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Fifth Third Bancorp

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FY2008 Annual Report · Fifth Third Bancorp
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2008 ANNUAL REPORT 
FINANCIAL CONTENTS 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
Selected Financial Data 
Overview 
Recent Accounting Standards 
Critical Accounting Policies 
Risk Factors 
Statements of Income Analysis 
Business Segment Review  
Fourth Quarter Review 
Balance Sheet Analysis 
Risk Management  
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments 
Management’s Assessment as to the Effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Financial Statements 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Consolidated Statements of Income 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies 
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions 
Restrictions on Cash and Dividends 
Securities 
Loans and Leases and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses 
Loans Acquired in a Transfer 
Bank Premises and Equipment 
Goodwill 
Intangible Assets 
Sales of Receivables and Servicing Rights 
Derivatives 
Other Assets 
Short-Term Borrowings 
Long-Term Debt 

Annual Report on Form 10-K 
Consolidated Ten Year Comparison 
Directors and Officers 
Corporate Information  

60 
66 
67 
67 
68 
70 
70 
71 
71 
72 
75 
79 
79 
80 

Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Guarantees 
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings 
Related Party Transactions 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 
Common, Preferred and Treasury Stock 
Stock-Based Compensation 
Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense 
Income Taxes 
Retirement and Benefit Plans 
Earnings Per Share 
Fair Value Measurements 
Certain Regulatory Requirements and Capital Ratios 
Parent Company Financial Statements 
Segments 

14
15
16
17
20
24
30
35
37
41
52
53
54
55

56
57
58
59

81
83
84
85
86
87
89
89
91
92
93
97
98
99

101
115
116

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
This  report  may  contain  forward-looking  statements  about  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  and/or  the  company  as  combined  acquired  entities  within  the  meaning  of  Sections  27A  of  the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, 
that  involve  inherent  risks  and  uncertainties.    This  report  may  contain  certain  forward-looking  statements  with  respect  to  the  financial  condition,  results  of  operations,  plans, 
objectives, future performance and business of Fifth Third Bancorp and/or the combined company including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words or 
phrases  such  as  “believes,”  “expects,”  “anticipates,”  “plans,”  “trend,”  “objective,”  “continue,”  “remain”  or  similar  expressions  or  future  or  conditional  verbs  such  as  “will,” 
“would,”  “should,”  “could,”  “might,”  “can,”  “may”  or  similar  expressions.    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 national 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 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; (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 in combining the operations of acquired entities; (21) lower than expected 
gains related to any potential sale of businesses; (22) loss of income from any potential sale of businesses that could have an adverse effect on Fifth Third’s earnings and future 
growth; (23) ability to secure confidential information through the use of computer systems and telecommunications networks; and (24) the impact of reputational risk created by 
these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity. Fifth Third undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking 
statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors that have affected Fifth Third Bancorp’s (the “Bancorp” 
or “Fifth Third”) financial condition and results of operations during the periods included in the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are 
a part of this report.  Reference to the Bancorp incorporates the parent holding company and all consolidated subsidiaries. 

TABLE 1: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions, except per share data) 
Income Statement Data 
Net interest income (a) 
Noninterest income 
Total revenue (a) 

Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest expense 
Net income (loss) 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 
Common Share Data 
Earnings per share, basic 
Earnings per share, diluted 
Cash dividends per common share 
Book value per share 
Financial Ratios 
Return on assets 
Return on average common equity 
Average equity as a percent of average assets 
Tangible equity  
Tangible common equity  
Net interest margin (a) 
Efficiency (a) 
Credit Quality  
Net losses charged off 
Net losses charged off as a percent of average loans and leases 
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of loans and leases 
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of loans and leases (b) 
Nonperforming assets as a percent of loans, leases and other assets, 

including other real estate owned (c) 

2008

$3,536
2,946
6,482
4,560
4,564
(2,113)
(2,180)

($3.94)
(3.94)
.75
13.57

        (1.85%) 
  (23.0)
8.78
7.86
4.23
3.54
70.4

$2,710

3.23 %
3.31
3.54

2.96

2007

3,033
2,467
5,500
628
3,311
1,076
1,075

2.00
1.99
1.70
17.18

1.05 
11.2
9.35
6.05
6.14
3.36
60.2

462
.61 
1.17
1.29

1.32

2006 

2,899 
2,012 
4,911 
343 
2,915 
1,188 
1,188 

2.14 
2.13 
1.58 
18.00 

1.13 
12.1 
9.32 
7.79 
7.95 
3.06 
59.4 

316 
.44 
1.04 
1.14 

.61 

2005

2,996
2,374
5,370
330
2,801
1,549
1,548

2.79
2.77
1.46
16.98

1.50
16.6
9.06
6.87
7.22
3.23
52.1

299
.45
1.06
1.16

.52

2004

3,048
2,355
5,403
268
2,863
1,525
1,524

2.72
2.68
1.31
15.99

1.61
17.2
9.34
8.35
8.50
3.48
53.0

252
.45
1.19
1.31

.51

Average Balances  
Loans and leases, including held for sale 
Total securities and other short-term investments 
Total assets 
Transaction deposits (d) 
Core deposits (e) 
Wholesale funding (f) 
Shareholders’ equity 
Regulatory Capital Ratios 
Tier I capital 
Total risk-based capital 
Tier I leverage 
(a) Amounts presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis (FTE). The taxable equivalent adjustments for years ending December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were  $22 million, $24 

73,493 
21,288 
105,238 
49,678 
60,178 
31,691 
9,811 

$85,835
14,045
114,296
52,584
63,719
36,357
10,038

78,348
11,994
102,477
50,987
61,765
27,254
9,583

67,737
24,999
102,876
48,177
56,668
33,615
9,317

57,042
30,597
94,896
43,260
49,468
33,629
8,860

10.59 %
14.78
10.27

8.39  
11.07 
8.44 

8.35 
10.42
8.08

7.72 
10.16
8.50

10.31
12.31
8.89

million, $26 million, $31 million and $36 million, respectively. 

(b) The allowance for credit losses is the sum of the allowance for loan and lease losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments. 
(c) Excludes nonaccrual loans held for sale. 
(d) Includes demand, interest checking, savings, money market and foreign office deposits. 
(e) Includes transaction deposits plus other time deposits. 
(f)  Includes certificates $100,000 and over, other foreign office deposits, federal funds purchased, short-term borrowings and long-term debt. 

TABLE 2: QUARTERLY INFORMATION (unaudited) 

For the three months ended ($ in millions, except per share data) 
Net interest income (FTE) 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income 
Noninterest expense 
Net income (loss) 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 
Earnings per share, basic 
Earnings per share, diluted 

     2008 

12/31
$897
2,356
642
2,022
(2,142)
(2,184)
(3.82)
(3.82)

9/30
1,068
941
717
967
(56)
(81)
    (.14)
(.14)

6/30
744
719
722
858
(202)
(202)
(.37)
(.37)

3/31 
826 
544 
864 
715 
286 
286 
.54 
.54 

12/31 
785 
284 
509 
940 
16 
16 
.03 
.03 

         2007 
9/30
760
139
681
853
325
325
.61
.61

6/30
745
121
669
765
376
376
.69
.69

3/31
742
84
608
753
359
359
.65
.65

14   Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

OVERVIEW
This overview of management’s discussion and analysis highlights 
selected  information  in  the  financial  results  of  the  Bancorp  and 
may  not  contain  all  of  the  information  that  is  important  to  you.  
trends,  events, 
For  a  more  complete  understanding  of 
commitments, uncertainties, liquidity, capital resources and critical 
accounting  policies  and  estimates,  you  should  carefully  read  this 
entire  document.    Each  of  these  items  could  have  an  impact  on 
the  Bancorp’s  financial  condition,  results  of  operations  and  cash 
flows.  

The  Bancorp  is  a  diversified  financial  services  company 
headquartered  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  At  December  31,  2008,  the 
Bancorp  had  $119.8  billion  in  assets,  operated  18  affiliates  with 
1,307  full-service  Banking  Centers  including  92  Bank  Mart® 
locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 
2,341 Jeanie® ATMs in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions 
of  the  United  States.    The  Bancorp  reports  on  five  business 
segments:  Commercial  Banking,  Branch  Banking,  Consumer 
Lending, Fifth Third Processing Solutions (FTPS) and Investment 
Advisors.  

The  Bancorp  believes  that  banking  is  first  and  foremost  a 
relationship  business  where  the  strength  of  the  competition  and 
challenges  for  growth  can  vary  in  every  market.    Its  affiliate-
operating model provides a competitive advantage by keeping the 
decisions  close  to  the  customer  and  by  emphasizing  individual 
relationships.    Through  its  affiliate-operating  model,  individual 
managers from the banking center to the executive level are given 
the opportunity to tailor financial solutions for their customers. 

The  Bancorp’s  revenues  are  dependent  on  both  net  interest 
income  and  noninterest  income.    For  the  year  ended  December 
31, 2008, net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) 
basis,  and  noninterest  income  provided  55%  and  45%  of  total 
revenue,  respectively.    Changes  in  interest  rates,  credit  quality, 
economic trends and the capital markets are primary factors that 
drive the performance of the Bancorp.  As discussed later in the 
identification,  measurement, 
Risk  Management  section,  risk 
monitoring,  control  and  reporting  are 
the 
important 
management of risk and to the financial performance and capital 
strength of the Bancorp.  

to 

Net interest income is the difference between interest income 
earned  on  assets  such  as  loans,  leases  and  securities,  and  interest 
expense  incurred  on  liabilities  such  as  deposits,  short-term 
borrowings  and  long-term  debt.    Net  interest  income  is  affected 
by  the  general  level  of  interest  rates,  the  relative  level  of  short-
term  and  long-term  interest  rates,  changes  in  interest  rates  and 
changes in the amount and composition of interest-earning assets 
and interest-bearing liabilities.  Generally, the rates of interest the 
Bancorp  earns  on  its  assets  and  pays  on  its  liabilities  are 
established  for  a  period  of  time.    The  change  in  market  interest 
rates over time exposes the Bancorp to interest rate risk through 
potential  adverse  changes  to  net  interest  income  and  financial 
position.  The Bancorp manages this risk by continually analyzing 
and adjusting the composition of its assets and liabilities based on 
their  payment  streams  and  interest  rates,  the  timing  of  their 
maturities and their sensitivity to changes in market interest rates.  
Additionally,  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  the  Bancorp 
enters  into  certain  derivative  transactions  as  part  of  its  overall 
strategy  to  manage  its  interest  rate  and  prepayment  risks.    The 
Bancorp is also exposed to the risk of losses on its loan and lease 
portfolio  as  a  result  of  changing  expected  cash  flows  caused  by 
loan  defaults  and  inadequate  collateral  due  to  a  weakening 
economy within the Bancorp’s footprint. 

Net  interest  income,  net  interest  margin  and  the  efficiency 
ratio  are  presented  in  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations on an FTE basis.  
The FTE basis adjusts for the tax-favored status of income from 
certain  loans  and  securities  held  by  the  Bancorp  that  are  not 

taxable  for  federal  income  tax  purposes.    The  Bancorp  believes 
this presentation to be the preferred industry measurement of net 
interest  income  as  it  provides  a  relevant  comparison  between 
taxable and non-taxable amounts. 

Noninterest  income  is  derived  primarily  from  electronic 
funds  transfer  (EFT)  and  merchant  transaction  processing  fees, 
card  interchange,  fiduciary  and  investment  management  fees, 
corporate  banking  revenue,  service  charges  on  deposits  and 
mortgage  banking  revenue.  Noninterest  expense  is  primarily 
driven by personnel costs and occupancy expenses, in addition to 
expenses  incurred  in  the  processing  of  credit  and  debit  card 
transactions  for 
its  customers  and  merchant  and  financial 
institution clients. 

On  May  2,  2008,  the  Bancorp  completed  the  purchase  of 
nine  branches  located  in  Atlanta  and  deposits  of  $114  million 
from  First  Horizon  National  Corporation  (First  Horizon).    On 
June  6,  2008,  the  Bancorp  completed  its  acquisition  of  First 
Charter  Corporation  (First  Charter),  a  regional  financial  services 
company with assets of $4.8 billion that operated 57 branches in 
North Carolina and 2 in suburban Atlanta, paying $31.00 per First 
Charter  share,  or  approximately  $1.1  billion.  On  October  31, 
2008,  the  Bancorp  assumed  approximately  $257  million  of 
deposits from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) 
acting as receiver for Freedom Bank in Bradenton, Florida.  

Earnings Summary 
During  2008,  the  Bancorp  continued  to  be  affected  by  the 
economic slowdown and market disruptions.  The Bancorp’s net 
loss  was  $2.2  billion,  or  $3.94  per  diluted  share,  which  included 
$67  million  in  preferred  stock  dividends.    Net  income  was  $1.1 
billion, or $1.99 per diluted share, for 2007.  Results for both years 
reflect a number of significant items. 

Items affecting 2008 include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

to 

to  noninterest  expense 

$965  million  of  noninterest  expense  due  to  a  goodwill 
impairment  charge  reflecting  the  decline  in  estimated 
fair values of certain of the Bancorp’s business reporting 
units  below  their  carrying  values  and  the  determination 
that  the  implied  fair  values  of  the  reporting  units  were 
less than their carrying values;  
$339 million and $19 million of net interest income due 
to  the  accretion  of  purchase  accounting  adjustments 
related 
loans  and  deposits,  respectively,  from 
acquisitions during 2008; 
$273 million of other noninterest income related to the 
redemption  of  a  portion  of  Fifth  Third’s  ownership 
interests  in  Visa,  Inc.  (Visa)  and  $99  million  in  net 
reductions 
the 
recognition  of  the  Bancorp’s  proportional  share  of  the 
Visa  escrow  account,  partially  offset  by  additional 
charges for probable future Visa litigation settlements;   
$229  million  after-tax  impact  of  charges  relating  to  a 
change in the projected timing of cash flows relating to 
income  taxes  for  certain  leveraged  leases.    This  charge 
consisted  of  approximately  $130  million  pre-tax, 
reflected  as  a  reduction  in  interest  income,  and  an 
increase  of  approximately  $140  million  in  tax  expense 
required for interest;   
$215  million  reduction  to  other  noninterest  income  to 
reflect  the  lower  cash  surrender  value  of  one  of  the 
Bancorp’s Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) policies;  
$104  million  reduction  to  noninterest  income  due  to 
other-than-temporary  impairment  (OTTI)  charges  on 
Federal  National  Mortgage  Association  (FNMA)  and 
Federal  Home  Loan  Mortgage  Corporation  (FHLMC) 

to  reflect 

     Fifth Third Bancorp    15 

 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

in  2007 

included  $172  million 

aforementioned $99 million reduction to expenses related to Visa 
litigation  reserves  and  Visa’s  funding  of  an  escrow  account,  $65 
million  increases  in  salaries  and  benefits  from  the  adoption  of 
SFAS  No.  159,  and  $36  million  in  litigation  expense  due  to  the 
successful  resolution  of  the  CitFed  litigation.    Noninterest 
expense 
the 
indemnification  of  estimated  current  and  future  Visa  litigation 
settlements.    The  growth  in  noninterest  expense  can  also  be 
attributed to increased FDIC insurance due to the depletion of the 
Bancorp’s  prior  FDIC  insurance  premium  credits  in  2008,  a 
higher  provision  for  unfunded  commitments,  increases  in  the 
credit component of fair value marks on counterparty derivatives, 
increases in loan and lease processing costs from higher collection 
activities  over  the  past  year  and 
increased  volume-related 
processing expenses. 

related 

to 

portfolios.    

and 

loan 

consumer 

commercial 

The  Bancorp  does  not  originate  subprime  mortgage  loans, 
does not hold credit default swaps and does not hold asset-backed 
securities  backed  by  subprime  mortgage  loans  in  its  securities 
portfolio.  However, the Bancorp has exposure to disruptions in 
the  capital  markets  and  weakening  economic  conditions.    The 
housing markets continued to weaken during 2008, particularly in 
the upper Midwest and Florida. Additionally, economic conditions 
deteriorated  throughout  2008,  putting  significant  stress  on  the 
Bancorp’s 
Consequently, the provision for loan and lease losses increased to 
$4.6  billion  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008  compared  to 
$628 million during 2007.  Net charge-offs as a percent of average 
loans and leases were 3.23% in 2008 compared to .61% in 2007.  
At  December  31,  2008,  nonperforming  assets  as  a  percent  of 
loans,  leases  and  other  assets,  including  other  real  estate  owned 
(excluding  nonaccrual  loans  held  for  sale)  increased  to  2.96% 
from 1.32% at December 31, 2007.  During the fourth quarter of 
2008, the Bancorp sold or transferred to held-for-sale $1.3 billion 
in carrying value of commercial loans and incurred $800 million in 
charge-offs on those loans, in order to address some of the more 
problematic loan portfolios, specifically real estate loans in Florida 
and  Michigan.    Refer  to  the  Credit  Risk  Management  section  in 
Management’s Discussion  and  Analysis  for  more  information  on 
credit quality. 

In response to the current economic operating environment 
and  uncertain  future  trends,  the  Bancorp  took  actions  to 
strengthen its capital position in 2008. During the second quarter 
of  2008,  management  raised  its  capital  target  to  an  eight  to  nine 
percent  Tier  1  capital  ratio  and  issued  approximately  $1.0  billion 
in  Tier  1  capital  in  the  form  of  convertible  preferred  shares.  
During  2008,  the  Bancorp  reduced  its  common  dividend  due  to 
the  outlook  for  a  continued  negative  credit  environment, 
preserving over $580 million of capital in 2008 relative to the prior 
level, and nearly $1.0 billion in 2009.  On December 31, 2008, the 
Bancorp  received  $3.4  billion  as  part  of  the  U.S.  Department  of 
Treasury  (U.S  Treasury)  Capital  Purchase  Program  (CPP)  and 
issued  senior  preferred  stock  and  ten-year  warrants  under  the 
terms  of  the  program  -  impacting  the  Bancorp’s  Tier  1  capital 
ratio  and  total  risk-based  capital  ratio  by  approximately  3.00%.  
The  Bancorp’s  capital  ratios  exceed 
the  “well-capitalized” 
guidelines  as  defined  by  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  Federal 
Reserve  System  (FRB).    As  of  December  31,  2008,  the  Tier  1 
capital ratio was 10.59%, the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.27% and 
the total risk-based capital ratio was 14.78%. 

• 

• 

trust  preferred 

preferred  stock  and  certain  bank 
securities;  
$76 million of other noninterest income, partially offset 
by  $36  million  in  related  litigation  expense,  due  to  the 
successful resolution of a court case related to goodwill 
created  in  the  1998  acquisition  of  CitFed  (the  CitFed 
litigation); and 
Preferred  stock  dividends  increased  from  $1  million  to 
$67  million  in  2008  due  to  the  issuance  of  Series  G 
preferred  stock  in  the  second  quarter  of  2008  and 
repurchase  of  Series  D  and  Series  E  preferred  stock  in 
the fourth quarter of 2008.  The repurchase of Series D 
and Series E preferred stock resulted in preferred stock 
dividends of $19 million, which was the amount of the 
repurchase  price  in  excess  of  the  par  value  of  the 
preferred stock. 

For comparison purposes, items affecting 2007 include: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

$177  million  reduction  to  other  noninterest  income  to 
reflect  the  lower  cash  surrender  value  of  one  of  the 
Bancorp’s BOLI policies;  
$172 million of other noninterest expense relating to the 
indemnification  of  estimated  current  and  future  Visa 
litigation settlements; 
$16 million of noninterest income from the sale of non-
strategic credit card accounts; and 
$15 million of other noninterest income from the sale of 
FDIC deposit insurance credits. 

Net  interest  income  (FTE)  increased  to  $3.5  billion,  from 
$3.0 billion in 2007.  The primary reason for the 17% increase in 
net  interest  income  was  an  11%  increase  in  average  interest- 
earning  assets.    Additionally,  the  benefit  from  the  accretion  of 
purchase  accounting  adjustments  related  to  the  second  quarter 
acquisition  of  First  Charter,  totaling  $358  million,  was  largely 
offset by $130  million in charges relating to  leveraged leases and 
the  cost  of  carrying  higher  balances  of  nonaccrual  loans  and 
leases.  Net interest margin was 3.54% in 2008, an increase of 18 
basis points (bp) from 2007.   

Noninterest income increased 19%, from $2.5 billion to $2.9 
billion, in 2008.  The increase in noninterest income was impacted 
by  a  $273  million  gain  related  to  the  redemption  of  a portion of 
Fifth  Third’s  ownership  interests  in  Visa,  offset  by  $104  million 
due to OTTI charges on FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock and 
certain bank trust preferred securities.  Growth occurred in several 
categories  compared  to  2007.  Electronic  payment  processing 
revenue  increased  11%  due  to  higher  transaction  volumes.  
Service charges on deposits grew 11% due to decreased earnings 
credits and higher customer activity.  Corporate banking revenue 
increased 21% as the Bancorp realized growth from the buildout 
of  its  suite  of  commercial  products  in  2007.    Mortgage  banking 
net revenue increased 50% due to higher sales margins, increased 
volume  of  portfolio  loans  sold  and  the  impact  of  Statement  of 
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 159, “The Fair Value 
Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an 
Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”.     

Noninterest  expense  increased  $1.3  billion  compared  to 
2007.    Noninterest  expense  in  2008  included  $965  million  of 
noninterest  expense  due  to  a  goodwill  impairment  charge,  the 

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Note  1  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements 
provides a discussion of the significant new accounting standards 
adopted by the Bancorp during 2008 and 2007 and the expected 
impact  of  significant  accounting  standards  issued,  but  not  yet 
required to be adopted. 

16    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in 
accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the 
United  States  of  America.    Certain  accounting  policies  require 
management to exercise judgment in determining methodologies, 
economic  assumptions  and  estimates  that  may  materially  affect 
the  value  of  the  Bancorp’s  assets  or  liabilities  and  results  of 
operations  and  cash  flows.    The  Bancorp  has  six  critical 
accounting  policies,  which  include  the  accounting  for  allowance 
for  loan  and  lease  losses,  reserve  for  unfunded  commitments, 
income 
fair  value 
measurements  and  goodwill.    No  material  changes  have  been 
made during the year ended December 31, 2008 to the valuation 
techniques or models described below. 

taxes,  valuation  of 

servicing 

rights, 

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses  
The Bancorp maintains an allowance to absorb probable loan and 
lease losses inherent in the portfolio.  The allowance is maintained 
at  a  level  the  Bancorp  considers  to  be  adequate  and  is  based  on 
ongoing quarterly assessments and evaluations of the collectibility 
and  historical  loss  experience  of  loans  and  leases.    Credit  losses 
are  charged  and  recoveries  are  credited  to  the  allowance.  
Provisions  for  loan  and  lease  losses  are  based  on  the  Bancorp’s 
review  of  the  historical  credit  loss  experience  and  such  factors 
that,  in  management’s  judgment,  deserve  consideration  under 
existing economic conditions in estimating probable credit losses.  
In  determining  the  appropriate  level  of  the  allowance,  the 
Bancorp  estimates  losses  using  a  range  derived  from  “base”  and 
“conservative”  estimates.    The  Bancorp’s  strategy  for  credit  risk 
management  includes  a  combination  of  conservative  exposure 
limits  significantly  below  legal  lending  limits  and  conservative 
underwriting,  documentation  and  collections  standards.    The 
strategy also emphasizes diversification on a geographic, industry 
and  customer  level,  regular  credit  examinations  and  quarterly 
management  reviews  of 
loans 
experiencing deterioration of credit quality. 

large  credit  exposures  and 

Larger  commercial  loans  that  exhibit  probable  or  observed 
credit weakness are subject to individual review.  When individual 
loans  are 
impaired,  allowances  are  determined  based  on 
management’s estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan 
given the availability of collateral and other sources of cash flow, 
as well as an evaluation of legal options available to the Bancorp.  
The  review  of  individual  loans  includes  those  loans  that  are 
impaired as provided in SFAS No. 114, “Accounting by Creditors 
for  Impairment  of  a  Loan.”    Any  allowances  for  impaired  loans 
are measured based on the present value of expected future cash 
flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the fair value 
of the underlying collateral or readily observable secondary market 
values.  The Bancorp evaluates the collectibility of both principal 
and interest when assessing the need for a loss accrual.  Historical 
loss rates are applied to commercial loans that are not impaired or 
are  impaired  but  smaller  than  an  established  threshold  and  thus 
not  subject  to  specific  allowance  allocations.    The  loss  rates  are 
derived from a migration analysis, which tracks the historical net 
charge-off  experience  sustained  on  loans  according  to  their 
internal risk grade.  The risk grading system currently utilized for 
allowance analysis purposes encompasses ten categories.  

Homogenous loans and leases, such as consumer installment 
and  residential  mortgage  loans,  are  not  individually  risk  graded.  
Rather,  standard  credit  scoring  systems  and  delinquency 
monitoring  are  used  to  assess  credit  risks.    Allowances  are 
established  for  each  pool  of  loans  based  on  the  expected  net 
charge-offs.  Loss  rates  are  based  on  the  average  net  charge-off 
history by loan category.  Historical loss rates for commercial and 
consumer  loans  may  be  adjusted  for  significant  factors  that,  in 
management’s judgment, are necessary to reflect losses inherent in 
the portfolio.  Factors that management considers in the analysis 

include the effects of the national and local economies; trends in 
the  nature  and  volume  of  delinquencies,  charge-offs  and 
nonaccrual  loans;  changes  in  loan  mix;  credit  score  migration 
comparisons;  asset  quality  trends;  risk  management  and  loan 
administration; changes in the internal lending policies and credit 
standards; collection practices; and examination results from bank 
regulatory agencies and the Bancorp’s internal credit examiners. 

specified 

The  Bancorp’s  current  methodology  for  determining  the 
allowance for loan and lease losses is based on historical loss rates, 
current  credit  grades,  specific  allocation  on  impaired  commercial 
credits  above 
thresholds  and  other  qualitative 
adjustments.    Allowances  on  individual  loans  and  historical  loss 
rates  are  reviewed  quarterly  and  adjusted  as  necessary  based  on 
changing  borrower  and/or  collateral  conditions  and  actual 
collection and charge-off experience. An unallocated allowance is 
maintained  to  recognize  the  imprecision  in  estimating  and 
measuring loss when evaluating allowances for individual loans or 
pools of loans. 

Loans acquired by the Bancorp through a purchase business 
combination  are  evaluated  for  credit  impairment  at  acquisition.  
Reductions to the carrying value of the acquired loans as a result 
of  credit  impairment  are  recorded  as  an  adjustment  to  goodwill.  
The  Bancorp  does  not  carry  over  the  acquired  company’s 
allowance for loan and lease losses, nor does the Bancorp add to 
its  existing  allowance  for  the  acquired  loans  as  part  of  purchase 
accounting.   

the  allowance 

The  Bancorp’s  determination  of 

for 
commercial loans is sensitive to the risk grade it assigns to these 
loans.  In  the  event  that  10%  of  commercial  loans  in  each  risk 
category would experience a downgrade of one risk category, the 
allowance  for  commercial  loans  increase  by  approximately  $190 
million  at  December  31,  2008.    The  Bancorp’s  determination  of 
the allowance for residential and retail loans is sensitive to changes 
in  estimated  loss  rates.  In  the  event  that  estimated  loss  rates 
increase by 10%, the allowance for residential and consumer loans 
would  increase  by  approximately  $100  million  at  December  31, 
  As  several  quantitative  and  qualitative  factors  are 
2008. 
considered in determining the allowance for loan and lease losses, 
these sensitivity analyses do not necessarily reflect the nature and 
extent of future changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses.  
They are intended to provide insights into the impact of adverse 
changes in risk grades and estimated loss rates and do not imply 
any  expectation  of  future  deterioration  in  the  risk  ratings  or  loss 
rates.  Given  current  processes  employed  by  the  Bancorp, 
management  believes  the  risk  grades  and  estimated  loss  rates 
currently assigned are appropriate. 

 The  Bancorp’s  primary  market  areas  for  lending  are  the 
Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States.  When 
evaluating  the  adequacy  of  allowances,  consideration  is  given  to 
these 
the  closely 
associated  effect  changing  economic  conditions  have  on  the 
Bancorp’s customers. 

regional  geographic  concentrations  and 

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments 
The  reserve  for  unfunded  commitments  is  maintained  at  a  level 
believed  by  management  to  be  sufficient  to  absorb  estimated 
probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities and is included 
in  other  liabilities  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.    The 
determination  of  the  adequacy  of  the  reserve  is  based  upon  an 
including  an 
the  unfunded  credit  facilities, 
evaluation  of 
assessment of historical commitment utilization experience, credit 
risk  grading  and  credit  grade  migration.    Net  adjustments  to  the 
reserve  for  unfunded  commitments  are 
in  other 
noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

included 

    Fifth Third Bancorp    17 

 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Income Taxes 
The  Bancorp  estimates  income  tax  expense  based  on  amounts 
expected to be owed to the various tax jurisdictions in which the 
Bancorp  conducts  business.    On  a  quarterly  basis,  management 
assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate based upon its 
current  estimate  of  the  amount  and  components  of  net  income, 
tax credits and the applicable statutory tax rates expected for the 
full  year.    The  estimated  income  tax  expense  is  recorded  in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income. 

Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  determined 
using  the  balance  sheet  method  and  are  reported  in  either  other 
assets or accrued taxes, interest and expenses in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.  Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or 
liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the 
book and tax basis of assets and liabilities and recognizes enacted 
changes in tax rates and laws.  Deferred tax assets are recognized 
to  the  extent  they  exist  and  are  subject  to  a  valuation  allowance 
based  on  management’s  judgment  that  realization  is  more-likely-
than-not.   

Accrued  taxes  represent  the  net  estimated  amount  due  to 
taxing jurisdictions and are reported in accrued taxes, interest and 
expenses  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.    The  Bancorp 
evaluates  and  assesses  the  relative  risks  and  appropriate  tax 
treatment  of  transactions  and  filing  positions  after  considering 
statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and 
maintains  tax  accruals  consistent  with  its  evaluation  of  these 
relative risks and merits.  Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes 
occur  periodically  due  to  changes  in  tax  rates,  interpretations  of 
tax  laws,  the  status  of  examinations  being  conducted  by  taxing 
authorities  and  changes  to  statutory,  judicial  and  regulatory 
guidance  that  impact  the  relative  risks  of  tax  positions.    These 
changes,  when  they  occur,  can  affect  deferred  taxes  and  accrued 
taxes as well as  the current period’s income tax expense and can 
be  significant  to  the  operating  results  of  the  Bancorp.    As 
described 
in  Note  16  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  the  Internal  Revenue  Service 
(IRS) has challenged the Bancorp’s tax treatment of certain leasing 
transactions.    For  additional  information  on  income  taxes,  see 
Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

in  greater  detail 

Valuation of Servicing Rights 
When  the  Bancorp  sells  loans  through  either  securitizations  or 
individual loan sales in accordance with its investment policies, it 
often obtains servicing rights.  Servicing rights resulting from loan 
sales are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently amortized 
in  proportion  to,  and  over  the  period  of,  estimated  net  servicing 
income.    Servicing  rights  are  assessed  for  impairment  monthly, 
based  on  fair  value,  with  temporary  impairment  recognized 
through  a  valuation  allowance  and  permanent 
impairment 
recognized  through  a  write-off  of  the  servicing  asset  and  related 
valuation  allowance. 
in 
measuring any potential impairment of the servicing rights include 
the  prepayment  speeds  of  the  underlying  loans,  the  weighted-
average  life,  the  discount  rate,  the  weighted-average  coupon  and 
the weighted-average default rate, as applicable.  The primary risk 
of material changes to the value of the servicing rights resides in 
in  the  economic  assumptions  used, 
the  potential  volatility 
particularly the prepayment speeds. 

  Key  economic  assumptions  used 

The  Bancorp  monitors  risk  and  adjusts 

its  valuation 
allowance as necessary to adequately reserve for impairment in the 
servicing  portfolio.    For  purposes  of  measuring  impairment,  the 
servicing  rights  are  stratified  into  classes  based  on  the  financial 
asset  type  and  interest  rates.    Fees  received  for  servicing  loans 
owned by investors are based on a percentage of the outstanding 
monthly  principal  balance  of  such  loans  and  are  included  in 
noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income as 
loan payments are received.  Costs of servicing loans are charged 
to expense as incurred. 

18    Fifth Third Bancorp 

The  change  in  the  fair  value  of  mortgage  servicing  rights 
(MSRs)  at  December  31,  2008  due  to  immediate  10%  and  20% 
adverse changes in the current prepayment assumptions would be 
approximately  $33  million  and  $63  million,  respectively,  and  due 
to  immediate  10%  and  20%  favorable  changes  in  the  current 
prepayment assumptions would be approximately $37 million and 
$78 million, respectively.  The change in the fair value of the MSR 
portfolio at December 31, 2008 due to immediate 10% and 20% 
adverse  changes  in  the  discount  rate  assumption  would  be 
approximately  $15  million  and  $30  million,  respectively,  and  due 
to immediate 10% and 20% favorable changes in the discount rate 
assumption would be approximately $16 million and $34 million, 
respectively.    The  sensitivity  analysis  related  to  other  consumer 
and  commercial  servicing  rights  is  not  material  to  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  These  sensitivities  are 
hypothetical  and  should  be  used  with  caution.    As  the  figures 
indicate, changes in fair value based on a 10% and 20% variation 
in  assumptions  typically  cannot  be  extrapolated  because  the 
relationship  of  the  change  in  assumptions  to  the  change  in  fair 
value  may  not  be  linear.    Also,  the  effect  of  a  variation  in  a 
particular  assumption  on  the  fair  value  of  the  servicing  rights  is 
calculated  without  changing  any  other  assumption;  in  reality, 
changes  in  one  factor  may  result  in  changes  in  another,  which 
might  magnify  or  counteract  the  sensitivities.    Additionally,  the 
effect  of  the  Bancorp’s  non-qualifying  hedging  strategy,  which  is 
maintained  to  lessen  the  impact  of  changes  in  value  of  the  MSR 
portfolio, is excluded from the above analysis. 

Fair Value Measurements  
Effective  January  1,  2008,  the  Bancorp  adopted  SFAS  No.  157, 
“Fair  Value  Measurements”,  which  provides  a  framework  for 
measuring  fair  value  under  accounting  principles  generally 
accepted in the United States of America.  SFAS No. 157 defines 
fair  value  as  the  price  that  would  be  received  to  sell  an  asset  or 
paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market 
participants  at  the  measurement  date.    SFAS  No.  157  addresses 
the  valuation  techniques  used  to  measure  fair  value.    These 
valuation  techniques 
income 
approach and cost approach.  The market approach uses prices or 
relevant  information  generated  by  market  transactions  involving 
identical or comparable assets or liabilities.  The income approach 
involves  discounting  future  amounts  to  a  single  present  amount 
and  is  based  on  current  market  expectations  about  those  future 
amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently 
would be required to replace the service capacity of the asset.   

include  the  market  approach, 

SFAS  No.  157  establishes  a  fair  value  hierarchy,  which 
prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair 
value  into  three  broad  levels.    The  fair  value  hierarchy  gives  the 
highest  priority  to  quoted  prices  in  active  markets  for  identical 
lowest  priority  to 
assets  or 
unobservable 
instrument’s 
(Level  3).  A 
categorization  within  the  fair  value  hierarchy  is  based  upon  the 
lowest  level  of  input  that  is  significant  to  the  instrument’s  fair 
value  measurement.  The  three  levels  within  the  fair  value 
hierarchy are described as follows:    

liabilities  (Level  1)  and  the 

financial 

inputs 

Level  1  -  Quoted  prices  (unadjusted)  in  active  markets 
for identical assets or liabilities that the Bancorp has the 
ability to access at the measurement date.     

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within 
Level  1  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or  liability, 
either  directly  or  indirectly.  Level  2  inputs  include: 
quoted  prices  for  similar  assets  or  liabilities  in  active 
markets;  quoted  prices  for  identical  or  similar  assets  or 
liabilities  in  markets  that  are  not  active;  inputs  other 
than  quoted  prices  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or 
liability;  and  inputs  that  are  derived  principally  from  or 
corroborated  by  observable  market  data  by  correlation 
or other means.   

 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability for 
which  there  is  little,  if  any,  market  activity  at  the 
measurement  date.  Unobservable  inputs  reflect  the 
Bancorp’s  own  assumptions  about  what  market 
participants would use to price the asset or liability.  The 
inputs  are  developed  based  on  the  best  information 
available  in  the  circumstances,  which  might  include  the 
internally 
Bancorp’s  own 
developed  pricing  models,  discounted  cash 
flow 
methodologies, as well as instruments for which the fair 
value  determination  requires  significant  management 
judgment.   

financial  data  such  as 

The  Bancorp  measures  financial  assets  and  liabilities  at  fair 
value  in  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  157.    These  measurements 
involve  various  valuation  techniques  and  models,  which  involve 
inputs  that  are  observable,  when  available,  and  include  the 
following  significant  financial  instruments:  available-for-sale  and 
trading  securities,  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  and 
certain  derivatives.  The  following  is  a  summary  of  valuation 
techniques  utilized  by  the  Bancorp  for  its  significant  financial 
assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. 

Available-for-sale and trading securities 
Where  quoted  prices  are  available  in  an  active  market, 
securities  are  classified  within  Level  1  of  the  valuation 
hierarchy.    If  quoted  market  prices  are  not  available, 
then  fair  values  are  estimated  using  pricing  models, 
quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or 
discounted  cash  flows.  Such  securities  would  generally 
be  classified  within  Level  2  of  the  fair  value  hierarchy.  
In  certain  cases  where  there  is  limited  activity  or  an 
absence of observable market data around inputs to the 
valuation,  securities  are  classified  within  Level  3  of  the 
the 
valuation  hierarchy.  A  significant  portion  of 
Bancorp’s 
agency 
mortgage-backed  securities  that  are  fair  valued  using  a 
market approach and the Bancorp has determined them 
to  be  Level  2  in  the  fair  value  hierarchy.  A  significant 
portion  of  the  Bancorp’s  trading  securities  are  variable 
rate demand notes (VRDNs), that are fair valued using a 
market approach, and the Bancorp has determined them 
to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. 

available-for-sale 

securities 

are 

Residential mortgage loans held for sale 
For residential mortgage loans held for sale, fair value is 
estimated based upon mortgage backed securities prices 
and spreads to those prices. Residential mortgage loans 
held for sale are fair valued using a market approach and 
the  Bancorp  has  determined  them  to  be  Level  2  in  the 
fair value hierarchy.   

Derivatives 
Exchange-traded derivatives valued  using quoted prices 
are  classified  within  Level  1  of  the  valuation  hierarchy.  
However,  few  classes  of  derivative  contracts  are  listed 
on an exchange. Most derivative contracts are measured 
using  discounted  cash  flow  or  other  models  that 
incorporate current market interest rates, credit spreads 
assigned  to  the  derivative  counterparties  and  other 
market  parameters.  Derivative positions  that  are  valued 
utilizing models that use as their basis readily observable 
market  parameters  are  classified  within  Level  2  of  the 
valuation  hierarchy.    Derivatives  that  are  valued  based 
upon  models  with  significant  unobservable  market 
parameters are classified within Level 3 of the valuation 
hierarchy.    A  majority  of  the  derivatives  are  fair  valued 
income  approach  and  the  Bancorp  has 
using  an 

determined  them  to  be  Level  2  in  the  fair  value 
hierarchy.  

Valuation  techniques  and  parameters  used  for  measuring 
financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  reviewed  and  validated  by  the 
Bancorp on a quarterly basis.  Additionally, the Bancorp monitors 
the fair values of significant assets and liabilities using a variety of 
methods  including  the  evaluation  of  pricing  runs  and  exception 
reports based on certain analytical criteria, comparison to previous 
trades and overall review and assessments for reasonableness.   

In  addition  to  the  financial  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at 
fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis,  the  Bancorp  measures  servicing 
rights and certain loans at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Refer 
to Note 25 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for 
further information.  

Goodwill 
Business  combinations  entered  into  by  the  Bancorp  typically 
include  the  acquisition  of  goodwill.    SFAS  No.  142,  “Goodwill 
and Other Intangible Assets” requires goodwill to be reported at 
and tested for impairment at the Bancorp’s reporting unit level on 
an  annual  basis  and  more  frequently  in  certain  circumstances.  
These circumstances include significant declines in the Bancorp’s 
stock price that result in a market capitalization below book value. 
The Bancorp has determined that its segments qualify as reporting 
units  under  the  guidance  of  SFAS  No.  142.    Impairment  exists 
when  a  reporting  unit’s  carrying  amount  of  goodwill  exceeds  its 
implied  fair  value,  which  is  determined  through  a  two-step 
impairment test.  The first step (Step 1) compares the fair value of 
a  reporting  unit  with  its  carrying  amount,  including  goodwill.    If 
the  carrying  amount  of  the  reporting  unit  exceeds  its  fair  value, 
the  second  step  (Step  2)  of  the  goodwill  impairment  test  is 
performed to measure the impairment loss amount, if any.   

income-based  approach,  utilizing 

The fair value of a reporting unit is the price that would be 
received  to  sell  the  unit  as  a  whole  in  an  orderly  transaction 
between  market  participants  at  the  measurement  date.    To 
determine the fair value of a reporting unit, the Bancorp employs 
an 
reporting  unit’s 
forecasted  cash  flows  (including  a  terminal  value  approach  to 
estimate cash flows beyond the final year of the forecast) and the 
reporting  unit’s  estimated  cost  of  equity  as  the  discount  rate.  
Additionally,  the  Bancorp  determines  its  market  capitalization 
based on the average of the closing price of the Bancorp's stock 
during the month including the measurement date, incorporating 
an  additional  control  premium,  and  allocates  this  market-based 
fair value measurement to the Bancorp’s reporting units in order 
to corroborate the results of the income approach. 

the 

 When  required  to  perform  Step  2,  the  Bancorp  compares 
the  implied  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit’s  goodwill  with  the 
carrying amount of that goodwill.  If the carrying amount exceeds 
the  implied  fair  value,  an  impairment  loss  equal  to  that  excess 
amount  is  recognized,  not  to  exceed  the  goodwill  carrying 
amount.  Consistent  with  SFAS  No.  142,  during  Step  2,  the 
Bancorp  determines  the  implied  fair  value  of  goodwill  for  a 
reporting unit by assigning the fair value of the reporting unit to 
all  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  that  unit  (including  any 
unrecognized  intangible  assets)  as  if  the  reporting  unit  had  been 
acquired in a business combination.  The excess of the fair value 
of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and 
liabilities  is  the  implied  fair  value  of  goodwill.    This  assignment 
process  is  only  performed  for  purposes  of  testing  goodwill  for 
impairment.  The Bancorp does not adjust the carrying values of 
recognized assets or liabilities (other than goodwill, if appropriate), 
nor  recognize  previously  unrecognized  intangible  assets  in  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  as  a  result  of  this  assignment 
process.  Refer to Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements  for  further  information  regarding  the  Bancorp’s 
goodwill. 

     Fifth Third Bancorp    19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Changes in interest rates could affect Fifth Third’s income 
and cash flows. 
Fifth Third’s income and cash flows depend to a great extent on 
the  difference  between  the  interest  rates  earned  on  interest-
earning  assets  such  as  loans  and  investment  securities,  and  the 
interest  rates  paid  on  interest-bearing  liabilities  such  as  deposits 
and  borrowings.  These  rates  are  highly  sensitive  to  many  factors 
that are beyond Fifth Third’s control, including general economic 
conditions  and  the  policies  of  various  governmental  and 
regulatory agencies (in particular, the FRB). Changes in monetary 
policy,  including  changes  in  interest  rates,  will  influence  the 
origination of loans, the prepayment speed of loans, the purchase 
of investments, the generation of deposits and the rates received 
on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits or other 
sources  of  funding.  The  impact  of  these  changes  may  be 
magnified  if  Fifth  Third  does  not  effectively  manage  the  relative 
sensitivity of its assets and liabilities to changes in market interest 
rates.  Fluctuations in these areas may adversely affect Fifth Third 
and its shareholders. 

Fifth Third’s ability to maintain required capital levels and 
adequate sources of funding and liquidity. 
Fifth  Third  is  required  to  maintain  certain  capital  levels  in 
accordance  with  banking  regulations.    Fifth  Third  must  also 
maintain  adequate  funding  sources  in  the  normal  course  of 
business to support its operations and fund outstanding liabilities.  
Fifth Third’s ability to maintain capital levels, sources of funding 
and liquidity could be impacted by changes in the capital markets 
in which it operates.  Additionally, if Fifth Third sought additional 
sources  of  capital,  liquidity  or  funding,  those  additional  sources 
could dilute current shareholders’ ownership interests.   

Each  of  Fifth  Third’s  subsidiary  banks  must  remain  well-
capitalized for Fifth Third to retain its status as a financial holding 
company.  In addition, failure by Fifth Third’s bank subsidiaries to 
meet  applicable  capital  guidelines  could  subject  the  bank  to  a 
variety of enforcement remedies available to the federal regulatory 
authorities.  These  include  limitations  on  the  ability  to  pay 
dividends,  the  issuance  by  the  regulatory  authority  of  a  capital 
directive  to  increase  capital,  and  the  termination  of  deposit 
insurance by the FDIC.  

As a regulated entity, Fifth Third must maintain certain 
capital  requirements  that may  limit  its  operations  and 
potential growth.   
Fifth  Third  is  a  bank  holding  company  and  a  financial  holding 
company.  As such, Fifth Third is subject to the comprehensive, 
consolidated  supervision  and  regulation  of 
the  Board  of 
Governors  of  the  Federal  Reserve  System,  including  risk-based 
and  leverage  capital  requirements.  Fifth  Third  must  maintain 
certain  risk-based  and  leverage  capital  ratios  as  required  by  its 
banking regulators and which can change depending upon general 
economic  conditions  and  Fifth  Third’s  particular  condition,  risk 
profile  and  growth  plans.  Compliance  with 
the  capital 
requirements,  including  leverage  ratios,  may  limit  operations  that 
require the intensive use of capital and could adversely affect Fifth 
Third’s ability to expand or maintain present business levels. 

RISK FACTORS
Weakness in the economy and in the real estate market, 
including specific weakness within Fifth Third’s geographic 
footprint,  has  adversely  affected  Fifth  Third  and  may 
continue to adversely affect Fifth Third. 
If the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of 
the  local  economies  in  which  Fifth  Third  conducts  operations 
continues  to  decline,  this  could  result  in,  among  other  things,  a 
deterioration  in  credit  quality  or  a  reduced  demand  for  credit, 
including  a  resultant  effect  on  Fifth  Third’s  loan  portfolio  and 
allowance for loan and lease losses. A significant portion of Fifth 
Third’s  residential  mortgage  and  commercial  real  estate  loan 
portfolios  are  comprised  of  borrowers  in  Michigan,  Northern 
Ohio and Florida, which markets have been particularly adversely 
affected  by  job  losses,  declines  in  real  estate  value,  declines  in 
home  sale  volumes,  and  declines  in  new  home  building.  These 
factors could result in higher delinquencies and greater charge-offs 
in  future  periods,  which  would  materially  adversely  affect  Fifth 
Third’s financial condition and results of operations. 

Deteriorating credit quality, particularly in real estate loans, 
has adversely impacted Fifth Third and may continue to 
adversely impact Fifth Third. 
Fifth Third has experienced a downturn in credit performance and 
expects  credit  conditions  and  the  performance  of  its  loan 
portfolio to continue to deteriorate in the near term. This caused 
Fifth  Third  to  increase  its  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses, 
driven  primarily  by  higher  allocations  related  to  residential 
mortgage and home equity loans, commercial real estate loans and 
loans  of  entities  related  to  or  dependant  upon  the  real  estate 
industry.  If the performance of Fifth Third’s loan portfolio does 
not improve or stabilize, additional increases in the allowance for 
loan and lease losses may be necessary in the future. Accordingly, 
a  decrease  in  the  quality  of  Fifth  Third’s  credit  portfolio  could 
have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  earnings  and  results  of 
operations. 

Fifth Third’s results depend on general economic conditions 
within its operating markets. 
The revenues of FTPS are dependent on the transaction volume 
generated  by  its  merchant  and  financial  institution  customers.  
This  transaction  volume  is  largely  dependent  on  consumer  and 
corporate  spending.    If  consumer  confidence  suffers  and  retail 
sales  decline,  FTPS  will  be  negatively  impacted.    Similarly,  if  an 
economic downturn results in a decrease in the overall volume of 
corporate transactions, FTPS will be negatively impacted.  FTPS is 
also impacted by the financial stability of its merchant customers.  
liabilities  related  to  the 
FTPS  assumes  certain  contingent 
processing  of  Visa® 
and  MasterCard®  merchant  card 
transactions.    These  liabilities  typically  arise  from  billing  disputes 
between  the  merchant  and  the  cardholder  that  are  ultimately 
resolved  in  favor  of  the  cardholder.    These  transactions  are 
charged back to the merchant and disputed amounts are returned 
to  the  cardholder.    If  FTPS  is  unable  to  collect  these  amounts 
from the merchant, FTPS will bear the loss. 

The fee revenue of Investment Advisors is largely dependent 
on the fair market value of assets under care and trading volumes 
in the brokerage business. General economic conditions and their 
effect  on  the  securities  markets  tend  to  act  in  correlation.  When 
general economic conditions deteriorate, consumer and corporate 
confidence in securities markets erodes, and Investment Advisors’ 
revenues  are  negatively  impacted  as  asset  values  and  trading 
volumes  decrease.  Neutral  economic  conditions  can  also 
negatively impact revenue when stagnant securities markets fail to 
attract investors. 

20    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Changes and trends in the capital markets may affect Fifth 
Third’s income and cash flows. 
Fifth  Third  enters  into  and  maintains  trading  and  investment 
positions in the capital markets on its own behalf and on behalf of 
its  customers.  These  investment  positions  also  include  derivative 
financial  instruments.    The  revenues  and  profits  Fifth  Third 
derives  from  its  trading  and  investment  positions  are  dependent 
on  market  prices.    If  it  does  not  correctly  anticipate  market 
changes  and  trends,  Fifth  Third  may  experience  investment  or 
trading  losses  that  may  materially  affect  Fifth  Third  and  its 
shareholders.    Losses  on  behalf  of  its  customers  could  expose 
Fifth Third to litigation, credit risks or loss of revenue from those 
customers.  Additionally, substantial losses in Fifth Third’s trading 
and investment positions could lead to a loss with respect to those 
investments  and  may  adversely  affect  cash  flows  and  funding 
costs. 

Problems encountered by financial institutions larger or 
similar  to  Fifth  Third  could  adversely  affect  financial 
markets generally and have indirect adverse effects on Fifth 
Third.   
The commercial soundness of many financial institutions may be 
closely interrelated as a result of credit, trading, clearing or other 
relationships between the institutions. As a result, concerns about, 
or a default or threatened default by, one institution could lead to 
significant  market-wide  liquidity  and  credit  problems,  losses  or 
defaults  by  other  institutions.  This  is  sometimes  referred  to  as 
“systemic  risk”  and  may  adversely  affect  financial  intermediaries, 
such  as  clearing  agencies,  clearing  houses,  banks,  securities  firms 
and exchanges, with which the Bancorp interacts on a daily basis, 
and therefore could adversely affect Fifth Third.   

If Fifth Third does not adjust to rapid changes in the 
financial services industry, its financial performance may 
suffer. 
Fifth  Third’s  ability  to  deliver  strong  financial  performance  and 
returns  on  investment  to  shareholders  will  depend  in  part  on  its 
ability to expand the scope of available financial services to meet 
the  needs  and  demands  of  its  customers.  In  addition  to  the 
challenge  of  competing  against  other  banks  in  attracting  and 
retaining customers for traditional banking services, Fifth Third’s 
competitors  also  include  securities  dealers,  brokers,  mortgage 
bankers,  investment  advisors,  specialty  finance  and  insurance 
companies who seek to offer one-stop financial services that may 
include services that banks have not been able or allowed to offer 
to  their  customers  in  the  past  or  may  not  be  currently  able  or 
allowed  to  offer.  This  increasingly  competitive  environment  is 
primarily a result of changes in regulation, changes in technology 
and  product  delivery  systems,  as  well  as  the  accelerating  pace  of 
consolidation among financial service providers. 

financial 

statements 

The  preparation  of  Fifth  Third’s  financial  statements 
requires the use of estimates that may vary from actual 
results. 
The  preparation  of  consolidated 
in 
conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the 
to  make 
United  States  of  America  requires  management 
significant estimates that affect  the financial statements.  Two  of 
Fifth Third’s most critical estimates are the level of the allowance 
for loan and lease losses and the valuation of mortgage servicing 
rights.  Due to the uncertainty of estimates involved, Fifth Third 
may have to significantly increase the allowance for loan and lease 
losses  and/or  sustain  credit  losses  that  are  significantly  higher 
than  the  provided  allowance  and  could  recognize  a  significant 
provision for impairment of its mortgage servicing rights.  If Fifth 
Third’s allowance for loan and lease losses is not adequate, Fifth 
Third’s  business,  financial  condition,  including  its  liquidity  and 
capital,  and  results  of  operations  could  be  materially  adversely 

affected.    For  more  information  on  the  sensitivity  of  these 
estimates, please refer to the Critical Accounting Policies section. 

its 

Fifth  Third  regularly  reviews  its  litigation  reserves  for 
adequacy  considering 
litigation  risks  and  probability  of 
incurring losses related to litigation.  However, Fifth Third cannot 
be certain that its current litigation reserves will be adequate over 
time to cover its losses in litigation due to higher than anticipated 
settlement costs, prolonged litigation, adverse judgments, or other 
factors  that  are  largely  outside  of  Fifth  Third’s  control.  If  Fifth 
Third’s litigation reserves are not adequate, Fifth Third’s business, 
financial  condition,  including  its  liquidity  and  capital,  and  results 
of operations could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, 
in the future, Fifth Third may increase its litigation reserves, which 
could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  its  capital  and  results  of 
operations. 

Changes in accounting standards could impact Fifth Third’s 
reported earnings and financial condition. 
The  accounting  standard  setters,  including  FASB,  U.S.  Securities 
and  Exchange  Commission  (SEC)  and  other  regulatory  bodies, 
periodically  change  the  financial  accounting  and  reporting 
standards 
the  preparation  of  Fifth  Third’s 
consolidated financial statements.  These changes can be hard to 
predict  and  can  materially  impact  how  Fifth  Third  records  and 
reports its financial condition and results of operations.  In some 
cases,  Fifth  Third  could  be  required  to  apply  a  new  or  revised 
standard  retroactively,  which  would  result  in  the  restatement  of 
Fifth Third’s prior period financial statements. 

that  govern 

Legislative or regulatory compliance, changes or actions or 
significant litigation, could adversely impact Fifth Third or 
the businesses in which Fifth Third is engaged. 
Fifth  Third  is  subject  to  extensive  state  and  federal  regulation, 
supervision  and  legislation  that  govern  almost  all  aspects  of  its 
operations  and  limit  the  businesses  in  which  Fifth  Third  may 
engage. These laws and regulations may change from time to time 
and  are  primarily  intended  for  the  protection  of  consumers, 
depositors  and  the  deposit  insurance  funds.  The  impact  of  any 
changes  to  laws  and  regulations  or  other  actions  by  regulatory 
agencies  may  negatively  impact  Fifth  Third  or  its  ability  to 
increase  the  value  of  its  business.  Additionally,  actions  by 
regulatory  agencies  or  significant  litigation  against  Fifth  Third 
could  cause  it  to  devote  significant  time  and  resources  to 
defending  itself  and  may  lead  to  penalties  that  materially  affect 
Fifth  Third  and  its  shareholders.    Future  changes  in  the  laws, 
including  tax  laws,  or  regulations  or  their  interpretations  or 
enforcement may also be materially adverse to Fifth Third and its 
shareholders or may require Fifth Third to expend significant time 
and resources to comply with such requirements.   

Fifth Third’s business, financial condition and results of 
operations are highly regulated and could be adversely 
affected by new or changed regulations and by the manner 
in  which  such  regulations  are  applied  by  regulatory 
authorities.   
Current economic conditions, particularly in the financial markets, 
have resulted in government regulatory agencies placing increased 
focus on and scrutiny of the financial services industry. The U.S. 
Government  has 
intervened  on  an  unprecedented  scale, 
responding  to  what  has  been  commonly  referred  to  as  the 
financial  crisis.  In  addition  to  participating  in  the  U.S.  Treasury’s 
CPP, the U.S. Government has taken steps that include enhancing 
the liquidity support available to financial institutions, establishing 
a  commercial  paper  funding  facility,  temporarily  guaranteeing 
money  market  funds  and  certain  types  of  debt  issuances,  and 
increasing  insured  deposits.    These  programs  subject  Fifth  Third 
and  other  financial  institutions  who  have  participated  in  these 
programs  to  additional  restrictions,  oversight  and/or  costs  that 

    Fifth Third Bancorp    21 

 
  
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

may have an impact on Fifth Third’s business, financial condition, 
results of operations or the price of its common stock.  
      New proposals for legislation continue to be introduced in the 
U.S.  Congress  that  could  further  substantially  increase  regulation 
of  the  financial  services  industry.    Federal  and  state  regulatory 
agencies also frequently adopt changes to their regulations and/or 
change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. Fifth 
Third  cannot  predict  whether  any  pending  or  future  legislation 
will  be  adopted  or  the  substance  and  impact  of  any  such  new 
legislation on Fifth Third.  Additional regulation could affect Fifth 
Third in a substantial way and could have an adverse effect on its 
business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Fifth Third and/or the holders of its securities could be 
adversely  affected  by  unfavorable  ratings  from  rating 
agencies. 
Fifth  Third’s  ability  to  access  the capital  markets  is  important  to 
its  overall  funding  profile.    This  access  is  affected  by  the  ratings 
assigned  by  rating  agencies  to Fifth  Third,  certain  of  its  affiliates 
and  particular  classes  of  securities  they  issue.    The  interest  rates 
that  Fifth  Third  pays  on  its  securities  are  also  influenced  by, 
among other things, the credit ratings that it, its affiliates and/or 
its  securities  receive  from  recognized  rating  agencies. 
  A 
downgrade  to  Fifth  Third’s,  or  its  affiliates’,  credit  rating  could 
affect  its  ability  to  access  the  capital  markets,  increase  its 
borrowing costs and negatively impact its profitability.  A ratings 
downgrade  to  Fifth  Third,  its  affiliates  or  their  securities  could 
also create obligations or liabilities to Fifth Third under the terms 
of its outstanding securities that could increase Fifth Third’s costs 
or  otherwise  have  a  negative  effect  on  Fifth  Third’s  results  of 
operations  or  financial  condition.    Additionally,  a  downgrade  of 
the credit rating of any particular security issued by Fifth Third or 
its  affiliates  could  negatively  affect  the  ability  of  the  holders  of 
that security to sell the securities and the prices at which any such 
securities may be sold. 

Fifth Third’s stock price is volatile. 
Fifth Third’s stock price has been volatile in the past and several 
factors  could  cause  the  price  to  fluctuate  substantially  in  the 
future. These factors include: 

•  Actual or anticipated variations in earnings; 
•  Changes in analysts’ recommendations or projections; 
• 

Fifth Third’s announcements of developments related to 
its businesses; 

•  Operating  and  stock  performance  of  other  companies 

deemed to be peers;  

•  Actions by government regulators; 
•  New  technology  used  or  services  offered  by  traditional 

and non-traditional competitors; and 

•  News  reports  of  trends,  concerns  and  other  issues 

related to the financial services industry. 

Fifth Third’s stock price may fluctuate significantly in the future, 
and  these  fluctuations  may  be  unrelated  to  Fifth  Third’s 
performance. General market price declines or market volatility in 
the  future  could  adversely  affect  the  price  of  its  common  stock, 
and the current market price of such stock may not be indicative 
of future market prices. 

The financial services industry is highly competitive and 
creates competitive pressures that could adversely affect 
Fifth Third’s revenue and profitability.   
The  financial  services  industry  in  which  Fifth  Third  operates  is 
highly  competitive. 
  Fifth  Third  competes  not  only  with 
commercial  banks,  but  also  with  insurance  companies,  mutual 
funds,  hedge  funds,  and  other  companies  offering  financial 
services  in  the  U.S.,  globally  and  over  the  internet.  Fifth  Third 

22    Fifth Third Bancorp 

competes on the basis of several factors, including capital, access 
to  capital,  products,  services,  transaction  execution,  innovation, 
reputation  and  price.  Over  time,  certain  sectors  of  the  financial 
services industry have become more concentrated, as institutions 
involved in a broad range of financial services have been acquired 
by  or  merged  into  other  firms.    In  fiscal  2008,  this  trend 
accelerated  considerably,  as 
financial 
to  merge,  received 
institutions  consolidated,  were 
substantial  government 
into 
conservatorship  by  the  U.S.  Government.  These  developments 
could  result  in  Fifth  Third’s  competitors  gaining  greater  capital 
and  other  resources,  such  as  a  broader  range  of  products  and 
services  and  geographic  diversity.  Fifth  Third  may  experience 
pricing  pressures  as  a  result  of  these  factors  and  as  some  of  its 
competitors seek to increase market share by reducing prices. 

assistance  or  were  placed 

several  major  U.S. 

forced 

its  business 

strategies  and  may 

Fifth Third could suffer if it fails to attract and retain skilled 
personnel. 
As  Fifth  Third  continues  to  grow,  its  success  depends,  in  large 
part,  on 
individuals.  
its  ability  to  attract  and  retain  key 
Competition for qualified candidates in the activities and markets 
that Fifth Third serves is great and Fifth Third may not be able to 
hire these candidates and retain them.  If Fifth Third is not able to 
hire or retain these key individuals, Fifth Third may be unable to 
execute 
suffer  adverse 
consequences to its business, operations and financial condition. 
      Pursuant  to  the  standardized  terms  of  the  CPP  described 
previously, among other things, Fifth Third has agreed to institute 
certain  restrictions  on  the  compensation  of  certain  senior 
management  positions,  which  could  have  an  adverse  effect  on 
Fifth  Third’s  ability  to  hire  or  retain  the  most  qualified  senior 
management.  It  is  possible  that  the  U.S.  Treasury  may,  as  it  is 
permitted  to  do,  impose  further  requirements  on  Fifth  Third.  If 
Fifth Third is unable to attract and retain qualified employees, or 
do so at rates necessary to maintain its competitive position, or if 
compensation  costs  required  to  attract  and  retain  employees 
become more expensive, Fifth Third’s performance, including its 
competitive position, could be materially adversely affected.  

If Fifth Third is unable to grow its deposits, it may be 
subject to paying higher funding costs. 
The  total  amount  that  Fifth  Third  pays  for  funding  costs  is 
dependent, in part, on Fifth Third’s ability to grow its deposits. If 
Fifth  Third  is  unable  to  sufficiently  grow  its  deposits,  it  may  be 
subject  to  paying  higher  funding  costs.  This  could  materially 
adversely affect Fifth Third’s earnings and results of operations. 

Fifth Third’s ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries 
accounts for most of its revenue and could affect its liquidity 
and ability to pay dividends.   
Fifth Third Bancorp is a separate and distinct legal entity from its 
subsidiaries. Fifth Third Bancorp typically receives substantially all 
of  its  revenue  from  dividends  from  its  subsidiaries.  These 
dividends  are  the  principal  source  of  funds  to  pay  dividends  on 
Fifth Third Bancorp’s stock and interest and principal on its debt. 
Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount 
of  dividends  that  Fifth  Third’s  bank  and  certain  nonbank 
subsidiaries  may  pay.  Also,  Fifth  Third  Bancorp’s  right  to 
participate 
in  a  distribution  of  assets  upon  a  subsidiary’s 
liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of that 
subsidiary’s creditors. Limitations on Fifth Third Bancorp’s ability 
to  receive  dividends  from  its  subsidiaries  could  have  a  material 
adverse effect on Fifth Third Bancorp’s liquidity and ability to pay 
dividends on stock or interest and principal on its debt. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Fifth Third’s ability to pay or increase dividends on its 
common stock or to repurchase its capital stock is restricted 
by  the  terms  of  the  U.S.  Treasury’s  preferred  stock 
investment in Fifth Third.   
In  December  2008,  Fifth  Third  sold  $3.4  billion  of  its  Series  F 
Preferred Stock to the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the terms of the 
CPP.    For  so  long  as  any  preferred  stock  issued  under  the  CPP 
remains  outstanding,  those  terms  prohibit  Fifth  Third  from 
increasing  dividends  on  its  common  stock,  and  from  making 
certain  repurchases  of  equity  securities,  including  its  common 
stock,  without  the  U.S.  Treasury’s  consent  until  the  third 
anniversary  of  the  U.S.  Treasury’s  investment  or  until  the  U.S. 
Treasury  has  transferred  all  of  the  preferred  stock  it  purchased 
under  the  CPP  to  third  parties.  Furthermore,  as  long  as  the 
preferred  stock  issued  to  the  U.S.  Treasury  is  outstanding, 
dividend  payments  and  repurchases  or  redemptions  relating  to 
certain  equity  securities,  including  Fifth  Third’s  common  stock, 
are prohibited until all accrued and unpaid dividends are paid on 
such preferred stock, subject to certain limited exceptions. 

Future  acquisitions  may  dilute  current  shareholders’ 
ownership of Fifth Third and may cause Fifth Third to 
become more susceptible to adverse economic events. 
Future business acquisitions could be material to Fifth Third and 
it  may  issue  additional  shares  of  stock  to  pay  for  those 
acquisitions,  which  would  dilute  current  shareholders’  ownership 
interests.  Acquisitions  also  could  require  Fifth  Third  to  use 
substantial  cash  or  other  liquid  assets  or  to  incur  debt.  In  those 
events,  Fifth  Third  could  become  more  susceptible  to  economic 
downturns and competitive pressures. 

Difficulties in combining the operations of acquired entities 
with Fifth Third’s own operations may prevent Fifth Third 
from achieving the expected benefits from its acquisitions. 
Inherent uncertainties exist when integrating the operations of an 
acquired  entity.    Fifth  Third  may  not  be  able  to  fully  achieve  its 
strategic  objectives  and  planned  operating  efficiencies  in  an 
acquisition. In addition, the markets and industries in which Fifth 
Third  and  its  potential  acquisition  targets  operate  are  highly 
competitive.  Fifth Third may lose customers or the customers of 
acquired  entities  as  a  result  of  an  acquisition.  Future  acquisition 
and  integration  activities  may  require  Fifth  Third  to  devote 
substantial time and resources and as a result Fifth Third may not      
be able to pursue other business opportunities.   

After completing an acquisition, Fifth Third may find certain   

items are not accounted for properly in accordance with financial 
accounting  and  reporting  standards.    Fifth  Third  may  also  not 
realize  the  expected  benefits  of  the  acquisition  due  to  lower 
financial  results  pertaining  to  the  acquired  entity.    For  example, 
Fifth  Third  could  experience  higher  charge  offs  than  originally 
anticipated related to the acquired loan portfolio. 

Material breaches in security of Fifth Third’s systems may 
have a significant effect on Fifth Third’s business.   
Fifth Third collects, processes and stores sensitive consumer data 
by  utilizing  computer  systems  and  telecommunications  networks 
operated  by  both  Fifth  Third  and  third  party  service  providers.  
Fifth Third has security, backup and recovery systems in place, as 
well as a business continuity plan to ensure the system will not be 
inoperable. Fifth Third also has security to prevent unauthorized 
access  to  the  system.  In  addition,  Fifth  Third  requires  its  third 
party  service  providers  to  maintain  similar  controls.    However, 
Fifth Third cannot be certain that the measures will be successful.  
A  security  breach  in  the  system  and  loss  of  confidential 
information such as credit card numbers and related information 
could result in losing the customers’ confidence and thus the loss 
of their business.  

Fifth Third may sell or consider selling one or more of its 
businesses. Should it determine to sell such a business, it 
may not be able to generate gains on sale or related increase 
in shareholders’ equity commensurate with desirable levels.   
Moreover, if Fifth Third sold such businesses, the loss of 
income could have an adverse effect on its earnings and 
future growth. 
Fifth  Third  owns  several  non-strategic  businesses  that  are  not 
significantly synergistic with its core financial services businesses. 
Fifth  Third  has,  from  time  to  time,  considered  the  sale  of  such 
businesses,  which  could  supplement  its  capital  by  an  estimated 
additional $1 billion or more. If it were to determine to sell such 
businesses,  Fifth  Third  would  be  subject  to  market  forces  that 
may make completion of a sale unsuccessful or may not be able to 
do  so  within  a  desirable  time  frame.  If  Fifth  Third  were  to 
complete the sale of non-core businesses, it would suffer the loss 
of  income  from  the  sold  businesses,  and  such  loss  of  income 
could have an adverse effect on its future earnings and growth. 

Fifth Third is exposed to operational and reputational risk. 
Fifth Third is exposed to many types of operational risk, including 
reputational  risk,  legal  and  compliance  risk,  the  risk  of  fraud  or 
theft  by  employees,  customers  or  outsiders,  unauthorized 
transactions by employees or operational errors. 

 Negative public opinion can result from Fifth Third’s actual 
or  alleged  conduct  in  activities,  such  as  lending  practices,  data 
security, corporate governance and acquisitions, and may damage 
Fifth  Third’s  reputation. 
taken  by 
government  regulators  and  community  organizations  may  also 
damage Fifth Third’s reputation.  This negative public opinion can 
adversely affect Fifth Third’s ability to attract and keep customers 
and can expose it to litigation and regulatory action.  

  Additionally,  actions 

Fifth Third’s necessary dependence upon automated systems 
to  record  and  process  its  transaction  volume  poses  the  risk  that 
technical  system  flaws  or  employee  errors, 
tampering  or 
manipulation  of  those  systems  will  result  in  losses  and  may  be 
difficult to detect. Fifth Third may also be subject to disruptions 
of  its  operating  systems  arising  from  events  that  are  beyond  its 
control 
(for  example,  computer  viruses  or  electrical  or 
telecommunications  outages).  Fifth  Third  is  further  exposed  to 
the  risk  that  its  third  party  service  providers  may  be  unable  to 
fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same 
risk  of  fraud  or  operational  errors  as  Fifth  Third).  These 
disruptions may interfere with service to Fifth  Third’s customers 
and result in a financial loss or liability.   

Fifth Third and other financial institutions have been the 
subject of increased litigation which could result in legal 
liability and damage to its reputation.   
Fifth  Third  and  certain  of  its  directors  and  officers  have  been 
named  from  time  to  time  as  defendants  in  various  class  actions 
and other litigation relating to Fifth Third’s business and activities. 
Past, present and future litigation have included or could include 
claims  for  substantial  compensatory  and/or  punitive  damages  or 
claims for indeterminate amounts of damages.  Fifth Third is also 
involved  from  time  to  time  in  other  reviews,  investigations  and 
proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental and self-
regulatory  agencies  regarding  its  business.    These  matters  also 
could  result  in  adverse  judgments,  settlements,  fines,  penalties, 
injunctions  or  other  relief.  Like  other  large  financial  institutions 
and  companies,  Fifth  Third  is  also  subject  to  risk  from  potential 
employee misconduct, including non-compliance with policies and 
improper  use  or  disclosure  of  confidential 
information. 
Substantial  legal  liability  or  significant  regulatory  action  against 
Fifth Third could materially adversely affect its business, financial 
condition  or  results  of  operations  and/or  cause  significant 
reputational harm to its business. 

   Fifth Third Bancorp    23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

STATEMENTS OF INCOME ANALYSIS 
Net Interest Income 
Net interest income is the interest earned on debt securities, loans 
and leases (including yield-related fees) and other interest-earning 
assets less the interest paid for core deposits (includes transaction 
deposits and other time deposits) and wholesale funding (includes 
certificates  $100,000  and  over,  other  deposits,  federal  funds 
purchased,  short-term  borrowings  and  long-term  debt).    The  net 
interest  margin  is  calculated  by  dividing  net  interest  income  by 
is  the 
average 
difference  between  the  average  rate  earned  on  interest-earning 
assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  Net 
interest margin is typically greater than net interest rate spread due 
to the interest income earned on those assets that are funded  by 
non-interest-bearing  liabilities,  such  as  demand  deposits,  or 
shareholders’ equity. 

interest-earning  assets.  Net 

interest  spread 

Table 4 presents the components of net interest income, net 
interest  margin  and  net  interest  spread  for  2008,  2007  and  2006.  
Nonaccrual  loans  and  leases  and  loans  held  for  sale  have  been 
included  in  the  average  loan  and  lease  balances.    Average 
outstanding  securities  balances  are  based  on  amortized  cost  with 
any  unrealized  gains  or  losses  on  available-for-sale  securities 
included in other assets.  Table 5 provides the relative impact of 
changes in the balance sheet and changes in interest rates on net 
interest income. 

During  2008,  a  number  of  market  forces  impacted  net 
interest income.  The decreasing rate environment, spurred by the 
Federal  Reserve  monetary  policies  throughout  the  year,  initially 
allowed  deposits  to  reprice  further  than  loans  due  to  increased 
credit spreads on new originations.  This effect was muted during 
the  second  half  of  2008  as  disruptions  in  the  credit  markets 
created  a  highly  competitive  deposit  rate  environment.    Loan 
yields came under further downward pressure due to the increased 
levels  of  nonperforming  loans  and  leases.    Other  adjustments 
included the accretion of discounts on acquired loans, primarily as 
a  result  of  the  second  quarter  2008  acquisition  of  First  Charter, 
which increased net interest income by $339 million during 2008.  
The purchase accounting accretion reflects the high discount rate 
in  the  market  at  the  time  of  the  acquisition;  the  total  loan 
discounts  are  being  accreted  into  net  interest  income  over  the 
remaining  period  to  maturity  of  the  loans  acquired.    During  the 
second  quarter  of  2008,  the  Bancorp  recognized  a  reduction  of 
approximately  $130  million  to  interest  income  on  commercial 
leases  as  a  result  of  the  recalculation  of  cash  flows  on  certain 
leveraged  leases.    More  information  on  the  leveraged  lease 
adjustment can be found in Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements.     

