EX-99.1 2 c04474exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE exv99w1
 

(Associated Banc Corp Logo)
     
News Release
  CONTACTS:
 
  Investors:
 
       Joe Selner, Chief Financial Officer
 
       920-491-7120
 
  Media:
 
       Cindy Moon-Mogush, Corporate Communications
 
       920-431-8034
Associated earns 60 cents per diluted share in 1st quarter of 2006
  First quarter loan growth 9% (annualized)
 
  Wholesale funding reduction initiative accelerated late in first quarter
 
  Stock buy-back totals 4 million shares in 1Q and tangible capital is 6.41% of tangible assets
 
  Quarterly dividend increased to 29 cents
     GREEN BAY, Wis. – April 20, 2006 – Associated Banc-Corp (Nasdaq: ASBC) earned $.60 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2006, compared to $.59 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2005. Net income for the first quarter was $81.7 million, up 5.5 percent compared to first quarter 2005 net income of $77.5 million. Book value per share rose to $16.98 as of March 31, 2006, up 8.7 percent compared to a year earlier.
     For the first quarter of 2006, return on average assets (ROA) was 1.52 percent and return on average equity (ROE) was 14.16 percent, compared to ROA of 1.54 percent and ROE of 15.52 percent for the first quarter of 2005. Return on average tangible equity (which is a non-GAAP measure that excludes average goodwill and other intangible assets from average equity) was 23.48 percent in the first quarter of 2006, versus 24.13 percent in the first quarter of 2005.
     Comparatively, for the fourth quarter of 2005, net income was $87.6 million, and diluted earnings per share were $.64, while book value per share was $17.15 at year-end 2005. ROA was 1.58 percent, ROE was 14.99 percent, and return on average tangible equity was 22.70 percent for the fourth quarter of 2005.
     Loans as of March 31, 2006 were $15.5 billion, up $1.6 billion or 12 percent over first quarter of 2005. Since year-end 2005, loans increased $333 million (or 9 percent annualized), driven by growth in home equity and commercial loans.
     At March 31, 2006, the allowance for loan losses represented 1.31 percent of total loans and covered 185 percent of nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans rose to $110 million, representing 0.71 percent of total loans, compared to $99 million or 0.65 percent of loans at year-end 2005. The provision for loan losses was $4.5 million, $2.3 million, and $3.7 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2006, the first quarter of 2005, and the fourth quarter of 2005, approximating net charge-off levels for each period. First quarter 2006 net charge-offs were 0.12 percent of average loans, compared to 0.09 percent for the full year 2005.
     “I am very pleased with the growth in our home equity and commercial loans this quarter. This progress is evidence of traction in our sales efforts and the investments made in our distribution system in 2005,” Associated Banc-Corp President and CEO Paul S. Beideman said.
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ASBC 1Q’06 page 2 of 3
     “Also, our overall asset quality remains at historically strong levels,” Beideman said. While consumer loan losses were higher in the first quarter of 2006, as our customers deal with rising short-term rates, we anticipate that this trend will moderate over the next few quarters.”
     Period-end deposits at March 31, 2006 were $13.6 billion, up $1.4 billion or 12 percent over the first quarter of last year. Since year-end 2005, interest-bearing deposits grew while non-interest bearing demand deposits reflected seasonal declines.
     “Core deposit growth remains a top priority, and we are beginning to see progress from our improved deposit product line, sales results, and investments in core markets,” said Beideman. However, competitive pricing pressures, along with the shifting of deposits to higher-priced products or to alternatives outside of the banking industry, continue to challenge deposit growth.
     “The first quarter also reflects actions taken in connection with our previously announced initiative to reduce wholesale funding by up to $2 billion by year-end 2006,” Beideman said.
     The company used cash flows from maturing investments, as well as proceeds from the sale of $0.7 billion of investment securities in late March, to reduce wholesale funding and to buy back 4 million shares of common stock under an accelerated share repurchase. Investment security sales included losses of $15.8 million, offset by gains of $18.3 million on equity securities sales, resulting in a net $2.5 million pre-tax gain for the quarter.
     “Cumulatively, we have reduced wholesale funding by $1.1 billion since Sept. 30, 2005, after adjusting for our fourth quarter acquisition, reducing our ratio of wholesale funding to total funding from 34 percent to 29 percent at March 31, 2006.”
     Associated’s net interest income for the first quarter of 2006 was $166.9 million, compared to $165.9 million and $175.6 million for the first and fourth quarters of 2005, respectively. The first quarter 2006 net interest margin was 3.48 percent, compared to 3.68 percent for the first quarter of 2005, and 3.59 percent for the fourth quarter of 2005. Net interest income and the net interest margin were pressured by the interest rate environment, resulting in a rising cost of funds that exceeded the increased yield on earning assets. The late-March 2006 investment sale activity had minimal impact on the margin for the first quarter.
