Analysts Offer Predictions for Associated Banc Q1 Earnings

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) – Research analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q1 2027 EPS estimates for Associated Banc in a note issued to investors on Thursday, February 26th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the bank will post earnings of $0.75 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.77. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Associated Banc’s current full-year earnings is $2.43 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Associated Banc’s Q4 2027 earnings at $0.77 EPS.

ASB has been the topic of several other reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded Associated Banc from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Associated Banc from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Associated Banc from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of Associated Banc in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $29.20.

Associated Banc Price Performance

ASB stock opened at $26.39 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Associated Banc has a 52-week low of $18.32 and a 52-week high of $29.51. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $27.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $26.30.

Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The bank reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.11. Associated Banc had a net margin of 19.31% and a return on equity of 10.25%. The firm had revenue of $393.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $382.06 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.72 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Associated Banc

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASB. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Associated Banc by 3.0% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 18,538,157 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $477,543,000 after acquiring an additional 545,185 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Associated Banc by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,711,346 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $224,404,000 after purchasing an additional 147,372 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Associated Banc by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,151,111 shares of the bank’s stock worth $101,256,000 after purchasing an additional 67,219 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management increased its holdings in Associated Banc by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 3,663,163 shares of the bank’s stock worth $94,363,000 after purchasing an additional 38,900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC raised its position in shares of Associated Banc by 50.6% in the 4th quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 2,867,172 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $73,858,000 after purchasing an additional 963,788 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 other Associated Banc news, Director John B. Williams sold 2,325 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.05, for a total value of $65,216.25. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 70,959 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,990,399.95. This trade represents a 3.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Eileen A. Kamerick sold 6,600 shares of the business’s 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 transaction, the director owned 49,264 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,380,377.28. This represents a 11.81% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 59,607 shares of company stock worth $1,603,545 over the last three months. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Associated Banc Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. Associated Banc’s payout ratio is currently 34.66%.

Associated Banc announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Tuesday, January 27th that authorizes the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the bank to buy up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Trending Headlines about Associated Banc

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research upgraded ASB to a “Strong‑Buy” and lifted near‑term and FY2026/2027 EPS estimates — the shop raised Q1–Q3 2026 quarterlies and bumped FY2026/FY2027 targets, supporting upside to earnings expectations. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks coverage says ASB’s transformation, loan growth, digital investment and targeted acquisitions are expanding revenues and margins as it pushes into higher‑growth markets — a fundamental growth narrative that can justify multiple expansion. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts included ASB on Zacks’ value/Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list and called it a buy after recent upgrades — a visibility boost that can attract value and dividend investors. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage discussed ASB as a potential high‑growth dividend pick — positive for income investors but not an immediate catalyst until dividend policy or payouts change materially. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Despite upgrades, ASB was cited among names recommended amid an AI‑driven market sell‑off — meaning broader market rotation/weakness (not firm fundamentals) could be pressuring the share price today. Read More.

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.