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FIRST InSite will be unavailable on Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. CST for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.
There is severe weather in the Chicagoland area, where many of our team members are working from home and experiencing power outages.
We appreciate your patience and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
Our Story
Our Story
In 1991, Ed Wehmer opened a small storefront community bank location, in a northern Chicago suburb, with the idea to reimagine what a banking experience could be. Around the same time, Frank Burke also helped start a young company, FIRST Insurance Funding (FIRST), that was reimagining premium financing. A few years later, in 1996, the two, and a handful of other community banks Ed helped open, merged to form Wintrust.
For more than 30 years, FIRST has been offering industry-leading premium finance services in the U.S., including Puerto Rico, and Canada. But, it’s that relationship with Wintrust that helps give us one of our biggest differentiators.
Our tie to Wintrust allows us to offer our partners complete financial solutions. We can provide perpetuation and acquisition lending, treasury management solutions, corporate plan services, capital leasing, and life insurance premium financing. We truly understand how to serve independent, middle to upper market insurance agents, brokers, and their business clients and we can provide a full range of services other premium financing companies can’t.
Wintrust Founder & CEO Edward J. Wehmer (left) and FIRST Chairman Frank Burke (right) in the early days. Ed and Frank are credited with the foundational work that created the Wintrust and FIRST that we recognize today.
More than $12 BILLION in loans financed annually
More than 30 years in business
One of the largest premium finance companies in North America
Over 350,000 loans written annually in U.S. and Canada
More than 40 Relationship Managers across the nation
Authorized to lend in all 50 states, the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada
Backed by the financial muscle of Wintrust, a $52+ billion financial holding company
Technology customized to meet your needs
Our Community Involvement
We work hard to support local organizations and national causes, including March of Dimes, Catholic Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Habitat for Humanity, and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.
Timeline
Meet Our Leadership
Mark Steenberg
CEO, Property & Casualty Division
Mark joined FIRST in 2000 and has more than 30 years of insurance industry experience. Prior to joining FIRST, he was a senior leader at Kemper Insurance in Long Grove, IL. As CEO, Mark directs FIRST’s growth through operational advancements, innovations in technology,...
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Jim Miller
EVP & Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Jim has spent his entire career in the financial services industry including commercial leasing, marine wholesale finance, and more than 35 years in the commercial P&C premium finance space. Jim oversees both our Sales and Marketing teams and helps manage the agency...
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Kim Malizia
EVP & Chief Administration Officer
Kim has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years. She has spent the last 20 years at FIRST, after working at Kemper Insurance in accounting and treasury management roles. As FIRST’s CAO, she oversees several operational departments and leads project...
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Jon Wicks
EVP & Chief Operating Officer
Jon has more than 20 years of premium finance industry experience serving FIRST in a variety of roles. He began his career at FIRST in asset management, then inside sales and quoting. As COO, he oversees the inside sales, credit, loan operations, and integrated...
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Mark Lucas
EVP & Chief Asset Management Officer
Mark has been with FIRST for more than 25 years. He has extensive experience in operations, mergers and acquisitions, asset management, and with our niche vendors and program services. In his current role, he is responsible for FIRST’s commercial collections...
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Ben Rubin
EVP & Chief Risk Officer
Ben Rubin has been a member of the Wintrust family for 15+ years. Ben led the Wintrust Insurance Banking team for 9 years as SVP at Lake Forest Bank & Trust, one of Wintrust’s largest banks. Prior to joining FIRST as CRO, he was Head of Mergers &...
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Dominique Sawko
EVP & General Counsel
Dominique joined FIRST Insurance Funding in 2011. She oversees the company’s Legal Department and manages day-to-day legal affairs, regulatory matters, contract negotiations, transactional matters, and litigation. Prior to joining FIRST, Dominique’s legal career focused on...
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Dana French
EVP, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Dana French's career at Wintrust began at FIRST Insurance Funding in 2004, where she advanced through the ranks to Senior Vice President Controller. Transitioning to Wintrust's Finance Shared Services team, Dana served as SVP of Finance Operations before returning...
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