# Associated Banc-Corp: AI strategy

Source: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/associated
Last updated: Oct 25, 2026

*Wisconsin's largest bank is organising for AI line by line: a senior director of AI for commercial banking hired from U.S. Bank, a chief digital officer from BMO with an explicit AI mandate, a new board technology committee and a chief data officer alongside CIO Terry Williams.*

## How is Associated using AI?

Associated Banc-Corp, the Green Bay-based parent of Associated Bank and the largest bank holding company in Wisconsin, with about $52 billion of assets after closing its $604 million purchase of Omaha's American National on 1 April 2026, has spent 2026 putting AI accountability into named roles rather than announcing products. On 30 June 2026 it hired Andy Miner from U.S. Bank, where he helped launch and scale that bank's enterprise AI effort, as senior director of AI for Corporate and Commercial Banking, reporting to commercial head Phillip Trier; the role is described as 'the single point of accountability for AI within the line of business', responsible for strategy, use cases, delivery and adoption and for stewarding risk and data. The commercial bank is where the bank's growth is (a record 2025, commercial and business lending up about 43% in five years to $12.3 billion, new teams in Kansas City and Dallas), and AI will be applied first to internal workflows in portfolio management, treasury and payments, then to faster loan processing and personalised client insights. In July 2026 Brianna Elsass joined from BMO as chief digital officer with a remit that includes 'advancing the bank's AI and omni channel strategy', succeeding Doug Peacock; Alexander Bush serves as chief data officer and Terry Williams as chief information officer; and the board formed a technology committee at the April 2026 annual meeting. Publicly, Associated's AI voice is defensive and educational: webinars and articles on AI-powered social engineering, deepfake fraud and business email compromise, and an AI Academy for young people. It has not disclosed AI spending, use-case counts or generative-AI deployments. Second-quarter 2026 earnings were $121 million, or $140 million excluding American National integration costs, with double-digit commercial and industrial loan growth.

## At a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Lead bank | Associated Bank, National Association |
| Ticker | ASB |
| Headquarters | Green Bay, WI |
| Consolidated assets | $51,757 million |
| Federal Reserve rank | 46 |
| Charter | National bank (OCC) |

## What AI partnerships and patents does Associated Banc-Corp have?

Associated's public record names no AI lab, cloud provider or model vendor. One patent is assigned to Associated Banc-Corp in Google Patents, a 2012 overdraft debt-protection method that is not AI, and no AI application is public. Named relationships are educational or narrow: Skillsoft powers the 2026 AI Academy run with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Milky Way Tech Hub ran the 2025 pilot, Fiserv co-hosted a November 2025 AI-and-fraud webinar, and NICE Actimize was chosen for AML and fraud in 2012. The 10-K names no technology vendor. ([Google Patents (USPTO)](https://patents.google.com/patent/US8280813B2/en), [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-banks-ai-academy-returns-with-expanded-focus-on-ai-financial-literacy-and-career-readiness-302816170.html), [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2025/Associated-Bank-launches-AI-Academy-a-summer-youth-education-program), [Associated Bank](https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/fraud-awareness-2025-webinar), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/associated-banc-corp-to-deploy-fraud-aml-software), [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm))

| Item | What it is | Status | Date | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| US 8,280,813 B2 | Debt protection for a financial overdraft account (assignee Associated Banc-Corp; inventor William M. Bohn); not AI | Granted | 2012-10-02 | [Google Patents (USPTO)](https://patents.google.com/patent/US8280813B2/en) |
| Skillsoft | Learning platform behind the 2026 AI Academy; Associated AI and HR staff customised the tracks | In production | 2026-07-01 | [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-banks-ai-academy-returns-with-expanded-focus-on-ai-financial-literacy-and-career-readiness-302816170.html) |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee | Host and co-developer of the AI Academy for middle and high school students | In production | 2026-07-01 | [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-banks-ai-academy-returns-with-expanded-focus-on-ai-financial-literacy-and-career-readiness-302816170.html), [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2025/Associated-Bank-launches-AI-Academy-a-summer-youth-education-program) |
| Milky Way Tech Hub | Facilitated the 2025 pilot, including prompt-engineering lessons on platforms such as ChatGPT | Pilot | 2025-06-10 | [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2025/Associated-Bank-launches-AI-Academy-a-summer-youth-education-program) |
| Fiserv | Co-hosted a webinar on AI and fraud with speaker Jaime Dickerson; no AI deployment disclosed | Webinar partner | 2025-11-19 | [Associated Bank](https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/fraud-awareness-2025-webinar), [Associated Bank](https://www.associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/ai-fraud-prevention-security) |
| NICE Actimize | Anti-money-laundering monitoring and integrated fraud management chosen in 2012; current use not stated | Announced | 2012-05-31 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/associated-banc-corp-to-deploy-fraud-aml-software) |

