learn more about and confidently share our employer brand story.
Company Background
In December 1991, 11 ambitious individuals, Wintrust’s founders, opened a storefront community bank in Lake Forest, Illinois. We knew that customers needed a bank that knew their names, understood their needs, and went the extra mile for them. More than three decades later, we have grown from a retail bank in one community to a multi-faceted financial services organization with deep roots in communities throughout Chicagoland and Wisconsin, and even nationwide. Today we operate 16 community bank charters, with over 200 branch locations, and bank and non-bank business units in more than 30 states, provinces, and territories across the U.S. and Canada. Our unique business model is a competitive strength and value driver, powered by our talented colleagues who dare to be different as they put our customers first and achieve demonstrably better results.
Wintrust provides customer-oriented personal and commercial banking services,and we go above and beyond banking solutions. We believe in investing in the communities we serve, and it shows!
•Weparticipateonlocalboardsandsupportlocalorganizations.
•Wesponsorsportsteams(fromlittleleaguetoprofessional).
•Wehostcommunityeventsandfinancialeducationcourses.
•Weevenhost neighborhoodcookouts!
•Wintrustisthere, celebratingcommunitywinsandlendinga hand,whenneeded.
Underpinning our culture are our shared commitments and values:
Our Commitments
•Providing exceptional client service
•Prioritizing our employees, communities, and shareholders
•Embracing and fostering diversity and inclusion
Our Values
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Work-Life Balance
In the ever-evolving banking, wealth, mortgage, and premium finance industries, weembrace and pioneer change, united in our passion for making a difference in the lives of our customers, communities, and colleagues.
We encourage our team members to bring their unique passions, talents, and authentic selves to work because we know that’s how they work best. And webelieve in keeping our community at the heart of everything we do.
Our Foundation
The Three Pillars of Our Employee Value Proposition
Impact FROM THE RESEARCH
Having the opportunity to make a difference was listed as the top reason executives joined and why they believe talent should join.
Impacting the lives of our customers, colleagues, and communities is very rewardingfor team members, too.
KEY THEMES
•Growing our national footprint
•Making a positive impact on our communities
•Making a difference in the lives of our colleagues and customers
“Ijoinedbecauseofthetangibleimpact mydepartmenthasonthecompany.”
OurEmployee ValueProposition(EVP)isarepresentationof whatmakes Wintrustauniqueandawesomeplacetowork.It represents whatourpeoplevaluemostandwhatwe’ve committedtodeliver. Our research led us to define three key pillars of the employee experience that are unique, authentic, and a little aspirational.
Growth FROM THE RESEARCH
Opportunities for growth was one of the top reasons executives feeltalent should join.
Wintrust team members and prospective talent agree. As Wintrust continues to grow and invests in learning and development, fresh opportunities for individual career growth arise.
KEY THEMES
•Challenging work
•Growth opportunities
“Wehaveagroupthatbuiltitandgotittoa fabulousplaceandanothergroupthattook ittowherewearetoday.Nowthere’s opportunityforthenextgrouptotakeit further.”
Community FROM THE RESEARCH
What makes executives proud to work at Wintrust and what excites them about the future is our shared commitment to getting involved in the community and strengthening thecommunities we serve. Community focus and the culture of collaboration are among top reasons talent joins Wintrust and team members choose to stay.
KEY THEMES
•Collaboration
•Great people
•Supportive
Whatmattershereis“beingsupportivetoyour colleagues–it’slessaboutthebureaucracyand moreaboutcomingtogethertoachieveit.”
What Makes Wintrust Special
Wintrust colleagues feel a strong connection to the company culture and the communities we serve.
We offer team members many opportunities to learn and grow.
We are committed to equal employment opportunityand place a high value on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and we recognize the role DEI plays in our organization’s success.
Top Words Used by Colleagues
OUR EMPLOYER BRAND MANIFESTO
Your Future. Your Way.
At Wintrust, we approach banking differently and achieve demonstrably better results for our clients. We started our journey with an idea of being an alternative to the big banks, and that is still how we show up.
As part of this mission, we have gathered a team of entrepreneurial, creative, fun, and passionate trailblazers who are eager to make an impact, serve our customers, support each other, and grow their careers.
In the ever-evolving banking, wealth, mortgage, and premium finance industries, we embrace and pioneer change; united in our passion for making a difference in the lives of our customers, communities, and colleagues. We believe in bringing our whole selves to work. We believe in keeping our communities at the heart of everything we do, and we believe in initiating bold ideas that become the new norms.