Overall, net interest income (FTE) was $3.5 billion for 2008, 
compared  to  $3.0  billion  earned  in  2007.    The  increase  in  net 
TABLE 3: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions, except per share data) 
Interest income (FTE) 
Interest expense 
Net interest income (FTE) 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan and lease losses (FTE) 
Noninterest income 
Noninterest expense 
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect (FTE) 
Fully taxable equivalent adjustment 
Applicable income taxes 
Income (loss) before cumulative effect 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax 
Net income (loss) 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders 
Earnings per share, basic 
Earnings per share, diluted 
Cash dividends declared per common share 

24    Fifth Third Bancorp 

interest income compared to the prior year is the result of an 11% 
increase in average interest-earning assets combined with a 49 bp 
increase  in  net  interest  spread  that  was  partially  reduced  by  the 
increase  in  nonperforming  loans.    In  2008,  $282  million  in 
additional 
if 
nonaccrual  loans  had  been  current  compared  to  $144  million  in 
2007.    Exclusive  of  the  purchase  accounting  and  leveraged  lease 
adjustments,  net  interest  income  increased  by  $291  million,  or 
10%, over the prior year.  

income  would  have  been  recorded 

interest 

Reported  net  interest  margin  was  3.54%  in  2008,  compared 
to  3.36%  in  2007.    For  the  year,  the  negative  effects  of  the 
leveraged  lease  adjustment,  a  reduction  to  net  interest  margin  of 
13  bp,  and  increase  in  nonperforming  loans  were  offset  by  the 
positive  impact  from  the  accretion  of  the  discounts  on  acquired 
loans, which increased net interest margin approximately 34 bp in 
2008.    Exclusive  of  the  purchase  accounting  and  leveraged  lease 
adjustments, net interest margin was flat on a year-over-year basis 
as widening credit spreads were offset by higher nonaccrual loans 
and 
lower  yielding 
commercial loans.  

leases  and  a  greater  concentration 

in 

increased  17%,  while  consumer 

Total  average  interest-earning  assets  increased  11%  from 
2007.    Average  total  commercial  loans  increased  19%  and  the 
loans 
investment  portfolio 
decreased  modestly.  Commercial  mortgage  and  commercial 
construction  loans  increased  primarily  as  a  result  of  acquisitions 
during  the  past  year.    Commercial  and  industrial  loans  increased 
due to the origination for portfolio of loans that historically were 
sold to the Bancorp’s off-balance sheet commercial paper conduit, 
coupled  with  the  use  of  contingent  liquidity  facilities  related  to 
certain off-balance sheet programs that were drawn upon in 2008.  
These  commercial  loans  have  the  effect  of  lowering  the  overall 
yield on commercial loans.  Increases in the investment portfolio 
relate to both the Bancorp’s desire to keep an appropriately sized 
investment portfolio given the growth in loans and leases, which 
occurred  primarily  from  acquisitions,  coupled  with  the  purchase 
of  securities  as  part  of  the  Bancorp’s  non-qualifying  hedging 
strategy related to mortgage servicing rights.   

Interest income (FTE) from loans and leases decreased $481 
million  compared  to  2007.    Exclusive  of  the  accretion  of 
discounts  on  acquired  loans  and  the  leveraged  lease  adjustment 
during  the  second  quarter  of  2008,  interest  income  (FTE)  from 
loans and leases decreased $694 million, or 13%, compared to the 
prior  year.    The  year-over-year  decrease  in  interest  income  is  a 
result  of  the  repricing  of  variable  rate  loans  in  a  declining  rate 
environment,  partially  offset  by  the  increase  in  average  loan  and 
lease balances.  At the end of 2008, the Bancorp’s prime rate was 
3.25%  compared  to  7.25%  at  the  end  of  2007.    Interest  income 
(FTE)  from  investment  securities  and  short-term  investments 

2008
$5,630
2,094
3,536
4,560
(1,024)
2,946
4,564
(2,642)
22
(551)
(2,113)
-
(2,113)
67
($2,180)
($3.94)
(3.94)
0.75

2007 
6,051 
3,018 
3,033 
628 
2,405 
2,467 
3,311 
1,561 
24 
461 
1,076 
- 
1,076 
1 
1,075 
2.00 
1.99 
1.70 

2006 
5,981 
3,082 
2,899 
343 
2,556 
2,012 
2,915 
1,653 
26 
443 
1,184 
4 
1,188 
- 
1,188 
2.14 
2.13 
1.58 

2005
5,026
2,030
2,996
330
2,666
2,374
2,801
2,239
31
659
1,549
-
1,549
1
1,548
2.79
2.77
1.46

2004
4,150
1,102
3,048
268
2,780
2,355
2,862
2,273
36
712
1,525
-
1,525
1
1,524
2.72
2.68
1.31

 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 4: CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME (FTE)  
For the years ended December 31 

   2008 
Revenue/
Cost 

Average 
Yield/Rate

Average 
Balance

Average 
Yield/Rate 

Average 
Balance 

  2007 
Revenue/ 
Cost 

   2006 
Revenue/
Cost 

Average 
Yield/Rate

$1,520
866
342
18

5.35 %
6.78 
5.85 
0.49 
2,746           5.41 
6.41 
5.71 
6.34 
9.77 
5.28 
6.27 
5.77 

705
701
566
167
64
2,203
4,949

643
25
13
5,630

4.91 
7.35 
2.15 
5.64 

$22,351
11,078
5,661
3,683
42,773
10,489
11,887
10,704
1,276
1,219
35,575
78,348

11,131
499
404
90,382
2,275
10,613
(793)
$102,477

$1,639
801
421
158

7.33 % 
7.23 
7.44 
4.29 
3,019           7.06 
6.13 
7.54 
6.30 
10.39 
5.36 
6.78 
6.93 

642
897
674
133
65
2,411
5,430

$20,504 
9,797 
6,015 
3,730 
40,046 
9,574 
12,070 
9,570 
838 
1,395 
33,447 
73,493 

$1,479
700
460
185

7.21 %
7.15 
7.64 
4.97 
2,824           7.05 
5.94 
7.45 
5.77 
11.84 
4.87 
6.54 
6.82 

568
900
552
99
68
2,187
5,011

566
36
19
6,051

5.08 
7.29 
4.80 
6.70 

20,306 
604 
396 
94,799 
2,477 
8,713 
(751) 
  $105,238 

904
45
21
5,981

4.45 
7.38 
5.27 
6.31 

($ in millions) 
Assets 
Interest-earning assets: 
Loans and leases (a): 
Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage 
Commercial construction 
Commercial leases 

Subtotal - commercial 

Residential mortgage 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 

Subtotal - consumer 

Total loans and leases 
Securities: 
Taxable 
Exempt from income taxes (a) 

Other short-term investments 

Total interest-earning assets 
Cash and due from banks 
Other assets 
Allowance for loan and lease losses 
Total assets 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
Interest-bearing liabilities: 

Interest-bearing core deposits: 

Interest checking 
Savings  
Money market 
Foreign office deposits 
Other time deposits 

Total interest-bearing core deposits 
Certificates - $100,000 and over 
Other foreign office deposits 
Federal funds purchased 
Other short-term borrowings 
Long-term debt 

Average 
Balance

$28,426
12,776
5,846
3,680
50,728
10,993
12,269
8,925
1,708
1,212
35,107
85,835

13,082
342
621
99,880
2,490
13,411
(1,485)
$114,296

$14,095
16,192
6,127
2,153
11,135
49,702
9,531
2,163
2,975
7,785
13,903
86,059 
14,017
4,182
104,258
10,038
$114,296

$126
224
118
34
411
913
324
52
70
178
557
2,094

0.89 %
1.38 
1.92 
1.60 
3.69 
1.84 
3.40 
2.42 
2.34 
2.29 
4.01 
2.43 

$318
456
269
73
495
1,611
328
68
184
140
687
3,018

$14,820
14,836
6,308
1,762
10,778
48,504
6,466
1,393
3,646
3,244
12,505
75,758
13,261
3,875
92,894
9,583
$102,477

2.14 % 
3.07 
4.26 
4.15 
4.59 
3.32 
5.07 
4.91 
5.04 
4.32 
5.50 
3.98 

$16,650 
12,189 
6,366 
732 
10,500 
46,437 
5,795 
2,979 
4,148 
4,522 
14,247 
78,128 
13,741 
3,558 
95,427 
9,811 
  $105,238 

$398
363
261
29
433
1,484
278
148
208
194
770
3,082

2.39 %
2.98 
4.10 
3.93 
4.12 
3.20 
4.80 
4.97 
5.02 
4.28 
5.40 
3.94 

Total interest-bearing liabilities 
Demand deposits 
Other liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Shareholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 
Net interest income 
Net interest margin 
Net interest rate spread  
3.21 
86.16 
Interest-bearing liabilities to interest-earning assets 
(a) The fully taxable-equivalent adjustments included in the above table are $22 million, $24 million and $26 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. 

           3.54 % 

          3.36 % 

2.72 
83.82 

$3,536

$2,899

$3,033

      3.06 %
2.37 
82.41 

increased 10% compared to 2007.  The increase in interest income 
from investment securities was a result of the 17% increase in the 
average investment portfolio offset by a decrease in the weighted-
average yield.   

Core  deposits  increased  $2.0  billion,  or  three  percent, 
compared to last year.  The cost of interest-bearing core deposits 
was 1.84% in 2008, which was a decrease of 148 bp from 3.32% 
in 2007.  The year-over-year decrease is a result of the decrease in 
short-term market interest rates as, over the past year, the federal 
funds  target  rate  decreased  400  bp  to  a  target  of  0.25%  at 
December  31,  2008  compared  to  4.25%  at  December  31,  2007.  
Partially offsetting the decrease in the market rates was the highly 
competitive rate environment for core deposits, which was created 
by disruptions in the credit markets.  Some relief from the highly 
competitive  deposit  pricing  was  experienced  at  the  end  of  the 
fourth  quarter  as  a  number  of  bank  consolidations  were 
completed.    The  relief  in  competitive  deposit  pricing  is  expected 
to  be  somewhat  muted  in  2009,  as  customers  began  moving 
balances  into  higher  yielding  time  deposits  during  the  fourth 

quarter of 2008.  Interest expense on wholesale funding decreased 
16% compared to the prior year, despite a 33% increase in average 
balances.      Overall,  the  growth  in  average  loans  and  leases  since 
2007  outpaced  core  deposit  growth  by  $5.5  billion.    In    2008, 
wholesale  funding  represented  42%  of  interest-bearing  liabilities, 
up from 36% in 2007.  The Bancorp issued $750 million of senior 
notes in April 2008 and $400 million of trust preferred securities 
in  May  2008.  The  Bancorp’s  equity  funding  position  increased 
approximately  $500  million  compared  to  2007  from  the  issuance 
of  $1.1  billion  in  preferred  shares  during  the  second  quarter  of 
2008.  Additionally, on December 31, 2008 the Bancorp sold $3.4 
billion of senior preferred shares and related warrants to the U.S. 
Treasury under its CPP. For more information on the Bancorp’s 
interest  rate  risk  management,  including  estimated  earnings 
sensitivity to changes in market interest rates, see the Market Risk 
Management section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  

  Fifth Third Bancorp    25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 5: CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME (FTE) ATTRIBUTED TO VOLUME AND YIELD/RATE (a) 
For the years ended December 31 

2008 Compared to 2007 

2007 Compared to 2006 

Volume 

Yield/Rate

Total

Volume

Yield/Rate

Total

($ in millions) 
Assets 
Increase (decrease) in interest income: 

Loans and leases: 

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage 
Commercial construction 
Commercial leases 

Subtotal - commercial 

Residential mortgage 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card  
Other consumer loans and leases 

Subtotal - consumer 

Total loans and leases 
Securities: 
Taxable 
Exempt from income taxes 
Other short-term investments 

Total interest-earning assets  
Cash and due from banks 
Other assets 
Allowance for loan and lease losses 
Total change in interest income  
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
Increase (decrease) in interest expense: 

Interest-bearing core deposits: 

Interest checking 
Savings  
Money market 
Foreign office deposits 
Other time deposits 

Total interest-bearing core deposits 
Certificates - $100,000 and over 
Other foreign office deposits 
Federal funds purchased 
Other short-term borrowings 
Long-term debt 

$385
117
13
-
515
32
28
(113)
42
-
(11)
504

96
(11)
8
597

(504)
(52)
(92)
(140)
(788)
31
(224)
5
(8)
(1)
(197)
(985)

(19)
-
(14)
(1,018)

(119)
65
(79)
(140)
(273)
63
(196)
(108)
34
(1)
(208)
(481)

77
(11)
(6)
(421)

$135
93
(27)
(2)
199
56
(14)
68
47
(9)
148
347

(452)
(8)
(1)
(114)

$597

(1,018)

(421)

($114)

($15)
39
(7)
13
16
46
125
28
(29)
127
71
368

(177)
(271)
(144)
(52)
(100)
(744)
(129)
(44)
(85)
(89)
(201)
(1,292)

(192)
(232)
(151)
(39)
(84)
(698)
(4)
(16)
(114)
38
(130)
(924)

($41)
81
(2)
43
12
93
34
(78)
(25)
(55)
(97)
(128)

25
8
(12)
(25)
(4)
18
11
54
(13)
6
76
72

114
(1)
(1)
184

184

(39)
12
10
1
50
34
16
(2)
1
1
14
64

64

120

160
101
(39)
(27)
195
74
(3)
122
34
(3)
224
419

(338)
(9)
(2)
70

70

(80)
93
8
44
62
127
50
(80)
(24)
(54)
(83)
(64)

(64)

134

Total interest-bearing liabilities 
Demand deposits 
Other liabilities 
Total change in interest expense 
Shareholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 
Total change in net interest income  
(a) Changes in interest not solely due to volume or yield/rate are allocated in proportion to the absolute amount of change in volume or yield/rate. 

(1,292)

(924)

(128)

$229

274

503

368

$14

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses 
The Bancorp provides as an expense an amount for probable loan 
and  lease  losses  within  the  loan  and  lease  portfolio  that  is  based 
on factors previously discussed in the Critical Accounting Policies 
section.  The provision is recorded to bring the allowance for loan 
and lease losses to a level deemed appropriate by the Bancorp to 
cover  losses  inherent  in  the  portfolio.    Actual  credit  losses  on 
loans  and  leases  are  charged  against  the  allowance  for  loan  and 
lease  losses.    The  amount  of  loans  actually  removed  from  the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  is  referred  to  as  charge-offs.    Net 
charge-offs  include  current  period  charge-offs  less  recoveries  on 
previously charged-off loans and leases.   

The  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  increased  to  $4.6 
billion  in  2008  compared  to  $628  million  in  2007.    The  primary 
factors  in  the  increase  were  the  increase  in  impaired  commercial 
loans  which  are  individually  reviewed  and  reserved  for,  higher 
losses,  increased  estimated  loss  factors  due  to  negative  trends  in 
overall  delinquencies,  increased  loss  estimates  once  a  loan 
becomes  delinquent  related  to  the  deterioration  in  real  estate 
collateral  values  in  certain  of  the  Bancorp’s  key  lending  markets 
and  declines  in  general  economic  conditions  that  are  used  to 

26    Fifth Third Bancorp 

determine  an  economic  factor  adjustment.    As  of  December  31, 
2008, the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of loans 
and leases increased to 3.31% from 1.17% at December 31, 2007. 
Refer  to  the  Credit  Risk  Management  section  for  more 
detailed  information  on  the  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses 
including  an  analysis  of  the  loan  portfolio  composition,  non-
performing  assets,  net  charge-offs,  and  other  factors  considered 
by the Bancorp in assessing the credit quality of the loan portfolio 
and the allowance for loan and lease losses. 

Noninterest Income 
For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  noninterest  income 
increased by $479 million, or 19%, on a year-over-year basis.  The 
components of noninterest income are shown in Table 6.   

Electronic  payment  processing  revenue 

increased  $86 
million,  or  11%,  in  2008  compared  to  the  2007  as  the  Bancorp 
continued to realize growth in each of its three main product lines.  
The  components  of  electronic  payment  processing  revenue  are 
shown in Table 7. 

 
  
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 6: NONINTEREST INCOME 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Electronic payment processing revenue 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities gains (losses), net 
Securities gains, net – non-qualifying hedges on mortgage servicing 

rights 

Total noninterest income 

Merchant processing revenue increased 11%, to $341 million, 
compared to 2007 as the growth in the number of merchants and 
transaction  volumes  compared  to  2007  was  partially  offset  by 
lower  average  dollar  amounts  per  transaction  due  to  lower 
consumer  spending  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2008.    Financial 
institutions  revenue  increased  to  $324  million,  up  seven  percent, 
compared to 2007 due to higher transaction volumes as a result of 
continued  success  in  attracting  financial  institution  customers.  
Card issuer interchange increased 16%, to $247 million, compared 
to 2007 due to continued growth related to debit and credit card 
usage.    The  Bancorp  processed  approximately  28.4  billion 
transactions  during  2008  compared  to  approximately  26.7  billion 
transactions  during  2007  and  handles  electronic  processing  for 
over 169,000 merchant locations worldwide. 

TABLE 7: COMPONENTS OF ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 
PROCESSING REVENUE 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Merchant processing revenue 
Financial institutions revenue 
Card issuer interchange  
Electronic payment processing revenue 

2008 
$341 
324 
247 
$912 

2007
308
305
213
826

2006
255
279
183
717

Service charges on deposits increased to $641 million, up $62 
million, or 11%, in 2008 compared to 2007.  Commercial deposit 
revenue,  net  of  earnings  credits,  increased  $44  million,  or  18%, 
compared  to  2007.    Gross  commercial  deposit  revenue  grew  six 
percent, to $534 million, compared to 2007.  The overall increase 
was  primarily  impacted  by  a  decrease  in  earnings  credits  of  $35 
million,  or  54%,  on  compensating  balances  resulting  from  the 
decline  in  short-term  interest  rates.    Commercial  customers 
receive  earnings  credits  to  offset  the  fees  charged  for  banking 
services  on  their  deposit  accounts  such  as  account  maintenance, 
lockbox,  ACH  transactions,  wire  transfers  and  other  ancillary 
corporate  treasury  management  services.    Earnings  credits  are 
based  on  the  customer’s  average  balance  in  qualifying  deposits 
multiplied  by  the  crediting  rate.  Qualifying  deposits  include 
demand  deposits  and  interest-bearing  checking  accounts.    The 
Bancorp has a standard crediting rate that is adjusted as necessary 
based  on  competitive  market  conditions  and  changes  in  short-
term interest rates.  Retail deposit revenue increased five percent, 
to $348 million, in 2008 compared to 2007.  The increase in retail 
service  charges  was  attributable  to  higher  customer  activity.  
Deposit  generation  and  growth  in  the  number  of  customer 
deposit  account  relationships  continue  to  be  a  primary  focus  of 
the Bancorp. 

income  of  $106  million, 

Corporate banking revenue increased $77 million, or 21%, in 
2008 over 2007, and reflects benefits from the broadening of the 
Bancorp’s  suite  of  commercial  products.  Foreign  exchange 
derivative 
increased  $46  million 
compared to 2007 due to volume increases. Growth also occurred 
in  fees  associated  with  business lending  and  asset  securitizations, 
which grew $13 million and $12 million, respectively, compared to 
2007.    The  Bancorp  is  committed  to  providing  a  comprehensive 
range of financial services to large and middle-market businesses.  

2008
$912
641
444
353
199
363
(86)

120
$2,946

2007
826
579
367
382
133
153
21

6
2,467

2006 
717 
517 
318 
367 
155 
299 
(364) 

3 
2,012 

2005
622
522
299
358
174
360
39

-
2,374

2004
521
515
228
363
178
587
(37)

-
2,355

Investment advisory revenue decreased $29 million, or eight 
percent, from 2007 due to the significant decline in equity markets 
in  2008  as  the  Bancorp  experienced  broad-based  decreases  in 
several  categories.    Brokerage  fee  income,  which  includes  Fifth 
Third Securities income, decreased 11%, or $12 million, in 2008 as 
investors migrated balances from stock and bond funds to money 
markets  funds  due  to  market  volatility.    Mutual  fund  revenue 
decreased  12%,  to  $53  million,  in  2008  due  to  a  shift  to  lower 
yielding investments and lower asset values.  As of December 31, 
2008, the Bancorp had approximately $179 billion in assets under 
care  and  managed  $25  billion 
individuals, 
corporations and not-for-profit organizations. 

in  assets  for 

Mortgage  banking  net  revenue  increased  to  $199  million  in 
2008  from  $133  million  in  2007.    The  components  of  mortgage 
banking  net  revenue  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008  and 
2007 are shown in Table 8.   

TABLE 8: COMPONENTS OF MORTGAGE BANKING NET 
REVENUE 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Origination fees and gains on loan sales 
Servicing revenue: 
Servicing fees 
Servicing rights amortization 
Net valuation adjustments on servicing 
rights and free-standing derivatives 
entered into to economically hedge MSR 

164 
(107) 

2008 
$260 

2007
79

145
(92)

2006
92

121
(68)

(118) 
(61) 
$199 

1
54
133

10
63
155

Net servicing revenue (expense) 
Mortgage banking net revenue 

Mortgage  banking  net  revenue 

increased  $66  million 
compared  to  2007  due  to  higher  sales  margins  on  loans  sold, 
higher  sales  volume  of  portfolio  loans,  and  the  impact  of  the 
adoption of SFAS No. 159 for residential mortgage loans held for 
sale,  offset  by  lower  net  valuation  adjustments.    Mortgage 
originations  decreased  three  percent,  from  $11.9  billion  to  $11.5 
billion,  in  comparison  to  2007  as  application  volumes  decreased 
during the second half of 2008 as a result of market disruptions.  
Mortgage  originations  rebounded  during  the  fourth  quarter  of 
2008  as  a  result  of  the  declining  interest  rate  environment.    The 
increase  in  sales  margins  on  loans  sold  and  sales  volume  of 
portfolio 
loans  contributed  $151  million  and  $13  million, 
respectively,  to  the  increase  in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue.  
The adoption of SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008 for residential 
mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  also  contributed  approximately  $65 
million to the increase in mortgage banking net revenue.  Prior to 
adoption, mortgage loan origination costs were capitalized as part 
of the carrying amount of the loan and recognized as a reduction 
of  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  upon  the  sale  of  the  loans.  
Subsequent  to  the  adoption,  mortgage  loan  origination  costs  are 
recognized as expense when incurred and included in noninterest 
expense within the Consolidated Statements of Income.   

 Mortgage  net  servicing  revenue  decreased  $115  million 
compared  to  2007.    Net  servicing  revenue  is  comprised  of  gross 
servicing  fees  and  related  amortization  as  well  as  valuation 
adjustments  on  mortgage  servicing  rights  and  mark-to-market 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

instruments.  Temporary 

adjustments  on  both  settled  and  outstanding  free-standing 
derivative  financial 
impairment  on 
servicing 
rights,  partially  offset  by  gains  on  derivatives 
economically  hedging  the  mortgage  servicing  rights  (MSRs), 
resulted  in  lower  mortgage  net  servicing  revenue  compared  to 
2007.  The Bancorp’s total residential mortgage loans serviced at 
December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $50.7 billion and $45.9 billion, 
respectively,  with  $40.4  billion  and  $34.5  billion,  respectively,  of 
residential mortgage loans serviced for others. 

Servicing  rights  are  deemed  temporarily  impaired  when  a 
borrower’s  loan  rate  is  distinctly  higher  than  prevailing  rates.  
Temporary  impairment  on  servicing  rights  is  reversed  when  the 
prevailing  rates  return  to  a 
level  commensurate  with  the 
borrower’s loan rate.  Further detail on the valuation of mortgage 
servicing  rights  can  be  found  in  Note  10  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.    The  Bancorp  maintains  a 
non-qualifying  hedging  strategy  to  manage  a  portion  of  the  risk 
associated with changes in impairment on the MSR portfolio.  The 
Bancorp recognized a gain from MSR derivatives of $89 million, 
offset  by  a  temporary  impairment  of  $207  million,  resulting  in  a 
net  loss  of  $118  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008 
related  to  changes  in  fair  value  and  settlement  of  free-standing 
derivatives  purchased  to  economically  hedge  the  MSR  portfolio.  
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Bancorp recognized a 
gain from MSR derivatives of $23 million, offset by a temporary 
impairment  of  $22  million,  resulting  in  a  net  gain  of  $1  million.  
See  Note  10  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements 
for  more  information  on  the  free-standing  derivatives  used  to 
hedge the MSR portfolio.  In addition to the derivative positions 
used  to  economically  hedge  the  MSR  portfolio,  the  Bancorp 
acquires  various  securities  as  a  component  of  its  non-qualifying 
hedging  strategy.    A  gain  on  non-qualifying  hedges  on  mortgage 
servicing rights of $120 million and $6 million in 2008 and 2007, 
respectively,  was  included  in  noninterest  income  within  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income, but are shown separate from 
mortgage banking net revenue.   

Other  noninterest  income  increased  $210  million  in  2008 
compared to 2007.  The components of other noninterest income 
are  shown  in  Table  9.  The  increase  was  primarily  due  to  a  $273 
million  gain  from  the  redemption  of  a  portion  of  the  Bancorp’s 
ownership interest in Visa, Inc. and a $76 million gain related  to 
the  satisfactory  resolution  of  the  CitFed  litigation.    This  increase 
was offset by higher losses from the sale of both other real estate 
owned properties and loans in addition to higher charges in 2008 
to lower the current cash surrender value of one of the Bancorp’s 
BOLI  policies.    Charges  related  to  one  of  the  Bancorp’s  BOLI 
policies  were  $215  million  and  $177  million,  respectively,  for  the 
years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.   

 Net securities losses totaled $86 million in 2008 compared to 
$21 million of net securities gains during 2007.  The net securities 
losses  in  2008  include  OTTI  charges  of  $38  million  and  $29 
to  FHLMC  and  FNMA  preferred  stock, 
million  relating 
respectively,  along  with  OTTI  charges  of  $37  million  related  to 
certain bank trust preferred securities.  The FHLMC and FNMA 
preferred stock, combined, are carried at approximately $1 million 
at December 31, 2008 with a par value of $68 million. The bank 

TABLE 10: NONINTEREST EXPENSE 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Salaries, wages and incentives 
Employee benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense  
Total noninterest expense 
Efficiency ratio 

28    Fifth Third Bancorp 

TABLE 9: COMPONENTS OF OTHER NONINTEREST 
INCOME 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Gain on redemption of Visa, Inc. 

2007

2008

ownership interests 
CitFed litigation settlement 
Cardholder fees 
Consumer loan and lease fees 
Operating lease income 
Insurance income 
Banking center income 
(Loss) gain on loan sales 
Loss on sale of other real estate owned 
Bank owned life insurance (loss) income  
Other 
Total other noninterest income 

$273
76
58
51
47
36
31
(11)
(60)
(156)
18
$363

-
-
56
46
32
32
29
25
(14)
(106)
53
153

2006

-
-
49
47
26
28
22
17
(8)
86
32
299

trust preferred securities with OTTI charges had a carrying value 
of $79 million with a par  value of $116 million at December 31, 
2008. 

Noninterest Expense  
Total noninterest expense increased $1.3 billion, or 38%, in 2008 
compared  to  2007.    The  components  of  noninterest  expense  are 
shown in Table 10.  Noninterest expense in 2008 included a $965 
million  charge  to  record  goodwill  impairment,  $99  million  in  net 
reductions to noninterest expense to reflect the recognition of the 
Bancorp’s proportional share of the Visa escrow account, partially 
offset  by  additional  charges  for  probable  future  Visa  litigation 
settlements,  $65  million  in  mortgage  origination  costs  from  the 
adoption of SFAS No. 159,  $36 million in legal expenses related 
to  the  CitFed  litigation  and  $20  million  in  acquisition  related 
expenses.  Noninterest expense in 2007 included charges of $172 
million  related  to  the  indemnification  of  estimated  current  and 
future  Visa  litigation  settlements  and  $8  million  in  acquisition 
related  costs. 
items,  noninterest  expense 
increased  $444  million,  or  14%,  due  to  increased  volume-related 
processing  expenses,  higher  FDIC  insurance,  increases  in  the 
credit component of fair value marks on counterparty derivatives, 
increased  provision  for  unfunded  commitments  and  higher  loan 
processing costs. For more information pertaining to the goodwill 
impairment  charge,  see  Note  8  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

  Excluding  these 

Total  personnel  costs  (salaries,  wages  and  incentives  plus 
employee  benefits)  increased  6%  in  2008  compared  to  2007  due 
primarily  to  approximately  $65  million  in  mortgage  origination 
costs  that  prior  to  the  adoption  of  SFAS  No.  159  on  January  1, 
2008,  were  included  as  a  component  of  mortgage  banking  net 
revenue.  Total personnel expense in 2008 and 2007 included $9 
million  and  $7  million,  respectively,  in  severance  related  costs.  
Excluding  these  items,  personnel  expense  increased  two  percent 
compared  to  2007.  As  of  December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp 
employed  22,423  employees,  of  which  6,678  were  officers  and 
2,578  were  part-time  employees.   Full-time  equivalent  employees 
totaled 21,476 as of December 31, 2008 compared to 21,683 as of 
December 31, 2007. 

2008
$1,337
278
300
274
191
130
965
1,089
$4,564
70.4%

2007
1,239
278
269
244
169
123
-
989
3,311
60.2

2006 
1,174 
292 
245 
184 
141 
116 
- 
763 
2,915 
59.4 

2005
1,133
283
221
145
142
105
-
772
2,801
52.1

2004
1,018
261
185
114
120
84
-
1,081
2,863
53.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Net  occupancy  expenses  increased  $31  million,  or  11%,  in 
2008  compared  to  2007  due  to  the  addition  of  80  new  banking 
centers.  Growth in the number of banking centers was primarily 
driven  by  acquisitions,  which  added  69  banking  centers  since 
2007.  

Payment  processing  expense,  which  includes  third-party 
processing  expenses,  card  management  fees  and  other  bankcard 
processing,  increased  12%  in  2008  compared  to  2007  due  to 
higher network charges of $24 million from increased processing 
institutions 
volumes  for  both  the  merchant  and  financial 
businesses.    

Total other noninterest expense increased by $100 million, or 
10%,  in  2008  compared  to  2007.  The  components  of  other 
noninterest  expense  are  shown  in  Table  11.  Loan  processing 
expense was higher in comparison to 2007 as a result of increased 
collection activities.  Increased professional service fees compared 
to  2007  resulted  from  legal  expenses  of  $36  million  stemming 
from the CitFed litigation.  FDIC insurance and other taxes were 
higher  due  to  the  depletion  of  the  Bancorp’s  prior  FDIC 
insurance premium credits in 2008.  The provision for unfunded 
commitments  increased  $82  million  compared  to  2007  due  to 
higher estimates of inherent losses resulting from deterioration in 
the  credit  quality  of  the  underlying  borrowers.  The  credit 
component  of  fair  value  marks  on  counterparty  derivatives 
increased  due  to  deterioration  in  the  credit  quality  of  the 
Bancorp’s customers. 

In  December  2008,  the  FDIC  approved  a  final  rule  on 
deposit  assessment  rates  for  the  first  quarter  of  2009.  The  rule 
raised assessment rates uniformly by 7 bp  (annually) for the first 
quarter  of  2009  only.  The  FDIC  issued  another  final  rule  during 
the first quarter of 2009 changing the way the FDIC’s assessment 
system  differentiates  for  risk,  makes  corresponding  changes  to 
assessment rates beginning with the second quarter of 2009, and 
makes certain technical and other changes to the assessment rules.  
In addition, the FDIC issued an interim rule that provides for a 20 
bp  special  assessment  on  June  30,  2009.    The  increase  in 
assessment  rates  effective  January  1,  2009  will  approximately 
double the Bancorp's expected assessment for 2009’s first quarter.  
The Bancorp believes the assessment rates subsequent to the first 
quarter  2009  will  be  significantly  higher  than  the  first  quarter  of 
2009.  As  a  result,  the  Bancorp  expects  that  increased  FDIC 
insurance  expense  in  2009  will  have  an  adverse  impact  on  its 
results of operations. 

In addition to the standard deposit insurance assessments, as 
noted  above,  in  the  third  quarter  of  2008,  the  FDIC  announced 
the  Temporary  Liquidity  Guarantee  Program  (TLGP),  which 
temporarily  guarantees  the  senior  debt  of  participating  FDIC-
insured  institutions  and  certain  holding  companies,  as  well  as 

deposits in noninterest-bearing deposit transaction accounts. The 
Bancorp  expects  assessments  related  to  the  TLGP  to  have  an 
adverse impact on its results of operations.  

TABLE 11: COMPONENTS OF OTHER NONINTEREST 
EXPENSE 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Loan processing 
Marketing 
Professional services fees 
Provision for unfunded commitments and 

2007
119
84
54

2008
$188
102
102

letters of credit 

FDIC insurance and other taxes 
Affordable housing investments 
Intangible asset amortization 
Travel 
Postal and courier 
Recruitment and education 
Operating lease 
Supplies 
Visa litigation (accrual) settlement  
Debt termination 
Other 
Total other noninterest expense 

98
73
67
56
54
54
33
32
31
(99)
-
298
$1,089

16
31
57
42
54
52
41
22
31
172
-
214
989

2006
93
78
41

5
39
42
45
52
49
51
18
28
-
49
173
763

The efficiency ratio (noninterest expense divided by the sum 
of net interest income (FTE) and noninterest income) was 70.4% 
and  60.2%  for  2008  and  2007,  respectively.    Excluding  the 
goodwill impairment charge of $965 million in 2008, the efficiency 
ratio  was  55.5%  (comparison  being  provided  to  supplement  an 
understanding of fundamental trends). The Bancorp continues to 
focus  on  efficiency  initiatives,  as  part  of  its  core  emphasis  on 
operating leverage and on expense control.   

Applicable Income Taxes 
The  Bancorp’s  income  (loss)  before  income  taxes,  applicable 
income tax expense and effective tax rate for each of the periods 
indicated are shown in Table 12.  Applicable income tax expense 
for all periods includes the benefit from tax-exempt income, tax-
advantaged investments and general business tax credits, partially 
offset by the effect of nondeductible expenses.  The effective tax 
rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was primarily impacted 
by  the  pre-tax  loss  in  2008,  partially  offset  by  tax  expense  of 
approximately $140 million in the second quarter of 2008 required 
for interest related to the tax treatment of certain of the Bancorp’s 
leveraged  leases  for  previous  tax  years  and  the  nondeductible 
portion  of  the  charge  of  $965  million  to  record  impairment  of 
goodwill. 

TABLE 12: APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect 
Applicable income tax expense (benefit)  
Effective tax rate 

 2008
($2,664)
(551)
(20.7%)

2007
1,537
461
30.0 

2006 
1,627 
443 
27.2  

2005
2,208
659
29.9 

2004
2,237
712
31.8

  Fifth Third Bancorp    29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

BUSINESS SEGMENT REVIEW
The  Bancorp  reports  on  five  business  segments:  Commercial 
Banking,  Branch  Banking,  Consumer  Lending,  Processing 
Solutions  and  Investment  Advisors.    Further  detailed  financial 
information  on each  business  segment  is  included  in  Note  28  of 
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.   

Results  of  the  Bancorp’s  business  segments  are  presented 
based  on  its  management  structure  and  management  accounting 
practices.    The  structure  and  accounting  practices  are  specific  to 
the  Bancorp;  therefore,  the  financial  results  of  the  Bancorp’s 
business  segments  are  not  necessarily  comparable  with  similar 
information for other financial institutions.  The Bancorp refines 
its  methodologies  from  time  to  time  as  management  accounting 
practices are improved and businesses change.   

The  Bancorp  manages  interest  rate  risk  centrally  at  the 
corporate  level  by  employing  a  funds  transfer  pricing  (FTP) 
methodology.  This methodology insulates the business segments 
from  interest  rate  volatility,  enabling  them  to  focus  on  serving 
customers through loan originations and deposit taking.  The FTP 
system assigns charge rates and credit rates to classes of assets and 
liabilities,  respectively,  based  on  expected  duration  and  the 
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) swap curve.  Matching 
duration  allocates  interest  income  and  interest  expense  to  each 
segment  so  its  resulting  net  interest  income  is  insulated  from 
interest  rate  risk.    In  a  rising  rate  environment,  the  Bancorp 
benefits  from  the  widening  spread  between  deposit  costs  and 
wholesale  funding  costs.    However,  the  Bancorp’s  FTP  system 
credits  this  benefit  to  deposit-providing  businesses,  such  as 
Branch Banking and Investment Advisors, on a duration-adjusted 
basis.  The  net  impact  of  the  FTP  methodology  is  captured  in 
General Corporate and Other.   

The business segments are charged provision expense based 
on the actual net charge-offs experienced by the loans owned by 
each segment.  Provision expense attributable to loan growth and 
changes  in  factors  in  the  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses  are 
captured in General Corporate and Other.  The financial results of 
the business segments include allocations for shared services and 
headquarters expenses.  Even with these allocations, the financial 
results  are  not  necessarily  indicative  of  the  business  segments’ 
financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  as  if  they  were  to 
exist as independent entities.  Additionally, the business segments 
form synergies by taking advantage of cross-sell opportunities and 
when  funding  operations  by  accessing  the  capital  markets  as  a 
collective  unit.  Net 
to  common 
shareholders by business segment is summarized in Table 13. 