## Flagship platform: Line-of-business AI under a chief data officer / CIO

Associated has chosen to embed AI accountability inside business lines rather than a central lab. Andy Miner, hired from U.S. Bank in June 2026 as senior director, AI for Corporate and Commercial Banking, is 'the single point of accountability for AI within the line of business', owning strategy, use cases, delivery, adoption and 'being a steward of risk and data'; first uses are internal workflows in portfolio management, treasury and payments, then faster loan processing and personalised client insights. Alexander Bush is executive vice-president and chief data officer, and Terry Williams executive vice-president and chief information officer. Brianna Elsass, chief digital officer from July 2026 after a decade at BMO, is charged with advancing 'the bank's AI and omni channel strategy'. The board created a technology committee at the April 2026 annual meeting. The bank also runs an AI Academy for young people with the Boys & Girls Clubs, led by CIO Terry Williams at launch in 2025. ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking), [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/), [American Banker](https://digital-banking.americanbanker.com/profile/alexander-bush), [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Announces-Annual-Meeting-Results-Dividends-Stock-Repurchase-Program-and-New-Technology-Committee))

## Key points

- AI accountability placed inside the business: a senior director of AI for Corporate and Commercial Banking (from U.S. Bank's enterprise AI effort) is the 'single point of accountability' for strategy, use cases, delivery, adoption, risk and data.
- First commercial uses named: internal workflows in portfolio management, treasury and payments, then loan-processing speed and personalised client insights.
- Digital leadership refreshed: chief digital officer Brianna Elsass (ex-BMO, July 2026) with an explicit AI and omnichannel mandate; Alexander Bush as chief data officer and Terry Williams as CIO.
- Board oversight: a new technology committee created at the April 2026 annual meeting.
- Public AI content is defensive: recurring webinars and guides on AI-enabled social engineering, deepfakes and business email compromise for mid-market clients.
- Growth context: American National acquired ($604 million, closed April 2026); commercial lending up ~43% in five years; Q2 2026 adjusted earnings $140 million.
- The 2025 10-K says the business 'increasingly relies on AI, machine learning and automated decision making', and flags confidential data leaking into third-party AI training sets and fair-lending liability.
- Earlier data push: a first chief analytics officer, Chun Schiros from Regions, was hired in May 2024 'to help lead data and AI innovation'; she has since moved to AWS as an enterprise technologist.
- At the Barclays conference on 15 September 2026 CEO Andy Harmening gave the first AI figures the bank has published: 30 AI use cases in process, and an internal tool built for $45,000 against an $800,000 option to renew or buy. He said efficiency would show in 2027 and 2028 and put no number on it.
- In March 2026 Harmening told the RBC conference that the bank had launched 25 AI modules and a workforce training programme, organised by business line, and that he wanted a group formed to define an AI '2.0'.
- Data and analytics roles were rebuilt in two steps: Abhishek Vaidya (ex-BMO) replaced Chun Schiros as chief analytics officer on 29 September 2025, and Alexander Bush joined as chief data officer on 24 February 2026, reporting to CIO Terry Williams.
- The Technology Committee created in April 2026 oversees data management, information technology, information security and vendor management; the release does not mention AI by name.
- Disclosure is thin outside the 10-K: the abbreviation 'AI' appears 27 times in the 2025 10-K (17 in the 2024 10-K) and not at all in the Q1 or Q2 2026 10-Qs, and AI did not come up on the Q1 or Q2 2026 earnings calls.
- The first public AI product commitment dates from the November 2023 strategic plan, which listed an AI-enabled chatbot among the 2024 initiatives; this research found no announcement that it launched.