We were created to be the alternative to our big bank competitors. That means no matter which of our banks, companies, or divisions you engage with, our customers and clients come first. We offer the resources and tools of a large company with the personal attention and customer focus you expect from a local, family-owned establishment. Let’s shape the future of banking togetherthe way we know best –the Wintrust Way.
Employee Value Proposition: Key Messages
Impact
You’ve told us…
MAKING A DIFFERENCE in the life of our customers, colleagues, and communities is very rewarding.
We believe great ideas can come from anyone. Every day is a new opportunity to be a change maker for all the people we serve. We care. We listen. We exist to serve individuals, families, small business owners, and civic nonprofit leaders who value our expertise, integrity, and exceptional customer service. We are deeply committed to our purpose and just as dedicated to providing a working environment with an entrepreneurial spirit where everyone thrives. We lead with trust, providing autonomy and fostering accountability. We embrace change, invite new ideas, and promote thoughtful discourse so your unique voice and talents will be respected and rewarded. It feels good to make a difference every day. When you can do it in a workplace that empowers you to be your best, it is even better.
Growth
You’ve told us…
Wintrust’s growth CREATES OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOU to learn, rise to new challenges, and grow your career.
We are redefining the future of the banking, wealth, mortgage, and premium finance industries, and our colleagues are at the heart of it.
It is exciting to work in an evolving industry, and at Wintrust, we intend to lead the change. We are constantly adapting and anticipating the future needs of our customers and communities.
HERE, WE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU ARE GROWING, WE ARE GROWING. As a valued member of our team, you’ll be encouraged to try new things, upskill in ways that energize you, and take advantage of leadership and professional development programs that help shape your future. Our team members say, “You get out what you put in.” At Wintrust, you can make your career exactly what you want it to be while making a difference in your own way. Come grow with us!
Community
You’ve told us…
How we SHOW UP, SUPPORT, AND COMMIT TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE makes you proud. COLLABORATING with smart, caring, and servicedriven team members to achieve results is energizing.
Our dream has always been to be a true community bank, on the outside and on the inside. One where our tellers know customers by name, our bankers care about local businesses, and we invest in the communities because we’re part of them, too. We may have a larger national footprint now than we did back then, but we live by that original mission. Bring your passion and join our vibrant and inclusive community that dares to work differently. We invest in our colleagues, and we give back to the communities we call home.
Be Yourself Bring Your Best
It is immensely fulfilling to make a positive impact and a difference every day. When you can contribute to meaningful work in a workplace that empowers you to be your best, the experience becomes even more gratifying. It is important to us to foster a genuine connection to the work we do since each day presents an opportunity for us to serve, support, and empower our diverse customers, communities, and colleagues.
Our focus is on building a diverse and inclusive workforce by:
•Hiring from within the communities we serve
•Funding scholarships with local educational institutions
•Building strategic partnerships within our communities
•Connecting colleagues from different backgrounds and experiences through formal mentoring programs
Our purpose revolves around serving individuals, families, small business owners, and civic nonprofit leaders who appreciate our expertise, integrity, and exceptional customer service. With people at the core of our business, we are committed to listening, understanding their needs, and ensuring everyone feels like they belong.
Everyone Matters
We aspire to change the face of the banking industry by making sure everyone has equal access to it. We firmly believe that our growth as an organization is intertwined with the growth of everyone on our team.
Every employee at Wintrust is valued for who they are as individuals and provided with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are key considerations at every stage of our development process, from hiring, promotions, and succession planning to preparing for the next generation of Wintrust leaders.
You will have access to our celebrated Business Resource Groups and mentoring and sponsorship programs. Our goal is to empower all colleagues to explore new opportunities, develop new skills, and take full advantage of our leadership and professional development programs designed to shape your future.
We are dedicated to providing you with a clear view of all business aspects and future possibilities, allowing you to create a learning path that aligns with your unique identity and aspirations.
DIVERSIT Y POSITIONING
Our Focus: Strong, Inclusive Communities
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging lie at the very heart of Wintrust’s identity and purpose. We’ve built a warm and welcoming environment where our team members can wholeheartedly embrace the diverse communities in which they live and serve, and where differences drive success.
To best serve our diverse communities, it is vital to include a diverse range of perspectives within our own team.