     Of the 11 basis point decline in the margin from the fourth quarter, approximately 6 basis points was attributable to the seasonal outflow of net free funds (notably non-interest bearing demand deposits), with the remainder from the combination of rate, volume and mix changes. “We believe the steps we are taking should help improve the margin to a level comparable to that of the fourth quarter of 2005,” said Beideman.
     Core noninterest revenues grew between the first quarter periods with increases in trust service fees (7 percent), service charges on deposits (12 percent), card-based and other nondeposit fees (9 percent), and retail commissions (5 percent). Compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, seasonal trends impacted retail commissions (up $1.9 million) and service charges (down $2.1 million). Trust fees, as well as card-based and other nondeposit fees, were relatively flat between the first quarter of 2006 and fourth quarter of 2005.
     Net mortgage banking income was $4.4 million for the first quarter of 2006, down $5.5 million from the first quarter of 2005, and down $7.8 million from the fourth quarter of 2005. Mortgage banking revenues were affected by lower secondary mortgage production (which was down 27 percent and 31 percent from the first and fourth quarters, respectively), and by a lower residential mortgage portfolio serviced for others (down on average 16 percent and 8 percent compared to first and fourth quarters, respectively) as the company sold $1.5 billion of its servicing portfolio at a $5.3 million gain during the fourth quarter. Valuation reserve recoveries on the mortgage servicing rights asset, included in net mortgage banking income, were $1.4 million, $4.0 million, and $1.3 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2006, the first quarter of 2005 and the fourth quarter of 2005.
     Expenses remain controlled. Noninterest expense was $123.5 million for the first quarter of 2006, up $2.2 million (2 percent) over the first quarter of 2005 and down $2.1 million (2 percent) compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Included in personnel expense for the first quarter of 2006
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ASBC 1Q’06 page 3 of 3
was $0.2 million of compensation expense related to unvested options required by the company’s January 1, 2006, adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004). The efficiency ratio was 51.00 percent, 49.73 percent and 48.38 percent for the first quarter of 2006, the first quarter of 2005 and the fourth quarter of 2005, respectively.
     The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2006 was 25.52 percent, compared to 31.87 percent and 31.22 percent during the first and fourth quarters of 2005, respectively. The decline was primarily due to the first quarter 2006 resolution of certain multi-jurisdictional tax issues for certain years, which resulted in the reduction of previously recorded tax liabilities and reduced income tax expense in the first quarter of 2006. In addition, the company entered into a confidential settlement agreement with the State of Wisconsin regarding its Nevada investment subsidiaries.
     Associated repurchased 4 million shares of its common stock in the first quarter of 2006 at an average price of $33.89 per share. During the first quarter, the company paid a dividend of 27 cents per share, up 8 percent from the year-earlier dividend.
     Associated’s Board of Directors today approved a dividend of 29 cents per share for the second quarter, representing a 7 percent increase over the previous quarterly dividend. This is Associated’s 36th consecutive annual dividend increase.
     “While we are facing a challenging business environment, we believe that the actions we are taking will better position the company to achieve current consensus earnings estimates,” Beideman said.
     Associated will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 3 p.m. CDT today. The toll-free dial-in number for the live call is 888-694-4769. The number for international callers is 973-582-2757. Participants should ask the operator for the Associated Banc-Corp first quarter 2006 earnings call, or for call ID number 7234181. A replay of the call will be available starting at 6 p.m. CT on April 20 through April 27 by calling 877-519-4471 (toll-free) domestically or 973-341-3080 internationally. The call ID number, 7234181, is required to access the replay.
     Additionally, remarks by Beideman at the company’s April 26 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be webcast. The webcast, featuring audio and slides of Beideman’s remarks, will be available through the company’s Web site live starting at approximately 11:10 a.m. CDT Wednesday, April 26. Interested parties should go the Web site a few minutes before the start time to register at www.associatedbank.com. Click on the Investor Relations link on the right side of the page, and then see the “News and Highlights” section.
     Associated Banc-Corp, headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., is a diversified multibank holding company with total assets of $22 billion. Associated has more than 320 banking offices serving more than 180 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 filed on Form 10-K.
Six pages of tables follow.