(loss)  available 

income 

2007

2008 

TABLE  13:  BUSINESS  SEGMENT  NET  INCOME  (LOSS) 
AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS 
For the years ended December 31       
($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Commercial Banking 
Branch Banking 
Consumer Lending 
Processing Solutions 
Investment Advisors 
General Corporate and Other 
Net income (loss) 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net income (loss) available to common 

($697) 
568 
(108) 
182 
93 
(2,151) 
 (2,113) 
67 

698
620
130
163
99
(634)
 1,076
1

693
563
180
139
90
(477)
1,188
-

2006

shareholders 

($2,180) 

1,075

1,188

30    Fifth Third Bancorp 

to 

Commercial Banking 
Commercial  Banking  offers  banking,  cash  management  and 
financial  services 
large  and  middle-market  businesses, 
government  and  professional  customers.    In  addition  to  the 
traditional lending and depository offerings, Commercial Banking 
products  and  services  include,  among  others,  foreign  exchange 
and  international  trade  finance,  derivatives  and  capital  markets 
services,  asset-based  lending,  real  estate  finance,  public  finance, 
commercial  leasing  and  syndicated  finance.    Table  14  contains 
selected financial data for the Commercial Banking segment. 

TABLE 14: COMMERCIAL BANKING 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Net interest income (FTE) (a) 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 

Electronic payment processing 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income  
Securities gains (losses), net 

Noninterest expense: 

Salaries, incentives and benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense 

2008

2007

2006

$1,645
1,864

1,311
127

1,318
99

(2)
186
414
5
-
52
-

(6)
154
341
3
-
66
-

(5)
146
292
3
-
40
-

299
17
1
(2)
4
750
599
(1,232)
(535)
($697)

264
15
-
4
3
-
514
942
244
698

245
14
-
-
2
-
467
967
274
693

Income (loss) before taxes 
Applicable income tax expense (benefit)  
Net income (loss) 
Average Balance Sheet Data 
32,714
Commercial loans 
6,300
Demand deposits 
3,875
Interest checking 
5,053
Savings and money market 
1,774
Certificates $100,000 and over & other time 
515
Foreign office deposits 
(a) Includes taxable equivalent adjustments of $15 million for 2008, $14 million for 2007 and 

$43,213
6,208
4,536
4,047
2,293
1,932

35,666
5,930
4,107
4,461
1,855
1,486

$13 million for 2006. 

Comparison of 2008 with 2007 
Commercial Banking incurred a net loss of $697 million compared 
to  net  income  of  $698  million  in  2007  as  solid  growth  in  net 
interest  income  and  corporate  banking  revenue  was  more  than 
offset  by  increased  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  and 
impairment  to  goodwill.  The  impairment  charge  of  $750  million 
was taken in the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the decline in the 
estimated fair value of the Commercial Banking segment below its 
carrying value and the determination that the implied fair value of 
the goodwill was less than its carrying value.  Net interest income 
increased $334 million, or 25%, compared to the same period last 
year.  The accretion of purchase accounting adjustments, totaling 
$204 million, primarily related to the second quarter acquisition of 
First  Charter  drove  the  increase  in  net  interest  income  with  the 
remainder attributed to the growth in loans, partially funded by an 
increase  in  deposits.    Average  commercial  loans  and  leases 
increased  21%,  to  $43.1  billion,  over  2007  due  to  increased  loan 
footprint  during  2008, 
production  within 
acquisitions  since  2007,  and  the  purchase  of  assets  from  an 
unconsolidated Qualified Special Purpose Entity (QSPE) under a 
liquidity asset purchase agreement with the Bancorp. See Note 10 
of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  further 
information on the unconsolidated QSPE.  Excluding the impact 
of $1.0 billion from acquisitions and $243 million from the use of 

the  Bancorp’s 

 
  
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

contingent  liquidity  facilities,  average  commercial  loans  increased 
approximately  17%  compared  to  2007.    Average  core  deposits 
increased  four  percent  due  to  growth  in  interest  checking  and 
foreign office deposits.   

Net  charge-offs  as  a  percent  of  average  loans  and  leases 
increased  to  436  bp  from  36  bp  in  2007.    Net  charge-offs 
increased in comparison to 2007 due to weakening economies and 
the  continuing  deterioration  of  credit  within  the  Bancorp’s 
footprint,  particularly 
involving 
commercial  loans  and  commercial  mortgage  loans.    Additionally, 
in the fourth quarter of 2008, the Bancorp sold or transferred to 
held-for-sale  $1.3  billion  in  commercial  loans  and  commercial 
mortgage loans, resulting in $800 million in charge-offs on those 
loans, or 185 bp.   

in  Michigan  and  Florida, 

Noninterest income increased $97 million compared to 2007 
due  to  corporate  banking  revenue  growth  of  $73  million  and 
increased  service  charges  on  deposits  of  $32  million,  both  up 
21%.  Corporate banking revenue increased as a result of growth 
in  foreign  exchange  derivative  income,  which  increased  $38 
million, to $90 million, during 2008 and in business lending fees, 
which  increased  $16  million,  or  26%,  compared  to  2007.    The 
increase  in  service  charges  on  deposits  was  a  result  of  higher 
volume-related  business  service  charges  (net  of  discounts)  and  a 
reduction  in  the  amount  of  offsetting  earnings  credits  as  short-
term rates were lower in 2008 than 2007.   

Noninterest  expense  increased  $868  million  compared  to 
2007  primarily  due  to  goodwill  impairment  of  $750  million  in 
2008.  The impairment charge was taken in the fourth quarter of 
2008  due  to  the  decline  in  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the 
Commercial  Banking  segment  below  its  carrying  value  and  the 
determination that the implied fair value of the goodwill was less 
than  its  carrying  value.  Also  contributing  to  the  growth  in 
noninterest expense was sales incentives, which increased 22% to 
$106 million compared to 2007 as a result of increased revenues, 
especially foreign exchange derivative income.  Additionally, other 
noninterest expense increased due to growth in loan expenses of 
$33 million, to $65 million, during 2008 from increased collection 
activities.   

Comparison of 2007 with 2006  
Net income increased $5 million compared to 2006 as a result of 
continued success in the sale of corporate banking services, offset 
by  a  higher  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  and  growth  in 
noninterest expense.   

Net  interest  income  was  modestly  lower  in  comparison  to 
2006 due to a 32 bp decline in the spread between loan yields and 
the related FTP charge.  Average loans and leases increased nine 
percent  over  2006,  to  $35.7  billion,  with  growth  concentrated  in 
C&I  loans  and  commercial  mortgage  loans.    The  increase  in 
commercial  mortgage  loans  can  be  attributed  to  loans  acquired 
from  R-G  Crown  Bank  (Crown)  in  November  2007  and  to  the 
to  permanent  financing 
conversion  of  construction 
throughout  2007.    Average  core  deposits  increased  modestly  to 
$15.9  billion  in  2007  compared  to  2006.    Net  charge-offs  as  a 
percent of average loans increased from 31 bp in 2006 to 36 bp in 
2007  as  the  segment  experienced  an  increase  in  charge-offs  of 
commercial  mortgage  loans  in  parts  of  its  footprint,  specifically 
eastern Michigan and northeastern Ohio. 

loans 

Noninterest income increased $82 million, or 17%, compared 
to 2006 largely due to an increase in corporate banking revenue of 
$49  million,  or  17%.  Increases  in  corporate  banking  revenue 
occurred  in  all  subcaptions  as  a  result  of  a  build-out  of  its 
commercial  product  offerings  by  the  Commercial  Banking 
segment.   

Noninterest expense increased $72 million, or 10%, in 2007 
compared to 2006 primarily due to higher sales related incentives 
expense  and  a  volume-related  increase  in  affordable  housing 
investments expense. 

Branch Banking  
Branch  Banking  provides  a  full  range  of  deposit  and  loan  and 
lease  products  to  individuals  and  small  businesses  through  1,307 
full-service  banking  centers.    Branch  Banking  offers  depository 
and loan products, such as checking and savings accounts, home 
equity  loans  and  lines  of  credit,  credit  cards  and  loans  for 
automobile  and  other  personal  financing  needs,  as  well  as 
products designed to meet the specific needs of small businesses, 
including  cash  management  services.    Table  15  contains  selected 
financial data for the Branch Banking segment. 

TABLE 15: BRANCH BANKING 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 

Net interest income   
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 

Electronic payment processing 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income  
Securities gains (losses), net 

Noninterest expense: 

Salaries, incentives and benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense 

Income before taxes 
Applicable income tax expense  
Net income 
Average Balance Sheet Data 
Consumer loans 
Commercial loans 
Demand deposits 
Interest checking 
Certificates $100,000 and over & other time 
Savings and money market 

2008 

2007

2006

$1,662 
352 

1,464
162

1,300
108

189 
447 
12 
84 
13 
67 
- 

517 
159 
6 
16 
44 
- 
503 
877 
309 
$568 

174
421
13
90
7
73
-

479
136
6
14
37
-
450
958
338
620

159
365
15
87
5
80
-

455
121
15
13
32
-
398
869
306
563

$12,665 
5,596 
6,006 
7,845 
13,749 
16,184 

11,838
5,169
5,756
8,692
13,729
14,623

11,461
5,289
5,839
10,578
13,031
11,886

Comparison of 2008 with 2007 
Net income decreased $52 million, or eight percent, compared to 
2007  as  increases  in  net  interest  income  and  service  fees  were 
more  than  offset  by  a  higher  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses 
and  increased  salaries  &  incentives  and  net  occupancy  expense.  
Net interest income increased 14% compared to 2007 due to the 
increase in volume of higher yielding credit cards coupled with the 
FTP impact for increases in deposit balances. Also impacting net 
interest 
income  was  the  accretion  of  purchase  accounting 
adjustments,  totaling  $43  million,  primarily  related  to  the  second 
quarter  acquisition  of  First  Charter.    Average  loans  and  leases 
increased  seven  percent  compared  to  2007  as  home  equity  loans 
grew  five  percent  due  to  acquisitions  since  2007.    The  segment 
grew credit card balances by $396 million, or 36%, resulting from 
an  increased  focus  on  relationships  with  its  current  customers 
through  the  cross-selling  of  credit  cards.    Average  core  deposits 
were  up  three  percent  compared  to  2007  primarily  due  to 
acquisitions since 2007.   

Net  charge-offs  as  a  percent  of  average  loan  and  leases 
increased in 2008 to 194 bp from 95 bp in 2007.  Net charge-offs 
increased  in  comparison  to  2007  as  the  segment  experienced 
higher  charge-offs  involving  brokered  home  equity  lines  and 
loans,  commercial  loans  and  credit  cards.    The  increase  of  $63 
million  in  charge-offs  on  home  equity  reflected  borrower  stress 
and  a  decrease  in  home  prices  primarily  within  the  Bancorp’s 
footprint.  Commercial  loan  charge-offs  increased  $41  million 
compared  to  2007  due  to  the  weakening  economy  and  the 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

continuing  deterioration  of  commercial  credit,  particularly  in 
Michigan  and  Florida.  Charge-offs 
involving  credit  cards 
increased  $44  million  compared  to  2007  due  to  higher  card 
balances and the resulting increase in losses upon the maturation 
of the portfolio.   

Noninterest  income  increased  $34  million,  or  four  percent, 
compared to 2007 primarily due to an increase in service charges 
on deposits of $26 million, or six percent.  The increase in deposit 
fees,  including  consumer  overdraft  fees,  is  attributed  to  higher 
customer activity in comparison to 2007.   

Noninterest  expense 

increased  $123  million,  or  11%, 
compared  to  2007  as  salaries  and  incentives  increased  eight 
percent due to higher incentives paid from increased revenues in 
2008.  Additionally, net occupancy and equipment costs increased 
17%  as  a  result  of  additional  banking  centers.    Since  2007,  the 
Bancorp’s  banking  centers  have  increased  by  80  to  1,307  as  of 
December 31, 2008, mainly due to acquisitions, which contributed 
69  banking  centers.    Other  noninterest  expense  increased  12%, 
which  can  be  attributed  to  higher  loan  cost  associated  with 
collections.   

Comparison of 2007 with 2006 
Net income increased $57 million, or 10%, compared to 2006 as 
the  segment  benefited  from  increased  interest  rates  through  the 
majority of 2007 and increased service charges on deposits.  Net 
interest  income  increased  $164  million  as  increases  in  total 
deposits were partially offset by a deposit mix shift toward higher 
paying  deposit  account  types.    Average  core  deposits  increased 
three percent, to $39.9 billion, compared to 2006.  Average loans 
and leases increased two percent to $17.0 billion, led by growth in 
credit card balances of 56%.   

The provision for loan and lease losses increased $54 million 
over  2006  due  to  the  deteriorating  credit  environment  involving 
home  equity  loans,  particularly  in  Michigan  and  Florida.  Net 
charge-offs  as  a  percent  of  average  loans  and  leases  increased 
significantly  from  64  bp  to  95  bp,  with  much  of  the  increase 
occurring in the fourth quarter of 2007.  The Bancorp experienced 
growth  in  charge-offs  on  home  equity  lines  and  loans  with  high 
loan-to-value  (LTV)  ratios,  reflecting  borrower  stress  and  lower 
home prices.  

Noninterest  income  increased  nine  percent  from  2006  as 
service charges on deposits grew 15% compared to the prior year 
due  to  growth  in  consumer  deposit  fees  driven  by  new  account 
openings and higher levels of customer activity.   

Noninterest  expense  increased  eight  percent  compared  to 
2006.  Net  occupancy  and  equipment  expenses  increased  13% 
compared  to  2006  as  a  result  of  the  continued  opening  of  new 
banking centers.   

32    Fifth Third Bancorp     

Consumer Lending 
Consumer  Lending  includes  the  Bancorp’s  mortgage,  home 
equity, automobile and other indirect lending activities.  Mortgage 
and  home  equity  lending  activities  include  the  origination, 
retention  and  servicing  of  mortgage  and  home  equity  loans  or 
lines of credit, sales and securitizations of those loans or pools of 
loans or lines of credit and all associated hedging activities.  Other 
indirect  lending  activities  include  loans  to  consumers  through 
mortgage  brokers,  automobile  dealers  and  federal  and  private 
student education loans.  Table 16 contains selected financial data 
for the Consumer Lending segment. 

TABLE 16: CONSUMER LENDING 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 

Electronic payment processing 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income  
Securities gains (losses), net 

Noninterest expense: 

Salaries, incentives and benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense 

Income (loss) before taxes 
Applicable income tax expense (benefit)  
Net income (loss) 
Average Balance Sheet Data 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Consumer leases  

2008

2007

2006

$497
425

-
-
-
-
184
38
124

134
8
-
2
1
215
224
(166)
(58)
($108)

404
149

-
-
-
-
122
69
6

74
8
-
2
1
-
167
200
70
130

409
94

-
-
-
-
148
76
3

87
7
-
2
1
-
167
278
98
180

$10,699
1,143
7,989
797

10,156
1,328
9,712
917

9,523
1,311
8,560
1,328

Comparison of 2008 with 2007 
Consumer Lending incurred a net loss of $108 million compared 
to  net  income  of  $130  million  in  2007  as  the  increases  in  net 
interest income and mortgage banking net revenue and securities 
gains were more than offset by growth in provision for loan and 
lease losses and goodwill impairment.  The impairment charge of 
$215  million  was  taken  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2008  due  to  the 
decline  in  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the  Consumer  Lending 
segment  below  its  carrying  value  and  the  determination  that  the 
implied fair value of the goodwill was less than its carrying value.  
The  growth  in  net  interest  income  compared  to  2007  was 
primarily  driven  by  a  rebound  in  mortgage  rate  spreads,  partially 
offset  by  the  decrease  in  interest-earning  assets.    Net  interest 
income  was  also 
impacted  by  the  accretion  of  purchase 
accounting  adjustments,  totaling  $60  million,  primarily  related  to 
the second quarter acquisition of First Charter. Average residential 
mortgage  loans  increased  six  percent  compared  to  2007  due  to 
acquisitions,  including  Crown  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2007  and 
First Charter in the second quarter of 2008.  Average automobile 
loans  decreased  18%  compared  to  2007  due  to  securitizations 
totaling  $2.7  billion  in  2008.    Net  charge-offs  as  a  percent  of 
average loan and leases increased from 73 bp in 2007 to 221 bp in 
2008.  Net  charge-offs,  primarily  in  residential  mortgage  loans, 
increased in comparison to 2007 due to the  weakening economy 
and  continuing  deterioration  of  real  estate  values  within  the 
Bancorp’s  footprint,  particularly  in  Michigan  and  Florida.  The 
segment  continues  to  focus  on  managing  credit  risk  through  the 
restructuring  of  certain  residential  mortgage  and  home  equity 

 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

loans  in  addition  to  careful  consideration  of  underwriting  and 
collection standards.  As of December 31, 2008, the Bancorp had 
restructured  approximately  $462  million  and  $248  million  of 
residential mortgage loans and home equity loans, respectively, to 
mitigate losses due to declining collateral values.   

Mortgage  originations  decreased  to  $11.2  billion  in  2008 
from $11.4 billion in 2007 due to lower application volumes in the 
second  half  of  2008  resulting  from  market  disruptions.    The 
increase in sales margins on loans held for sale and sales volume 
of  portfolio  loans  were  the  primary  reasons  for  increased 
mortgage  banking  net  revenue  compared 
to  2007.  Also 
contributing  to  the  increase  in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  in 
2008 was the $65 million impact from the adoption of SFAS No. 
159, as of January 1, 2008, on residential mortgage loans held for 
sale.    Prior  to  adoption,  mortgage  loan  origination  costs  were 
capitalized  as  part  of  the  carrying  amount  of  the  loan  and 
recognized as a reduction of mortgage banking net revenue upon 
the sale of the loans.  Subsequent to the adoption, mortgage loan 
origination costs are recognized in earnings when incurred, which 
primarily  drove  the 
in 
comparison  to  2007.    The  increase  in  other  noninterest  expense 
compared  to  2007  can  be  attributed  to  higher  loan  processing 
costs from increased collection activities.   

in  salaries  and 

incentives 

increase 

Comparison of 2007 with 2006 
Net  income  decreased  $50  million,  or  28%,  compared  to  2006 
despite increased originations, due to an increase in provision for 
loan  and  lease  losses  and  decreased  gain  on  sale  margins.   
Average  residential  mortgage  loans  increased  seven  percent 
compared  to  2006  due  to  increased  mortgage  originations  and 
loans acquired from Crown.  Net charge-offs increased to 73 bp 
in 2007, an increase from 47 bp in 2006, due to greater severity of 
loss  on  residential  mortgages  and  automobile  loans  related  to 
declining  real  estate  prices  and  a  market  surplus  of  used 
automobiles, respectively.   

Noninterest income decreased 14% compared to 2006 due to 
a  decline  in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue.  The  Bancorp’s 
mortgage originations were $11.4 billion and $9.4 billion in 2007 
and 2006, respectively.  Despite the increase in originations, gain 
on  sale  margins  decreased  due  to  widening  credit  spreads  in  the 
residential  mortgage  market,  resulting  in  a  decrease  in  mortgage 
banking net revenue of $26 million, or 18%.  

Processing Solutions 
Fifth  Third  Processing  Solutions  provides  electronic  funds 
transfer,  debit,  credit  and  merchant  transaction  processing, 
operates  the  Jeanie®  ATM  network  and  provides  other  data 
processing services to affiliated and unaffiliated customers.  Table 
17  contains  selected  financial  data  for  the  Processing  Solutions 
segment. 

TABLE 17: PROCESSING SOLUTIONS 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 

2008 
$7 
16 

2007
(6)
11

2006
(3)
9

Electronic payment processing 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income  
Securities gains (losses), net 

Noninterest expense: 

Salaries, incentives and benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense 

Income before taxes 
Applicable income tax expense  
Net income 

796 
1 
- 
- 
- 
46 
- 

80 
4 
265 
42 
2 
- 
161 
280 
98 
$182 

700
(1)
3
-
-
41
-

75
4
237
31
4
-
123
252
89
163

601
(1)
1
-
-
35
(1)

70
3
169
32
4
-
130
215
76
139

Comparison of 2008 with 2007 
Net income increased $19 million, or 12%, compared to 2007 as 
the  segment  continues  to  increase  its  presence  in  the  electronic 
payment  processing  business.    The  segment  continues  to  realize 
year-over-year growth in transaction volumes and revenue growth, 
despite  the  negative  effect  of  the  slowdown  in  consumer 
spending,  due  to  the  addition  and  conversion  of  large  national 
clients  over  the  past  year  and  current  initiatives  involving 
merchant  pricing  and  sales.    Financial  institutions  processing 
revenues  increased  $50  million,  or  16%,  driven  by  higher 
transaction volumes.  Merchant processing revenue increased $29 
million,  or  nine  percent,  over  2007  as  growth  in  the  number  of 
merchants  and  overall  transaction  volume  was  partially  offset  by 
lower  average  dollar  amounts  per  transaction.    Growth  in  card 
issuer  interchange  of  $17  million,  or  25%,  can  be  attributed  to 
organic growth in the Bancorp’s credit card portfolio.    

Payment  processing  expense  increased  $28  million,  or  12%, 
from  2007  due  to  higher  network  charges  of  $189  million,  an 
increase  of  $23  million,  or  14%  from  2007.    The  increase  in 
network  charges  is  a  result  of  increased  transaction  volumes  as 
financial 
transactions 
processed  both  increased  in  comparison  to  2007.    Noninterest 
expense  also  increased  due  to  higher  volume-related  technology 
and communications expense.     

transactions  and  merchant 

institution 

Comparison of 2007 with 2006   
Net income increased $24 million, or 17%, versus the prior year as 
electronic  payment  processing  revenues  continued  to  produce 
double-digit increases. Merchant processing increased $55 million 
due  to  the  addition  and  conversion  of  large  national  clients 
throughout  2007.    Card  issuer  interchange  revenues  increased 
primarily due to new customer additions and the resulting higher 
card sales volumes from the success in the Bancorp’s initiative to 
increase credit card penetration of its customer base.    

The strong increase in noninterest income was mitigated by a 
19%  increase  in  noninterest  expense  due  to  network  charges 
resulting  from  increased  transaction  volume  in  addition  to 
expenses related to the conversion of large merchant contracts.   

  Fifth Third Bancorp    33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Comparison of 2007 with 2006 
Net  income  increased  $9  million,  or  10%,  compared  to  2006  on 
increases  in  investment  advisory  revenue  of  five  percent.    Net 
interest  income  increased  11%  to  $153  million  on  a  five  percent 
increase in average loans and leases and a seven percent increase 
in core deposits. Overall, noninterest income increased six percent 
from  2006.    Fifth  Third  Private  Bank,  the  Bancorp’s  wealth 
management  group, 
increased  revenues  by  six  percent  on 
execution of cross-sell initiatives. Brokerage income also increased 
seven  percent  compared  to  2006  as  the  overall  equity  markets 
performed well for much of 2007 and the segment increased the 
number of registered representatives.  The segment realized only 
modest  gains 
income.  Noninterest 
expenses  remained  contained,  increasing  four  percent  compared 
to 2006.  

institutional  services 

in 

General Corporate and Other 
General Corporate and Other includes the unallocated portion of 
the investment securities portfolio, securities gains/losses, certain 
non-core deposit funding, unassigned equity, provision expense in 
excess  of  net  charge-offs,  the  payment  of  preferred  stock 
dividends  and  certain  support  activities  and  other  items  not 
attributed to the business segments. 

Comparison of 2008 with 2007 
The  results  of  General  Corporate  and  Other  were  primarily 
impacted  by  the  significant  increase  in  the  provision  expense  in 
excess  of  net  charge-offs,  which  increased  from  $167  million  in 
2007  to  $1.9  billion  in  2008.    The  results  in  2008  also  included 
$273 million in income related to the redemption of a portion of 
Fifth  Third’s  ownership  interests  in  Visa,  $99  million  in  net 
reductions  to  noninterest  expense  to  reflect  the  reversal  of  a 
litigation  reserve  related  to  the  Bancorp’s 
portion  of  the 
indemnification of Visa,  $229 million after-tax impact of charges 
relating to certain leveraged leases, charges related to a reduction 
in the current cash surrender value of one of the Bancorp’s BOLI 
policies totaling $215 million, OTTI charges totaling $104 million 
from FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock and certain bank trust 
preferred  securities,  and  a  net  benefit  of  $40  million  from  the 
resolution of the CitFed litigation.  The results in 2007 included a 
charge  of  $177  million  related  to  a  reduction  in  the  current  cash 
surrender  value  of  one  of  the  Bancorp’s  BOLI  policies  and 
charges  totaling  $172  million  related  to  the  Visa  settlement  with 
American Express.     

Comparison of 2007 with 2006 
Results  were  primarily  impacted  by  a  charge  of  $177  million  to 
reduce  the  cash  surrender  value  of  one  of  the  Bancorp’s  BOLI 
policies,  charges  totaling  $172  million  related  to  the  Visa 
settlement  with  American  Express,  and  the  increase  in  provision 
expense in excess of net charge-offs compared  to the prior year.  
Provision  expense  over  charge-offs  increased  by  approximately 
$139 million compared to 2006 as the allowance for loan and lease 
losses as a percentage of loan and leases increased from 1.04% as 
of December 31, 2006 to 1.17% as of December 31, 2007.  The 
increase  is  attributable  to  a  number  of  factors  including  an 
increase  in  delinquencies,  the  severity  of  loss  due  to  real  estate 
price deterioration and automobile loans and credit card balances. 

for 

services 

Investment Advisors 
investment 
Investment  Advisors  provides  a  full  range  of 
individuals,  companies  and  not-for-profit 
alternatives 
organizations.  The  Bancorp’s  primary 
include 
investments, private banking, trust, asset management, retirement 
plans and custody.  Fifth Third Securities, Inc., (FTS) an indirect 
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bancorp, offers full service retail 
brokerage services to individual clients and broker dealer services 
to  the  institutional  marketplace.    Fifth  Third  Asset  Management, 
indirect  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the  Bancorp, 
Inc.,  an 
provides  asset  management  services  and  also  advises  the 
Bancorp’s proprietary family of mutual funds.  Table 18 contains 
selected financial data for the Investment Advisors segment.  

TABLE 18: INVESTMENT ADVISORS 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 

Electronic payment processing 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income  
Securities gains (losses), net 

Noninterest expense: 

Salaries, incentives and benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense 

Income before taxes 
Applicable income tax expense 
Net income 
Average Balance Sheet Data 
Loans 
Core deposits 

2008 

2007

2006

$183 
49 

2 
9 
18 
354 
1 
2 
- 

159 
10 
- 
2 
1 
- 
204 
144 
51 
$93 

153
12

1
7
10
386
2
1
-

167
10
-
2
1
-
215
153
54
99

138
4

1
7
7
367
2
2
-

172
10
-
2
1
-
196
139
49
90

$3,527 
       4,666 

3,206
4,959

3,067
4,651

Comparison of 2008 with 2007 
Net  income  decreased  $6  million,  or  six  percent,  compared  to 
2007  as  higher  net  interest  income  and  decreased  operating 
expenses were more than offset by a higher provision for loan and 
lease losses and lower investment advisory income.  The segment 
grew  loans  by  10%  and  benefited  from  an  overall  decrease  in 
interest rates to increase net interest income $30 million, or 20%, 
as  spreads  widened  due  to  decreases  in  funding  costs.    Average 
core  deposits  declined  six  percent  compared  to  2007.    The 
decrease  in  core  deposits  was  primarily  due  to  a  16%  decline  in 
interest checking balances.     

Noninterest  income  decreased  $22  million,  or  five  percent, 
compared to 2007, as investment advisory income decreased eight 
percent, to $354 million.  Included in the decrease of investment 
advisory income was a decline in broker income of $11 million, or 
nine  percent,  driven  by  clients  moving  to  lower  fee,  cash  based 
products  from  equity  products  due  to  extreme  market  volatility 
and  a  decline  in  transaction  based  revenues.    Additionally, 
institutional  trust  revenue  within  investment  advisory  income 
decreased $7 million, or eight percent, due to overall lower asset 
values.    Noninterest  expense  decreased  $19  million,  or  five 
percent, compared to 2007 as the segment continued to focus on 
expense  control  by  reducing  personnel  and  canceling  certain 
projects.   

34    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

FOURTH QUARTER REVIEW 
The  Bancorp’s  2008  fourth  quarter  net  loss  was  $2.2  billion,  or 
$3.82 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $81 million, or 
$0.14  per  diluted  share,  for  the  third  quarter  of  2008  and  net 
income  of  $16  million,  or  $0.03  per  diluted  share,  for  the  fourth 
quarter  of  2007.    Fourth  quarter  2008  earnings  were  negatively 
impacted by a number of charges including: a $965 million charge 
to record impairment on goodwill, $40 million in OTTI charges on 
securities, a $34 million charge to lower the current cash surrender 
value of one of the Bancorp’s BOLI policies and provision expense 
of  $2.4  billion.    Provision  expense  included  the  effect  of  actions 
taken  to  address  areas  of  the  loan  portfolio  exhibiting  the  most 
significant credit deterioration as the Bancorp sold or transferred to 
held-for-sale  loans  with  a  carrying  value  of  approximately  $1.3 
billion.    Approximately  90%  of  these  loans  were  commercial  real 
estate secured loans in Florida  and Michigan. Overall, net charge-
offs on loans sold or transferred to held-for-sale during the fourth 
quarter  totaled  $800  million.    Additionally,  provision  expense  was 
impacted by a significant increase in the reserve for loan and lease 
losses  to  $2.8  billion,  resulting  in  an  allowance  to  loan  and  lease 
ratio of 3.31% as of December 31, 2008, compared to 2.41% as of 
September 30, 2008 and 1.17% as of December 31, 2007.  Fourth 
quarter 2007 earnings were negatively impacted by a charge of $177 
million  to  lower  the  current  cash  surrender  value  of  one  of  the 
Bancorp’s  BOLI  policies  and  a  charge  of  $94  million  related  to 
Visa members’ indemnification of future litigation settlements. 

Fourth  quarter  2008  net  interest  income  (FTE)  of  $897 
million decreased $171 million from the third quarter of 2008 and 
increased $112 million from the same period a year ago.  Third and 
fourth  quarter  net  interest  income  was  affected  by  the  loan 
discount accretion related to the second quarter of 2008 acquisition 
of  First  Charter.    Excluding  the  benefit  of  the  loan  discount 
accretion of $81 million in the fourth quarter and $215 million in 
the third quarter, net interest income declined $37 million, or four 
percent, from the third quarter of 2008 and increased $31 million, 
or four percent, from the fourth quarter of 2007.  The sequential 
decline  was  driven  by  a  number  of  factors  which  included  the 
effect of higher nonperforming loan balances, a change in the mix 
of deposits to higher priced savings and time deposits as a result of 
the  highly  competitive  pricing  environment  and  the  effect  of  a 
greater  concentration  in  lower  yielding  commercial  loans.    The 
year-over-year increase in net interest income was due to the nine 
percent growth in interest-earning assets, partially offset by margin 
compression due to the factors above.  

Noninterest income of $642 million decreased by $75 million 
compared to the third quarter of 2008 and increased $133 million 
compared  to  the  fourth  quarter  of  2007.    Fourth  quarter  2008 
results included a $34 million charge to reduce the cash surrender 
value of one of the Bancorp’s BOLI policies, compared to a charge 
of  $27  million  in  the  third  quarter  of  2008  and  a  $177  million 
charge  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2007.    Third  quarter  results  were 
also  impacted  by  a  $76  million  gain  related  to  a  satisfactory 
resolution of the CitFed litigation. Excluding the above items and 
non-mortgage  related  securities  gains/losses,  noninterest  income 
decreased $15 million, or two percent, compared to the sequential 
quarter and increased $38 million, or six percent, compared to the 
same  quarter  a  year  ago.    The  sequential  decrease  is  a  result  of 
lower  consumer  activity  levels,  including  average  credit  and  debit 
card transaction and consumer deposit activity, while the year-over-
year increase is a result of the growth in customers, particularly in 
commercial and Fifth Third Processing Solutions. 

Electronic payment processing (EPP) revenue of $230 million 
declined  two  percent  compared  to  the  third  quarter  of  2008  and 
increased three percent from the fourth quarter of 2007.  Merchant 
processing revenue was flat sequentially and compared to the same 
quarter  last  year,  as  the  benefit  of  continued  account  acquisition 
was  offset  by  a  decline  in  average  dollar  amount  per  credit  card 

transaction due to lower consumer spending. Financial institutions 
revenue  decreased  three  percent  compared  with  the  previous 
quarter,  relating  to  lower  transaction  volumes  in  a  weaker 
economic  environment,  and  grew  four  percent  from  the  fourth 
quarter  of  2007  on  higher  transaction  volumes.    Card  issuer 
interchange  revenue  declined  two  percent  sequentially,  driven 
primarily  by  a  decline  in  the  average  dollar  amount  per  debit  and 
credit card transaction.  Card issuer interchange revenue increased 
seven percent from the previous year, driven by higher credit card 
transactions  as  a  result  of  the  Bancorp’s  credit  card  growth 
initiative, partially offset by a lower dollar amount per transaction.  
Service  charges  on  deposits  of  $162  million  decreased  six 
percent sequentially and increased two percent compared with the 
same quarter last year.  Retail service charges decreased 12% from 
the  third  quarter  of  2008  and  seven  percent  from  the  fourth 
quarter  of  2007  due  to  lower  checking  account  transaction 
volumes.  Commercial  service  charges  increased  three  percent 
sequentially  and  14%  compared  with  last  year.  This  growth 
primarily  reflected  an  increase  in  customer  accounts  and  lower 
market  interest  rates,  as  reduced  earnings  credit  rates  paid  on 
customer balances have resulted in higher realized net services fees 
to pay for treasury management services. 

Corporate banking revenue of $121 million increased by $17 
million, or 16% from the previous quarter and $15 million, or 14% 
on  a  year-over-year  basis  and  was  driven  by  growth  in  most 
subcaptions as the Bancorp realized gains from the build out of its 
commercial product offerings in 2007.  

Investment  advisory  revenue  of  $78  million  was  down  13% 
sequentially  and  17%  from  the  fourth  quarter  of  2007  reflecting 
lower  asset  values  on  market  declines  and  a  shift  in  assets  from 
equity  products  to  lower  yielding  money  market  funds  due  to 
extreme market volatility.   

Mortgage banking net revenue was a net loss of $29 million in 
the  fourth  quarter  of  2008,  a  net  gain  of  $45  million  in  the  third 
quarter of 2008 and a net gain of $26 million in the fourth quarter 
of  2007.    Including  securities  gains  on  non-qualifying  hedges  on 
MSRs,  income  from  mortgage  banking  activity  was  flat  compared 
to the third quarter of 2008 and increased $35 million compared to 
the fourth quarter of 2007.  Fourth quarter originations were $2.1 
billion, compared to $2.0 billion from the previous quarter and $2.7 
billion from the same quarter last year.  The adoption of SFAS No. 
159 for mortgage banking in the first quarter of 2008 contributed 
$12  million  of  the  year-over-year  increase  in  mortgage  banking 
revenue,  with  corresponding  origination  costs  recorded 
in 
noninterest expense. 

Net  losses  on  investment  securities  were  $40  million  in  the 
fourth quarter of 2008 compared with a net loss of $63 million last 
quarter. The fourth quarter losses were driven by an OTTI charge 
of  $37  million  on  trust  preferred  securities.    As  of  December  31, 
2008, the Bancorp held $154 million in trust preferred securities. 

Noninterest expense of $2.0 billion increased $1.1 billion both 
sequentially  and  from  a  year  ago.  The  significant  increase  in 
expenses was primarily driven by the $965 million charge to record 
goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of 2008. Excluding this 
charge,  noninterest  expense  of  $1.1  billion  increased  $90  million 
sequentially  and  $117  million  from  a  year  ago.  Fourth  quarter 
results  included  higher  expenses  related  to  the  difficult  operating 
environment 
for  unfunded 
commitments,  higher  reinsurance  reserve  accruals  to  cover  losses 
on proprietary private residential mortgage insurance and increased 
derivative counterparty marks. The combination of these expenses 
accounted for expense increases of $91 million sequentially and $96 
million compared to the previous year. Additionally, fourth quarter 
2008  results  included  an  estimated  net  $8  million  charge  due  to 
changes in loss estimates related to our indemnification obligation 
with Visa, while third quarter results included a $45 million charge 

included  higher  provision 

that 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    35 

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

increased  $285  million  over  2006  to  $628  million,  a  result  of  the 
deteriorating credit environment.  

Net interest income (FTE) increased five percent compared to 
2006.  Net interest margin increased to 3.36% in 2007 from 3.06% 
in 2006 largely due to the balance sheet actions taken in the fourth 
quarter of 2006 to improve the asset/liability  mix of  the Bancorp 
and  reduce  the  size  of  the  Bancorp’s  available-for-sale  securities 
portfolio  to  a  size  that  was  more  consistent  with  its  liquidity, 
collateral and interest rate risk management requirements.  

income 

Noninterest 

increased  23%  compared  to  2006.  
Noninterest  income  in  2007  reflects  the  impact  of  the  previously 
mentioned  $177  million  BOLI  charge,  while  the  2006  results 
included $415 million in losses related to the fourth quarter balance 
sheet actions.  Excluding these items, noninterest income increased 
nine percent compared to 2006 with growth in electronic payment 
processing,  service  charges  on  deposits  and  corporate  banking 
revenue partially offset by lower mortgage banking net revenue.  

