WTI was founded in 1931 and is 100% owned by Wintrust Bank, N.A., a subsidiary of Wintrust Financial
Corporation.
WTI offers investment advisory, brokerage and insurance services. WTI is registered as an
investment adviser with the SEC, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(“FINRA”) and is licensed to sell insurance in the states where it does so. WTI offers these services
to a variety of individuals, trusts, non‐profit organizations, corporations and retirement accounts.
The terms “client”, “you”, and “your” are used throughout this Brochure to refer to the person(s) or
organization(s) who contract with us for the services described here.
Securities transactions for WTI clients are executed by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (“WFCS”)
through a brokerage account opened at WTI. WTI is an introducing broker for your account; WFCS
is the clearing broker and custodian for securities transactions executed as part of WTI’s investment
advisory services.
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual
retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement
accounts. The way we make money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a
special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours.
Description of Advisory Services
WTI provides investment management services to individual and institutional clients on a personalized
basis, addressing a particular client’s circumstances through one or more of the following programs:
i. Wells Fargo Advisors Investment Advisory Services (collectively “the Programs”)
o Personalized Unified Managed Account (“UMA”)
▪ Personalized UMA Multi Strategy
▪ Personalized UMA Single Strategy
o Private Advisor Network (“Network”)
o Private Investment Management (“PIM”)
o Customized Portfolios
o Asset Advisor
o Custom Choice
o FundSource
ii. Wintrust Navigator Personal Financial Planning
iii. Wintrust Navigator Divorce Planning
iv. WTI Institutional Advisory Services
i. Wells Fargo Advisors Investment Advisory Services Programs
The Programs consist of separately managed account (i.e., “wrap”) programs provided to clients for an
inclusive fee, including a mutual fund asset allocation program and discretionary investment advisory
services for an advisory fee with the client paying separately for brokerage.
WTI offers the Programs through an arrangement with Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors is a
trade name used by WFCS and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, separate registered broker-
dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. Under the Programs:
(1) A WTI investment adviser representative (“Adviser Representative”) considers a client’s
pertinent financial and demographic information to develop an investment program that meets
the client’s goals and objectives;
(2) Excluding the PIM, Asset Advisor, and Custom Choice Programs, the Adviser Representative
analyzes client investment objectives, time horizon, liquidity needs, and financial information
and recommends an appropriate asset allocation and strategy, which may include use of various
sub-managers and investment vehicles such as mutual funds, based on the client’s goals and
objectives, investment time horizon, tolerance for risk and other factors deemed pertinent to
the client’s individual situation;
(3) For all Programs except Asset Advisor and Custom Choice, the sub-manager, Adviser
Representative or the investment manager of the investment vehicle, as applicable, provides
continuous investment management services on a discretionary basis with respect to the cash
and securities in the client’s accounts under the Programs (the “Accounts”);
(4) Wells Fargo Advisors, the sub-manager or Adviser Representative, as applicable, through WFCS,
effects transactions in securities for the client’s Accounts; and
(5) WFCS maintains custody of the client’s assets under the Program.
For the services offered under the Programs (with the exception of the Network Program), the client
pays an all-inclusive fee out of which WTI pays itself, Wells Fargo Advisors, the sub-manager (as
applicable) and WFCS. In the case of Network, Wells Fargo Advisors may be compensated for its
services either from a fee, which is payment for both the Network services and execution services, or
through brokerage commissions. Network clients pay for the services of the sub-manager separately.
Each Program (with the exceptions of Asset Advisor and Custom Choice) is a discretionary asset
allocation service. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement each client enters into with WTI
and Wells Fargo Advisors, in all Programs except for PIM you grant Wells Fargo Advisors discretionary
authority to invest and reinvest all assets in your Account, subject to review by your Adviser
Representative. In the case of PIM, you grant your Adviser Representative discretionary authority to
invest and reinvest all assets in your Account, subject to review by WTI. Such discretion will be
exercised in accordance with your goals and objectives, as discussed above. Accordingly, Wells Fargo
Advisors or WTI is empowered to buy, sell or to otherwise effect transactions in securities for your
Accounts at any time without prior consultation with you, and may delegate such authority to sub-
managers. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement for the Personalized UMA Program and
the FundSource Program, we will inform Wells Fargo Advisors whenever you notify us of any changes to
your financial information and investment objectives.
When you invest through the PIM, Asset Advisor and Custom Choice Programs, an Adviser
Representative acts as portfolio manager for your Account. Asset Advisor and Custom Choice are non-
discretionary programs in which your WTI Adviser Representative will make investment
recommendations based on your investor profile information and objectives. WTI will not implement
such recommendations without your prior approval.
