Press Release Details

Associated Banc-Corp 2003 Earnings $3.07 Per Share, Up 10 Percent

01/22/2004

GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2004--Associated Banc-Corp (Nasdaq:ASBC) reported earnings of $3.07 per diluted share for 2003, up 10.0 percent from 2002. Net income for 2003 was $228.7 million, compared to $210.7 million for 2002.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2003 was $55.6 million, or 75 cents per diluted share, compared to $53.4 million, or 71 cents per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Return on average assets (ROA) and equity (ROE) for 2003 were 1.53 percent and 17.58 percent, respectively. This compares to ROA of 1.47 percent and ROE of 17.10 percent in 2002. Book value per share rose to $18.39 as of Dec. 31, 2003, up 7.4 percent compared to a year earlier.

"We are pleased to have reached our earnings growth goal of 10 percent in 2003. While commercial loan demand was lower than anticipated, we experienced strong growth in our mortgage business and in consumer deposits which contributed to our solid performance," said Paul Beideman, president and CEO of Associated Banc-Corp.

Associated's net interest income rose to $510.8 million for the year, compared to $501.3 million in 2002, an increase of 1.9 percent. This increase was the net result of a 5 percent increase in average earning assets and an 11 basis point decline in net interest margin. Net interest margin was 3.84 percent for 2003, compared to 3.95 percent in 2002. Average loan growth was 6 percent, led by commercial loans which grew 9 percent between the years. Average deposits excluding time deposits increased 12 percent, with total average deposits up 4 percent.

Net interest income was down slightly to $127.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2003 compared to $129.0 million for the third quarter. The fourth quarter's margin was 3.81 percent, up from 3.78 percent in the third quarter, benefiting primarily from continued lower cost of deposits.

Noninterest income rose to $252.5 million in 2003, up 14.6 percent from $220.3 million in 2002. Growth in noninterest income was led by strong mortgage banking performance in 2003. Mortgage banking income for the year was $89.1 million, compared to $70.9 million in 2002. Secondary mortgage production in 2003 was $4.3 billion, up 34 percent compared to 2002. Additionally, retail commissions on investment brokerage and insurance services grew 40.0 percent to $25.6 million, including the contribution of CFG Insurance Services, Inc., an insurance agency Associated acquired in April 2003. Service charges on deposit accounts grew 9.3 percent to $50.3 million, in line with the growth in deposits. Trust service fees grew 6.1 percent to $29.6 million for the year. Fees from credit cards and other nondeposit fees declined 13.9 percent to $23.7 million, primarily due to the sale of the company's merchant card processing business in March of 2003.

Noninterest income for fourth quarter 2003 of $53.3 million was down $10.6 million or 16.6 percent compared to third quarter. The sequential quarter decline reflects the impact of the slowdown throughout the industry in residential mortgage and refinance markets. Mortgage banking income was down $13.1 million from the third to the fourth quarters.

Noninterest expenses remained well controlled, rising $20.2 million or 5.4 percent year-over-year to $394.8 million. Personnel expense was principally accountable for the increase in noninterest expense, rising $20.4 million or 10.6 percent year-over-year, to $213.4 million, primarily due to the timing of the 2002 Signal Financial Corp and 2003 CFG acquisitions and higher costs related to mortgage activity.

From the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2003, noninterest expense declined $2.9 million, or 2.9 percent, to $94.9 million. The sequential quarter decline reflects a reduction in mortgage servicing rights expense of $3.5 million, attributable to the partial recovery of valuation reserve on mortgage servicing rights. The change in the mortgage servicing rights valuation reserve reflects the slight rise in market interest rates in the fourth quarter 2003 and the slower prepayment speeds in the portfolio of mortgage loans serviced for others.

In 2003 net charge-offs were 0.30 percent of average loans, compared to 0.28 percent in 2002. Nonperforming loans were 1.18 percent of total loans at year-end 2003, compared to 0.96 percent a year ago. The provision for loan losses in 2003 was $46.8 million, compared to $50.7 million in 2002. The allowance for loan losses increased to $177.6 million (or 1.73 percent of total loans) from $162.5 million (or 1.58 percent of total loans) at the end of 2002.

