Press Release Details

Associated Third Quarter Earnings Per Diluted Share $.63

10/20/2005

GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2005--Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ:ASBC):

    --  EPS up 11% over 3Q '04

    --  Deposits excluding brokered CDs up 5.7% (annualized) over 2Q
        '05

    --  Net charge-offs .09% of average loans (annualized)

    --  Efficiency ratio improves to 47.9%

    --  Fee income growth continues

Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ:ASBC) earned $.63 per diluted share in the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2005, up 10.5 percent compared to $.57 per diluted share for both the second quarter of 2005 and the third quarter of 2004. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005, diluted earnings per share were $1.79, up 6.5 percent from $1.68 per diluted share in the same period in 2004.

For the third quarter of 2005, return on average assets (ROAA) was 1.56 percent, return on average tangible equity (ROATE) was 24.55 percent and book value per share was $16.12, compared to 1.44 percent, 22.65 percent, and $15.80, respectively, for the second quarter of 2005. Comparatively, for the third quarter of 2004 ROAA was 1.60 percent, ROATE was 21.69 percent, and book value per share was $13.19. For the first nine months of 2005, ROAA was 1.51 percent and ROATE was 23.78 percent, compared to 1.62 percent and 21.98 percent, respectively, for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2004.

"Noninterest income remained strong in the third quarter. While our net interest income continued to be under pressure from a challenging interest rate environment, we experienced solid growth in commercial and industrial loans and in retail loans. We achieved this growth while maintaining excellent credit quality, and our focus on expense management continues to deliver positive operating leverage," Associated President and CEO Paul S. Beideman said.

Two acquisitions significantly affect comparisons with 2004 periods.

   1) Associated's acquisition of First Federal Capital Corp on Oct.
      29, 2004. 2005 results include the balance sheet and operations
      of the $4 billion thrift, while the comparable 2004 periods do
      not. First Federal's operations were successfully integrated
      onto Associated's systems in February 2005.

   2) The April 1, 2004, acquisition of Jabas Group, Inc., an employee
      benefits firm, affects the year-to-date comparison of retail
      commission income and noninterest expenses.

Net income was $81.0 million for the third quarter of 2005. This compares to $74.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, and $63.4 million for the third quarter of 2004. On a year-to-date basis, net income was $232.5 million, up 24 percent from $187.4 million for the comparable period of 2004.

Associated's net interest income for the third quarter of 2005 was $164.1 million, compared to $166.7 million for the second quarter of 2005, and $133.2 million in the year-earlier quarter. For the first nine months of 2005, net interest income was $496.7 million, up from $394.2 million for the comparable year-to-date period of 2004.

Net interest margin for the third quarter was 3.56 percent, compared to 3.63 percent for the second quarter of 2005 and 3.76 percent for the third quarter of 2004. On a year-to-date basis, the net interest margin was 3.62 percent, versus 3.79 percent for the comparable period last year.

"Last quarter we indicated that based on our balance sheet dynamics and the current interest rate environment, the margin would compress in the third quarter and then stabilize and show improvement for the fourth quarter of 2005," said Beideman. "We remain confident that this improvement will occur.

"Additionally, we are undertaking a new initiative that applies cash flows from maturing investments to reduce wholesale borrowings by $1.0 to $1.5 billion over the next 12 months, resulting in further improvement to the margin. We intend to use capital that is freed up from this initiative to buy back shares so that our efforts are accretive to shareholders. A measured approach to reducing borrowed funds affords management the flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and deliver the greatest value for our shareholders," Beideman explained.

"We experienced growth in most core deposit categories in the third quarter and we see this trend continuing in the fourth quarter. Deposit growth is key to improving our margin and increasing net interest income," he said.

Period end loans at Sept. 30, 2005, were $14.1 billion, up slightly from June 30, and up 30 percent over a year earlier, including the First Federal acquisition. Since June 30, both home equity loans and commercial and industrial loans grew 16 percent, annualized. Sequential quarter growth in these areas was offset by lower real estate construction and residential mortgage loan balances. Average loan balances for the third quarter of 2005 yielded 6.22 percent, 18 basis points higher than in the second quarter of 2005 and 97 basis points above the year-earlier quarter.

Deposits at Sept. 30, 2005, were $12.2 billion. Deposits, excluding brokered CDs, increased by 5.7 percent, annualized, since June 30, 2005, across most deposit categories. Deposits were up 26 percent over a year earlier, including the acquisition of First Federal. In the third quarter of 2005, average non-brokered interest-bearing deposits cost 2.08 percent, 16 basis points more than in the previous quarter and 70 basis points more than in the year-earlier quarter.

Asset quality remained steady, with third quarter net charge-offs of $3.3 million, compared to net charge-offs of $3.6 million for the second quarter of 2005 and $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2004. For the first nine months of 2005, net charge-offs were $9.0 million (0.09 percent of average loans, annualized), versus $13.7 million (0.17 percent of average loans, annualized) for the first nine months of 2004. The provision for loan losses tracked with the related net charge-off levels for each of the comparative periods, except in the third quarter of 2004 when no provision was recorded. Nonperforming loans at Sept. 30, 2005, were $110.7 million, representing 0.78 percent of loans, compared to $112.5 million or 0.80 percent of loans at June 30, 2005, and 0.84 percent of loans at Sept. 30, 2004. The allowance for loan losses was 1.35 percent of total loans at Sept. 30, 2005.

Noninterest income was $77.0 million for the third quarter of 2005, compared to $61.7 million for the second quarter of 2005, and $47.2 million for the third quarter of 2004, with year-to-date noninterest income at $210.0 million, or 39 percent higher than the same nine-month period in 2004.

