Associated Banc-Corp’s (ASB) fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings of 53 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. However, the bottom line compared unfavorably with the prior-year quarter’s earnings of 70 cents. Results benefited from higher adjusted non-interest income and a rise in the deposit balance. However, a decline in net interest income (NII), an increase in expenses and provisions and a lower loan balance were headwinds. Hence, because of these concerns, investors turned beari ...