When you become a part of Wintrust, you become a valued member of a vibrant and inclusive community. Our team members actively support the communities they live in and serve through volunteering, education, community events, and participation on various boards.
We celebrate our differences and bring them all together in a shared mission to better serve our clients and partners.
Bring Our Employer Brand to Life
To help us share our story and bring our Employer Brand and Employee Value Proposition to life, we developed the campaign, “Your Future. Your Way.”
Wintrust offers colleagues work that directly impacts our communities and prioritizes growth opportunities in a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment where colleagues feel safe to bring their authentic selves to work.
This campaign will be used internally and externally to reach prospective talent and inspire and engage our valued team members.
Bringing our Employee Value Proposition to life will take all of us. Together, we will achieve great things:
•More people will know what it’s like to work here.
•We will continue to work with the best people because we will attract the best talent.
•Our engagement and pride will help us deliver on our purpose,sharedvalues,andcommitments.
A Collaborative Effort
Everyonehasaroletoplayinbringing our Commitments, Values, and EmployeeValueProposition tolife.
Leaders and People Managers
•Thinkabout(andworkshopwithyourteam)howImpact,Growth,and Communityshowupinyourwork.
•Buildyourownstorytellingbank(i.e.,testimonials,anecdotes,examples).
•Infusepillarstorytellingintodiscussionsaboutteamprioritiesandprogress, teammembercoaching,performancemanagementandcareerconversations, prospectivetalentinterviews,andnewhireonboarding.
Talent Managementand HROperations
•Ensure the EVP is pulled through the entire employee experience, includinggoal setting, career conversations, performance reviews, etc.
•Continuously assess the effectiveness of the EVP by gathering feedback from colleagues.
Learning & Development
• Educateandsupportleaders and colleaguesinliving the Employer Brand.
• Infuse the Philosophy, Mission, Commitments, Values, and EVP into New Hire Orientation, Retail Skills Training (i.e., Banker 101, Teller 101), New Manager courses and Leadership Trainings, etc.
Talent Acquisition
• Ensure that recruitment messaging aligns with the key elements of the EVP. During the recruitment process, actively highlight and discuss the aspects of the EVP that resonate with candidates.
• Incorporate employee testimonials and success stories fromthe EmployeeStorytellingLibraryand/oryourownexperiencesinto recruitment efforts. Real-life experiences from current employees provide authentic insights into how the organization brings the EVP to life, making it more relatable and compelling for potential hires.
Communications/Brand Marketing
• Support HR efforts by guiding the development of content and creative materials, sharing expertise, and ensuring alignment to Wintrust’s public-facing brand.
• Leverage employee testimonialsfrom the Employee Storytelling Library strategically across marketing channels to provide genuine insights into the employee experience, reinforcing the EVP through real stories.
• Align communications messages with EVP themes.
• Collaborate with Talent Management and Talent Acquisition to identify relevant KPIs and methodology for continuous monitoring.
Finance
Every day at Wintrust is an opportunity to make an impact, as you help protect the integrity of our financial reporting, deliver accurate, up-todate information to leadership regarding our financial performance, and provide core financial operations essential for our high-growth organization.
Your potential for making an impact is extraordinary, as our corporate finance team is pivotal inimplementing financial systems, reporting, and analytics that underpin our success. You’ll be part of a dynamic team that values you, for you, and who encourages thought leadership and innovation.
We’re committedto empowering our colleagues by involving them in key decisions, creating space for all ideas to be heard, and respecting your personalpassionsandinterests.
Throughongoing learning and development, intentional career conversations, and real-time coaching and feedback, ourleadersare committed to understanding and supporting your career aspirations. Your growthisn’t justagoal;it’soursharedmission.We are committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive work community of colleagueswho genuinelycareaboutyourwell-being, celebratesuccessestogether,and support oneanotherthroughchallenges.
Ourcollaborativeandentrepreneurialspiritextendsbeyondtheoffice.
We believe in giving back, getting involved, and making a difference in our communities.
Bring your best self to work andjoin us in making a lasting impact in the lives of our customers and colleagues, fueling our growth, and supporting our communities.
Corporate
At Wintrust, we offer you a career that embraces your aspirations and supports your life’s passions. We’re more than just a bank; we’re a community that values your unique talents and perspectives.
