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Dec 31, 2021

Associated Bank Q4 2021 Earnings Report

Associated Banc-Corp reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2021.

Key Takeaways

Associated Banc-Corp reported net income available to common equity of $74 million, or $0.49 per common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The quarter was marked by a resurgence in lending growth. Revenues, margins, and credit trends also showed positive growth.

Net income available to common equity was $74 million, or $0.49 per common share.

Commercial outstandings, line utilization, and new initiatives drove lending growth.

Revenues and margins grew, and credit trends were positive.

The company largely exited its remaining Oil & Gas exposure at minimal cost.

Total Revenue
$268M
Previous year: $274M
-2.0%
EPS
$0.49
Previous year: $0.4
+22.5%
Net Interest Margin
2.4%
Previous year: 2.49%
-3.6%
Efficiency Ratio
67.36%
Gross Profit
$267M
Previous year: $263M
+1.6%
Cash and Equivalents
$344M
Previous year: $716M
-52.0%
Total Assets
$35.1B
Previous year: $33.4B
+5.0%

Associated Bank

Associated Bank

Forward Guidance

Associated Banc-Corp expects continued growth and profitability in 2022.

Positive Outlook

  • Total net interest income to exceed $800 million in 2022.
  • Total noninterest income to exceed $300 million in 2022.
  • Auto Finance loan growth of more than $1.2 billion expected in 2022.
  • Total Commercial loan growth of $750 million to $1 billion expected in 2022.
  • Annual 2022 tax rate to be between 19% to 21%, assuming no change in the corporate tax rate.

Challenges Ahead

  • 2022 noninterest expense to be approximately $725 million to $740 million.
  • Provision will be adjusted to reflect changes to risk grades, economic conditions, loan volumes, and other indications of credit quality.
  • Expect the annual 2022 tax rate to be between 19% to 21%, assuming no change in the corporate tax rate.
  • Mortgage banking income decreased $6 million from the same period last year, driven by slowing refinance activity.
  • Personnel expense was flat to the prior quarter and increased $10 million from the same period last year, driven by higher incentive compensation, added costs tied to our strategic initiatives, and the implementation of a minimum wage increase.