Bank celebrates its 200th financial center in Florida and 100th in the Carolinas, powered by innovation, data-driven strategy, and strong customer relationships

Fifth Third (Nasdaq: FITB) today announced the opening of its 200th financial center in Florida and its 100th in the Carolinas—two major milestones in the Bank’s Southeast expansion. The new locations, Champions Crossing in Davenport, Florida, and Weaverville near Asheville, North Carolina, reflect Fifth Third’s commitment to delivering exceptional banking experiences and strengthening its presence in high-growth markets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251203456594/en/

Inside Fifth Third's 200th financial center in Florida.

Over the past year, Fifth Third has accelerated its expansion and now operates more than 1,100 banking centers nationwide—a number expected to grow significantly following the closing of its acquisition of Comerica in the first quarter of 2026.

“We’re proud to celebrate our 200th branch in Florida and our 100th in the Carolinas—regions where we’ve seen exceptional momentum and meaningful impact,” said Jamie Leonard, chief operating officer at Fifth Third. “These milestones reflect our disciplined approach to growth and our commitment to making banking easier and more personalized through innovative technology and local expertise.”

Fifth Third’s Southeast expansion accelerates its relationship-driven banking model, fueling economic growth and expanding access to financial solutions. In 2025, the Bank is on track to launch 50+ new locations and added Alabama to its footprint. Since launching its Southeast expansion in 2018, Fifth Third has grown by 172 de novos, upgraded 71 existing locations, entered 14 new markets, and added 688 team members to its Consumer Bank. The expansion is projected to grow deposits by $15 billion to $20 billion over the next seven years.

Beyond the Southeast, Fifth Third plans to add 150 locations in Texas by 2029. Combined with Comerica’s footprint, the Bank will be positioned to achieve top five market share in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. By 2030, more than half of Fifth Third’s retail footprint will be concentrated in the Southeast, Texas and Arizona.

Fifth Third branches power financial opportunities in the communities they serve. Since 2018, the Bank has mastered a best-in-class model to launch branches quickly and make an immediate impact. Proprietary technology drives this precision: the Market Strength Index (MSI) identifies high-potential cities, while a patented geospatial heatmap pinpoints optimal sites. Once a location is chosen, a cross-functional team spanning retail, human capital, real estate, technology and marketing moves swiftly to bring the branch to life.

Building Opportunity in Florida and the Carolinas

In Florida, the opening of Champions Crossing brings Fifth Third’s network to 200 financial centers, offering consumer, commercial, and wealth management services. The Bank’s commitment to the Sunshine State includes:

• Community Investment: More than $20 million in East Tampa, nearly $1 million annually to charitable initiatives, and disaster relief through Fifth Third Foundation grants.
• Financial Empowerment: Fifth Third’s Financial Empowerment Mobile (eBus) delivering financial education and resources to underserved communities statewide.
• Local Partnerships: Official Bank of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Florida Everblades.
• Award-winning customer service: J.D. Power recognized Fifth Third as No. 1 for Retail Bank Customer Satisfaction in Florida for the second consecutive year.

In the Carolinas, the Weaverville financial center marks 100 branches across the region. Highlights include:

• Historic West End Revitalization: Since 2021, $85.2 million in direct investments, catalyzing an additional $28 million for a total impact of $113.2 million.
• Signature Projects: Thrive Food Hub (fresh food access and small-business space), Legacy at Carr Heights Senior Apartments ($31 million, 120 units), and Hoskins Street Home Preservation (32 homes secured).
• Disaster Recovery: $350,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, including $100,000 for the Carolinas, plus rapid response after Hurricane Helene.
• Regional Impact: More than 1,100 employees driving affordable housing, food access, small-business support, and financial empowerment programs.

Powering Growth Through Innovation and Connection

Fifth Third’s redesigned financial centers put customers first—whether they’re opening an account, seeking guidance or exploring small-business solutions. Each location offers personalized service supported by advanced digital tools that make banking faster and more convenient. Open, flexible layouts create space for meaningful conversations and deeper community connections.

“Our growth is about more than numbers—it’s about impact,” said Shawn Niehaus, head of consumer banking at Fifth Third. “We’re building branches that serve as community hubs, staffed by bankers who understand local needs and are empowered by technology to deliver meaningful financial guidance.”

As Fifth Third expands, it’s investing in talent—bringing on local bankers, advisors, business relationship managers, and financial center leaders who collaborate to provide expert insight and award-winning customer service.

Complementing its physical footprint, Fifth Third Momentum® Banking gives customers faster, easier, and more secure access to their money. Momentum Banking simplifies everyday banking while enhancing financial wellness and security with industry leading benefits like:

• Early Pay, which provides access to paychecks up to two days early and tax refunds via direct deposit up to five days early—at no cost.
• Extra Time, which helps customers avoid overdraft fees, saving them more than $223 million since 2021.
• Free estate planning through an exclusive partnership with Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning platform in the U.S.

Recognized by J.D. Power as the No. 1 mobile banking app for user satisfaction among regional banks, Fifth Third’s app serves more than 2.4 million monthly users and powers over one billion annual digital interactions, delivering innovation and personalization through advanced capabilities such as:

• A streamlined onboarding experience that makes switching direct deposit effortless, so customers can quickly start receiving paychecks into their Fifth Third account.
• Real-time person-to-person payments with best-in-class security enhancements designed to interrupt suspicious transactions and prevent fraud.
• SmartShield®, a first-of-its-kind in-app security experience that gamifies digital safety, empowering users to protect their finances through interactive learning and proactive engagement.

