When Colleen Sullivan joined Wintrust Financial Corporation earlier this year, she wasn’t just changing employers. She was choosing a new model for middle market banking — one defined not by size, but by service.

“Wintrust delivers a white-glove experience regardless of company size,” said Sullivan, a senior vice president in Wintrust’s commercial banking group. “A $20 million revenue company gets the same high-touch treatment as one with a billion in revenue. That’s a total differentiator amongst other middle market banks.”

This consistent, customized care has made Wintrust a destination for experienced bankers and a haven for middle-market companies looking for more than transactional service. With a focus on relationships, local decision-making, and real solutions, Wintrust reimagines what middle market banking service looks like.

Why switch?

For many business leaders, switching companies can feel like a daunting process, but it can be beyond worth it. According to David Nozzolillo, a senior vice president in Wintrust’s commercial banking group who joined Wintrust after working for years at other financial institutions, the change proved to be invaluable.

“You might have the same digital tools elsewhere, but what you don’t always have is responsiveness,” said Nozzolillo. “At Wintrust, I can walk into the office next door, talk with a credit decision-maker, and turn around a term sheet quickly. That agility matters. And it’s not just speed — it’s about being thoughtful and realistic about what we can deliver.”

Connectivity matters

One of Wintrust’s most notable advantages is that decision-making happens close to home. Wintrust’s unique platform allows bankers to avoid the often burdensome process of sifting through several procedural steps before receiving an answer. Meanwhile, clients’ files can be processed faster and are ensured a more thorough analysis. This type of immediate access to decision makers is uncommon.

“We’re not sending things through layers of bureaucracy,” said Nozzolillo. “Our clients appreciate that decisions are made locally, by people who understand their markets and businesses.”

That expertise extends beyond industry sectors. From nonprofits and contractors to wholesale distributors and manufacturers, Wintrust offers specialized support through a diverse slate of product partners.

Nozzolillo describes his approach as less about selling and more about serving. “Sometimes I’m just introducing clients to a great consultant or a relevant peer in their space,” he said. “Even if it’s not about banking services today, we’re always trying to create value.”

Relationships first

That consultative, relationship-first model is echoed by Sarah Vehlow, a group senior vice president with more than two decades in the Chicago banking market.

“At Wintrust, we form relationships with decision-makers, business owners, and finance professionals,” Vehlow explained. “It’s not just me as the relationship manager — our entire team is involved and known to the client.”

Wintrust encourages bankers and portfolio managers alike to build deep connections with clients, often including junior team members on calls to foster continuity and familiarity.

“We take time to understand the story behind each company,” said Vehlow. “That creates trust and delivers better outcomes.”

Flexibility, not formulas

Sullivan said she was impressed by Wintrust’s willingness to tailor financial solutions to unique situations. “There’s a lot of creativity and strength around the banker relationship with the management team,” she explained.

Flexibility is particularly valuable during times of volatility. Vehlow recounted a recent situation in which a client faced a few challenging quarters. Rather than transferring the client to a workout group and immediately deciding they could no longer support them, Wintrust gave them time to execute their turnaround plan.

“That kind of trust is rare,” she said. “But we believed in the client, and we were willing to be patient and collaborative. It paid off for everyone.”

More than a bank

For middle market companies evaluating their banking relationships, the Wintrust approach offers more than just products. It offers a partnership.

“We’re not just here to close a deal,” said Nozzolillo. “We’re here to help you grow, weather challenges, and make smarter decisions. That’s what a real banking relationship should be.”

Wintrust clients can attest, as it’s not unusual for a client to find a Wintrust banker after being overlooked by another institution. This was exactly the case for Horizon Steel, a company that buys and sells steel, processes it into different sizes and shapes, and then sells it to customers.

“We were doing business with another bank. Right when we were about to buy this facility, they pretty much told us we didn’t fit in their box anymore,” explained Rick Nicolay, CEO, Horizon Steel.

That’s when Horizon Steel was approached by Wintrust to take on their commercial lending. With a line of credit, they were able to purchase a new facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and have been a client of Wintrust for over 15 years.

“They’re always asking questions about our supply base, they’re asking questions about our customers. Being involved allows them to be really close to our business, and I don’t think that’s normal in the banking industry,” says Nicolay. “Wintrust will be with us as long as we’re us. As we grow, they grow with us. They’ve earned our business, they’ve earned our trust, and to us that’s golden.”

To learn more about Wintrust’s middle market solutions and the team you can trust with your business’s financial health, visit wintrust.com/business-solutions/mid-market.