Loan growth, net interest margin expansion, and expense discipline leads to positive operating leverage

Reported results included a negative $0.02 impact from certain items on page 2

Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to adjusted alignment in the Key Financial Data table.

The updated release reads: 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2025 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $0.71

Loan growth, net interest margin expansion, and expense discipline leads to positive operating leverage

Reported results included a negative $0.02 impact from certain items on page 2

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB):

Fifth Third delivered another quarter of strong financial results reflecting our resilient balance sheet, diversified business mix, and disciplined expense management. We again generated positive operating leverage, delivered loan growth, and expanded net interest margin.

This environment of increased economic uncertainty has reinforced the importance of building a bank that produces strong through-the-cycle returns across a range of potential outcomes. Our balance sheet remains well-diversified and neutrally positioned. We remain proactive in managing our credit risk and stress testing our portfolio under many scenarios.

Our strategic investments continue to drive growth in consumer households and commercial relationships as well as year- over-year growth in commercial payments and wealth & asset management revenue. Our strong returns on capital enabled $225 million of share repurchases during the quarter and a 5% increase in tangible book value per share, excluding AOCI, over the past year.

As we navigate this environment, we will continue to follow our operating principles of stability, profitability, and growth - in that order.

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ^®: FITB) today reported first quarter 2025 net income available to common shareholders of $478 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to $582 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, in the prior quarter and $480 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, NII was stable, primarily reflecting higher average commercial loan balances, fixed-rate asset repricing and a combination of seasonal fluctuations and strategic deposit management actions decreasing the cost of interest-bearing deposits, offset by the impact of market rates on floating rate loans and lower day count. These same factors, coupled with the normalization of cash and other short-term investment balances contributed to the 6 bps increase in NIM.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, NII increased $52 million, or 4%, and NIM increased 17 bps. This year-over-year improvement was due to the benefits from proactive deposit and wholesale funding management decreasing interest- bearing liabilities costs by 56 bps and the benefit of fixed-rate asset repricing, which more than offset the impact of lower market rates on floating rate assets.

Reported noninterest income decreased $38 million, or 5%, from the prior quarter, and decreased $16 million, or 2%, from the year-ago quarter. The reported results reflect the impact of certain items in the table below, including the mark-to- market on the valuation of the Visa total return swap and securities gains/losses which incorporate mark-to-market impacts from securities associated with non-qualified deferred compensation plans that are more than offset in noninterest expense.

Noninterest income excluding certain items decreased $70 million, or 9%, compared to the prior quarter, but increased $4 million, or 1%, from the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, wealth and asset management revenue increased $9 million, or 6%, primarily due to seasonal tax-related revenue and increased customer transaction activity. Commercial payments revenue decreased $2 million, or 1%, primarily driven by seasonality. Capital markets fees decreased $33 million, or 27%, reflecting decreases in syndication and M&A advisory fees due to seasonality and market uncertainty. Commercial banking revenue decreased $29 million, or 27%, primarily reflecting decreases in lease syndication and remarketing.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, wealth and asset management revenue increased $11 million, or 7%, primarily reflecting an increase in personal asset management revenue due to AUM growth. Commercial payments revenue increased $8 million, or 6%, primarily driven by deposit fees. Consumer banking revenue increased $2 million, or 1%, primarily driven by deposit fees. Capital markets fees decreased $7 million, or 7%, reflecting a decrease in syndication fees and M&A advisory fees, partially offset by an increase in client financial risk management revenue. Commercial banking revenue decreased $5 million, or 6%, primarily reflecting the continued decrease in operating lease revenue, partially offset by an increase in lease syndication and remarketing. Mortgage banking net revenue increased $3 million, or 6%, due to the prior year loss on MSR net valuation adjustments not recurring in the current quarter.

Reported noninterest expense increased $78 million, or 6%, from the prior quarter, and decreased $38 million, or 3%, from the year-ago quarter. The reported results reflect the impact of certain items in the table below.