The investment management services that WTI and/or Wells Fargo Advisors provide under each
Program include:
• Assessment of the client’s investment needs and objectives.
• Investment policy planning.
• Development of an asset allocation strategy designed to meet the client’s objectives.
• Recommendations on suitable style allocations.
• Identification of appropriate sub-managers, investment vehicles, asset classes and/or securities
suitable to the client’s goals.
• Evaluation of sub-managers, investment vehicles, asset classes and/or securities meeting style
and allocation criteria.
• Engaging selected sub-managers and/or investing in selected investment vehicles, asset classes
and/or securities on behalf of the client (for all Programs except Asset Advisor and Custom
Choice).
• Ongoing monitoring of performance of individual sub-managers, investment vehicles, asset
classes and/or securities.
• Review of the Accounts to ensure adherence to policy guidelines and asset allocation.
• Recommendations for rebalancing of the Accounts, if necessary.
• Reporting of the Accounts’ performance and progress.
• Avoidance of wash sale rule violations.
• Fully integrated back-office support systems, including custody, trade execution and
confirmation and statement generation through WFCS.
Wells Fargo Advisors may retain sub-managers to manage the Accounts. In some cases, sub-managers
construct a model portfolio which is used to invest client assets. WTI will provide you a copy of each
applicable sub-manager’s Part 2A of Form ADV or disclosure brochure. Regardless of Account type, your
contact source is your Adviser Representative and sub-managers are generally not required to make
themselves available to individual clients.
The Programs (with the exceptions of Asset Advisor and Custom Choice, which are non-discretionary
programs) are intended to comply with Rule 3a-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Rule 3a-4
sets forth certain requirements for programs that offer discretionary portfolio management services to a
large number of clients if clients with similar investment objectives receive the same investment advice
or hold the same or substantially the same securities in their accounts. Each Account is managed on the
basis of the client’s individual financial situation. Each client has the opportunity to select the Account’s
investment objective and impose reasonable restrictions on the management of the assets in the
Account. In addition, WTI contacts clients annually to confirm the accuracy of their investor profile
information.
Additional information regarding the Wells Fargo Advisors Wrap Programs can be found in the Brochure
Appendix.
ii. Wintrust Navigator Personal Financial Planning
Our financial planning services typically involve a variety of advisory services aimed at managing a
client’s financial resources based upon an analysis of their individual needs. Financial planning services
include, but are not limited to, cash flow management, retirement planning, tax planning, risk
management, education funding, estate planning, and more. Our financial planning services can range
from broad, comprehensive financial planning consisting of three or more of these services that is based
on an ongoing relationship, to hourly consulting for a specific project.
Comprehensive financial planning involves working one-on-one with us over an extended period of
time. The comprehensive financial planning process focuses on your goals and values around money.
During the process, we require you to provide an adequate level of information and supporting
documentation in order for us to provide advisory services. Once your information is reviewed and
analyzed, we create a broad based or modular plan and present you a summary of our
recommendations. You are under no obligation to act on our financial planning recommendations, but
the success of your plan is contingent on your engagement in the process and following through on the
recommendations.
If a comprehensive financial planning approach is not suitable or does not meet your needs, a limited
scope engagement is available. Our hourly rate will apply for any limited scope engagement. For a
limited scope engagement, the scope of services will be agreed to in advance and an approximate range
of hours will be provided.
Financial planning services include, but are not limited to:
Cash Flow and Debt Management (2-10 hours):
We will conduct a review of your income and expenses to determine your current surplus or deficit
along with advice on prioritizing how any surplus should be used or how to reduce expenses if they
exceed your income. Advice may also be provided on which debts to pay off first based on factors
such as the interest rate of the debt and any income tax ramifications. We may also recommend
what we believe to be an appropriate cash reserve that should be considered for emergencies and
other financial goals, along with a review of accounts (such as money market funds) for such
reserves, plus strategies to save desired amounts.
College Savings (2-10 hours):
Includes projecting the amount that will be needed to achieve college or other post-secondary
education funding goals, along with advice on ways for you to save the desired amount.
Recommendations as to savings strategies are included, and, if applicable, we may review your
financial picture as it relates to the best way to contribute to grandchildren.
Employee Benefits Optimization (2-10 hours):
We may provide review and analysis as to whether you, as an employee, are taking the maximum
advantage possible of your employee benefits. This will include a review of the benefits program,
identifying savings maximization using the company match, and tracking of additional benefits such
as stock options and restricted stock awards.
Business Owner (5-30 hours):
If you are a business owner, we may consider and or recommend the various benefit programs that
can be structured to meet both business and personal retirement goals. In addition, we will make
recommendations
regarding succession planning, disability, and retirement plans for employees.