Noninterest  expense  increased  14%  compared  to  2006.  
Noninterest  expense  in  2007  included  $172  million  in  charges 
related  to  the  Bancorp’s  indemnification  of  estimated  current  and 
future  Visa  litigation  settlements  and  $8  million  of  acquisition-
related  costs,  while  2006  results  included  $49  million  in  charges 
related to the termination of debt and other financing agreements.  
Excluding these items, noninterest expense increased nine percent 
resulting  from  volume-based  transaction  growth  in  payment 
processing,  higher 
reflecting 
infrastructure  upgrades  and  higher  occupancy  expense  from 
continued  de  novo  banking  center  growth.    During  2007,  the 
Bancorp opened 77 additional banking centers through acquisitions 
and de novo expansion.  

technology 

expenses 

related 

In  2007,  net  charge-offs  as  a  percent  of  average  loans  and 
leases  were  61  bp  compared  to  44  bp  in  2006.  A  majority  of  the 
increase  in  net  charge-offs  were  due  to  the  weakened  real  estate 
markets  in  the  Upper  Midwest  and  Florida,  which  suppressed 
collateral values.  At December 31, 2007, nonperforming assets as a 
percent  of  loans  and  leases  increased  to  1.32%  from  .61%  at 
December 31, 2006.  The Bancorp increased its allowance for loan 
and  lease  losses  as  percent  of  loans  and  leases  from  1.04%  as 
December 31, 2006 to 1.17% as of December 31, 2007.  

During 2007, the Bancorp completed its acquisition of Crown, 
a  subsidiary  of  R&G  Financial  Corporation,  with  $2.8  billion  in 
assets and $1.7 billion in deposits located in Florida and Augusta, 
  Additionally,  on  August  16,  2007,  the  Bancorp 
Georgia. 
announced  its  introduction  into  the  North  Carolina  markets  of 
Charlotte and Raleigh with an agreement to acquire First Charter, 
which was completed in the second quarter of 2008.  

related  to  Visa  litigation,  $36  million  related  to  legal  expenses 
associated with the satisfactory resolution of a the CitFed litigation, 
and  $7  million  in  seasonally  higher  pension  expense.  Fourth 
quarter  2007  results  included  a  $94  million  charge  due  to  Visa 
litigation and $8 million in acquisition related expenses. On a year-
over-year  comparison  basis,  acquisitions  added  approximately  $26 
million  of  additional  operating  expense,  and  the  impact  of  the 
adoption  of  SFAS  No.  159  on  the  classification  of  mortgage 
origination costs has added approximately $12  million. Remaining 
expense growth on both a sequential and year-over-year basis was 
attributable to higher volume-related payment processing expense, 
increased equipment and occupancy expense, and higher loan and 
lease processing costs as a result of increased collection activities. 

loans,  and 

Net  charge-offs  totaled  $1.6  billion  in  the  fourth  quarter. 
Results  included  net  charge-offs  of  $800  million  on  commercial 
loans that were either sold or transferred to held-for-sale during the 
quarter.  Loss experience continued to be primarily associated with 
commercial  residential  builder  and  developer  loans  and  consumer 
to  be  disproportionately 
residential  real  estate 
concentrated  in  Michigan  and  Florida.    In  aggregate,  Florida  and 
Michigan represented approximately 66% of total losses during the 
quarter  and  less  than  30%  of  total  loans  and  leases.    Losses  on 
commercial  and  consumer  real  estate  loans  in  these  states 
represented approximately 56% of total fourth quarter net charge-
offs.  Net  charge-offs  on  loans  to  homebuilders  and  developers 
represented  $568  million,  or  35%  of  total  net  charge-offs.  
Provision for loan and lease losses totaled $2.8 billion in the fourth 
quarter  of  2008,  exceeding  net  charge-offs  by  $729  million.  The 
increase in the allowance for loan and lease losses was reflective of 
a number of factors including; increased estimated loss factors due 
to  negative 
in  nonperforming  assets  and  overall 
delinquencies;  increased  loss  estimates  due  to  the  real  estate  price 
deterioration  in  some  of  the  Bancorp’s  key  lending  markets;  and 
significant declines in general economic conditions.  

trends 

COMPARISON OF THE YEAR ENDED 2007 WITH 2006 
Net income for the year ended 2007 was $1.1 billion, or $1.99 per 
diluted share, a nine percent decrease compared to $1.2 billion, or 
$2.13  per  diluted  share,  earned  in  2006.    Overall,  increases  in  net 
interest  margin  and  fee  revenue  were  offset  by  a  $177  million 
charge  to  lower  the  current  cash  surrender  value  of  one  of  the 
Bancorp’s BOLI policies and increased provision for loan and lease 
losses.  The BOLI charge reflected a decrease in the cash surrender 
value  due  to  declines  in  the  value  of  the  policy’s  underlying 
investments due to significant disruptions in the financial markets 
and  widening  credit  spreads.    Provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses 

36    Fifth Third Bancorp    

 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS 
Loans and Leases 
Total loans and leases increased $1.0 billion, or one percent, over 
2007.  The growth in total loans and leases was due to acquisitions 
since  2007,  the  use  of  contingent  liquidity  facilities  related  to 
certain off-balance sheet programs and increased loan production 
across 
loan 
securitizations.  

footprint,  partially  offset  by 

the  Bancorp's 

Total  commercial  loans  and  leases  increased  $3.6  billion,  or 
eight percent, compared to December 31, 2007.  The increase was 
primarily driven by growth in commercial loans of $3.1 billion, or 
12%,  compared  to  2007  resulting  from  $1.8  billion  from 
acquisitions  since  2007  and  $849  million  from  the  use  of 
contingent  liquidity  facilities  related  to  certain  off-balance  sheet 
programs  that  were  drawn  upon  in  2008.    Included  within  the 
contingent  liquidity  facilities  were  approximately  $187  million  of 
loans  outstanding  at  December  31,  2008  that  were  repurchased 
from  a  QSPE  under  the  Bancorp’s  liquidity  asset  purchase 
agreement.    Also  included  in  commercial  loans  at  December  31, 
2008  were  $173  million  in  draws  on  outstanding  letters  of  credit 
that  were  supporting  certain  securities  issued  as  VRDNs.    For 
further  information  on  these  arrangements,  see  the  Off-Balance 
Sheet  Arrangements  section  and  Note  10  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.   
increased  eight  percent 
loans 
Commercial  mortgage 
compared  to  2007,  which  primarily  included  the  impact  of 
acquisitions  since  2007  of  $971  million.    The  Bancorp’s  largest 
gains in outstanding loans among industries included the financial 
services  and  insurance,  manufacturing,  healthcare  and  business 
services.    Reductions  among  originations  to  the  real  estate  and 
construction  industries  were  offset  by  the  second  quarter  2008 
acquisition of First Charter.  In aggregate, commercial loans in the 
states of Michigan and Florida as a percentage of total commercial 
loans was 26% as of December 31, 2008 compared to 31% as of 
December 31, 2007.   

Total  consumer  loans  and  leases  decreased  $2.6  billion,  or 
seven  percent,  compared  to  2007,  as  a  result  of  the  decreases  in 
automobile loans and residential mortgage loans partially offset by 
credit  card  and  home  equity  loan  growth.    Automobile  loans 
decreased  by  approximately  $2.6  billion,  or  23%,  due  largely  to 
automobile  loan  securitizations  of  $2.7  billion  during  the  first 
quarter  of  2008.    Despite  growth  of  $535  million  of  loans  from 
acquisitions  since  2007,  residential  mortgage  loans  were  $10.3 
billion  at  December  31,  2008,  down  10%  from  2007,  due  to  the 
sale  of  $1.7  billion  of  portfolio  loans  in  2008  compared  to  $572 
million  in  2007.    Credit  card  loans  increased  to  $1.8  billion,  an 
increase  of  14%  over  2007,  due  to  continued  success  in  cross-
selling  credit  cards  to  its  existing  retail  customer  base.    Home 
equity  loans  increased  $878  million,  primarily  due  to  acquisitions 
since 2007.   

Average  total  commercial  loans  and  leases  increased  $8.0 
billion, or 19%, compared to 2007.  The increase in average total 
commercial  loans  and  leases  was  primarily  driven  by  growth  in 
commercial 
loans,  which 
loans  and  commercial  mortgage 
increased 27% and 15%, respectively, over 2007.  The increase in 
average  commercial  loans  was  driven  by  the  use  of  contingent 
liquidity  facilities  related  to  certain  off-balance  sheet  programs. 
The growth in commercial mortgage loans included the impact of 
acquisitions since 2007 of $693 million.   

Average  total  consumer  loans  and  leases  decreased  $468 
million, or one percent, compared to 2007 as a result of a decrease 
in  automobile  loans  of  17%  largely  due  to  the  aforementioned 
automobile  securitizations  that  occurred  in  the  first  quarter  of 
2008.    The  decline  was  partially  offset  by  growth  in  credit  card 
balances of $432 million, or 34%, and home equity loans of $504 
million,  or  five  percent.    Acquisitions  since  2007  impacted  the 
change  in  residential  mortgage  loans  and  home  equity  loans  by 
$1.5 billion and $409 million, respectively.  

TABLE 19: COMPONENTS OF TOTAL LOANS AND LEASES (INCLUDES HELD FOR SALE) 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Commercial: 

2007

2008

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage 
Commercial construction 
Commercial leases 
       Subtotal - commercial 
Consumer: 

Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 

       Subtotal - consumer 
Total loans and leases 

$29,220
12,952
5,114
3,666
50,952

10,292
12,752
8,594
1,811
1,194
34,643
$85,595

26,079
11,967
5,561
3,737
47,344

11,433
11,874
11,183
1,591
1,157
37,238
84,582

2006 

20,831 
10,405 
6,168 
3,841 
41,245 

9,905 
12,154 
10,028 
1,004 
1,167 
34,258 
75,503 

TABLE 20: COMPONENTS OF AVERAGE TOTAL LOANS AND LEASES (INCLUDES HELD FOR SALE) 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
2006 
Commercial: 

2007

2008

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage 
Commercial construction 
Commercial leases 
       Subtotal - commercial 
Consumer: 

Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 

       Subtotal - consumer 
Total average loans and leases  
Total average portfolio loans and leases (excludes held for sale) 

$28,426
12,776
5,846
3,680
50,728

10,993
12,269
8,925
1,708
1,212
35,107
$85,835
$83,895

22,351
11,078
5,661
3,683
42,773

10,489
11,887
10,704
1,276
1,219
35,575
78,348
76,033

20,504 
9,797 
6,015 
3,730 
40,046 

9,574 
12,070 
9,570 
838 
1,395 
33,447 
73,493 
72,447 

2005

19,377
9,188
6,342
3,698
38,605

8,991
11,805
9,396
788
1,644
32,624
71,229

2005

18,310
8,923
5,525
3,495
36,253

8,982
11,228
8,649
728
1,897
31,484
67,737
66,685

2004

16,107
7,636
4,348
3,426
31,517

7,912
10,318
7,734
794
2,092
28,850
60,367

2004

14,955
7,391
3,807
3,296
29,449

6,801
9,584
8,128
740
2,340
27,593
57,042
55,951

  Fifth Third Bancorp    37     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 21: COMPONENTS OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Trading: 

Variable rate demand notes 
Other securities 

Total trading  
Available-for-sale and other: (amortized cost basis) 

U.S. Treasury and Government agencies 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 
Agency mortgage-backed securities 
Other bonds, notes and debentures 

    Other securities 
Total available-for-sale and other  
Held-to-maturity: 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions 
Other bonds, notes and debentures 

Total held-to-maturity 

Investment Securities 
The  Bancorp  uses  investment  securities  as  a  means  of  managing 
interest  rate  risk,  providing  liquidity  support  and  providing 
collateral for pledging purposes.  As of December 31, 2008, total 
investment securities were $14.3 billion compared to $11.2 billion 
at December 31, 2007.  

Securities  are  classified  as  trading  when  bought  and  held 
principally  for  the  purpose  of  selling  them  in  the  near  term. 
Securities 
in 
management’s  judgment,  they  may  be  sold  in  response  to,  or  in 
anticipation  of,  changes  in  market  conditions.  The  Bancorp’s 

available-for-sale  when, 

classified 

are 

as 

2008

$1,140
51
$1,191

$186
1,651
323
8,529
613
1,248
$12,550

$355
5
$360

2007

-
171
171

3
160
490
8,738
385
1,045
10,821

351
4
355

2006 

- 
187 
187 

1,396 
100 
603 
7,999 
172 
966 
11,236 

345 
11 
356 

2005

-
117
117

506
2,034
657
16,127
2,119
1,090
22,533

378
11
389

2004

-
77
77

503
2,036
823
17,571
2,862
1,006
24,801

245
10
255

management  has  evaluated  the  securities  in  an  unrealized  loss 
position in the available-for-sale portfolio for OTTI on the basis 
of both the duration of the decline in value of the security and the 
severity  of  that  decline,  and  maintains  the  intent  and  ability  to 
hold  these  securities  to  the  earlier  of  the  recovery  of  the  loss  or 
maturity. Securities, which management has the intent and ability 
to  hold  to  maturity  and  are  classified  as  held-to-maturity  are 
reported at amortized cost. 

At  December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp’s  investment  portfolio 
primarily  consisted  of  AAA-rated  agency  mortgage-backed 
securities.    The  investment  portfolio  includes  FHLMC  preferred

TABLE 22: CHARACTERISTICS OF AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND OTHER SECURITIES 

As of December 31, 2008 ($ in millions) 
U.S. Treasury and Government agencies: 
Average life of one year or less 
Average life 1 – 5 years 
Average life 5 – 10 years 
Average life greater than 10 years 

Total 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies: 
Average life of one year or less 
Average life 1 – 5 years 
Average life 5 – 10 years 
Average life greater than 10 years 

Total 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions (a): 

Average life of one year or less 
Average life 1 – 5 years 
Average life 5 – 10 years 
Average life greater than 10 years 

Total 
Agency mortgage-backed securities: 
Average life of one year or less 
Average life 1 – 5 years 
Average life 5 – 10 years 
Average life greater than 10 years 

Total 
Other bonds, notes and debentures (b): 
Average life of one year or less 
Average life 1 – 5 years 
Average life 5 – 10 years 
Average life greater than 10 years 

Total 
Other securities (c) 
Total available-for-sale and other securities 

Amortized Cost 

Fair Value 

Weighted-
Average Life (in 
years) 

Weighted- 
Average Yield 

$41 
143 
- 
2 
186 

164 
168 
1,319 
- 
1,651 

202 
71 
49 
1 
323 

909 
7,337 
282 
1 
8,529 

186 
265 
112 
50 
613 
1,248 
$12,550 

               $41  
147 
- 
      2 
190 

165 
174 
1,391 
- 
1,730 

203 
72 
50 
1 
326 

919 
7,470 
291 
1 
8,681 

178 
242 
102 
48 
570 
1,231 
$12,728 

0.8 
1.5 
- 
11.2 
1.5 

0.1 
1.7 
7.7 
- 
6.4 

0.3 
2.5 
7.5 
12.1 
1.9 

0.7 
2.7 
5.6 
10.4 
2.6 

0.1 
3.0 
6.6 
25.4 
4.6 

3.2 

2.11% 
2.10 
- 
2.46 
2.11 

4.47 
3.10 
3.79 
- 
3.78 

7.31 
7.18 
6.87 
       3.93 
7.21 

5.44 
5.24 
5.28 
5.09 
5.26 

2.51 
7.27 
7.55 
7.20 
5.87 

5.08% 

(a)  Taxable-equivalent yield adjustments included in the above table are 2.46%, 2.13%, 0.26%, 1.32% and 2.05% for securities with an average life of one year or less, 1-5 years, 5-10 years, 

greater than 10 years and in total, respectively. 

(b)  Other bonds, notes, and debentures consist of commercial paper, non-agency mortgage backed securities, certain other asset backed securities (primarily automobile and commercial loan backed 

(c)  Other securities consist of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank restricted stock holdings that are carried at par, FHLMC and FNMA preferred stock, certain 

securities) and corporate bond securities.  

mutual fund holdings and equity security holdings. 

38    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

stock  and  FNMA  preferred  securities  with  a  remaining  carrying 
value of $1 million after recognizing OTTI charges of $67 million 
during 2008. The Bancorp also recognized OTTI charges of $37 
million  on  certain  trust  preferred  securities,  which  have  a 
remaining  carrying  value  of  $79  million.    Total  trust  preferred 
securities  have  a  carrying  value  of  $154  million  at  December  31, 
2008.    These  charges  were  recognized  due  to  the  severity  of  the 
decline  in  fair  value  of  these  securities  throughout  2008.    The 
Bancorp did not hold asset-backed securities backed by subprime 
mortgage loans in its investment portfolio at or for the year ended 
December  31,  2008.    Additionally,  there  were  no  material 
securities below investment grade as of December 31, 2008. 

Trading  securities 

increased  from  $171  million  as  of 
December 31, 2007 to $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2008.  The 
increase  was  driven  by  $1.1  billion  of  VRDNs  held  by  the 
Bancorp  in  its  trading  securities portfolio.    These  securities  were 
purchased  from  the  market  during  2008,  through  FTS,  who  was 
also  the  remarketing  agent.    For  more  information  on  the 
Bancorp’s obligations in remarketing VRDNs, see Note 15 of the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

On an amortized cost basis, at the end of 2008, available-for-
sale securities increased $1.7 billion since December 31, 2007.  At 
December  31,  2008  and  2007,  available-for-sale  securities  were 
12% and 11%, respectively, of interest-earning assets.  Increases in 
the  available-for-sale  securities  portfolio  relate  to  the  Bancorp’s 
overall balance sheet growth coupled with the increased purchase 
of  securities  as  a  part  of  the  Bancorp’s  non-qualifying  hedging 
strategy  related  to  mortgage  servicing  rights.    The  estimated 
weighted-average life of the debt securities in the available-for-sale 
portfolio  was  3.2  years  at  December  31,  2008  compared  to  6.8 
years  at  December  31,  2007.    The  decrease  in  the  weighted-
average life of the debt securities portfolio was due to the decline 
in  market  rates  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2008.    The  market 
rate  decline  increased  the  likelihood  that  borrowers  would 
refinance,  decreasing 
life  of  agency 
mortgage-backed securities, which are a majority of the Bancorp’s 
available-for-sale portfolio.  At December 31, 2008, the fixed-rate 
securities  within  the  available-for-sale  securities  portfolio  had  a 
weighted-average yield of 5.08% compared to 5.31% at December 
31, 2007.   

the  weighted-average 

During  the  second  half  of  2007  and  continuing  through 
2008,  as  part  of  its  liquidity  support  agreement,  the  Bancorp 

TABLE 23: DEPOSITS 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Demand  
Interest checking 
Savings 
Money market 
Foreign office 
   Transaction deposits 
Other time 
   Core deposits 
Certificates - $100,000 and over 
Other  
Total deposits 

TABLE 24: AVERAGE DEPOSITS 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Demand  
Interest checking 
Savings 
Money market 
Foreign office 
   Transaction deposits 
Other time 
   Core deposits 
Certificates - $100,000 and over 
Other  
Total average deposits 

began  to  purchase  investment  grade  commercial  paper  from  an 
unconsolidated  QSPE  that  is  wholly  owned  by  an  independent 
third-party.  The commercial paper has maturities ranging from as 
little  as  one  day  to  90  days.    The  purchase  and  maturity  of  the 
commercial paper is the primary contributor to the increase in the 
purchases and sales of available-for-sale securities during 2008 and 
2007.  The commercial paper is backed by the assets held by the 
QSPE and, as of the December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Bancorp 
held $143 million and $83 million of this commercial paper in its 
available-for-sale  portfolio.  Refer  to  the  Off-balance  Sheet 
Arrangements section for more information on the QSPE. 

 Information presented in Table 22 is on a weighted-average 
life  basis,  anticipating  future  prepayments.    Yield  information  is 
presented on an FTE basis and is computed using historical cost 
balances.    Maturity  and  yield  calculations  for  the  total  available-
for-sale  portfolio  exclude  equity  securities  that  have  no  stated 
yield or maturity. Market rates declined in 2008, particularly in the 
fourth quarter.  This market rate decline led to unrealized gains of 
$152  million  and  $79  million,  respectively,  related  to  agency 
mortgage-backed  securities  and  securities  held  with  U.S. 
Government sponsored agencies as of December 31, 2008.  Total 
net  unrealized  gains  on  the  available-for-sale  securities  portfolio 
was  $178  million  at  December  31,  2008  compared  to  an 
unrealized loss of $144 million at December 31, 2007 and a $183 
million unrealized loss at December 31, 2006.   

Deposits 
Deposit  balances  represent  an  important  source  of  funding  and 
revenue growth opportunity.  The Bancorp is continuing to focus 
on core deposit growth in its retail and commercial franchises by 
expanding 
its  retail  franchise  through  acquisitions,  offering 
competitive  rates  and  enhancing  its  product  offerings.    At 
December  31,  2008,  core  deposits  represented  55%  of  the 
Bancorp’s asset funding base, compared to 59% at December 31, 
2007. 

Included  in  core  deposits  are  foreign  office  deposits,  which 
are  Eurodollar  sweep  accounts  for  the  Bancorp’s  commercial 
customers.  These  accounts  bear  interest  at  rates  slightly  higher 
than  money  market  accounts,  but  the  Bancorp  does  not  have  to 
pay FDIC insurance nor hold collateral.  Other deposits consist of 
brokered  savings  and  money  market  deposits  and  the  Bancorp 
uses these, as well as certificates of deposit $100,000 and over, as a 

2008
$15,287
13,826
16,063
4,689
2,144
52,009
14,350
66,359
11,851
403
$78,613

2008
$14,017
14,095
16,192
6,127
2,153
52,584
11,135
63,719
9,531
2,163
$75,413

2007
14,404
15,254
15,635
6,521
2,572
54,386
11,440
65,826
6,738
2,881
75,445

2007
13,261
14,820
14,836
6,308
1,762
50,987
10,778
61,765
6,466
1,393
69,624

2006 
14,331 
15,993 
13,181 
6,584 
1,353 
51,442 
10,987 
62,429 
6,628 
323 
69,380 

2006 
13,741 
16,650 
12,189 
6,366 
732 
49,678 
10,500 
60,178 
5,795 
2,979 
68,952 

2005
14,609
18,282
11,276
6,129
421
50,717
9,313
60,030
4,343
3,061
67,434

2005
13,868
18,884
10,007
5,170
248
48,177
8,491
56,668
4,001
3,719
64,388

2004
13,486
19,481
8,310
4,321
153
45,751
6,837
52,588
2,121
3,517
58,226

2004
12,327
19,434
7,941
3,473
85
43,260
6,208
49,468
2,403
4,364
56,235

  Fifth Third Bancorp    39     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

method to fund earning asset growth. 

Core  deposits  increased  one  percent  compared  to  2007  due 
to  acquisitions  during  the  past  year.    Exclusive  of  acquisitions, 
core  deposits  decreased  three  percent,  as  growth  in  demand, 
savings, and other time deposits was more than offset by a three 
percent  decrease  in  interest-bearing  core  deposits  as  a  result  of 
increased competitor pricing on time deposits.  A majority of the 
increase  in  deposit  pricing  was  the  result  of  the  impact  of  the 
illiquidity 
in  the  marketplace  that  provided  other  financial 
institutions  limited  access  to  alternative  funding  sources.    The 
Bancorp  increased  its  rates  during  the  third  quarter  of  2008  to 
approximate  competitor  rates  and  experienced  increases  in  its 
interest-bearing core deposit products following these actions.    

Certificates  $100,000  and  over  at  December  31,  2008 
increased  by  $5.1  billion  and  other  deposits  decreased  by  $2.5 
billion  compared  to  December  31,  2007  primarily  driven  by 
growth  in  customer  jumbo  CD’s  and  other  time  deposits  in  an 
overall effort by the Bancorp to reduce exposure to market related 
funding. 

On  an  average  basis,  core  deposits  increased  three  percent 
primarily due to acquisitions that occurred since 2007.  Exclusive 
of  acquisitions,  average  core  deposits  remained  flat  compared  to 
2007  as  increases  in  demand  deposits  due  to  decreased  earnings 
credit rates were partially offset by the decrease in interest-bearing 
core deposit products.   

On an average basis, savings deposits increased nine percent 
primarily due to acquisitions that occurred since 2007.  Exclusive 
of acquisitions, average savings deposits increased seven percent.  
This growth is primarily due to a mix shift as customers migrated 
from lower yielding interest checking into higher yielding savings 
accounts. 

Borrowings 
Total  borrowings  increased  $1.8  billion,  or  eight  percent,  over 
2007, to provide funding for the growth in the assets throughout 
2008.    As  of  December  31,  2008  and  December  31,  2007,  total 
TABLE 25: BORROWINGS 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Federal funds purchased 
Short-term bank notes 
Other short-term borrowings 
Long-term debt 
Total borrowings 

borrowings as a percentage of interest-bearing liabilities remained 
consistent at 27%. 

Total short-term borrowings were $10.2 billion at December 
31,  2008  compared  to  $9.2  billion  at  December  31,  2007.    The 
reduction  in  the  overnight  fed  funds  purchased  balance  was  due 
to  the  receipt  of  $3.4  billion  in  equity  funding  from  the  U.S. 
Treasury under the CPP on December 31, 2008 and an increase in 
other  short-term  borrowings  primarily  through  the  purchase  of 
term funding through FHLB advances and Term Auction Facility 
funds.  

Long-term debt at December 31, 2008 increased six percent 
compared  with  December  31,  2007  due  to  increased  fair  value 
marks  on  hedged  debt.    Among  debt  issuances,  new  issuances 
during  the  first  and  second  quarters  of  2008  were  offset  by  $2.1 
billion  of  long-term  bank  notes  maturing  during  2008.    In 
February  2008,  the  Bancorp 
issued  $1.0  billion  of  8.25% 
subordinated notes, a portion of which were subsequently hedged 
to floating, with a maturity date of March 1, 2038.  In April 2008, 
the  Bancorp  issued  $750  million  of  6.25%  senior  notes  with  a 
maturity  date  of  May  1,  2013.    The  notes  are  not  subject  to 
redemption at the Bancorp’s option at any time prior to maturity.  
Additionally,  in  May  2008,  an  unconsolidated  trust  issued  $400 
million of Tier 1-qualifying trust preferred securities and invested 
these  proceeds  in  junior  subordinated  notes  issued  by  the 
Bancorp.  The notes mature on May 15, 2068 and bear a fixed rate 
of 8.875% until May 15, 2058.  After May 15, 2058, the notes bear 
interest at a variable rate of three-month LIBOR plus 5.00%.  The 
Bancorp  has  subsequently  entered  into  hedges  related  to  these 
notes.  

Information  on  the  average  rates  paid  on  borrowings  is 
located  in  the  Statements  of  Income  Analysis.    Further  detail  on 
the  Bancorp’s  long-term  debt  can  be  found  in  Note  14  of  the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  In addition, refer to 
the  Liquidity  Risk  Management  section  for  a  discussion  on  the 
role of borrowings in the Bancorp’s liquidity management. 

2008
$287
-
9,959
13,585
$23,831

2007
4,427
-
4,747
12,857
22,031

2006 
1,421 
- 
2,796 
12,558 
16,775 

2005
5,323
-
4,246
15,227
24,796

2004
 4,714
775
4,537
13,983
24,009

40    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

RISK MANAGEMENT  
Managing risk is an essential component of successfully operating 
a  financial  services  company.    The  Bancorp’s  risk  management 
function  is  responsible  for  the  identification,  measurement, 
monitoring, control and reporting of risk and mitigation of those 
risks  that  are  inconsistent  with  the  Bancorp’s  risk  profile.    The 
led  by  the 
Enterprise  Risk  Management  division  (ERM), 
Bancorp’s  Chief  Risk  Officer,  ensures  consistency 
in  the 
Bancorp’s  approach  to  managing  and  monitoring  risk  within  the 
structure of the Bancorp’s affiliate operating model.  In addition, 
the Internal Audit division provides an independent assessment of 
the  Bancorp’s  internal  control  structure  and  related  systems  and 
processes.    The  risks  faced  by  the  Bancorp  include,  but  are  not 
limited  to,  credit,  market,  liquidity,  operational  and  regulatory 
compliance.  ERM includes the following key functions: 

soundness  within  an 

•  Commercial  Credit  Risk  Management  provides  safety 
and 
independent  portfolio 
management  framework  that  supports  the  Bancorp’s 
Commercial  loan  growth  strategies  and  underwriting 
practices, 
and 
portfolio 
appropriate risk controls; 

optimization 

ensuring 

•  Risk  Strategies  and  Reporting 

is  responsible  for 
quantitative analysis needed to support the Commercial 
dual  grading  system,  ALLL  methodology  and  analytics 
needed  to  assess  credit  risk  and  develop  mitigation 
strategies  related  to  that  risk.    The  department  also 
provides  oversight, 
reporting  and  monitoring  of 
commercial  underwriting  and  credit  administration 
processes.  The  Risk  Strategies 
and  Reporting 
department is also responsible for the economic capital 
program; 

an 

•  Consumer Credit Risk Management provides safety and 
soundless  within 
independent  management 
framework that  supports the Bancorp’s Consumer loan 
growth  strategies,  ensuring  portfolio  optimization, 
appropriate  risk  controls  and  oversight,  reporting,  and 
monitoring  of  underwriting  and  credit  administration 
processes; 

including  ensuring  consistency 

•  Operational  Risk  Management  works  with  the  line  of 
business risk managers, affiliates and lines of business to 
maintain processes to monitor and manage all aspects of 
in 
operational  risk 
application  of  enterprise  operational  risk  programs, 
Sarbanes-Oxley  compliance,  and  serving  as  a  policy 
clearinghouse  for 
including  policies 
the  Bancorp, 
relating  to  credit,  market  and  operational  risk.    In 
addition,  the  Bank  Protection  function  oversees  and 
manages  fraud  prevention  and  detection  and  provide 
investigative and recovery services for the Bancorp; 
•  Capital  Markets  Risk  Management  is  responsible  for 
reporting  appropriate 
instituting,  monitoring,  and 
trading limits, monitoring liquidity, interest rate risk, and 
risk tolerances within the Treasury, Mortgage Company, 
and Capital Markets groups and utilizing a value at risk 
model for Bancorp market risk exposure; 

•  Regulatory  Compliance  Risk  Management  ensures  that 
processes  are  in  place  to  monitor  and  comply  with 
federal and state banking regulations, including fiduciary 
compliance  processes.    The  function  also  has  the 
responsibility  for  maintenance  of  an  enterprise-wide 
compliance framework; and 

•  The  ERM  division  creates  and  maintains  other 
functions,  committees  or  processes  as  are  necessary  to 
effectively  manage  credit,  market  and  operational  risk 
throughout the Bancorp. 

Risk  management  oversight  and  governance  is  provided  by  the 
Risk  and  Compliance  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and 
through  multiple  management  committees  whose  membership 
includes  a  broad  cross-section  of  line  of  business,  affiliate  and 
support representatives.  The Risk and Compliance Committee of 
the Board of Directors consists of five outside  directors and has 
the responsibility for the oversight of credit, market, operational, 
regulatory compliance and strategic risk management activities for 
the  Bancorp,  as  well  as  for  the  Bancorp’s  overall  aggregate  risk 
profile.    The  Risk  and  Compliance  Committee  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  has  approved  the  formation  of  key  management 
governance  committees  that  are  responsible  for  evaluating  risks 
and  controls.    These  committees  include  the  Market  Risk 
Committee,  the  Corporate  Credit  Committee,  the  Credit  Policy 
Committee, 
the  Capital 
the  Operational  Risk  Committee, 
Committee, the Loan Loss Reserve Committee, the Management 
Compliance  Committee,  the  Retail  Distribution  Governance 
Committee, and the Executive Asset Liability Committee.  There 
are also new products and initiatives processes applicable to every 
line  of  business  to  ensure  an  appropriate  standard  readiness 
assessment  is  performed  before  launching  a  new  product  or 
initiative.    Significant  risk  policies  approved  by  the  management 
governance  committees  are  also  reviewed  and  approved  by  the 
Risk and Compliance Committee of the Board of Directors. 

Finally,  Credit  Risk  Review  is  an  independent  function 
responsible  for  evaluating  the  sufficiency  of  underwriting, 
documentation  and  approval  processes  for  consumer  and 
commercial credits, counter-party credit risk, the accuracy of risk 
grades  assigned  to  commercial  credit  exposure,  appropriate 
accounting  for  charge-offs,  and  non-accrual  status  and  specific 
reserves.    Credit  Risk  Review  reports  directly  to  the  Risk  and 
the  Board  of  Directors  and 
Compliance  Committee  of 
administratively to the Director of Internal Audit. 

CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT  
The objective of the Bancorp’s credit risk management strategy is 
to quantify and manage credit risk on an aggregate portfolio basis, 
as  well  as  to  limit  the  risk  of  loss  resulting  from  an  individual 
customer default.  The Bancorp’s credit risk management strategy 
is based on three core principles: conservatism, diversification and 
monitoring.  The  Bancorp  believes  that  effective  credit  risk 
management  begins  with  conservative  lending  practices.    These 
practices  include  conservative  exposure  and  counterparty  limits 
and  conservative  underwriting,  documentation  and  collection 
standards.    The  Bancorp’s  credit  risk  management  strategy  also 
emphasizes diversification on a geographic, industry and customer 
level  as  well  as  regular  credit  examinations  and  monthly 
management  reviews  of 
large  credit  exposures  and  credits 
experiencing deterioration of credit quality.  Lending officers with 
the  authority  to  extend  credit  are  delegated  specific  authority 
amounts, 
is  closely  monitored.  
Underwriting  activities  are  centralized,  and  ERM  manages  the 
policy  and  the  authority  delegation  process  directly.    The  Credit 
Risk Review function, which reports to the Risk and Compliance 
Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  provides  objective 
assessments of the quality of underwriting and documentation, the 
accuracy of risk grades and the charge-off, nonaccrual and reserve 
analysis process. The Bancorp’s credit review process and overall 
assessment  of  required  allowances 
is  based  on  quarterly 
assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan 
and  lease  portfolio.  The  Bancorp  uses  these  assessments  to 
promptly  identify  potential  problem  loans  or  leases  within  the 
portfolio,  maintain  an  adequate  reserve  and  take  any  necessary 
charge-offs.    In  addition  to  the  individual  review  of  larger 
commercial  loans  that  exhibit  probable  or  observed  credit 
weaknesses, the commercial credit review process includes the use 

the  utilization  of  which 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    41 

 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

of  two  risk  grading  systems.    The  risk  grading  system  currently 
utilized for reserve analysis purposes encompasses ten categories.  
The Bancorp also maintains a dual risk rating system that provides 
for  thirteen  probabilities  of  default  grade  categories  and  an 
additional six grade categories for estimating actual losses given an 
event of default.  The probability of default and loss given default 
evaluations  are  not  separated  in  the  ten-grade  risk  rating  system.  
The  Bancorp  has  completed  significant  validation  and  testing  of 
the  dual  risk  rating  system.      Scoring  systems,  various  analytical 
tools and delinquency monitoring are used to assess the credit risk 
in the Bancorp’s homogenous consumer loan portfolios.    

Overview 
During  2008,  general  economic  conditions  continued 
to 
deteriorate which had an adverse impact across the majority of the 
Bancorp’s loan and lease products.  Geographically, the Bancorp 
experienced the most stress in the states of Michigan and Florida 
due  to  the  decline  in  real  estate  prices.  Real  estate  price 
deterioration,  as  measured  by  the  Home  Price  Index,  was  most 
prevalent in Florida due to past real estate price appreciation and 
related over-development, and in Michigan due in part to cutbacks 
by automobile manufacturers.  The year-over-year deterioration in 
home  prices  has  been  as  high  as  20%  in  some  of  the  Bancorp’s 
hardest  hit  geographies.  Among  portfolios,  the  commercial 
homebuilder  and  developer,  non-owner  occupied  residential 
mortgage and brokered home equity portfolios exhibited the most 
stress.  Management suspended new lending to homebuilders and 
to  commercial  non-owner  occupied  real  estate,  discontinued  the 
origination  of  brokered  home  equity  products  and  raised 
underwriting  standards  on  non-owner  occupied  residential 
mortgages.  During the fourth quarter, in an effort to reduce loan 
exposure to the real estate and construction industries and obtain 
the  highest  realizable  value,  the  Bancorp  sold  or  moved  to  held-
for-sale  $1.3  billion  in  commercial  loan  balances.    The  Bancorp 
recognized  $800  million  in  net  charge-offs  on  these  loans  with 
approximately  49%  of  the  losses  representing  real  estate  secured 
loans  in  Florida  and  44%  of  the  losses  representing  real  estate 
secured  loans  in  Michigan.    Throughout  2008,  the  Bancorp 
aggressively  engaged  in  other  loss  mitigation  techniques  such  as 
reducing  lines  of  credit,  restructuring  certain  consumer  loans, 
tightening  certain  underwriting 
standards  and  expanding 
commercial  and  consumer  loan  workout  teams.    The  following 
loan  portfolio 
credit 
diversification,  an  analysis  of  nonperforming  loans  and  loans 
charged-off and a discussion of the allowance for credit losses. 

information  presents 

the  Bancorp’s 

Commercial Portfolio 
includes 
The  Bancorp’s  credit 
minimizing  concentrations  of  risk  through  diversification.    Table 

risk  management  strategy 

27  provides  breakouts  of  the  total  commercial  loan  and  lease 
portfolio,  including  held  for  sale,  by  major  industry  classification 
(as  defined  by  the  North  American  Industry  Classification 
System),  by  loan  size  and  by  state,  illustrating  the  diversity  and 
granularity of the Bancorp’s commercial portfolio.  The Bancorp 
has commercial loan concentration limits based on industry, lines 
of business within the commercial segment and real estate project 
type. 

