Core Viewpoint - Associated Banc-Corp is set to release its third quarter 2025 financial results on October 23, 2025, after market close, and will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 4:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day [1]. Company Overview - Associated Banc-Corp, listed on NYSE as ASB, has total assets of $44 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin [3]. - The company operates nearly 200 banking locations across more than 100 communities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri, and has loan production offices in several other states including Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Texas [3]. Conference Call Details - Interested parties can access the live webcast of the earnings call through the Investor Relations section of the company's website or by dialing into the call [2]. - Financial tables and a slide presentation are expected to be available on the company's website just prior to the call, with an audio archive available approximately fifteen minutes after the call concludes [2].

Core Insights - California International Bank is experiencing a potential record year in profitability, reporting a net income of $600,000 through June 30, marking a significant turnaround after years of losses [1][10] - The bank has been released from two long-standing enforcement actions by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which may facilitate its growth and operational improvements [2][14] - CEO Thanh Pham is optimistic about continued earnings growth, attributing the bank's turnaround to finding a niche in small business lending, with a portfolio growth of nearly 50% since the end of 2022 [3][4] Financial Performance - The bank's net income of $600,000 is notable given its history of only three annual profits in 20 years, with the largest being $1.5 million [1] - California International has reported zero charge-offs in 2023, 2024, and the first half of 2025, indicating strong credit quality [5] Business Strategy - The bank primarily serves small businesses with an average loan size of about $1 million, positioning itself as more accommodating than larger banks [4][5] - CEO Pham emphasizes the bank's ability to approve loans that larger banks often reject, which has contributed to its growth [5] Community and Market Potential - Located in Westminster, California, the bank serves a large Vietnamese-American community, which has a significant number of small businesses [6][12] - Despite the community's conservatism towards financial institutions, there is a growing optimism among local business owners, suggesting potential for further growth [11][12] Future Goals - CEO Pham aims to grow the bank's assets to $1 billion within five years, which would require a compound annual growth rate of 68% [10][17] - Upgrading technology and improving customer experience are priorities to compete with nonbank fintechs, as younger consumers increasingly turn to alternative financial services [15][16]

Core Insights - The article compares Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) and UMB Financial (UMBF) to determine which stock is more attractive to value investors [1] Valuation Metrics - ASB has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a more favorable earnings estimate revision trend compared to UMBF, which has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - ASB's forward P/E ratio is 10.19, while UMBF's forward P/E ratio is 11.80 [5] - ASB has a PEG ratio of 1.02, compared to UMBF's PEG ratio of 1.39, suggesting ASB is better positioned in terms of expected earnings growth [5] - ASB's P/B ratio is 0.96, indicating a lower market value relative to its book value, while UMBF has a P/B ratio of 1.34 [6] - Based on these valuation metrics, ASB holds a Value grade of B, while UMBF has a Value grade of D, making ASB the superior value option [6]

Core Insights - Associated Banc-Corp has been implementing a new growth strategy since 2020, focusing on sustainable organic growth and enhancing its leadership team [2][3] - The company has made significant investments in its commercial banking sector and has repositioned its balance sheet to shift from non-customer residential real estate to commercial banking [3] Company Developments - Over the past four years, Associated Banc-Corp has added nine new members to its executive leadership team [3] - The company has completed its initial phase of strategic investments, particularly in hiring and product development, with all commercial bankers now hired [4] Strategic Plan - The company is currently halfway through Phase 2 of its strategic plan, which is set to continue until 2025 [4]

Company Overview - Associated Banc-Corp has been implementing a new growth strategy since four years ago, initiated during a remote conference amid COVID-19 [2] - The company has focused on sustainable organic growth, enhancing its executive leadership team by adding nine new members over the past four years [3] Strategic Developments - Significant investments have been made in the commercial banking sector, alongside improvements in product offerings and digital capabilities within the consumer banking division [3] - The company has repositioned its balance sheet twice, shifting its loan production focus from non-customer residential real estate to commercial banking [3] Future Plans - As of 2025, the company is halfway through Phase 2 of its strategic plan, having completed initial investments primarily in hiring and product development [4] - All commercial bankers have been successfully hired, indicating a strengthened workforce to support future growth [4]

