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Associated Bank sees new hires driving commercial growth
Associated Bank sees new hires driving commercial growth

Yahoo

time06-05-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Associated Bank sees new hires driving commercial growth

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Having added new bankers and lending verticals, Associated Bank is chasing growth in its commercial bank, even as economic uncertainty lingers. Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Associated recently hired three relationship managers for its commercial banking team in Kansas City, Missouri. All three come from super-regional U.S. Bank, where Phil Trier, the bank's head of corporate and commercial banking, spent more than two decades before he joined Associated 15 months ago. 'I knew all three of them very well from my predecessor bank, and how talented they are, and really excited about the impact that they're already making in a relatively short period of time,' Trier said. Phil Trier, Associated Bank's head of corporate and commercial banking Those three bankers will cover Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas for the $43 billion-asset lender. 'We're going to pause there a little bit, get the level of execution up, and then over time, I could see us growing that team, as well as looking at a more adjacent state kind of hiring strategy,' Trier said. More broadly, the bank has hired 25 relationship managers across its core footprint in the last two years, who have come from large national, regional and community banks, he said. 'A lot of what we do is driven by talent,' he said. 'Talent is going to lead where we go and help drive those decisions.' The Midwest lender has completed planned investments in technology and people in its corporate and commercial segment, which serves companies with revenues of $25 million or more and includes specialty businesses such as equipment finance and treasury management. As part of his strategy, Trier also introduced a new deposit-centric vertical with a national scope, focusing on title and escrow companies, property management firms and some fintech businesses. The banker hired to lead that endeavor, Rick Bruhn, is also a U.S. Bank veteran. Now, the bank is focused on execution, strengthening Associated's core business in the Midwest and expanding in newer markets. That growth is fundamental to the bank's strategy: Expanding the commercial bank is geared toward diversifying the bank's balance sheet, as Associated rebalances from being more focused on lower-yielding consumer mortgages and consumer debt, to growing its commercial business and enhancing the products and services it offers those customers, Trier said. That's ultimately designed to bolster profitability. Especially in what Trier referred to as a 'hyper-competitive market,' talent wins 'can make a material difference,' he said.

Associated Bank opens first Missouri branch in Dellwood, near St. Louis
Associated Bank opens first Missouri branch in Dellwood, near St. Louis

Business Journals

time23-04-2025

  • Business
  • Business Journals

Associated Bank opens first Missouri branch in Dellwood, near St. Louis

By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . Join the Milwaukee Business Journal to unlock even more insights! Associated Bank now has nine branches in the St. Louis area, with all of its previously existing locations on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. AT A GLANCE Associated Bank opened its first Missouri branch The Green Bay-based bank now has nine branches in the St. Louis metro area. All of Associated's previously existing locations were on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Wisconsin's largest state-based bank has opened its first branch in Missouri, which is its ninth in the St. Louis metro area. Green Bay-based Associated Bank built out a nearly 6,000-square-foot space at 10044 W. Florissant Ave. in the Delwood Crossing shopping center. The bank chose Dellwood after forming an advisory council that identified the need for a branch and a Community Advocacy Center in the Dellwood-Ferguson area, said Shawn McCutcheon, Associated Bank's St. Louis-Metro East president. The Community Advocacy Center is a space where events can be held to cover issues including financial literacy, hosting seminars for first-time homebuyers, and helping seniors with concerns about elder abuse and fraud, McCutcheon said. McCutcheon declined to say how much the bank spent to convert the vacant space into the branch or details of the long-term lease. The branch has seven employees: a manager, a relationship banker, a universal banker, a teller, two affordable mortgage lenders and a community accountability officer. expand Shawn McCutcheon, Associated Bank's St. Louis-Metro East president Associated Bank The branch gives Associated a presence in four states. The bank also operates in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. In 1997, Associated Bank entered the St. Louis market through the acquisition by its parent company, Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB), of First Financial Corp. Associated also added branches with the 2020 purchase of First National Bank in Staunton, Illinois. Before Monday's opening in Dellwood, all of Associated's St. Louis-area branches were on the Illinois side of the Mississippi, known as Metro East. Associated Bank ranked as the 54th fastest-growing bank in the St. Louis area, based on year-over-year percentage change increase in total deposits at 4.21%, according to St. Louis Business Journal research published on April 11. These are the 112 fastest-growing banks in the St. Louis region Year-over-year change (%) Rank Prior Rank Company name 1 1 1st Advantage Bank 2 2 Bank & Trust Co. 3 3 The Bank of Old Monroe View this list Largest Milwaukee-area banks Local deposits 6-30-24 Rank Prior Rank Business name 1 1 U.S. Bank NA 2 2 BMO Bank NA 3 3 JPMorgan Chase Bank NA View this list

