Associated Banc-Corp Achieves Record Annual Net Income of $463 Million for 2025
On January 22, 2026, Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) reported a remarkable net income available to common equity of $463 million, translating to earnings of $2.77 per common share for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. This figure demonstrates an impressive increase from the previous year, where the earnings were just $112 million, or $0.72 per common share. The quarterly breakdown shows earnings of $134 million or $0.80 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to a loss of $164 million, or $1.03 per share, for the same period in 2024.
Valued Words from Leadership
Andy Harmening, the President and CEO, stated, “2025 was a pivotal year for Associated Bank. We achieved several key milestones in our strategic plan, proving our ability to succeed in key growth markets. Additionally, we focused on substantial loan and deposit growth to drive high-quality results." Harmening emphasized that the company is on a stronger growth trajectory going into 2026, indicating enhanced profitability, capital generation, and solid credit results.
Financial Highlights of 2025
Registered financial metrics from 2025 were impressive across all areas, signaling robust growth for Associated Banc-Corp:
- - Diluted GAAP earnings per share: rose to $2.77.
- - Total loans: reached $31.2 billion, which is a 5% increase from 2024.
- - Total deposits: climbed to $35.6 billion, an increase of 3% year-over-year.
- - Core customer deposits: rose to $29.6 billion, also up by 3% from the previous year.
- - Net interest income: set a record of $1.2 billion, reflecting a 15% increase compared to 2024.
- - Net interest margin: measured at 3.03%.
Quarter Analysis and Future Projections
The fourth quarter of 2025 was also fruitful, presenting an average total loan growth of 1%, totaling $31.0 billion. Interestingly, commercial and business lending saw significant increases, paralleling an overall surge in lending activities, while fluctuations in consumer lending categories were noted. As for deposits during the fourth quarter of 2025, the bank experienced a notable uptick, demonstrating strong performance with a 4% increase in average deposits, averaging $34.8 billion compared to the prior year.
Looking ahead, Associated Banc-Corp expects total loan growth to remain steady, forecasting an increase of 5% to 6% in total loans and deposits for 2026, excluding anticipated impacts from the upcoming acquisition of American National Corporation.
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
As Associated Banc-Corp builds on its 2025 successes, the future looks promising. The bank not only aims for consistent growth and profitability, but also plans to further expand its footprint through strategic acquisitions later this year. These proactive steps indicate that Associated is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory while adapting to market demands. The coming months will be critical in realizing these ambitious objectives and establishing a sustainable long-term growth plan.