Also, return on average tangible common equity was 11.99% compared with 11.07% in the year-ago quarter. Share Repurchase Update During the reported quarter, Associated Banc-Corp repurchased nearly 1.1 million shares for $26.3 million. Outlook Management expects 1-2% quarterly average loan growth for the remainder of 2018, assuming a stable to improving economy and combined Associated Banc-Corp and Bank Mutual loan portfolio. Specifically, commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial loan growth is expected to improve in 2018, driven by strong pipeline.