Excluding net mortgage banking income and a $6.7 million net loss on derivatives from the second quarter of 2005, noninterest income was $65.0 million for the third quarter of 2005, compared to $66.1 million for the second quarter of 2005 and $46.5 million for the third quarter of 2004. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2005, noninterest income excluding net mortgage banking income and the second quarter derivative loss was $192.5 million, or 41 percent higher than $136.9 million for the first nine months of 2004. The derivative instruments that lost hedge accounting treatment were terminated in the third quarter of 2005, which will remove potential earnings volatility in the future.

Net mortgage banking income of $12.0 million for the third quarter of 2005 was $9.6 million higher than in the second quarter of 2005, with an additional $2.6 million in mortgage banking income and $7.0 million from improved value in the mortgage serving rights asset - that is, a $4.5 million valuation recovery in the third quarter, following a $2.5 million provision against the asset in the second quarter.

Service charges on deposit accounts of $22.8 million were up $0.6 million (11 percent annualized) over the second quarter of 2005. Trust service fees were $8.7 million in the third quarter of 2005, compared to $9.0 million in the second quarter of 2005. Retail commissions were $12.9 million, down from $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2005 and up from $11.9 million in the third quarter of 2004, reflecting the seasonality of insurance income.

Noninterest expense was $117.3 million for the third quarter of 2005, compared to $116.3 million for the second quarter of 2005 and $89.0 million for the third quarter of 2004. On a year-to-date basis, noninterest expense was $354.9 million, versus $267.9 million for the comparable nine-month period in 2004, largely due to the timing of the acquisitions mentioned earlier.

Personnel expense for the third quarter of 2005 was $66.4 million, down slightly ($0.5 million) from the second quarter of 2005, notably from lower severance costs following branch staffing reductions and back office efficiencies. All other noninterest expenses were $50.9 million, up $1.5 million or 3 percent over $49.4 million for the second quarter of 2005.

The efficiency ratio moved favorably, declining to 47.90 percent from 50.03 percent between the third and second quarters of 2005, and was 49.20 percent for the first nine months of 2005.

"We anticipate we will meet consensus earnings estimates for 2005, based on our current trends and planned strategies," Beideman added.

Associated closed its acquisition of State Financial Services Corp, a $1.5 billion financial services company based in Milwaukee, on Oct. 3, 2005.

During the third quarter, the company paid a dividend of 27 cents per share, up 8 percent from the year-earlier dividend.

Associated did not repurchase any shares during the third quarter. Year-to-date repurchases remain at 2.5 million shares at an average price of $33.05 per share, including 2 million shares repurchased in the second quarter under an accelerated share repurchase program.

Associated will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 3 p.m. CDT today. The toll-free dial-in number is 877-654-5513. Participants should ask the operator for the Associated Banc-Corp earnings call, or for call ID number 1466121. A taped play back of the call will be available through Oct. 28 by calling 800-642-1687.

Associated Banc-Corp, headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., is a diversified multibank holding company with total assets of $21 billion. With the acquisition of State Financial, Associated has more than 320 banking offices serving more than 170 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.

Statements made in this document that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes any statements regarding management's plans, objectives, or goals for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings, or other measures of performance. Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "should," "will," "intend," or similar expressions. Outcomes related to such statements are subject to numerous risk factors and uncertainties including those listed in the company's Annual Report to be filed on Form 10-K.

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

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-CorpSeptember 30,  December 31,
(in thousands)                        2005          2004      % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Cash and due from banks              $386,151      $389,311     (0.8%)
Interest-bearing deposits in
 other financial institutions          14,598        13,321      9.6%
Federal funds sold and securities
 purchased under agreements to resell 103,481        55,440     86.7%
Securities available for sale,
 at fair value                      4,708,730     4,815,344     (2.2%)
Loans held for sale                    98,473        64,964     51.6%
Loans                              14,107,137    13,881,887      1.6%
Allowance for loan losses            (190,080)     (189,762)     0.2%
                                 ------------- -------------
    Loans, net                     13,917,057    13,692,125      1.6%
Premises and equipment                174,086       184,944     (5.9%)
Goodwill                              679,993       679,993      0.0%
Intangible assets                     115,692       119,440     (3.1%)
Other assets                          543,470       505,254      7.6%
                                 ------------- -------------
    Total assets                  $20,741,731   $20,520,136      1.1%
                                 ============= =============

Liabilities and Stockholders'
 Equity
Noninterest-bearing deposits       $2,256,774    $2,347,611    (3.9%)
Interest-bearing deposits,
 excluding Brokered CDs             9,516,792    10,077,069     (5.6%)
Brokered CDs                          407,459       361,559     12.7%
                                 ------------- -------------
    Total deposits                 12,181,025    12,786,239     (4.7%)
Short-term borrowings               2,778,993     2,926,716     (5.0%)
Long-term funding                   3,545,458     2,604,540     36.1%
Accrued expenses and other
 liabilities                          173,690       185,222     (6.2%)
                                 ------------- -------------
    Total liabilities              18,679,166    18,502,717      1.0%
Stockholders' Equity
  Preferred stock                           -             -
  Common stock                          1,281         1,300     (1.5%)
  Surplus                           1,064,833     1,127,205     (5.5%)
  Retained earnings                   978,489       858,847     13.9%
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income                              21,776        41,205    (47.2%)
  Deferred compensation                (3,814)       (2,122)    79.7%
  Treasury stock, at cost                   -        (9,016)  (100.0%)
                                 ------------- -------------
    Total stockholders' equity      2,062,565     2,017,419      2.2%
                                 ------------- -------------
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity         $20,741,731   $20,520,136      1.1%
                                 ============= =============

