Wintrust Financial Corporation announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014. The company reported a net income of $38.1 million or $0.75 per diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to net income of $40.2 million or $0.79 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2014 and $35.3 million or $0.70 per diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2013. For the fourth quarter of 2014, net interest income totaled $153.7 million, an increase of $2.0 million as compared to the third quarter of 2014 and an increase of $11.4 million as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. The changes in net interest income on both a sequential and linked quarter basis are the result of the net interest income increased $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Net interest income increased $11.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. Net revenue was $211.376 million against $188.669 million a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.78% against 0.78% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 7.51% against 7.56% a year ago. Book value per common share was $41.52 against $38.47 per share a year ago. Income before taxes was $61.802 million against $57.822 million a year ago. Net income applicable to common shares was $36.553 million against $33.707 million a year ago.

The company recorded net income of $151.4 million or $2.98 per diluted common share in 2014 compared to net income of $137.2 million or $2.75 per diluted common share in 2013. Net interest income totaled $598.6 million for 2014, an increase of $47.9 million as compared to 2013. The increase in net interest income was due to: Average earning assets for 2014 increased by $1.2 billion compared to 2013. The average earning asset growth of $1.2 billion in 2014, partially offset by a five basis point decrease in yield on earning assets, resulted in an increase in total interest income of $40.6 million in 2014 compared to 2013. Funding mix improved as average interest bearing deposits increased $623.7 million, average demand deposits increased $574.6 million and average wholesale borrowings decreased $105.5 million in 2014 compared to 2013. Return on average assets was 0.81% against 0.79% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 7.77% against 7.56% a year ago. Net income applicable to common shares was $145.075 million against $128.815 million a year ago. Net revenue was $813.815 million against $773.024 million a year ago.

For the quarter, the company reported net charge-offs of $5.868 million against $14.479 million a year ago.