## Timeline

- Sep 15, 2026 — **Barclays conference: 30 AI use cases in process** Harmening cites 30 AI use cases, an internal build at $45,000 against an $800,000 purchase option, a new head of procurement and the new head of AI for the commercial bank; he expects efficiency gains in 2027 and 2028. ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-barclays-conference-growth-margins-and-ai-93CH-4901556))
- Aug 5, 2026 — **Guide on AI-powered social engineering** Deepfake and BEC risk for mid-market clients. ([Associated Bank](https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/strategy-and-management/ai-powered-social-engineering))
- Aug 4, 2026 — **Second-quarter 10-Q has no AI language** The 10-Q filed on 4 August 2026 does not mention artificial intelligence or machine learning, nor did the Q1 2026 10-Q; the Q2 call covered integration, deposits and the HOA title launch, not AI. ([Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000202/asb-20260630.htm), [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000141/asb-20260331.htm), [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-associated-banccorp-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4810197))
- Jul 30, 2026 — **Chief digital officer joins from BMO** Elsass to advance AI and omnichannel strategy. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/))
- Jul 23, 2026 — **Second-quarter 2026 earnings** $121 million reported, $140 million adjusted; American National integration under way. ([PR Newswire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202607231615PR_NEWS_USPRX____CG11257-1))
- Jul 1, 2026 — **AI Academy returns for a second year** Self-paced summer programme with the Boys & Girls Clubs, powered by Skillsoft; curriculum built with the bank's AI and HR experts. ([PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-banks-ai-academy-returns-with-expanded-focus-on-ai-financial-literacy-and-career-readiness-302816170.html))
- Jun 30, 2026 — **Senior director of AI for commercial banking hired** Andy Miner from U.S. Bank; single point of AI accountability in the line. ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking))
- Jun 17, 2026 — **Client webinar on social engineering in the age of AI** Hosted by a senior treasury management officer and the information security team leader on AI-enabled attacks that target employees. ([Associated Bank](https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/strategy-and-management/social-engineering-in-age-of-ai-webinar))
- May 5, 2026 — **American National systems conversion set for October 2026** An 8-K investor presentation moves the conversion of the acquired bank's systems and branches to October 2026; the Q2 call later set full run-rate cost savings for early 2027. ([Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000147/asb-20260505.htm), [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-associated-banccorp-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4810197))
- Apr 28, 2026 — **Board technology committee created** Announced with annual-meeting results and a buyback. ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Announces-Annual-Meeting-Results-Dividends-Stock-Repurchase-Program-and-New-Technology-Committee))
- Apr 27, 2026 — **CEO on the commercial-bank build-out** Lending up ~43% to $12.3 billion; Dallas team launched. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-ceo-harmening-private-wealth-commercial/818566/))
- Mar 11, 2026 — **RBC conference: 25 AI modules and a workforce training programme** Harmening says the bank has launched 25 modules with AI, runs the work by business line and will convene a group on what its AI 2.0 should be; he also cites deepfake fraud and AI in wealth planning. ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875))
- Feb 24, 2026 — **Chief data officer appointed** Alexander Bush, previously senior vice president and director of financial information at Huntington National Bank, takes enterprise data strategy and governance and reports to CIO Terry Williams. ([Associated Bank newsroom](https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-alexander-bush-executive-vice-president-chief-data-officer))
- Feb 12, 2026 — **2025 10-K: the business 'increasingly relies on AI'** A dedicated AI risk factor covers evolving AI regulation, third-party AI tools and training-data leakage, copyright of AI output and fair-lending liability. ([Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm))
- Jan 9, 2026 — **Article: the role of AI in fraud and cybersecurity** Summarises the Fiserv webinar and recommends layered defences; points clients to Positive Pay, Check Block and ACH Block rather than naming an AI detection product. ([Associated Bank](https://www.associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/ai-fraud-prevention-security))
- Dec 1, 2025 — **American National acquisition announced** $604 million all-stock deal for the Omaha bank. ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-deal-american-national-omaha-604-million-acquisition/806659/))
- Nov 19, 2025 — **Webinar with Fiserv on AI in fraud** Associated and Fiserv's Jaime Dickerson host a session for International Fraud Awareness Week on how AI is used and misused in fraud. ([Associated Bank](https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/fraud-awareness-2025-webinar))
- Sep 29, 2025 — **Chief analytics officer hired from BMO** Abhishek Vaidya joins as senior vice president and chief analytics officer, reporting to chief product and marketing officer Bryan Carson, after leading predictive-model, AI and machine-learning delivery for BMO Harris campaign analytics. ([Associated Bank newsroom](https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-abhishek-vaidya-senior-vice-president-chief-analytics-officer))
- Jun 10, 2025 — **AI Academy launched for young people** Summer programme with the Boys & Girls Clubs, led by the CIO. ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2025/Associated-Bank-launches-AI-Academy-a-summer-youth-education-program))
- Feb 12, 2025 — **2024 10-K carries an AI regulatory risk factor** States that the business 'increasingly relies on AI, machine learning and automated decision making' and that failing to comply with evolving AI regulation could harm results; cites the July 2024 automated-valuation-model rule. ([Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778925000013/asb-20241231.htm))
- Jun 25, 2024 — **Analytics chief: AI is one tool among several** Schiros tells The Financial Brand the bank hired her to improve data analysis, use of AI and their link to product design. ([The Financial Brand](https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/data-analytics-banking/associated-bank-beefs-up-data-analytics-function-179233))
- May 8, 2024 — **First chief analytics officer hired from Regions** Chun Schiros joins to lead data and AI innovation in support of personalisation, acquisition and relationship deepening. ([PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-bank-adds-chun-schiros-as-chief-analytics-officer-to-help-lead-data-and-ai-innovation-302140051.html))
- Nov 9, 2023 — **Strategic plan lists an AI-enabled chatbot for 2024** Next phase of the plan names an AI-enabled chatbot, an omnichannel branch sales platform and a personalised digital marketplace as 2024 initiatives, after 11 customer-facing upgrades to the digital platform launched in September 2022. Banking Dive reported the chatbot in the same week. ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2023/Associated-Bank-executing-next-phase-of-strategic-plan), [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-lays-off-3-percent-strategic-initiative-relationships-ai/699608/))
- May 31, 2012 — **NICE Actimize chosen for AML and fraud** American Banker reported that the then $22 billion-asset bank would first use Actimize Anti-Money Laundering (suspicious activity monitoring, customer due diligence and case management) and implement Actimize Integrated Fraud Management later that year. ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/associated-banc-corp-to-deploy-fraud-aml-software))