As  of  December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp  had  homebuilder 
exposure of $4.0 billion and outstanding loans of $2.7 billion with 
$366  million  of  portfolio  commercial  loans  and  $215  million  in 
held-for-sale  commercial 
loans.  As  of 
December 31, 2008, approximately 41% of the outstanding loans 
to homebuilders are located in the states of Michigan and Florida 
and represent approximately 58% of the nonaccrual loans.  As of 
December  31,  2007,  the  Bancorp  had  homebuilder  exposure  of 
$4.4 billion, outstanding loans of $2.9 billion with $176 million in 
nonaccrual loans. 

in  nonaccrual 

loans 

The  risk  within  the  commercial  real  estate  portfolio  is 
managed and monitored through an underwriting process utilizing 
detailed  origination  policies,  continuous  loan  level  reviews,  the 
monitoring of industry concentration and product type limits and 
continuous portfolio risk management reporting.  The origination 
policies  for  commercial  real  estate  outline  the  risks  and 
underwriting  requirements  for  owner  occupied,  non-owner 
occupied and construction lending.   Included in the policies are 
maturity and amortization terms, maximum loan-to-values (LTV), 
minimum  debt  service  coverage  ratios,  construction 
loan 
requirements,  pre-leasing 
monitoring  procedures,  appraisal 
requirements (as applicable) and sensitivity and proforma analysis 
requirements.   

The commercial real estate portfolio is diversified by product 
type, loan size and geographical location with concentration levels 
established  to  manage  the  exposure.      Appraisals  are  obtained 
from  qualified  appraisers  and  are  reviewed  by  an  independent 
appraisal review group to ensure independence and consistency in 
the  valuation  process.    Appraisal  values  are  updated  on  an  as 
needed basis, in conformity with market conditions and regulatory 
requirements.    Table  26  provides  further  information  on  the 
location of commercial real estate and construction industry loans 
and leases. 

The  commercial  portfolio  has  minimal  direct  exposure  to 
auto  manufactures  and  their  suppliers,  although  any  further 
deterioration  of  those  industries  would  have  negative  impacts 
across the Bancorp’s lending products.  As of December 31, 2008, 
the Bancorp had automobile dealer exposure, included within the 
retail trade industry, of $3.1 billion and outstanding loans of $2.0 
billion with $113 million in nonaccrual loans. 

TABLE 26: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION LOANS AND LEASES BY STATE 

Outstanding 
2008 
$4,247 
3,930 
2,374 
1,384 
1,108 
802 
788 
455 
1,866 
$16,954 

2007 
4,167 
4,692 
2,790 
1,425 
1,298 
21 
791 
496 
1,110 
16,790 

Nonaccrual 
2008 
$180 
302 
399 
95 
86 
49 
24 
51 
95 
$1,281 

2007 
84 
179 
79 
21 
26 
- 
7 
4 
5 
405 

As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Ohio 
Michigan 
Florida 
Illinois 
Indiana 
North Carolina 
Kentucky 
Tennessee 
All other states 
Total  

42    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 27: COMMERCIAL LOAN AND LEASE PORTFOLIO EXPOSURE (a) 

Outstanding

2008 
Exposure Nonaccrual

Outstanding

2007 
Exposure

Nonaccrual

As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
By industry: 
Real estate 
Manufacturing 
Construction 
Retail trade 
Financial services and insurance 
Healthcare 
Business services 
Transportation and warehousing 
Wholesale trade 
Other services 
Accommodation and food 
Individuals 
Communication and information 
Mining 
Entertainment and recreation 
Public administration 
Agribusiness 
Utilities 
Other 

Total 
By loan size: 

Less than $200,000 
$200,000 to $1 million 
$1 million to $5 million 
$5 million to $10 million 
$10 million to $25 million 
Greater than $25 million 

Total 
By state: 
Ohio 
Michigan 
Florida 
Illinois 
Indiana 
Kentucky 
North Carolina 
Tennessee 
All other states 

$11,925
7,382
5,030
3,621
3,601
3,081
2,925
2,726
2,567
1,203
1,163
1,053
951
838
765
725
635
584
178
$50,953

3  % 
12  
25  
14
23
23

 100  % 

26 % 
17
9
8
7
5
3
3
22

14,428
14,310
7,788
6,874
8,164
5,057
5,141
3,224
4,772
1,712
1,560
1,354
1,547
1,275
1,009
938
815
1,231
369
81,568

2
9
21
13
24
31
100

583
92
698
167
28
20
38
26
25
22
38
38
19
18
35
-
21
-
11
1,879

5 
21
45
20
9
-
 100 

11,564 
6,570 
5,226 
4,175 
2,484 
2,347 
2,266 
2,565 
2,179 
1,049 
1,036 
1,252 
741 
578 
617 
737 
606 
389 
963 
47,334 

3  
13 
28 
26 
13 
17 
 100  

14,450
14,365
8,534
7,251
6,916
4,007
4,251
3,076
4,127
1,455
1,470
1,626
1,439
1,090
873
957
788
1,210
1,897
79,782

3
10
23
23
14
27
100

147
28
258
29
6
15
25
21
16
17
21
15
1
3
6
-
3
2
59
672

9
24
43
19
5
-
 100 

30
16
8
9
7
5
3
2
20
100

14
22
25
8
8
5
4
3
11
 100

26 
20 
11 
9 
8 
5 
1 
3 
17 
100 

30
18
9
9
8
5
1
3
17
100

20
36
23
6
9
2
-
1
3
 100

Total 
 100 % 
(a) Outstanding reflects total commercial customer loan and lease balances, including held for sale and net of unearned income, and exposure reflects total commercial customer lending commitments. 

Residential Mortgage Portfolio 
The  Bancorp  manages  credit  risk  in  the  mortgage  portfolio 
through  conservative  underwriting  and  documentation  standards 
and  geographic  and  product  diversification.    The  Bancorp  may 
also  package  and  sell  loans  in  the  portfolio  without  recourse  or 
may  purchase  mortgage  insurance  for  the  loans  sold  in  order  to 
mitigate credit risk.  

Certain mortgage products have contractual features that may 
increase the risk of loss to the Bancorp in the event of a decline in 
housing prices.  These types of mortgage products offered by the 
Bancorp  include  loans  with  high  loan-to-value  (LTV)  ratios, 
multiple loans on the same collateral that when combined result in 
an  LTV  greater  than  80%  (80/20  loans)  and  interest-only  loans.  
Table 28 shows the Bancorp’s originations of these products for 
the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.  The Bancorp does 
not  originate  mortgage  loans  that  permit  customers  to  defer 
principal  payments  or  make  payments  that  are  less  than  the 
accruing interest.   

Table 29 provides the amount of these loans as a percent of 
the residential mortgage loans in the Bancorp’s portfolio and the 
delinquency rates of these loan products as of December 31, 2008 
and  2007.    Reset  of  rates  on  adjustable  rate  mortgages  are  not 

expected to have a material impact on credit cost as two-thirds of 
adjustable  rate  mortgages  have  an  LTV 
than  80%.  
Geographically,  the  Bancorp’s  residential  mortgage  portfolio  is 
dominated  by  three  states  with  Florida,  Michigan  and  Ohio 
representing 31%, 23% and 14% of the portfolio, respectively. 

less 

The  Bancorp  previously  originated  certain  non-conforming 
residential  mortgage  loans  known  as  “Alt-A”  loans.    Borrower 
qualifications  were  comparable  to  other  conforming  residential 
mortgage products.  As of December 31, 2008, the Bancorp held 
$115  million  of  Alt-A  mortgage  loans  in  its  portfolio  with 
approximately $17 million on nonaccrual.  

The  Bancorp  previously  sold  certain  mortgage  products  in 
the secondary market with recourse.  At December 31, 2008 and 
2007, the outstanding balances on these loans sold with recourse 
were approximately $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, and 
the  delinquency  rates  were  approximately  6.40%  and  3.03%, 
respectively.    At  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the  Bancorp 
maintained  an  estimated  credit  loss  reserve  on  these  loans  sold 
with  recourse  of  approximately  $20  million  and  $17  million, 
respectively. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for further information.   

  Fifth Third Bancorp    43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 28: RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE ORIGINATIONS 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Greater than 80% LTV with no mortgage insurance 
Interest-only 
Greater than 80% LTV and interest-only 
80/20 loans 
80/20 loans and interest only 

2008 
$15 
784 
2 
38 
- 

TABLE 29: RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE OUTSTANDINGS 

As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Greater than 80% LTV with no mortgage insurance 
Interest-only 
Greater than 80% LTV and interest-only 

Balance 
$2,024 
1,702 
415 

Home Equity Portfolio 
The home equity portfolio is characterized by 82% of outstanding 
balances  within  the  Bancorp’s  Midwest  footprint  of  Ohio, 
Michigan,  Kentucky,  Indiana  and  Illinois.    The  portfolio  has  an 
average FICO score of 736 as of December 31, 2008, comparable 
with  734  at  December  31,  2007  and  735  at  December  31,  2006.  
Further detail on channel origination and state location is included 
in Table 30.  The Bancorp stopped origination of brokered home 
equity during the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, management 
actively  manages  lines  of  credit  and  makes  reductions  in  lending 
limits  when  it  believes  it  is  necessary  based  on  FICO  score 
deterioration and property devaluation.   

Analysis of Nonperforming Assets  
A  summary  of  nonperforming  assets  is  included  in  Table  31.  
Nonperforming assets include: (i) nonaccrual loans and leases for 
which  ultimate  collectibility  of  the  full  amount  of  the  principal 
and/or  interest  is  uncertain;  (ii)  restructured  consumer  loans 
which  have  not  yet  met  the  requirements  to  be  classified  as  a 
performing asset; and (iii) other assets, including other real estate 
owned  and  repossessed  equipment.    Loans  are  placed  on 
nonaccrual  status  when  the  principal  or  interest  is  past  due  90 
days or more (unless the loan is both well secured and in process 
of  collection)  and  payment  of  the  full  principal  and/or  interest 
under  the  contractual  terms  of  the  loan  is  not  expected.  
Additionally, 
loans  are  placed  on  nonaccrual  status  upon 
deterioration of the financial condition of the borrower.  When a 
loan  is  placed  on  nonaccrual  status,  the  accrual  of  interest, 
amortization  of  loan  premium,  accretion  of  loan  discount  and 
amortization  or  accretion  of  deferred  net  loan  fees  or  costs  are 
discontinued  and  previously  accrued  but  unpaid  interest  is 
reversed.  Commercial loans on nonaccrual status are reviewed for 
impairment  at  least  quarterly.    If  the  principal  or  a  portion  of 
principal  is  deemed  a  loss,  the loss  amount  is charged  off  to  the 
allowance for loan and lease losses. 

Total  nonperforming  assets  were  $3.0  billion  at  December 
31, 2008, compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2007 and $455 
million  at  December  31,  2006.    At  December  31,  2008,  $473 
million  of  nonaccrual  commercial 
loans  were  held-for-sale, 
consisting  primarily  of  real  estate  secured  loans  in  Michigan  and 

TABLE 30: HOME EQUITY OUTSTANDINGS 

Percent of total 
-% 
7 
- 
- 
- 

        2007 
$265 
1,720 
265 
212 
62 

Percent of total 
2% 
15 
2 
2 
1 

2008 
Percent 
of total 
22 % 
18 
4 

Delinquency 
Ratio 
10.94% 
4.11 
7.55 

Balance 

$2,146 
1,620 
493 

2007 
Percent
of total
21 % 
16 
5 

Delinquency 
Ratio 

8.93% 
1.83 
5.36 

Florida,  and  were  carried  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  market.  
Excluding  the  held-for-sale  nonaccrual  loans,  nonperforming 
assets  as  a  percentage  of  total  loans,  leases  and  other  assets, 
including  other  real  estate  owned,  as  of  December  31,  2008  was 
2.96% compared to 1.32% as of December 31, 2007 and .61% as 
of  December  31,  2006.    The  composition  of  nonaccrual  credits 
continues to be concentrated in real estate as 82% of nonaccrual 
credits  were  secured  by  real  estate  as  of  December  31,  2008 
compared  to  approximately  84%  as  of  December  31,  2007  and 
approximately 45% as of December 31, 2006. 

Including the $473 million of nonperforming loans held-for-
sale,  commercial  nonperforming  loans  and  leases  increased  from 
$672 million at December 31, 2007 to $1.9 billion as of December 
31, 2008. The majority of the increase was driven by the real estate 
and construction industries in the states of Florida and Michigan.  
These  states  combined  to  represent  47%  of  total  commercial 
nonaccrual credits as of December 31, 2008.  As shown in Table 
27,  the  real  estate  and  construction  industries  contributed  to 
approximately  three-fourths  of  the  year-over-year  increase  in 
nonaccrual  credits.    Of  the  $1.3  billion  of  real  estate  and 
construction  nonaccrual  credits,  $581  million 
is  related  to 
homebuilders  or  developers.    As  of  December  31,  2008,  $247 
million  of  these  homebuilder  nonaccrual  loans  were  specifically 
reviewed and the Bancorp provided $104 million in reserves held 
against these loans.  For additional information on credit reserves, 
see  the  discussion  on  allowance  for  credit  losses  later  in  this 
section.  

Consumer  nonperforming  loans  and  leases  increased  from 
$221  million  as  of  December  31,  2007  to  $864  million  as  of 
December  31,  2008.    The  increase  in  consumer  nonperforming 
loans is primarily attributable to declines in the housing markets in 
the Michigan and Florida markets and the restructuring of certain 
loans.  Michigan and Florida accounted for 58% of the increase in 
consumer  nonperforming  assets  and,  as  of  December  31,  2008, 
represented  58%  of  total  consumer  nonperforming  assets.    The 
Bancorp  has  devoted  significant  attention  to  loss  mitigation 
loans.  
activities  and  has  proactively 
Consumer  restructured  loans  are  recorded  as  nonperforming 
loans until there is a sustained period of payment by the borrower, 
generally  a  minimum  of  six  months  of  payments  in  accordance 

restructured  certain 

Retail 

Broker 

2008 

2007 

2008 

2007 

As of December 31 ($ in millions)  Outstanding 
$3,393 
Ohio 
2,245 
Michigan 
1,147 
Illinois 
968 
Indiana 
910 
Kentucky 
909 
Florida 
804 
All other states  
$10,376 
Total 

Delinquency 
Ratio 

1.49 %
2.24 
2.10 
2.07 
1.52 
4.13 
2.11 
2.06 %

Outstanding 
$3,280
2,158
908
991
885
738
204
$9,164

Delinquency 
Ratio 

1.23 %
1.63 
1.18 
1.67 
1.16 
2.37 
1.06 
1.45 %

Outstanding 
$568
484
261
244
185
77
557
$2,376

Delinquency 
Ratio 
 3.65 % 
5.51 
4.93 
4.59 
4.43 
12.16 
6.29 
5.22 % 

Outstanding 
$632
530
274
278
217
89
659
$2,679

Delinquency 
Ratio 

3.15 %
3.56 
2.66 
3.16 
3.09 
7.97 
3.73 
3.48 %

44    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 31: SUMMARY OF NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND DELINQUENT LOANS 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Nonaccrual loans and leases: 

2008

2007

2006 

2005

2004

Commercial loans  
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity (a) 
Automobile loans (a) 
Other consumer loans and leases (a) 

Restructured loans and leases: 

Commercial loans 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Total nonperforming loans and leases 

Repossessed personal property and other real estate owned 

Total nonperforming assets (b) 

Nonaccrual loans held for sale 

Total nonperforming assets including loans held for sale 

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Residential mortgage loans(c) 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card  
Other consumer loans and leases 

Total 90 days past due loans and leases 

Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans, leases and other assets, 

including other real estate owned (b) 

$541
482
362
21
259
26
5
-

-
342
196
6
30
2,270
230
2,500
473
$2,973

$76
136
74
4
198
96
21
56
1
$662

175
243
249
5
92
45
3
1

-
29
46
-
5
893
171
1,064
-
1,064

44
73
67
4
186
72
13
31
1
491

127 
84 
54 
6 
38 
40 
3 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
352 
103 
455 
- 
455 

38 
17 
6 
2 
68 
51 
11 
16 
1 
210 

140
51
31
5
30

37

-
-
-
-
-
294
67
361
-
361

20
7
7
1
53

10
57
155

105
51
13
5
24

30

1
-
-
-
-
229
74
303
-
303

21
8
5
1
43

13
51
142

Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of nonperforming assets (b) 
(a) Prior to 2006, other consumer loans and leases include home equity, automobile and other consumer loans and leases. 
(b) Does not include nonaccrual loans held for sale. 
(c) Information for all periods presented excludes advances made pursuant to servicing agreements to Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) mortgage pools whose repayments are 
insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  As of December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, these advances were $40 million, 
$25 million, $14 million and $13 million, respectively.  Information in 2004 was not available. 

 2.96 %
111

1.32
88

.61 
170 

.52
206

.51
235

with  the  loans’  modified  terms.  Consumer  restructured  loans 
contributed $574 million to nonperforming loans as of December 
31,  2008  compared  to  $80  million  in  restructured  loans  as  of 
December 31, 2007.   

Included in nonaccrual loans and leases as of December 31, 
2008  were  $342  million  of  loans  and  leases  currently  performing 
in  accordance  with  contractual  terms,  but  for  which  there  were 
serious  doubts  as  to  the  ability  of  the  borrower  to  comply  with 
such terms.  For the years 2008 and 2007, interest income of $70 
million and $22 million, respectively, was recorded on nonaccrual 
and renegotiated loans and leases.  For the years ended 2008 and 
2007, additional interest income of $282 million and $144 million, 
respectively,  would  have  been  recorded  if  the  nonaccrual  and 
renegotiated loans and leases had been current in accordance with 
the  original  terms.    Although  this  value  helps  demonstrate  the 
costs of carrying nonaccrual credits, the Bancorp does not expect 
to  recover  the  full  amount  of  interest  as  nonaccrual  loans  and 
leases are generally carried below their principal balance. 

Analysis of Net Loan Charge-offs 
Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans and leases were 323 
bp  for  2008,  compared  to  61  bp  for  2007.    Table  32  provides  a 
summary  of  credit  loss  experience  and  net  charge-offs  as  a 
percentage  of  average  loans  and  leases  outstanding  by  loan 
category. 

The  ratio  of  commercial  loan  net  charge-offs  to  average 
commercial  loans  outstanding  increased  to  399  bp  in  2008 
compared  to  43  bp  in  2007,  as  homebuilders,  developers  and 
related suppliers were affected by the downturn in the real estate 
markets.  Commercial net charge-offs include $800 million due to 
the  sale  or  transfer  to  held-for-sale  of  $1.3  billion  in  commercial 

loan  balances  during  the  fourth  quarter.    Homebuilders  and 
developers net charge-offs for 2008 were $812 million, or 40% of 
total  commercial  charge-offs.    Excluding  the  homebuilder  and 
developer  portfolio,  the  commercial  loan  charge-offs  to  average 
commercial loans outstanding was 252 bp in 2008 with the most 
stress exhibited in the Eastern Michigan and South Florida regions 
and among auto dealers. 

The  ratio  of  consumer  loan  net  charge-offs  to  average 
consumer  loans  outstanding  increased  to  208  bp  in  2008 
compared  to  84  bp  in  2007.    Residential  mortgage  charge-offs 
increased  to  $243  million  in  2008  compared  to  $43  million  in 
2007,  reflecting  increased  foreclosure  rates  in  the  Bancorp’s  key 
lending  markets  coupled  with  an  increase  in  severity  of  loss  on 
mortgage  loans.    Florida,  Michigan  and  Ohio  continue  to  rank 
among  the  top  states  in  total  mortgage  foreclosures.    These 
foreclosures not only added to the volume of charge-offs, but also 
hampered the Bancorp’s ability to recover the value of the homes 
collateralizing  the  mortgages  as  they  contributed  to  declining 
home  prices.    Florida  affiliates  continue  to  experience  the  most 
stress  and  accounted  for  over  half  of  the  residential  mortgage 
charge-offs in 2008.   Home equity charge-offs increased to $205 
million  and  167  bp  of  average  loans  and  continue  to  display 
distinct charge-off differences between lines and loans originated 
through the retail channel and those originated through brokered 
channels.  Brokered home equity represented 50% of home equity 
charge-offs  during  2008  despite  representing  only  19%  of  home 
equity lines and loans as of December 31, 2008.  Excluding home 
equity lines and loans originated through brokered channels, home 
equity  charge-offs  to  average  home  equity  were  104  bp.  
Management  responded  to  the  performance  of  the  brokered 

   Fifth Third Bancorp    45     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 32: SUMMARY OF CREDIT LOSS EXPERIENCE 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Losses charged off: 

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 

Total losses 
Recoveries of losses previously charged off: 

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 

Total recoveries 
Net losses charged off: 
Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 

2008

($667)
(618)
(750)
-
(243)
(212)
(168)
(101)
(32)
(2,791)

18
5
2
1
-
7
34
7
7
81

(649)
(613)
(748)
1
(243)
(205)
(134)
(94)
(25)
($2,710)

Total net losses charged off 
Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans and leases (excluding held for sale): 

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Total commercial loans and leases 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 
Total consumer loans and leases 

Total net losses charged off 

2.31 % 
4.80
12.80
(.02)
3.99
2.47
1.67
1.56
5.51
2.10
2.08
3.23 % 

2007

(121)
(46)
(29)
(1)
(43)
(106)
(117)
(54)
(27)
(544)

12
2
-
1
-
9
32
8
18
82

(109)
(44)
(29)
-
(43)
(97)
(85)
(46)
(9)
(462)

.49
.40
.51
.01
.43
.48
.82
.83
3.55
.83
.84
.61

2006 

(131) 
(27) 
(7) 
(4) 
(23) 
(65) 
(87) 
(36) 
(28) 
(408) 

24 
3 
- 
5 
- 
9 
30 
5 
16 
92 

(107) 
(24) 
(7) 
1 
(23) 
(56) 
(57) 
(31) 
(12) 
(316) 

.53 
.25 
.11 
(.03) 
.34 
.27 
.46 
.60 
3.65 
.91 
.55 
.44 

2005

(99)
(13)
(5)
(38)
(19)
(60)
(63)
(46)
(30)
(373)

24
3
1
1
-
10
18
5
12
74

(75)
(10)
(4)
(37)
(19)
(50)
(45)
(41)
(18)
(299)

.41
.10
.08
1.06
.35
.23
.44
.53
5.65
1.06
.57
.45

2004

(95)
(14)
(7)
(8)
(15)
(52)
(56)
(35)
(39)
(321)

14
5
-
1
-
10
18
6
15
69

(81)
(9)
(7)
(7)
(15)
(42)
(38)
(29)
(24)
(252)

.54
.12
.17
.21
.35
.25
.44
.48
3.92
.98
.56
.45

home  equity  portfolio  by  reducing  originations  in  2007  of  this 
product  by  64%  compared  to  2006  and,  at  the  end  of  2007, 
eliminating this channel of origination.  In addition, management 
actively  manages  lines  of  credit  and  makes  reductions  in  lending 
limits  when  it  believes  it  is  necessary  based  on  FICO  score 
deterioration  and  property  devaluation.    The  ratio  of  automobile 
loan net charge-offs to average automobile loans was 156 bp for 
2008,  an  increase  of  73  bp  compared  to  2007  displaying  an 
expected  increase  due  to  a  shift  in  the  portfolio  to  a  higher 
percentage  of  used  automobiles  and  an  increase  in  loss  severity 
due  to  increased  market  depreciation  of  used  automobiles.    The 
net  charge-off  ratio  on  credit  card  balances  was  551  bp  in  2008.  
Increases  in  the  charge-off  ratio  over  the  previous  two  years 
reflects  seasoning  in  the  credit  card  portfolio  and  general 
economic  conditions  compared  to  2007  and  for  2006,  due  to 
increased  personal  bankruptcies  in  2005  in  anticipation  of  the 
changes  in  bankruptcy  law.    Management  expects  trends  in  the 
charge-off  ratio  on  credit  card  balances  to  be  consistent  with 
general  economic  trends,  such  as  unemployment  and  personal 
bankruptcy  filings.    The  Bancorp  employs  a risk-adjusted  pricing 
methodology  to  help  ensure  adequate  compensation  is  received 
for those products that have higher credit costs. 

46    Fifth Third Bancorp     

Allowance for Credit Losses 
The allowance for credit losses is comprised of the allowance for 
loan and lease losses and the reserve for unfunded commitments.  
The  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses  provides  coverage  for 
probable and estimable losses in the loan and lease portfolio.  The 
Bancorp  evaluates  the  allowance  each  quarter  to  determine  its 
adequacy to cover inherent losses.  Several factors are taken into 
consideration  in  the  determination  of  the  overall  allowance  for 
loan and lease losses, including an unallocated component.  These 
factors  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  the  overall  risk  profile  of 
the loan and lease portfolios, net charge-off experience, the extent 
of  impaired  loans  and  leases,  the  level  of  nonaccrual  loans  and 
leases,  the  level  of  90  days  past  due  loans  and  leases  and  the 
overall percentage level of the allowance for loan and lease losses.  
The  Bancorp  also  considers  overall  asset  quality  trends,  credit 
administration 
risk 
identification  practices,  credit  policy  and  underwriting  practices, 
overall  portfolio  growth,  portfolio  concentrations  and  current 
national  and  local  economic  conditions  that  might  impact  the 
portfolio.  More information on the allowance for loan and lease 
losses can be found in the Critical Accounting Policies section of 
Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition 
and Results of Operations.  

and  portfolio  management  practices, 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 33: CHANGES IN ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Balance, beginning of year 
Net losses charged off 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net change in reserve for unfunded commitments 
Balance, end of year 
Components of allowance for credit losses: 

Allowance for loan and lease losses 
Reserve for unfunded commitments 

Total allowance for credit losses 

In  2008,  the  Bancorp  has  not  substantively  changed  any 
material aspect of its overall approach in the determination of the 
allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses  and  there  have  been  no 
material  changes  in  assumptions  or  estimation  techniques  as 
compared to prior periods that impacted the determination of the 
current  period  allowance.    In  addition  to  the  allowance  for  loan 
and  lease  losses,  the  Bancorp  maintains  a  reserve  for  unfunded 
commitments  recorded  in  other  liabilities  in  the  Consolidated 
Balance  Sheets.    The  methodology  used  to  determine  the 
adequacy of this reserve is similar to the Bancorp’s methodology 
for  determining  the  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses.    The 
provision  for  unfunded  commitments  is  included  in  other 
noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.     
Certain  inherent,  but  undetected  losses  are  probable  within 
the  loan  and  lease  portfolio.    An  unallocated  component  to  the 
allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained to recognize the 
imprecision  in  estimating  and  measuring  loss.    The  Bancorp’s 
current  methodology  for  determining  this  measure  is  based  on 
historical  loss  rates,  current  credit  grades,  specific  allocation  on 
impaired commercial credits above specified thresholds and other 
qualitative  adjustments.    Approximately  81%  of  the  required 
reserves  come  from  the  baseline  historical  loss  rates,  specific 
reserve  estimates  and  current  credit  grades;  while  19%  comes 
from  qualitative  adjustments.      As  a  result,  the  required  reserves 
tend  to  slightly  lag  the  deterioration  in  the  portfolio  due  to  the 
heavy  reliance  on  realized  historical  losses  and  the  credit  grade 
rating  process.  The  unallocated  allowance  as  a  percent  of  total 
portfolio loans and leases for the year ended December 31, 2008 
was  .33%,  or  10%  of  the  total  allowance,  compared  to  .06%,  or 
5% of the total allowance, as of December 31, 2007.  The increase 
in  the  unallocated  allowance  compared  to  the  prior  year  was  a 

2008
$1,032
(2,710)
4,560
100
$2,982

$2,787
195
$2,982

2007
847
(462)
628
19
1,032

937
95
1,032

2006 
814 
(316) 
343 
6 
847 

771 
76 
847 

2005
785
(299)
330
(2)
814

744
70
814

2004
770
(252)
268
(1)
785

713
72
785

result of the steep decline in real estate prices, market volatility in 
the  second  half  of  2008  and  economic  deterioration  in  some  of 
the  Bancorp’s  lending  markets,  for  which  the  deterioration  had 
not  yet  been  captured  in  the  historical  loss  rates  and  where  the 
extent of deterioration cannot be determined.   

As shown in Table 34, the allowance for loan and lease losses 
as  a  percent  of  the  total  loan  and  lease  portfolio  increased  to 
3.31%  at  December  31,  2008,  compared  to  1.17%  at  December 
31,  2007.    Total  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses  totaled  $2.8 
billion  and  $937  million  as  of  December  31,  2008  and  2007, 
respectively.    This  increase  is  reflective  of  a  number  of  factors 
including:  the  increase  in  commercial  impaired  loans  which  are 
individually  reviewed  and  allowed  for,  increased  estimated  loss 
factors  due  to  negative  trends  in  overall  delinquencies,  increased 
loss  estimates  once  a 
to 
deterioration  in  the  real  estate  collateral  values  in  some  of  the 
Bancorp’s  key  lending  markets  and  declines  in  general  economic 
conditions  that  are  used  to  determine  an  economic  factor 
adjustment.    These  factors  were  the  primary  drivers  of  the 
increased  reserve  amounts  for  most  of  the  Bancorp’s  loan 
categories.   

loan  becomes  delinquent  due 

Impaired  commercial  loans  increased  to  $1.5  billion  as  of 
December 31, 2008 compared to $494 million as of December 31, 
2007.  Impaired  commercial  loans  above  specified  thresholds 
require individual review to determine loan and lease reserves.  In 
addition  to  the  increased  volume  of  impaired  commercial  loans, 
required  loan  and  lease  reserves  on  these  loans  were  generally 
higher due to the deterioration in collateral values.  

Delinquency trends have increased across most product lines 
and credit grades, leading to increases in expected loss rates and, 
therefore,  increased  reserve  requirements  for  those  products.   In 

TABLE 34: ATTRIBUTION OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES TO PORTFOLIO LOANS AND LEASES 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Allowance attributed to: 
Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Residential mortgage loans 
Consumer loans  
Lease financing 
Unallocated 

2006 

2008

2005

2007

$824
363
252
388
611
70
279
$2,787

252 
95 
49 
51 
247 
29 
48 
771 

201
78
46
38
183
56
142
744

271
135
98
67
287
32
47
937

Total allowance for loan and lease losses 
Portfolio loans and leases: 

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Residential mortgage loans 
Consumer loans  
Lease financing 

Total portfolio loans and leases 
Attributed allowance as a percent of respective portfolio loans: 

Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Residential mortgage loans 
Consumer loans  
Lease financing 
Unallocated (as a percent of total portfolio loans and leases) 

Total portfolio loans and leases 

$29,197
12,502
5,114
9,385
23,509
4,436
$84,143

 2.82 % 
2.90
4.93
4.13
2.60
1.58
.33
3.31 % 

24,813
11,862
5,561
10,540
22,943
4,534
80,253

1.09
1.14
1.77
.63
1.25
.69
.06
1.17

20,831 
10,405 
6,168 
8,830 
23,204 
4,915 
74,353 

1.21 
.91 
.80 
.58 
1.06 
.59 
.06 
1.04 

19,253
9,188
6,342
7,847
22,006
5,289
69,925

1.05
.85
.72
.49
.83
1.06
.20
1.06

2004

210 
73 
42 
45 
160 
 47 
136 
713 

16,107
7,636
4,347
7,366
18,875
5,477
59,808

1.31
.96
.96
.61
.85
.86
.23
1.19

   Fifth Third Bancorp    47     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

general,  the  increase  in  historical  loss  reserve  factors  was 
responsible  for  over  half  of  the  year-over-year  increase  in  the 
allowance for loan and lease losses. 

As mentioned, real estate price deterioration, as measured by 
the  Home  Price  Index,  was  most  prevalent  in  some  of  the  key 
lending markets of the Bancorp.  The deterioration in real estate 
values 
loan  becomes 
delinquent,  particularly  for  residential  mortgage  and  home  equity 
loans with high loan-to-value ratios.  

increased  the  expected 

loss  once  a 

trends 

Economic 

such  as  gross  domestic  product, 
unemployment  rate,  home  sales  and  inventory  and  bankruptcy 
filings have historically provided indicators of  trends in loan and 
lease  loss  rates.    Compared  to  the  prior  year,  negative  trends  in 
general economic conditions in the national and local economies 
caused  increases  in  reserve  factors  used  to  determine  the  losses 
inherent within the loan and lease portfolio.  

The Bancorp continually reviews its credit administration and 
loan  and  lease  portfolio  and  makes  changes  based  on  the 
performance of its products.  Over the past year, the Bancorp has 
reduced 
to  homebuilders  and  developers  and 
borrowers  with  non-owner  occupied  real  estate  as  collateral, 
eliminated  brokered  home  equity  production  and  engaged  in 
significant loss mitigation strategies.  

lending 

its 

MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT 
Market  risk  arises  from  the  potential  for  market  fluctuations  in 
interest  rates,  foreign  exchange  rates  and  equity  prices  that  may 
result  in  potential  reductions  in  net  income.    Interest  rate  risk,  a 
component of market risk, is the exposure to adverse changes in 
net interest income or financial position due to changes in interest 
rates.    Management  considers  interest  rate  risk  a  prominent 
market risk in terms of its potential impact on earnings.  Interest 
rate risk can occur for any one or more of the following reasons: 
•  Assets and liabilities may mature or reprice at different 

• 

times; 
Short-term and long-term market interest rates may change 
by different amounts; or  

•  The expected maturity of various assets or liabilities may 

shorten or lengthen as interest rates change.   

In  addition  to  the  direct  impact  of  interest  rate  changes  on  net 
interest  income,  interest  rates  can  indirectly  impact  earnings 
through  their  effect  on  loan  demand,  credit  losses,  mortgage 
originations, the value of servicing rights and other sources of the 
Bancorp’s  earnings.    Stability  of  the  Bancorp’s  net  income  is 
largely dependent upon the effective management of interest rate 
risk.  Management continually reviews the Bancorp’s balance sheet 
composition and earnings flows and models the interest rate risk, 
and possible actions to reduce this risk, given numerous possible 
future interest rate scenarios. 

Earnings Simulation Model 
The  Bancorp  employs  a  variety  of  measurement  techniques  to 
identify  and  manage  its  interest  rate  risk,  including  the  use  of an 
earnings simulation model to analyze the sensitivity of net interest 
income  and  certain  noninterest  items  to  changing  interest  rates.  
The  model  is  based  on  contractual  and  assumed  cash  flows  and 
repricing  characteristics  for  all  of  the  Bancorp’s  financial 
instruments and incorporates market-based assumptions regarding 
the  effect  of  changing  interest  rates  on  the  prepayment  rates  of 
certain  assets  and  liabilities.    The  model  also  includes  senior 
management projections of the future volume and pricing of each 
of  the  product  lines  offered  by  the  Bancorp  as  well  as  other 
pertinent  assumptions.    Actual  results  will  differ  from  these 
simulated  results  due  to  timing,  magnitude  and  frequency  of 
interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and 
management strategies. 

The Bancorp’s Executive Asset Liability Committee (ALCO), 
is 
includes  senior  management  representatives  and 

which 

48    Fifth Third Bancorp     

accountable to the Risk and Compliance Committee of the Board 
of Directors, monitors and manages interest rate risk within Board 
approved  policy  limits.  In  addition  to  the  risk  management 
activities of ALCO, the Bancorp has a Market Risk Management 
function  as  part  of  ERM  that  provides  independent  oversight of 
market risk activities. The Bancorp’s interest rate risk exposure is 
currently  evaluated  by  measuring  the  anticipated  change  in  net 
interest income and mortgage banking net revenue over 12-month 
and  24-month  horizons  assuming  a  100  bp  parallel  ramped 
increase  and  a  200  bp  parallel  ramped  increase  in  interest  rates.  
The Fed Funds interest rate, targeted by the Federal Reserve at a 
range  of  0%  to  0.25%,  is  currently  set  at  a  level  that  would  be 
negative  in  parallel  ramped  decrease  scenarios;  therefore,  those 
scenarios  were  omitted  from  the  interest  rate  risk  analyses  for 
December  31,  2008.    In  accordance  with  the  current  policy,  the 
rate  movements  are  assumed  to  occur  over  one  year  and  are 
sustained thereafter. 

