relationship banker

credit analyst

branch manager

teller

teller supervisor

Wintrust Financial Corporation

The training provided by the bank was exceptional, and I learned a great deal during this period. The trainers were knowledgeable and supportive, and I felt well-prepared to start my job at the assigned branch location (Hyde Park main branch).

However, once I began working at the branch, I immediately noticed a significant separation between the tellers and bankers. It was disheartening to witness the constant negative talk from the tellers about the bankers. It seemed like there was a deep animosity between the two groups, which created a toxic work environment.

Within just three days of joining the branch, I experienced a miscommunication with a teller that quickly escalated into an argument. This incident had a significant impact on my overall experience at the bank. The teller took it upon themselves to make my time at the bank unbearable by spreading rumors and talking negatively about me to other employees.

When I decided to address the issue with the manager and assistant manager, I provided them with evidence of the teller's behavior. However, to my disappointment, they did not provide any support or believe my side of the story. Their response was, "I've never heard her talk about anyone." This lack of support from the management team only added to my frustration and made me question the overall work culture at the bank.

Furthermore, I observed that when customers became upset and yelled at employees, there was a lack of support from the manager and even the security team. It was disheartening to see employees left to handle difficult situations on their own without proper guidance or assistance.

Initially, I had high hopes of progressing within the company and building a successful career. However, the negative experiences I encountered during my time at the bank made me reconsider my decision. The toxic work environment, lack of support from management, and the overall negative atmosphere ultimately discouraged me from continuing in the position.

Overall, my experience at the bank was marred by the separation between tellers and bankers, the lack of support from management, and the absence of a positive work culture. I hope that the bank takes steps to address these issues and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for its employees.

I once had the opportunity to work at Wintrust Financial Corporation, and my experience there left me with mixed feelings. While the institution had its strengths, I cannot overlook the pervasive issues stemming from certain managers and a toxic work environment. My review aims to shed light on these aspects, hoping for a better future for employees and the organization as a whole.

Toxic Management Culture

One of the most disheartening aspects of my time at Wintrust Financial Corporation was the presence of a highly toxic management culture. Some managers seemed to be more focused on maintaining their power and control over their subordinates than nurturing a collaborative and supportive work environment. These managers are unfair and dishonest, creating a hostile atmosphere, which stifled creativity, collaboration, and professional growth.

Knowledge Hoarding and Framing

What made the situation even worse was the blatant act of knowledge hoarding by certain coworkers with work visas. In order to prolong their employment there, they strategically kept vital information to themselves and manipulated situations to frame their colleagues. This unethical behavior not only damaged the careers and reputations of innocent coworkers but also hindered the institution's progress.

Cultural Pollution

The toxic culture that emanated from the actions of a few individuals poisoned the work environment, causing frustration, stress, and dissatisfaction among employees. The toxicity became so ingrained that it affected team dynamics, employee morale, and overall productivity.

Positive Aspects

However, it's important to note that not everything about my time at Wintrust Financial Corporation was negative. There were still positive aspects, such as competitive compensation packages and access to valuable resources. Additionally, some colleagues were genuinely dedicated and collaborative, making for a more tolerable work experience.


•	Provided excellent friendly customer service with continual communication with users through submission of technical tickets
•	Created and deployed new and existing user workstation images with Symantec Ghost Cast Server 2010
•	Evaluated and maintained network management software with GFI network software.
•	Worked in Active Directory to create new users, distribution groups and group policies
•	Remotely accessed users workstations to repair and diagnose workstation issues
•	Trained various employees in day to day activities and best practices per firm policies and procedures
•	Responsible for day to day and monthly back up with Symantec Back-up Exec 2012
•	Provided day to day administration and configuration of Windows Server 2003 and 2008
•	Maintained service agreements with vendors
•	Experienced in Windows XP & 7, Server 2003 and 2008, Office Suite 2007 and 2010 software environment
•	Maintained the Citrix Virtual Xen server environment with patching and day to day operations
•	Installed switches, hubs and routers to accommodate more connections for new workstations and servers
•	Posses knowledge of multiple server, workstation and communicative hardware environment

I worked at Wintrust for 4 years. At first the workpace was consistent and calm. However, due to departmental changes, we have only a fraction of the manpower while our workload has more than quadrupled. We take on more responsibility, yet not only has our compensation remained stagnant but we feel disrespected in the company. 
Upper management has taken on more projects and applications that impact our department and they don't even consider how we feel. We're treated as the "dumpster" of the company where all the problems can be just placed on our lap to clean up.

