Stock Markets January 27, 2026

Associated Banc-Corp Announces Dividend, $100M Buyback; Shares Rise After Hours

Board approves quarterly common and preferred dividends and a new repurchase authorization as stock ticks higher in after-hours trading

By Maya Rios ASB
Associated Banc-Corp Announces Dividend, $100M Buyback; Shares Rise After Hours
ASB

Associated Banc-Corp declared quarterly cash dividends on both common and preferred shares and authorized a new $100 million common stock repurchase program, steps that coincided with a 1.9% gain in after-hours trading. The repurchase authorization supplements remaining authority from the prior buyback plan and is subject to regulatory constraints and a variety of execution methods.

Key Points

  • Associated Banc-Corp announced a regular quarterly common dividend of $0.24 per share, payable March 16, 2026, to holders of record on March 2, 2026.
  • Quarterly preferred dividends were declared: $0.3671875 per depositary share for the 5.875% Series E and $0.3515625 per depositary share for the 5.625% Series F.
  • The Board authorized a new $100 million common stock repurchase program in addition to remaining authority under the prior buyback plan; repurchases are subject to regulatory limits and may be executed via open market, block trades, or accelerated share repurchases.

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB) saw its shares rise 1.9% in after-hours trading on Tuesday after the company disclosed dividend declarations and a fresh share repurchase authorization.

The bank holding company’s Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per common share. That dividend is scheduled to be paid on March 16, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2026.

In addition to the common dividend, the Board declared quarterly payments on the company’s preferred stock issues. Holders of the 5.875% Series E Perpetual Preferred Stock will receive $0.3671875 per depositary share, while holders of the 5.625% Series F Perpetual Preferred Stock will receive $0.3515625 per depositary share.

Signaling a further capital-return initiative, Associated’s Board authorized a new $100 million common stock repurchase program. The authorization is intended to operate alongside the remaining authority under the company’s prior buyback program, potentially reducing the outstanding share count should purchases be executed.

The company noted that any repurchases under these programs will be subject to regulatory limitations. Management may carry out repurchases through several channels, including open market transactions, block trades, or accelerated share repurchase programs, depending on conditions and regulatory allowances.

Associated Banc-Corp is headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and conducts the majority of its business in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The bank provides a full range of banking products and services to both individual and business customers in those primary markets.


Market reaction - The dividend and buyback announcements coincided with a 1.9% gain for the company’s common stock in after-hours trading on Tuesday, reflecting immediate investor response to the Board’s capital allocation decisions.

What the actions mean - The dividend declarations establish the timeline and amounts for common and preferred payouts, while the new repurchase authorization expands the company’s ability to return capital to shareholders, subject to regulatory rules and available repurchase authorities.

Note: Details in this report are based solely on the company disclosures provided in the announcement.

Risks

  • Repurchases are subject to regulatory limitations, which could restrict the timing or amount of common stock bought back - impacts capital markets and banking sector capital allocation.
  • Execution methods for repurchases (open market, block transactions, or accelerated share repurchases) may be constrained by market conditions, affecting the pace and effectiveness of share-count reduction - impacts equity market execution risk.
  • The announcement does not alter the company’s geographic concentration in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, leaving regional economic developments as a potential source of uncertainty for the bank’s operations and performance - impacts regional banking exposure.

More from Stock Markets

JPMorgan Repositions on European Oils, Prefers Galp’s Upstream Growth Over Repsol’s Refining Strength Feb 3, 2026 Plus500 Enters U.S. Prediction Markets via Plus500 Futures; Shares Jump 7.5% Feb 3, 2026 Swatch Group Nominates Andreas Rickenbacher for Board Seat as Activist Pressure Builds Feb 3, 2026 Jakarta Stocks Close Higher as Financials, Infrastructure and Agriculture Lead Gains Feb 3, 2026 Singapore Airshow Opens as Manufacturers Struggle to Meet Surging Asia-Pacific Demand Feb 3, 2026