Meet Our Board

Meet Our Board

Timothy S. Crane

President and Chief Executive Officer
Wintrust

Tim Crane is president and chief executive officer of Wintrust. Tim’s banking career spans 40 years and has touched all facets of retail, commercial, wealth management, and investment banking. In his current position, he draws upon all these experiences to lead Wintrust’s $52 billion portfolio of diverse financial services businesses.

Tim joined Wintrust in 2008 and, among other responsibilities, managed all of Wintrust’s 15 banks with over 170 locations. During his nearly 15-year career at Wintrust, he has been responsible for a banking business that has grown by $45 billion. Wintrust’s distinct community bank structure has led to customer satisfaction scores among the highest in the industry and recognition that includes several J.D. Power (Consumer) and Greenwich (Commercial) banking awards.

Prior to Wintrust, Tim spent 24 years at Bank of Montreal/Harris Bank, culminating in the position of President of Harris Bancorp’s network of 21 banks with nearly 200 locations.

He has his MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (finance/pre-med). Additionally, he has completed executive leadership programs at the Ivy School in Toronto, Canada and Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business.

Committing to Hard Work and Clear Goals

Tim has abided by several principles that have driven success:

  • Accountability: A commitment to responsibility – personal, toward teammates, and to Wintrust.
  • Competitiveness: An emphasis on success and a belief in the importance of measurement.
  • Clarity in Communication: A belief in setting clear targets and effective communication.
  • Preparation: A strong inclination toward meticulous preparation and attention to detail.

Success Through Determination and Preparation

Tim believes success lies in these personal reflections:

  • “Do what you say you are going to do.” – A reflection of accountability and promise-keeping.
  • “Work through difficult situations.” – Advocacy for mental toughness and resilience.
  • “People can tell if you are prepared.” – The significance of genuine effort versus going through the motions.

Supporting the Community and Philanthropy

Tim is active in the community and banking industry. He currently serves on boards of Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago United, and DePaul University, as well as the Bank Administration Institute. He is an active member of The Bankers Club of Chicago.

Personal Interests

Tim enjoys spending time outdoors, especially fishing and playing golf. He is an ardent fan of both the Chicago and Milwaukee baseball teams. He resides in Chicagoland with his wife, Marley, and their rescue dog, Lucy. He has two adult children.