Is Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) a buy in 2026?
Yes, on balance. The Compass leans toward accumulating Associated Banc-Corp at current levels.
A Midwest lender halfway through a self-funded balance sheet overhaul, now compounding earnings while trading like it hasn't changed at all.
Where ASB is headed
Associated Banc-Corp in 2028 looks nothing like the sleepy Wisconsin thrift it used to be. The bank spent 2024 and 2025 selling off low-yielding mortgages and rotating into commercial and industrial lending across Texas, Missouri, and the upper Midwest industrial belt. That repositioning is showing up now: net interest margin has climbed roughly 40 basis points from the trough, revenue growth is running north of 20%, and next-year earnings growth prints at 12.9% with a following wind. By fiscal 2028, if the C&I book keeps growing at the current clip and deposit costs behave, this is a $1.4B revenue bank earning close to $4 a share, with ROE finally clearing the 12% mark that has eluded it for a decade.
Read the full Compass Direction on ASB
The complete destination call, the overlooked angle, milestones, and bull, base, and bear price scenarios (around $32.33).
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Frequently asked questions
Is Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) a buy in 2026?
Yes, on balance. The Compass leans toward accumulating Associated Banc-Corp at current levels. A Midwest lender halfway through a self-funded balance sheet overhaul, now compounding earnings while trading like it hasn't changed at all.
What is ASB's Compass Score?
Associated Banc-Corp scores 75/100 on Alexandria's Compass, placing it in the "Favorable" tier. Scores blend eight factors and update weekly.
What is the price target for ASB?
Alexandria's full Compass Direction includes bull, base, and bear price scenarios with the valuation math behind each. Read the full breakdown on the ASB page.
Compass verdicts are AI-generated, forward-looking editorial research from publicly available data, not investment advice or a recommendation regarding any security. Scores and verdicts update as the data changes.