Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
A benefit that pays off for both your workforce and your business.
ESOPs offer a tax-exempt benefit while helping your business grow. Allocating company stock to your employees helps them build retirement funds while strengthening engagement, improving productivity and reducing turnover. They’re also ideal if your business is evaluating estate planning strategies, liquidity solutions or ways to manage shareholder objectives.
Associated Bank’s extensive track record of success
Our broad offerings and experience in ESOPs and employee benefits help our clients achieve success.
- More than $600 million in total commitments.
- Client company revenue ranging from $16 million to $7 billion.
- Creative financing options available across industries.
- Recognized for collaborating and structuring with companies’ legal, financial and other key advisors.
- Associated Bank credit officers experienced in evaluating ESOP opportunities.
The types of ESOP transactions we offer
We provide a range of financing options to help meet your unique ESOP objectives.
- Leveraged financing for 100% sale of stock.
- Leveraged financing for minority sale of stock.
- Refinancing secondary sales of stock.
- Working capital support for seller financing.
- Refinancing seller notes with bank debt.
Advice for setting up the right ESOP for your company
We know that an effective employee stock option plan relies on the right team of experienced lawyers, bankers and other advisors. We collaborate with them and other stakeholders to develop the best program for your business.
After establishing an ESOP, communication and education are critical to achieving your desired outcomes. This includes reinforcing to employees that their performance increases the value of the company and their retirement balances.
To see if ESOP lending makes sense for your business, talk with your Associated Bank relationship manager today.
Contact our Commercial Banking ESOP team.
For Informational/Educational Purposes Only: The opinions expressed may differ from other employees and departments of Associated Bank N.A., or any bank or affiliate. Opinions and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future (1513)