## Where AI runs

| Use case | What | Status | Detail | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Commercial workflow automation | Rolling out | Portfolio management, treasury and payments first; then loan processing and client insights. | [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Line-of-business AI accountability and board oversight | In production | Senior director of AI stewards risk and data; board technology committee. | [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking), [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Announces-Annual-Meeting-Results-Dividends-Stock-Repurchase-Program-and-New-Technology-Committee) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | AI-enabled fraud education and controls | In production | Webinars and guides on social engineering, deepfakes and BEC. | [Associated Bank](https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/strategy-and-management/ai-powered-social-engineering) |
| [Model risk management](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#model-risk) | AI risk-factor disclosure | In production | Reliance on AI, machine learning and automated decision making; third-party AI tools, data rights and fair-lending exposure. | [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm) |
| [Customer-facing chatbots](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#customer-chatbots) | Digital and omnichannel strategy | Rolling out | Digital sales and servicing under the new chief digital officer. | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | Build-versus-buy with AI-assisted development | Rolling out | 30 AI use cases in process; one internal tool built for $45,000 against an $800,000 renew-or-buy option; a similar build is under way in the risk and fraud framework. | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-barclays-conference-growth-margins-and-ai-93CH-4901556) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | Deepfake and AI-enabled fraud defences | Rolling out | Harmening says pieces are already in place against video and audio deepfakes; client guidance centres on Positive Pay, Check Block and ACH Block, and Fiserv co-hosted a November 2025 webinar. | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875), [Associated Bank](https://www.associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/ai-fraud-prevention-security), [Associated Bank](https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/fraud-awareness-2025-webinar) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Workforce AI training | In production | 25 AI modules and a workforce training programme launched by March 2026, organised by business line. | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875) |
| [Generative & agentic AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#generative-agentic-ai) | AI-assisted wealth planning | Announced | Harmening described cutting a plan from two weeks or two days to about two hours with a human advisor in the middle; no product has been announced. | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875) |
| [Customer-facing chatbots](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#customer-chatbots) | AI-enabled chatbot | Announced | Listed among the 2024 initiatives in the November 2023 strategic plan; no launch announcement found. | [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2023/Associated-Bank-executing-next-phase-of-strategic-plan), [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-lays-off-3-percent-strategic-initiative-relationships-ai/699608/) |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | Vendor strategy aligned to build decisions | Rolling out | A new head of procurement matches vendor strategy to internal development, and the board Technology Committee oversees vendor management. | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-barclays-conference-growth-margins-and-ai-93CH-4901556), [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Announces-Annual-Meeting-Results-Dividends-Stock-Repurchase-Program-and-New-Technology-Committee) |

