Associated Bank announces leadership changes

GREEN BAY, Wis., Sept. 1, 2016

Scott S. Hickey, executive vice president and chief credit officer, has announced his plans to retire in the second quarter of 2017. Hickey, who joined Associated in 2008, had a successful career in the financial services industry spanning four decades. He played an integral role in ensuring strategic execution of the company's credit policy during his tenure on Associated's executive committee.

"Thanks in large part to Scott's leadership, the company has successfully built and maintained robust internal portfolio management controls," said Philip B. Flynn, Associated president and CEO. "Those controls allow us to ensure that loan growth exposure is managed in both a disciplined and business-building manner. We thank him for his contributions and wish him the best."

In anticipation of Hickey's retirement, and succession, the company also announced that James Simons has accepted the position of executive vice president and deputy chief credit officer effective September 1, 2016. He will report to Hickey and serve as a member of the executive committee.

With more than 38 years of industry experience, Simons joins Associated from CIT where he most recently served as chief credit officer for the Energy, Power, Technology, Real Estate, Private Banking, Middle Market and SBA business lines. He has also held executive credit roles with Guaranty Bancorp and US Bancorp.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $29 billion and is one of the top 50 publicly traded U.S. bank holding companies. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from over 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

Contact: Jennifer Kaminski
Vice President | Public Relations Manager
920-491-7576
Jennifer.Kaminski@associatedbank.com