Wintrust Financial Corp.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 19 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Read the filing

Key takeaways

• Record net income for third quarter: The company reported record quarterly net income of $239.1 million, or $3.37 per diluted share, up from $233.7 million, or $3.30 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2026. Source
• Net interest income rose 4% sequentially: Net interest income was $621.6 million, up $24.2 million from $597.4 million in the second quarter, driven by average earning asset growth of $2.1 billion. Source
• Loans grew $1.1 billion: Total loans increased $1.1 billion, or 8% annualized, with growth spread across all major loan portfolios. Source
• Margin eased one basis point: Net interest margin was 3.49%, down one basis point from 3.50% in the second quarter. Loan yields fell one basis point and interest-bearing deposit funding costs fell one basis point. Source
• Net charge-offs rose to 15 basis points: Net charge-offs were $21.0 million, or 15 basis points of average loans annualized, up from $13.4 million, or 10 basis points, in the second quarter. Source
• Expenses rose on marketing and FDIC: Non-interest expense was $405.7 million, up $8.1 million. Advertising rose $1.4 million and FDIC insurance rose $5.5 million, mainly from the prior quarter's $5.2 million special assessment reversal. Salaries fell $3.5 million. Source

“Our strong momentum in the first half of the year continued into the third quarter leading to consistent and record results for the first nine months of 2026.”

Timothy S. Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

What changed from last quarter

• New: Completed purchase of a guardianship services business on September 1, 2026, with about $1.2 billion in assets under management and preliminary goodwill of about $7.5 million. Source

Results and growth drivers

• Record net income for third quarter: The company reported record quarterly net income of $239.1 million, or $3.37 per diluted share, up from $233.7 million, or $3.30 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2026. Source
• Net interest income rose 4% sequentially: Net interest income was $621.6 million, up $24.2 million from $597.4 million in the second quarter, driven by average earning asset growth of $2.1 billion. Source
• Nine-month results at record levels: Year-to-date net income was $700.1 million, or $9.89 per diluted share, up 17% from $600.8 million, or $8.25 per diluted share, a year earlier. Pre-tax, pre-provision income was a record $1.0 billion. Source

Balance sheet and deposits

• Loans grew $1.1 billion: Total loans increased $1.1 billion, or 8% annualized, with growth spread across all major loan portfolios. Source
• Deposits grew $1.3 billion organically: Total deposits increased $1.3 billion, or 8% annualized, to $62.4 billion. Non-interest bearing deposits were 19% of total deposits. The loans-to-deposits ratio ended at 91.0%. Source
• Specialty finance and leasing balances rose: Insurance premium finance originations were about $5.4 billion in the quarter, and average premium finance balances rose $781.7 million. Capital leases totaled $3.1 billion and loans $1.3 billion at quarter end. Source

“we believe our balance sheet is well positioned to support stable performance through changing interest rate environments.”

Timothy S. Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer

Net interest margin and funding

• Margin eased one basis point: Net interest margin was 3.49%, down one basis point from 3.50% in the second quarter. Loan yields fell one basis point and interest-bearing deposit funding costs fell one basis point. Source
• Asset-sensitivity shifted in rate scenarios: The static shock scenario showed net interest income down 2.9% on a +200 basis point shock and down 1.6% on +100 basis points, versus down 2.4% and 1.1% at June 30, 2026. Source

Asset quality and credit

• Net charge-offs rose to 15 basis points: Net charge-offs were $21.0 million, or 15 basis points of average loans annualized, up from $13.4 million, or 10 basis points, in the second quarter. Source
• Provision rose to $25.9 million: The provision for credit losses was $25.9 million, compared with $23.1 million in the second quarter. Management cited portfolio growth and stable credit quality, while noting that economic performance remains uncertain. Source
• Non-performing loans slightly lower: Non-performing loans were $176.9 million, or 0.31% of total loans, versus $179.3 million, or 0.32%, at June 30, 2026. Non-performing assets were $193.3 million, or 0.25% of total assets. Source

Non-interest income and expense

• Non-interest income declined $5.0 million: Non-interest income was $136.3 million, down from $141.3 million. Mortgage banking revenue fell to $25.5 million from $27.4 million on lower originations, and investment securities recorded a $1.6 million net loss. Source
• Expenses rose on marketing and FDIC: Non-interest expense was $405.7 million, up $8.1 million. Advertising rose $1.4 million and FDIC insurance rose $5.5 million, mainly from the prior quarter's $5.2 million special assessment reversal. Salaries fell $3.5 million. Source
• Efficiency improved as assets grew: Non-interest expense as a percent of average assets fell to 2.16% from 2.21%. The efficiency ratio was 53.41%, against 53.96% in the second quarter. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

• Common equity ratios declined: Common equity to assets fell to 9.0% from 9.5%, and tangible common equity ratio fell to 7.9% from 8.4%. Accumulated other comprehensive loss widened to $863.8 million from $420.8 million. Source
• Regulatory capital ratios edged higher: Estimated CET1 capital ratio was 10.5%, against 10.4% at June 30, 2026. Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.8%, unchanged. Source
• Quarterly dividend unchanged: Cash dividends declared were $0.55 per common share, unchanged from the second quarter and up from $0.50 a year earlier. Source

Strategy and acquisitions

• Guardianship business acquired: The company closed its purchase of a guardianship services business on September 1, 2026, which carries about $1.2 billion of assets under management. Source
• Expansion in Wisconsin and west Michigan: Management said it remains committed to expanding its market presence in Wisconsin and west Michigan, and cited latest deposit market share gains in Illinois. Source

Wealth management and mortgage

• Wealth management revenue rose: Wealth management revenue was $41.0 million, up $1.1 million from the second quarter, mainly from higher trust and asset management fees on higher assets under management. Source
• Mortgage originations declined: Total mortgage originations were $907.8 million, down from $1.15 billion in the second quarter. Mortgage banking revenue was $25.5 million, down from $27.4 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 19 October 2026

• Fourth quarter loan growth expected: Management expects continued loan growth in the fourth quarter of 2026, supported by solid commercial and commercial real estate pipelines. Source

Risks management discussed

• Demand: Management said allowance results capture uncertainty related to credit spreads, equity market valuations, consumer and business sentiment, and the job market. Source
• Financial: Net charge-offs increased to 15 basis points from 10 basis points, with the company citing growth in the premium finance and commercial portfolios in its loss figures. Source
• External: Management noted the fair value of equity investment securities moved, producing net losses on investment securities. Source
• Regulatory: Management noted FDIC insurance expense can change with special assessments, and the prior quarter included a reversal. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

• Met: Net interest margin of 3.49% was described as in line with the company's prior guidance. Source

Other quarters

• Q2 FY2026 earnings call
• Q1 FY2026 earnings call
• Q4 FY2025 earnings call
• Q3 FY2025 results

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.