Associated funds Allen Edmonds Company expansion

MILWAUKEE - Nov. 8, 2012 - Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ: ASBC), recently provided a $20 million loan to Allen Edmonds Company, headquartered in Port Washington, Wis. The loan will finance the continued growth of Allen Edmonds.

"We are proud to be doing business with a local company like Allen Edmonds," said Mark Wierman, Associated Commercial Finance, Inc. "Allen Edmonds was looking to establish a full service relationship with a local bank and Associated is a perfect fit for the company. With Allen Edmonds celebrating their 90th anniversary this year and Associated celebrating its 150th anniversary, this relationship brings together two great long standing Wisconsin institutions."

"We were looking for a local financial institution to do business with and we're quite pleased with our decision to work with Associated," said Jay Schauer, chief financial officer, Allen Edmonds. "Having a flexible local partner like Associated enhances our financial options and promotes Wisconsin business development."

Allen Edmonds has been growing its retail and wholesale businesses. With the new Associated financing the company will continue to build on its brand expansion strategy. Allen Edmonds has expanded its retail store base to 41 stores and has recently entered new markets in Cleveland, Atlanta and plans to open Philadelphia in January 2013.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ: ASBC) has total assets of $23 billion and is one of the top 50, publicly traded, U.S. bank holding companies. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services through more than 250 banking locations serving more than 150 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

About Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation
Founded in 1922, Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation is a privately-held, U.S.-based manufacturer of premium men's footwear and accessories. Taking shoemaking to the level of an art form, Allen Edmonds footwear is handcrafted in Port Washington, Wis., using a 212-step production process. Allen Edmonds products are available at upscale stores worldwide, including 41 Allen Edmonds stores across the United States, and online at www.allenedmonds.com.

Contact: Nicole Koremenos
Public Relations Specialist
414-278-1832 PHONE
414-254-2270 CELL
Nicole.Koremenos@AssociatedBank.com