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

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-CorpSeptember 30,
(in thousands)                                     2004       % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Cash and due from banks                           $286,799      34.6%
Interest-bearing deposits in other
 financial institutions                             10,381      40.6%
Federal funds sold and securities
 purchased under agreements to resell               63,105      64.0%
Securities available for sale, at fair value     4,166,760      13.0%
Loans held for sale                                 72,266      36.3%
Loans                                           10,830,627      30.3%
Allowance for loan losses                         (175,007)      8.6%
                                              -------------
    Loans, net                                  10,655,620      30.6%
Premises and equipment                             131,288      32.6%
Goodwill                                           232,564     192.4%
Intangible assets                                   69,863      65.6%
Other assets                                       447,115      21.6%
                                              -------------
    Total assets                               $16,135,761      28.5%
                                              =============

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Noninterest-bearing deposits                    $1,867,905      20.8%
Interest-bearing deposits,
 excluding Brokered CDs                          7,623,042      24.8%
Brokered CDs                                       186,326     118.7%
                                              -------------
    Total deposits                               9,677,273      25.9%
Short-term borrowings                            2,956,626      (6.0%)
Long-term funding                                1,911,797      85.5%
Accrued expenses and other liabilities             136,600      27.2%
                                              -------------
    Total liabilities                           14,682,296      27.2%
Stockholders' Equity
  Preferred stock                                        -
  Common stock                                       1,105      15.9%
  Surplus                                          585,274      81.9%
  Retained earnings                                824,909      18.6%
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income                                           49,265     (55.8%)
  Deferred compensation                             (1,981)     92.5%
  Treasury stock, at cost                           (5,107)   (100.0%)
                                              -------------
    Total stockholders' equity                   1,453,465      41.9%
                                              -------------
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                      $16,135,761      28.5%
                                              =============

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

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-Corp

                                For The Three Months Ended,
                                       September 30,
                                ---------------------------
(in thousands, except per share
 amounts)                             2005          2004      % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Income
Interest and fees on loans          $223,202      $142,389      56.8%
Interest and dividends on investment
 securities and deposits with
 other financial institutions
  Taxable                             40,050        31,590      26.8%
  Tax-exempt                           9,755        10,255      (4.9%)
Interest on federal funds sold
 and securities purchased under
 agreements to resell                    384           241      59.3%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total interest income            273,391       184,475      48.2%
Interest Expense
Interest on deposits                  53,598        27,191      97.1%
Interest on short-term
 borrowings                           23,628        10,262     130.2%
Interest on long-term funding         32,087        13,806     132.4%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total interest expense           109,313        51,259     113.3%
                                ------------- -------------
Net Interest Income                  164,078       133,216      23.2%
Provision for loan losses              3,345             -       N/M
                                ------------- -------------
Net interest income after
 provision for loan losses           160,733       133,216      20.7%
Noninterest Income
Trust service fees                     8,667         7,773      11.5%
Service charges on deposit
 accounts                             22,830        13,672      67.0%
Mortgage banking, net                 12,000           618       N/M
Credit card and other
 nondeposit fees                       9,505         6,253      52.0%
Retail commissions                    12,905        11,925       8.2%
Bank owned life insurance income       2,441         3,580     (31.8%)
Asset sale gains, net                    942           309       N/M
Investment securities gains
 (losses), net                         1,446            (6)      N/M
Other                                  6,229         3,034     105.3%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total noninterest income          76,965        47,158      63.2%
Noninterest Expense
Personnel expense                     66,403        53,467      24.2%
Occupancy                              9,412         6,939      35.6%
Equipment                              4,199         3,022      38.9%
Data processing                        7,129         5,865      21.6%
Business development and
 advertising                           4,570         3,990      14.5%
Stationery and supplies                1,599         1,214      31.7%
Other intangible amortization          1,903           935     103.5%
Other                                 22,133        13,599      62.8%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total noninterest expense        117,348        89,031      31.8%
                                ------------- -------------
Income before income taxes           120,350        91,343      31.8%
Income tax expense                    39,315        27,977      40.5%
                                ------------- -------------
Net Income                           $81,035       $63,366      27.9%
                                ============= =============

Earnings Per Share:
  Basic                                $0.63         $0.58       8.6%
  Diluted                              $0.63         $0.57      10.5%
Average Shares Outstanding:
  Basic                              127,875       110,137      16.1%
  Diluted                            129,346       111,699      15.8%

N/M - Not meaningful.


Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-Corp

                                For The Nine Months Ended,
                                       September 30,
                                ---------------------------
(in thousands, except per share
 amounts)                             2005          2004      % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Income
Interest and fees on loans          $636,931      $415,090      53.4%
Interest and dividends on investment
 securities and deposits with
 other financial institutions
  Taxable                            122,918        93,389      31.6%
  Tax-exempt                          28,985        30,757      (5.8%)
Interest on federal funds sold
 and securities purchased under
 agreements to resell                    648           336      92.9%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total interest income            789,482       539,572      46.3%
Interest Expense
Interest on deposits                 146,118        81,401      79.5%
Interest on short-term
 borrowings                           62,528        24,042     160.1%
Interest on long-term funding         84,176        39,959     110.7%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total interest expense           292,822       145,402     101.4%
                                ------------- -------------
Net Interest Income                  496,660       394,170      26.0%
Provision for loan losses              9,343        11,065     (15.6%)
                                ------------- -------------
Net interest income after
 provision for loan losses           487,317       383,105      27.2%
Noninterest Income
Trust service fees                    25,962        23,684       9.6%
Service charges on deposit
 accounts                             63,710        39,210      62.5%
Mortgage banking, net                 24,260        14,285       69.8%
Credit card and other nondeposit
 fees                                 27,406        17,998      52.3%
Retail commissions                    42,980        34,444      24.8%
Bank owned life insurance income       6,920        10,576     (34.6%)
Asset sale gains, net                  1,179           749       N/M
Investment securities gains
 (losses), net                         2,937         1,356       N/M
Other                                 14,688         8,908      64.9%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total noninterest income         210,042       151,210      38.9%
Noninterest Expense
Personnel expense                    206,322       159,355      29.5%
Occupancy                             28,674        21,275      34.8%
Equipment                             12,431         8,899      39.7%
Data processing                       20,150        17,666      14.1%
Business development and
 advertising                          12,662        10,704      18.3%
Stationery and supplies                5,087         3,869      31.5%
Other intangible amortization          6,189         2,651     133.5%
Other                                 63,409        43,483      45.8%
                                ------------- -------------
    Total noninterest expense        354,924       267,902      32.5%
                                ------------- -------------
Income before income taxes           342,435       266,413      28.5%
Income tax expense                   109,915        78,982      39.2%
                                ------------- -------------
Net Income                          $232,520      $187,431      24.1%
                                ============= =============

Earnings Per Share:
  Basic                                $1.80         $1.70       5.9%
  Diluted                              $1.79         $1.68       6.5%
Average Shares Outstanding:
  Basic                              128,825       110,182      16.9%
  Diluted                            130,252       111,614      16.7%

N/M - Not meaningful.

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

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - Quarterly Trend
Associated Banc-Corp

(in thousands, except   3Q05      2Q05      1Q05      4Q04      3Q04
  per share amounts)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Income
Interest and fees
 on loans            $223,202  $213,420  $200,309  $179,612  $142,389
Interest and
 dividends on
 investment
 securities
 and deposits in
 other financial
 institutions:
  Taxable              40,050    41,834    41,034    37,631    31,590
  Tax-exempt            9,755     9,507     9,723    10,047    10,255
Interest on federal
 funds sold and
 securities
 purchased under
 agreements to
 resell                   384       182        82       260       241
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Total interest
     income           273,391   264,943   251,148   227,550   184,475
Interest Expense
Interest on deposits   53,598    48,087    44,433    36,835    27,191
Interest on short-
 term borrowings       23,628    21,731    17,169    14,898    10,262
Interest on long-
 term funding          32,087    28,451    23,638    17,360    13,806
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Total interest
     expense          109,313    98,269    85,240    69,093    51,259
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Interest Income   164,078   166,674   165,908   158,457   133,216
Provision for loan
 losses                 3,345     3,671     2,327     3,603         -
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net interest income
 after provision for
 loan losses          160,733   163,003   163,581   154,854   133,216
Noninterest Income
Trust service fees      8,667     8,967     8,328     8,107     7,773
Service charges on
 deposit accounts      22,830    22,215    18,665    16,943    13,672
Mortgage banking,
 net                   12,000     2,376     9,884     6,046       618
Credit card and
 other nondeposit
 fees                   9,505     8,790     9,111     8,183     6,253
Retail commissions     12,905    15,370    14,705    12,727    11,925
Bank owned life
 insurance income       2,441     2,311     2,168     2,525     3,580
Asset sale gains
 (losses), net            942       539      (302)      432       309
Investment
 securities gains
 (losses), net          1,446     1,491         -      (719)       (6)
Other                   6,229      (355)    8,814     4,793     3,034
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Total noninterest
     income            76,965    61,704    71,373    59,037    47,158
Noninterest Expense
Personnel expense      66,403    66,934    72,985    65,193    53,467
Occupancy               9,412     9,374     9,888     8,297     6,939
Equipment               4,199     4,214     4,018     3,855     3,022
Data processing         7,129     6,728     6,293     5,966     5,865
Business development
 and advertising        4,570     4,153     3,939     4,271     3,990
Stationery and
 supplies               1,599     1,644     1,844     1,567     1,214
Other intangible
 amortization           1,903     2,292     1,994     1,699       935
Other                  22,133    20,995    20,281    19,119    13,599
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
    Total noninterest
     expense          117,348   116,334   121,242   109,967    89,031
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before income
 taxes                120,350   108,373   113,712   103,924    91,343
Income tax expense     39,315    34,358    36,242    33,069    27,977
                     --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income            $81,035   $74,015   $77,470   $70,855   $63,366
                     ========= ========= ========= ========= =========

Earnings Per Share:
  Basic                 $0.63     $0.57     $0.60     $0.57     $0.58
  Diluted               $0.63     $0.57     $0.59     $0.57     $0.57
Average Shares
 Outstanding:
  Basic               127,875   128,990   129,781   123,509   110,137
  Diluted             129,346   130,463   131,358   125,296   111,699

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except  YTD 2005   YTD 2004   3rd Qtr 2005 2nd Qtr 2005
  per share & full
  time equivalent
  employee data)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of
 Operations
Net interest income    496,660      394,170      164,078      166,674
Provision for loan
 losses                  9,343       11,065        3,345        3,671
Asset sale gains
 (losses), net           1,179          749          942          539
Investment
 securities gains
 (losses), net           2,937        1,356        1,446        1,491
Noninterest income
 (excluding
 securities & asset
 gains)                205,926      149,105       74,577       59,674
Noninterest expense    354,924      267,902      117,348      116,334
Income before
 income taxes          342,435      266,413      120,350      108,373
Income taxes           109,915       78,982       39,315       34,358
Net income             232,520      187,431       81,035       74,015
Taxable equivalent
 adjustment             18,743       19,186        6,347        6,174

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Common Share
 Data (1)
Net income:
  Basic                  $1.80        $1.70        $0.63        $0.57
  Diluted                 1.79         1.68         0.63         0.57
Dividends               0.7900       0.7267       0.2700       0.2700
Market Value:
  High                  $34.74       $32.19       $34.74       $33.89
  Low                    30.11        27.09        30.29        30.11
  Close                  30.48        32.07        30.48        33.58
Book value               16.12        13.19        16.12        15.80

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Ratios
 (annualized)
Earning assets
 yield                    5.68%        5.12%        5.83%        5.71%
Interest-bearing
 liabilities rate         2.40         1.58         2.66         2.42
Net interest margin       3.62         3.79         3.56         3.63
Return on average
 assets                   1.51         1.62         1.56         1.44
Return on average
 equity                  15.33        18.00        15.85        14.62
Return on tangible
 average equity (2)      23.78        21.98        24.55        22.65
Efficiency ratio (3)     49.20        47.63        47.90        50.03
Effective tax rate       32.10        29.65        32.67        31.70
Dividend payout
 ratio (4)               43.89        42.75        42.86        47.37

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Balances
Assets             $20,550,636  $15,495,898  $20,607,901  $20,574,770
Earning assets      18,878,583   14,452,594   18,960,035   18,916,921
Interest-bearing
 liabilities        16,181,956   12,232,593   16,198,492   16,207,719
Loans               14,075,913   10,609,581   14,163,827   14,084,246
Deposits            12,186,667    9,636,138   12,133,719   12,069,719
Stockholders'
 equity              2,027,672    1,391,116    2,027,785    2,030,929
Stockholders'
 equity / assets          9.87%        8.98%        9.84%        9.87%

----------------------------------------------------------------------
At Period End
Assets                                       $20,741,731  $20,753,714
Loans                                         14,107,137   14,054,506
Allowance for loan
 losses                                          190,080      190,024
Goodwill                                         679,993      679,993
Mortgage servicing
 rights, net                                      78,688       74,103
Other intangible
 assets                                           37,004       38,907
Deposits                                      12,181,025   12,098,631
Stockholders'
 equity                                        2,062,565    2,018,435
Stockholders'
 equity / assets                                    9.94%        9.73%
Tangible equity /
 tangible assets (5)                                6.72%        6.49%
Shares outstanding,
 end of period                                   127,985      127,743
Shares repurchased
 during period                                         -        2,111
Average per share cost of shares repurchased
 during period                                        $-       $33.10
Year-to-date shares repurchased
 during period                                     2,522        2,522
YTD average per share cost of shares
 repurchased during period                        $33.05       $33.05

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected trend
 information
Average full time equivalent
 employees                                         4,815        4,889
Trust assets under management,
 at market value                              $4,900,000   $4,800,000
Mortgage loans
 originated for sale                             498,343      385,677
Portfolio serviced
 for others                                    9,492,000    9,479,000
Mortgage servicing rights,
 net / Portfolio serviced for others                0.83%        0.78%


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

----------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except           1st Qtr 2005 4th Qtr 2004 3rd Qtr 2004
  per share & full
  time equivalent
  employee data)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of Operations
Net interest income                 165,908      158,457      133,216
Provision for loan losses             2,327        3,603            -
Asset sale gains (losses), net         (302)         432          309
Investment securities gains
 (losses), net                            -         (719)          (6)
Noninterest income (excluding
 securities & asset gains)           71,675       59,324       46,855
Noninterest expense                 121,242      109,967       89,031
Income before income taxes          113,712      103,924       91,343
Income taxes                         36,242       33,069       27,977
Net income                           77,470       70,855       63,366
Taxable equivalent adjustment         6,222        6,342        6,395

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Common Share Data (1)
Net income:
  Basic                               $0.60        $0.57        $0.58
  Diluted                              0.59         0.57         0.57
Dividends                            0.2500       0.2500       0.2500
Market Value:
  High                               $33.50       $34.85       $32.19
  Low                                 30.60        32.08        28.81
  Close                               31.23        33.23        32.07
Book value                            15.62        15.56        13.19

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Ratios (annualized)
Earning assets yield                   5.51%        5.31%        5.14%
Interest-bearing liabilities rate      2.13         1.85         1.64
Net interest margin                    3.68         3.74         3.76
Return on average assets               1.54         1.49         1.60
Return on average equity              15.52        15.46        17.76
Return on tangible average
 equity (2)                           24.13        22.47        21.69
Efficiency ratio (3)                  49.73        49.07        47.75
Effective tax rate                    31.87        31.82        30.63
Dividend payout ratio (4)             41.67        43.86        43.10

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Balances
Assets                          $20,467,698  $18,956,445  $15,730,451
Earning assets                   18,756,555   17,437,618   14,688,914
Interest-bearing liabilities     16,139,002   14,761,878   12,381,407
Loans                            13,977,621   12,858,394   10,708,701
Deposits                         12,359,040   11,658,646    9,621,557
Stockholders' equity              2,024,265    1,822,715    1,419,600
Stockholders' equity / assets          9.89%        9.62%        9.02%

