ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP - Annual Report 2020

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _ to _

Commission file number 001-31343 (Associated Banc-Corp)

A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP 401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

433 Main Street

Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Financial Statements and Schedule

December 31, 2019 and 2018

(With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Thereon)

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Table of Contents

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	1
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits, December 31, 2019 and 2018	3
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018	4
Notes to Financial Statements	5
Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year), December 31, 2019	11

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

	December 31, — 2019	2018
Assets:
Investments, at fair value:
Collective trust funds	$ 192,915,729	$ 180,574,889
Associated Banc-Corp Common Stock Fund	43,809,633	43,015,717
Mutual funds	447,624,825	348,923,346
Cash surrender value of life insurance	73,720	68,800
Total investments at fair value	684,423,907	572,582,752
Investments, at contract value:
Group Annuity Contracts	6,794	542,117
Total investments	684,430,701	573,124,869
Receivables:
Accrued interest, dividends and capital gains distributions receivable	8,303	4,251
Due from broker for securities sold	369,339	135,870
Notes receivable from participants	7,436,548	7,159,849
Employer contribution receivable	16,099,328	15,473,957
Total receivables	23,913,518	22,773,927
Cash	665,973	589,904
Total assets	709,010,192	596,488,700
Liabilities:
Administrative expenses payable	180,388	164,700
Due to broker for securities purchased	534,101	450,181
Total liabilities	714,489	614,881
Net assets available for benefits	$ 708,295,703	$ 595,873,819

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

	Years Ended December 31, — 2019	2018
Additions:
Additions to net assets attributed to:
Investment income:
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments	$ 120,858,827	$ (46,515,231	)
Interest and dividends	8,758,373	6,773,596
Total investment income (loss)	129,617,200	(39,741,635	)
Interest income on notes receivable from participants	464,425	400,921
Contributions:
Participant	27,949,747	26,685,727
Employer	16,099,454	15,475,263
Rollover	8,687,064	5,592,006
Total contributions	52,736,265	47,752,996
Total additions	182,817,890	8,412,282
Deductions:
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Benefits paid to participants	69,511,384	53,677,489
Insurance premiums	2,140	2,893
Administrative expenses	882,482	854,185
Total deductions	70,396,006	54,534,567
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for plan benefits before transfers	112,421,884	(46,122,285	)
Transfer from Bank Mutual 401(k) Plan	—	43,029,455
Transfer from Whitnell 401(k) Plan	—	3,693,420
Transfer from Diversified 401(k) Plan	—	7,537,769
Transfer from Anderson 401(k) Plan	—	1,994,883
Net increase in net assets available for plan benefits after transfers	112,421,884	10,133,242
Net assets available for benefits:
Beginning of year	595,873,819	585,740,577
End of year	$ 708,295,703	$ 595,873,819

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

(1) Description of the Plan

The following brief description of the Associated Banc-Corp 401(k) & Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”) is provided for general information. The Plan contains 401(k) provisions. Participants should refer to the summary plan description for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

Background

Associated Banc-Corp (the “Corporation”) has established the Associated Banc-Corp 401(k) & Employee Stock Ownership Plan, a defined contribution plan. The 401(k) provisions of the Plan provide for employee contributions complying with the provisions of Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") Section 401(k) as well as discretionary employer matching contributions. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

In July 2019, the Plan received a $1.7M group rollover contribution as a result of the acquisition of the Huntington National Bank's Wisconsin branch banking operations by the Corporation in June 2019.

In February 2018, the Corporation completed its acquisition of Bank Mutual Corporation. In connection with the acquisition, the Bank Mutual 401(k) Plan was transferred into the Plan in May 2018. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2017, first quarter of 2018, and second quarter of 2018 the Corporation completed the acquisitions of Whitnell, Diversified, and Anderson, respectively. In connection with these acquisitions, their 401(k) Plans were transferred into the Plan in March 2018, August 2018, and July 2018, respectively.