"Our long-term goal of achieving 10 percent annual earnings-per-share growth remains unchanged. In 2004, to replace reduced mortgage revenue, we expect growth from more diverse revenue sources, including consumer banking, small business banking and wealth management, as well as the traditional commercial business," Beideman said.

"Our management team has worked hard to mitigate problem credits in 2003. As a result, we anticipate overall asset quality to improve.

"We are comfortable with the 2004 consensus earnings estimate of $3.25 per share. We expect to exceed that consensus if economic conditions continue to improve and as we gain traction from our new initiatives," he said.

The company paid dividends of $1.33 in 2003, up from $1.21 in 2002, making 2003 Associated's 33rd consecutive year of increasing dividends.

Associated repurchased approximately 2.1 million shares of its common stock in 2003 at an average cost of $36.17 per share. The company starts 2004 with authorizations to repurchase approximately 3.7 million shares.

Associated Banc-Corp, headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., is a diversified multibank holding company with total assets of $15.2 billion. Associated has more than 200 banking offices serving more than 150 communities in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The company offers a full range of traditional banking services and a variety of other financial products and services. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.AssociatedBank.com.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 Associated Banc-CorpDecember 31, December 31,
 (in thousands)                          2003         2002    % Change
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Assets
 Cash and due from banks               $389,140     $430,691    (9.6%)
 Interest-bearing deposits in other
  financial institutions                  7,434        5,502     35.1%
 Federal funds sold and securities
  purchased
  under agreements to resell              3,290        8,820   (62.7%)
 Securities available for sale, at
  fair value                          3,773,784    3,362,669     12.2%
 Loans held for sale                    104,336      305,836   (65.9%)
 Loans                               10,291,810   10,303,225    (0.1%)
 Allowance for loan losses             (177,622)    (162,541)     9.3%
                                    ------------ ------------
     Loans, net                      10,114,188   10,140,684    (0.3%)
 Premises and equipment                 131,315      132,713    (1.1%)
 Goodwill                               224,388      212,112      5.8%
 Other intangible assets                 63,509       41,565     52.8%
 Other assets                           436,510      402,683      8.4%
                                    ------------ ------------
     Total assets                   $15,247,894  $15,043,275      1.4%
                                    ============ ============

 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 Noninterest-bearing deposits        $1,814,446   $1,773,699      2.3%
 Interest-bearing deposits,
  excluding Brokered CDs              7,813,267    7,117,503      9.8%
 Brokered CDs                           165,130      233,650   (29.3%)
                                    ------------ ------------
     Total deposits                   9,792,843    9,124,852      7.3%
 Short-term borrowings                1,928,876    2,389,607   (19.3%)
 Long-term debt                       1,852,219    1,906,845    (2.9%)
 Company-obligated mandatorily
  redeemable
   preferred securities                 181,941      190,111    (4.3%)
 Accrued expenses and other
  liabilities                           143,588      159,677   (10.1%)
                                    ------------ ------------
     Total liabilities               13,899,467   13,771,092      0.9%
 Stockholders' Equity
   Preferred stock                            -            -
   Common stock                             734          755    (2.8%)
   Surplus                              575,975      643,956   (10.6%)
   Retained earnings                    724,356      607,944     19.1%
   Accumulated other comprehensive
    income                               52,089       60,313   (13.6%)
   Deferred compensation                 (1,981)           -      N/M
   Treasury stock, at cost               (2,746)     (40,785)  (93.3%)
                                    ------------ ------------
     Total stockholders' equity       1,348,427    1,272,183      6.0%
                                    ------------ ------------
     Total liabilities and
      stockholders' equity          $15,247,894  $15,043,275      1.4%
                                    ============ ============

