Associated Bank Partners with Elan Financial Services for its Credit Card Program

MINNEAPOLIS & GREEN BAY, Wis. — Elan Financial Services (Elan) has entered into a strategic partnership with Associated Bank based in Green Bay, Wis. to offer Associated Bank consumer and commercial customers a full suite of credit card services.

“Associated Bank is a premier partner, with a strong brand and a loyal customer base,” said Jeff Chernivec, senior vice president and market director at Elan Financial Services. “Elan continues to focus on developing strategic partnerships in the agent financial institution market. We are extremely pleased to partner with Associated Bank.”

“Taking care of our customers is our top priority,” said Valentine Glytas, senior vice president and director of consumer lending services at Associated Bank. “Elan became the obvious choice as we looked for the right provider for our credit card business. Elan knows our markets well and will provide our customers with best-in-class products and service. We are excited about this new partnership.”

"We’re excited to partner with Associated to develop an integrated credit card program that will help them deepen relationships with their customers,” said Deanna Corona, senior vice president and general manager of Elan Financial Services. “With our best-in-class products and dedication to outstanding customer service, Elan delivers a complete end-to-end solution. We support marketing, training and in-branch servicing in addition to providing a technology platform to support the entire card program.”

By purchasing Associated Bank’s credit card portfolio, Elan provides behind-the-scenes support and structure for the program, which will continue to be branded and marketed under the Associated Bank name with the common goal of growing the portfolio. The portfolio will be converted in the second quarter of 2010, and all of the new products and services will be made available to clients at that time. No additional steps will be necessary on behalf of the customer.

About Associated Bank
Associated Banc-Corp, headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., is a diversified bank holding company with total assets of $24 billion. Associated has approximately 300 banking offices serving about 160 communities in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The company offers a full range of traditional banking services and a variety of other financial products and services. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

About Elan Financial Services
Elan Financial Services is one of the nation’s leading providers of complete outsourced solutions. Services include end-to-end credit card, debit, merchant and ATM programs, regional and surcharge-free networks, technology leasing, lending programs and correspondent services. Elan provides the highest sophistication in the industry in the areas of card management, fraud monitoring, reporting and marketing tools to more than 3,000 financial institutions with 24/7 client support and a unique Service Guarantee. Elan provides complete technology solutions with a distinctive industry perspective. For more information, call 1-800-343-7064 or visit www.elanfinancialservices.com.