 


 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-Corp
                                         
    March 31,     December 31,             March 31,        
(in thousands)   2006     2005     % Change     2005     % Change  
 
Assets
                                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 405,001     $ 460,230       (12.0 %)   $ 327,487       23.7 %
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    20,096       14,254       41.0 %     14,202       41.5 %
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    8,380       17,811       (53.0 %)     15,655       (46.5 %)
Securities available for sale, at fair value
    3,840,697       4,711,605       (18.5 %)     4,835,134       (20.6 %)
Loans held for sale
    47,818       57,710       (17.1 %)     79,975       (40.2 %)
Loans
    15,539,187       15,206,464       2.2 %     13,923,196       11.6 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (203,408 )     (203,404 )     0.0 %     (189,917 )     7.1 %
 
                               
Loans, net
    15,335,779       15,003,060       2.2 %     13,733,279       11.7 %
Premises and equipment
    200,014       206,153       (3.0 %)     180,315       10.9 %
Goodwill
    875,727       877,680       (0.2 %)     679,993       28.8 %
Other intangible assets, net
    117,290       120,358       (2.5 %)     119,381       (1.8 %)
Other assets
    668,058       631,221       5.8 %     517,021       29.2 %
 
                               
Total assets
  $ 21,518,860     $ 22,100,082       (2.6 %)   $ 20,502,442       5.0 %
 
                               
 
                                       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Noninterest-bearing deposits
  $ 2,319,075     $ 2,504,926       (7.4 %)   $ 2,156,592       7.5 %
Interest-bearing deposits, excluding Brokered CDs
    10,730,135       10,538,856       1.8 %     9,819,201       9.3 %
Brokered CDs
    567,660       529,307       7.2 %     218,111       160.3 %
 
                               
Total deposits
    13,616,870       13,573,089       0.3 %     12,193,904       11.7 %
Short-term borrowings
    2,597,950       2,666,307       (2.6 %)     2,778,161       (6.5 %)
Long-term funding
    2,898,089       3,348,476       (13.5 %)     3,332,804       (13.0 %)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    161,256       187,232       (13.9 %)     172,502       (6.5 %)
 
                               
Total liabilities
    19,274,165       19,775,104       (2.5 %)     18,477,371       4.3 %
Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Preferred stock
                                 
Common stock
    1,323       1,357       (2.5 %)     1,300       1.8 %
Surplus
    1,178,908       1,301,004       (9.4 %)     1,128,148       4.5 %
Retained earnings
    1,073,968       1,029,247       4.3 %     898,578       19.5 %
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (9,504 )     (3,938 )     141.3 %     10,505       (190.5 %)
Deferred compensation
          (2,081 )     (100.0 %)     (3,814 )     (100.0 %)
Treasury stock, at cost
          (611 )     (100.0 %)     (9,646 )     (100.0 %)
 
                               
Total stockholders’ equity
    2,244,695       2,324,978       (3.5 %)     2,025,071       10.8 %
 
                               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 21,518,860     $ 22,100,082       (2.6 %)   $ 20,502,442       5.0 %
 
