Fifth Third Announces Third Quarter 2015 Net Income to Common Shareholders of $366 Million, or $0.45 Per Diluted Share

By: Fifth Third Bancorp via Business Wire News Releases

October 20, 2015 at 06:30 AM EDT

Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) today reported third quarter 2015 net income of $381 million versus net income of $315 million in the second quarter of 2015 and $340 million in the third quarter of 2014. After preferred dividends, net income available to common shareholders was $366 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015, compared with $292 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2015, and $328 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2014.

Third quarter 2015 included:

Income

$130 million positive valuation adjustment on the Vantiv warrant
($8 million) charge related to the valuation of the Visa total return swap

Expense

($9 million) charge associated with executive retirement and severance costs

Results also included $35 million of provision expense related to the restructuring of a student loan backed commercial credit originally extended in 2007.

Second quarter 2015 included:

Income

$14 million positive valuation adjustment on the Vantiv warrant
($2 million) charge related to the valuation of the Visa total return swap
($97 million) non-cash impairment charge related to previously announced changes in the branch network

Third quarter 2014 included:

Income

($53 million) negative valuation adjustment on the Vantiv warrant
($3 million) charge related to the valuation of the Visa total return swap

Earnings Highlights

	For the Three Months Ended										% Change
	September		June		March		December		September
	2015		2015		2015		2014		2014		Seq	Yr/Yr
Earnings ($ in millions)
Net income attributable to Bancorp	$381		$315		$361		$385		$340		21%	12%
Net income available to common shareholders	$366		$292		$346		$362		$328		25%	12%

Common Share Data
Earnings per share, basic	0.46		0.36		0.42		0.44		0.39		28%	18%
Earnings per share, diluted	0.45		0.36		0.42		0.43		0.39		25%	15%
Cash dividends per common share	0.13		0.13		0.13		0.13		0.13		-	-

Financial Ratios
Return on average assets	1.07	%	0.90	%	1.06	%	1.13	%	1.02	%	19%	5%
Return on average common equity	10.0		8.1		9.7		10.0		9.2		23%	9%
Return on average tangible common equity(b)	12.0		9.7		11.7		12.1		11.1		25%	9%
CET1 capital(c)	9.40		9.42		9.52		N/A		N/A		-	N/A
Tier I risk-based capital(c)	10.49		10.51		10.62		10.83		10.83		-	N/A
Tier I common equity(b)	N/A		N/A		N/A		9.65		9.64		N/A	N/A
CET1 capital (fully-phased in)(b)(c)	9.30		9.31		9.41		N/A		N/A		-	N/A
Net interest margin(a)	2.89		2.90		2.86		2.96		3.10		-	(7%)
Efficiency(a)	58.2		65.4		62.3		59.6		62.1		(11%)	(6%)

Common shares outstanding (in thousands)	795,439		810,054		815,190		824,047		834,262		(2%)	(5%)
Average common shares outstanding
(in thousands):
Basic	795,793		803,965		810,210		819,057		829,392		(1%)	(4%)
Diluted	805,023		812,843		818,672		827,831		838,324		(1%)	(4%)

(a) Presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis.

(b) These ratios have been included herein to facilitate a greater understanding of the Bancorp's capital structure and financial condition. See the Regulation G Non-GAAP Reconciliation table for a reconciliation of these ratios to U.S. GAAP.

(c) Under the banking agencies' Basel III Final Rule, assets and credit equivalent amounts of off-balance sheet exposures are calculated according to the standardized approach for risk-weighted assets. The resulting values are added together resulting in the Bancorp's total risk-weighted assets used in the calculation of the tier I risk-based capital and common equity tier 1 ratios beginning January 1, 2015. Current period regulatory capital ratios are estimated.

NA: Not applicable.

“We had a very active quarter as we made progress in our strategic business executions to improve the future performance of our company,” said Greg D. Carmichael, President and CEO-elect of Fifth Third Bancorp. “During the quarter we executed the sale of 29 retail locations in Pittsburgh and St. Louis which are expected to close early next year, while the remaining branch consolidations continue on the planned track for completion by the middle of 2016. In the past few weeks, we also resolved three significant, long-standing matters with government agencies, as previously disclosed. In addition, during the quarter we added three seasoned, key executives to the executive team. I am confident that we have the experience and talent to achieve our goal to be the top performing bank across the full business cycle. Our focus is on building long-term value for our shareholders by growing profitable relationships with our retail and commercial clients as a trusted partner.

“Our core businesses continue to produce solid results despite the uncertainties surrounding the domestic and global economic environment,” said Carmichael. “Current strategies reflect our focus on loan growth and revenue generation with an emphasis on maintaining a strong balance sheet that will perform well in a variety of economic environments. The business decisions and risk management actions this quarter and going forward will continue to reflect our fundamental goal to produce consistent, long-term outperformance in our sector. Our management team will maintain that discipline in all of our businesses.

