Associated Banc-Corp Reports Third Quarter 2026 Earnings of $0.76 Per Common Share, or $0.81 Per Common Share1 Excluding Nonrecurring Items Recognized During the Quarter

Results fueled by deposit growth, margin expansion, enhanced profitability, and improving return profile.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- October 22, 2026 -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) ("Associated" or "Company") today reported net income available to common equity ("earnings") of $144 million, or $0.76 per common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2026. These amounts compare to earnings of $121 million, or $0.63 per common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 and earnings of $122 million, or $0.73 per common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.

The Company's results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 were impacted by several nonrecurring expenses associated with the acquisition of American National Corporation that closed on April 1, 2026. Excluding the impact of these nonrecurring items, the Company reported adjusted earnings of $154 million, or $0.81 per common share1.

“Across the Company, we remain focused on attracting and deepening relationships to drive sustainable organic growth, enhance our profitability and improve our return profile,” said President & CEO Andy Harmening. “In the third quarter, we maintained our momentum with strong core customer deposit1 growth, net interest margin expansion, fee income growth, and a strong bottom line--all of which gave us the confidence to execute $100 million in share repurchases during the quarter. We also recently completed the conversion of American National Corporation, giving us another lever to drive organic growth in attractive markets like Omaha and the Twin Cities.”

“Our Company is on an upward trajectory, and our leadership team is currently finalizing plans for the next wave of strategic initiatives to sustain our momentum into 2027 and beyond. We look forward to sharing additional information in the coming months.”

Third Quarter 2026 Highlights

•Period end total loans of $36.5 billion (+0.1% vs. 2Q 2026; +18% vs. 3Q 2025) •Period end commercial & industrial loans of $13.8 billion (+0.4% vs. 2Q 2026; +19% vs. 3Q 2025) •Period end total deposits of $40.4 billion (+1% vs. 2Q 2026; +16% vs. 3Q 2025) •Period end core customer deposits1 of $34.8 billion (+2% vs. 2Q 2026; +21% vs. 3Q 2025) •Net interest income of $377 million (+2% vs. 2Q 2026; +24% vs. 3Q 2025) •Net interest margin of 3.20% •Noninterest income of $87 million •Noninterest expense of $260 million •Provision for credit losses of $14 million •Allowance for credit losses on loans / total loans of 1.34% •Net charge offs / average loans (annualized) of 0.19% •Repurchased $100 million (3.2 million shares) of ASB common stock at a weighted avg. share price of $30.88 1 This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See financial tables for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.

Loans

Third quarter 2026 average total loans of $36.2 billion increased 1%, or $327 million, from the prior quarter and increased 18%, or $5.4 billion, from the same period last year. With respect to third quarter 2026 average balances by loan category:

•Commercial and business lending increased $227 million from the prior quarter and increased $2.5 billion from the same period last year to $15.0 billion.

•Commercial real estate lending increased $161 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.8 billion from the same period last year to $9.1 billion.

•Consumer lending decreased $61 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.1 billion from the same period last year to $12.1 billion.

Third quarter 2026 period end total loans of $36.5 billion increased $53 million from the prior quarter and increased 18%, or $5.6 billion, from the same period last year. With respect to third quarter 2026 period end balances by loan category:

•Commercial and business lending increased $80 million from the prior quarter and increased $2.7 billion from the same period last year to $15.4 billion.

•Commercial real estate lending increased $57 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.8 billion from the same period last year to $9.1 billion.

•Consumer lending decreased $85 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.1 billion from the same period last year to $12.0 billion.

We continue to expect 2026 period end loan growth of 18% to 20% as compared to Associated's standalone results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Deposits

Third quarter 2026 average deposits of $41.0 billion increased 1%, or $584 million, from the prior quarter and increased 18%, or $6.3 billion, from the same period last year. With respect to third quarter 2026 average balances by deposit category:

•Noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased $309 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.6 billion from the same period last year to $7.4 billion.

•Savings increased $141 million from the prior quarter and increased $850 million from the same period last year to $6.2 billion.

•Interest-bearing demand deposits increased $315 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.1 billion from the same period last year to $9.0 billion.

•Money market deposits decreased $23 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.8 billion from the same period last year to $7.6 billion.

•Brokered CDs decreased $165 million from the prior quarter and increased $4 million from the same period last year to $3.9 billion.

•Other time deposits increased $17 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.0 billion from the same period last year to $5.0 billion.

•Network transaction deposits decreased $11 million from the prior quarter and decreased $65 million from the same period last year to $1.9 billion.