                               

 


 

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Associated Banc-Corp
                         
    For The Three Months Ended,        
    March 31,        
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   2006     2005     % Change  
 
Interest Income
                       
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 261,015     $ 200,309       30.3 %
Interest and dividends on investment securities and deposits with other financial institutions
                       
Taxable
    39,116       41,034       (4.7 %)
Tax-exempt
    10,163       9,723       4.5 %
Interest on federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    249       82       203.7 %
 
                   
Total interest income
    310,543       251,148       23.6 %
Interest Expense
                       
Interest on deposits
    77,878       44,433       75.3 %
Interest on short-term borrowings
    33,244       17,169       93.6 %
Interest on long-term funding
    32,552       23,638       37.7 %
 
                   
Total interest expense
    143,674       85,240       68.6 %
 
                   
Net Interest Income
    166,869       165,908       0.6 %
Provision for loan losses
    4,465       2,327       91.9 %
 
                   
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    162,404       163,581       (0.7 %)
Noninterest Income
                       
Trust service fees
    8,897       8,328       6.8 %
Service charges on deposit accounts
    20,959       18,665       12.3 %
Mortgage banking, net
    4,404       9,884       (55.4 %)
Card-based and other nondeposit fees
    9,886       9,111       8.5 %
Retail commissions
    15,478       14,705       5.3 %
Bank owned life insurance income
    3,071       2,168       41.7 %
Asset sale losses, net
    (230 )     (302 )     N/M  
Investment securities gains, net
    2,456             N/M  
Other
    5,852       8,814       (33.6 %)
 
                   
Total noninterest income
    70,773       71,373       (0.8 %)
Noninterest Expense
                       
Personnel expense
    69,303       72,985       (5.0 %)
Occupancy
    11,758       9,888       18.9 %
Equipment
    4,588       4,018       14.2 %
Data processing
    7,248       6,293       15.2 %
Business development and advertising
    4,249       3,939       7.9 %
Stationery and supplies
    1,774       1,844       (3.8 %)
Other intangible amortization
    2,343       1,994       17.5 %
Other
    22,208       20,281       9.5 %
 
                   
Total noninterest expense
    123,471       121,242       1.8 %
 
                   
Income before income taxes
    109,706       113,712       (3.5 %)
Income tax expense
    27,999       36,242       (22.7 %)
 
                   
Net Income
  $ 81,707     $ 77,470       5.5 %
 
                   
 
                       
Earnings Per Share:
                       
Basic
  $ 0.60     $ 0.60       0.0 %
Diluted
  $ 0.60     $ 0.59       1.7 %
Average Shares Outstanding:
                       
Basic
    135,114       129,781       4.1 %
Diluted
    136,404       131,358       3.8 %
 
N/M — Not meaningful.

 


 

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) — Quarterly Trend
Associated Banc-Corp
                                         
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   1Q06     4Q05     3Q05     2Q05     1Q05  
 
Interest Income
                                       
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 261,015     $ 252,443     $ 223,202     $ 213,420     $ 200,309  
Interest and dividends on investment securities and deposits in other financial institutions
                                       
Taxable
    39,116       41,486       40,050       41,834       41,034  
Tax-exempt
    10,163       10,325       9,755       9,507       9,723  
Interest on federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    249       289       384       182       82  
 
                             
Total interest income
    310,543       304,543       273,391       264,943       251,148  
Interest Expense
                                       
Interest on deposits
    77,878       66,934       53,598       48,087       44,433  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    33,244       26,828       23,628       21,731       17,169  
Interest on long-term funding
    32,552       35,186       32,087       28,451       23,638  
 
                             
Total interest expense
    143,674       128,948       109,313       98,269       85,240  
 
                             
Net Interest Income
    166,869       175,595       164,078       166,674       165,908  
Provision for loan losses
    4,465       3,676       3,345       3,671       2,327  
 
                             
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    162,404       171,919       160,733       163,003       163,581  
Noninterest Income
                                       
