MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Associated Bank says it plans to close 21 branches across its three-state region of Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota by next spring.

The Green Bay, Wis.-based bank declined to identify the locations, since it's notifying customers first. But the bank says at least one branch was in Minnesota.

Associated Bank has 25 branches in Minnesota. It opened one in Inver Grove Heights this month.

Most of the branches to be closed are within two miles of other branches. A bank spokeswoman says it's an "efficiency question."

Associated Bank has total assets of $22 billion and 270 branches. The bank has seen year-over-year revenue slide a bit, according to its third-quarter filing with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved)

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