----------------------------------------------------------------------
At Period End
Assets                          $20,502,442  $20,520,136  $16,135,761
Loans                            13,923,196   13,881,887   10,830,627
Allowance for loan losses           189,917      189,762      175,007
Goodwill                            679,993      679,993      232,564
Mortgage servicing rights, net       78,182       76,247       45,555
Other intangible assets              41,199       43,193       24,308
Deposits                         12,193,904   12,786,239    9,677,273
Stockholders' equity              2,025,071    2,017,419    1,453,465
Stockholders' equity / assets          9.88%        9.83%        9.01%
Tangible equity / tangible
 assets (5)                            6.59%        6.54%        7.54%
Shares outstanding, end of
 period                             129,622      129,695      110,206
Shares repurchased during period        411          376            -
Average per share cost of shares
 repurchased during period           $32.76       $33.25           $-
Year-to-date shares repurchased
 during period                          411        1,073          697
YTD average per share cost of
 shares repurchased during
 period                              $32.76       $30.43       $28.91

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Selected trend information
Average full time equivalent
 employees                            5,132        4,746        3,979
Trust assets under management,
 at market value                 $4,700,000   $4,600,000   $4,400,000
Mortgage loans originated for
 sale                               337,406      427,951      253,917
Portfolio serviced for others     9,528,000    9,543,000    6,011,000
Mortgage servicing rights, net /
 Portfolio serviced for others         0.82%        0.80%        0.76%

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

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

(2) Return on tangible average equity = Net income divided by average
    equity excluding average goodwill and other intangible assets.
    This is a non-GAAP financial measure.

(3) 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.

(4) Ratio is based upon basic earnings per share.

(5) Tangible equity to tangible assets = Stockholders' equity
    excluding goodwill and other intangible assets divided by assets
    excluding goodwill and other intangible assets. This is a non-GAAP
    financial measure.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Summary and Comparison
Associated Banc-Corp                 Three months ended
                                        September 30,
                              ----------------------------------------
(in thousands)                       2005          2004       % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for Loan Losses
Beginning balance                  $190,024      $177,980         6.8%
Provision for loan losses             3,345             -         N/M
Charge offs                          (5,268)       (3,770)       39.7%
Recoveries                            1,979           797       148.3%
                              ----------------------------
Net charge offs                      (3,289)       (2,973)       10.6%
                              ----------------------------
Ending Balance                     $190,080      $175,007         8.6%
                              ============================


                               Nine months ended
                                  September 30,
                      ---------------------------------------
(in thousands)              2005         2004       % Change
-------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for Loan
 Losses
Beginning balance         $189,762     $177,622          6.8%
Provision for loan
 losses                      9,343       11,065       (15.6%)
Charge offs                (16,601)     (16,492)         0.7%
Recoveries                   7,576        2,812        169.4%
                      --------------------------
Net charge offs             (9,025)     (13,680)      (34.0%)
                      --------------------------
Ending Balance            $190,080     $175,007          8.6%
                      ==========================

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

                                                               3Q05 vs
Credit Quality                                                   2Q05
                               Sept 30, 2005June 30, 2005    % Change
                              ----------------------------------------
Nonaccrual loans                   $107,298      $109,698       (2.2%)
Loans 90 or more days past due
 and still accruing                   3,354         2,806        19.5%
Restructured loans                       33            35       (5.7%)
                              ----------------------------
    Total nonperforming loans       110,685       112,539       (1.6%)
Other real estate owned              10,017         3,685       171.8%
                              ----------------------------
    Total nonperforming assets      120,702       116,224         3.9%
                              ============================
Provision for loan losses             3,345         3,671       (8.9%)
Net charge offs                       3,289         3,564       (7.7%)

Allowance for loan losses / loans      1.35%         1.35%
Allowance for loan losses /
 nonperforming loans                 171.73        168.85
Nonperforming loans / total loans      0.78          0.80
Nonperforming assets / total assets    0.58          0.56
Net charge offs / average
 loans (annualized)                    0.09          0.10
Year-to-date net charge offs /
 average loans                         0.09          0.08


Credit Quality                                                 3Q05 vs
                                                                 3Q04
                      Mar 31, 2005Dec 31, 2004Sept 30, 2004 % Change
                      ------------------------------------------------
Nonaccrual loans           $99,835     $112,761      $81,124     32.3%
Loans 90 or more days
 past due and still
 accruing                    3,068        2,153       10,309   (67.5%)
Restructured loans              36           37           39   (15.4%)
                      ---------------------------------------
    Total nonperforming
     loans                 102,939      114,951       91,472     21.0%
Other real estate
 owned                       4,019        3,915        4,526    121.3%
                      ---------------------------------------
    Total nonperforming
     assets                106,958      118,866       95,998     25.7%
                      =======================================
Provision for loan
 losses                      2,327        3,603            -      N/M
Net charge offs              2,172        3,598        2,973     10.6%

Allowance for loan
 losses / loans               1.36%        1.37%        1.62%
Allowance for loan
 losses /
 nonperforming loans        184.49       165.08       191.32
Nonperforming loans /
 total loans                  0.74         0.83         0.84
Nonperforming assets /
 total assets                 0.52         0.58         0.59
Net charge offs /
 average loans
 (annualized)                 0.06         0.11         0.11
Year-to-date net
 charge offs / average
 loans                        0.06         0.15         0.17