Compared to the prior quarter, noninterest expense excluding certain items increased $86 million, or 7%, primarily reflecting a seasonal increase in compensation and benefits expense. Noninterest expense in the current quarter included a $4 million benefit related to the mark-to-market impact of non-qualified deferred compensation compared to a $7 million benefit in the prior quarter, both of which were largely offset in net securities losses through noninterest income.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, noninterest expense excluding certain items was stable. The year-ago quarter included an $11 million expense related to the mark-to-market impact of non-qualified deferred compensation, which was largely offset in net securities gains through noninterest income.

Compared to the prior quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases increased 3%. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases increased 4%, primarily reflecting increases in C&I loans, commercial mortgage loans, and commercial leases. Average consumer portfolio loans increased 2%, primarily reflecting increases in indirect secured consumer and residential mortgage loans.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases increased 3%. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases increased 3%, primarily reflecting increases in commercial mortgage loans and commercial leases. Average consumer portfolio loans increased 5%, primarily reflecting increases in indirect secured consumer loans, residential mortgage loans, and solar energy installation loans.

Average securities (taxable and tax-exempt; amortized cost) of $57 billion in the current quarter were stable compared to the prior and year-ago quarter. Average other short-term investments (including interest-bearing cash) of $14 billion in the current quarter decreased 21% compared to the prior quarter and decreased 32% compared to the year-ago quarter due to proactive liability management.

Period-end commercial portfolio loans and leases of $75 billion increased 3% compared to the prior quarter, primarily reflecting increases in C&I loans and commercial construction loans. Compared to the year-ago quarter, period-end commercial portfolio loans and leases increased 4%, primarily due to increases in C&I loans, commercial mortgage loans and commercial leases.

Period-end consumer portfolio loans of $47 billion increased 1% compared to the prior quarter, primarily reflecting an increase in indirect secured consumer loans. Compared to the year-ago quarter, period-end consumer portfolio loans increased 6%, primarily driven by increases in indirect secured consumer loans, residential mortgage, and solar energy installation loans, partially offset by a decrease in other consumer loans.

Total period-end securities (taxable and tax-exempt; amortized cost) of $56 billion in the current quarter decreased 1% compared to the prior quarter and were stable compared to the year-ago quarter. Period-end other short-term investments of approximately $15 billion decreased 13% compared to the prior quarter, and decreased 34% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, total average deposits were down 2%, primarily reflecting seasonal decreases in interest checking and money market deposits. Average demand deposits represented 25% of total core deposits in the current quarter compared to 24% in the prior quarter and 25% in the year-ago quarter. Period-end total deposits decreased 1%.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, total average deposits decreased 2%, primarily due to decreases in retail brokered deposits and demand deposits, partially offset by an increase in money market deposits. Period-end total deposits decreased 2%.

The period-end portfolio loan-to-core deposit ratio was 75% in the current quarter, compared to 73% in the prior quarter and 71% in the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, average wholesale funding increased 10%, primarily driven by an increase in short-term FHLB advances, partially offset by a decrease in retail brokered deposits. The 10% decrease in average wholesale funding compared to the year-ago quarter was driven by decreases in retail brokered deposits and long-term debt, partially offset by an increase in short-term FHLB advances.

The provision for credit losses totaled $174 million in the current quarter. The ACL ratio was 2.07% of total portfolio loans and leases at quarter end, compared with 2.08% for the prior quarter end and 2.12% for the year-ago quarter end. In the current quarter, the ACL was 261% of nonperforming portfolio loans and leases and 253% of nonperforming portfolio assets.

Net charge-offs were $136 million in the current quarter, resulting in an NCO ratio of 0.46%, which was flat compared to the prior quarter. Commercial net charge-offs were $64 million, resulting in a commercial NCO ratio of 0.35%, which increased 3 bps compared to the prior quarter. Consumer net charge-offs were $72 million, resulting in a consumer NCO ratio of 0.63%, which decreased 5 bps compared to the prior quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, net charge-offs increased $26 million and the NCO ratio increased 8 bps. The commercial NCO ratio increased 16 bps compared to the prior year, and the consumer NCO ratio decreased 4 bps compared to the prior year.

