Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) is in plans to acquire First Staunton Bancshares early next year, which is likely to boost the company's balance sheet. The acquisition's positive effect on earnings, however, is expected to be offset by a compression in net interest margin. Despite cost savings from restructuring efforts, non-interest expense is expected to increase slightly, which will also pressurize the bottom-line. Overall, I'm expecting earnings to decline by 5% year over year in 2020.
First Staunton Purchase to Boost Earning Assets
ASB plans to acquire First Staunton Bancshares by February 2020, which will