Estate Planning (5-30 hours):
This usually includes an analysis of your exposure to estate taxes and your current estate plan,
which may include whether you have a will, powers of attorney, trusts and other related
documents. Our advice also typically includes ways for you to minimize or avoid future estate taxes
by implementing appropriate estate planning strategies such as the use of applicable trust.
We always recommend that you consult with a qualified attorney when you initiate, update, or
complete estate planning activities. We may provide you with contact information for attorneys
who specialize in estate planning when you wish to hire an attorney for such purposes. From time to
time, we will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your attorney with your
approval or request.
Financial Goals (5-25 hours):
We will help clients identify financial goals and develop a plan to reach them. We will identify what
you plan to accomplish, what resources you will need to make it happen, how much time you will
need to reach the goal, and how much you should budget for your goal both in the short term and
the long term.
Risk Management (2-10 hours):
A risk management review may include an analysis of your exposure to major risks that could have a
significant adverse impact on your financial picture, such as premature death, disability, property
and casualty losses, or the need for long term care planning. Advice may be provided on ways to
minimize such risks and about weighing the costs of purchasing insurance versus the benefits of
doing so and, likewise, the potential cost of not purchasing insurance (“self‐insuring”).
Investment Analysis (5 – 25 hours):
This may involve developing an asset allocation strategy to meet clients’ financial goals and risk-
tolerance, providing information on investment vehicles and strategies, reviewing employee stock
options, as well as assisting you in establishing your own investment account at a selected
broker/dealer or custodian. The strategies and types of investments we may recommend are further
discussed in Item 8 of this brochure.
Retirement Planning (5–30 hours):
Our retirement planning services typically include projections of your likelihood of achieving your
financial goals, typically focusing on financial independence as the primary objective. For situations
where projections show less than the desired results, we may make recommendations, including
those that may impact the original projections by adjusting certain variables (i.e., working longer,
saving more, spending less, taking more risk with investments).
If you are near retirement or already retired, advice may be given on appropriate distribution
strategies to minimize the likelihood of running out of money or having to adversely alter spending
during your retirement years.
Tax Planning Strategies (5–30 hours):
Advice may include ways to minimize current and future income taxes as a part of your overall
financial planning picture. For example, we may make recommendations on which type of
account(s) or specific investments should be owned based in part on their “tax efficiency,” with
consideration that there is always a possibility of future changes to federal, state or local tax laws
and rates that may impact your situation. We recommend that you consult with a qualified tax
professional before initiating any tax planning strategy, and we may provide you with contact
information for accountants or attorneys who specialize in this area if you wish to hire someone for
such purposes. We will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your tax professional
with your approval.
Wells Fargo Advisors does not sponsor or advise WTI in connection with its financial planning services.
Implementation
If you retain us to implement a financial plan, our advisory personnel may also design and construct an
investment portfolio that is consistent with your financial objectives. As part of this service, your Adviser
Representative will recommend specific investments to be included in your portfolio. While determined
in large measure by your individual goals/objectives, our portfolio design philosophy is a process of
strategic asset allocation among three asset classes: fixed income, equities and alternative investments.
As part of a financial plan, an Adviser Representative may recommend changes to a client’s health, life,
disability or long-term care insurance coverage. Clients may elect to implement the insurance advice by
purchasing a policy through one of our representatives in their capacity as a licensed insurance agent of
various insurance agencies or companies.
Brokerage execution will be conducted through WFCS with WTI as introducing broker. Brokerage
commissions may be assessed. Transactional fees are in addition to financial planning fees. See Items 11
and 12 below for more information on our conflicts of interest and brokerage practices.
iii. Wintrust Navigator Divorce Planning
Our Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professionals provide divorce planning services that typically
involve a variety of investment advisory services aimed at managing a client’s financial resources based
upon an analysis of their individual needs.
Comprehensive divorce planning involves working one-on-one with us over an extended period of time.
The comprehensive planning process focuses on your divorce settlement or different divorce settlement
options. During the process, we require you to provide an adequate level of information and supporting
documentation in order for us to provide advisory services. Once your information is reviewed and
analyzed, we create a broad based or modular plan and present you a summary of our
recommendations. You are under no obligation to act on our divorce planning recommendations, but
the success of your plan is contingent on your engagement in the process and following through on the
recommendations.
If our comprehensive divorce planning approach exceeds your needs, a limited scope engagement is
available. Our hourly rate will apply for any limited scope engagement. For a limited scope engagement,
the scope of services will be agreed to in advance and an approximate range of hours will be provided.
