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.

Brian Grano endured six big bank name changes in the past 15 years, high turnover and an ill-timed canceled line of credit. Then, he switched from his big bank to Libertyville Bank & Trust Company. “From the receptionist to the personal bankers to the President, they all give excellent service. I recommend this bank all the time, it’s a local community bank and the service is second to none.”

As the owner of Mickey Finn’s Brewery (www.mickeyfinnsbrewery.com), Brian trusts his bank to help him achieve his goals. With 70 employees and today’s economy there are business challenges that come up. But, his bank is there to help when he needs it the most. “Libertyville Bank would never do things like the big banks,” said Brian. “The big bank took away my line of credit and then offered me two checking accounts I didn’t need.”

Now distributing their popular Amber Ale at retailers in and around Libertyville, Mickey Finn’s is a local establishment that draws people from Chicago, Milwaukee and surrounding suburbs.

Daniels Sharpsmart (www.danielsinternational.com) was one of the first companies in the world to provide reusable sharps containers (needle/syringe disposal units) to healthcare facilities. The Daniels Sharpsmart System includes re-usable containers, accessories supporting the containers, and washers used to wash and process full containers. 

These containers are designed to reduce the number of needle stick injuries, which is important to the healthcare industry. According to the result of the largest international study of the sharp containment systems, the Daniels Sharpsmart System achieved a 33% average reduction in total needle stick injuries in hospitals where it had been introduced.

In addition to a $5 million Revolving Credit & Term Loan facility, Daniels counts on Village Bank & Trust for full Treasury Management Services.

Relying on Beverly Bank & Trust for a Commercial Mortgage, Chicago Family Health Center (www.chicagofamilyhealth.org) was founded by a group of community leaders and the local Catholic church in response to a decline in health-care services in the community.

CFHC provides comprehensive, accessible primary health care to the communities of South and Southeast Chicago, regardless of individuals’ race, religion, language, gender, age, income or their ability to pay. CFHC serves more than 17,000 patients in more than 51,000 medical and dental visits and 16,000 social services visits a year.

Robertson Worldwide (www.RobertsonWW.com) is a leader in the design and manufacture of ballasts for energy efficient lighting and the largest manufacturer of compact fluorescent ballasts in the US. They earned their reputation for high-quality ballast manufacturing through constant dedication to product and process improvements. Robertson’s willingness to work with clients to solve specific problems is also widely known. Customers often approach them with unique requirements, and their experienced engineering staff is able to quickly respond with made-to-order solutions.

Robertson Worldwide also manufactures a broad line of drivers for LED lighting devices and ballasts for HID lamps. Robertson has the most complete line of Energy Star ballasts for the fluorescent lamp market and is compliant with all industry energy efficiency programs.

Making sure that they are the leader tomorrow is a prime component of the Robertson work ethic. So they went looking for a bank that matched that ethic. They found Elk Grove Village Bank & Trust and Wintrust Business Credit.

Laser Precision (www.laserprecision.com) is dedicated to providing quality, high precision products by utilizing leading edge manufacturing technologies. They are problem solvers to industry and provide expertise gained through years of manufacturing experience.

They utilize high-speed, high-powered lasers to reduce process times, CNC machining centers for precision secondary metal working, press brakes equipped with up to 8 axes of backgauge motion to minimize set-up times and a full complement of inspection equipment to ensure parts are produced to exact specifications.

They treat each job with the care necessary to ensure the customer’s total satisfaction. They needed a lender with the same philosophy. So they turned to Vernon Hills Bank & Trust.

Their Lava Lamps have been cultural icons since the 1960s.

But Lava Lite (www.lavalite.com), offers more than just the classic Lava Lamps:

“Lava Lite is a philosophy. Our fundamental principle - to produce nothing but cool. The original shape of cool™ Lava Lamps. Other cool novelty lighting.  And a  cool web site that interacts with our community of Lava aficionados as well.”

So where did “the original shape of cool” go for their credit line?  They went to Northbrook Bank & Trust and Wintrust Business Credit.