Exhibit 15

Acknowledgment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

November 4, 2016

The Board of Directors

PrivateBancorp, Inc.

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of PrivateBancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) of our report dated November 4, 2016, relating to the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company that are included in its Form 10-Q for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016:

• Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-197918) pertaining to the PrivateBancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. Strategic Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and PrivateBancorp, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan;

• Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-174840) pertaining to the PrivateBancorp, Inc. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. Strategic Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan, PrivateBancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and PrivateBancorp, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan;

• Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-166070) pertaining to the PrivateBancorp, Inc. Savings, Retirement and Employee Stock Ownership Plan;

• Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-174842) relating to the registration of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depository shares, purchase contracts, and units, and the related Prospectus and Prospectus Supplements,

• Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-184372) relating to the registration of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depository shares, purchase contracts, and units, and the related Prospectus and Prospectus Supplements, and

• Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-207909) relating to the registration of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, depository shares, purchase contracts, and units, and the related Prospects and Prospectus Supplements.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois