Associated Banc‑Corp announced the creation of a Franchise Banking vertical and the appointment of Shaun Coard as senior vice president and business segment leader. The move adds a new specialty line to the bank’s portfolio of industry‑specific financial solutions and signals a broader commitment to serving franchise owners and operators across the United States.
Coard will report to John Utz, executive vice president and head of Specialized Industries, and will lead a team of four professionals. The new vertical will focus on sectors such as power and utilities, mortgage warehousing, insurance, equipment finance, structured finance, government banking, data centers, financial institutions, and asset‑based lending, aligning with the bank’s existing specialty verticals.
The launch follows the completion of Associated Banc‑Corp’s acquisition of American National Corporation on April 1 2026, a move that accelerated growth in key Midwest markets. Together, the acquisition and the new vertical illustrate the bank’s organic growth strategy, which seeks to broaden its relationship‑driven commercial banking model beyond traditional Midwest locations and capture opportunities in the franchise sector.
John Utz said, "Shaun is a recognized leader in Franchise Banking and the perfect executive to build and scale our Franchise Banking vertical. She brings a demonstrated history of successfully launching and growing new platforms." Coard added, "Joining Associated as it's growing not only in the Twin Cities but across the country was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I'm excited to work with customers to help franchisees and specialty businesses establish and exceed their financial goals by building long‑term client relationships based on prudence, responsibility and trust."
Associated Banc‑Corp is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with roughly $50 billion in total assets and more than 200 banking locations across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The new Franchise Banking vertical expands the bank’s existing suite of nationally focused, industry‑specific specialty verticals, reinforcing its strategy to deepen client relationships and drive growth in high‑potential markets.
The content on EveryTicker is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.