Associated Banc-Corp announced plans for the expansion of its lending capabilities, growth of its core businesses and transformation of its digital strategy. These plans include new higher-margin lending verticals and digital investments which are expected to increase the pace of growth while creating positive operating leverage and enhancing customer experience.

"Given the strength of our Midwest markets and our already solid foundation, we have a significant opportunity to strategically drive revenue growth across our core business lines while also expanding our portfolio," said Andy Harmening, President and CEO, Associated Bank. "Building on our momentum over the last 120 days and capitalizing on the strengths of our franchise, our growth focused and digital forward initiatives will position us to deliver higher shareholder returns."

Expanding our Lending Capabilities
Associated announced the further build out of its Auto Finance vertical, the broadening of its Asset-Based Lending team and the formation of a new Equipment Finance vertical.

• Progress on the new Equipment Finance vertical has been initiated with a full launch anticipated in the first quarter of 2022. The new vertical will be supported by a team of multiple specialists with hiring expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021, positioning the company to quickly stand up production. This new vertical further broadens its commercial loan mix and provides meaningful opportunities to deepen relationships with its existing Midwest manufacturing client base.
• The company has deepened its existing Asset-Based Lending team by hiring Raymond Temple to lead this team. Temple brings more than 25 years of experience and is expected to lead a team of multiple colleagues by year-end.
• As previously announced, the company is expanding its consumer lending portfolio to include Auto Finance with a team led by Craig Stickney. He brings decades of auto finance experience. Associated also hired over 40 people with expertise in auto finance, including several with senior leadership experience in the industry. The company continues to build out the infrastructure, having established agreements with over 550 auto dealerships as of Sept. 1, and expects to begin booking loans early in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Growing Core Businesses
The Company is also focused on accelerating its core Commercial Middle Market lending, enhancing its Small Business and Consumer Direct lending, and furthering its Wealth strategy. Strategic efforts to date have focused on recruiting and promoting experienced talent to drive these core initiatives.

The company is expanding its core Commercial Middle Market teams in Milwaukee, Chicago and Northern Wisconsin. Recently joining the Associated Bank Commercial Banking teams are:

• Christopher Hamilton, with over 18 years of experience, hired as Senior Vice President team leader in Milwaukee, WI
• Doug McClure, with over 12 years of experience, hired as SVP team leader in Chicago
• Daniel Salazar, with over 18 years of experience, hired as SVP relationship manager in Chicago
• James Weix, with over 22 years of experience, hired as SVP relationship manager in Wausau, WI
• Christopher Briski, promoted to Commercial Banking VP relationship manager in Green Bay, Wi

Associated is enhancing its Small Business lending team by promoting:

• Andrew Brueggeman, SVP, to build out and lead the bank's Small Business Administration (SBA) lending program and drive significantly increased activity. Brueggeman was instrumental in the company's paycheck protection program (PPP) activity, which originated over $1.4 billion in new loans over the course of a year.

Associated is furthering its Wealth strategy by promoting:

• John Thayer, CFA, to EVP and head of wealth management. He will drive the strategic efforts for evolving the bank's Wealth Management and Mass Affluent strategies.
• David Kuipers, who leads our Associated Investment Services team, will take on expanded responsibilities focused on operationalizing our wealth and digital strategies.
• Stacy Stecker, who will serve as SVP and director of private banking. She will be responsible for the development and execution of a business plan to support the overall growth of the private client services business.

Investing in Its Digital Transformation
To further the Company's digital transformation, Associated has promoted:

• Doug Peacock to SVP and head of digital delivery. He will lead the bank's Digital Delivery strategy while driving a comprehensive digital roadmap across the consumer and business bank.