Green Bay, Wis.-based Associated Bank opened its branch in the IDS Center Oct. 29. .The branch, in the Crystal Court of the 57-story skyscraper, houses private, personal and commercial banking, wealth solutions and commercial real estate services. The branch includes 1,665 square feet of retail space and more than 6,000 square feet of office space. Construction on the branch began in February as a part of the bank’s broader investment in Minneapolis. The location replaces Associated’s former branch one block away in the city’s Baker Center, and is 400 square feet larger. The $44 billion bank will also use the 43rd floor of the IDS Center starting next spring. The office will more than double its current footprint in the nearby PwC Tower and house approximately 100 employees in commercial banking, CRE and relationship management. .A ribboncutting marked the branch opening and included comments from bank leaders. Commercial Banking Market Leader Mike Lebens said the Twin Cities is the right market to expand in business banking as it is the 16th largest metropolitan area in the country and home to 15 Fortune 500 companies. “We are committed to being part of the solution downtown,” added Twin Cities Market President Paul Schmidt. A senior vice president, Lebens will succeed Schmidt starting Jan. 1. Lebens, who joined Associated Bank from Wells Fargo in May 2024, spent 24 years in leadership positions at the large bank. "Mike's strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style will play a key role in advancing our long-term goals in the region, and we're excited for the positive impact he will make for our clients, colleagues and communities," said Head of Corporate and Commercial Banking Phillip Trier. "Paul has been a valued partner, and someone I have worked closely with since joining the bank and helped us create our market strategy for the Twin Cities and laid the foundation for our growth you are seeing today."