 N/M - Not meaningful.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-Corp

                                            For The Three
                                             Months Ended,
                                             December 31,
                                          -------------------
 (in thousands, except per share amounts)    2003      2002   % Change
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Interest Income
 Interest and fees on loans               $137,289  $157,822   (13.0%)
 Interest and dividends on investment
  securities
  and deposits with other financial
   institutions
   Taxable                                  29,194    28,419      2.7%
   Tax-exempt                                9,939     9,887      0.5%
 Interest on federal funds sold and
  securities
  purchased under agreements to resell          36        50   (28.0%)
                                          --------- ---------
     Total interest income                 176,458   196,178   (10.1%)
 Interest Expense
 Interest on deposits                       29,247    35,896   (18.5%)
 Interest on short-term borrowings           5,390    10,838   (50.3%)
 Interest on long-term debt and capital
  securities                                14,684    19,731   (25.6%)
                                          --------- ---------
     Total interest expense                 49,321    66,465   (25.8%)
                                          --------- ---------
 Net Interest Income                       127,137   129,713    (2.0%)
 Provision for loan losses                   9,603    14,614   (34.3%)
                                          --------- ---------
 Net interest income after provision for
  loan losses                              117,534   115,099      2.1%
 Noninterest Income
 Trust service fees                          8,150     6,060     34.5%
 Service charges on deposit accounts        12,735    12,185      4.5%
 Mortgage banking                           10,545    28,194   (62.6%)
 Credit card and other nondeposit fees       5,646     7,281   (22.5%)
 Retail commissions                          8,031     4,128     94.5%
 Bank owned life insurance income            3,417     3,557    (3.9%)
 Asset sale gains (losses), net              1,366      (373) (466.2%)
 Investment securities gains (losses),
  net                                            -      (801)     N/M
 Other                                       3,379     4,118   (17.9%)
                                          --------- ---------
     Total noninterest income               53,269    64,349   (17.2%)
 Noninterest Expense
 Personnel expense                          55,083    51,579      6.8%
 Occupancy                                   6,710     6,709      0.0%
 Equipment                                   3,206     3,709   (13.6%)
 Data processing                             5,731     5,497      4.3%
 Business development and advertising        4,165     3,512     18.6%
 Stationery and supplies                     1,741     1,819    (4.3%)
 FDIC expense                                  350       375    (6.7%)
 Mortgage servicing rights expense             735    10,330   (92.9%)
 Other intangible amortization                 870       609     42.9%
 Loan expense                                1,446     4,275   (66.2%)
 Other                                      14,875    14,349      3.7%
                                          --------- ---------
     Total noninterest expense              94,912   102,763    (7.6%)
                                          --------- ---------
 Income before income taxes                 75,891    76,685    (1.0%)
 Income tax expense                         20,282    23,244   (12.7%)
                                          --------- ---------
 Net Income                                $55,609   $53,441      4.1%
                                          ========= =========

 Earnings Per Share:
   Basic                                     $0.76     $0.72      5.6%
   Diluted                                   $0.75     $0.71      5.6%
 Average Shares Outstanding:
   Basic                                    73,310    74,497    (1.6%)
   Diluted                                  74,332    75,202    (1.2%)


Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-Corp

                                          For The Year Ended,
                                             December 31,
                                          -------------------
 (in thousands, except per share amounts)    2003      2002   % Change
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Interest Income
 Interest and fees on loans               $578,816  $626,378    (7.6%)
 Interest and dividends on investment
  securities
  and deposits with other financial
   institutions
   Taxable                                 108,624   125,568   (13.5%)
   Tax-exempt                               39,761    39,771    (0.0%)
 Interest on federal funds sold and
  securities
  purchased under agreements to resell         163       389   (58.1%)
                                          --------- ---------
     Total interest income                 727,364   792,106    (8.2%)
 Interest Expense
 Interest on deposits                      123,122   169,021   (27.2%)
 Interest on short-term borrowings          29,156    51,372   (43.2%)
 Interest on long-term debt and capital
  securities                                64,324    70,447    (8.7%)
                                          --------- ---------
     Total interest expense                216,602   290,840   (25.5%)
                                          --------- ---------
 Net Interest Income                       510,762   501,266      1.9%
 Provision for loan losses                  46,813    50,699    (7.7%)
                                          --------- ---------
 Net interest income after provision for
  loan losses                              463,949   450,567      3.0%
 Noninterest Income
 Trust service fees                         29,577    27,875      6.1%
 Service charges on deposit accounts        50,346    46,059      9.3%
 Mortgage banking                           89,128    70,903     25.7%
 Credit card and other nondeposit fees      23,669    27,492   (13.9%)
 Retail commissions                         25,571    18,264     40.0%
 Bank owned life insurance income           13,790    13,841    (0.4%)
 Asset sale gains (losses), net              1,569       657    138.8%
 Investment securities gains (losses),
  net                                          702      (427) (264.4%)
 Other                                      18,174    15,644     16.2%
                                          --------- ---------
     Total noninterest income              252,526   220,308     14.6%
 Noninterest Expense
 Personnel expense                         213,358   192,918     10.6%
 Occupancy                                  28,077    26,049      7.8%
 Equipment                                  12,818    14,835   (13.6%)
 Data processing                            23,273    21,024     10.7%
 Business development and advertising       15,194    13,812     10.0%
 Stationery and supplies                     6,705     7,044    (4.8%)
 FDIC expense                                1,428     1,533    (6.8%)
 Mortgage servicing rights expense          29,553    30,473    (3.0%)
 Other intangible amortization               2,961     2,283     29.7%
 Loan expense                                7,550    14,555   (48.1%)
 Other                                      53,842    50,023      7.6%
                                          --------- ---------
     Total noninterest expense             394,759   374,549      5.4%
                                          --------- ---------
 Income before income taxes                321,716   296,326      8.6%
 Income tax expense                         93,059    85,607      8.7%
                                          --------- ---------
 Net Income                               $228,657  $210,719      8.5%
                                          ========= =========

