Item 8.01. Other Events.
On November 26, 2008, Wintrust Financial Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that it received preliminary approval to participate in the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Capital Purchase Program ("Program"). The Company applied for and received approval for up to $250,000,000 of capital.
A copy of the press release issued by the Company is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Description

99.1 Wintrust Financial Corporation Press Release dated November 26, 2008

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Signature Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Registrant)

By: /s/ David A. Dykstra David A. Dykstra
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Date: November 26, 2008

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