Form 4: Associated Banc-Corp Executive John A. Utz Reports Stock Transactions

Executive Vice President John A. Utz of Associated Banc-Corp reports acquisition of company stock through employee stock purchase plan and dividend equivalents.

Summary

• John A. Utz, an Executive Vice President at Associated Banc-Corp, filed a Form 4 detailing changes in beneficial ownership of the company's stock.
• On March 17, 2025, Utz acquired 60.8617 shares of common stock at $22.141 per share through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Additionally, Utz acquired 479 shares at $22.22 per share as fully vested dividend equivalents awarded pursuant to performance-based RSUs.
• Following these transactions, Utz directly owns 115,429.0446 shares of Associated Banc-Corp common stock.
• Utz also indirectly owns 15,084.26 shares through a 401(k) plan.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral. It reflects standard insider trading activity, with purchases indicating a potentially positive outlook, but not definitively so.

Positives

• The executive's participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and acceptance of dividend equivalents demonstrates confidence in the company's future.

Industry Context

Form 4 filings are standard practice and provide transparency into the transactions of company insiders, allowing investors to gauge management's sentiment and alignment with shareholder interests.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Monitoring insider transactions is a common practice in financial analysis.
• Comparing the volume and nature of insider transactions (purchases vs. sales) with those of peers can provide insights into relative valuation and management confidence.
• For example, if multiple executives at Associated Banc-Corp are consistently purchasing shares while executives at comparable regional banks are selling, it could signal a more positive outlook for Associated Banc-Corp.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transactions may have a minor positive impact on shareholder sentiment, as insider purchases are often viewed favorably.

Key Dates

Keywords

Form 4, beneficial ownership, stock purchase, dividend equivalents, Associated Banc-Corp, John A. Utz, ASB