Company: ASB
Filing Date: 2025-12-30
Form Type: S-4
Source: 0001193125-25-337086
Chunk: 42

Company: ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Filing Date: 2025-12-30
Form: S-4
Chunk 42
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 the Community Reinvestment Act (the “CRA”), pursuant to which the Federal Reserve Board and OCC must also take into account the record of
performance of each of Associated and American National in meeting the credit needs of the entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, served by their depository institution
subsidiaries. In their most recent CRA performance evaluation, Associated Bank and American National Bank received overall CRA performance ratings of “Outstanding” and “Satisfactory,” respectively.

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The Federal Reserve Board and OCC may not approve an application that would substantially
lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly unless the Federal Reserve Board or OCC find that any anticompetitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed in the public interest by the probable effect of the proposal in meeting
the convenience and needs of the communities to be served. In evaluating the potential competitive effects of a proposed transaction, the Federal Reserve Board and OCC consult with the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), and upon request,
the DOJ will prepare a competitive factors report for the Federal Reserve Board’s and OCC’s consideration.

In connection with
an interstate merger transaction, the Federal Reserve Board and OCC consider certain additional factors under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Riegle-Neal Act”), including the capital position
of the acquiring bank holding company, state laws regarding the minimum age of the bank to be acquired, the concentration of deposits on a nationwide and statewide basis, and compliance with any applicable state community reinvestment and antitrust
laws.

Public Notice and Comments

The BHC Act, the Bank Merger Act and the Federal Reserve Board’s and OCC’s regulations require published notice of, and the
opportunity for public comment on, the applications to the Federal Reserve and OCC. The Federal Reserve Board and OCC take into account the views of third-party commenters, particularly on the subject of the merging parties’ CRA performance
and record of service to their communities. As part of the review process in merger transactions, the Federal Reserve Board and OCC frequently receive protests from community groups and others. These agencies are also authorized to hold one or more
public hearings or meetings if the agencies determine that such hearings or meetings would be appropriate. The receipt of written comments or any public meeting or hearing could prolong the period during which the applicable application is under
review by these agencies.

Department of Justice Review and Waiting Periods

In addition to the Federal Reserve Board, the DOJ conducts a concurrent competitive