Participants

Employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries that have adopted the Plan are eligible to participate in the employer contribution provisions of the Plan if they were employed on the last day of the year (December 31) and they completed 1,000 hours of service during the calendar year (exceptions for death, disability, and retirement). Employees are eligible to participate in the employee 401(k) contribution portion of the Plan once they complete 1 hour of service annually.

In conjunction with the 401(k) provisions of the Plan, participants can elect to contribute an amount between 1% of their compensation and the limitations ( $19,000 for 2019 and $18,500 for 2018 ) of Section 402(g) of the Code in increments of 1% to the Plan by means of regular payroll deductions. Participants may contribute pre-tax 401(k) contributions, Roth 401(k) contributions or a combination of both. New plan participants are automatically enrolled to contribute 5% of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis. Participants can change this percentage at any time. Participants who have attained age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions in accordance with, and subject to the limitations ( $6,000 for both 2019 and 2018 ) of, Section 414(v) of the Code. Participants are also allowed to contribute amounts qualifying as rollover contributions under Section 402(c)(4) of the Code.

The Plan provides for a discretionary Corporation matching contribution. For 2019 and 2018 , the discretionary match was equal to 100% of the first 5% deferred for plan participants who met the allocation conditions.

Vesting

Participants are 100% vested in both employee and Corporation matching contributions to the Plan.

Investment of Plan Assets

At December 31, 2019 , participants could direct their accounts to be invested in the Associated Banc-Corp Common Stock Fund, 7 collective trust funds and 26 mutual funds offered by the Plan as investment options. Plan assets are held in trust with Associated Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”) a subsidiary of Associated Bank, N.A. (“the Bank”), which is a subsidiary of the Corporation. Participants can elect to invest in one of the aforementioned funds or in 1% increments in two or more funds. Upon enrollment, if a participant does not make an investment election, their account is automatically invested in the Vanguard Target Retirement Series based on the participant’s age. Participants can change the allocation of the Plan accounts on a daily basis.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

Notes Receivable From Participants

A participant may request a loan for any reason. Loans are limited to the lesser of (1) $50,000 , reduced by the excess of the highest outstanding balance of loans from the Plan during the one-year period ending on the day before the date on which such loan was made over the outstanding balance of loans from the Plan on the date on which such loan was made or (2) 50% of the vested benefit of the participant’s account balance. Participant loans will not be granted for less than $1,000 .

A commercially reasonable fixed rate of interest will be assessed on the loan with the current rate set at the prime rate plus 2% offered by the Bank. Interest rates range from 3.25% to 9.00% . The loan will provide bi-weekly payments (if non-exempt) or semi-monthly payments (if exempt) under a level amortization schedule of not greater than 5 years unless the loan is used to acquire a principal residence in which case, the maximum term of the loan would be 15 years. The Plan may also hold grandfathered or inherited loans from merged plans with maturity dates extended beyond the 15 years allowed by the Plan document.

Participant Accounts

The Plan is a defined contribution plan under which a separate individual account is established for each participant. Plan investments are valued daily. Due to daily valuation, contributions are allocated to participant accounts upon receipt, and income and changes in asset values are immediately allocated to the participants’ accounts. Under a daily valued plan, participants can verify account balances daily utilizing the VRU (Voice Response Unit) or Internet access.

Distributions

Distributions are made in the form of lump-sum payments, payments over a period in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual installments and other payment forms allowed by the Plan document. If employment has terminated, the participant cannot delay a required minimum distribution past April 1 of the year following the year in which he or she attains age 70½. Participants may withdraw amounts for any reason upon reaching age 59½. Earnings are credited to a participant’s account through the date of distribution.

Distributions are made in cash or, if a participant has investments in Corporation common shares, the participant may elect to receive the distribution of that particular investment in the form of Corporation common shares plus cash for any fractional share.

Amounts payable to participants for contributions in excess of amounts allowed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded as a liability with a corresponding reduction to contributions.

Termination of Plan

While the Corporation has not expressed any intent to terminate the Plan, it is free to do so at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA.

