Exhibit 23.3

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-119345) and related
Prospectus of Wintrust Financial Corporation and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 13, 2004, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Wintrust Financial Corporation included in
its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois
October 6, 2004