## Disclosed numbers

| Measure | Value | As of | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Total assets | ≈ $52 billion | Jul 30, 2026 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/) |
| Second-quarter 2026 earnings (adjusted) | $121 million ($140 million) | Jul 23, 2026 | [PR Newswire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202607231615PR_NEWS_USPRX____CG11257-1) |
| Commercial and business lending | $12.3 billion (+≈ 43% in five years) | Apr 27, 2026 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-ceo-harmening-private-wealth-commercial/818566/) |
| American National acquisition | $604 million (closed 1 April 2026) | Jul 23, 2026 | [Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-deal-american-national-omaha-604-million-acquisition/806659/), [PR Newswire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202607231615PR_NEWS_USPRX____CG11257-1) |
| AI use cases in process | 30 | Sep 15, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-barclays-conference-growth-margins-and-ai-93CH-4901556) |
| Internal build cost versus purchase option | $45,000 vs $800,000 | Sep 15, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-barclays-conference-growth-margins-and-ai-93CH-4901556) |
| AI training modules launched | 25 | Mar 11, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875) |
| Occurrences of 'AI' in the 10-K | 27 (2025 10-K) vs 17 (2024 10-K); none in the Q1 or Q2 2026 10-Qs | Aug 4, 2026 | [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm), [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778925000013/asb-20241231.htm), [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000141/asb-20260331.htm), [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000202/asb-20260630.htm) |
| Adjusted efficiency ratio, Q2 2026 | 52.9% | Jul 23, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-associated-banccorp-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4810197) |
| Expected cost savings on American National expense base | ≈ 30% (raised from 25%) | Jul 23, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-associated-banccorp-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4810197) |
| Planned rise in marketing acquisition spend, 2026 | 25% | Mar 11, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875) |

## Quotes

> "Andy's background in psychology and banking, combined with deep expertise in analytics and AI, will help us turn data into meaningful insights that strengthen client relationships and drive growth." — Phillip Trier, EVP, Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking, Jun 30, 2026 ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking))

> "Helping accelerate digital transformation, elevating customer experiences, and advancing the bank's AI and omni channel strategy." — Brianna Elsass, Chief Digital Officer, Jul 30, 2026 ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/))

> "Leveraging AI, leveraging machine learning, leveraging statistical analysis, and leveraging data are my tools for extracting insights and turning them into actions." — Chun Schiros, SVP, Chief Analytics Officer, Jun 25, 2024 ([The Financial Brand](https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/data-analytics-banking/associated-bank-beefs-up-data-analytics-function-179233))

> "We have 30 use cases in process with AI already, and we're seeing it on the development side pretty significantly." — Andy Harmening, President and CEO, Sep 15, 2026 ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-barclays-conference-growth-margins-and-ai-93CH-4901556))

> "I don't think we're behind, but we'll have to continue the intensity around having a plan for how to deal with AI." — Andy Harmening, President and CEO, Mar 11, 2026 ([Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875))

> "I'm excited to join an organization that sees AI as a strategic capability that can help deepen relationships, improve decision-making and drive growth." — Andy Miner, Senior Director, AI for Corporate and Commercial Banking, Jun 30, 2026 ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking))

> "The chief data officer role is critical to how we strengthen decision-making, drive operational efficiencies, and help unlock the value of our data ecosystem." — Terry Williams, EVP, Chief Information Officer, Feb 24, 2026 ([Associated Bank newsroom](https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-alexander-bush-executive-vice-president-chief-data-officer))

> "As chief data officer, my priority is to ensure data is trusted and strategically applied to drive decisions and deliver consistently superior customer experiences." — Alexander Bush, EVP, Chief Data Officer, Feb 24, 2026 ([Associated Bank newsroom](https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-alexander-bush-executive-vice-president-chief-data-officer))

## Who runs AI

- **Andy Harmening** — President and CEO ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyharmening/)) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-ceo-harmening-private-wealth-commercial/818566/), [PR Newswire via FT Markets](https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202607231615PR_NEWS_USPRX____CG11257-1))
- **Alexander Bush** — EVP, Chief Data Officer ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexbush/)) ([American Banker](https://digital-banking.americanbanker.com/profile/alexander-bush))
- **Terry Williams** — EVP, Chief Information Officer (since January 2023) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-williams-172b66b3/)) ([PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-banks-ai-academy-returns-with-expanded-focus-on-ai-financial-literacy-and-career-readiness-302816170.html), [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2025/Associated-Bank-launches-AI-Academy-a-summer-youth-education-program), [Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2022/Associated-Banc-Corp-announces-executive-leadership-appointment/default.aspx), [Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm))
- **Brianna Elsass** — Chief Digital Officer (from July 2026) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannaelsass/)) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/))
- **Andy Miner** — Senior Director, AI for Corporate and Commercial Banking ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-miner/)) ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking))
- **Chun Schiros** — Former Chief Analytics Officer (hired May 2024; now at AWS) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chun-schiros-phd-nacd-dc-90a16344/)) ([PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-bank-adds-chun-schiros-as-chief-analytics-officer-to-help-lead-data-and-ai-innovation-302140051.html), [The Financial Brand](https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/data-analytics-banking/associated-bank-beefs-up-data-analytics-function-179233), [Amazon Web Services](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/prescriptive-guidance/latest/semantic-layer-agentic-ai-ontology-reasoning-virtual-knowledge-graph/contributors.html))
- **Phillip Trier** — EVP, Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/philliptrier/)) ([Associated Banc-Corp](https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking))
- **Abhishek Vaidya** — SVP, Chief Analytics Officer (from September 2025) ([Associated Bank newsroom](https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-abhishek-vaidya-senior-vice-president-chief-analytics-officer))
- **Bryan Carson** — EVP, Chief Product and Marketing Officer (analytics reports to him) ([Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm), [Associated Bank newsroom](https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-abhishek-vaidya-senior-vice-president-chief-analytics-officer))
- **Tonjia Coverdale** — SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, Operations and Technology (from August 2023) ([Associated Bank newsroom](https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/tonjia-coverdale-joins-associated-bank-as-senior-vice-president-chief-strategy-officer))
- **Steven Zandpour** — EVP, Head of Consumer and Business Banking (Elsass reports to him) ([Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm), [FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/job-cuts-new-hires/associated-bank-appoints-brianna-elsass-as-evp-and-cdo))
- **Doug Peacock** — Former Chief Digital Officer (left January 2026) ([Banking Dive](https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/), [FinTech Futures](https://fintechfutures.com/job-cuts-new-hires/associated-bank-appoints-brianna-elsass-as-evp-and-cdo))

## Open AI roles

Data as of Oct 25, 2026 (2026-10-25) · read from the bank's own careers site, re-checked weekly.

1 open AI-related posting on [the careers site](https://associatedbank.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/external_careers) as of Oct 25, 2026. A snapshot of current openings, not a source: postings close.

- [Principal Applied AI Product Manager](https://associatedbank.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/external_careers/job/Minneapolis-80-8th-43rd-Floor/Principal-Applied-AI-Product-Manager_JR106344) — Minneapolis 80 8th 43rd Floor (+4 more)

## Which AI vendors and fintechs does Associated work with?

| Company | What Associated uses it for | Status | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [NICE Actimize](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/vendors/nice-actimize) | AML: customer due diligence, suspicious activity monitoring and risk case management, in production since November 2012, with case management later extended to fraud and investigations; Integrated Fraud Management was also selected in 2012. Per a NICE Actimize case study dated Q4 2014; no later update found. | In production | [AML compliance](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-tools/aml-compliance) |

Each vendor and fintech page cites the source for the relationship. [AI tools for banks](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-tools) · [fintech and neobank AI dossiers](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/fintech).

## Regulators it answers to

- [OCC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/occ) — Associated Bank, N.A. is a national bank; commercial AI workflows and any credit-decision models fall under the OCC's model-risk and gen-AI expectations. See [OCC Bulletin 2026-13](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/occ-bulletin-2026-13), [OCC Semiannual Risk Perspective, Spring 2026](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/occ-semiannual-risk-perspective-spring-2026).
- [Federal Reserve](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/federal-reserve) — Holding-company supervision of model risk and of the American National integration. See [SR 11-7](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-11-7), [SR 23-4](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-23-4).
- [CFPB](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/cfpb) — Consumer digital servicing and any AI in retail lending bring UDAAP and ECOA duties. See [ECOA / Regulation B adverse action (15 U.S.C. 1691(d); 12 CFR 1002.9)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cfpb-ecoa-regulation-b-adverse-action).

## What the record suggests

### Line-owned AI is a governance choice worth watching

Putting one accountable owner inside commercial banking, with risk and data stewardship in the job description, is closer to how examiners think than a central lab.

### Internal workflows first is the right sequence

Treasury, payments and portfolio-management automation are low-consumer-harm uses that build the evidence for loan-processing AI later.

### Three new technology leaders in six months means a strategy is coming

A chief data officer, a chief digital officer with an AI mandate and a board committee usually precede a public AI plan; expect one after the American National integration.

### Fraud content should become fraud disclosure

Associated's writing on AI-enabled social engineering is strong; disclosing its own detection tooling would complete the picture.

## FAQ

### Who leads AI at Associated Bank?

Associated has no chief AI officer. Andy Miner, senior director of AI for Corporate and Commercial Banking since 30 June 2026, is the single point of accountability for AI in that line and reports to Phillip Trier. CIO Terry Williams, in post since January 2023, runs technology; chief data officer Alexander Bush, appointed 24 February 2026, reports to him. Abhishek Vaidya, hired from BMO in September 2025, is chief analytics officer under Bryan Carson. Chief digital officer Brianna Elsass, from July 2026, says her remit includes the bank's AI and omnichannel strategy. CEO Andy Harmening sponsors the work publicly.

### Who is responsible for AI at Associated Bank?

Andy Miner, hired from U.S. Bank on 30 June 2026 as senior director of AI for Corporate and Commercial Banking, is the single point of accountability for AI in that business, covering strategy, use cases, delivery, adoption, risk and data. Chief digital officer Brianna Elsass, who joined from BMO in July 2026, is charged with advancing the bank's AI and omnichannel strategy, Alexander Bush is chief data officer and Terry Williams is CIO.

### Where will Associated Bank use AI first?

In internal commercial-banking workflows such as portfolio management, treasury and payments, according to the June 2026 announcement, followed by faster loan processing and personalised client insights. The bank has not disclosed customer-facing generative-AI products or AI spending.

### What does Associated Banc-Corp's 10-K say about AI?

The 2025 annual report, filed in February 2026, says the business increasingly relies on AI, machine learning and automated decision making to improve services and customer experience, and lists AI as a risk factor: evolving regulation, confidential information leaking into third-party AI training sets, uncertain copyright in AI output, and liability under laws such as fair lending if the bank lacks rights to the data its AI relies on.

### How many AI use cases does Associated Banc-Corp have?

CEO Andy Harmening said at the Barclays conference on 15 September 2026 that 30 AI use cases are in process. He described an internal build that cost $45,000 against an $800,000 option to renew or buy a product, and said efficiency gains would show in 2027 and 2028 without giving a number. In March 2026 he said the bank had launched 25 AI modules and a workforce training programme. Associated has not published a use-case list, AI spending or any model or cloud vendor, and neither the Q1 nor the Q2 2026 earnings call or 10-Q discusses AI.

### Does Associated Banc-Corp have AI partners or AI patents?

Google Patents lists one patent assigned to Associated Banc-Corp, US 8,280,813, a 2012 overdraft debt-protection method that is not AI; no AI application is public. Named partners are narrow: Skillsoft powers the 2026 AI Academy with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Milky Way Tech Hub ran the 2025 pilot, and Fiserv co-hosted a November 2025 webinar on AI and fraud. NICE Actimize was chosen for AML and fraud in 2012. No AI lab, cloud provider or model vendor is named in filings, calls or releases.