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

                                                               3Q05 vs
Period End Loan Composition                                      2Q05
                               Sept 30, 2005June 30, 2005    % Change
                              ----------------------------------------
Commercial, financial &
 agricultural                    $3,213,656    $3,086,663         4.1%
Real estate - construction        1,519,681     1,640,941       (7.4%)
Commercial real estate            3,648,169     3,650,726       (0.1%)
Lease financing                      57,270        53,270         7.5%
                              ----------------------------
  Commercial                      8,438,776     8,431,600         0.1%
Home equity (a)                   1,878,436     1,806,236         4.0%
Installment                       1,024,356     1,025,621       (0.1%)
                              ----------------------------
  Retail                          2,902,792     2,831,857         2.5%
  Residential mortgage            2,765,569     2,791,049       (0.9%)
                              ----------------------------
  Total loans                   $14,107,137   $14,054,506         0.4%
                              ============================


Period End Loan Composition                                    3Q05 vs
                                                                 3Q04
                      Mar 31, 2005Dec 31, 2004Sept 30, 2004 % Change
                      ------------------------------------------------
Commercial, financial
 & agricultural         $2,852,462   $2,803,333   $2,479,764     29.6%
Real estate -
 construction            1,569,013    1,459,629    1,152,990     31.8%
Commercial real estate   3,813,465    3,933,131    3,242,009     12.5%
Lease financing             50,181       50,718       49,423     15.9%
                      ---------------------------------------
  Commercial             8,285,121    8,246,811    6,924,186     21.9%
Home equity (a)          1,744,676    1,866,485    1,290,436     45.6%
Installment              1,048,510    1,054,011      672,806     52.3%
                      ---------------------------------------
  Retail                 2,793,186    2,920,496    1,963,242     47.9%
  Residential mortgage   2,844,889    2,714,580    1,943,199     42.3%
                      ---------------------------------------
  Total loans          $13,923,196  $13,881,887  $10,830,627     30.3%
                      =======================================

(a) Home equity includes home equity lines and residential mortgage
    junior liens.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               3Q05 vs
Period End Deposit Composition                                   2Q05
                               Sept 30, 2005June 30, 2005    % Change
                              ----------------------------------------
Demand                           $2,256,774    $2,250,482         0.3%
Savings                           1,074,234     1,117,922       (3.9%)
Interest-bearing demand           2,252,711     2,227,188         1.1%
Money market                      2,240,606     2,094,796         7.0%
Brokered CDs                        407,459       491,781      (17.1%)
Other time deposits               3,949,241     3,916,462         0.8%
                              ----------------------------
  Total deposits                $12,181,025   $12,098,631         0.7%
                              ============================

Period End Deposit                                           3Q05 vs
 Composition                                                    3Q04
                      Mar 31, 2005Dec 31, 2004 Sept 30, 2004% Change
                      ------------------------------------------------
Demand                  $2,156,592   $2,347,611   $1,867,905     20.8%
Savings                  1,137,120    1,116,158      936,975     14.6%
Interest-bearing
 demand                  2,485,548    2,854,880    2,334,072    (3.5%)
Money market             2,112,490    2,083,717    1,516,423     47.8%
Brokered CDs               218,111      361,559      186,326    118.7%
Other time deposits      4,084,043    4,022,314    2,835,572     39.3%
                      ---------------------------------------
  Total deposits       $12,193,904  $12,786,239   $9,677,273     25.9%
                      =======================================

N/M - Not meaningful.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income Analysis - Taxable Equivalent Basis
Associated Banc-Corp                         Nine months ended
                                             September 30, 2005
                                      -------------------------------
                                                   Interest  Average
(in thousands)                           Average    Income/   Yield/
                                         Balance    Expense    Rate
                                      --------------------------------

Earning assets:
 Loans: (1) (2) (3)
    Commercial                          $8,356,785  $375,704    5.93%
    Residential mortgage                 2,865,319   119,614    5.56
    Retail                               2,853,809   142,965    6.68
                                      ------------- ---------
       Total loans                      14,075,913   638,283    6.01
 Investments and other                   4,802,670   169,942    4.72
                                      ------------- ---------
Total earning assets                    18,878,583   808,225    5.68
 Other assets, net                       1,672,053
                                      -------------
Total assets                           $20,550,636
                                      =============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Savings deposits                       $1,116,871    $3,077    0.37%
 Interest-bearing demand deposits        2,380,397    19,530    1.10
 Money market deposits                   2,140,763    28,505    1.78
 Time deposits, excluding Brokered CDs   3,996,324    86,545    2.90
                                      ------------- ---------
  Total interest-bearing deposits,
   excluding Brokered CDs                9,634,355   137,657    1.91
 Brokered CDs                              364,381     8,461    3.10
                                      ------------- ---------
  Total interest-bearing deposits        9,998,736   146,118    1.95
 Wholesale funding                       6,183,220   146,704    3.13
                                      ------------- ---------
Total interest-bearing liabilities      16,181,956   292,822    2.40
 Noninterest-bearing demand              2,187,931
 Other liabilities                         153,077
 Stockholders' equity                    2,027,672
                                      -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                                $20,550,636
                                      =============

                                                    ---------
Net interest income and rate spread (1)             $515,403    3.28%
                                                    =========
Net interest margin (1)                                         3.62%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                        $18,743
                                                    =========


