Zacks Research Raises Earnings Estimates for Associated Banc

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) – Research analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for Associated Banc in a research note issued on Wednesday, May 13th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the bank will post earnings per share of $0.72 for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $0.71. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Associated Banc’s current full-year earnings is $2.92 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Associated Banc’s Q3 2026 earnings at $0.74 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.76 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.92 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.75 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.85 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.81 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.80 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $3.22 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $3.56 EPS.

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The bank reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $387.21 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $384.20 million. Associated Banc had a return on equity of 10.46% and a net margin of 19.88%.During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.59 earnings per share.

ASB has been the subject of a number of other reports. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $31.00 price target on shares of Associated Banc in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Stephens upgraded shares of Associated Banc from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $30.00 to $29.00 in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, March 30th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $30.30.

Associated Banc Trading Up 1.3%

NYSE:ASB opened at $27.80 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $4.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.65, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. Associated Banc has a 1 year low of $22.40 and a 1 year high of $29.51. The business has a fifty day moving average of $26.58 and a 200-day moving average of $26.54.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Associated Banc

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASB. IAG Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in Associated Banc by 4,250.0% during the 1st quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,218 shares of the bank’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,190 shares in the last quarter. Eurizon Capital SGR S.p.A. acquired a new position in Associated Banc during the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Associated Banc by 46.8% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,279 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 408 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Associated Banc in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Associated Banc by 345.5% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,350 shares of the bank’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,047 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.98% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Associated Banc

In related news, Director John B. Williams sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.18, for a total value of $112,720.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 67,420 shares in the company, valued at $1,899,895.60. This trade represents a 5.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen A. Kamerick sold 6,600 shares of Associated Banc stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.02, for a total value of $184,932.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 49,264 shares in the company, valued at $1,380,377.28. This represents a 11.81% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Associated Banc declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, January 27th that allows the company to buyback $100.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the bank to reacquire up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Associated Banc Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 1st will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 1st. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Associated Banc’s payout ratio is 33.33%.

Associated Banc News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Associated Banc this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research lifted its FY2026 EPS estimate for Associated Banc-Corp to $2.92 from $2.86, matching the current consensus and signaling stable near-term earnings expectations. Associated Banc-Corp stock page
• Positive Sentiment: FY2027 earnings estimates were increased to $3.22 per share from $3.08, implying analysts see stronger growth next year. Associated Banc-Corp stock page
• Positive Sentiment: FY2028 EPS estimates were raised to $3.56 from $3.33, suggesting better long-term earnings power. Associated Banc-Corp stock page
• Positive Sentiment: Several quarterly forecasts were also nudged higher, including Q2 2026, Q3 2026, Q4 2026, Q2 2027, Q3 2027, and Q4 2027, reinforcing a broadly improved outlook. Associated Banc-Corp stock page
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research kept its rating at Hold, so while estimates improved, the firm did not turn more bullish on the shares. Associated Banc-Corp stock page

About Associated Banc

Associated Banc-Corp, through its primary subsidiary Associated Bank, N.A., is a regional financial services company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The bank operates more than 200 branches across the Midwest, offering community-focused banking solutions for individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. Its emphasis on personalized service and regional decision-making supports long-standing customer relationships.

On the consumer side, Associated Bank provides checking and savings accounts, residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto financing and credit card products.