To commemorate the milestone openings, Fifth Third will host celebratory events at both locations, including themed giveaways and community activations.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ^® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “could,” “deliver,” “drive,” “enhance,” “estimate,” “expect,” “focus,” “future,” “goal,” “grow,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “position,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “trajectory,” “trend,” “will,” “would,” and other similar words and expressions or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our business strategy, goals and objectives, projected financial and operating results, including outlook for future growth, and future common share dividends, common share repurchases and other uses of capital. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Comerica Incorporated’s (“Comerica”) and Fifth Third Bancorp’s (“Fifth Third”) actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause Comerica’s and Fifth Third’s actual results, financial condition and predictions to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include, in addition to those set forth in our and Fifth Third’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): (1) the risk that the cost savings and synergies from the merger of Comerica with Fifth Third (the “Transaction”) may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized; (2) the failure of the closing conditions in the merger agreement between Comerica and Fifth Third providing for the Transaction to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the Transaction or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances, including the impact and timing of any government shutdown, that could delay the Transaction or could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (3) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings or governmental inquiries or investigations that may be currently pending or later instituted against Comerica, Fifth Third or the combined company; (4) the possibility that the Transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, stockholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed Transaction); (5) the risk that the benefits from the Transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Comerica and Fifth Third operate; (6) disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; (7) the costs associated with the anticipated length of time of the pendency of the Transaction, including the restrictions contained in the definitive merger agreement on the ability of Comerica or Fifth Third to operate its business outside the ordinary course during the pendency of the Transaction; (8) risks related to management and oversight of the expanded business and operations of the combined company following the closing of the proposed Transaction; (9) the risk that the integration of each party’s operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party’s businesses into the other’s businesses; (10) the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (11) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of Comerica or Fifth Third customers, employees, vendors, contractors or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; (12) the dilution caused by Fifth Third’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the Transaction; (13) a material adverse change in the condition of Comerica or Fifth Third; (14) the extent to which Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s businesses perform consistent with management’s expectations; (15) Comerica’s and Fifth Third’s ability to take advantage of growth opportunities and implement targeted initiatives in the timeframe and on the terms currently expected; (16) the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; (17) the execution and efficacy of recent strategic investments; (18) the timing and impact of Comerica’s Direct Express transition; (19) the impact of macroeconomic factors, such as changes in general economic conditions and monetary and fiscal policy, particularly on interest rates; (20) changes in customer behavior; (21) unfavorable developments concerning credit quality; (22) declines in the businesses or industries of Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s customers; (23) the possibility that the combined company is subject to additional regulatory requirements as a result of the proposed Transaction of expansion of the combined company’s business operations following the proposed Transaction; (24) general competitive, political and market conditions and other factors that may affect future results of Comerica and Fifth Third including changes in asset quality and credit risk; (25) security risks, including cybersecurity and data privacy risks, and capital markets; (26) inflation; (27) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (28) capital management activities; (29) competitive product and pricing pressures; (30) the outcomes of legal and regulatory proceedings and related financial services industry matters; and (31) compliance with regulatory requirements. Any forward-looking statement made in this communication is based solely on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Comerica’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at: https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000028412/000002841225000108/cma-20241231.htm), and in Fifth Third’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at: https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000035527/000003552725000079/fitb-20241231.htm), as well as Comerica’s and Fifth Third’s subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Comerica and Fifth Third disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION AND WHERE TO FIND IT Fifth Third intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of Fifth Third common stock that will be issued to Comerica stockholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. The registration statement will include a joint proxy statement of Comerica and Fifth Third that also constitutes a prospectus of Fifth Third. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of Comerica and shareholders of Fifth Third in connection with the proposed Transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COMERICA, FIFTH THIRD, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Comerica or Fifth Third through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov or by contacting the investor relations department of Comerica or Fifth Third at: Comerica Inc. Fifth Third Bancorp Comerica Bank Tower 1717 Main Street, MC 6404 38 Fountain Square Plaza MD 1090FV Dallas, TX 75201 Cincinnati, OH 45263 Attention: Investor Relations Attention: Investor Relations InvestorRelations@comerica.com (833) 571-0486 IR@53.com (866) 670-0468 Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of Comerica and Fifth Third are urged to read carefully the entire registration statement and joint proxy statement/prospectus when they become available, including any amendments thereto, because they will contain important information about the proposed Transaction. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above. PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION Comerica, Fifth Third and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Comerica and shareholders of Fifth Third in connection with the Transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of each of Comerica and Fifth Third is set forth in (i) Comerica’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including under the headings entitled “Information about Nominees and Other Directors”, “Director Independence”, “Transactions with Related Persons”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, “Compensation of Directors”, “Proposal 3 Submitted for your Vote – Non-Binding, Advisory Proposal Approving Executive Compensation”, “Pay Versus Performance”, “Pay Ratio Disclosure” and “Security Ownership of Management”, which was filed with the SEC on March 17, 2025 and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000028412/000002841225000135/cma-20250313.htm, and (ii) Fifth Third’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including under the headings entitled “Board of Directors Compensation”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Human Capital and Compensation Committee Report”, “Compensation of Named Executive Officers”, “CEO Pay Ratio”, “Pay vs Performance”, “Company Proposal No. 2: Advisory Vote on Compensation of Named Executive Officers (Item 3 on Proxy Card)” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, which was filed with the SEC on March 4, 2025 and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000035527/000119312525045653/d901598ddef14a.htm. To the extent holdings of each of Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s securities by its directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC, which are available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=35527&owner=exclude, and at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=28412&owner=exclude. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov. NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251203456594/en/