“Net interest income was up 2 percent sequentially and flat from a year ago, supported by growth in our commercial business, particularly in C&I lending, which was up 1 percent sequentially and 4 percent from a year ago. Corporate banking revenues grew 4 percent from a year ago, driven by capital markets fee growth of 17%. Our balance sheet remains well-positioned with appropriate interest rate and liquidity risk positions for the current rate environment.

“As I begin my tenure as CEO, our 18,000-plus team members are focused on maintaining the historical core performance of the company and creating and sustaining the operational excellence necessary to perform well through the economic cycles.”

Income Statement Highlights

	For the Three Months Ended					% Change
	September	June	March	December	September
	2015	2015	2015	2014	2014	Seq	Yr/Yr
Condensed Statements of Income ($ in millions)
Net interest income (taxable equivalent)	$906	$892	$852	$888	$908	2%	-
Provision for loan and lease losses	156	79	69	99	71	97%	NM
Total noninterest income	713	556	630	653	520	28%	37%
Total noninterest expense	943	947	923	918	888	-	6%
Income before income taxes (taxable equivalent)	520	422	490	524	469	23%	11%

Taxable equivalent adjustment	5	5	5	5	5	-	-
Applicable income taxes	134	108	124	134	124	24%	8%
Net income	381	309	361	385	340	23%	12%
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-	(6)	-	-	-	(100%)	-
Net income attributable to Bancorp	381	315	361	385	340	21%	12%
Dividends on preferred stock	15	23	15	23	12	(35%)	25%
Net income available to common shareholders	366	292	346	362	328	25%	12%
Earnings per share, diluted	$0.45	$0.36	$0.42	$0.43	$0.39	25%	15%

Net Interest Income

	For the Three Months Ended					% Change
	September	June	March	December	September
	2015	2015	2015	2014	2014	Seq	Yr/Yr
Interest Income ($ in millions)
Total interest income (taxable equivalent)	$1,031	$1,008	$975	$1,016	$1,023	2%	1%
Total interest expense	125	116	123	128	115	8%	9%
Net interest income (taxable equivalent)	$906	$892	$852	$888	$908	2%	-

Average Yield
Yield on interest-earning assets (taxable equivalent)	3.29%	3.28%	3.28%	3.38%	3.49%	-	(6%)
Rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities	0.58%	0.56%	0.60%	0.61%	0.56%	4%	4%
Net interest rate spread (taxable equivalent)	2.71%	2.72%	2.68%	2.77%	2.93%	-	(8%)
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent)	2.89%	2.90%	2.86%	2.96%	3.10%	-	(7%)

Average Balances ($ in millions)
Loans and leases, including held for sale	$94,329	$92,739	$91,659	$91,581	$91,428	2%	3%
Total securities and other short-term investments	30,102	30,563	29,038	27,604	24,927	(2%)	21%
Total interest-earning assets	124,431	123,302	120,697	119,185	116,355	1%	7%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	85,204	83,512	83,339	82,544	81,157	2%	5%
Bancorp shareholders' equity	15,815	15,841	15,820	15,644	15,486	-	2%

Net interest income increased $14 million to $906 million on a fully taxable equivalent basis from the second quarter, primarily driven by loan growth, partially offset by interest expense associated with the $1.1 billion of holding company debt and $1.3 billion of bank-level debt issued in the third quarter of 2015.

The net interest margin was 2.89 percent, a decrease of 1 bp from the previous quarter, primarily driven by the impact of debt issuances discussed above, day count, and loan yield compression, partially offset by the benefit of the slightly lower short-term cash position during the quarter.

Compared with the third quarter of 2014, net interest income decreased $2 million and the net interest margin decreased 21 bps. The decrease in net interest income was driven by a $24 million decline due to the changes to the Bancorp’s deposit advance product that were effective January 1, 2015, higher interest expense due to increased long-term debt balances, as well as continued loan repricing, partially offset by the impact of higher investment securities balances. The decline in the net interest margin from the prior year was primarily driven by an 8 basis point impact due to the changes to the deposit advance product and loan repricing.

Securities

Average securities and other short-term investments were $30.1 billion in the third quarter of 2015 compared with $30.6 billion in the previous quarter and $24.9 billion in the third quarter of 2014. Other short-term investments average balances of $1.8 billion decreased $1.4 billion sequentially reflecting lower cash balances held at the Federal Reserve. On an end of period basis, securities balances of $29.3 billion increased $816 million driven by purchases funded with cash balances at the Federal Reserve held in other short-term investments and the increase in the unrealized gain in the available-for-sale portfolio of $309 million.