Trust service fees
    8,897       9,055       8,667       8,967       8,328  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    20,959       23,073       22,830       22,215       18,665  
Mortgage banking, net
    4,404       12,166       11,969       2,376       9,884  
Card-based and other nondeposit fees
    9,886       10,033       9,505       8,790       9,111  
Retail commissions
    15,478       13,624       12,905       15,370       14,705  
Bank owned life insurance income
    3,071       3,022       2,441       2,311       2,168  
Asset sale gains (losses), net
    (230 )     2,766       942       539       (302 )
Investment securities gains, net
    2,456       1,179       1,446       1,491        
Other
    5,852       6,126       6,260       (355 )     8,814  
 
                             
Total noninterest income
    70,773       81,044       76,965       61,704       71,373  
Noninterest Expense
                                       
Personnel expense
    69,303       68,619       66,403       66,934       72,985  
Occupancy
    11,758       10,287       9,412       9,374       9,888  
Equipment
    4,588       4,361       4,199       4,214       4,018  
Data processing
    7,248       7,240       7,129       6,728       6,293  
Business development and advertising
    4,249       4,999       4,570       4,153       3,939  
Stationery and supplies
    1,774       1,869       1,599       1,644       1,844  
Other intangible amortization
    2,343       2,418       1,903       2,292       1,994  
Other
    22,208       25,746       22,133       20,995       20,281  
 
                             
Total noninterest expense
    123,471       125,539       117,348       116,334       121,242  
 
                             
Income before income taxes
    109,706       127,424       120,350       108,373       113,712  
Income tax expense
    27,999       39,783       39,315       34,358       36,242  
 
                             
Net Income
  $ 81,707     $ 87,641     $ 81,035     $ 74,015     $ 77,470  
 
                             
 
                                       
Earnings Per Share:
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.60     $ 0.65     $ 0.63     $ 0.57     $ 0.60  
Diluted
  $ 0.60     $ 0.64     $ 0.63     $ 0.57     $ 0.59  
Average Shares Outstanding:
                                       
Basic
    135,114       135,684       127,875       128,990       129,781  
Diluted
    136,404       137,005       129,346       130,463       131,358  

 


 

Selected Quarterly Information
Associated Banc-Corp
                                         
(in thousands, except per share & full time equivalent employee data)   1st Qtr 2006   4th Qtr 2005   3rd Qtr 2005   2nd Qtr 2005   1st Qtr 2005
 
Summary of Operations
                                       
 
                                       
Net interest income
    166,869       175,595       164,078       166,674       165,908  
Provision for loan losses
    4,465       3,676       3,345       3,671       2,327  
Asset sale gains (losses), net
    (230 )     2,766       942       539       (302 )
Investment securities gains, net
    2,456       1,179       1,446       1,491        
Noninterest income (excluding securities & asset gains)
    68,547       77,099       74,577       59,674       71,675  
Noninterest expense
    123,471       125,539       117,348       116,334       121,242  
Income before income taxes
    109,706       127,424       120,350       108,373       113,712  
Income taxes
    27,999       39,783       39,315       34,358       36,242  
Net income
    81,707       87,641       81,035       74,015       77,470  
Taxable equivalent adjustment
    6,667       6,766       6,347       6,174       6,222  
 
                                       
Per Common Share Data (1)
                                       
 
                                       
Net income:
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.60     $ 0.65     $ 0.63     $ 0.57     $ 0.60  
Diluted
    0.60       0.64       0.63       0.57       0.59  
Dividends
    0.27       0.27       0.27       0.27       0.25  
Market Value:
                                       
High
  $ 34.83     $ 33.23     $ 34.74     $ 33.89     $ 33.50  
Low
    32.75       29.09       30.29       30.11       30.60  
Close
    33.98       32.55       30.48       33.58       31.23  
Book value
    16.98       17.15       16.12       15.80       15.62  
 
                                       
Performance Ratios (annualized)
                                       
 
                                       