•Core customer deposits1 increased $760 million from the prior quarter and increased $6.3 billion from the same period last year to $35.2 billion.

Third quarter 2026 period end deposits of $40.4 billion increased 1%, or $450 million, from the prior quarter and increased 16%, or $5.5 billion, from the same period last year. With respect to third quarter 2026 period end balances by deposit category:

•Noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased $6 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.0 billion from the same period last year to $6.9 billion.

•Savings increased $44 million from the prior quarter and increased $835 million from the same period last year to $6.2 billion.

•Interest-bearing demand deposits increased $398 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.3 billion from the same period last year to $9.1 billion.

•Money market deposits increased $41 million from the prior quarter and increased $1.9 billion from the same period last year to $7.7 billion.

•Brokered CDs decreased $144 million from the prior quarter and decreased $166 million from the same period last year to $3.8 billion.

•Other time deposits increased $181 million from the prior quarter and increased $917 million from the same period last year to $5.0 billion.

•Network transaction deposits decreased $78 million from the prior quarter and decreased $269 million from the same period last year to $1.7 billion.

•Core customer deposits1 increased $671 million from the prior quarter and increased $5.9 billion from the same period last year to $34.8 billion.

We continue to expect 2026 period end total deposit growth of 17% to 19% and period end core customer deposit growth of 19% to 21% as compared to Associated's standalone results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Third quarter 2026 net interest income of $377 million increased $7 million from the prior quarter and increased $72 million from the same period last year. The net interest margin of 3.20% was a 3 basis point increase from the prior quarter and a 16 basis point increase from the same period last year.

•The average yield on total loans for the third quarter of 2026 remained flat from the prior quarter and decreased 22 basis points from the same period last year to 5.67%.

•The average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities for the third quarter of 2026 increased 1 basis point from the prior quarter and decreased 36 basis points from the same period last year to 2.67%.

1 This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See financial tables for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures.

•The net free funds benefit for the third quarter of 2026 increased 1 basis point from the prior quarter and decreased 4 basis points from the same period last year to 0.53%.

We continue to expect 2026 net interest income growth of 19% to 21% as compared to Associated's standalone results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Noninterest Income

Third quarter 2026 total noninterest income of $87 million increased $7 million from the prior quarter and increased $6 million from the same period last year. With respect to third quarter 2026 noninterest income line items:

•Wealth management fees decreased slightly from the prior quarter and increased $1 million from the same period last year.

•Service charges and deposit account fees increased $1 million from the prior quarter and increased $3 million from the same period last year.

•Card-based fees increased slightly from the prior quarter and increased $2 million from the same period last year.

•Capital markets, net increased $3 million from the prior quarter and decreased slightly from the same period last year.

•Mortgage banking, net decreased $1 million from the prior quarter and decreased $2 million from the same period last year.

•Asset gains, net increased $2 million from the prior quarter and decreased $1 million from the same period last year.

We now expect total noninterest income growth of 12% to 14% in 2026 as compared to Associated's standalone results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Noninterest Expense

Third quarter 2026 total noninterest expense of $260 million decreased $12 million from the prior quarter and increased $44 million from the same period last year. Third quarter 2026 total noninterest expense included $13 million of nonrecurring costs associated with the acquisition of American National Corporation, which closed on April 1, 2026. With respect to third quarter 2026 noninterest expense line items:

•Personnel expense decreased $7 million from the prior quarter and increased $18 million from the same period last year.

•Technology expense increased $10 million from the prior quarter and increased $14 million from the same period last year.

•Legal and professional expense decreased $8 million from the prior quarter and increased $4 million from the same period last year.

•Other intangible amortization remained flat from the prior quarter and increased $5 million from the same period last year.

•Other noninterest expense decreased $10 million from the prior quarter and decreased $4 million from the same period last year.

We now expect 2026 noninterest expense growth of 19% to 20% as compared to Associated's standalone results for the year ended December 31, 2025. This figure includes nonrecurring costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of American National Corporation.

Taxes

Third quarter 2026 income tax expense was $43 million, compared to $36 million of income tax expense in the prior quarter and $30 million of income tax expense in the same period last year. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2026 was 22.86%, compared to 22.37% in the prior quarter and 19.16% in the same period last year.

We now expect the annual effective tax rate to be between 20% and 22% in 2026.