Loans

	For the Three Months Ended					% Change
	September	June	March	December	September
	2015	2015	2015	2014	2014	Seq	Yr/Yr
Average Portfolio Loans and Leases ($ in millions)
Commercial:
Commercial and industrial loans	$43,149	$42,550	$41,426	$41,277	$41,477	1%	4%
Commercial mortgage loans	7,023	7,148	7,241	7,480	7,633	(2%)	(8%)
Commercial construction loans	2,965	2,549	2,197	1,909	1,563	16%	90%
Commercial leases	3,846	3,776	3,715	3,600	3,571	2%	8%
Subtotal - commercial loans and leases	56,983	56,023	54,579	54,266	54,244	2%	5%
Consumer:
Residential mortgage loans	13,144	12,831	12,433	13,046	12,785	2%	3%
Home equity	8,479	8,654	8,802	8,937	9,009	(2%)	(6%)
Automobile loans	11,877	11,902	11,933	12,073	12,105	-	(2%)
Credit card	2,277	2,296	2,321	2,324	2,295	(1%)	(1%)
Other consumer loans and leases	613	467	440	395	361	31%	70%
Subtotal - consumer loans and leases	36,390	36,150	35,929	36,775	36,555	1%	-
Total average loans and leases (excluding held for sale)	$93,373	$92,173	$90,508	$91,041	$90,799	1%	3%

Average loans held for sale	956	566	1,151	540	629	69%	52%

Average loan and lease balances (excluding loans held-for-sale) increased $1.2 billion, or 1 percent, sequentially and increased $2.6 billion, or 3 percent, from the third quarter of 2014. The sequential and prior year increases in average loans and leases were driven by increased commercial and industrial (C&I), commercial construction, and residential mortgage balances, partially offset by decreased home equity and commercial mortgage balances. Period end loans and leases (excluding loans held-for-sale) of $93.6 billion increased $871 million, or 1 percent, sequentially and increased $3.0 billion, or 3 percent, from a year ago.

Average commercial portfolio loan and lease balances increased $960 million, or 2 percent, sequentially and increased $2.7 billion, or 5 percent, from the third quarter of 2014. Average C&I loans increased $599 million, or 1 percent, from the prior quarter and increased $1.7 billion, or 4 percent, from the third quarter of 2014. Within commercial real estate, average commercial mortgage balances continued to decline and average commercial construction balances increased due to better customer activity and the continued focus on that business. Commercial line usage, on an end of period basis, was 32 percent of committed lines in the third quarter of 2015 compared with 33 percent in the second quarter of 2015 and 32 percent in the third quarter of 2014.

Average consumer portfolio loan and lease balances increased $240 million, or 1 percent, sequentially and were flat year-over-year. Average residential mortgage loans increased 2 percent sequentially and 3 percent from a year ago. Average auto loans were flat sequentially and down 2 percent from the previous year. Average home equity loans declined 2 percent sequentially and 6 percent from the third quarter of 2014. Average credit card loans decreased 1 percent sequentially and from the third quarter of 2014.

Average loans held-for-sale balances of $956 million increased $390 million sequentially primarily due to loans associated with the announced sale of certain branches during the quarter, and increased $327 million compared with the third quarter of 2014.

Deposits

	For the Three Months Ended					% Change
	September	June	March	December	September
	2015	2015	2015	2014	2014	Seq	Yr/Yr
Average Deposits ($ in millions)
Demand	$35,231	$35,384	$33,760	$33,301	$31,790	-	11%
Interest checking	25,590	26,894	26,885	25,478	24,926	(5%)	3%
Savings	14,868	15,156	15,174	15,173	15,759	(2%)	(6%)
Money market	18,253	18,071	17,492	17,023	15,222	1%	20%
Foreign office(a)	718	955	861	1,439	1,663	(25%)	(57%)
Subtotal - Transaction deposits	94,660	96,460	94,172	92,414	89,360	(2%)	6%
Other time	4,057	4,074	4,022	3,936	3,800	-	7%
Subtotal - Core deposits	98,717	100,534	98,194	96,350	93,160	(2%)	6%
Certificates - $100,000 and over	2,924	2,558	2,683	2,998	3,339	14%	(12%)
Other	222	-	-	-	-	100%	100%
Total average deposits	$101,863	$103,092	$100,877	$99,348	$96,499	(1%)	6%

(a) Includes commercial customer Eurodollar sweep balances for which the Bancorp pays rates comparable to other commercial deposit accounts.

Average core deposits decreased $1.8 billion, or 2 percent, sequentially and increased $5.6 billion, or 6 percent, from the third quarter of 2014. Average transaction deposits decreased $1.8 billion, or 2 percent, from the second quarter of 2015 primarily driven by lower interest checking and savings account balances, partially offset by higher money market account balances. The lower interest checking balances were largely due to targeted pricing changes in certain accounts. Year-over-year transaction deposits increased $5.3 billion, or 6 percent, driven by higher demand deposit, money market account, and interest checking account balances, partially offset by lower foreign office and savings account balances. Other time deposits were flat sequentially and increased 7 percent compared with the third quarter of 2014.

Average commercial transaction deposits decreased 2 percent sequentially and increased 9 percent from the previous year. Sequential performance was primarily driven by declines in interest checking account balances due to targeted pricing changes in LCR punitive accounts, partially offset by higher money market account and demand deposit account balances. Year-over-year growth reflected higher demand deposit, money market account, and interest checking account balances, partially offset by lower foreign office balances.

Average consumer transaction deposits decreased 2 percent sequentially and increased 4 percent from the third quarter of 2014. The sequential performance reflected lower demand deposit, savings, and interest checking account balances as a result of targeted repricing of certain deposit accounts. Year-over-year growth was driven by increased money market account, demand deposit, and interest checking account balances, partially offset by lower savings account balances.

Wholesale Funding

	For the Three Months Ended					% Change
	September	June	March	December	September
	2015	2015	2015	2014	2014	Seq	Yr/Yr
Average Wholesale Funding ($ in millions)
Certificates - $100,000 and over	$2,924	$2,558	$2,683	$2,998	$3,339	14%	(12%)
Other deposits	222	-	-	-	-	100%	100%
Federal funds purchased	1,978	326	172	161	520	NM	NM
Other short-term borrowings	1,897	1,705	1,602	1,481	1,973	11%	(4%)
Long-term debt	14,697	13,773	14,448	14,855	13,955	7%	5%
Total average wholesale funding	$21,718	$18,362	$18,905	$19,495	$19,787	18%	10%

Average wholesale funding of $21.7 billion increased $3.4 billion, or 18 percent, sequentially, and increased $1.9 billion, or 10 percent, compared with the third quarter of 2014. The sequential increase was primarily driven by an increase in federal funds purchased, and the issuance of $1.1 billion of 5-year holding company debt and $1.3 billion of 3-year bank-level debt. Total wholesale funding was $23.5 billion on an end of period basis due to increased short-term borrowings in response to deposit runoff from targeted pricing changes in LCR punitive accounts and meeting quarter end cash targets. The year-over-year increase in average wholesale funding reflected an increase in long-term debt due to issuances during 2014 and 2015 and an increase in federal funds purchased, partially offset by decreases in certificates $100,000 and over and other short-term borrowings.

Noninterest Income

	For the Three Months Ended					% Change
	September	June	March	December	September
	2015	2015	2015	2014	2014	Seq	Yr/Yr
Noninterest Income ($ in millions)
Service charges on deposits	$145	$139	$135	$142	$145	4%	-
Corporate banking revenue	104	113	63	120	100	(8%)	4%
Mortgage banking net revenue	71	117	86	61	61	(39%)	16%
Investment advisory revenue	103	105	108	100	103	(2%)	-
Card and processing revenue	77	77	71	76	75	-	3%
Other noninterest income	213	1	163	150	33	NM	NM
Securities gains, net	-	4	4	4	3	(100%)	(100%)
Total noninterest income	$713	$556	$630	$653	$520	28%	37%

Noninterest income of $713 million increased $157 million sequentially and increased $193 million compared with prior year results. The sequential and year-over-year comparisons reflect the impacts described below.

Noninterest Income excluding certain items

	For the Three Months Ended						% Change
	September		June		September
	2015		2015		2014		Seq		Yr/Yr
Noninterest Income excluding certain items ($ in millions)
Noninterest income (U.S. GAAP)	$713		$556		$520
Vantiv warrant valuation	(130	)	(14	)	53
Valuation of Visa total return swap	8		2		3
Branch / land valuation adjustments	-		97		-
Securities (gains) / losses	-		(4	)	(3	)
Noninterest income excluding certain items	$591		$637		$573		(7	%)	3	%

Excluding the items in the table above, noninterest income of $591 million decreased $46 million, or 7 percent, from the previous quarter and increased $18 million, or 3 percent, from the third quarter of 2014. The sequential decline was primarily due to decreases in mortgage banking net revenue and corporate banking revenue. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to higher mortgage banking net revenue.

Service charges on deposits of $145 million increased 4 percent from the second quarter and were flat compared with the same quarter last year. The sequential increase was due to a 6 percent increase in retail service charges due to seasonally higher overdraft occurrences as well as a 4 percent increase in commercial service charges.

Corporate banking revenue of $104 million decreased $9 million from the second quarter of 2015 and increased $4 million from the third quarter of 2014. The sequential decrease was primarily due to seasonally lower institutional sales revenue, business lending fees, and foreign exchange fees, partially offset by higher interest rate derivative fees and syndications revenue. The year-over-year increase was driven by higher institutional sales revenue and loan syndications revenue, partially offset by lower foreign exchange fees.

Mortgage banking net revenue was $71 million in the third quarter of 2015, down $46 million from the second quarter of 2015 and up $10 million from the third quarter of 2014. Third quarter 2015 originations were $2.3 billion, compared with $2.5 billion in the previous quarter and $2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2014. Third quarter 2015 originations resulted in gains of $46 million on mortgages sold, compared with gains of $43 million during the previous quarter and $34 million during the third quarter of 2014. Mortgage servicing fees were $54 million this quarter, $56 million in the second quarter of 2015, and $61 million in the third quarter of 2014. Mortgage banking net revenue is also affected by net servicing asset valuation adjustments, which include mortgage servicing rights (MSR) amortization and MSR valuation adjustments (including mark-to-market adjustments on free-standing derivatives used to economically hedge the MSR portfolio). These net servicing asset valuation adjustments were negative $29 million in the third quarter of 2015 (reflecting MSR amortization of $37 million and MSR valuation adjustments of positive $8 million); positive $18 million in the second quarter of 2015 (MSR amortization of $39 million and MSR valuation adjustments of positive $57 million); and negative $34 million in the third quarter of 2014 (MSR amortization of $33 million and MSR valuation adjustments of negative $1 million). The mortgage servicing asset, net of the valuation reserve, was $757 million at quarter end on a servicing portfolio of $60 billion.

