It’s true that some big banks have turned off their lending spigot, but that’s not the case with Wintrust Financial and its Community Banks. We’ve made more than $9.5 billion in new or renewed loans so far this year. It isn’t just about loans, comprehensive treasury management services, or the wealth management solutions we offer. It’s about the relationships we develop and the unmatched level of client service we provide our customers. Here are some of their stories. Watch this page for regular updates and more customer stories from Wintrust Community Banks.

When The Edgewater Funds and Granahan McCourt Capital, two premier private equity firms, needed financing to fuel the growth of Skyware Global, they turned to Wintrust Financial.  Through Elk Grove Village Bank and Trust in collaboration with Wintrust Business Credit, Skyware Global received a $17 million credit facility to assist in funding the acquisition and growth of Skyware Global.  Also, Skyware Global utilizes the Bank’s highly sophisticated treasury management services.  2010 should also provide many additional opportunities for The Edgewater and Granahan McCourt Capital’s investment in Skyware Global and Wintrust will be there every step of the way.

Skyware Global is one of the largest design/manufacturers of antenna systems.  It is not only a VSAT and DTH powerhouse and one of the most established satellite engineering groups in the world, but also has become the first global provider of complete ODU systems. This organization has an expanded product set, first class engineering capabilities, manufacturing operations and global logistics to provide satellite communication solutions for the world.

Skyware Global is the only supplier with a wide range of antennas and outdoor electronics (DTH, Consumer Broadband, VSAT, Enterprise).  It is the only manufacturer of both steel and SMC antennas, the only premier supplier for all satellite bands from C to Ka, the only antenna systems supplier with manufacturing on 3 continents and the world’s only complete ODU provider.

Founded in 1946 and based in the stockyards of Chicago’s West Side, ATF began as a supplier of surplus World War II military fasteners. From this humble beginning the company has grown and transformed itself into a global manufacturer of precision cold-formed and machined components and assemblies.  ATF has steadily enhanced its manufacturing capabilities, building a reputation for innovative products, superior quality, highly capable processes and best-in-class customer service.  Today, ATF is a leader in the design and manufacture of tight-tolerance metal components, assemblies and engineered fasteners.  The company remains a family business built on entrepreneurial passion and team spirit.

In early 2009, ATF began interviewing several Chicago banks to replace its long-standing banking relationship which was being adversely affected by the challenges in the automotive industry.  Although ATF had not initially contacted Wintrust, in 2Q09 Wintrust completed two creative equipment financing arrangements and began to provide treasury management solutions for related family businesses.  Through these dealings, ATF recognized Wintrust’s entrepreneurial approach, commercial lending capabilities, and dedication to the middle market.   ATF then invited Wintrust to participate in the bid for its full banking relationship.  Wintrust and its experienced commercial lenders put together a customized loan package that quickly gained the attention of the ATF management team.   In December 2009, ATF and Wintrust (through the collaboration of North Shore Community Bank and Wintrust Business Credit) closed on a comprehensive credit facility including full cash management services.   ATF now has the financial support to continue to be a market leader and innovator.

The Visual Pak Companies are a privately held group of strategic entities that provide high-volume tolling or turnkey solutions in the contract packaging industry. They have over a quarter century of experience in contract packaging and manufacturing, servicing clients in Home Care, Personal Care, Non-Durable Consumer Goods, Automotive, Household Products and Secondary Food Packaging categories. Many of America’s most admired corporations consistently depend upon their team’s creative project support to meet today’s time and cost objectives that are the norm in today’s highly competitive business environment.  This group offers millions of square feet of modern production and distribution space to process, package, store and ship a tremendous volume of product within as few as 24 hours of material receipt.  They have a unique ability to accommodate many liquid blending and filling project requirements, from formula development to the final production of short runs or large batches into jars, bottles, cans and tubes.  The Companies operate strategically located distribution centers for secure, segregated and controlled product storage and shipment.  This operation also provides a total turnkey thermoforming division for the design and manufacture of your custom plastic trays, clamshells and blister packaging and a division to supply all of your chipboard carton and printed paperboard needs, while performing all kitting and assembly required for all promotional displays.

In the fall of 2009, the Visual Pak Companies’ management team began a search for a new banking relationship that would provide the companies with the resources for expansion, recognize the companies’ accomplishments and provide the strong relationship element the company once enjoyed with its former bank.  After an extensive search, they selected Wintrust through the collaboration of North Shore Community Bank and Wintrust Business Credit.  Now the company has the resources necessary to continue its expansion plans with one of Chicago’s finest banking institutions.

Late in the third quarter of 2009, Horizon Steel Co. started a search to replace the company’s banking relationship that had been adversely affected by a recent merger.  The company also needed to finance a significant acquisition of a local competitor.  After interviewing several Chicago banks, the management team selected the relationship structure proposed by Northbrook Bank and Trust and Wintrust Business Credit.  The result was consummated in December of 2009 with the closing of a $16 million credit relationship along with full Treasury Management services.

Since 1983, Horizon Steel (www.horizonsteel.com), a Chicago based steel service center with operations in Shelby Township, Michigan, has been providing exceptional customer service and support, competitive pricing, and superior products and processing to customers. These years of experience have allowed them to develop relationships with customers, and provide material solutions that improve their businesses. As part of a continuous quality assurance initiative, Horizon Steel is ISO 9001:2000 certified and maintains an onsite ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited laboratory. Our highly skilled production staff can efficiently handle a variety of steel manufacturing processes including slitting, shearing, edging, blanking, and leveling. To meet customer’s needs, Horizon Steel continuously adds products and services to their portfolio, establishing the company as a premiere supplier to a global customer base.

As the premier source for quality master alloys, Designed Alloys Products (www.designedalloys.com) is the “one-stop shop” for the all of its clients’ foundry needs. A specialist in cobalt and nickel based alloys, stainless steel, and tool and alloy steels, Designed Alloys also provides its clients with full metallurgical assistance, a modern analytical laboratory, and programs for raw materials and scrap metals.

So, what financial institution had the mettle to serve the needs of Designed Alloys? Wheaton Bank & Trust and Wintrust Business Credit developed a flexible program that included full Treasury Management services and more than $9.6 million in credit (with a revolving line of credit and term loans for equipment and real estate).

For over twenty years, CHAMPRO Sports (www.champrosports.com) has manufactured high performance equipment for America’s athletes. Using the best and most experienced factories in the world, CHAMPRO Sports maintins specifications and performance standards that meet, and often exceed, the heavily advertised brands. CHAMPRO Sports doesn’t use professional athletes to endorse their equipment. Teams and athletes use CHAMPRO equipment because it performs better. But that wasn’t enough for their big bank.

“Even when businesses believe they have financing lined up, it can fall apart, as Champro Sports, a $25 million-a-year sports clothing and products company, discovered last September.  “We had what we thought was a verbal agreement to increase our credit line from $8.5 million to $10.5 million to handle growth in our business,” President Bill Hunt said. But the bank, with whom Champro had a 20-year relationship, declined to follow through, Hunt said.  He turned to North Shore Community Bank (and Wintrust Business Credit), which last month provided the million credit line. “It gives us breathing room and allows us to continue to grow our business,” he said.

- The Chicago Tribune, April 12