Summary of Associated Banc-Corp FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) - **Date of Conference**: September 09, 2025 - **Key Speaker**: Andy Harmening, President and CEO Core Industry Insights - **Growth Strategy**: The company initiated a new growth strategy four years ago during COVID, focusing on sustainable organic growth and enhancing its executive leadership team by adding nine new members [2][3] - **Commercial Banking Focus**: Transitioned from non-customer residential real estate to commercial banking, with significant investments in the commercial bank and improvements in the consumer bank's product and digital offerings [2][3] Financial Performance - **Loan Growth**: Achieved $700 million in loan growth in the first half of the year, with a target of $1.2 billion for the year, indicating a strong trajectory [3] - **Customer Satisfaction**: Reported the highest customer satisfaction levels to date, with household growth improving from negative to positive [3][4] - **Net Margin Improvement**: Increased net margin by 29 basis points year-over-year, surpassing the 3% margin barrier [4] Commercial Loan Growth - **Hiring Impact**: Increased relationship managers (RMs) by 28%, with expectations for double-digit growth in commercial and industrial (C&I) loans [5][6] - **Pipeline Growth**: Commercial loan pipeline increased by 36% year-over-year, while deposit pipeline grew by 100% [6] Market Sentiment and Economic Factors - **Economic Uncertainty**: Acknowledged mixed sentiments among commercial customers due to tariffs and economic uncertainty, but noted a return to a pro-business environment [8] - **Deposit Growth Strategy**: Focused on household growth, which has improved from -2% to +2% over five years, translating to an estimated $500 million in organic growth [9][10] Geographic Expansion - **Market Focus**: Emphasized growth in existing markets like Milwaukee and Chicago, while also targeting expansion into Minneapolis and other contiguous markets [12][14] Credit Quality and Risk Management - **Credit Stability**: Maintained solid credit quality with proactive measures for early identification of potential issues, despite a slight uptick in classified credits [30][32] M&A Activity and Capital Deployment - **M&A Strategy**: Focused on organic growth strategies, with potential for M&A if the right opportunity arises [34][37] Future Outlook - **Interest Rate Impact**: Anticipated three rate cuts, with expectations for commercial real estate growth to align with overall bank portfolio growth [15][39] - **Net Interest Income Guidance**: Projected a 14-15% increase in net interest income year-over-year [39][40] Technological Advancements - **AI Implementation**: Established an AI council to explore business applications of AI, emphasizing the importance of solving business problems rather than just adopting technology [52][54] Conclusion - **Strategic Positioning**: The company is well-positioned for growth with a focus on organic strategies, customer satisfaction, and technological advancements, while navigating economic uncertainties and competitive pressures in the banking sector [57][58]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a doubling of EBIT from FY 2024 to $113,400,000 for FY 2025, indicating strong business performance [7][14] - Revenue increased by 24.1% year on year, driven by new programs transitioning from design to construction [15][8] - The order book reached $13,000,000,000, securing revenue for years to come [8][6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. Shipbuilding revenue increased by 28%, primarily due to revenue from OPC, CATs, and submarine contracts [15][16] - Australasia Shipbuilding experienced a 60% growth, attributed to the appointment as the Commonwealth of Australia's sovereign shipbuilder [16][18] - U.S. Support revenue contracted by 9% due to changes in the deployment of LCS vessels [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The defense sector continues to dominate, accounting for 97% of the company's revenue [20] - The company is seeing a return of commercial orders post-COVID, with a ramp-up in production expected [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic shipbuilding agreement positions the company as the prime contractor for surface combatant vessels in Australia, enhancing sovereign shipbuilding capabilities [25][24] - The company is focusing on capitalizing on increased defense expenditure in both the U.S. and Australia, with significant CapEx investments planned [26][27] - The company aims to leverage the AUKUS agreement for growth in submarine modules and technological capabilities [27][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for both the U.S. and Australian markets, highlighting a transformational year for the company [3][28] - The company anticipates continued growth in revenue and earnings, supported by a near-record EBIT and a robust order book [26][28] - Management acknowledged the challenges in U.S. shipbuilding margins but expects improvements as contracts transition [35][34] Other Important Information - The company has a strong cash position of $583,000,000, enabling it to invest in growth projects [22][21] - The workforce is growing, with nearly 4,500 employees globally, and recruitment strategies are in place to support future growth [5][60] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for 2026 and margin expectations in U.S. segments - Management indicated that while there may be some volatility in margins, they expect revenue and profitability to increase as contracts transition [35][34] Question: Details on the strategic shipbuilding agreement and revenue ramp-up - Management confirmed that they are working on the landing craft medium program and expect to finalize contracts for both medium and heavy landing crafts soon, potentially adding $5,000,000,000 to the order book [38][37] Question: Opportunities for collaboration with other prime contractors in the U.S. - Management stated that they are open to working with partners to utilize their capacity and capabilities, particularly in submarine modules and other programs [42][41] Question: Performance expectations for Australasia in FY 2026 - Management expressed optimism for steady growth in profits as new programs come online, although they do not expect to double EBIT again [50][51] Question: Update on REAs and cash flow implications - Management indicated that they expect to finalize REAs soon, which will provide a significant cash injection [72][71] Question: Government involvement and potential partners for landing crafts - Management noted that the government has a strategic interest in the company, and they are working closely with them to ensure successful project execution [81][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - EBIT doubled from FY 2024 to $113,400,000, indicating strong business performance and year-on-year improvement [7][15] - Group revenue increased by 24.1%, with U.S. shipbuilding revenue up by 28% and Australasia shipbuilding growing by 60% [16][17] - The group balance sheet strengthened by over 30% to $1,300,000,000, supported by operational performance and capital raising [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. shipbuilding revenue increased due to contracts for OPC, CATs, and submarine contracts, offsetting declines from nearing completion of LCS and EPF programs [16][17] - Australasia shipbuilding benefited from being appointed as the Commonwealth of Australia's sovereign shipbuilder, contributing to significant revenue growth [17][18] - The support business in Australasia improved by 27% due to increased servicing work from fleet sustainment activities [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The order book reached a near record high of $13,000,000,000, securing revenue for years to come [8][9] - The defense sector continues to dominate, making up 97% of revenue, with expectations for growth in both U.S. and Australian markets [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic shipbuilding agreement positions the company as the prime contractor for surface combatant vessels in Australia, enhancing sovereign shipbuilding capabilities [26] - The company is focusing on long-term value creation for shareholders through sustainable growth and capital investments in manufacturing capacity [6][27] - The company anticipates growth opportunities through the AUKUS agreement, particularly in submarine modules and technology [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for both U.S. and Australian markets, citing increased defense expenditure and a strong order book [3][27] - The company is optimistic about transitioning from legacy programs to new contracts, which are expected to drive revenue and profitability [36][37] - Management highlighted the importance of their workforce and the strategic initiatives taken over the past five years to achieve transformational growth [12][90] Other Important Information - The company reported a net cash position of $453,000,000, underpinned by strong operational performance and successful capital raising [9][23] - The company is investing in expanding production capacity, particularly in the U.S., to meet growing demand [23][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for 2026, particularly regarding margins in U.S. segments - Management indicated that while there may be some volatility, they expect revenue and profitability to increase as they resolve ongoing contract issues [36][37] Question: Update on the strategic shipbuilding agreement and revenue ramp-up - Management confirmed that they are in the design phase for the medium landing craft and expect to finalize the heavy landing craft contract by the end of the calendar year [40] Question: Opportunities to work with other prime contractors in the U.S. - Management stated they are open to partnerships and have ongoing discussions to utilize their capacity for various programs [44][46] Question: Expectations for Australasia EBIT in FY 2026 - Management expressed confidence in steady growth, with no expectation of a decline, as new programs come online [52] Question: CapEx associated with landing craft construction - Management confirmed that the existing facility can accommodate the medium landing craft, while the heavy landing craft may require additional investment, likely funded by the government [68][70] Question: Update on REAs and cash flow implications - Management indicated that they expect to finalize REAs soon, which will provide a significant cash injection [74][75] Question: Impact of Hanwha's involvement and potential partnerships - Management acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Hanwha but emphasized their long-term partnership with the government and the ability to manage any concerns [82][84]