Investment advisory revenue of $103 million decreased 2 percent from the second quarter and was flat year-over-year. The sequential decrease was due to lower securities and brokerage fees and personal asset management fees due to the market decline during the quarter.

Card and processing revenue of $77 million in the third quarter of 2015 was flat sequentially and increased 3 percent from the third quarter of 2014. The year-over-year increase reflects an increase in the number of actively used cards and an increase in customer spend volume.

Other noninterest income totaled $213 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared with $1 million in the previous quarter and $33 million in the third quarter of 2014. As previously described, the results included the adjustments in the prior table with the exception of securities gains in all comparable periods. Excluding these items, other noninterest income of $91 million increased approximately $5 million, or 6 percent, from the second quarter of 2015 and increased approximately $2 million, or 2 percent, from the third quarter of 2014.

Net gains on investment securities were immaterial in the third quarter of 2015, compared with $4 million in the previous quarter and $3 million in the third quarter of 2014.

Noninterest Expense

	For the Three Months Ended					% Change
	September	June	March	December	September
	2015	2015	2015	2014	2014	Seq	Yr/Yr
Noninterest Expense ($ in millions)
Salaries, wages and incentives	$387	$383	$369	$366	$357	1%	8%
Employee benefits	72	78	99	79	75	(8%)	(4%)
Net occupancy expense	77	83	79	77	78	(7%)	(1%)
Technology and communications	56	54	55	54	53	4%	6%
Equipment expense	31	31	31	30	30	-	3%
Card and processing expense	40	38	36	36	37	5%	8%
Other noninterest expense	280	280	254	276	258	-	9%
Total noninterest expense	$943	$947	$923	$918	$888	-	6%

Noninterest expense of $943 million was flat compared with the second quarter of 2015 and increased 6 percent compared with the third quarter of 2014. The sequential comparison reflected lower benefits and occupancy expense, partially offset by higher compensation primarily associated with executive retirement and severance costs. The year-over-year increase reflected higher compensation expense, the change in provision for unfunded commitments and marketing expense.

Credit Quality

		For the Three Months Ended
		September		June		March		December		September
		2015		2015		2015		2014		2014
Total net losses charged-off ($ in millions)
	Commercial and industrial loans	($128	)	($34	)	($38	)	($44	)	($50	)
	Commercial mortgage loans	(11	)	(11	)	(1	)	(10	)	(5	)
	Commercial construction loans	(3	)	-		-		-		-
	Commercial leases	-		-		-		(1	)	-
	Residential mortgage loans	(3	)	(5	)	(6	)	(94	)	(9	)
	Home equity	(9	)	(9	)	(14	)	(11	)	(14	)
	Automobile loans	(7	)	(4	)	(8	)	(7	)	(7	)
	Credit card	(21	)	(21	)	(21	)	(20	)	(23	)
	Other consumer loans and leases	(6	)	(2	)	(3	)	(4	)	(7	)
Total net losses charged-off		(188	)	(86	)	(91	)	(191	)	(115	)

Total losses charged-off		(209	)	(112	)	(115	)	(215	)	(146	)
Total recoveries of losses previously charged-off		21		26		24		24		31
Total net losses charged-off		($188	)	($86	)	($91	)	($191	)	($115	)
Ratios (annualized)
Net losses charged-off as a percent of average portfolio loans and leases (excluding held for sale)		0.80	%	0.37	%	0.41	%	0.83	%	0.50	%
	Commercial	0.99	%	0.32	%	0.29	%	0.40	%	0.40	%
	Consumer	0.51	%	0.46	%	0.59	%	1.47	%	0.66	%

Net charge-offs were $188 million, or 80 bps of average loans and leases on an annualized basis, in the third quarter of 2015 compared with net charge-offs of $86 million, or 37 bps, in the second quarter of 2015 and $115 million, or 50 bps, in the third quarter of 2014. The third quarter of 2015 net charge-offs included $102 million related to the restructuring of a student loan backed commercial credit originally extended in 2007, $80 million of which had been reserved for in prior quarters as the loan is collateral dependent with the related allowance for loan loss being measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. During the quarter, changing collateral performance characteristics and lower valuations for student loan portfolios resulted in the need to restructure the terms of the commercial loan. The resulting decline in the market values led to the actions taken as the reserves on this collateral-dependent loan are measured based on the fair value of the underlying student loan portfolio. Excluding this credit, net charge-offs were $86 million, or 37 bps, in the third quarter of 2015, flat with net charge-offs in the prior quarter.

Commercial net charge-offs were $142 million, or 99 bps, and were up $97 million sequentially. C&I net charge-offs of $128 million increased $94 million from the previous quarter primarily due to the student loan backed credit mentioned above, and commercial real estate net charge-offs increased $3 million from the previous quarter.