Divorce planning services include, but are not limited to:
Financial Analysis in Divorce (2-10 hours):
We will conduct a review of the marriage settlement or proposed settlements. Specifically, we will
analyze how isolated decisions can affect the big picture. Different divisions of property (equitable
or not), inflation, investment returns, debt and the long-term impact of the financial settlement. As
such, each input must be understood and analyzed as each input can significantly impact the
settlement.
Marital and Separate Property (2-10 hours):
Identify and analyze marital and separate property. We will value each asset and understand and
measure the risks and limitations of division. Moreover, we’ll determine an optimal allocation of
such assets to each party.
Division of Retirement Plans and Potential Tax Consequences (2-10 hours):
We will discover the individual retirement plans used and consider how such plans could be divided
either by plan, by the total retirement plan assets, and/or as part of the aggregate split of assets.
Specifically, we’ll correctly allocate retirement dollar against non-retirement dollars to achieve a
desired outcome; and we’ll contemplate the appropriateness of a Qualified Domestic Relations
Order. In addition, we’ll evaluate and price any defined benefit pension plan and model efficient
distribution strategies from retirement plans in a tax efficient manner. Finally, we’ll contemplate
protecting the survivor benefits for the non-employee spouse.
Spousal and Child Support (2-10 hours):
Analyze the structure of spousal and child support payments and understand the tax implications of
each for both pre-2019 divorces and after. We’ll consider how the use of life insurance might serve
to protect support payments and the proper ownership of said insurance.
IRS Sections Specific to Divorce and Filing Status (2-10 hours):
We will consider tax implications and transaction costs of a settlement offer for a myriad of
investment options and the effect of tax deferral when dividing assets or receiving spousal support.
Valuing and Selling the Marital Home (2-10 hours):
Determine if retaining the marital home is feasible after settlement. Consider the cost basis of the
home and the special tax ramifications of selling it for each party.
Wells Fargo Advisors does not sponsor or advise WTI in connection with its divorce planning services.
Implementation
If you retain us to implement a divorce plan, our advisory personnel may also design and construct an
investment portfolio that is consistent with your financial objectives. As part of this service, your Adviser
Representative will recommend specific investments to be included in your portfolio. While determined
in large measure by your individual goals/objectives, our portfolio design philosophy is a process of
strategic asset allocation among three asset classes: fixed income, equities and alternative investments.
As part of a divorce plan, an Adviser Representative may recommend changes to a client’s health, life,
disability or long-term care insurance coverage. Clients may elect to implement the insurance advice by
purchasing a policy through one of our representatives in their capacity as a licensed insurance agent of
various insurance agencies or companies.
Brokerage execution will be conducted through WFCS with WTI as introducing broker. Brokerage
commissions may be assessed. Transactional fees are in addition to financial planning fees. See Items 11
and 12 below for more information on our conflicts of interest and brokerage practices.
iv. WTI Institutional Advisory Services
WTI provides discretionary investment advisory services solely to Wintrust Financial Corporation, using
third party custodians for which the client may also pay brokerage commissions.
With this service, (1) the Portfolio Manager completes pertinent financial and demographic information
regarding the client in order to develop an investment program that meets the client’s goals and
objectives; (2) the Portfolio Manager analyzes such information and recommends an appropriate asset
allocation and strategy based on the client’s goals and objectives, investment time horizon, tolerance for
risk and other factors deemed pertinent to the client’s individual situation; (3) the Portfolio Manager
provides continuous investment management services on a discretionary basis with respect to the cash
and securities in the client’s accounts (“Account”) under the Program.
Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement between WTI and the client, the client grants WTI
discretionary authority to invest and reinvest all assets in the client’s Account. Such discretion will be
exercised in accordance with the client’s goals and objectives, as discussed above.
The investment advisory services provided by WTI under this program include:
• Assessment of the client investment needs and objectives.
• Investment policy planning.
• Development of an asset allocation strategy designed to meet the client objectives.
• Recommendations on suitable style allocations.
• Identification of appropriate investment vehicles, asset classes and/or securities suitable to the
client goals.
• Evaluation of investment vehicles, asset classes and/or securities meeting style and allocation
criteria.
• Investing in selected investment vehicles, asset classes and/or securities on behalf of the client.
• Ongoing monitoring of performance of investment vehicles, asset classes and/or securities.
• Review of the Accounts to ensure adherence to policy guidelines and asset allocation.
• Recommendations for rebalancing of the Accounts, if necessary.
• Reporting of the Accounts’ performance and progress.
• Avoidance of wash sale rule violations.
Wells Fargo Advisors does not sponsor or advise WTI under this program.
Assets Under Management
Total regulatory assets calculated as of 12/31/2023:
Discretionary: $ 9,283,903,368
Non-Discretionary: $ 5,133,924,358