EXHIBIT 23.2

                    CONSENT OF WILLIAM BLAIR & COMPANY, LLC


         We consent to the inclusion in the combined proxy statement of
Northview Financial Corporation and the prospectus of Wintrust Financial
Corporation, as a part of the registration statement on Form S-4 of Wintrust
Financial Corporation, of our letter opinion dated May 10, 2004, and to the
reference to our firm and summarization of our opinion in the proxy
statement/prospectus under the captions DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER -- Background
of the merger, Fairness Opinion of Northview's Financial Advisor. By giving such
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of
such proxy statement/prospectus or registration statement within the meaning of
the term "expert" as used in, or that would come within the category of persons
whose consent is required under, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated
thereunder.



                                        /s/ William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
                                        -----------------------------------
                                          William Blair & Company, L.L.C.


Chicago, Illinois
July 29, 2004