Consumer net charge-offs were $46 million, or 51 bps, up $5 million sequentially. Net charge-offs on residential mortgage loans in the portfolio were $3 million, down $2 million from the previous quarter. Home equity net charge-offs were $9 million, in line with the second quarter of 2015, and net charge-offs in the auto portfolio of $7 million were up $3 million compared with the prior quarter due to seasonality. Net charge-offs on consumer credit card loans were $21 million, in line with the second quarter. Net charge-offs on other consumer loans were $6 million, up $4 million compared with the previous quarter primarily due to seasonality.

	For the Three Months Ended
	September		June		March		December		September
	2015		2015		2015		2014		2014
Allowance for Credit Losses ($ in millions)
Allowance for loan and lease losses, beginning	$1,293		$1,300		$1,322		$1,414		$1,458
Total net losses charged-off	(188	)	(86	)	(91	)	(191	)	(115	)
Provision for loan and lease losses	156		79		69		99		71
Allowance for loan and lease losses, ending	1,261		1,293		1,300		1,322		1,414

Reserve for unfunded commitments, beginning	132		130		135		134		142
Provision (benefit) for unfunded commitments	2		2		(4	)	1		(8	)
Charge-offs	-		-		(1	)	-		-
Reserve for unfunded commitments, ending	134		132		130		135		134

Components of allowance for credit losses:
Allowance for loan and lease losses	1,261		1,293		1,300		1,322		1,414
Reserve for unfunded commitments	134		132		130		135		134
Total allowance for credit losses	$1,395		$1,425		$1,430		$1,457		$1,548
Allowance for loan and lease losses ratio
As a percent of portfolio loans and leases	1.35	%	1.39	%	1.42	%	1.47	%	1.56	%
As a percent of nonperforming loans and leases(a)	275	%	272	%	247	%	228	%	228	%
As a percent of nonperforming assets(a)	208	%	206	%	188	%	178	%	178	%

(a) Excludes nonaccrual loans and leases in loans held for sale.

Provision for loan and lease losses totaled $156 million in the third quarter of 2015. The allowance represented 1.35 percent of total portfolio loans and leases outstanding as of quarter end, compared with 1.39 percent last quarter, and represented 275 percent of nonperforming loans and leases, and 208 percent of nonperforming assets.

The provision increased $77 million from the second quarter of 2015 and increased $85 million from the third quarter of 2014. This quarter’s provision included a $35 million impact related to the aforementioned student loan backed commercial credit, and the remainder of the increase was primarily due to the broadening global economic slowdown, stress on capital markets, and the prolonged softness in commodity prices. The allowance for loan and lease losses decreased $32 million sequentially, including a $67 million reduction related to the aforementioned student loan backed credit.

			As of

Nonperforming Assets and Delinquent Loans ($ in millions)			September 2015	June 2015	March 2015	December 2014	September 2014
Nonaccrual portfolio loans and leases:
	Commercial and industrial loans		$47	$61	$61	$86	$102
	Commercial mortgage loans		60	49	57	64	77
	Commercial construction loans		-	-	-	-	2
	Commercial leases		2	2	2	3	3
	Residential mortgage loans		31	35	40	44	52
	Home equity		65	70	71	72	69
		Total nonaccrual portfolio loans and leases (excludes restructured loans)	$205	$217	$231	$269	$305
	Restructured loans - commercial (nonaccrual)(c)		177	175	205	214	201
	Restructured loans - consumer (nonaccrual)		76	83	90	96	114
		Total nonaccrual portfolio loans and leases	$458	$475	$526	$579	$620
Repossessed personal property			17	16	20	18	19
OREO(a)			131	135	145	147	157
		Total nonperforming assets(b)	$606	$626	$691	$744	$796
Nonaccrual loans held for sale			1	1	2	24	4
Restructured loans - (nonaccrual) held for sale			1	-	-	15	3
Total nonperforming assets including loans held for sale			$608	$627	$693	$783	$803

Restructured Consumer loans and leases (accrual)			$973	$970	$943	$905	$1,610
Restructured Commercial loans and leases (accrual)(c)			$571	$769	$774	$844	$885

Total loans and leases 90 days past due			$70	$70	$78	$87	$87
Nonperforming loans and leases as a percent of portfolio loans, leases and other assets, including OREO(b)			0.49%	0.51%	0.57%	0.64%	0.68%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of portfolio loans, leases and other assets, including OREO(b)			0.65%	0.67%	0.76%	0.82%	0.88%

(a) Excludes OREO related to government insured loans. The Bancorp has historically excluded government guaranteed loans classified in OREO from its nonperforming asset disclosures. Upon the prospective adoption on January 1, 2015 of ASU 2014-14 “Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure,” government guaranteed loans meeting certain criteria will be reclassified to other receivables rather than OREO upon foreclosure.

(b) Does not include nonaccrual loans held for sale.

(c) Excludes $21 million of restructured nonaccrual loans and $7 million of restructured accruing loans as of September 30, 2015, June 30, 2015, March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.

