Company: ASB
Filing Date: 2025-03-17
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000007789-25-000025
Chunk: 40

Company: ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Filing Date: 2025-03-17
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 40
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 executive officers do not have employment or severance agreements or arrangements, except as provided for in our change of control severance compensation plan, or COC Plan. • We do not provide tax “gross-up” payments in connection with any excise tax or other tax liabilities for the NEOs (except in connection with relocation expenses). • Our NEOs receive a limited number of perquisites. • We have an independent Compensation and Benefits Committee. • We utilize an independent external compensation consultant. Proposed Resolution Accordingly, as required under the Exchange Act, this proposal seeks a shareholder advisory vote on the approval of compensation of our NEOs as disclosed under Item 402 of Regulation S-K through the following resolution: “Resolved, that the shareholders approve the compensation of Associated’s Named Executive Officers as disclosed pursuant to the compensation rules of the SEC in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and any related materials.” Because this is an advisory vote, it will not be binding on the Board of Directors. However, the Compensation and Benefits Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when contemplating future executive compensation arrangements.

| RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |

The Board recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the advisory approval of Associated Banc-Corp’s NEO compensation, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC (which disclosure includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and any related material). If a majority of the votes cast are voted “FOR” this Proposal 3, it will pass. Unless otherwise directed, all proxies will be voted “FOR” Proposal 3.

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| LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS |

To Our Fellow Shareholders, On behalf of Associated Banc-Corp’s Board of Directors, the Compensation and Benefits Committee is pleased to provide highlights of the Company’s 2024 performance and demonstrate how our executive compensation program aligns to that performance. 2024: Advancing Our Growth Strategy Over the past three years, we have strengthened our company by successfully executing our strategic plan and advancing our growth initiatives. Our executive team and colleagues continue to play a significant role in Associated Bank’s success. In 2024, we continued to see signs of strength in the US economy, and closer to home in the Midwest, the conditions have remained stable. This stability has allowed us to deliver positive financial results and continue to execute our growth strategy. Key highlights are outlined below.

| Financial Highlights1 |     | Growth Strategy Highlights |

In the fourth quarter of 2024, to support our organic growth strategy, we repositioned our