Table  35  shows  the  Bancorp's  estimated  earnings  sensitivity 

profile and ALCO policy limits as of December 31, 2008: 

TABLE 35: ESTIMATED EARNINGS SENSITIVITY PROFILE 

Change in Earnings (FTE) 

ALCO Policy Limits 

Change in 
Interest 
Rates (bp) 
+200 
+100 

12 
Months 
   (2.79%) 
(2.28) 

13 to 24  
Months 
(1.67) 
(1.66) 

12 
Months 
(5.00) 
- 

13 to 24 
 Months 
(7.00) 
- 

Economic Value of Equity 
The Bancorp also employs economic value of  equity (EVE)  as a 
measurement  tool  in  managing  interest  rate  risk.    Whereas  the 
earnings  simulation  highlights  exposures  over  a  relatively  short 
time  horizon,  the  EVE  analysis  incorporates  all  cash  flows  over 
the  estimated  remaining  life  of  all  balance  sheet  and  derivative 
positions.    The  EVE  of  the  balance  sheet,  at  a  point  in  time,  is 
defined  as  the  discounted  present  value  of  asset  and  derivative 
cash  flows  less  the  discounted  value  of  liability  cash  flows.    The 
sensitivity  of  EVE  to  changes  in  the  level  of  interest  rates  is  a 
measure  of  longer-term  interest  rate  risk.  EVE  values  only  the 
current  balance  sheet  and  does  not  incorporate  the  growth 
assumptions used in the earnings simulation model.  As with the 
earnings  simulation  model,  assumptions  about  the  timing  and 
variability  of  balance  sheet  cash  flows  are  critical  in  the  EVE 
analysis.  Particularly 
important  are  the  assumptions  driving 
prepayments and the expected changes in balances and pricing of 
the transaction deposit portfolios.  The following table shows the 
Bancorp’s EVE sensitivity profile as of December 31, 2008: 

TABLE 36: ESTIMATED EVE SENSITIVITY PROFILE 

Change in  
Interest Rates (bp) 
+200 
+100 
   -25  

Change in EVE 
   (1.25%) 
(0.15) 
(0.06) 

ALCO Policy Limits 
(20.0) 

While  an  instantaneous  shift  in  interest  rates  is  used  in  this 
analysis to provide an estimate of exposure, the Bancorp believes 
that  a  gradual  shift  in  interest  rates  would  have  a  much  more 
modest  impact.    Since  EVE  measures  the  discounted  present 
value  of  cash  flows  over  the  estimated  lives  of  instruments,  the 
change  in  EVE  does  not  directly  correlate  to  the  degree  that 
earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon (e.g., the 
current  fiscal  year).  Further,  EVE  does  not  take  into  account 
factors  such  as  future  balance  sheet  growth,  changes  in  product 
mix,  changes  in  yield  curve  relationships  and  changing  product 
spreads  that  could  mitigate  the  adverse  impact  of  changes  in 
interest rates.  The earnings simulation and EVE analyses do not 
necessarily 
that  management  may 
undertake to manage this risk in response to anticipated changes 
in interest rates. 

include  certain  actions 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Use of Derivatives to Manage Interest Rate Risk 
An  integral  component  of  the  Bancorp’s  interest  rate  risk 
management  strategy  is  its  use  of  derivative  instruments  to 
minimize  significant  fluctuations  in  earnings  and  cash  flows 
caused  by  changes  in  market  interest  rates.    Examples  of 
derivative  instruments  that  the  Bancorp  may  use  as  part  of  its 
interest rate risk management strategy include interest rate swaps, 
interest rate floors, interest rate caps, forward contracts, principal 
only swaps, options and swaptions.   

As part of its overall risk management strategy relative to its 
mortgage  banking  activity,  the  Bancorp  enters  into  forward 
contracts  accounted 
to 
economically  hedge  interest  rate  lock  commitments  that  are  also 
considered  free-standing  derivatives.    In  addition,  the  Bancorp 
also economically hedges its exposure to mortgage loans held for 
sale. 

free-standing  derivatives 

for  as 

The Bancorp also establishes derivative contracts with major 
financial  institutions  to  economically  hedge  significant  exposures 
assumed  in  commercial  customer  accommodation  derivative 
contracts.  Generally, these contracts have similar terms in order 
to  protect  the  Bancorp  from  market  volatility.    Credit  risks  arise 
from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of 
their contracts, which the Bancorp minimizes through approvals, 
limits and monitoring procedures.  The notional amount and fair 
values of these derivatives as of December 31, 2008 are included 
in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Portfolio Loans and Leases and Interest Rate Risk 
Although  the  Bancorp’s  portfolio  loans  and  leases  contain  both 
fixed  and  floating/adjustable  rate  products,  the  rates  of  interest 
earned by the Bancorp on the outstanding balances are generally 
established  for  a  period  of  time.    The  interest  rate  sensitivity  of 
loans  and  leases  is  directly  related  to  the  length  of  time  the  rate 
earned is established.  Table 37 summarizes the expected principal 
cash  flows  of  the  Bancorp’s  portfolio  loans  and  leases  as  of 
December 31, 2008.  Additionally, Table 38 displays a summary of 
expected  principal  cash  flows  occurring  after  one  year,  as  of 
December 31, 2008. 

Mortgage Servicing Rights and Interest Rate Risk 
The net carrying amount of the MSR portfolio was $496 million 
and $613 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  
The  value  of  servicing  rights  can  fluctuate  sharply  depending  on 
changes in interest rates and other factors.  Generally, as interest 
rates  decline  and  loans  are  prepaid  to  take  advantage  of 
refinancing,  the  total  value  of  existing  servicing  rights  declines 
because  no  further  servicing  fees  are  collected  on  repaid  loans.  
The Bancorp maintains a non-qualifying hedging strategy relative 
to  its  mortgage  banking  activity  in  order  to  manage  a  portion  of 
the risk associated with changes in the value of its MSR portfolio 
as a result of changing interest rates.   

Mortgage rates decreased during 2008 and had a pronounced 
decrease at the end of the year in response to the actions taken by 
the  U.S.  Treasury.    This  decrease  in  rates  caused  prepayment 
assumptions  to  increase  and  led  to  $207  million  in  temporary 
impairment during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared 
to  the  $22  million  in  temporary  impairment  in  2007.    Servicing 
rights  are  deemed  temporarily  impaired  when  a  borrower’s  loan 
rate  is  distinctly  higher  than  prevailing  rates.    Temporary 
impairment  on  servicing  rights  is  reversed  when  the  prevailing 
rates  return  to  a  level  commensurate  with  the  borrower’s  loan 
rate.  Offsetting  the  mortgage  servicing  rights  valuation,  the 
Bancorp recognized net gains of $209 million and $29 million on 
its  non-qualifying  hedging  strategy  for  the  year  ended  December 
31,  2008  and  2007,  respectively.    See  Note  10  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  further  discussion  on 
servicing  rights  and  the  instruments  used  to  hedge  interest  rate 
risk on mortgage servicing rights. 

Foreign Currency Risk 
The Bancorp enters into foreign exchange derivative contracts to 
economically  hedge  certain  foreign  denominated  loans.    The 
derivatives  are  classified  as  free-standing  instruments  with  the 
revaluation  gain  or  loss  being  recorded  in  other  noninterest 
income in the  Consolidated Statements of Income.  The balance 
of  the  Bancorp’s  foreign  denominated  loans  at  December  31, 
2008 and December 31, 2007 was approximately $307 million and 
$329  million,  respectively.    The  Bancorp  also  enters  into  foreign 

TABLE 37: PORTFOLIO LOAN AND LEASE PRINCIPAL CASH FLOWS  

As of December 31, 2008 ($ in millions) 
   Commercial loans 
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
Subtotal - commercial 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Home equity 
   Automobile loans 
   Credit card 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
Subtotal - consumer 
Total 

Less than 1 year 
$15,388 
4,814 
3,651 
584 
24,437 
3,047 
2,281 
3,133 
138 
520 
9,119 
$33,556 

1-5 years 
11,828 
5,460 
1,254 
1,626 
20,168 
3,617 
5,153 
4,916 
1,673 
577 
15,936 
36,104 

Greater than 5 
years 

1,981 
2,228 
209 
1,456 
5,874 
2,721 
5,318 
545 
- 
25 
8,609 
14,483 

Total 
29,197 
12,502 
5,114 
3,666 
50,479 
9,385 
12,752 
8,594 
1,811 
1,122 
33,664 
84,143 

TABLE 38: PORTFOLIO LOAN AND LEASE PRINCIPAL CASH FLOWS OCCURRING AFTER ONE YEAR 

Interest Rate 

As of December 31, 2008 ($ in millions) 
   Commercial loans 
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
Subtotal - commercial 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Home equity 
   Automobile loans 
   Credit card 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
Subtotal - consumer 
Total 

Fixed 

$3,047 
  2,964 
    178 
3,082 
9,271 
3,492 
 1,553 
5,419 
998 
 597 
12,059 
$21,330 

Floating or Adjustable 
10,762 
4,724 
1,285 
- 
16,771 
2,846 
8,918 
42 
675 
5 
12,486 
29,257 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

TABLE 39: AGENCY RATINGS 
As of February 23, 2009 
Fifth Third Bancorp: 
Commercial paper 
Senior debt 
Subordinated debt 

Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Bank (Michigan): 

Short-term deposit 
Long-term deposit 
Senior debt 
Subordinated debt 

Moody’s 

Standard and Poor’s 

Fitch 

DBRS 

Prime-1 
A2 
A3 

Prime-1 
A1 
A1 
A2 

A-2 
A- 
BBB+ 

A1 
A 
A 
A- 

F1 
A 
A- 

F1 
A+ 
A 
A- 

R-1M 
AAL 
A 

R-1H 
AA 
AA 
AAL 

short-term and long-term funding sources, which include the use 
of  various  regional  Federal  Home  Loan  Banks  as  a  funding 
source.    Certificates  carrying  a  balance  of  $100,000  or  more  and 
deposits  in  the  Bancorp’s  foreign  branch  located  in  the  Cayman 
Islands are wholesale funding tools utilized to fund asset growth.  
Management  does  not  rely  on  any  one  source  of  liquidity  and 
manages availability in response to changing balance sheet needs.  
The  Bancorp  has  a  shelf  registration  in  place  with  the  SEC 
permitting ready access to the public debt markets and qualifies as 
a  “well-known  seasoned  issuer”  under  SEC  rules.    As  of 
December  31,  2008,  $4.4  billion  of  debt  or  other  securities  were 
available for issuance from this shelf registration under the current 
Bancorp’s  Board  of  Directors’  authorizations,  however,  due  to 
current  market  disruptions,  access  to  these  markets  may  not  be 
readily  available.    The  Bancorp  also  has  $16.2  billion  of  funding 
available for issuance through  private offerings of debt securities 
pursuant 
its  bank  note  program  and  currently  has 
approximately  $17.9  billion  of  borrowing  capacity  available 
through  secured  borrowing  sources  including  the  Federal  Home 
Loan  Banks  and  Federal  Reserve  Banks.    The  Bancorp  has 
approximately  $1.3  billion  of  unsecured  long-term  debt  and  $2.8 
billion of total long-term debt that will mature during 2009. 

to 

The Bancorp’s senior debt ratings as of February 23, 2009 are 
summarized  in  Table  39,  which  indicate  the  Bancorp’s  strong 
capacity to meet financial commitments. *  Additional information 
on senior debt credit ratings is as follows: 

• 

•  Moody’s  A2  rating  is  considered  upper-medium-grade 
obligations  and  is  the  third  highest  ranking  within  its 
overall classification system; 
Standard  &  Poor’s  A-  rating  indicates  the  obligor’s 
capacity to meet its financial commitment is STRONG 
and  is  the  third  highest  ranking  within  its  overall 
classification system; 
Fitch Ratings’ A rating is considered high credit quality 
and  is  the  third  highest  ranking  within  its  overall 
classification system; and 

• 

•  DBRS  Ltd.’s  AAL  rating  is  considered  superior  credit 
quality  and  is  the  second  highest  ranking  within  its 
overall classification system. 

* As an investor, you should be aware that a security rating is not 
a  recommendation  to  buy,  sell  or  hold  securities,  that  it  may  be 
subject  to  revision  or  withdrawal  at  any  time  by  the  assigning 
rating  organization  and  that  each  rating  should  be  evaluated 
independently of any other rating. 

exchange  contracts  for  the  benefit  of  commercial  customers 
involved in international trade to hedge their exposure to foreign 
currency fluctuations.  The Bancorp has internal controls in place 
to help ensure excessive risk is  not being taken in providing this 
service  to  customers.  These  controls  include  an  independent 
determination of currency volatility and credit equivalent exposure 
on  these  contracts,  counterparty  credit  approvals  and  country 
limits. 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT 
The goal of liquidity management is to provide adequate funds to 
meet  changes  in  loan  and  lease  demand,  unexpected  deposit 
withdrawals  and  other  contractual  obligations.    A  summary  of 
certain  obligations  and  commitments  to  make  future  payments 
under contracts is included in Table 42.  Mitigating liquidity risk is 
accomplished  by  maintaining  liquid  assets  in  the  form  of 
investment  securities,  maintaining  sufficient  unused  borrowing 
capacity  in  the  debt  markets  and  delivering  consistent  growth  in 
core  deposits.    Cash  flows  from  estimated  loan  and  lease 
repayment  are  included  in  Table  37.    The  estimated  weighted-
average  life  of  the  available-for-sale  securities  portfolio  was  3.2 
years  at  December  31,  2008,  based  on  current  prepayment 
expectations.  Of the $14.3 billion of securities in the portfolio at 
December  31,  2008,  $5.8  billion  in  principal  and  interest  is 
expected to be received in the next 12 months and an additional 
$2.2 billion is expected to be received in the next 13 to 24 months.  
In  addition  to  the  securities  portfolio,  asset-driven  liquidity  is 
provided  by  the  Bancorp’s  ability  to  sell  or  securitize  loan  and 
lease  assets.    In  order  to  reduce  the  exposure  to  interest  rate 
fluctuations  and  to  manage  liquidity,  the  Bancorp  has  developed 
securitization  and  sale  procedures  for  several  types  of  interest-
sensitive  assets.    A  majority  of  the  long-term,  fixed-rate  single-
family  residential  mortgage  loans  underwritten  according  to 
FHLMC or FNMA guidelines are sold for cash upon origination.  
Additional  assets  such  as  jumbo  fixed-rate  residential  mortgages, 
certain  commercial  loans,  home  equity  loans,  automobile  loans 
and other consumer loans are also capable of being securitized or 
sold.    For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  loans 
totaling  $15.7  billion  and  $12.2  billion,  respectively,  were 
securitized or sold. 

Core deposits have historically provided the Bancorp with a 
sizeable  source  of  relatively  stable  and  low  cost  funds.    The 
Bancorp’s  average  core  deposits  and  shareholders’  equity  funded 
65%  of  its  average  total  assets  during  2008.    In  addition  to  core 
deposit  funding,  the  Bancorp  also  accesses  a  variety  of  other 

50    Fifth Third Bancorp     

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 
Management, 
including  the  Bancorp’s  Board  of  Directors, 
regularly reviews the Bancorp’s capital position to help ensure it is 
appropriately  positioned  under  various  operating  environments.  
In May 2008, Fifth Third Capital Trust VII, a wholly-owned non-
consolidated  subsidiary  of  the  Bancorp,  issued  $400  million  of 
Tier 1-qualifying trust preferred securities to third party investors 
and  invested  these  proceeds  in  junior  subordinated  notes  issued 
by the Bancorp.  Due to the deterioration in credit trends over the 
past  year  and  the  uncertainty  involving  future  economic  trends, 
management carried out  actions throughout 2008 to increase the 
Bancorp’s capital position. During the second quarter of 2008, the 
Bancorp  issued  approximately  $1  billion  in  Tier  1  capital  in  the 
form  of  convertible  preferred  shares.    This  issuance  allowed  the 
Bancorp to immediately meet its revised Tier I capital ratio targets 
of  eight  to  nine  percent.    In  addition,  the  Bancorp’s  Board  of 
Directors reduced the dividend on its common stock to allow for 
further retention of capital, preserving over $580 million of capital 
in 2008 relative to the prior level, and nearly $1.0 billion in 2009.  
In 2008, the Bancorp paid dividends per common share of $0.75, 
a reduction from the $1.70 paid per common share in 2007.  

On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a series 
of  initiatives  to  strengthen  market  stability,  improve  the  strength 
of financial institutions and enhance market liquidity.  Among the 
initiatives, the U.S. Treasury created a voluntary CPP as part of its 
efforts  to  provide  a  firmer  capital  foundation  for  financial 
institutions  and  to  increase  credit  availability  to  consumers  and 
businesses.  As part of the program, eligible financial institutions 
were able to sell equity interests to the U.S.  Treasury in amounts 
equal  to  one  to  three  percent  of  the  institution’s  risk-weighted 
assets.    These  equity  interests  constitute  Tier  1  capital.    On 
December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp  issued  $3.4  billion  in  senior 
preferred stock (Series F) and related warrants under the terms of 
the  CPP  to  the  U.S.  Treasury.    The  CPP  investment  provided 
capital  in  excess  of  the  Bancorp’s  previously  planned  levels,  on 
terms the Bancorp believes are favorable to its investors.   

At  December  31,  2008,  shareholders’  equity  was  $12.1 
billion, compared to $9.2 billion at December 31, 2007.  Tangible 
equity as a percent of tangible assets was 7.86% at December 31, 
2008  and  6.14%  at  December  31,  2007.    The  increase  in 
shareholders’  equity  and  tangible  equity  ratio  from  2007  is 
primarily  a  result  of  the  issuance  of  preferred  stock  during  the 
second half of 2008.   

The Federal Reserve Board established quantitative measures 
that  assign  risk  weightings  to  assets  and  off-balance  sheet  items 

TABLE 40: CAPITAL RATIOS 
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Average equity as a percent of average assets 
Tangible equity as a percent of tangible assets 
Tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets 

Tier I capital 
Total risk-based capital 
Risk-weighted assets 
Regulatory capital ratios:  

Tier I capital 
Total risk-based capital 
Tier I leverage 

and also define and set minimum regulatory capital requirements 
(risk-based  capital  ratios).    Additionally,  the  guidelines  define 
“well-capitalized”  ratios  for  Tier  1  and  total  risk-based  capital  as 
6%  and  10%,  respectively.  The  Bancorp  exceeded  these  “well-
capitalized” ratios for all periods presented.  As of December 31, 
2008, actions taken to bolster capital during the year increased the 
Bancorp’s  Tier  1  capital  ratio  to  10.59%  and  the  total  risk-based 
capital ratio to 14.78%.  Management expects short -term capital 
ratios  to  remain  elevated  above  management’s  target  of  eight  to 
nine percent for Tier 1 capital ratio and 11.5% to 12.5% for total 
risk-based capital ratio.   

Dividend Policy and Stock Repurchase Program 
The Bancorp’s common stock dividend policy reflects its earnings 
outlook,  desired  payout  ratios,  the  need  to  maintain  adequate 
capital  levels  and  alternative  investment  opportunities.    In  2008, 
the  Bancorp  paid  dividends  per  common  share  of  $0.75,  a 
decrease from the $1.70 paid in 2007.  The reduction in quarterly 
common  dividend  was  in  response  to  the  difficult  operating 
environment and the additional capital that may be needed.  The 
Bancorp’s  quarterly  dividend  per  common  share  for  the  fourth 
quarter 2008 was $0.01. 

As previously discussed, the Bancorp has issued $3.4 billion 
in senior preferred stock and related warrants to the U.S. Treasury 
as part of the CPP.  Upon issuance, the Bancorp agreed to limit 
dividends to common stock holders to the quarterly dividend rate 
paid prior to October 14, 2008, which was $0.15.  This restriction 
is in effect until the earlier of December 31, 2011 or the date upon 
which the Series F senior preferred shares are redeemed in whole 
or transferred to an unaffiliated third party.   

The  Bancorp’s  repurchase  of  equity  securities  is  shown  in 
Table  41.    On  May  21,  2007,  the  Bancorp  announced  that  its 
Board  of  Directors  had  authorized  management  to  purchase  30 
million shares of the Bancorp’s common stock through the open 
market or in any private transaction.  The authorization does not 
include  specific  price  targets  or  an  expiration  date.    Under  the 
agreement with the U.S. Treasury, as part of the CPP, the Bancorp 
is  restricted  in  its  repurchases  of  its  common  stock.    This 
restriction is in effect until the earlier of December 31, 2011 or the 
date upon which the Series F senior preferred shares are redeemed 
in whole or transferred to an unaffiliated third party. 

2007
2008
8.78 %               9.35 
6.14
7.86
6.14
4.23

$11,924
16,646
112,570

10.59 % 
14.78
10.27

8,924
11,733
115,529

7.72
10.16
8.50

2006 
9.32 
7.95 
7.95 

8,625 
11,385 
102,823 

8.39 
11.07 
8.44 

2005
9.06
7.23
7.22

8,209
10,240
98,293

8.35
10.42
8.08

2004
9.34
8.51
8.50

8,522
10,176
82,633

10.31
12.31
8.89

TABLE 41: SHARE REPURCHASES 
For the years ended December 31 
Shares authorized for repurchase at January 1 
Additional authorizations 
Shares repurchases (a) 
Shares authorized for repurchase at December 31 
Average price paid per share  
(a) Excludes 63,270, 365,867 and 357,612 shares repurchased during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, in connection with various employee compensation plans.  These repurchases 
are  not  included  in  the  calculation  for  average  price  paid  and  do  not  count  against  the  maximum  number  of  shares  that  may  yet  be  repurchased  under  the  Board  of  Directors’ 
authorization. 

          2007 
15,807,045 
30,000,000 
(26,605,527) 
19,201,518 
40.70 

          2008 
19,201,518 
- 
- 
19,201,518 
N/A 

    2006 
17,846,953 
- 
(2,039,908) 
15,807,045 
39.72 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS 
The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  include  the  accounts  of 
the  Bancorp  and  its  majority-owned  subsidiaries  and  variable 
interest entities (VIEs) in which the Bancorp has been determined 
to  be  the  primary  beneficiary.  Other  entities,  including  certain 
joint  ventures,  in  which  the  Bancorp  has  the  ability  to  exercise 
significant  influence  over  operating  and  financial  policies  of  the 
investee,  but  upon  which  the  Bancorp  does  not  possess  control, 
are  accounted  for  by  the  equity  method  and  not  consolidated.  
Those entities in which the Bancorp does not have the ability to 
exercise significant influence are generally carried at the lower of 
cost or fair value.  

In  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  the  Bancorp  enters  into 
financial  transactions  to  extend  credit  and  various  forms  of 
commitments and guarantees that may be considered off-balance 
sheet arrangements.  These transactions involve varying elements 
of market, credit and liquidity risk.  The nature and extent of these 
transactions are provided in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial  Statements.    In  addition,  the  Bancorp  uses  conduits, 
asset  securitizations  and  certain  defined  guarantees  to  provide  a 
source of funding.  The use of these investment vehicles involves 
differing  degrees  of  risk.  A  summary  of  these  transactions  is 
provided below.  

Through  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the  Bancorp  had 
transferred,  subject  to  credit  recourse,  certain  primarily  floating-
rate,  short-term,  investment  grade  commercial  loans  to  an 
unconsolidated  QSPE  that  is  wholly  owned  by  an  independent 
third-party.  The outstanding balance of these loans at December 
31,  2008  and  2007  was  $1.9  billion  and  $3.0  billion,  respectively.  
These  loans  may  be  transferred  back  to  the  Bancorp  upon  the 
occurrence  of  certain  specified  events.    These  events  include 
borrower default on the loans transferred, bankruptcy preferences 
initiated against underlying borrowers, ineligible loans transferred 
by  the  Bancorp  to  the  QSPE  and  the  inability  of  the  QSPE  to 
issue commercial paper.  The maximum amount of credit risk in 
the  event  of  nonperformance  by  the  underlying  borrowers  is 
approximately equivalent to the total outstanding balance. During 
the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the QSPE did not 
transfer any loans back to the Bancorp as a result of a credit event.      
The QSPE issues commercial paper and uses the proceeds to 
fund  the  acquisition  of  commercial  loans  transferred  to  it  by  the 
Bancorp.  The ability of the QSPE to issue commercial paper is a 
function of general market conditions and the credit rating of the 
liquidity  provider.    In  the  event  the  QSPE  is  unable  to  issue 
commercial  paper,  the  Bancorp  has  agreed  to  provide  liquidity 
support  to  the  QSPE  in  the  form  of  purchases  of  commercial 
paper, a line of  credit to the QSPE and the repurchase of assets 
from the QSPE.  As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the liquidity 
asset  purchase  agreement  was  $2.8  billion  and  $5.0  billion, 
respectively.  During  2008,  dislocation  in  the  short-term  funding 
market caused the QSPE difficulty in obtaining sufficient funding 
through  the  issuance  of  commercial  paper.    As  a  result,  the 
Bancorp  provided  liquidity  support  to  the  QSPE  during  2008 
through  purchases  of  commercial  paper,  a  line  of  credit  to  the 
QSPE  and  the  repurchase  of  assets  from  the  QSPE  under  the 
liquidity asset purchase agreement.  As of December 31, 2008, the 
Bancorp  held  approximately  $143  million  of  asset-backed 
commercial  paper  issued  by  the  QSPE,  representing  7%  of  the 
total  commercial  paper  issued  by  the  QSPE.    Due  to  continued 
difficulty  in  obtaining  sufficient  funding  through  the  issuance  of 
commercial  paper  in  the  first  quarter  of  2009,  the  Bancorp  held 

approximately  $836  million  of  asset-backed  commercial  paper 
issued  by  the  QSPE,  representing  43%  of  the  total  commercial 
paper issued by the QSPE.   

During  2008,  the  Bancorp  repurchased  $686  million  of 
commercial loans at par from the QSPE under the liquidity asset 
purchase agreement.  Fair value adjustment charges of $3 million 
were recorded on these loans upon repurchase.  As of December 
31, 2008, there were no outstanding balances on the line of credit 
from the Bancorp to the QSPE.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, 
the  Bancorp’s  loss  reserve  related  to  the  liquidity  support  and 
credit  enhancement  provided  to  the  QSPE  was  $37  million  and 
$18  million,  respectively,  and  was  recorded  in  other  liabilities  in 
the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.    To  determine  the  credit  loss 
reserve, the Bancorp used an approach that is consistent with its 
overall approach in estimating credit losses for various categories 
of  commercial  loans  held  in  its  loan  portfolio.    For  further 
information  on  the  QSPE,  see  Note  10  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

The  Bancorp  utilizes  securitization 

trusts,  formed  by 
independent third parties to facilitate the securitization process of 
residential  mortgage  loans,  certain  automobile  loans  and  other 
consumer  loans.  During  2008  the  Bancorp  recognized  pretax 
gains of $15 million on the sale of $2.7 billion of automobile loans 
in three separate transactions. Each transaction isolated the related 
loans  through  the  use  of  a  securitization  trust  or  a  conduit, 
formed  as  QSPEs,  to  facilitate  the  securitization  process  in 
accordance  with  SFAS  No.  140,  “Accounting  for  Transfers  and 
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.” 
The  QSPEs  issue  asset-backed  securities  with  varying  levels  of 
credit subordination and payment priority. The investors in these 
securities  have  no  recourse  to  the  Bancorp’s  other  assets  for 
failure of debtors to pay when due. During 2008, the Bancorp did 
not repurchase any previously transferred automobile loans from 
the  QSPEs.  For  further 
information  on  these  automobile 
securitizations,  see  Note  10  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Bancorp had provided 
credit  recourse  on  residential  mortgage  loans  sold  to  unrelated 
third  parties  of  approximately  $1.3  billion  and  $1.5  billion, 
respectively.  In the event of any customer default, pursuant to the 
credit recourse provided, the Bancorp is required to reimburse the 
third party.  The maximum amount of credit risk in the event of 
nonperformance by the underlying borrowers is equivalent to the 
total  outstanding  balance.  For  further 
information  on  the 
residential mortgage loans sold with credit recourse, see Note 10 
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

For  certain  mortgage  loans  originated  by  the  Bancorp, 
borrowers may be required to obtain Private Mortgage Insurance 
(PMI)  provided  by  third-party  insurers.  In  some  instances,  these 
PMI  insurers  cede  a  portion  of  the  PMI  premiums  to  the 
Bancorp, and the Bancorp provides reinsurance coverage within a 
specified  range  of  the  total  PMI  coverage.  The  Bancorp’s 
reinsurance coverage typically ranges from 5% to 10% of the total 
PMI coverage.  The Bancorp's maximum exposure in the event of 
nonperformance by the underlying borrowers is equivalent to the 
Bancorp's total outstanding reinsurance coverage, which was $170 
million  at  December  31,  2008.    As  of  December  31,  2008,  the 
Bancorp maintained a reserve of approximately $13 million related 
to  exposures  within  the  reinsurance  portfolio.    No  reserve  was 
deemed necessary as of December 31, 2007. 

52    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS 
The  Bancorp  has  certain  obligations  and  commitments  to  make 
future  payments  under  contracts.    The  aggregate  contractual 
obligations and commitments at December 31, 2008 are shown in 
Table  42.  As  of  December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp  has 
unrecognized  tax  benefits  that,  if  recognized,  would  impact  the 
effective tax rate in future periods.  Due to the uncertainty of the 
amounts  to  be  ultimately  paid  as  well  as  the  timing  of  such 

payments, all uncertain tax liabilities that have not been paid have 
been  excluded  from  the  Contractual  Obligations  and  Other 
Commitments table.  Further detail on the impact of income taxes 
is  located  in  Note  22  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements. 

TABLE 42: CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS 

As of December 31, 2008 ($ in millions) 
Contractually obligated payments due by period: 

Deposits without a stated maturity (a) 
Time deposits (b) 
Long-term debt (c) 
Short-term borrowings (d) 
Forward contracts to sell mortgage loans (e) 
Noncancelable lease obligations (f) 
Partnership investment commitments (g) 
Pension obligations (h) 
Capital expenditures (i) 
Purchase obligations (j) 

Total contractually obligated payments due by period 
Other commitments by expiration period: 
Commitments to extend credit (k) 
Letters of credit (l) 

Less than 

        1 year 

1-3 years

3-5 years 

Greater than 
      5 years 

$52,412
19,054
2,785
10,246
3,235
90
302
21
68
27
$88,240

-
816
855
-
-
161
-
38
-
43
1,913

- 
55 
2,336 
- 
- 
143 
- 
36 
- 
11 
2,581 

-
6,276
7,609
-
-
543
-
78
-
-
14,506

Total

52,412
26,201
13,585
10,246
3,235
937
302
173
68
81
107,240

$18,233
3,303
$21,536
Includes demand, interest checking, savings, money market and foreign office deposits.  For additional information, see the Deposits discussion in the Balance Sheet Analysis section 
of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. 

Total other commitments by expiration period 
(a)  

31,237
4,066
35,303

49,470
8,951
58,421

- 
1,178 
1,178 

-
404
404

(b)    Includes other time and certificates $100,000 and over. For additional information, see the Deposits discussion in the Balance Sheet Analysis section of Management’s Discussion 

(c) 

(d)  

and Analysis. 
In the banking industry, interest-bearing obligations are principally used to fund interest-earning assets.  As such, interest charges on contractual obligations were excluded from 
reported amounts, as the potential cash outflows would have corresponding cash inflows from interest-earning assets.  See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
for additional information on these debt instruments. 
Includes federal funds purchased and borrowings with an original maturity of less than one year.  For additional information, see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements. 

Includes both operating and capital leases. 
Includes low-income housing, historic tax and venture capital partnership investments. 

(e)   See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on forward contracts to sell mortgage loans. 
(f) 
(g)  
(h)      See Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on pension obligations. 
(i)     Includes commitments to various general contractors for work related to banking center construction. 
(j)      Represents agreements to purchase goods or services. 
(k)   Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend, typically having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses that may require payment of a fee. Many of the commitments    

to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash flow requirements. 

(l)      Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT AS TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

The  Bancorp  conducted  an  evaluation,  under  the  supervision  and  with  the  participation  of  the  Bancorp’s  management,  including  the 
Bancorp’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Bancorp’s disclosure 
controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act).  Based on the foregoing, as of the 
end  of  the  period  covered  by  this  report,  the Bancorp’s  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  concluded  that  the  Bancorp’s 
disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the 
Bancorp files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required and information is 
accumulated and communicated to management on a timely basis. 

The management of Fifth Third Bancorp is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control, designed to provide 
reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America.  The  Bancorp’s  management  assessed  the 
effectiveness of the Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. Management’s assessment is based on the 
criteria  established  in  the  Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission and was designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Bancorp maintained effective internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2008. Based on this assessment, management believes that the Bancorp maintained effective internal control over financial 
reporting  as  of  December  31,  2008.  The  Bancorp’s  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm,  that  audited  the  Bancorp’s  consolidated 
financial statements included in this annual report, has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 
31, 2008. This report appears on page 55 of the annual report. 

The Bancorp’s management also conducted an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes 
occurred during the year covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Bancorp’s internal 
control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, there has been no such change during the year covered by this report. 

Kevin T. Kabat          
President and Chief Executive Officer  
February 27, 2009  

Ross J. Kari 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
February 27, 2009 

54    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bancorp: 

REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Fifth Third Bancorp and subsidiaries (the “Bancorp”) as of December 31, 2008, 
based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission.  The Bancorp's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Assessment as to the Effectiveness 
of  Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting.    Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  the  Bancorp's  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting based on our audit. 

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States).    Those 
standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  effective  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting  was  maintained  in  all  material  respects.    Our  audit  included  obtaining  an  understanding  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting, 
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the 
assessed  risk,  and  performing  such  other  procedures  as  we  considered  necessary  in  the  circumstances.    We  believe  that  our  audit  provides  a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

A  company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  by,  or  under  the  supervision  of,  the  company's  principal 
executive  and  principal  financial  officers,  or  persons  performing  similar  functions,  and  effected  by  the  company's  board  of  directors, 
management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.    A  company's  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting  includes  those  policies  and  procedures  that  (1)  pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately  and  fairly 
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary 
to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of 
the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use,  or  disposition  of  the  company's  assets  that  could  have  a 
material effect on the financial statements. 

Because  of  the  inherent  limitations  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  including  the  possibility  of  collusion  or  improper 
management  override  of  controls,  material  misstatements  due  to  error  or  fraud  may  not  be  prevented  or  detected  on  a  timely  basis.    Also, 
projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the 
controls  may  become  inadequate  because  of  changes  in  conditions,  or  that  the  degree  of  compliance  with  the  policies  or  procedures  may 
deteriorate. 

In our opinion, the Bancorp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, 
based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission.  

We  have  also  audited,  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States),  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  as  of  and  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008  of  the  Bancorp  and  our  report  dated  February  27,  2009 
expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. 

Cincinnati, Ohio 
February 27, 2009 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bancorp: 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  and  subsidiaries  (the  “Bancorp”)  as  of  December  31, 
2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 2008.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Bancorp's management. Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. 

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States).    Those 
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material 
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An 
audit  also  includes  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall 
financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Fifth Third Bancorp 
and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Bancorp’s 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2009 expressed an unqualified 
opinion on the Bancorp's internal control over financial reporting. 

Cincinnati, Ohio 
February 27, 2009 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

2007

2,660 
10,677 
355 
171 
620 
4,329 

2008

$2,739 
12,728 
360 
1,191 
3,578 
1,452 

29,197 
12,502 
5,114 
3,666 
9,385 
12,752
8,594
1,811
1,122
84,143
(2,787)
81,356
2,494
463
2,624
168
499
10,112
$119,764 

As of December 31 ($ in millions, except share data) 
Assets 
Cash and due from banks 
Available-for-sale and other securities (a) 
Held-to-maturity securities (b) 
Trading securities 
Other short-term investments 
Loans held for sale (c) 
Portfolio loans and leases: 
    Commercial loans 
    Commercial mortgage loans 
    Commercial construction loans 
    Commercial leases 
    Residential mortgage loans (d) 
    Home equity 
    Automobile loans 
    Credit card 
    Other consumer loans and leases 
Portfolio loans and leases 
Allowance for loan and lease losses 
Portfolio loans and leases, net 
Bank premises and equipment 
Operating lease equipment 
Goodwill 
Intangible assets 
Servicing rights 
Other assets 
Total Assets 
Liabilities 
Deposits: 
    Demand 
    Interest checking 
    Savings  
    Money market 
    Other time 
    Certificates - $100,000 and over 
    Foreign office and other 
Total deposits 
Federal funds purchased 
Other short-term borrowings 
Accrued taxes, interest and expenses 
Other liabilities 
Long-term debt 
Total Liabilities 
Shareholders' Equity 
Common stock (e) 
Preferred stock (f) 
Capital surplus (g) 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 
Treasury stock 
Total Shareholders' Equity 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 
(a) Amortized cost: December 31, 2008 - $12,550 and December 31, 2007 - $10,821 
(b) Market values: December 31, 2008 - $360 and December 31, 2007 - $355 
(c)  Includes $881million of residential mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value at December 31, 2008. 
(d) Includes $7 million of residential mortgage loans held for investment measured at fair value at December 31, 2008. 
(e) Common shares: Stated value $2.22 per share; authorized 2,000,000,000; outstanding at December 31, 2008 - 577,386,612 (excludes 6,040,492 treasury shares) and     

$15,287 
13,826 
16,063
4,689 
14,350
11,851
2,547
78,613
287
9,959
2,029
3,214
13,585
107,687

1,295 
4,241 
848
5,824 
98
(229)
12,077 
$119,764 

24,813 
11,862 
5,561 
3,737 
10,540 
11,874
9,201
1,591
1,074
80,253
(937)
79,316
2,223
353
2,470
147
618
7,023
110,962 

14,404 
15,254 
15,635
6,521 
11,440
6,738
5,453
75,445
4,427
4,747
2,427
1,898
12,857
101,801

1,295 
9 
1,779
8,413 
(126)
(2,209)
9,161
110,962 

December 31, 2007 - 532,671,925 (excludes 51,516,339 treasury shares). 