Total nonperforming assets, including loans held-for-sale, declined $19 million, or 3 percent, from the previous quarter to $608 million. Nonperforming loans (NPLs) at quarter-end decreased $17 million, or 4 percent, from the previous quarter to $458 million or 0.49 percent of total loans, leases and OREO.

Commercial NPAs decreased $6 million, or 2 percent, from the second quarter to $370 million, or 0.65 percent of commercial loans, leases and OREO. Commercial NPLs decreased $1 million from last quarter to $286 million, or 0.50 percent of commercial loans and leases. C&I NPAs decreased $10 million from the prior quarter to $183 million. Commercial mortgage NPAs decreased $1 million from the previous quarter to $165 million. Commercial construction NPAs increased $5 million from the previous quarter to $19 million. Commercial lease NPAs were $3 million, flat from the previous quarter. Commercial NPAs included $177 million of nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings (TDRs), compared with $175 million last quarter.

Consumer NPAs decreased $14 million from the second quarter to $236 million, or 0.64 percent of consumer loans, leases and OREO. Consumer NPLs decreased $16 million from last quarter to $172 million, or 0.47 percent of consumer loans and leases. Residential mortgage NPAs decreased $10 million from the second quarter to $91 million. Home equity NPAs decreased $3 million, sequentially, to $103 million and credit card NPAs were down $3 million compared with the previous quarter to $33 million. Consumer nonaccrual TDRs were $76 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared with $83 million in the second quarter of 2015.

Third quarter OREO balances included in NPA balances were down $4 million from the second quarter to $131 million, and included $74 million in commercial OREO and $57 million in consumer OREO. Repossessed personal property increased $1 million from the prior quarter to $17 million.

Loans over 90 days past due and still accruing were flat from the second quarter of 2015 to $70 million. Commercial balances over 90 days past due were $5 million compared with $2 million in the prior quarter, and consumer balances 90 days past due decreased $3 million from the previous quarter to $65 million. Loans 30-89 days past due of $214 million were up $1 million from the previous quarter. Commercial balances 30-89 days past due increased $1 million sequentially to $25 million and consumer balances 30-89 days past due were flat from the second quarter at $189 million. The above delinquencies figures exclude nonaccruals described previously.

Capital Position

		For the Three Months Ended
		September	June	March	December	September
		2015	2015	2015	2014	2014
Capital Position
Average total Bancorp shareholders' equity to average assets		11.24%	11.32%	11.49%	11.54%	11.71%
Tangible equity(a)		9.28%	9.28%	9.37%	9.41%	9.65%
Tangible common equity (excluding unrealized gains/losses)(a)		8.32%	8.33%	8.40%	8.43%	8.64%
Tangible common equity (including unrealized gains/losses)(a)		8.65%	8.51%	8.77%	8.71%	8.84%
Tangible common equity as a percent of risk-weighted assets (excluding unrealized gains/losses)		9.38%(b)	9.39%(b)	9.49%(d)	9.70%(d)	9.70%(d)

Regulatory capital ratios:		Basel III
		Transitional(c)			Basel I(d)

	CET1 capital	9.40%(b)	9.42%(b)	9.52%(b)	N/A	N/A
	Tier I risk-based capital	10.49%(b)	10.51%(b)	10.62%(b)	10.83%	10.83%
	Total risk-based capital	13.68%(b)	13.69%(b)	14.01%(b)	14.33%	14.34%
	Tier I leverage	9.38%	9.44%	9.59%	9.66%	9.82%

	Tier I common equity	N/A	N/A	N/A	9.65%(a)	9.64%(a)
	CET1 capital (fully phased-in)	9.30(a)(b)	9.31(a)(b)	9.41(a)(b)	N/A	N/A

Book value per share		18.22	17.62	17.83	17.35	16.87
Tangible book value per share(a)		15.18	14.62	14.85	14.40	13.95

(a)		These ratios have been included herein to facilitate a greater understanding of the Bancorp's capital structure and financial condition. See the Regulation G Non-GAAP Reconciliation table for a reconciliation of these ratios to U.S. GAAP.
(b)		Under the banking agencies Basel III Final Rule, assets and credit equivalent amounts of off-balance sheet exposures are calculated based upon the standardized approach for risk-weighted assets. The resulting values are added together resulting in the Bancorp's total risk-weighted assets.
(c)		Current period regulatory capital ratios are estimated.
(d)		These capital ratios were calculated under the Supervisory Agencies general risk-based capital rules (Basel I) which was in effect prior to January 1, 2015.

Capital ratios remained strong during the quarter. The common equity Tier 1 ratio was 9.40 percent, the tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio* was 8.32 percent (excluding unrealized gains/losses), and 8.65 percent (including unrealized gains/losses). The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 10.49 percent, the total risk-based capital ratio was 13.68 percent, and the Leverage ratio was 9.38 percent.

Book value per share at September 30, 2015 was $18.22 and tangible book value per share* was $15.18, compared with the June 30, 2015 book value per share of $17.62 and tangible book value per share* of $14.62.