Earning assets yield
    6.38 %     6.12 %     5.83 %     5.71 %     5.51 %
Interest-bearing liabilities rate
    3.37       2.98       2.66       2.42       2.13  
Net interest margin
    3.48       3.59       3.56       3.63       3.68  
Return on average assets
    1.52       1.58       1.56       1.44       1.54  
Return on average equity
    14.16       14.99       15.85       14.62       15.52  
Return on tangible average equity (2)
    23.48       22.70       24.55       22.65       24.13  
Efficiency ratio (3)
    51.00       48.38       47.90       50.03       49.73  
Effective tax rate
    25.52       31.22       32.67       31.70       31.87  
Dividend payout ratio (4)
    45.00       41.54       42.86       47.37       41.67  
 
                                       
Average Balances
                                       
 
                                       
Assets
  $ 21,871,969     $ 22,022,165     $ 20,607,901     $ 20,574,770     $ 20,467,698  
Earning assets
    19,910,420       20,080,758       18,960,035       18,916,921       18,756,555  
Interest-bearing liabilities
    17,204,860       17,090,134       16,198,492       16,207,719       16,139,002  
Loans
    15,327,803       15,154,225       14,163,827       14,084,246       13,977,621  
Deposits
    13,319,664       13,282,910       12,133,719       12,069,719       12,359,040  
Wholesale funding
    6,092,275       6,280,793       6,307,705       6,326,418       5,911,177  
Stockholders’ equity
    2,339,539       2,320,134       2,027,785       2,030,929       2,024,265  
Stockholders’ equity / assets
    10.70 %     10.54 %     9.84 %     9.87 %     9.89 %
 
                                       
At Period End
                                       
 
                                       
Assets
  $ 21,518,860     $ 22,100,082     $ 20,741,731     $ 20,753,714     $ 20,502,442  
Loans
    15,539,187       15,206,464       14,107,137       14,054,506       13,923,196  
Allowance for loan losses
    203,408       203,404       190,080       190,024       189,917  
Goodwill
    875,727       877,680       679,993       679,993       679,993  
Mortgage servicing rights, net
    68,116       68,841       78,688       74,103       78,182  
Other intangible assets
    49,174       51,517       37,004       38,907       41,199  
Deposits
    13,616,870       13,573,089       12,181,025       12,098,631       12,193,904  
Wholesale funding
    5,496,039       6,014,783       6,324,451       6,460,586       6,110,965  
Stockholders’ equity
    2,244,695       2,324,978       2,062,565       2,018,435       2,025,071  
Stockholders’ equity / assets
    10.43 %     10.52 %     9.94 %     9.73 %     9.88 %
Tangible equity / tangible assets (5)
    6.41 %     6.59 %     6.72 %     6.49 %     6.59 %
Shares outstanding, end of period
    132,167       135,602       127,985       127,743       129,622  
Shares repurchased during period
    4,030       974             2,111       411  
Average per share cost of shares repurchased during period
  $ 33.63     $ 30.82     $     $ 33.10     $ 32.76  
Year-to-date shares repurchased during period
    4,030       3,496       2,522       2,522       411  
YTD average per share cost of shares repurchased during period
  $ 33.63     $ 32.43     $ 33.05     $ 33.05     $ 32.76  
 
                                       
Selected trend information
                                       
 
                                       
Average full time equivalent employees
    5,147       5,113       4,815       4,889       5,132  
Trust assets under management, at market value
  $ 5,200,000     $ 5,000,000     $ 4,900,000     $ 4,800,000     $ 4,700,000  
Mortgage loans originated for sale
    246,724       356,280       498,343       385,677       337,406  
Portfolio serviced for others
    8,050,000       8,028,000       9,492,000       9,479,000       9,528,000  
Mortgage servicing rights, net / Portfolio serviced for others
    0.85 %     0.86 %     0.83 %     0.78 %     0.82 %
 
(1)   Per share data adjusted retroactively for stock splits & stock dividends.
 
(2)   Return on tangible average equity = Net income divided by average equity excluding average goodwill & 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, & asset sales gains, net.
 
(4)   Ratio is based upon basic earnings per share.
 
