Wintrust Financial Corporation Announces Plans to Acquire Community Financial Shares, Inc.

Wintrust Financial Corporation ("Wintrust")

today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Community Financial Shares, Inc. ("CFIS") (OTC US:CFIS). CFIS is the parent company of Community Bank-Wheaton/Glen Ellyn ("CBWGE"), an Illinois-state chartered bank, which operates four banking locations in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Since its formation in 1994, CBWGE has an exemplary history of serving its community. As of December 31, 2014 it had approximately $343 million in assets and approximately $310 million in deposits. CBWGE's approach to customer service is similar to that at each of the fifteen Wintrust Community Banks and their more than 140 banking locations. Like the Wintrust banks, CBWGE emphasizes high quality products and prides itself on top notch, highly personalized customer service. Edward J. Wehmer, President and CEO of Wintrust, said, "This transaction provides a wonderful opportunity to expand and complement our existing market presence in the communities of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We look forward to the combined synergies that our two firms can realize in the local communities while providing CBWGE's customers with an expanded array of products and services. Upon completion of the transaction, Wintrust will have six branch