Financial Performance - Austal achieved FY25 revenue of A$1.8 billion, a 24.1% increase compared to A$1.5 billion in FY24 [2, 7] - The company's EBIT doubled to A$113.4 million in FY25, representing a 100.8% increase from A$56.5 million in FY24 [2, 7] - Austal's order book reached A$13.1 billion, a 2.9% increase from A$12.7 billion in FY24 [2, 7] - Operating cashflow significantly improved to A$406.3 million, a substantial increase of A$419.3 million compared to A$(13.0) million in FY24 [7] - Statutory NPAT increased by 503.2% from A$14.9 million to A$89.7 million [7, 15] Operational Highlights - Austal USA was awarded a US$450 million contract to expand submarine module manufacturing [8] - The company signed a Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement (SSA) with the Commonwealth of Australia [7, 8, 31] - Austal delivered 7 ships and had 49 ships under construction or scheduled in FY25 [2] - Austal Philippines delivered the 32-meter 'Ocean Master' catamaran to Rottnest Fast Ferries [8, 41] Strategic Initiatives - Austal is investing up to A$1.2 billion in facility expansions, including Final Assembly 2 (FA2) and Module Manufacturing 3 (MMF3) projects in Mobile, Alabama [29, 54] - The company is targeting $500 million in Through Life Support revenue by FY27 [42]

Group 1 - ASB has undergone a strategic balance sheet overhaul in Q4 2024, positioning it for success in 2025 [1] - The effectiveness of the new strategy is already evident in the Q2 2025 Earnings Presentation [1] - The market has not yet fully recognized the potential of ASB's strategic changes [1]