 Earnings Per Share:
   Basic                                     $3.10     $2.82      9.9%
   Diluted                                   $3.07     $2.79     10.0%
 Average Shares Outstanding:
   Basic                                    73,745    74,685    (1.3%)
   Diluted                                  74,507    75,493    (1.3%)

 N/M - Not meaningful.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Selected Quarterly Information
 Associated Banc-Corp

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 (in thousands,       YTD          YTD          4th Qtr     3rd Qtr
  except per share    2003         2002          2003         2003
  data)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Summary of Operations
 Net interest
  income              510,762      501,266       127,137      128,976
 Provision for
  loan losses          46,813       50,699         9,603       12,118
 Net interest
  income after
  provision for
  loan losses         463,949      450,567       117,534      116,858
 Asset sale gains
  (losses), net         1,569          657         1,366          871
 Investment
  securities gains
  (losses), net           702         (427)            -            1
 Noninterest
  income
  (excluding
  securities &
  asset gains)        250,255      220,078        51,903       63,016
 Noninterest
  expense             394,759      374,549        94,912       97,771
 Income taxes          93,059       85,607        20,282       24,589
 Net income           228,657      210,719        55,609       58,386
 Taxable
  equivalent
  adjustment           24,903       24,072         6,230        6,165

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Per Common Share Data (1)
 Net income:
   Basic                $3.10        $2.82         $0.76        $0.79
   Diluted               3.07         2.79          0.75         0.79
 Dividends               1.33         1.21          0.34         0.34

 Market Value:
   High                $43.13       $38.25        $43.13       $38.90
   Low                  32.15        27.20         38.81        37.12
   Close                42.80        33.94         42.80        37.89
 Book value             18.39        17.13         18.39        17.77

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Performance Ratios (annualized)
 Net interest
  margin (FTE)           3.84%        3.95%         3.81%        3.78%
 Return on average
  assets                 1.53         1.47          1.49         1.53
 Return on average
  equity                17.58        17.10         16.85        17.75
 Efficiency ratio
  (2)                   50.23        50.25         51.23        49.34
 Effective tax
  rate                  28.93        28.89         26.73        29.63
 Dividend payout
  ratio (basic)         42.90        42.97         44.74        43.04

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Average Balances
 Assets           $14,969,860  $14,297,418   $14,852,390  $15,152,676
 Earning assets    13,946,832   13,294,591    13,828,992   14,128,702
 Interest-bearing
  liabilities      11,855,236   11,396,581    11,637,646   11,955,420
 Loans             10,622,499   10,002,478    10,354,726   10,813,769
 Deposits           9,299,506    8,912,534     9,679,789    9,485,000
 Stockholders'
  equity            1,300,990    1,231,977     1,309,167    1,304,983
 Stockholders'
  equity / assets        8.69%        8.62%         8.81%        8.61%

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 At Period End
 Assets                                      $15,247,894  $15,114,169
 Loans                                        10,291,810   10,289,242
 Allowance for
  loan losses                                    177,622      176,223
 Deposits                                      9,792,843    9,635,356
 Stockholders'
  equity                                       1,348,427    1,300,948
 Stockholders'
  equity / assets                                   8.84%        8.61%
 Shares
  outstanding, end
  of period                                       73,311       73,227

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Selected Quarterly Information
 Associated Banc-Corp

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 (in thousands, except per      2nd Qtr 2003 1st Qtr 2003 4th Qtr 2002
  share data)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Summary of Operations
 Net interest income                127,195      127,454      129,713
 Provision for loan losses           12,132       12,960       14,614
 Net interest income after
  provision for loan losses         115,063      114,494      115,099
 Asset sale gains (losses), net        (790)         122         (373)
 Investment securities gains
  (losses), net                       1,027         (326)        (801)
 Noninterest income (excluding
  securities & asset gains)          69,923       65,413       65,523
 Noninterest expense                103,919       98,157      102,763
 Income taxes                        24,635       23,553       23,244
 Net income                          56,669       57,993       53,441
 Taxable equivalent adjustment        6,231        6,277        5,981

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Per Common Share Data (1)
 Net income:
   Basic                              $0.77        $0.78        $0.72
   Diluted                             0.76         0.77         0.71
 Dividends                             0.34         0.31         0.31

 Market Value:
   High                              $38.41       $35.22       $34.21
   Low                                32.15        32.33        27.20
   Close                              36.61        32.33        33.94
 Book value                           17.88        17.41        17.13

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Performance Ratios (annualized)
 Net interest margin (FTE)             3.79%        3.87%        3.87%
 Return on average assets              1.51         1.58         1.42
 Return on average equity             17.37        18.36        16.62
 Efficiency ratio (2)                 51.10        49.29        51.07
 Effective tax rate                   30.30        28.88        30.31
 Dividend payout ratio (basic)        44.16        39.74        43.06

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Average Balances
 Assets                         $15,016,497  $14,867,339  $14,901,747
 Earning assets                  13,991,615   13,836,102   13,870,491
 Interest-bearing liabilities    11,941,877   11,886,642   11,792,552
 Loans                           10,743,430   10,578,430   10,559,154
 Deposits                         9,121,204    8,901,441    8,934,668
 Stockholders' equity             1,308,505    1,280,950    1,275,914
 Stockholders' equity / assets         8.71%        8.62%        8.56%

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 At Period End
 Assets                         $15,218,816  $15,089,166  $15,043,275
 Loans                           10,387,364   10,275,469   10,303,225
 Allowance for loan losses          172,440      170,391      162,541
 Deposits                         9,453,460    9,060,234    9,124,852
 Stockholders' equity             1,318,246    1,285,866    1,272,183
 Stockholders' equity / assets         8.66%        8.52%        8.46%
 Shares outstanding, end of
  period                             73,736       73,870       74,281

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Per share data adjusted retroactively for stock splits and stock
    dividends.

(2) Efficiency ratio = Noninterest expense divided by sum of taxable
    equivalent net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding
    investment securities gains, net, and asset sales gains, net.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Summary and Comparison
Associated Banc-Corp                   Three months ended
                                           December 31,
                                    ---------------------------------
(in thousands)                           2003        2002    % Change
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for Loan Losses
Beginning balance                      $176,223    $155,288     13.5%
Balance related to acquisitions               -           -        -
Provision for loan losses                 9,603      14,614   (34.3%)
Charge offs                             (10,476)     (7,884)    32.9%
Recoveries                                2,272         523    334.4%
                                    ------------------------
Net charge offs                          (8,204)     (7,361)    11.5%
                                    ------------------------
Ending Balance                         $177,622    $162,541      9.3%
                                    ========================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit Quality                        4th Qtr     3rd Qtr
                                        2003        2003      % Change
                                    ----------------------------------
Nonaccrual loans                       $113,944    $114,067    (0.1%)
Loans 90 or more days past due and
 still accruing (1)                       7,495      11,055   (32.2%)
Restructured loans                           43          44    (2.3%)
                                    ------------------------
    Total nonperforming loans           121,482     125,166    (2.9%)
Other real estate owned                   5,457       6,380   (14.5%)
                                    ------------------------
    Total nonperforming assets          126,939     131,546    (3.5%)
                                    ========================
Net charge offs                           8,204       8,335    (1.6%)