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Plan in the preparation of the financial statements:

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements of the Plan have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Plan Administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, and any other parameters used in determining these estimates and assumptions could cause actual results to differ.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan, at the direction of the participant, invests in various investment securities. The Plan’s investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the values of investments, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term could materially affect participant account balances and the amounts reported in the financial statements of the Plan.

a) Interest Rate

Interest rate risk refers to the impact of interest rate changes on the Plan’s financial position. Interest rate changes directly impact the fair value of U.S. government obligations and have an indirect impact on the other investments held by the Plan.

b) Market

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of an investment will fluctuate as a result of changes in market price.

c) Credit

Credit risk is associated with the potential failure of a counterparty to fulfill its obligations based on the contractual terms of the agreements. The amount of credit risk will increase or decrease during the lives of the investments as interest rates or foreign exchange rates or credit spreads fluctuate.

Investments and Income Recognition

Investment securities are recorded at fair value. Fair value of mutual funds is based on quoted market prices. The investments in units of the collective trust funds and Common Stock Fund are carried at the net asset value (NAV), which is the value at which units in the funds can be withdrawn and approximates fair value as a practical expedient. See Note 5, Fair Value Measurements, for discussion of fair value measurements.

Fair values of cash surrender value of life insurance are provided by the underlying insurance providers at year-end and also upon individual policy surrender. As such, these holdings are valued at the year-end cash surrender values, which approximates fair value. Upon death of the participant, death benefits are paid directly to the beneficiary from the insurance provider and not by the Plan. Any cash surrender value upon termination of a life insurance policy is paid directly to the terminated participant or to the Plan for active participants.

Investments valued at contract value are group annuity contracts. At both December 31, 2019 and 2018 , the Plan held a group annuity contract with Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. During 2019, the Plan sold a group annuity contract with Principal Life Insurance Company that was held at December 31, 2018. These contracts meet the fully benefit-responsive investment contract criteria and therefore are reported at contract value. Contract value is the relevant measure for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because this is the amount received by participants if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. Contract value, as reported to the Plan by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and Principal Life Insurance Company, represent contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals, and administrative expenses.

Plan assets are held by the Trustee. Net appreciation (depreciation) of investments includes realized gains and losses on investments purchased and sold and changes in appreciation (depreciation) for the period. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined through the use of moving average basis. The Plan records interest income on the accrual basis and dividends on the ex-dividend date.

Notes Receivable from Participants

Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2019 or 2018 . Delinquent participant loans are reclassified as distributions based upon the terms of the Plan document.

Payment of Benefits

Benefits are recorded when paid.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

Operating Expenses

Loan and distribution recordkeeping fees are paid by the respective participant. All other expenses of maintaining the Plan are paid by the Plan.

Future Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the FASB issued an amendment to add, modify, and remove disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, based on the FASB Concepts Statement "Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting", including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. There will be no material impact to the Plan financial statements or disclosures upon adoption.

(3) Transactions with Related Parties

The Associated Banc-Corp Common Stock Fund at December 31, 2019 and 2018 included 1,945,110 shares and 2,148,475 shares, respectively, of common stock of the Corporation with fair values of $42,870,225 and $42,519,720 , respectively. Dividend income from Corporation stock totaled $1,418,452 and $1,272,838 in 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Also included in the Associated Banc-Corp Common Stock Fund at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were units of Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Institutional Fund with fair values of $939,408 and $495,997 , respectively. The Goldman Sachs Government Money Market Institutional Fund is an unrelated party.

Associated Trust Company, N.A. performs asset management and participant recordkeeping for the Plan. These expenses totaled $ 882,482 in 2019 and $854,185 in 2018 and were paid by the Plan. Additionally, Associated Trust Company, N.A. performs loan recordkeeping services for the Plan. Fees for these services are paid directly by participants and totaled $89,950 in 2019 and $86,575 in 2018 .

The Plan invests in various Associated Trust Company, N.A. collective trust funds. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , $192,915,729 and $180,574,889 , respectively, were invested in Associated Trust Company, N.A. collective trust funds.

