Wintrust Financial Appointed New Community Bank CEOs

The bank holding company realigned executive leadership across its Lake Forest and Libertyville branches.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People

Wintrust Financial Appointed New Community Bank CEOs

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Do you trust that leadership changes at your local bank will maintain your service quality?

Wintrust Financial Corporation has appointed new leadership for its North Shore community banks, naming Stephen L. Madden to head Lake Forest Bank and George Reimnitz to lead Libertyville Bank. The moves follow the departure of Chris Baker, who left Lake Forest Bank to pursue opportunities outside of the banking sector.

Why it matters

Internal leadership transitions at regional financial institutions often signal shifts in local lending strategy or branch operations. These appointments reflect Wintrust's focus on retaining institutional knowledge by promoting long-tenured managers within its subsidiary structure.

The leadership shuffle involves two CEO appointments at established subsidiaries within the Wintrust Financial Corporation network. Both new appointees have been with the parent firm for more than a decade, with Madden joining in 2000 and Reimnitz in 2010.

The players

Wintrust Financial Corporation

A financial holding company that operates a network of community banks throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Stephen L. Madden

A long-tenured Wintrust executive who has served the company since 2000 and now leads Lake Forest Bank.

George Reimnitz

A financial executive with Wintrust since 2010 who now leads Libertyville Bank after serving at Crystal Lake Bank.

Chris Baker

The former CEO of Lake Forest Bank who departed the firm to pursue interests outside of the financial industry.

The details

Stephen L. Madden, formerly the leader of Libertyville Bank and Trust, has transitioned to the top role at Lake Forest Bank and Trust. He is succeeded at Libertyville by George Reimnitz, who previously served as president of Crystal Lake Bank and Trust. These moves ensure that all executive roles are filled by internal veterans who have worked within the Wintrust banking model for at least 16 years.

Stephen L. Madden joined Wintrust in 2000.
George Reimnitz joined Wintrust in 2010.
Wintrust announced the leadership changes on October 1, 2026.

Market Landscape

This reorganization follows the pattern of regional bank holding companies leveraging long-tenured internal talent to maintain operational continuity across subsidiary banks. It reflects a wider industry focus on stabilizing community-level leadership amid ongoing executive turnover in the financial sector.

Operators who rely on these specific Wintrust subsidiaries for commercial lending or treasury services should review their current account officer assignments. Monitor any subsequent changes to loan approval workflows or regional lending caps that may accompany new leadership mandates.

The takeaway

Internal executive shuffling at mature financial holding companies is a tool for preserving organizational culture and lending standards. Business owners should maintain direct communication with their relationship managers during leadership transitions to ensure continuity in credit availability.