3 Top-Rated Dividend Kings Poised to Skyrocket in 2025
3 Top-Rated Dividend Kings Poised to Skyrocket in 2025

Globe and Mail

time22-02-2025

  • Business
  • Globe and Mail

3 Top-Rated Dividend Kings Poised to Skyrocket in 2025

Dividend stocks are great investments if you're looking for a stable income in retirement. Dividend Kings—companies that have paid increasing dividends for the past 50 consecutive years—are more reliable than most (though the title is not always a certainty.) But how do you pick from the 50-plus companies on the Dividend Kings list? Sadly, many investors typically start by looking for dividend stocks with the highest yields, only to have them crash shortly after due to unsustainable payout ratios or weakening fundamentals. ' Dividend yields should be considered but certainly should not be the only criteria, ' says Jason Buol, SVP, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Team Leader at Associated Bank. ' A more balanced approach, including additional metrics like dividend growth, balance sheet strength, valuation, cash flow analysis, and others is recommended. ' Now, I understand that not everyone has the time, experience, and inclination to get the full picture by diving into multiple company filings. Thankfully, analysts get paid to study the ins and outs of company filings, business practices, and prospects to get the best possible idea of where its stock price is headed. These analyses are then quantified, and stocks are given scores from one to five, with five being the highest and most recommended for buying. That's why I'll look at the highest-rated Dividend Kings to buy today. How I Came Up With The Following Stocks Today's analysis is designed to be simple. I used Barchart's Stock Screener tool with the following filters to get my list today: The combination of the Current Analyst Ratings, set to 4.5 to 5 to look for the highest-rated Dividend Kings, and the Number of Analysts filters set to 'Very High' will result in a ' best-of-the-best' Dividend Kings list. Five companies match the parameters, and I arranged them from highest to lowest in terms of analyst rating: Now, I'll take the top three and discuss each one, starting with the number one spot: S&P Global (SPGI) S&P Global is one of the world's biggest and most popular financial information and analytics companies. The company provides credit ratings, market intelligence, and exclusive analytics to businesses and investors across financial services, commodities, technology, and more. Of course, you'd know about its most famous index, the S&P 500, but it also maintains and owns multiple indices, including the Dow Jones, Global BMI, and fixed-income ones like the U.S. Treasury Bond Current 10-Year Index. Now, I want to be upfront about this: S&P Global is not a high-yield company. Its trailing twelve month (TTM) dividend is $3.84, which reflects a measly 0.7% yield. However, the company's strength and market presence more than makes up for its low yield. The company has the highest rating on this list at 4.81 (up from 4.80, 3 months ago), a one-year $650 (high) price target. If that's not all, its 5-year dividend growth rate is 59.65%, and has returned over 100% to its investors over the same period. I guess that's why it's number one on my list. Coca-Cola Company (KO) The Coca-Cola Company rarely needs an introduction: it's one of the biggest beverage companies in the world and a top Dividend King, with 63 years of straight increases and more than a hundred years of dividend payments, ranking it as a rare Dividend Zombie. Analysts rate KO stock an average score of 4.77 and set a one-year high target price of $85. Its latest annual dividend is $2.04, translating to a 2.91% yield, which makes it the highest-yielding Dividend King on this list. The company's tried-and-tested business model, reliable cash flow, and global presence in a generally stable consumer staples industry give me confidence that it can keep increasing its dividends for the foreseeable future. Parker-Hannifin Corp (PH) Parker-Hannifin Corporation, also known as just Parker from its original company name, is an industrial manufacturing company specializing in motion and control technologies for various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. It provides engineered solutions in fluid management, hydraulics, pneumatics, and electromechanical systems. Parker-Hannifin pays $1.63 quarterly, reflecting a $6.52 annual rate and 0.94% yield. Again, yields aren't stellar, but if history is to repeat itself, Parker should be increasing their dividend next quarter for the 69th consecutive time to somewhere between $1.79 and $2.10 a share. Not only that, the company has the highest 5-year dividend growth rate at 92.09% and a consensus strong buy recommendation with a one-year high target price of $842. Final Thoughts Don't be fooled by low dividend yields. These top 3 Dividend Kings appear on many of my 'Top 3 lists' for many reasons, but mostly because they're the closest things to a fixture in their industry. Their strong brand presence, reliable revenue streams, and unquestionable dedication to providing shareholder value make them some of the best long-term investments you'll ever find in the market.

