<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0607</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2026-10-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000007789</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ASB</issuerTradingSymbol>
        <issuerForeignTradingSymbol></issuerForeignTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001789468</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Kelley Angela M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>false</rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>433 MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREEN BAY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>54301</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>General Counsel &amp; Corp Sec'y</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock $0.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17385</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Sign-on Bonus: The reported shares were granted pursuant to the issuer's equity incentive plan and vest in three equal annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the reporting person's continued service through each applicable vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lynn M. Floeter, by POA from Angela M. Kelley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2026-10-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