## Sources (33)

1. Alexander Bush, EVP, Chief Data Officer & CIO, Associated Bank (Digital Banking speaker profile) — American Banker, Apr 23, 2026. https://digital-banking.americanbanker.com/profile/alexander-bush
2. Associated Bank launches AI Academy, a summer youth education program — Associated Banc-Corp, Jun 10, 2025. https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2025/Associated-Bank-launches-AI-Academy-a-summer-youth-education-program
3. Associated Announces Annual Meeting Results; Dividends; Stock Repurchase Program; and New Technology Committee — Associated Banc-Corp, Apr 28, 2026. https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Announces-Annual-Meeting-Results-Dividends-Stock-Repurchase-Program-and-New-Technology-Committee
4. Associated Bank Hires Andy Miner as senior director, AI for Corporate & Commercial Banking — Associated Banc-Corp, Jun 30, 2026. https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2026/Associated-Bank-Hires-Andy-Miner-as-senior-director-AI-for-Corporate--Commercial-Banking
5. AI-Powered Social Engineering: Is Your Business at Risk? — Associated Bank, Aug 5, 2026. https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/strategy-and-management/ai-powered-social-engineering
6. Associated Bank to buy Nebraska lender for $604M — Banking Dive, Dec 1, 2025. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-deal-american-national-omaha-604-million-acquisition/806659/
7. Associated Bank chief digital officer joins from BMO — Banking Dive, Jul 30, 2026. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-chief-digital-officer-joins-from-bmo/826613/
8. Associated Bank CEO wants to pave 'highway to private wealth' — Banking Dive, Apr 27, 2026. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-ceo-harmening-private-wealth-commercial/818566/
9. Associated Banc-Corp Reports Second Quarter 2026 Earnings of $0.63 Per Common Share, or $0.73 Excluding Nonrecurring Items — PR Newswire via FT Markets, Jul 23, 2026. https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/full?dockey=600-202607231615PR_NEWS_USPRX____CG11257-1
10. Associated Banc-Corp Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 — Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings), Feb 12, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000071/asb-20251231.htm
11. Contributors - AWS Prescriptive Guidance — Amazon Web Services, Jul 24, 2026. https://docs.aws.amazon.com/prescriptive-guidance/latest/semantic-layer-agentic-ai-ontology-reasoning-virtual-knowledge-graph/contributors.html
12. Associated Bank Adds Chun Schiros as Chief Analytics Officer to Help Lead Data and AI Innovation — PR Newswire, May 8, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-bank-adds-chun-schiros-as-chief-analytics-officer-to-help-lead-data-and-ai-innovation-302140051.html
13. How Associated Bank Uses Data Analytics to Speed New Products and Drive Growth — The Financial Brand, Jun 25, 2024. https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/data-analytics-banking/associated-bank-beefs-up-data-analytics-function-179233
14. Associated Bank's AI Academy returns with expanded focus on AI, financial literacy and career readiness — PR Newswire, Jul 1, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/associated-banks-ai-academy-returns-with-expanded-focus-on-ai-financial-literacy-and-career-readiness-302816170.html
15. Associated Banc-Corp to Deploy Fraud/AML Software — American Banker, May 31, 2012. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/associated-banc-corp-to-deploy-fraud-aml-software
16. Associated Bank executing next phase of strategic plan — Associated Banc-Corp, Nov 9, 2023. https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2023/Associated-Bank-executing-next-phase-of-strategic-plan
17. Associated Bank lays off 3%: report — Banking Dive, Nov 13, 2023. https://www.bankingdive.com/news/associated-bank-lays-off-3-percent-strategic-initiative-relationships-ai/699608/
18. Associated Banc-Corp announces executive leadership appointment — Associated Banc-Corp, Dec 20, 2022. https://investor.associatedbank.com/news/news-details/2022/Associated-Banc-Corp-announces-executive-leadership-appointment/default.aspx
19. Tonjia Coverdale joins Associated Bank as senior vice president, chief strategy officer — Associated Bank newsroom, Aug 22, 2023. https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/tonjia-coverdale-joins-associated-bank-as-senior-vice-president-chief-strategy-officer
20. Associated Banc-Corp Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 — Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings), Feb 12, 2025. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778925000013/asb-20241231.htm
21. Associated Bank announces hiring of Abhishek Vaidya, senior vice president, chief analytics officer — Associated Bank newsroom, Sep 29, 2025. https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-abhishek-vaidya-senior-vice-president-chief-analytics-officer
22. Webinar: Smart Fraud, Smarter Defense: Artificial Intelligence's Role & Best Practices — Associated Bank, Nov 24, 2025. https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/fraud-awareness-2025-webinar
23. The Role of AI in Fraud and Cybersecurity — Associated Bank, Jan 9, 2026. https://www.associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/risk-and-insurance/ai-fraud-prevention-security
24. Associated Bank announces hiring of Alexander Bush, executive vice president, chief data officer — Associated Bank newsroom, Feb 24, 2026. https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/releases/associated-bank-announces-hiring-of-alexander-bush-executive-vice-president-chief-data-officer
25. Associated Banc-Corp at RBC Conference: Strategic Growth and AI Integration (transcript) — Investing.com, Mar 11, 2026. https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-rbc-conference-strategic-growth-and-ai-integration-93CH-4555875
26. Associated Banc-Corp Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 — Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings), Apr 28, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000141/asb-20260331.htm
27. Associated Banc-Corp Form 8-K with investor presentation (American National conversion timing) — Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings), May 5, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000147/asb-20260505.htm
28. Webinar: Trust the Target: Social Engineering in the Age of AI — Associated Bank, Jun 23, 2026. https://associatedbank.com/education/articles/business-insights/strategy-and-management/social-engineering-in-age-of-ai-webinar
29. Earnings call transcript: Associated Banc-Corp tops Q2 2026 estimates — Investing.com, Jul 23, 2026. https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-associated-banccorp-tops-q2-2026-estimates-93CH-4810197
30. Associated Bank appoints Brianna Elsass as EVP and CDO — FinTech Futures, Jul 30, 2026. https://fintechfutures.com/job-cuts-new-hires/associated-bank-appoints-brianna-elsass-as-evp-and-cdo
31. Associated Banc-Corp Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 — Associated Banc-Corp (SEC filings), Aug 4, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/7789/000000778926000202/asb-20260630.htm
32. Associated Banc-Corp at Barclays conference: growth, margins and AI (transcript) — Investing.com, Sep 15, 2026. https://investing.com/news/transcripts/associated-banccorp-at-barclays-conference-growth-margins-and-ai-93CH-4901556
33. US 8,280,813 B2: System and method for providing debt protection for financial overdraft account (assignee Associated Banc-Corp) — Google Patents (USPTO), Oct 2, 2012. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8280813B2/en

---

Canonical page: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/associated
Part of [BankingNewsAI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/) — a free daily brief on AI in banking, an AI regulation tracker (45 authorities, 256 documents) and AI-strategy profiles of the 120 largest US banks. Markdown versions of every reference page: append `.md` to the page URL; index at https://www.bankingnewsai.com/llms.txt.