GREEN BAY, Wis., – December 17, 2025 – Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) (“Associated”) today announced the expansion of its Associated Choice Checking® offering with two new premium tiers, Emerald Choice and Emerald Private Choice, designed to give customers even more ways to maximize their banking relationship.
The new tiers join the existing Choice Checking and Platinum Choice offerings, creating a comprehensive four-tier lineup that provides customers with greater flexibility to select an innovative new checking product with benefits that grow automatically as their relationship grows.
The introduction of the new Choice Checking tiers is part of Associated’s multi-year journey developing best-in-class products that are designed around feedback from customers. Any customer who is currently a Choice Checking customer is automatically eligible for growth within the new Emerald tiers, and as they grow their banking relationship with Associated, their benefits will also grow and adjust automatically.
"Our customers told us the banking benefits they’d like to have as their relationship grows," said Bryan Carson, chief product and marketing officer. "That's what we are providing with Emerald Choice and Emerald Private Choice. These new frictionless tiers reflect our ongoing investment in products and technology intended to deliver more value and a better banking experience to our customers. These enhancements will help us continue to deepen high-value relationships across our retail, mass affluent and private wealth segments.”
Key Benefits1 of the New Premium Tiers
Both Emerald Choice ($250,000+ qualifying relationship balances1) and Emerald Private Choice ($500,000+ balances and an open investment account2) feature:
- Fee-Free3: All fees will be waived or reimbursed for Emerald Private Choice customers across all deposit accounts.
- Higher Interest Rates4: Competitive APYs to help deposits grow faster. Rates can be found here.
- Emerald Private Rates for Savings and MMAs: Every day great rates for Emerald Private Choice customers that adjusts with market changes, currently 3.25% annual percentage yield (APY).
- Annual Reserve Rewards+5: Credit card membership fee reimbursement annually for Emerald Private Choice, and 1st year for Emerald Choice.
- Credit Monitor+6: Full monthly credit report and credit score with credit & fraud monitoring alerts.
- Privacy Defender7: Regular sweeps of your online footprint for added protection, reduced spam, robocalls and lower risk of identity theft, launching in February 2026.
- Home Lending Discounts8: Eligible Portfolio Loan Products include, but are not limited to, Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs), certain Jumbo Fixed Loans and Community Affordable Real Estate (CARE) Loans and HELOC.
The new tiers are now available to new and existing customers. Current Choice Checking and Platinum Choice customers are eligible for automatic upgrades based on qualifying relationship balances. To learn more, visit Choice Checking.
ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $44 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from nearly 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. The Company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, 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.
1: You must meet and maintain enhanced Choice Checking benefit tier qualifications for Platinum Choice, Emerald Choice, or Emerald Private Choice, listed on the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure, to obtain enhanced benefits. Calculations are completed at the end of the calendar month, if qualifications are met benefits will start within 45 calendar days. (1419)
2: For a list of eligible accounts, see the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure. (1525)
3: You must meet and maintain the benefit tier qualifications for Emerald Private Choice, listed on the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure, to receive fee free benefits. Benefits extend to your Associated Relationship Savings accounts and Select Money Market accounts currently open under the same consumer customer profile. Select fees may appear on your account statement and will be refunded within 3-5 business days. (1526)
4: You must meet and maintain enhanced Choice Checking benefit tier qualifications for Platinum Choice, Emerald Choice or Emerald Private Choice, listed on the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure, to obtain enhanced rates on Associated Choice Checking, Associated Relationship Savings, and Select Money Market accounts. For current rates, refer to an Associated Bank Deposit Account Rates Sheet or ask a banker for more information. (1415)
5: Emerald Choice will receive the first qualified year reimbursed. Emerald Private Choice will receive every year reimbursed. You must meet and maintain the benefit tier qualifications for Emerald Choice or Emerald Private Choice, listed on the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure, in the month that your Reserve Rewards+ credit card annual membership fee is assessed for the annual membership fee to be reimbursed. Your credit card annual membership fee will be charged and reimbursed within the same statement month. (1528)
6. To use Credit Monitor, eligible customers with an Associated Balanced Checking or Associated Choice Checking account must log in to digital banking, activate the feature, and accept the terms and conditions. Information provided through Credit Monitor is obtained by Experian. For more information, visit the Credit Monitor information page on AssociatedBank.com or see a banker for more details. (1485)
7: You must meet and maintain the benefit tier qualifications for Emerald Choice or Emerald Private Choice, listed on the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure. To use Privacy Defender, eligible customers must log in to digital banking, activate the feature, and accept the terms and conditions. For more information, visit the Privacy Defender section of the Digital Banking Service Terms and Conditions [link to https://www.associatedbank.com/forms-and-disclosures/disclosures/online-banking-terms-and-conditions]. (1527)
8: Associated Bank offers a variety of mortgage products. Your Mortgage Relationship Discount (“Mortgage Discount”) may vary depending on the product for which you apply. Eligible Portfolio Loan Products include, but are not limited to: Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs), certain Jumbo Fixed Loans, and Community Affordable Real Estate (CARE) Loans. For ARMs, the rate discount will apply to the initial rate period. To be eligible for the Mortgage Discount, you must meet three requirements:
