Form 4: EVP Warsek Acquires ASB Shares via Dividend Reinvestment

Associated Banc-Corp EVP Gregory Warsek acquired 128 shares of common stock through dividend equivalent units, deferring them into his compensation plan.

Summary

• EVP Gregory Warsek of Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) acquired 128 shares of common stock.
• The acquisition occurred on February 8, 2026, at a price of $29.37 per share.
• These shares represent dividend equivalent units earned on vested shares.
• Warsek elected to defer these units into his Executive's Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Following this transaction, Warsek directly owns 17,013 shares and indirectly owns 28,100.34 shares via a 401(K) Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral to slightly positive event, as it represents a routine acquisition of shares by an executive through a compensation plan, indicating continued equity alignment without a discretionary buy signal.

Positives

• An insider (EVP) is acquiring shares, albeit through a routine dividend reinvestment mechanism, which can be seen as a minor positive signal of continued alignment with shareholder interests.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance, as it is a report of a past insider transaction.

Management Comments

• Dividend equivalent units earned on vested shares, a portion of which the reporting person has elected to defer upon vesting, and which will remain in the Executive's Deferred Compensation Plan until distributed pursuant to the reporting person's distribution election on file.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that Form 4 filings are standard disclosures for insider transactions, providing transparency into executive stock ownership changes. This specific transaction, involving dividend equivalent units, is a routine compensation event rather than a discretionary open-market purchase or sale, common across the banking sector for executive compensation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This transaction is a routine dividend equivalent unit acquisition, a common component of executive compensation packages in the financial services industry, similar to practices at peers like JP Morgan Chase or Bank of America.
• The deferral into a compensation plan aligns with typical executive wealth management strategies, often seen in companies like Wells Fargo or Citigroup, where executives manage long-term equity holdings.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minor positive signal of executive alignment through continued equity ownership.
• Employees: No direct impact beyond the reporting executive.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 reports a routine, non-discretionary acquisition of shares by an executive through dividend equivalent units. While it shows continued executive alignment, it does not provide new fundamental information or a strong discretionary buy signal to warrant a change in investment recommendation. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate based solely on this filing.

Keywords

Associated Banc-Corp, ASB, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Gregory Warsek, EVP, Common Stock, Dividend Reinvestment, Deferred Compensation