-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Dpbp0j5E5AIp6mUiML3+08ZZbLlqTDN4N80RFH2t9aK0sx8xOGzGxwGnwFrAzopJ
 X+m9ZzzNZfuSUNdkaHHfeg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000913849-05-000123.txt : 20050209
<SEC-HEADER>0000913849-05-000123.hdr.sgml : 20050209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050209161857
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000913849-05-000123
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050209
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050209

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Damico Joseph
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001317280

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21923
		FILM NUMBER:		05588925

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		847-739-3200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		272 E. DEERPATH
		STREET 2:		STE. 350
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001015328
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				363873352
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		727 N BANK LANE
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8476154096

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		727 N BANK LN
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-02-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001015328</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WTFC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001317280</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Damico Joseph</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>272 E. DEERPATH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE. 350</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAKE FOREST</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60045</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No Securities Owned</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This Form 3 is filed to present the initial statement of beneficial ownership for the reporting person who was appointed to the Board of Directors as of the date noted in Section 2 of this Form 3.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joseph F. Damico</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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