Associated Bank Appoints New Market President for Nebraska and Western Iowa
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 16 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Leadership Change: Associated Bank has appointed Jason Hansen as the market president for Nebraska and Western Iowa, effective immediately, aiming to strengthen the company's market position in the region.
- Acquisition Context: Hansen previously served as president of American National Bank, which was acquired by Associated Bank on April 1, 2026; his appointment is seen as a crucial step in the integration process to maintain continuity in client relationships.
- Market Strategy: Hansen emphasized the commitment to preserving the strong legacy established by American National Bank while expanding service capabilities to support ongoing growth in Omaha, Council Bluffs, and surrounding markets, reflecting the company's dedication to personalized client service.
- Personal Background: Hansen holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, and banking from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and has been recognized for his public service contributions, showcasing his deep community roots and leadership capabilities.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy ASB?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on ASB
Wall Street analysts forecast ASB stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 28.050
Low
29.00
Averages
30.33
High
33.00
Current: 28.050
Low
29.00
Averages
30.33
High
33.00
About ASB
Associated Banc-Corp is a bank holding company. The Company, through Associated Bank and nonbanking subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services from over 200 banking locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. It operates loan production offices in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Texas. The Corporate and Commercial Specialty segment serves a range of customers, including larger businesses, developers, not-for-profits, municipalities, and financial institutions by providing lending and deposit solutions as well as the support to deliver, fund, and manage such banking solutions. The Community, Consumer and Business segment serves individuals and businesses by providing lending and deposit solutions and a variety of investment, fiduciary, and retirement planning products and services. The Risk Management and Shared Services segment include key shared operational functions and includes residual revenue and expenses.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Market Expansion: Associated Banc-Corp continues to expand its private wealth business in Minnesota by adding two experienced professionals, Ken LaChance and Gracia Cavanaugh, to enhance its capabilities in the Minneapolis market.
- Leadership Changes: Ken LaChance has been appointed as the senior private wealth advisory market leader for Minneapolis, reporting directly to Executive Vice President Jayne Hladio, indicating the company's commitment to strengthening its leadership in the market.
- Enhanced Planning Expertise: Gracia Cavanaugh, a CFP® and MS holder, joins as a senior wealth planner for Minnesota, expected to improve client service quality through her expertise, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Growth Strategy: This recruitment is not only a strategic investment in the Minnesota market but also reflects the company's long-term growth objectives in wealth management, aiming to attract more high-net-worth clients by providing superior services.
See More
- Market Expansion Strategy: Associated Banc-Corp is expanding its commercial banking operations into the Dallas market by adding a dedicated Corporate and Commercial Banking team, with plans to hire approximately four positions in 2026 to support growth in Texas.
- Leadership Change: Brandon White has been appointed as the senior vice president and Dallas market leader, tasked with building the new team and leveraging local expertise alongside the resources of a $50 billion institution to enhance client service and market competitiveness.
- Office Space Expansion: To support the new team, Associated is doubling the size of its Preston Center office in Dallas to nearly 6,000 square feet, with construction expected to be completed by August 2026, thereby enhancing its service capabilities in Texas.
- Commercial Loan Growth: Since 2020, Associated has significantly grown its commercial loan portfolio, with 2025 marking a record year for its commercial business, indicating the success of the company's expansion strategy in high-growth markets.
See More
- Market Expansion Initiative: Associated Bank is adding a dedicated Corporate and Commercial Banking team in the Dallas market, planning to hire approximately four positions in 2026, aimed at enhancing its commercial banking operations in Texas and solidifying its presence in high-growth markets.
- Leadership Change: Brandon White has been appointed as senior vice president and Dallas market leader, tasked with building the new team, leveraging his 16 years of experience at Comerica Bank to drive rapid growth in commercial banking.
- Office Space Expansion: To support the growth of the new team, Associated Bank is doubling the size of its Preston Center office in Dallas to nearly 6,000 square feet, with completion expected in August 2026, which will provide a better service environment for clients.
- Commercial Loan Growth: Since 2020, Associated Bank has significantly grown its commercial loan portfolio, with 2025 marking a record year for its commercial business, demonstrating strong growth momentum in key markets.
See More
- Director Election Results: At the 2026 Annual Meeting, Associated Banc-Corp elected new directors and approved executive compensation, demonstrating stability and transparency in corporate governance, which enhances shareholder trust.
- Dividend Declaration: The Board declared a cash dividend of $0.24 per common share and $0.3671875 and $0.3515625 per depositary share for preferred stocks, payable on June 15, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Stock Repurchase Program: The Board authorized up to $100 million in common stock repurchases, raising the total repurchase authorization to $214 million, indicating confidence in the company's stock value and potentially enhancing earnings per share.
- Technology Committee Established: The Board established a Technology Committee to oversee data management and information security, highlighting the company's focus on technological governance aimed at improving operational efficiency and security.
See More
- Significant Deposit Growth: In Q1 2026, Associated Banc-Corp reported a total deposit increase of $179 million, with core customer deposits rising over $800 million compared to the previous quarter, indicating strong momentum in attracting customer deposits and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Robust Loan Growth: The company reported over $540 million growth in C&I loans, contributing to total loan growth exceeding $600 million, which not only reflects a recovery in market demand but also lays a solid foundation for future revenue growth.
- Stable Profitability: Despite a $3 million decrease in net interest income compared to the prior quarter and a 3 basis point drop in net interest margin to 3.03%, the company maintained a CET1 capital ratio of 10.47%, demonstrating financial stability amidst growth.
- Smooth Acquisition Integration: Following the acquisition of American National Bank, the company expects loan and deposit growth in 2026 to reach 17% to 19%, with integration targeted for completion in Q3, indicating a proactive strategy in expanding business and market share.
See More