Allowance for loan losses / loans          1.73%       1.71%
Allowance for loan losses /
 nonperforming loans                     146.21      140.79
Nonperforming loans / total loans          1.18        1.22
Nonperforming assets / total assets        0.83        0.87
Net charge offs / average loans
 (annualized)                              0.31        0.31
Year-to-date net charge offs /
 average loans                             0.30        0.29

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Period End Loan Composition
                                    Dec 31,         Dec 31,
                                     2003            2002     % Change
                                --------------------------------------
Commercial, financial &
 agricultural                    $2,116,463      $2,213,986     (4.4%)
Real estate - construction        1,077,731         910,581     18.4%
Commercial real estate            3,246,954       3,128,826      3.8%
Lease financing                      38,968          38,352      1.6%
                                ----------------------------
  Commercial                      6,480,116       6,291,745      3.0%
Residential mortgage              2,145,227       2,430,746    (11.7%)
Home equity                         968,744         864,631     12.0%
                                ----------------------------
  Residential real estate         3,113,971       3,295,377     (5.5%)
Consumer                            697,723         716,103     (2.6%)
                                ----------------------------
  Total loans                   $10,291,810     $10,303,225     (0.1%)
                                ============================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Period End Deposit Composition
                                      Dec 31,     Dec 31,
                                        2003        2002    % Change
                                    ---------------------------------
Demand                               $1,814,446  $1,773,699      2.3%
Savings                                 890,092     895,855    (0.6%)
Interest-bearing demand               2,330,478   1,468,193     58.7%
Money market                          1,573,678   1,754,313   (10.3%)
Brokered CDs                            165,130     233,650   (29.3%)
Other time deposits                   3,019,019   2,999,142      0.7%
                                    ------------------------
  Total deposits                     $9,792,843  $9,124,852      7.3%
                                    ========================

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Summary and Comparison
Associated Banc-Corp                            Year ended
                                               December 31,
                                    ----------------------------------
(in thousands)                              2003        2002 % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for Loan Losses
Beginning balance                       $162,541    $128,204     26.8%
Balance related to acquisitions                -      11,985      N/M
Provision for loan losses                 46,813      50,699    (7.7%)
Charge offs                              (37,107)    (32,179)    15.3%
Recoveries                                 5,375       3,832     40.3%
                                    -------------------------
Net charge offs                          (31,732)    (28,347)    11.9%
                                    -------------------------
Ending Balance                          $177,622    $162,541      9.3%
                                    =========================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit Quality                        2nd Qtr      1st Qtr   4th Qtr
                                        2003         2003       2002
                                    ----------------------------------
Nonaccrual loans                        $110,820     $90,384  $94,132
Loans 90 or more days past due and
 still accruing (1)                        6,311       3,425    3,912
Restructured loans                            46         844    1,258
                                    ----------------------------------
    Total nonperforming loans            117,177      94,653   99,302
Other real estate owned                   14,707      12,949   11,448
                                    ----------------------------------
    Total nonperforming assets           131,884     107,602  110,750
                                    ==================================
Net charge offs                           10,083       5,110    7,361

Allowance for loan losses / loans           1.66%       1.66%    1.58%
Allowance for loan losses /
 nonperforming loans                      147.16      180.02   163.68
Nonperforming loans / total loans           1.13        0.92     0.96
Nonperforming assets / total assets         0.87        0.71     0.74
Net charge offs / average loans
 (annualized)                               0.38        0.20     0.28
Year-to-date net charge offs /
 average loans                              0.29        0.20     0.28

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Period End Loan Composition
                                                  Sept 30,
                                                     2003    % Change
                                                 ---------------------
Commercial, financial &
 agricultural                                     $2,186,214    (3.2%)
Real estate - construction                         1,035,674      4.1%
Commercial real estate                             3,240,757      0.2%
Lease financing                                       37,193      4.8%
                                                 ------------
  Commercial                                       6,499,838    (0.3%)
Residential mortgage                               2,166,187    (1.0%)
Home equity                                          912,142      6.2%
                                                 ------------
  Residential real estate                          3,078,329      1.2%
Consumer                                             711,075    (1.9%)
                                                 ------------
  Total loans                                    $10,289,242      0.0%
                                                 ============