Not to mention that the financial industry will soon be transformed due to the rise of cryptocurrency and the fall of the US petro-dollar. Wintrust to my knowledge has no plans to evolve into the cryptocurrency space and I feel there will be no future here if leadership isn't completely changed.

Best job I’ve ever had. They treat employees very well and value work life balance. The main objective is to offer customers amazing customer service while efficiently and accurately managing operations. It is easy to naturally find the best products and services for customers since there’s less sales pressure from corporate. Corporate is very positive and recognizes when staff comes through in busy times. For example we just finished helping people pay property taxes and in Microsoft teams and in the branch we were praised exponentially for our efforts. Not all companies recognize those little things that go on daily but this one does. Wintrust is a holding company for many Chicagoland community banks so they are front and and center in helping the local area and customers.. you can really feel proud to work here. They are really authentic and value that 1 on 1 quality time too. If you’re someone who likes to work hard and takes pride in customer service and comradely in a positive team environment then you’ll do well here. This is a great opportunity. 

We are constantly learning about the market and how people like to spend their money.  We help those who don't have credit by building their scores and we direct others how to increase their credit by paying down debt and pay on time.  From start to finish we are available for questions, gathering documents and making sure everyone in the process does their job to get the loans to closing - on time!  Sometimes this is very difficult to do when systems are down and/or people don't provide what is required by the underwriters. Lots of letters of explanation are done to explain why things happened the way they did or why something can't be done - nothing is left to chance anymore.  The best part of the job is putting someone in a home that didn't think they could do it.  Finding someone the best loan that saves them lots of money or getting them cash out of their home to get rid of debt and live again.

A lot of opportunities to be trained and learn. Low pay & low raises. Annual bonus and raise but very low compared to other companies. Best part of the job is if you get lucky enough to work with cool people. Loan Processing manager at Rosemont is insufferable and condescending. A lot of volunteering/ fun group opportunities on the retail level (tellers/bankers), but once again incredibly UNDERPAID for their work. Hiring from within is NOT prioritized like they advertise. It is mainly men who get promoted, even if they have little to no understanding of the role. Men get paid more too. Typical Corporation- except they try to pretend they are different and “it’s like a family”. Don’t be fooled. Raises are typically chump change and tellers start at 18/hr. Bankers barely make more and have a way larger workload. Unlivable wages- do better Wintrust. 

All Wintrust cares about is that you are shoving products down customers throat that don't want them. Even if you make all your sales goals it is still never good enough. They have gotten rid of several employees for no reason what so ever. I have also noticed they make up reasons to write you up that does not make sense. I was worried about job security myself, seeing all this done to co-workers around me. I just learned to shut my mouth and do what they say knowing that someday even that would not be good enough to keep my job. They give the bare minimum for yearly raise. I have hit every sales goal for the 3 years I had worked there at the time, only to hear that I cannot negotiate my raise during the annual review. Raises are already decided. Then what is the point to have a review and sell your self on your progress? I did end up leaving due to bad management and the very poor dynamics of the company and I never looked back.

YMMV. A lot seems to depend on your manager ( mine was good, yours might not -- be sure to ask around ); except for the money. Money is tightly held by an already established in-crowd, who might throw you a bone if their back is against the wall ( but the general circle jerk is evident ). If you dare to ask for it, you be branded a diletante or, worse yet, rablerouser. I wish I was kidding.

Advancement. Well, there is very little room for advancement and oddly even less movement between roles. If you like to jump from dept. to dept., you may find yourself locked in. If you jump from company to company, it should not matter much anyway.

I can tell you who the place is good for. If you like stability, and I mean graveyard level stability, where a fixture is replaced only when it falls over, you may find Wintrust a catch. And I understand that. There is something to be said for stability.

This company pays people who are working the same positions different pay. While I know  sometimes this is determined if the individuals has a degree, more experience or has negotiated more pay, but sometimes this is not the case.  Often times this is the figure that was offered right off the back. 

You may even experience clique like behaviors. Going to company events never felt welcoming unless you wanted to attend after parties and “kiss up to” regionals.  Training was a complete waste of time.  They give you about a good week to be a banker. Wintrust does not pay for licensing, instead they like to outsource  people that have come from companies that do.  The type of management you get will help determine if experience will be good or bad. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Relationship banker 6 salaries reported	$24.50 per hour
Credit analyst 3 salaries reported	$70,000 per year
Branch manager 4 salaries reported	$85,000 per year
Teller 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour
Teller supervisor 1 salary reported	$23.00 per hour

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