Credit

Third quarter 2026 provision for credit losses on loans was $14 million, compared to a provision of $19 million in the prior quarter and a provision of $16 million in the same period last year. With respect to third quarter 2026 credit quality:

•Nonaccrual loans of $183 million increased $33 million from the prior quarter and increased $77 million from the same period last year. The nonaccrual loans to total loans ratio was 0.50% in the third quarter, up from 0.41% in the prior quarter and up from 0.34% in the same period last year.

•Third quarter 2026 net charge offs of $18 million decreased compared to net charge offs of $23 million in the prior quarter and increased compared to net charge offs of $13 million in the same period last year.

•The allowance for credit losses on loans (ACLL) of $491 million decreased $4 million compared to the prior quarter and increased $76 million compared to the same period last year. The ACLL to total loans ratio was 1.34% in the third quarter, down from 1.36% in the prior quarter and flat vs. 1.34% in the same period last year.

In 2026, we continue to expect to adjust provision to reflect changes to risk grades, economic conditions, loan volumes, and other indications of credit quality.

Capital

During the third quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased $100 million (3.2 million shares) of common stock at a weighted average share price of $30.88. The Company’s capital position remains strong, with a CET1 capital ratio of 10.38% at September 30, 2026. The Company’s capital ratios continue to be in excess of the Basel III “well-capitalized” regulatory benchmarks on a fully phased in basis.

THIRD QUARTER 2026 EARNINGS RELEASE CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) today, October 22, 2026. Interested parties can access the live webcast of the call through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, http://investor.associatedbank.com. Parties may also dial into the call at 877-407-8037 (domestic) or 201-689-8037 (international) and request the Associated Banc-Corp third quarter 2026 earnings call. The third quarter 2026 financial tables with an accompanying slide presentation will be available on the Company's website just prior to the call. An audio archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website approximately fifteen minutes after the call is over.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $51 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from over 200 banking locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The Company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this presentation which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes any statements regarding management’s plans, objectives, or goals for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings, or other measures of performance. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “should,” “intend,” "target,” “outlook,” “project,” “guidance,” “forecast,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include those identified in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs and other SEC filings, and such factors are incorporated herein by reference.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release and related materials may contain references to measures which are not defined in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Information concerning these non-GAAP financial measures can be found in the financial tables. Management believes these measures are meaningful because they reflect adjustments commonly made by management, investors, regulators, and analysts to evaluate the adequacy of earnings per common share, provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results with prior periods.

# # #

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

N/M = Not meaningful

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

Prior periods have been adjusted to conform with current period presentation.

(a) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation below for a reconciliation to GAAP financial measures.

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

Prior periods have been adjusted to conform with current period presentation.

(a) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation below for a reconciliation to GAAP financial measures.

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

(a)Prior period has been adjusted to conform with current period presentation.

(b)The yield on tax-exempt loans and securities is computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21%.

(c)Loans held for sale have been included in the average balances.

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

(a)Prior period has been adjusted to conform with current period presentation.

(b)The yield on tax-exempt loans and securities is computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21%.

(c)Loans held for sale have been included in the average balances.

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

(a) Loans held for sale have been included in the average balances.

(b) Includes repurchase agreements.

(c) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation below for a reconciliation to GAAP financial measures.

N/M = Not meaningful

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

(a) Excluding guaranteed student loans.

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

(a)Based on period end common shares outstanding.

(b)This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation below for a reconciliation to GAAP financial measures.

(c)This ratio is annualized.

(d)Ratio is based upon basic earnings per common share.

(e)In millions. Excludes assets held in brokerage accounts.

(f)Does not include repurchases related to tax withholding on equity compensation.

(g)The Federal Reserve establishes regulatory capital requirements, including well-capitalized standards for the Corporation. The regulatory capital requirements effective for the Corporation follow Basel III, subject to certain transition provisions.

(h)September 30, 2026 data is estimated.

(i)The Corporation is not classified as an advanced approaches holding company as defined by the Federal Reserve. As such, the Corporation has elected to be subject to the AOCI-related adjustments when calculating common equity tier 1 capital which allows the Corporation to opt-out of the requirement to include most components of AOCI in common equity tier 1 capital.

Numbers may not recalculate due to rounding conventions.

(a)During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Corporation entered into a definitive agreement to acquire American National. The acquisition was completed on April 1, 2026. These costs, incurred in connection with the acquisition, represent nonrecurring costs.

(b)Announced initiatives include the loss on mortgage portfolio sale as a result of balance sheet repositioning that the Corporation announced in the fourth quarter of 2024.

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