CONSENTS OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the following  documents of our
report  dated  February  2, 2001,  with  respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements of Wintrust  Financial  Corporation  incorporated by reference in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000:

o    Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-33459) pertaining to the Wintrust
     Financial Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
o    Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-52650) pertaining to the Wintrust
     Financial Corporation 1997 Sock Incentive Plan.
o    Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-52652) pertaining to the Wintrust
     Financial Corporation Retirement Savings Plan.
o    Registration  Statement  (Form S-3 No.  333-90211)  pertaining to shares of
     Wintrust Financial Corporation issued in connection with the acquisition of
     Tricom, Inc.
o    Registration  Statement  (Form S-3 No.  333-92075)  pertaining to shares of
     Wintrust Financial Corporation issued in a private placement.
o    Registration  Statement  (Form S-3 No.  333-56566)  pertaining to shares of
     Wintrust Financial Corporation issued in a private placement.



/S/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 28, 2001




The Board of Directors
Wintrust Financial Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on Form
S-3 (Nos. 333-92075,  333-90211, and 333-56566) and on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-33459,
333-52650 and 333-52652) of Wintrust  Financial  Corporation of our report dated
March 19, 1999, relating to the consolidated  statements of operations,  changes
in shareholders'  equity, and cash flows of Wintrust  Financial  Corporation and
subsidiaries  for the year ended December 31, 1998, which report is incorporated
by reference  in the  December  31, 2000 annual  report on Form 10-K of Wintrust
Financial Corporation.


/s/ KPMG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 28, 2001