Fifth Third entered into and completed multiple share repurchases during the quarter. Below is a summary of those share repurchases.

On July 31, 2015, Fifth Third settled the forward contracted related to the April 27, 2015 $155 million share repurchase agreement. An additional 0.84 million shares were repurchased upon completion of the agreement.
On July 29, 2015, Fifth Third entered into a share repurchase agreement whereby Fifth Third would purchase approximately $150 million of its outstanding stock. This reduced the third quarter share count by 6.0 million shares.
On August 31, 2015, Fifth Third settled the forward contracted related to the July 29, 2015 $150 million share repurchase agreement. An additional 1.35 million shares were repurchased upon completion of the agreement.
On September 3, 2015, Fifth Third entered into a share repurchase agreement whereby Fifth Third would purchase approximately $150 million of its outstanding stock. This reduced the third quarter share count by 6.54 million shares. Settlement of the forward contract related to this agreement is expected to occur on or before December 4, 2015.

In total, common shares outstanding decreased by approximately 15 million shares in the third quarter of 2015 from the second quarter of 2015.

* Non-GAAP measure; see Reg. G reconciliation on page 33 in Exhibit 99.1 of 8-k filing dated 10/20/15.

Tax Rate

The effective tax rate was 26.0 percent this quarter compared with 26.1 percent in the second quarter of 2015 and 26.7 percent in the third quarter of 2014.

Other

Fifth Third Bank owns 43 million units representing a 22.8 percent interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC, convertible into shares of Vantiv, Inc., a publicly traded firm (NYSE: VNTV). Based upon Vantiv’s closing price of $44.92 on September 30, 2015, our interest in Vantiv was valued at approximately $1.9 billion. Next month in our 10-Q, we will update our disclosure of the carrying value of our interest in Vantiv stock, which was $415 million as of June 30, 2015. The difference between the market value and the book value of Fifth Third’s interest in Vantiv’s shares is not recognized in Fifth Third’s equity or capital. Additionally, Fifth Third has a warrant to purchase additional shares in Vantiv which is carried as a derivative asset at a fair value of $630 million as of September 30, 2015.

Conference Call

Fifth Third will host a conference call to discuss these financial results at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. This conference call will be webcast live by Thomson Financial and may be accessed through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at www.53.com (click on “About Fifth Third” then “Investor Relations”). Institutional investors can access the call via Thomson Financial’s password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com).

Those unable to listen to the live webcast may access a webcast replay through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at the same web address. Additionally, a telephone replay of the conference call will be available beginning approximately two hours after the conference call until Tuesday, November 3, 2015 by dialing 800-585-8367 for domestic access or 404-537-3406 for international access (passcode 44604046#).

Corporate Profile

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had $142 billion in assets and operates 1,295 full-service Banking Centers, including 99 Bank Mart® locations, most open seven days a week, inside select grocery stores and 2,650 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 22.8% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of September 30, 2015, had $297 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $25 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “will likely result,” “may,” “are expected to,” “anticipates,” “potential,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “projected,” “intends to,” or may include other similar words or phrases such as “believes,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” “remain,” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” or similar verbs. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risk factors set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as updated from time to time by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements we may make. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to us. There is a risk that additional information may arise during the company’s close process or as a result of subsequent events that would require the company to make adjustments to the financial information contained herein.

There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) general economic conditions and weakening in the economy, specifically the real estate market, either nationally or in the states in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company do business, are less favorable than expected; (2) deteriorating credit quality; (3) political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (4) changes in the interest rate environment reduce interest margins; (5) prepayment speeds, loan origination and sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (6) Fifth Third’s ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity; (7) maintaining capital requirements and adequate sources of funding and liquidity may limit Fifth Third’s operations and potential growth; (8) changes and trends in capital markets; (9) problems encountered by larger or similar financial institutions may adversely affect the banking industry and/or Fifth Third; (10) competitive pressures among depository institutions increase significantly; (11) effects of critical accounting policies and judgments; (12) changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other regulatory agencies; (13) legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affect Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company or the businesses in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company are engaged, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; (14) ability to maintain favorable ratings from rating agencies; (15) fluctuation of Fifth Third’s stock price; (16) ability to attract and retain key personnel; (17) ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries; (18) potentially dilutive effect of future acquisitions on current shareholders’ ownership of Fifth Third; (19) effects of accounting or financial results of one or more acquired entities; (20) difficulties from Fifth Third’s investment in, relationship with, and nature of the operations of Vantiv, LLC; (21) loss of income from any sale or potential sale of businesses that could have an adverse effect on Fifth Third’s earnings and future growth; (22) difficulties in separating the operations of any branches or other assets divested; (23) inability to achieve expected benefits from branch consolidations and planned sales within desired timeframes, if at all; (24) ability to secure confidential information and deliver products and services through the use of computer systems and telecommunications networks; and (25) the impact of reputational risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity.

You should refer to our periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” for further information on other factors, which could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

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Contacts:

Fifth Third Bancorp
Jim Eglseder (Investors), 513-534-8424
or
Larry Magnesen (Media), 513-534-8055