(5)   Tangible equity to tangible assets = Stockholders’ equity excluding goodwill & other intangible assets divided by assets excluding goodwill & other intangible assets. This is a non-GAAP financial measure.


 

Financial Summary and Comparison
Associated Banc-Corp
                         
    Three months ended        
    March 31,        
(in thousands)   2006     2005     % Change  
     
Allowance for Loan Losses
                       
Beginning balance
  $ 203,404     $ 189,762       7.2 %
Provision for loan losses
    4,465       2,327       91.9 %
Charge offs
    (6,062 )     (5,683 )     6.7 %
Recoveries
    1,601       3,511       (54.4 %)
             
Net charge offs
    (4,461 )     (2,172 )     105.4 %
             
Ending Balance
  $ 203,408     $ 189,917       7.1 %
             
                                                         
Credit Quality                   1Q06 vs 4Q05                           1Q06 vs 1Q05
    Mar 31, 2006     Dec 31, 2005     % Change     Sept 30, 2005     June 30, 2005     Mar 31, 2005     % Change  
         
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 102,824     $ 95,313       7.9 %   $ 107,298     $ 109,698     $ 99,835       3.0 %
Loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing
    7,068       3,270       116.1 %     3,354       2,806       3,068       130.4 %
Restructured loans
    31       32       (3.1 %)     33       35       36       (13.9 %)
                         
Total nonperforming loans
    109,923       98,615       11.5 %     110,685       112,539       102,939       6.8 %
Other real estate owned
    11,676       11,336       3.0 %     10,017       3,685       4,019       190.5 %
                         
Total nonperforming assets
    121,599       109,951       10.6 %     120,702       116,224       106,958       13.7 %
                         
Provision for loan losses
    4,465       3,676       21.5 %     3,345       3,671       2,327       91.9 %
Net charge offs
    4,461       3,635       22.7 %     3,289       3,564       2,172       105.4 %
 
                                                       
Allowance for loan losses / loans
    1.31 %     1.34 %             1.35 %     1.35 %     1.36 %        
Allowance for loan losses / nonperforming loans
    185.05       206.26               171.73       168.85       184.49          
Nonperforming loans / total loans
    0.71       0.65               0.78       0.80       0.74          
Nonperforming assets / total assets
    0.57       0.50               0.58       0.56       0.52          
Net charge offs / average loans (annualized)
    0.12       0.10               0.09       0.10       0.06          
Year-to-date net charge offs / average loans
    0.12       0.09               0.09       0.08       0.06          
                                                         
Period End Loan Composition                   1Q06 vs 4Q05                             1Q06 vs 1Q05  
    Mar 31, 2006     Dec 31, 2005     % Change     Sept 30, 2005     June 30, 2005     Mar 31, 2005     % Change  
         
Commercial, financial & agricultural
  $ 3,571,835     $ 3,417,343       4.5 %   $ 3,213,656     $ 3,086,663     $ 2,852,462       25.2 %
Real estate — construction
    1,981,473       1,783,267       11.1 %     1,519,681       1,640,941       1,569,013       26.3 %
Commercial real estate
    4,024,260       4,064,327       (1.0 %)     3,648,169       3,650,726       3,813,465       5.5 %
Lease financing
    62,600       61,315       2.1 %     57,270       53,270       50,181       24.7 %
                         
Commercial
    9,640,168       9,326,252       3.4 %     8,438,776       8,431,600       8,285,121       16.4 %
Home equity (a)
    2,121,601       2,025,055       4.8 %     1,878,436       1,806,236       1,744,676       21.6 %
Installment
    957,877       1,003,938       (4.6 %)     1,024,356       1,025,621       1,048,510       (8.6 %)
                         
Retail
    3,079,478       3,028,993       1.7 %     2,902,792       2,831,857       2,793,186       10.2 %
Residential mortgage
    2,819,541       2,851,219       (1.1 %)     2,765,569       2,791,049       2,844,889       (0.9 %)
                         
Total loans
  $ 15,539,187     $ 15,206,464       2.2 %   $ 14,107,137     $ 14,054,506     $ 13,923,196       11.6 %
                         
