Wintrust Commits to New Branch as First Private Development at Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Kelly Armstrong, President Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood 

262-351-6041 | karmstrong@kin-kenosha.org 

Amy Yuhn 

Wintrust Financial Corporation 

847-939-9591 | ayuhn@wintrust.com 

Wintrust Commits to New Branch as First Private Development at Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood 

Kenosha, WI — July 17^th, 2025 — The Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN) and Wintrust Financial Corporation announced today the first private development on the 107-acre KIN site will be a Wintrust Community Bank branch. 

The new branch will offer community-based banking solutions and will include a conference room available for community and nonprofit use, reinforcing the bank’s long-standing commitment to community service, financial education, and civic engagement. The new location is a branch of State Bank of the Lakes, which also played a key role in funding LakeView Technology Academy, a high-performing STEM high school adjacent to the site, further aligning with KIN’s focus on workforce development. 

“KIN’s mission is to drive economic development, empower entrepreneurs, and expand educational opportunity—and that’s exactly what this project represents,” said Tim Mahone, Chair of the KIN Board. “We’re proud to welcome State Bank of the Lakes not only as a financial institution but as a true community partner.” 

Through its branch locations, Wintrust works to increase access to capital, support small businesses, and invest in revitalization efforts that uplift underserved communities. 

“Our decision to build here is rooted in a belief that strong communities begin with intentional partnerships,” said Mike Deney, President & CEO of State Bank of the Lakes. “. Across our communities, Wintrust has invested in economic development, community revitalization and in helping residents create financial stability. We are proud to partner with KIN to expand our services in Kenosha.” 

City officials praised the move as a critical signal to the market that Kenosha is ready to welcome responsible, mission-aligned development. 

“This announcement represents more than bricks and mortar—it’s about momentum, trust, and shared vision,” said Mayor David Bogdala. “KIN is a model for how we grow the right way, and I commend State Bank of the Lakes for being the first to step forward.” 

The new branch is expected to open in 2026, with construction scheduled to begin later this year. 

About the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood (KIN): 

The Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood is a bold redevelopment initiative that transforms a legacy industrial site into a vibrant center for innovation, education, and inclusive economic growth. The 107-acre site will feature a dynamic mix of startups, established companies, research institutions, and civic amenities—all designed to connect people, ideas, and opportunity. 

About Wintrust 

Wintrust is a financial holding company with approximately $66 billion in assets whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Guided by its “Different Approach, Better Results” philosophy, Wintrust offers the sophisticated resources of a large bank while providing a community banking experience to each customer. Wintrust operates more than 200 retail banking locations through 16 community bank subsidiaries in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas. In addition, Wintrust operates various non-bank business units, providing residential mortgage origination, wealth management, commercial and life insurance premium financing, short-term accounts receivable financing/outsourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, and qualified intermediary services for tax-deferred exchanges. For more information, please visit www.wintrust.com.