Shareholder Vote · Company Update

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549   FORM 8-K   CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934   Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 28, 2026    Associated Banc-Corp (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Wisconsin 001-31343 39-1098068 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)   433 Main Street , Green Bay , Wisconsin 54301 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)   Registrant ’ s telephone number, including area code ( 920 ) 491-7500     (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)   Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):   ¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ASB The New York Stock Exchange Depositary Shrs, each representing 1/40th intrst in a shr of 5.875% Non-Cum. Perp Pref Stock, Srs E ASB PrE The New York Stock Exchange Depositary Shrs, each representing 1/40th intrst in a shr of 5.625% Non-Cum. Perp Pref Stock, Srs F ASB PrF The New York Stock Exchange 6.625% Fixed-Rate Reset Subordinated Notes due 2033 ASBA The New York Stock Exchange   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).   Emerging growth company   ¨   If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨           Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.   On April 28, 2026, Associated Banc-Corp (the “Company”) held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2026 Annual Meeting”). The results of the matters submitted to a shareholder vote at the 2026 Annual Meeting were as follows:   (1)      Election of the below-named nominees to the Board of Directors of the Company:   Nominee   Number of Votes FOR     Number of Votes Withheld     Broker Non-Votes   Judith P. Greffin   130,155,184     1,210,292     13,108,162   Michael J. Haddad   130,226,687     1,138,789     13,108,162   Andrew J. Harmening   129,829,956     1,535,520     13,108,162   Rodney Jones-Tyson   129,421,918     1,943,558     13,108,162   Eileen A. Kamerick   122,553,395     8,812,081     13,108,162   Kristen M. Ludgate   129,121,986     2,243,490     13,108,162   Cory L. Nettles   128,562,118     2,803,358     13,108,162   Owen J. Sullivan   129,432,519     1,932,957     13,108,162   Karen T. van Lith   128,554,846     2,810,630     13,108,162   John (Jay) B. Williams   128,646,303     2,719,173     13,108,162     Each of the nominees was elected by the Company’s shareholders.   (2)      Advisory approval of Associated Banc-Corp’s named executive officer compensation:   Number of Votes FOR   Number of Votes Against   Withheld/Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes 126,765,634   3,823,674   776,168   13,108,162   This matter was approved by the Company’s shareholders.   (3)      Ratification of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2026:   Number of Votes FOR   Number of Votes Against   Withheld/Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes 140,967,796   3,108,092   397,750   0   This matter was approved by the Company’s shareholders.   (4)      Election of Wende Kotouc as a Director:   Number of Votes FOR   Number of Votes Withheld   Broker Non-Votes     126,244,581   2,561,853   15,106,181       This nominee was elected by the Company’s shareholders.   2     Item 8.01. Other Events.   On April 28, 2026, the Board declared a dividend on the Company’s outstanding common stock; outstanding 5.875% Preferred Stock, Series E Depositary Shares; and outstanding 5.625% Series F Depositary Shares.  In addition, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of Associated’s common stock.  This repurchase authorization is in addition to the authority remaining under the previous program.  The Board also established a Technology Committee of the Board.  The press release issued by the Company on April 28, 2026, relating to the foregoing information is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.   Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.   (d)  Exhibits   99.1 Press Release dated April 28, 2026     104 Cover Page Interactive Data File the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document   3     SIGNATURES   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.     Associated Banc-Corp   (Registrant)         Date: April 28, 2026 By: /s/ Randall J. Erickson   Randall J. Erickson   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary   4