Chicago, Ill. (September 21, 2022) – Wintrust Bank, N.A., a Wintrust Community Bank, was nationally recognized by the American Bankers Association Foundation with a 2022 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Award for partnering with the North Lawndale Employment Network to establish a branch at the community organization’s new headquarters. The award was given to Wintrust Bank for its efforts in the Economic Inclusion category and will be presented during ABA’s Annual Convention on Oct. 4 in Austin, Texas.

Wintrust Bank has partnered with North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) to open a sustainable branch in the community organization’s headquarters, workforce training campus, and financial education center in North Lawndale, a historically disinvested Chicago neighborhood. In addition to making financial services such as deposit accounts, mortgages, and business loans more accessible to underserved residents, this successful collaboration is helping to expand opportunities for long-term wealth and prosperity on the city’s West Side.

Entries were submitted in seven categories including affordable housing, community and economic development, financial education, economic inclusion, protecting older Americans, supporting military families and volunteerism. Award winners were chosen by a field of nationally-recognized experts.

The selection committee chose the winning banks based on the creativity and thoughtfulness of programs — traditional or innovative in nature and structure — that embody the ideals of corporate social responsibility and demonstrate success in measurable terms.

“We received many strong entries this year but Wintrust Bank and its Wintrust Bank NLEN Branch stood out among the pack,” said Lindsay Torrico, executive director, ABA Foundation. “It’s wonderful to see an organization identify a need within its community and immediately get to work. We applaud Wintrust Bank for its unwavering commitment to community and hope others throughout the industry will be inspired to give back and drive community change.”

“Wintrust Bank and our employees are always working to find new and innovative ways to make a difference in our community,” said Chad Steinke, head of retail, Wintrust Bank. “As part of the larger Wintrust Community Bank family, we were built in this area, for this area. We are honored and grateful to accept this award for our efforts.”

To learn more about the ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards, visit aba.com/awards.

About Wintrust Bank, N.A.

Wintrust Bank, N.A., provides a full range of financial solutions to both individuals and businesses in the area. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit us at https://www.wintrustbank.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/WintrustBank.