(4) Income Taxes

The Plan Administrator received a favorable tax determination letter, dated August 26, 2014, from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that the Plan qualifies under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code. Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan Administrator and the Plan’s tax counsel believe that the Plan is designed, and is currently being operated, in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and, therefore, believe that the Plan is qualified, and the related trust is tax-exempt. Therefore, a provision for income taxes has not been included in the Plan’s financial statements.

(5) Fair Value Measurements

Fair value represents the estimated price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or to transfer a liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (i.e., an exit price concept). Assets and liabilities are categorized into three levels based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Plan’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Below is a brief description of each fair value level.

Level 1 inputs – utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Plan has the ability to access.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

Level 2 inputs – inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 inputs – unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on the Plan’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity.

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of the Plan’s investments as of the reporting period end. The designated input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with this investment.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for Plan assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the valuation methodologies used at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and there have been no transfers between fair value levels.

Collective trust funds and Common Stock Fund: Valued at the NAV of units of the fund. The NAV, as provided by the Trustee, is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. This practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the fund will sell the investment for an amount different than the reported NAV. Participant transactions (purchases and sales) may occur daily. Were the Plan to initiate a full redemption of the fund, the investment advisor reserves the right to temporarily delay withdrawal from the trust in order to ensure that securities liquidations will be carried out in an orderly business manner.

Mutual funds: Valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. Mutual funds held by the Plan are open-ended mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These funds are required to publish their daily NAV and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Plan are deemed to be actively traded.

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan's fair value measurements at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively:

Investments at December 31, 2019:	Fair Value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Investments measured in fair value hierarchy
Mutual funds	$ 447,624,825	$ 447,624,825	$ —	$ —
Cash surrender value of life insurance	73,720	—	—	73,720
Total investments measured in fair value hierarchy	$ 447,698,545	$ 447,624,825	$ —	$ 73,720
Total investments measured at NAV (1)	$ 236,725,362
Total investments at fair value	$ 684,423,907
Investments at December 31, 2018:	Fair Value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Investments measured at fair value in hierarchy
Mutual funds	$ 348,923,346	$ 348,923,346	$ —	$ —
Cash surrender value of life insurance	68,800	—	—	68,800
Total investments measured in fair value hierarchy	$ 348,992,146	$ 348,923,346	$ —	$ 68,800
Total investments measured at NAV (1)	$ 223,590,606
Total investments at fair value	$ 572,582,752

(1) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2019 and 2018

The following table summarizes investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient as of December 31:

	Fair Value		Unfunded Commitments	Redemption Frequency (If Currently Eligible)	Redemption Notice Period
	2019	2018
Collective trust funds	$ 192,915,729	$ 180,574,889	N/A	daily	one day
Associated Banc-Corp Common Stock Fund (1)	$ 43,809,633	$ 43,015,717	N/A	daily	one day

(1) This fund is designed to share in the performance of Associated Banc-Corp. The share price and return will vary according to factors affecting the Associated Banc-Corp common stock.

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan’s Level 3 investments for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively:

	Cash surrender value of life insurance — 2019	2018
Beginning balance	$ 68,800	$ 66,741
Unrealized gains	4,920	2,059
Ending balance	$ 73,720	$ 68,800
The amount of total gains for the period attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date.	$ 4,920	$ 2,059

(6) Subsequent Events

The Plan Administrator has evaluated the effects on the Plan financial statements of subsequent events that have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2019 through June 25, 2020 , the date these financial statements were issued. During this period, there have been no material events that would require recognition in the financial statements or disclosures to the financial statements except for the following.

On February 14, 2020, the Corporation completed its acquisition of First Staunton Bancshares, Incorporated ("First Staunton"). First Staunton's 401(k) Plan merged into the Associated Banc-Corp 401(k) Plan on April 30, 2020. Legacy First Staunton colleagues became eligible to participate in the Associated Banc-Corp 401(k) Plan with the first payroll after February 15, 2020.