Net Interest Income Analysis - Taxable Equivalent Basis
Associated Banc-Corp                          Nine months ended
                                             September 30, 2004
                                      -------------------------------
(in thousands)                                     Interest  Average
                                         Average    Income/   Yield/
                                         Balance    Expense    Rate
                                      --------------------------------
Earning assets:
 Loans: (1) (2) (3)
    Commercial                         $6,668,508   $246,765     4.86%
    Residential mortgage                2,042,406     86,403     5.63
    Retail                              1,898,667     82,655     5.81
                                      ------------ ----------
       Total loans                     10,609,581    415,823     5.18
 Investments and other                  3,843,013    142,935     4.96
                                      ------------ ----------
Total earning assets                   14,452,594    558,758     5.12
 Other assets, net                      1,043,304
                                      ------------
Total assets                          $15,495,898
                                      ============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Savings deposits                        $927,876     $2,528     0.36%
 Interest-bearing demand deposits       2,366,312     14,186     0.80
 Money market deposits                  1,530,856      9,247     0.81
 Time deposits, excluding Brokered CDs  2,844,147     53,227     2.50
                                      ------------ ----------
  Total interest-bearing deposits,
   excluding Brokered CDs               7,669,191     79,188     1.38
 Brokered CDs                             216,371      2,213     1.37
                                      ------------ ----------
  Total interest-bearing deposits       7,885,562     81,401     1.38
 Wholesale funding                      4,347,031     64,001     1.94
                                      ------------ ----------
Total interest-bearing liabilities     12,232,593    145,402     1.58
 Noninterest-bearing demand             1,750,576
 Other liabilities                        121,613
 Stockholders' equity                   1,391,116
                                      ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                               $15,495,898
                                      ============

                                                   ----------
Net interest income and rate spread (1)             $413,356     3.54%
                                                   ==========
Net interest margin (1)                                          3.79%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                        $19,186
                                                   ==========

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income Analysis - Taxable Equivalent Basis
Associated Banc-Corp                         Three months ended
                                             September 30, 2005
                                      -------------------------------
                                                   Interest  Average
                                         Average    Income/   Yield/
                                         Balance    Expense    Rate
                                      --------------------------------

Earning assets:
 Loans: (1) (2) (3)
    Commercial                          $8,411,678  $134,503     6.26%
    Residential mortgage                 2,880,685    40,253     5.56
    Retail                               2,871,464    48,940     6.78
                                      ------------- ---------
       Total loans                      14,163,827   223,696     6.22
 Investments and other                   4,796,208    56,042     4.67
                                      ------------- ---------
Total earning assets                    18,960,035   279,738     5.83
 Other assets, net                       1,647,866
                                      -------------
Total assets                           $20,607,901
                                      =============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Savings deposits                       $1,097,955    $1,024     0.37%
 Interest-bearing demand deposits        2,193,600     6,107     1.10
 Money market deposits                   2,198,538    11,822     2.13
 Time deposits, excluding Brokered CDs   3,913,389    30,395     3.08
                                      ------------- ---------
  Total interest-bearing deposits,
   excluding Brokered CDs                9,403,482    49,348     2.08
 Brokered CDs                              487,305     4,250     3.46
                                      ------------- ---------
  Total interest-bearing deposits        9,890,787    53,598     2.15
 Wholesale funding                       6,307,705    55,715     3.47
                                      ------------- ---------
Total interest-bearing liabilities      16,198,492   109,313     2.66
 Noninterest-bearing demand              2,242,932
 Other liabilities                         138,692
 Stockholders' equity                    2,027,785
                                      -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                                $20,607,901
                                      =============

                                                    ---------
Net interest income and rate spread (1)             $170,425     3.17%
                                                    =========
Net interest margin (1)                                          3.56%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                         $6,347
                                                    =========

Net Interest Income Analysis - Taxable Equivalent Basis
Associated Banc-Corp                         Three months ended
                                             September 30, 2004
                                      -------------------------------
                                                   Interest  Average
                                         Average    Income/   Yield/
                                         Balance    Expense    Rate
                                      -------------------------------

Earning assets:
 Loans: (1) (2) (3)
    Commercial                         $6,787,476    $85,971     4.96%
    Residential mortgage                1,982,929     27,993     5.62
    Retail                              1,938,296     28,668     5.88
                                      ------------ ----------
       Total loans                     10,708,701    142,632     5.25
 Investments and other                  3,980,213     48,238     4.85
                                      ------------ ----------
Total earning assets                   14,688,914    190,870     5.14
 Other assets, net                      1,041,537
                                      ------------
Total assets                          $15,730,451
                                      ============

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Savings deposits                        $945,881       $844     0.35%
 Interest-bearing demand deposits       2,338,492      4,615     0.79
 Money market deposits                  1,516,812      3,294     0.86
 Time deposits, excluding Brokered CDs  2,771,249     17,488     2.51
                                      ------------ ----------
  Total interest-bearing deposits,
   excluding Brokered CDs               7,572,434     26,241     1.38
 Brokered CDs                             235,844        950     1.60
                                      ------------ ----------
  Total interest-bearing deposits       7,808,278     27,191     1.39
 Wholesale funding                      4,573,129     24,068     2.07
                                      ------------ ----------
Total interest-bearing liabilities     12,381,407     51,259     1.64
 Noninterest-bearing demand             1,813,279
 Other liabilities                        116,165
 Stockholders' equity                   1,419,600
                                      ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 equity                               $15,730,451
                                      ============

                                                   ----------
Net interest income and rate spread (1)             $139,611     3.50%
                                                   ==========
Net interest margin (1)                                          3.76%
Taxable equivalent adjustment                         $6,395
                                                   ==========

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

(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
             Joe Selner (Investors), 920-491-7120
             or
             Cindy Moon-Mogush (Media), 920-431-8034

    SOURCE: Associated Banc-Corp