We provide various flexible work options, including hybrid schedules, enabling team members and managers to serve customers, meet company goals, and help team members balance personal and professional responsibilities. You’re not just an employee; you’re a valued member of the Wintrust community, and we want to support your wellbeingand development every step of the way.
We offer tailored programs and resources that enable you to expand your horizons, whether through informal cross-organizational collaboration, ongoing learning and development, and engaging and empowering leadership. What’s most exciting is that your contributions make a real impact.
At Wintrust, you’re part of something bigger. Experience what it’s like to be part of a real team of passionate and inspiring peers who connect on a personal level and come together, have your back, believe in making a difference, and celebrating shared success.
Join usand seize the opportunity to create your future, your way.
Credit & Lending
If you’re looking to accelerate your career in Credit & Lending while making a meaningful impact, Wintrust Financial Corporation welcomes you. We encourage you to embrace the “Wintrust Way,” which means that we approach credit and lending differently than the big banks, and we deliver demonstrably better results for our clients.
Here, your skills, experience, and insights will be valued. Our team members drive our growth and differentiate Wintrust as a market leader. And, as we grow, you grow. Get the coaching and support to advance your career. Mentor the next generation of credit and lending experts. Above all, join us in helping businesses grow and thrive, fuel job creation, and contribute economic vitality to our communities.
Maintaining an inclusive, collaborative work environment is a top priority because yourgrowthand success propelsours.Expect unwavering support and ample room to take initiative, propose solutions to challenging problems, and excel. Surrounded by passionate and inspiring colleagues from diverse backgrounds across the organization, you’ll have the chance to build meaningful relationships, learn, grow, and innovate together. We are committed to nurturing talent and celebrating your unique contributions.
Together, let’s shape thefuture of banking.
Information Technology and InformationSecurity
As a member of Wintrust’s Information Technology or Information Security team, you’ll be guided by inspiring leaders while building and collaborating on diverse applications and cutting-edge technologies to support core business priorities, enhance the customer and colleague experience, and/or protect our company, client, and colleague data.
Your role extends well beyond the ordinary. The solutions you’ll spearhead will be consequential, like the platform we built amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to enable local businesses and nonprofits to obtain SBA’s Paycheck Protection Programloans, the impactful tools we employ to combat fraud and cybercrime, and the security policies we implement and enforce to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, andavailability of enterprise information assets. Help us leverage technology, streamline processes, and nurture future leaders,while also collectively reshaping what it means to be the alternative to big banks.
Your voice carries weight and respect here, and yourcontributions are recognized and rewarded by your peers and leaders. We prioritize empowerment, accountability, real-time coaching and feedback, ongoing learning and development,authentic, two-way communication, and collaboration across the organization.
Expect growth, innovation, and excellence within a supportive, interconnected communityat Wintrust. Together, let’s shape the omnichannel future of bankingand remain vigilant in protecting our customer, colleague, and company information.
Retail Banking
For more than three decades, we have grown and excelled as a true community bank and alternative to the big banks –emphasizing service excellence and building relationships with the customers, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies we serve, while providing steadfast support for thriving communities.
From a single retail bank in a suburb north of Chicago, we have grown to operate 16 bank charters and over 200 branch locations with deep roots throughout Chicagoland and Wisconsin. In addition, our bank and nonbank business units span more than 30 states, provinces, and territories across the U.S. and Canada. With every customer interaction, every decision, and every idea you bring to the table, you will have the opportunity to directly impact our growth and success. Plus, you’ll have ample opportunities to move, grow, and change as your lifeand career aspirations evolve.
Why should you choose Wintrust? Here, you’ll work with peers and leaders who not only value your success and individuality, but also equip you with the tools and resources to stay ahead.
You’ll bepartofateamof dedicatedexperts,creatingabetterfinancial futureforindividuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.
What truly sets us apart is our people. Experience what it’s like to be part of a supportive, energetic community of colleagues who help and mentor one another, celebrate shared success, embrace opportunitiesfor growth, and relentlessly focus on serving our customers. As partof our Retail Banking team, you hold the crucial role of “CEO of First Impressions.” Your position is key to our company’s success: that’s why your ideas are highly valued and directly influence our daily operations and the lives of our customers.
Whatwedogoesbeyondsupporting ourcommunities;we’reapartof themanddeeplyinvestedintheirsuccess. We believe in giving back, getting involved, and advancing economic inclusion.
Join us and start your journey to success at Wintrust as we shape the future of banking, together.
