Associated Recognized for Outstanding Consumer and Commercial Customer Engagement by Industry Experts

GREEN BAY, Wis., Nov. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp ("Associated") announced today that it has received recognition from two industry analysis groups for its customer service and engagement practices.

Associated ranked 11^th overall in the Midwest in the 2014 J.D. Power Retail Banking Satisfaction Survey, receiving an overall satisfaction score of 784 (out of 1,000) and outpacing the regional average. Associated performed particularly well in the "channel activity" factor. The Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business (SOCAP International) also provided Associated with high marks, designating the bank's customer engagement efforts as a "strategic asset," the highest possible rating.

"We know that taking care of our customers is the most important thing we can provide to the people who bank with Associated," noted Associated president and CEO Philip B. Flynn. "Despite competing against much larger national banks with operations in the Midwest, we received strong scores for our customer engagement efforts and remain committed to enhancing our position."

The J.D. Power report indicated that among customers who switched banks during the past 12 months, the most common reason is poor customer service. "It is easy for banks to become complacent," according to the J.D. Power report. "To stay at the top of their game, banks should focus on those customers who are not satisfied. And consumers should keep in mind they have the opportunity to shop banks to find the right combination of services, products and fees to meet their needs."

At the core of Associated's customer engagement efforts are its two call centers, located in Green Bay and Stevens Point, Wis., with a combined 120 customer service providers. Assistance to customers takes place seamlessly and invisibly between the two operations.

"The Associated employees who work in our call centers extend a vast array of services to customers from all of our business lines and from all of our geographies," Flynn said. "We consider these operations the next generation of contact/service centers. Our efforts are validated by this recognition."

"We're driven to provide a robust, high-touch customer service experience to help meet end-to-end banking needs," said Lorraine Avery, strategic director of bank operations for Associated. Avery noted that Associated's customer service and contact center operations offer:

• Access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Choice of online, mobile or telephone contact channels
• Services available in more than 200 languages
• Assistance with all consumer or commercial banking needs encompassing any product or service
• Integrated staff flexibility to ensure accessibility during surges in call volumes

The SOCAP International Customer Engagement Framework specifically identified key attributes of Associated's customer care operations that earned the bank its top rating, including:

• Advanced telephone routing based on geography, customer issue, etc.
• Integration across touch points
• Self-service mobile optimized customer care offering
• Advanced online chat technology
• Social media scanning and reporting
• Social media engagement on branded and non-branded sites

Associated's strength in the area of customer care, engagement and service is a main impetus behind its new marketing campaign, launching in November 2014. The "Challenge Your Bank" campaign features TV, print, radio and out-of-home executions that encourage consumer and commercial bank customers to challenge the status quo and demand excellent customer service from their banking partners.

For more information about Associated, its call center operations or its new marketing campaign, visit www.associatedbank.com.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp ASBC has total assets of $26 billion and is one of the top 50 publicly traded U.S. bank holding companies. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services in over 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, 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.

ABOUT THE J.D. POWER RETAIL BANKING SATISFACTION STUDY
The 2014 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 80,000 retail banking customers of more than 130 of the largest banks in the United States regarding their experiences with their retail bank. The study was fielded quarterly from April 2013 to February 2014. For more information, visit www.jdpower.com/press-releases/2014-us-retail-banking-satisfaction-study.

ABOUT THE SOCAP INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT STUDY
The SOCAP Customer Engagement Framework was developed by CX Act, Inc., a customer experience research and consulting firm, for SOCAP International, the professional association for Customer Care & Engagement Professionals, to provide members with an assessment framework for continuous improvement. The Framework was developed through an extensive year-long process that included validation through multiple interviews, focus groups and an online survey with member companies. There are four achievement levels in the framework (Transactional, Standardized, Optimized and Strategic Asset), with Associated positioned at the highest level – Strategic Asset. For more information, visit www.socap.org.

Contact: Cliff Bowers
SVP/Director of Public Relations
920-491-7542 
Clifford.bowers@associatedbank.com

SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp