01-26732. Notice of Proposals to Engage in Permissible Nonbanking Activities or to Acquire Companies that are Engaged in Permissible Nonbanking Activities

The companies listed in this notice have given notice under section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1843) (BHC Act) and Regulation Y (12 CFR part 225) to engage de novo, or to acquire or control voting securities or assets of a company, including the companies listed below, that engages either directly or through a subsidiary or other company, in a nonbanking activity that is listed in § 225.28 of Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.28) or that the Board has determined by Order to be closely related to banking and permissible for bank holding companies. Unless otherwise noted, these activities will be conducted throughout the United States.

Each notice is available for inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The notice also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the question whether the proposal complies with the standards of section 4 of the BHC Act. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center Web site at www.ffiec.gov/​nic/​.

Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding the applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than November 7, 2001.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (Phillip Jackson, Applications Officer) 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60690-1414:

1. Associated Banc-Corp, Green Bay, Wisconsin; to acquire Signal Finance Company, Mendota Heights, Minnesota (Signal Finance), and engage in extending credit and servicing loans, pursuant to § 225.28(b)(1) of Regulation Y, and acting as agent or broker for insurance directly related to extensions of credit of Signal Finance, pursuant to § 225.28(b)(11)(ii) of Regulation Y, and to acquire Signal Trust Company, N.A., Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and engage in trust company functions, pursuant to § 225.28(b)(5) of Regulation Y.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, October 18, 2001.

Robert deV. Frierson,

Deputy Secretary of the Board.