WestAmerica Mortgage Company Lands Top Industry Talent to Lead Growth and Development

WestAmerica Mortgage Company, a subsidiary of Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: WTFC) has announced that John Morelli has recently joined the Executive Management team at the company. As the Director of Corporate Strategy and Development, Mr. Morelli will lead WestAmerica's corporate development, business process improvement, and new business development efforts.

“The organization is privileged to have such a well respected individual join the executive team. We expect John to have an immediate impact on the way we do business. His knowledge of the mortgage industry and entrepreneurial spirit are what make John such an attractive partner for us. He is well known within the mortgage banking community and brings tremendous experience in corporate leadership and development”.

John Morelli has over 12 years of industry experience and has held senior management positions in Capital Markets, Risk Management, Operations and Retail Production with industry leaders American Home Mortgage, Main Street Home Mortgage, and National City.

About WestAmerica Mortgage Company

WestAmerica has been in business since 1978, and merged with Lake Forest, IL based Wintrust Financial Corporation in 2004. WestAmerica Mortgage Company was recognized as one of the largest privately held mortgage lenders in the nation and, according to Crain's Chicago Business, WAMC was the largest residential mortgage lender in the Chicago area based on 2002 total residential real estate loan volume.