A. Have or open an Associated Choice Checking or Private Banking Checking account (an “Eligible Checking Account”).
B. Have at least $50,000 in qualifying relationship balances on deposit (“Relationship Balance”) no later than 10 days prior to loan closing. This Relationship Balance will not include any funds needed for down payment on the mortgage transaction. Mortgage Discounts vary based on (1) the type of mortgage product the customer has applied for, and (2) the customer’s Relationship Balance held in any eligible account(s).
C. Authorize Associated Bank to automatically draw monthly mortgage payments from an Associated Bank checking account by completing and signing a “ML, ILN, and LOC Authorization” at the time of loan closing.
Accounts that contribute to your Relationship Balance include Associated Bank checking, savings, CD and IRA accounts; Associated Bank HSA accounts; select investment accounts with Associated Investment Services (mutual fund and brokerage accounts); revocable trust accounts that list you as the Trustee or Co-Trustee; and UTMA accounts of which you are the custodian. For a complete list of eligible and ineligible Relationship Balance accounts, please see the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure, available at AssociatedBank.com.
Interest rates, fees, eligible products, and mortgage discounts are subject to change without notice. Program eligibility is subject to loan type, Eligible Checking Account validation, and Relationship Balance validation. Speak to a loan officer for mortgage product details, including rates, applicable fees, terms and payment options. (1433)
The “HELOC Discount” is a reduction in the margin applied to your Home Equity Line of Credit's variable rate. To be eligible for the HELOC Discount, you must meet three requirements:
A. Have or open an Associated Choice Checking or Private Banking Checking account (an “Eligible Checking Account”).
B. Have at least $50,000 in qualifying relationship balances on deposit (“Relationship Balance”) no later than 10 days prior to HELOC closing. Your specific HELOC Discount will depend on the total amount of your Relationship Balance. Speak to a loan officer for HELOC Discount details.
C. Authorize Associated Bank to automatically draw monthly mortgage payments from an Associated Bank checking account by completing and signing a “ML, ILN, and LOC Authorization” at the time of loan closing. Automatic payments are drawn based on the borrower’s payment preferences when the HELOC holds an outstanding balance.
Accounts that contribute to your Relationship Balance include Associated Bank checking, savings, CD and IRA accounts; Associated Bank HSA accounts; select investment accounts with Associated Investment Services (mutual fund and brokerage accounts); revocable trust accounts that list you as the Trustee or Co-Trustee; and UTMA accounts of which you are the custodian. For a complete list of eligible and ineligible Relationship Balance accounts, please see the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure, available at AssociatedBank.com.
The HELOC Discount eligibility is subject to account and balance validation when Associated Bank prepares your "Home Equity Line of Credit Agreement and Disclosure" for your signature. The HELOC Discount only applies to new HELOC customers, defined as customers without an existing Associated Bank HELOC on the subject property. HELOC rates are variable based on Prime plus or minus a margin and can change monthly. Speak to a loan officer for HELOC product details, including HELOC rates, margin calculation, applicable fees, terms and payment options. (1432)