Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.05 EPS

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The bank reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.05, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $468.51 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $463.69 million. Associated Banc had a return on equity of 10.75% and a net margin of 19.87%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.73 earnings per share.

Here are the key takeaways from Associated Banc’s conference call:

• Net interest income rose 2% sequentially to $377 million, while net interest margin expanded three basis points to 3.20%, supported by stronger core deposits and balance-sheet remixing.
• Core customer deposits increased nearly $700 million, or 2%, helping reduce wholesale funding; management maintained its 2026 guidance for 17%-19% total deposit growth and 19%-21% core customer deposit growth.
• Management reiterated its 2026 loan-growth outlook of 18%-20% for the combined company and cited commercial pipelines up roughly 36%-40% year over year, despite elevated third-quarter payoffs.
• The company repurchased $100 million of shares in the quarter and expects to complete the remaining authorization in the fourth quarter, while maintaining a CET1 target range of 10%-10.75%.
• Credit metrics remained generally stable, with net charge-offs declining to 19 basis points and criticized loans falling 7%, although non-accrual balances rose by $33 million and third-quarter expenses included $13 million of acquisition-related costs.

Associated Banc Stock Down 0.1%

Associated Banc stock traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $30.20. 1,177,915 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,154,801. The stock has a market cap of $5.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $29.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $28.58. Associated Banc has a 1-year low of $23.87 and a 1-year high of $32.46.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on ASB shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $36.00 to $35.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Raymond James Financial upped their price target on Associated Banc from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $32.50.

Insider Transactions at Associated Banc

In related news, EVP Gregory Warsek sold 16,300 shares of Associated Banc stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.01, for a total transaction of $521,763.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 13,809 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $442,026.09. The trade was a 54.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Derek S. Meyer sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.74, for a total transaction of $307,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 61,662 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,895,489.88. The trade was a 13.95% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 71,170 shares of company stock valued at $2,265,240. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

About Associated Banc

Associated Banc-Corp is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Through its principal subsidiary, Associated Bank, it provides banking and financial services to individuals, families, businesses and institutions.

Associated Bank offers commercial and corporate banking, retail banking, mortgage lending, consumer lending, treasury management, investment and wealth management, and institutional services. Its business banking activities include lending, deposit accounts, cash-management solutions and other services designed for small and middle-market companies.

The company primarily serves customers across Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota through its branch network and digital banking channels.