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Period End Deposit Composition
                                                  Sept 30,
                                                     2003    % Change
                                                 ---------------------
Demand                                            $1,804,596      0.5%
Savings                                              924,036    (3.7%)
Interest-bearing demand                            2,086,964     11.7%
Money market                                       1,559,769      0.9%
Brokered CDs                                         156,994      5.2%
Other time deposits                                3,102,997    (2.7%)
                                                 ------------
  Total deposits                                  $9,635,356      1.6%
                                                 ============

----------------------------------------------------------------------

N/M = Not Meaningful

(1) Does not include guaranteed student loans. Guaranteed student
    loans 90+ days past due and still accruing totaled $13.0
    million as of December 31, 2003.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income Analysis - Taxable Equivalent Basis
Associated Banc-Corp
(in thousands)                           Year ended December 31, 2003
                                       ------------------------------
                                          Average   Interest  Average
                                          Balance    Income /  Yield /
                                                      Expense    Rate
                                       ------------ --------- --------

Earning assets:
   Loans: (1) (2) (3)
      Commercial                        $6,450,523  $329,695    5.11%
      Residential real estate            3,464,208   199,442    5.76
      Consumer                             707,768    50,725    7.17
                                       ------------ ---------
         Total loans                    10,622,499   579,862    5.46
   Investments and other                 3,324,333   172,405    5.19
                                       ------------ ---------
Total earning assets                    13,946,832   752,267    5.39
   Other assets, net                     1,023,028
                                       ------------
Total assets                           $14,969,860
                                       ============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
   Savings deposits                       $928,147    $4,875    0.53%
   Interest-bearing demand deposits      1,827,304    15,348    0.84
   Money market deposits                 1,623,438    15,085    0.93
   Time deposits, excluding Brokered
    CDs                                  3,063,873    84,957    2.77
                                       ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits,
       excluding Brokered CDs            7,442,762   120,265    1.62
   Brokered CDs                            178,853     2,857    1.60
                                       ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits    7,621,615   123,122    1.62
   Wholesale funding                     4,233,621    93,480    2.21
                                       ------------ ---------
Total interest-bearing liabilities      11,855,236   216,602    1.83
   Noninterest-bearing demand            1,677,891
   Other liabilities                       135,743
   Stockholders' equity                  1,300,990
                                       ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                                $14,969,860
                                       ============

Net interest income and rate spread
 (1)                                                $535,665    3.56%
                                                    =========
Net interest margin (1)                                         3.84%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                        $24,903
                                                    =========

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                        Three months ended December
                                                  31, 2003
                                       ------------------------------
                                          Average   Interest  Average
                                          Balance    Income /  Yield /
                                                      Expense    Rate
                                       ------------ --------- --------

Earning assets:
   Loans: (1) (2) (3)
      Commercial                        $6,436,734   $80,185    4.88%
      Residential real estate            3,215,935    45,304    5.59
      Consumer                             702,057    12,066    6.81
                                       ------------ ---------
         Total loans                    10,354,726   137,555    5.23
   Investments and other                 3,474,266    45,133    5.19
                                       ------------ ---------
Total earning assets                    13,828,992   182,688    5.22
   Other assets, net                     1,023,398
                                       ------------
Total assets                           $14,852,390
                                       ============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
   Savings deposits                       $922,336      $878    0.38%
   Interest-bearing demand deposits      2,179,546     4,353    0.79
   Money market deposits                 1,572,197     3,391    0.86
   Time deposits, excluding Brokered
    CDs                                  3,067,720    20,132    2.60
                                       ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits,
       excluding Brokered CDs            7,741,799    28,754    1.47
   Brokered CDs                            162,116       493    1.21
                                       ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits    7,903,915    29,247    1.47
   Wholesale funding                     3,733,731    20,074    2.12
                                       ------------ ---------
Total interest-bearing liabilities      11,637,646    49,321    1.68
   Noninterest-bearing demand            1,775,874
   Other liabilities                       129,703
   Stockholders' equity                  1,309,167
                                       ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                                $14,852,390
                                       ============

