Form 4: ASB Executive Buys Stock via Employee Plan

Associated Banc-Corp Executive Vice President Nicole M. Kitowski acquired 27.2919 shares of common stock through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Summary

• Nicole M. Kitowski, Executive Vice President of Associated Banc-Corp (ASB), acquired 27.2919 shares of common stock.
• The transaction occurred on January 15, 2026, at a price of $26.871 per share.
• The shares were purchased through the Issuer's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Following this transaction, Ms. Kitowski directly owns 45,172.1011 shares of common stock.
• Additionally, Ms. Kitowski indirectly owns 3,216.87 shares through a 401(k) Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is mildly positive as an executive's purchase of company stock, even a small amount through an ESPP, signals confidence in the company's outlook and aligns management's interests with shareholders.

Positives

• An executive's participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) demonstrates confidence in the company's future performance and aligns management interests with shareholders.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

Insider purchases, particularly through structured plans like an ESPP, are a common occurrence in publicly traded companies. While individual transactions of this size are generally not market-moving, they collectively contribute to the overall sentiment regarding management's belief in the company's value and prospects.

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of shares by Executive Vice President Nicole M. Kitowski through the Issuer's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) represents a transaction between a company executive and the company itself, a common form of related party dealing.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders may view this transaction as a minor positive signal, indicating management's continued belief in the company's value and aligning executive interests with shareholder returns.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 reports a routine, relatively small purchase of company stock by an executive through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. While it indicates management confidence, it is not a significant enough event on its own to warrant a change in investment recommendation. The fundamental outlook for Associated Banc-Corp remains unchanged based solely on this filing.

Keywords

ASB, Associated Banc-Corp, insider trading, Form 4, stock purchase, ESPP, Nicole M. Kitowski, executive compensation