FHLBank Chicago Opens 2025 Downpayment Plus® Grant Program Making $46 Million Available to Support Homebuyers in Illinois and Wisconsin
FHLBank Chicago Opens 2025 Downpayment Plus® Grant Program Making $46 Million Available to Support Homebuyers in Illinois and Wisconsin

Yahoo

time18-02-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

FHLBank Chicago Opens 2025 Downpayment Plus® Grant Program Making $46 Million Available to Support Homebuyers in Illinois and Wisconsin

CHICAGO, February 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To support housing affordability and help more individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) announces its commitment of $46 million in funding for its 2025 Downpayment Plus (DPP®) grant program opening today. Partnering with member financial institutions, FHLBank Chicago provides down payment assistance through the Downpayment Plus® (DPP®) and Downpayment Plus Advantage® (DPP Advantage®) programs to homebuyers earning up to 80% of the area median income. DPP provides forgivable grants to income-eligible homebuyers at closing when financing through a participating member. DPP Advantage extends this assistance to homebuyers in nonprofit-led programs in Illinois and Wisconsin that provide direct mortgage financing, with nonprofits partnering with an FHLBank Chicago member to access funds. Eligible households may receive up to $10,000 in assistance. "FHLBank Chicago is proud to work alongside our members to deliver resources that open the door to homeownership," said Katie Naftzger, Senior Vice President and Community Investment Officer at FHLBank Chicago. "While affordability challenges persist, the Downpayment Plus programs continue to serve as an essential tool for addressing barriers to homeownership and helping individuals and families build a foundation for their future." In 2024, FHLBank Chicago disbursed more than $42 million in funding through the DPP programs, helping homebuyers across the region, including over 2,200 in Illinois and 1,300 in Wisconsin. Associated Bank, headquartered in Wisconsin, was among the program's many participants, leveraging $1 million in DPP funding and over $190,000 through DPP Advantage to support homebuyers. "The Downpayment Plus programs are instrumental in making homeownership accessible for individuals and families in our communities," said Eduardo Herrera-Mier, Senior Vice President, Director of Multi-Cultural & Affordable Lending at Associated Bank. "These grants enable us to meet homebuyers where they are, providing resources to overcome financial barriers and create lasting impact." Since its inception, FHLBank Chicago's DPP program has enabled more than 200 member banks, credit unions, and CDFIs to disburse down payment assistance to qualified low- and moderate-income households. In 2024, over 90% of DPP grants supported first-time homebuyers, reflecting the program's strong alignment with the needs of aspiring homeowners. With $46 million available for 2025, FHLBank Chicago invites its members to leverage the DPP grant program to make a difference in their communities. By addressing financial hurdles for eligible homebuyers, DPP helps members drive meaningful change and foster stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. Learn more about the DPP grant programs at About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that support the housing and community development needs of members' customers. FHLBank Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please visit "Downpayment Plus", "Downpayment Plus Advantage", "DPP" and "DPP Advantage" are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. View source version on Contacts Casey Reidy, 312.565.5291 creidy@ Sign in to access your portfolio

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