Net interest income and rate spread
 (1)                                                $133,367    3.54%
                                                    =========
Net interest margin (1)                                         3.81%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                         $6,230
                                                    =========

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income Analysis - Taxable Equivalent Basis
Associated Banc-Corp
(in thousands)                          Year ended December 31, 2002
                                       ------------------------------
                                          Average   Interest  Average
                                          Balance    Income /  Yield/
                                                      Expense   Rate
                                       ------------ --------- -------

Earning assets:
   Loans: (1) (2) (3)
      Commercial                        $5,929,113  $348,082    5.87%
      Residential real estate            3,362,179   223,314    6.64
      Consumer                             711,186    56,106    7.89
                                       ------------ ---------
         Total loans                    10,002,478   627,502    6.27
   Investments and other                 3,292,113   188,676    5.73
                                       ------------ ---------
Total earning assets                    13,294,591   816,178    6.14
   Other assets, net                     1,002,827
                                       ------------
Total assets                           $14,297,418
                                       ============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
   Savings deposits                       $891,105    $6,813    0.76%
   Interest-bearing demand deposits      1,118,546     9,581    0.86
   Money market deposits                 1,876,988    24,717    1.32
   Time deposits, excluding Brokered
    CDs                                  3,263,766   122,181    3.74
                                       ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits,
       excluding Brokered CDs            7,150,405   163,292    2.28
   Brokered CDs                            264,023     5,729    2.17
                                       ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits    7,414,428   169,021    2.28
   Wholesale funding                     3,982,153   121,819    3.06
                                       ------------ ---------
Total interest-bearing liabilities      11,396,581   290,840    2.55
   Noninterest-bearing demand            1,498,106
   Other liabilities                       170,754
   Stockholders' equity                  1,231,977
                                       ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                                $14,297,418
                                       ============

Net interest income and rate spread
 (1)                                                $525,338    3.59%
                                                    =========
Net interest margin (1)                                         3.95%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                        $24,072
                                                    =========

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       Three months ended December
                                                 31, 2002
                                      --------------------------------
                                         Average   Interest  Average
                                         Balance    Income /  Yield /
                                                    Expense    Rate
                                      ------------ --------- --------

Earning assets:
   Loans: (1) (2) (3)
      Commercial                       $6,196,003   $86,908    5.50%
      Residential real estate           3,641,592    57,371    6.26
      Consumer                            721,559    13,820    7.59
                                      ------------ ---------
         Total loans                   10,559,154   158,099    5.91
   Investments and other                3,311,337    44,060    5.32
                                      ------------ ---------
Total earning assets                   13,870,491   202,159    5.77
   Other assets, net                    1,031,256
                                      ------------
Total assets                          $14,901,747
                                      ============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
   Savings deposits                      $918,934    $1,666    0.72%
   Interest-bearing demand deposits     1,310,827     3,313    1.00
   Money market deposits                1,768,559     5,259    1.18
   Time deposits, excluding Brokered
    CDs                                 3,064,447    24,558    3.18
                                      ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits,
       excluding Brokered CDs           7,062,767    34,796    1.95
   Brokered CDs                           195,251     1,100    2.23
                                      ------------ ---------
      Total interest-bearing deposits   7,258,018    35,896    1.96
   Wholesale funding                    4,534,534    30,569    2.65
                                      ------------ ---------
Total interest-bearing liabilities     11,792,552    66,465    2.23
   Noninterest-bearing demand           1,676,650
   Other liabilities                      156,631
   Stockholders' equity                 1,275,914
                                      ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                               $14,901,747
                                      ============

Net interest income and rate spread
 (1)                                               $135,694    3.54%
                                                   =========
Net interest margin (1)                                        3.87%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                        $5,981
                                                   =========

---------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) The yield on tax exempt loans and securities is computed on a
    taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 35% for all periods
    presented and is net of the effects of certain disallowed interest
    deductions.

(2) Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale have been included in the
    average balances.

(3) Interest income includes net loan fees.

    CONTACT: Associated Banc-Corp
             Investors:
             Joe Selner, 920-491-7120
             Media:
             Jon Drayna, 920-491-7006

    SOURCE: Associated Banc-Corp