EXHIBIT 99.1


                                 REVOCABLE PROXY

                          FIRST NORTHWEST BANCORP, INC.

                         SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

         The undersigned hereby appoints [________________] and
[_______________] and each of them as proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full
power of substitution, to attend and vote as proxies for the undersigned at a
Special Meeting of the Stockholders of First Northwest Bancorp, Inc. (the
"Meeting"), to be held on [__________], 2005, at [____________________________],
at [____] [__].m., local time, and any and all adjournments and postponements
thereof, the number of shares of First Northwest Bancorp, Inc. ("First
Northwest") held by the undersigned on [_________] [__], 2005, which the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present, for the
following purposes:

         1.       The approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
                  November 17, 2004 by and between First Northwest and Wintrust
                  Financial Corporation (the "Merger Agreement") which provides
                  for the merger of First Northwest with and into Wintrust
                  Financial Corporation.

                     /__/ FOR            /__/ AGAINST         /__/ ABSTAIN

         2.       The approval to adjourn the Meeting in the event that an
                  insufficient number of shares are present in person or by
                  proxy to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions it
                  contemplates to permit further solicitation.

                     /__/ FOR            /__/ AGAINST         /__/ ABSTAIN

         3.       In accordance with their discretion, the proxies may vote upon
                  all other matters that may properly come before said meeting
                  and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

                       (continued and to be signed on the reverse side)


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         THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE
SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE
TRANSACTIONS IT CONTEMPLATES. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING,
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY IN THEIR BEST JUDGMENT. AT
THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE
PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
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           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         This proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by: (i) filing
with the Secretary of First Northwest at or before the Meeting a written notice
of revocation bearing a later date than this proxy; (ii) duly executing a
subsequent proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to the Secretary
of First Northwest at or before the Meeting; or (iii) attending the Meeting and
voting in person (although attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself
constitute revocation of this proxy). If this proxy is properly revoked as
described above, then the power of such attorneys and proxies shall be deemed
terminated and of no further force and effect.

         The undersigned acknowledges receipt from First Northwest, prior to the
execution of this proxy, of Notice of the Special Meeting and a Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

         Date:______________________, 2005           ___________________________
                                                     PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER


                                                     ___________________________
                                                     SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER


                                                     ___________________________
                                                     PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER


                                                     ___________________________
                                                     SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER


                                                     Please sign exactly as your
                                                     name appears on this card.
                                                     When signing as attorney,
                                                     executor, administrator,
                                                     trustee or guardian, please
                                                     give your full title. If
                                                     shares are held jointly,
                                                     each holder should sign.


                  ____________________________________________

                  PLEASE PROMPTLY COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL
                THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE

                  ____________________________________________

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