 
(a) Home equity includes home equity lines and residential mortgage junior liens.
                                                         
Period End Deposit Composition                   1Q06 vs 4Q05                             1Q06 vs 1Q05  
    Mar 31, 2006     Dec 31, 2005     % Change     Sept 30, 2005     June 30, 2005     Mar 31, 2005     % Change  
         
Demand
  $ 2,319,075     $ 2,504,926       (7.4 %)   $ 2,256,774     $ 2,250,482     $ 2,156,592       7.5 %
Savings
    1,074,938       1,079,851       (0.5 %)     1,074,234       1,117,922       1,137,120       (5.5 %)
Interest-bearing demand
    2,347,104       2,549,782       (7.9 %)     2,252,711       2,227,188       2,485,548       (5.6 %)
Money market
    2,863,174       2,629,933       8.9 %     2,240,606       2,094,796       2,112,490       35.5 %
Brokered CDs
    567,660       529,307       7.2 %     407,459       491,781       218,111       160.3 %
Other time deposits
    4,444,919       4,279,290       3.9 %     3,949,241       3,916,462       4,084,043       8.8 %
                         
Total deposits
  $ 13,616,870     $ 13,573,089       0.3 %   $ 12,181,025     $ 12,098,631     $ 12,193,904       11.7 %
                         


 

Net Interest Income Analysis — Taxable Equivalent Basis
Associated Banc-Corp
                                                 
    Three months ended March 31, 2006     Three months ended March 31, 2005  
    Average     Interest     Average     Average     Interest     Average  
(in thousands)   Balance     Income / Expense     Yield / Rate     Balance     Income / Expense     Yield / Rate  
Earning assets:
                                               
Loans: (1) (2) (3)
                                               
Commercial
  $ 9,425,306     $ 164,288       6.97 %   $ 8,265,444     $ 115,902       5.61 %
Residential mortgage
    2,877,613       40,946       5.71       2,836,893       39,418       5.58  
Retail
    3,024,884       56,350       7.50       2,875,284       45,378       6.40  
                         
Total loans
    15,327,803       261,584       6.84       13,977,621       200,698       5.77  
Investments and other
    4,582,617       55,626       4.86       4,778,934       56,672       4.75  
                         
Total earning assets
    19,910,420       317,210       6.38       18,756,555       257,370       5.51  
Other assets, net
    1,961,549                       1,711,143                  
 
                                           
Total assets
  $ 21,871,969                     $ 20,467,698                  
 
                                           
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Savings deposits
  $ 1,065,212     $ 943       0.36 %   $ 1,119,263     $ 1,012       0.37 %
Interest-bearing demand deposits
    2,384,072       10,392       1.77       2,602,085       6,746       1.05  
Money market deposits
    2,800,403       21,352       3.09       2,116,014       7,396       1.42  
Time deposits, excluding Brokered CDs
    4,350,733       39,449       3.68       4,071,934       27,247       2.71  
                         
Total interest-bearing deposits, excluding Brokered CDs
    10,600,420       72,136       2.76       9,909,296       42,401       1.74  
Brokered CDs
    512,165       5,742       4.55       318,529       2,032       2.59  
                         
Total interest-bearing deposits
    11,112,585       77,878       2.84       10,227,825       44,433       1.76  
Wholesale funding
    6,092,275       65,796       4.32       5,911,177       40,807       2.76  
                         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    17,204,860       143,674       3.37       16,139,002       85,240       2.13  
Noninterest-bearing demand
    2,207,079                       2,131,215                  
Other liabilities
    120,491                       173,216                  
Stockholders’ equity
    2,339,539                       2,024,265                  
 
                                           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 21,871,969                     $ 20,467,698                  
 
                                           
 
                                           
Net interest income and rate spread (1)
          $ 173,536       3.01 %           $ 172,130       3.38 %
 
                                           
Net interest margin (1)
                    3.48 %                     3.68 %
Taxable equivalent adjustment
          $ 6,667                     $ 6,222          
 
                                           
 
(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.