Wintrust suspends lobby service at branches

ROSEMONT - Wintrust Financial Corp. said it will suspend lobby service at most of its branch locations amid concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Banking services will be provided through drive-up facilities and ATMs, as well as through Wintrust's online and digital banking tools, the banking group said a statement. Most branch lobbies will be closed to all clients and non-essential visitors, officials said. Six branch lobbies will remain open to visitors, principally in neighborhoods with limited access to other banking services.

Clients can call their branch to make an appointment for services, such as safe deposit box access, that cannot be completed at the drive-up. If a branch does not have a drive-up, Wintrust encourages clients to visit another branch with a drive-up, call their branch, or use Wintrust's online banking tools where bills can be paid, funds transferred, and other transactions performed 24/7 from the safety of their homes.

Wintrust operaetes more than 180 community-focused banks under 15 subsidiaries across the Chicago metropolitan area and Wisconsin. For more information on specific locations, visit www.wintrust.com

Wintrust joins a number of banks that have taken similar actions this week. JP Morgan Chase closed 20% of its Chicago and suburban branches on Thursday, according to published reports, while BMO Harris suspended lobby service at 151 branches and closed another 43 locations. Only 23 BMO Harris branches are offering full service