Nonperforming portfolio loans and leases were $966 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPL ratio of 0.79%. Compared to the prior quarter, NPLs increased $143 million with the NPL ratio increasing 10 bps. Compared to the year- ago quarter, NPLs increased $258 million with the NPL ratio increasing 18 bps.

Nonperforming portfolio assets were $996 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPA ratio of 0.81%. Compared to the prior quarter, NPAs increased $143 million with the NPA ratio increasing 10 bps. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NPAs increased $253 million with the NPA ratio increasing 17 bps.

CET1 capital ratio of 10.45% decreased 12 bps sequentially due to loan growth during the quarter driving an increase in risk-weighted assets. During the first quarter of 2025, Fifth Third repurchased $225 million of its common stock, which reduced shares outstanding by approximately 5.2 million at quarter end.

Tax Rate

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 21.2% compared with 18.8% in the prior quarter and 21.1% in the year-ago quarter.

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 and may be accessed through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at www.53.com (click on “About Us” then “Investor Relations”). 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, which will be available for 30 days.

Corporate Profile

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.

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. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, capital actions or business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “will likely result,” “may,” “are expected to,” “is anticipated,” “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 by our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

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) deteriorating credit quality; (2) loan concentration by location or industry of borrowers or collateral; (3) problems encountered by other financial institutions; (4) inadequate sources of funding or liquidity; (5) unfavorable actions of rating agencies; (6) inability to maintain or grow deposits; (7) limitations on the ability to receive dividends from subsidiaries; (8) cyber-security risks; (9) Fifth Third’s ability to secure confidential information and deliver products and services through the use of computer systems and telecommunications networks; (10) failures by third-party service providers; (11) inability to manage strategic initiatives and/or organizational changes; (12) inability to implement technology system enhancements, including the use of artificial intelligence; (13) failure of internal controls and other risk management programs; (14) losses related to fraud, theft, misappropriation or violence; (15) inability to attract and retain skilled personnel; (16) adverse impacts of government regulation; (17) governmental or regulatory changes or other actions; (18) failures to meet applicable capital requirements; (19) regulatory objections to Fifth Third’s capital plan; (20) regulation of Fifth Third’s derivatives activities; (21) deposit insurance premiums; (22) assessments for the orderly liquidation fund; (23) weakness in the national or local economies; (24) global political and economic uncertainty or negative actions; (25) changes in interest rates and the effects of inflation; (26) changes in U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs; (27) changes and trends in capital markets; (28) fluctuation of Fifth Third’s stock price; (29) volatility in mortgage banking revenue; (30) litigation, investigations, and enforcement proceedings; (31) breaches of contractual covenants, representations and warranties; (32) competition and changes in the financial services industry; (33) potential impacts of the adoption of real-time payment networks; (34) changing retail distribution strategies, customer preferences and behavior; (35) difficulties in identifying, acquiring or integrating suitable strategic partnerships, investments or acquisitions; (36) potential dilution from future acquisitions; (37) loss of income and/or difficulties encountered in the sale and separation of businesses, investments or other assets; (38) results of investments or acquired entities; (39) changes in accounting standards or interpretation or declines in the value of Fifth Third’s goodwill or other intangible assets; (40) inaccuracies or other failures from the use of models; (41) effects of critical accounting policies and judgments or the use of inaccurate estimates; (42) weather-related events, other natural disasters, or health emergencies (including pandemics); (43) the impact of reputational risk created by these or other developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity; (44) changes in law or requirements imposed by Fifth Third’s regulators impacting our capital actions, including dividend payments and stock repurchases; and (45) Fifth Third's ability to meet its environmental and/or social targets, goals and commitments.

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. 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. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as may be required by law, and we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The information contained herein is intended to be reviewed in its totality, and any stipulations, conditions or provisos that apply to a given piece of information in one part of this press release should be read as applying mutatis mutandis to every other instance of such information appearing herein.

Category: Earnings

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