The coronavirus disease ("COVID-19") pandemic has resulted in significant deterioration and disruption in national and local economic conditions. The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a global and national health emergency, resulting in the President declaring a national emergency and, for the first time in history, the issuance of a major disaster declaration for all 50 states. The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant effects on global markets, supply chains, businesses, and communities. Due to the overall uncertainty and risk, COVID-19 may impact the Plan's performance and financial results.

On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was enacted to provide economic stimulus to impacted areas of the country. The CARES Act included relief provisions available to eligible retirement plans and their participants. The relief provisions are available for utilization immediately, but adoption is required no later than the last day of the plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2022. The Corporation has approved the immediate inclusion of the following relief provisions in the Plan and will amend the Plan by the required adoption date. Eligible participants may receive a coronavirus-related distribution with no early distribution penalty and defer any loan payments for up to one year. The CARES Act also increases the maximum amount available for plan loans to eligible participants to the lesser of $100,000 or 100% of the eligible participant's account. In addition, all required minimum distributions for 2020 have been waived.

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

	December 31, 2019
(b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor, or similar party	(e) Current Value
Collective Trust Funds:
* Associated Trust Company, N.A. Balanced Lifestage Fund	$ 43,248,528
* Associated Trust Company, N.A. Conservative Balanced Lifestage Fund	6,525,818
* Associated Trust Company, N.A. Core Bond Fund	23,408,950
* Associated Trust Company, N.A. Growth Balanced Lifestage Fund	25,175,048
* Associated Trust Company, N.A. Growth Lifestage Fund	49,313,917
* Associated Trust Company, N.A. Money Market Fund	36,586,480
* Associated Trust Company, N.A. Short Term Bond Fund	8,656,989
Total collective trust funds	$ 192,915,729
* Associated Banc-Corp Common Stock Fund	$ 43,809,633
Mutual Funds:
American New World Fund	$ 12,861,716
Baird MidCap Fund	35,074,686
Dodge & Cox Stock Fund	55,146,567
Europacific Growth Fund	23,256,645
Growth Fund of America	56,045,312
Harbor Small Cap Growth	25,900,767
Janus Henderson Small Cap Value Fund	22,873,391
Templeton Global Bond Advisor Fund	5,493,171
Templeton Institutional Foreign Equity Fund	8,411,291
Vanguard Extended Market Index	5,474,058
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund	69,337,961
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015	4,471,225
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020	15,040,317
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025	17,469,941
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030	15,373,490
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035	10,742,178
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040	11,261,601
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045	8,982,346
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050	7,844,400
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055	5,287,008
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060	3,231,615
Vanguard Target Retirement 2065	136,793
Vanguard Target Retirement Fund	1,461,499
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index	3,852,108
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund	3,505,871
Virtus Mid-Cap Value Equity Fund	19,088,871
Total mutual funds	$ 447,624,825

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) (Continued)

	December 31, 2019
(b) Identity of issue, borrower, lessor, or similar party	(e) Current Value
Group Annuity Contracts:
Guaranteed Portfolio Fund	$ 6,794
Total group annuity contracts	$ 6,794
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance:
Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co.	$ 10,007
The Guardian Insurance and Annuity Co.	48,952
General American Life Ins. Co.	14,761
Total cash surrender value of life insurance	$ 73,720
Total Investments per Statement of Net Assets	$ 684,430,701
* Notes receivable from participants (989 participant loans with interest rates ranging from 3.25% to 9.00% and maturity dates ranging from 1/15/2020 to 8/15/2034)	7,436,548
Total Investments per 5500	$ 691,867,249
* Denotes a party-in-interest
Numbers may not sum due to rounding.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Associated Banc-Corp Retirement Program Committee has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
	401(k) & EMPLOYEE STOCK
	OWNERSHIP PLAN
Date June 25, 2020	/s/ Angie M. DeWitt
	Angie M. DeWitt, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Date June 25, 2020	/s/ Tammy C. Stadler
	Tammy C. Stadler, Executive Vice President, Principal Accounting Officer, and Corporate Controller

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