(f) 317,680 shares of undesignated no par value preferred stock are authorized of which none had been issued; 7,250 shares of 8.0% cumulative Series D convertible (at $23.5399 per share) 

perpetual preferred stock with a stated value of $1,000 per share, which were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007 and repurchased for $22 million and retired on November 26, 2008; 
2,000 shares of 8.0% cumulative Series E perpetual preferred stock with a stated value of $1,000 per share, which were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007 and repurchased for $6 
million and retired on November 26, 2008; 5.0% cumulative Series F perpetual preferred stock with a $25,000 liquidation preference: 136,320 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008; 
8.5% non-cumulative Series G convertible (into 2,159.8272 common shares) perpetual preferred stock with a $25,000 liquidation preference: 46,000 authorized, 44,300 issued and 
outstanding at December 31, 2008.   

(g) Includes ten-year warrants valued at $239 million to purchase up to 43,617,747 shares of common stock, no par value, related to Series F preferred stock, at an initial exercise price of $11.72 

per share. 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

56    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 

         $4,935 
         660 
               13 
         5,608 

            1,289 
             248 
            557 
2,094 
         3,514 
            4,560 
         (1,046) 

           912 
              641 
             444 
            353 
             199 
363
            (86)
120 
          2,946 

For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions, except per share data) 
Interest Income 
Interest and fees on loans and leases 
Interest on securities 
Interest on other short-term investments 
Total interest income 
Interest Expense 
Interest on deposits 
Interest on other short-term borrowings 
Interest on long-term debt 
Total interest expense 
Net Interest Income 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net Interest Income (Loss) After Provision for Loan and Lease Losses 
Noninterest Income 
Electronic payment processing revenue 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities gains (losses), net 
Securities gains - non-qualifying hedges on mortgage servicing rights 
Total noninterest income 
Noninterest Expense 
Salaries, wages and incentives 
Employee benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense 
Total noninterest expense 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Cumulative Effect 
Applicable income tax expense (benefit) 
Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax (a) 
Net Income (Loss) 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders  
Earnings Per Share 
Earnings Per Diluted Share 
(a)  Reflects a benefit of $4 million (net of $2 million of tax) for the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) as of January 1, 2006. 

2008

2007

2006

          5,418 
          590 

         5,000 
         934 
                19                        21 
          6,027                   5,955 

              2,007                    1,910 
              324                      402 
             687                      770 
          3,018                   3,082 
          3,009                   2,873 
             628                      343 
          2,381                   2,530 

             826                      717 
              579                      517 
              367                      318 
             382                      367 
              133                      155 
             153                      299 
          (364) 
                 6                        3  
           2,467                   2,012 

            21

-

           1,337 
            278 
            300 
            274 
191 
             130 
965 
1,089
4,564 
          (2,664) 
(551) 

            1,239                   1,174 
             278                      292 
             269                      245 
             244                      184 
             169                      141 
              123                      116 
-
           989 
                 763 
          3,311                   2,915 
           1,537                    1,627 
                  443
              (2,113)                    1,076                   1,184 
                      -                         -
                       4 
              (2,113)                    1,076                   1,188 
-
            1,075                   1,188 
             2.00                     2.14 
             1.99                     2.13 

67
           ($2,180) 
            ($3.94) 
            ($3.94) 

           461 

1

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Accumulated 
Other 
Retained  Comprehensive  Treasury
Stock 
Income 
Earnings 
(1,279)

(413)

8,007 
1,188 

($ in millions, except per share data) 
Balance at December 31, 2005 
Net income  
Other comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for pension and 

other postretirement obligations 

Cash dividends declared: 
    Common stock at $1.58 per share 
    Preferred stock 
Shares acquired for treasury 
Stock-based compensation expense 
Impact of cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 
Restricted stock grants 
Stock-based awards exercised, including treasury shares issued 
Loans repaid related to the exercise of stock-based awards, net 
Change in corporate tax benefit related to stock-based 

compensation 

Other 
Balance at December 31, 2006 
Net income 
Other comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income 
Cash dividends declared: 
    Common stock at $1.70 per share 
    Preferred stock 
Shares acquired for treasury 
Stock-based compensation expense 
Impact of cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 
Restricted stock grants 
Stock-based awards exercised, including treasury shares issued 
Loans repaid related to the exercise of stock-based awards, net 
Change in corporate tax benefit related to stock-based 

compensation 

Common Preferred
Stock 
9 

$1,295 

Stock 

1,295 

9 

Capital
Surplus

1,827 

76 
(6)
(45)
(49)
8 

(1)
2 
1,812

60

(59)
(39)
2

2

1
1,779 

9 

1,072
3,169

(9)

239
(1,071)

56
(136)
(2)
4

(16)
(5)
848

1,295 

Employee stock ownership through benefit plans 
Impact of diversification of nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
Other 
Balance at December 31, 2007 
Net loss 
Other comprehensive income 
Comprehensive loss 
Cash dividends declared: 
    Common stock at $0.75 per share 
    Preferred stock 
    Dividends on redemption of preferred shares 
Issuance of preferred shares, Series G 
Issuance of preferred shares, Series F 
Shares issued in business combinations 
Retirement of preferred shares, Series D, E 
Stock-based compensation expense 
Restricted stock grants 
Stock-based awards exercised, including treasury shares issued 
Loans repaid related to the exercise of stock-based awards, net 
Change in corporate tax benefit related to stock-based 

compensation 

Other 
Balance at December 31, 2008 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

$1,295

4,241

58    Fifth Third Bancorp     

(880)
(1)

1 

2 
8,317
1,076 

(914)
(1)

1 
(98)

38
(8)
2
 8,413
(2,113) 

(413)
(48)
(19)

1

3
5,824

288 

(54) 

(82)

45 
84 

(179)

(1,232)

53

(1,084)

59
86

(38)

(126)

(2,209)

224 

1,841

136
2

Total
9,446 
1,188 
288 
1,476 

(54)

(880)
(1)
 (82)
77 
(6)
-
35 
8 

 (1)
4 
10,022
1,076
53
1,129

(914)
(1)
(1,084)
61
(98)
-
47
2

2
-
(8)
3
9,161
(2,113) 
224 
(1,889)

(413)
(48)
(19)
1,072
3,408
770
(9)
57
-
-
4

1
(229)

(16)
(1)
12,077

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Operating Activities 
Net Income (loss) 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 
    Provision for loan and lease losses 
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax 
    Depreciation, amortization and accretion 
    Stock-based compensation expense 
    Benefit for deferred income taxes 
    Realized securities gains 
    Realized securities losses 
    Realized securities gains - non-qualifying hedges on mortgage servicing rights 
    Provision (recovery) for mortgage servicing rights 
    Net (gains) losses on sales of loans 
    Capitalized mortgage servicing rights 
    Loss on recalculation of the timing of tax benefits on leveraged leases 
    Impairment charges on goodwill 
Loans originated for sale, net of repayments 
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale 
Decrease (increase) in trading securities 
(Increase) decrease in other assets 
Increase (decrease) in accrued taxes, interest and expenses 
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation 
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities 
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating Activities 
Investing Activities 
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities 
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of available-for-sale securities 
Purchases of available-for-sale securities 
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of held-to-maturity securities 
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities 
(Increase) decrease in other short-term investments 
Net increase in loans and leases 
Proceeds from sales of loans 
Increase in operating lease equipment 
Purchases of bank premises and equipment 
Proceeds from disposal of bank premises and equipment 
Net cash acquired (paid) in business combinations 
Net Cash (Used In) Provided by Investing Activities 
Financing Activities 
(Decrease) increase in core deposits 
Increase in certificates - $100,000 and over, including other foreign office 
(Decrease) increase in federal funds purchased 
Increase (decrease) in other short-term borrowings 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt  
Repayment of long-term debt 
Purchases of treasury stock 
Issuance of preferred stock, series F, G 
Payment of cash dividends 
Retirement of preferred shares, series D, E 
Dividends on redemption of preferred shares, series D, E 
Exercise of stock-based awards, net 
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation 
Other, net 
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities 
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Due from Banks 
Cash and Due from Banks at Beginning of Year 
Cash and Due from Banks at End of Year 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information 
Cash Payments 
Interest 
Income taxes 
Noncash Items 
Transfers of loans to securities 
Transfers of portfolio loans to held-for-sale loans 
Transfers of held-for-sale loans to portfolio loans 
Business Acquisitions: 
    Fair value of tangible assets acquired (noncash) 
    Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets acquired 
    Liabilities assumed 
    Common stock issued 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

2008 

($2,113) 

4,560
           -
8 
57 
(1,140)
(41)
127 
         (120) 
207
(47)
(195)
130
965
(11,527)
11,273
134
(454)
925
-
355 
3,104

7,226 
67,883 
(76,317)
 3
(11)
(2,910)
(6,553)
5,216
(142) 
(410)
34 
66 
     (5,915)

(2,820)
      1,927 
(4,352)
4,478
2,157
    (2,272)
-
4,480
       (687)
(9)
(19)
        4 
-
3 
         2,890
          79 
2,660 
$2,739 

$2,053 
416 

790
532
1,692

4,368
1,194
(4,858)
(770)

2007

1,076 

628 
           -
367
61 
(178)
(16)
2 
          (6) 
22
112
(207)
-
-
(13,125)
11,027
16
86
194
(4)
(741) 
(686)

2,071 
13,468 
(15,541)
11 
(11)
224
(6,181)
745
(172) 
(459)
46 
(230) 
     (6,029)

2,225
       2,101 
3,006
1,951
4,801
    (5,494)
(1,084)
-
       (898)
-
-
           49 
4
9 
         6,670 
           (45) 
2,705 
2,660 

2,996 
535 

-
1,982
782

2,446
297
(2,513)
-

2006

1,188 

343 
          (4) 
399 
77 
(21)
(44)
408 
          (3) 
(19)
4
(135)
-
-
(8,671)
8,812 
(70)
(1,421)
(31) 
-
642 
      1,454 

12,568 
3,033 
(4,676)
38 
(5)
(675) 
(5,145)
540
(77) 
(443)
60 
(5) 
     5,213

1,467 
      479 
         (3,902) 
       (1,462)
3,731
    (6,441)
(82)
-
       (867)
-
-
          43 
-
2 
        (7,032) 
          (365) 
3,070 
2,705 

3,051 
489 

-
-
138

6
17
(18)
-

  Fifth Third Bancorp    59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES  
Nature of Operations 
interest 
Fifth Third Bancorp (Bancorp), an Ohio corporation, conducts its 
principal  lending,  deposit  gathering,  transaction  processing  and 
service  advisory  activities  through  its  banking  and  non-banking 
subsidiaries  from  banking  centers 
the 
Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States.  

throughout 

located 

Basis of Presentation 
The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  include  the  accounts  of 
the  Bancorp  and  its  majority-owned  subsidiaries  and  variable 
interest entities in which the Bancorp has been determined to be 
the  primary  beneficiary.  Other  entities,  including  certain  joint 
ventures,  in  which  the  Bancorp  has  the  ability  to  exercise 
significant  influence  over  operating  and  financial  policies  of  the 
investee,  but  upon  which  the  Bancorp  does  not  possess  control, 
are  accounted  for  by  the  equity  method  and  not  consolidated.  
Those entities in which the Bancorp does not have the ability to 
exercise significant influence are generally carried at the lower of 
cost  or  fair  value.  Intercompany  transactions  and  balances  have 
been eliminated. Certain prior period data has been reclassified to 
conform to current period presentation.   

Use of Estimates 
The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with 
accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of 
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that  affect  the  amounts  reported  in  the  financial  statements  and 
accompanying  notes.  Actual  results  could  differ  from  those 
estimates. 

as 

are 

classified 

available-for-sale  when, 

Securities 
Securities  are  classified  as  held-to-maturity,  available-for-sale  or 
trading  on  the  date  of  purchase.  Only  those  securities  which 
management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity and are 
classified  as  held-to-maturity  are  reported  at  amortized  cost. 
Securities 
in 
management’s  judgment,  they  may  be  sold  in  response  to,  or  in 
anticipation  of,  changes  in  market  conditions.  The  Bancorp’s 
management  has  evaluated  the  securities  in  an  unrealized  loss 
position in the available-for-sale portfolio and maintains the intent 
and ability to hold these securities to the earlier of the recovery of 
the  losses  or  maturity.  Securities  are  classified  as  trading  when 
bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the 
near term.  Available-for-sale and trading securities are reported at 
fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred 
income taxes, included in other comprehensive income and other 
noninterest  income,  respectively.  The  fair  value  of  a  security  is 
determined  based  on  quoted  market  prices.  If  quoted  market 
prices are not available, fair value is determined based on quoted 
prices of similar instruments or discounted cash flow models that 
incorporate  market  inputs  and  assumptions  including  discount 
rates, prepayment speeds, and loss rates.  Realized securities gains 
or 
in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income. The cost of securities sold is 
based on the specific identification method. Available-for-sale and 
held-to-maturity  securities  are  reviewed  quarterly  for  possible 
other-than-temporary impairment. The review includes an analysis 
of the facts and circumstances of each individual investment such 
as the severity of loss, the length of time the fair value has been 
below  cost,  the  expectation  for  that  security’s  performance,  the 
creditworthiness of the issuer and management’s intent and ability 
to  hold  the  security  to  recovery.  A  decline  in  value  that  is 
considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within 
noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

losses  are  reported  within  noninterest 

income 

Loans and Leases 
Interest  income  on  loans  and  leases  is  based  on  the  principal 
balance outstanding computed using the effective interest method. 

60    Fifth Third Bancorp     

loans 

income  for  commercial 

The  accrual  of 
is 
discontinued  when  there  is  a  clear  indication  that  the  borrower’s 
cash flow may not be sufficient to meet payments as they become 
due.  Such  loans  are  also  placed  on  nonaccrual  status  when  the 
principal  or  interest  is  past  due  ninety  days  or  more,  unless  the 
loan is well secured and in the process of collection. When a loan 
is placed on nonaccrual status,  all previously accrued and  unpaid 
interest is charged against income and the loan is accounted for on 
the cost recovery method thereafter, until qualifying for return to 
accrual status.  Generally, a loan is returned to accrual status when 
all  delinquent  interest  and  principal  payments  become  current  in 
accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or when the loan 
is  both  well  secured  and  in  the  process  of  collection.  Consumer 
loans  and  revolving  lines  of  credit  for  equity  lines  that  have 
principal  and  interest  payments  that  have  become  past  due  one 
hundred  and  twenty  days  and  residential  mortgage  loans  and 
credit  cards  that  have  principal  and  interest  payments  that  have 
become past due one hundred and eighty days are charged off to 
the allowance for loan and lease losses. Commercial loans above a 
specified  threshold  are  subject  to  individual  review  to  identify 
charge-offs.    Refer  to  the  Allowance  for  Loan  and  Lease  Losses 
below for further discussion. 

A loan is accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring if the 
Bancorp, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrowers’ 
financial  difficulties,  grants  a  concession  to  the  borrower  that  it 
would  not  otherwise  consider.  A  troubled  debt  restructuring 
typically  involves  a  modification  of  terms  such  as  a  reduction  of 
the stated interest rate or face amount of the loan, a reduction of 
accrued interest, or an extension of the maturity date(s) at a stated 
interest  rate  lower  than  the  current  market  rate  for  a  new  loan 
with similar risk. The Bancorp measures the impairment loss of a 
troubled  debt  restructuring  based  on  the  difference  between  the 
original loan’s carrying amount and the present value of expected 
future cash flows discounted at the original, contractual rate of the 
loan.  Troubled  debt  restructurings  remain  on  nonaccrual  status 
until a six-month payment history is sustained.  

Loan  and  lease  origination  and  commitment  fees  and  direct 
loan and lease origination costs are deferred and the net amount is 
amortized  over  the  estimated  life  of  the  related  loans,  leases  or 
commitments as a yield adjustment.  

Direct  financing  leases  are  carried  at  the  aggregate  of  lease 
payments plus estimated residual value of the leased property, less 
unearned  income.  Interest  income  on  direct  financing  leases  is 
recognized  over  the  term  of  the  lease  to  achieve  a  constant 
periodic  rate  of  return  on  the  outstanding  investment.  Interest 
income  on  leveraged  leases  is  recognized  over  the  term  of  the 
lease  to  achieve  a  constant  rate  of  return  on  the  outstanding 
investment  in  the  lease,  net  of  the  related  deferred  income  tax 
liability, in the years in which the net investment is positive. 

Conforming  fixed  residential  mortgage  loans  are  typically 
classified  as  held  for  sale  upon  origination  based  upon 
management’s intent to sell all the production of these loans.  The 
Bancorp  elected  on  January  1,  2008  to  measure  residential 
mortgage loans held for sale at fair value in accordance with SFAS 
No. 159. The election was prospective, at the instrument level, for 
residential mortgage loans that have a designation as held for sale 
on the day the specific loan closes.  Existing residential mortgage 
loans held for sale as of December 31, 2007 were not included in 
the fair value option election and were valued at the lower of cost 
or  market.  All  other  loans  held  for  sale  continue  to  be  valued  at 
the lower of cost or market.  For residential mortgage loans held 
for  sale,  fair  value  is  estimated  based  upon  mortgage-backed 
securities prices and spreads to those prices or, for certain loans, 
discounted cash flow models that may incorporate the anticipated 
portfolio  composition,  credit  spreads  of  asset-backed  securities 
with  similar  collateral,  and  market  conditions.  These  fair  value 

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINABCIAL STATEMENTS 

marks are recorded to income in mortgage banking revenue. The 
Bancorp  generally  has  commitments  to  sell  residential  mortgage 
loans  held  for  sale  in  the  secondary  market.  Gains  or  losses  on 
sales  are  recognized  in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  upon 
delivery. 

Impaired loans and leases are measured based on the present 
value  of  expected  future  cash  flows  discounted  at  the  loan’s 
effective interest rate, the fair value of the underlying collateral or 
readily  observable  secondary  market  values.  The  Bancorp 
evaluates  the  collectibility  of  both  principal  and  interest  when 
assessing the need for a loss accrual. 

Other Real Estate Owned 
Other  real  estate  owned  (OREO),  which  is  included  in  other 
assets, represents property acquired through foreclosure or other 
proceedings.  OREO  is  carried  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  fair  value, 
less  costs  to  sell.  All  property  is  periodically  evaluated  and 
reductions  in  carrying  value  are  recognized  in  other  noninterest 
expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses 
The Bancorp maintains an allowance to absorb probable loan and 
lease losses inherent in the portfolio.  The allowance is maintained 
at  a  level  the  Bancorp  considers  to  be  adequate  and  is  based  on 
ongoing quarterly assessments and evaluations of the collectibility 
and  historical  loss  experience  of  loans  and  leases.    Credit  losses 
are  charged  and  recoveries  are  credited  to  the  allowance.  
Provisions  for  loan  and  lease  losses  are  based  on  the  Bancorp’s 
review  of  the  historical  credit  loss  experience  and  such  factors 
that,  in  management’s  judgment,  deserve  consideration  under 
existing economic conditions in estimating probable credit losses.  
In  determining  the  appropriate  level  of  the  allowance,  the 
Bancorp  estimates  losses  using  a  range  derived  from  “base”  and 
“conservative” estimates. 

Larger  commercial  loans  that  exhibit  probable  or  observed 
credit  weaknesses  are  subject  to  individual  review.    When 
individual  loans  are  impaired,  allowances  are  allocated  based  on 
management’s estimate of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan 
given  the  availability  of  collateral,  other  sources  of  cash  flow,  as 
well as evaluation of legal options available to the Bancorp.  The 
review of individual loans includes those loans that are impaired as 
provided  in  SFAS  No.  114.    Any  allowances  for  impaired  loans 
are measured based on the present value of expected future cash 
flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, fair value of 
the  underlying  collateral  or  readily  observable  secondary  market 
values.  The Bancorp evaluates the collectibility of both principal 
and interest when assessing the need for a loss accrual.   Historical 
loss rates are applied to commercial loans, which are not impaired 
or are impaired but smaller than an established threshold, and thus 
not  subject  to  specific  allowance  allocations.    The  loss  rates  are 
derived from a migration analysis, which tracks the historical net 
charge-off  experience  sustained  on  loans  according  to  their 
internal  risk  grade.  The  risk  grading  system  currently  utilized  for 
allowance analysis purposes encompasses ten categories.  

Homogenous loans and leases, such as consumer installment 
and  residential  mortgage  loans,  are  not  individually  risk  graded.  
Rather,  standard  credit  scoring  systems  and  delinquency 
monitoring  are  used  to  assess  credit  risks.    Allowances  are 
established  for  each  pool  of  loans  based  on  the  expected  net 
charge-offs.    Loss  rates  are  based  on  the  average  net  charge-off 
history by loan category.  

Historical loss rates for commercial and consumer loans may 
be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, 
are  necessary  to  reflect  losses  inherent  in  the  portfolio.    Factors 
that  management  considers  in  the  analysis  include  the  effects  of 
the national and local economies; trends in the nature and volume 
of  delinquencies,  charge-offs  and  nonaccrual  loans;  changes  in 
mix; credit score migration comparisons; asset quality trends; risk 

management  and  loan  administration;  changes  in  the  internal 
lending  policies  and  credit  standards;  collection  practices;  and 
examination  results  from  bank  regulatory  agencies  and  the 
Bancorp’s internal credit examiners. 

specified 

The  Bancorp’s  current  methodology  for  determining  the 
allowance for loan and lease losses is based on historical loss rates, 
current  credit  grades,  specific  allocation  on  impaired  commercial 
credits  above 
thresholds  and  other  qualitative 
adjustments.    Allowances  on  individual  loans  and  historical  loss 
rates  are  reviewed  quarterly  and  adjusted  as  necessary  based  on 
changing  borrower  and/or  collateral  conditions  and  actual 
collection and charge-off experience.  An unallocated allowance is 
maintained  to  recognize  the  imprecision  in  estimating  and 
measuring loss when evaluating allowances for individual loans or 
pools of loans.   

Loans acquired by the Bancorp through a purchase business 
combination  are  evaluated  for  possible  credit  impairment  at 
acquisition.  Reductions to the carrying value of the acquired loans 
as a result of credit impairment are recorded as an adjustment to 
goodwill.    The  Bancorp  does  not  carry  over  the  acquired 
company’s  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses,  nor  does  the 
Bancorp  add  to  its  existing  allowance  for  the  acquired  loans  as 
part of purchase accounting. 

The  Bancorp’s  primary  market  areas  for  lending  are  the 
Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States.  When 
evaluating  the  adequacy  of  allowances,  consideration  is  given  to 
these 
the  closely 
associated  effect  changing  economic  conditions  have  on  the 
Bancorp’s customers. 

regional  geographic  concentrations  and 

In  the  current  year,  the  Bancorp  has  not  substantively 
changed any material aspect to its overall approach to determining 
its  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses.    There  have  been  no 
material changes in criteria or estimation techniques as compared 
to  prior  periods  that  impacted  the  determination  of  the  current 
period allowance for loan and lease losses.  

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments 
The  reserve  for  unfunded  commitments  is  maintained  at  a  level 
believed  by  management  to  be  sufficient  to  absorb  estimated 
probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities and is included 
in  other  liabilities  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  The 
determination  of  the  adequacy  of  the  reserve  is  based  upon  an 
including  an 
the  unfunded  credit  facilities, 
evaluation  of 
assessment of historical commitment utilization experience, credit 
risk  grading  and  credit  grade  migration.  Net  adjustments  to  the 
reserve  for  unfunded  commitments  are 
in  other 
noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

included 

Loan Sales and Securitizations 
When  the  Bancorp  sells  loans  through  either  securitizations  or 
individual loan sales in accordance with its investment policies, it 
may  obtain  one  or  more  subordinated  tranches,  servicing  rights, 
interest-only strips, credit recourse, other residual interests and in 
some  cases,  a  cash  reserve  account,  all  of  which  are  considered 
interests that continue to be held by the Bancorp in the securitized 
or  sold  loans.    Gains  or  losses  on  sale  or  securitization  of  the 
loans  depend  in  part  on  the  previous  carrying  amount  of  the 
financial  assets  sold  or  securitized.    At  the  date  of  transfer, 
obtained  servicing  rights  are  recorded  at  fair  value  and  the 
remaining  carrying  value  of  the  transferred  financial  assets  is 
allocated  between  the  assets  sold  and  remaining  interests  that 
continue  to  be  held  by  the  Bancorp  based  on  their  relative  fair 
values at the date of sale or securitization.  To obtain fair values, 
quoted  market  prices  are  used,  if  available.  If  quotes  are  not 
available for interests that continue to be held by the Bancorp, the 
Bancorp calculates fair value based on the present value of future 
expected  cash  flows  using  management’s  best  estimates  for  the 
key  assumptions,  including  credit  losses,  prepayment  speeds, 

 Fifth Third Bancorp    61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

in 

income 

forward  yield  curves  and  discount  rates  commensurate  with  the 
risks  involved.  Gain  or  loss  on  sale  or  securitization  of  loans  is 
reported  as  a  component  of  noninterest 
the 
Consolidated Statements of Income. Interests that continue to be 
held  by  the  Bancorp  from  securitized  or  sold  loans,  excluding 
servicing rights, are carried at fair value. Adjustments to fair value 
for interests that continue to be held by the Bancorp classified as 
available-for-sale  securities  are  included  in  accumulated  other 
comprehensive  income  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  or  in 
noninterest  income  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  if 
the  fair  value  has  declined  below  the  carrying  amount  and  such 
decline  has  been  determined 
to  be  other-than-temporary.  
Adjustments to fair value for interests that continue to be held by 
the  Bancorp  classified  as  trading  securities  are  recorded  within 
other  noninterest  income  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income.  

Servicing  rights  resulting  from  residential  mortgage  and 
commercial loan sales are amortized in proportion to and over the 
period  of  estimated  net  servicing  revenues  and  are  reported  as  a 
component  of  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  and  corporate 
banking  revenue,  respectively,  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income.    Servicing  rights  are  assessed  for  impairment  monthly, 
based  on  fair  value,  with  temporary  impairment  recognized 
impairment 
through  a  valuation  allowance  and  permanent 
recognized  through  a  write-off  of  the  servicing  asset  and  related 
valuation  allowance.  Key  economic  assumptions  used 
in 
measuring any potential impairment of the servicing rights include 
the  prepayment  speeds  of  the  underlying  loans,  the  weighted-
average  life,  the  discount  rate,  the  weighted-average  coupon  and 
the weighted-average default rate, as applicable. The primary risk 
of material changes to the value of the servicing rights resides in 
the  potential  volatility 
in  the  economic  assumptions  used, 
particularly  the  prepayment  speeds.  The  Bancorp  monitors  risk 
and  adjusts  its  valuation  allowance  as  necessary  to  adequately 
reserve for impairment in the servicing portfolio. For purposes of 
measuring impairment, the mortgage servicing rights are stratified 
into  classes  based  on  the  financial  asset  type  (fixed-rate  vs. 
adjustable-rate) and interest rates. Fees received for servicing loans 
owned by investors are based on a percentage of the outstanding 
monthly  principal  balance  of  such  loans  and  are  included  in 
noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income as 
loan  payments  are  received.  Costs  of  servicing  loans  are  charged 
to expense as incurred.  

Bank Premises and Equipment 
Bank premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, 
are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. 
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on 
estimated  useful  lives  of  the  assets  for  book  purposes,  while 
accelerated  depreciation 
income  tax  purposes. 
is  used  for 
Amortization  of  leasehold  improvements  is  computed  using  the 
straight-line  method  over  the  lives of  the  related  leases  or  useful 
lives  of  the  related  assets,  whichever  is  shorter.    In  accordance 
with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal 
of Long-Lived Assets,” the Bancorp tests its long-lived assets for 
impairment  through  both  a  probability-weighted  and  primary-
asset  approach  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances 
dictate.  Maintenance,  repairs  and  minor 
improvements  are 
charged to noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of 
Income as incurred. 

Derivative Financial Instruments 
The  Bancorp  accounts  for  its  derivatives  under  SFAS  No.  133, 
“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” 
as amended.  This Statement requires recognition of all derivatives 
as  either  assets  or  liabilities  in  the  balance  sheet  and  requires 
through 
measurement  of 
adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income and/or 

instruments  at  fair  value 

those 

62    Fifth Third Bancorp     

current earnings, as appropriate.  On the date the Bancorp enters 
into  a  derivative  contract,  the  Bancorp  designates  the  derivative 
instrument  as  either  a  fair  value  hedge,  cash  flow  hedge  or  as  a 
free-standing  derivative  instrument.  For  a  fair  value  hedge, 
changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and changes 
in  the  fair  value  of  the  hedged  asset  or  liability  or  of  an 
unrecognized firm commitment attributable to the hedged risk are 
recorded  in  current  period  net  income.  For  a  cash  flow  hedge, 
changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument, to the extent 
in  accumulated  other 
that 
comprehensive  income  and  subsequently  reclassified  to  net 
income in the same period(s) that the hedged transaction impacts 
net income.  For free-standing derivative instruments, changes in 
fair values are reported in current period net income.  

is  effective,  are 

recorded 

it 

Prior  to  entering  into  a  hedge  transaction,  the  Bancorp 
formally documents the relationship between hedging instruments 
and  hedged  items,  as  well  as  the  risk  management  objective  and 
strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process 
includes  linking  all  derivative  instruments  that  are  designated  as 
fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on 
the balance sheet or to specific forecasted transactions, along with 
a  formal  assessment  at  both  inception  of  the  hedge  and  on  an 
ongoing basis as to the effectiveness of the derivative instrument 
in  offsetting  changes  in  fair  values  or  cash  flows  of  the  hedged 
item.  If  it  is  determined  that  the  derivative  instrument  is  not 
highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued and 
the  adjustment  to  fair  value  of  the  derivative  instrument  is 
recorded in net income.  

Income Taxes 
The  Bancorp  estimates  income  tax  expense  based  on  amounts 
expected to be owed to the various tax jurisdictions in which the 
Bancorp  conducts  business.    On  a  quarterly  basis,  management 
assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate based upon its 
current  estimate  of  the  amount  and  components  of  net  income, 
tax credits and the applicable statutory tax rates expected for the 
full  year.    The  estimated  income  tax  expense  is  recorded  in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income. 

Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  determined 
using  the  balance  sheet  method  and  are  reported  in  either  other 
assets or accrued taxes, interest and expenses in the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.  Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or 
liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the 
book and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and recognizes enacted 
changes in tax rates and laws.  Deferred tax assets are recognized 
to  the  extent  they  exist  and  are  subject  to  a  valuation  allowance 
based  on  management’s  judgment  that  realization  is  more-likely-
than-not. 

Accrued  taxes  represent  the  net  estimated  amount  due  to 
taxing jurisdictions and are reported in accrued taxes, interest and 
expenses  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.    The  Bancorp 
evaluates  and  assesses  the  relative  risks  and  appropriate  tax 
treatment  of  transactions  and  filing  positions  after  considering 
statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and 
maintains  tax  accruals  consistent  with  its  evaluation  of  these 
relative risks and merits.  Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes 
occur  periodically  due  to  changes  in  tax  rates,  interpretations  of 
tax  laws,  the  status  of  examinations  being  conducted  by  taxing 
authorities  and  changes  to  statutory,  judicial  and  regulatory 
guidance  that  impact  the  relative  risks  of  tax  positions.    These 
changes,  when  they  occur,  can  affect  deferred  taxes  and  accrued 
taxes as well as  the current period’s income tax expense and can 
be  significant  to  the  operating  results  of  the  Bancorp.    As 
described  in  greater  detail  in  Note  16,  the  Internal  Revenue 
Service  has  challenged  the  Bancorp’s  tax  treatment  of  certain 
leasing transactions.  For additional information on income taxes, 
see Note 22. 

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINABCIAL STATEMENTS 

Earnings Per Share 
In  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  128,  “Earnings  Per  Share,”  basic 
earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to 
common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares 
of  common  stock  outstanding  during  the  period.    Earnings  per 
diluted  share  is  computed  by  dividing  adjusted  net  income 
available  to  common  shareholders  by  the  weighted-average 
number  of  shares  of  common  stock  and  common  stock 
equivalents  outstanding  during  the  period.    Dilutive  common 
stock equivalents represent the assumed conversion of convertible 
preferred stock and the exercise of stock-based awards.  

Goodwill 
SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” requires 
goodwill  to  be  reported  at,  and  tested  for  impairment  at  the 
Bancorp’s  reporting  unit  level  on  an  annual  basis  and  more 
frequently in certain circumstances.  The Bancorp has determined 
that its segments qualify as reporting units under the guidance of 
SFAS  No.  142.    Impairment  exists  when  a  reporting  unit’s 
carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, which 
is determined through a two-step impairment test.  The first step 
(Step  1)  compares  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  with  its 
carrying  amount,  including  goodwill.    If  the  carrying  amount  of 
the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step (Step 2) 
of  the  goodwill  impairment  test  is  performed  to  measure  the 
impairment loss amount, if any.   

The fair value of a reporting unit is the price that would be 
received  to  sell  the  unit  as  a  whole  in  an  orderly  transaction 
between  market  participants  at  the  measurement  date.    To 
determine  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit,  the  Bancorp 
implements  an  income  based  approach,  utilizing  the  reporting 
unit’s  forecasted  cash  flows  (including  a  terminal  value  approach 
to estimate cash flows beyond the final year of the forecast) and 
the reporting unit’s estimated cost of equity as the discount rate.  
Additionally,  the  Bancorp  determines  its  market  capitalization 
based on the average close price of the Bancorp's stock during the 
month 
incorporating  an 
the  measurement  date, 
additional  control  premium  (as discussed  in  SFAS  No.  142),  and 
allocates  this  market  based  fair  value  measurement  to  the 
Bancorp’s  reporting  units  in  order  to  corroborate  the  results  of 
the income approach. 

including 

 When  required  to  perform  Step  2,  the  Bancorp  compares 
the  implied  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit’s  goodwill  with  the 
carrying amount of that goodwill.  If the carrying amount exceeds 
the  implied  fair  value,  an  impairment  loss  equal  to  that  excess 
amount  is  recognized,  not  to  exceed  the  goodwill  carrying 
amount.      Consistent  with  SFAS  No.  142,  during  Step  2,  the 
Bancorp  determines  the  implied  fair  value  of  goodwill  for  a 
reporting unit by assigning the fair value of the reporting unit to 
all  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  that  unit  (including  any 
unrecognized  intangible  assets)  as  if  the  reporting  unit  had  been 
acquired in a business combination.  The excess of the fair value 
of the reporting units over the amounts assigned to its assets and 
liabilities  is  the  implied  fair  value  of  goodwill.    This  assignment 
process  is  only  performed  for  purposes  of  testing  goodwill  for 
impairment.  The Bancorp does not adjust the carrying values of 
recognized assets or liabilities (other than goodwill, if appropriate), 
nor  recognize  previously  unrecognized  intangible  assets  in  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  as  a  result  of  this  assignment 
process.  Refer to Note 8 for discussion of the Bancorp's goodwill 
impairment review process. 

Other 
Securities  and  other  property  held  by  Fifth  Third  Investment 
Advisors,  a  division  of  the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiaries,  in  a 
fiduciary or agency capacity are not included in the Consolidated 
Balance  Sheets  because  such  items  are  not  assets  of  the 
subsidiaries.  Investment  advisory  revenue  in  the  Consolidated 

Statements  of  Income  is  recognized  on  the  accrual  basis. 
Investment  advisory  service  revenues  are  recognized  monthly 
based  on  a  fee  charged  per  transaction  processed  and/or  a  fee 
charged  on  the  market  value  of  average  account  balances 
associated with individual contracts.  

The Bancorp recognizes revenue from its electronic payment 
processing  services  on  an  accrual  basis  as  such  services  are 
performed,  recording  revenues  net  of  certain  costs  (primarily 
interchange  and  assessment 
fees  charged  by  credit  card 
associations) not controlled by the Bancorp.  

The Bancorp purchases life insurance policies on the lives of 
certain  directors,  officers  and  employees  and  is  the  owner  and 
beneficiary of the policies.  The Bancorp invests in these policies, 
known as BOLI, to provide an efficient form of funding for long-
term retirement and other employee benefits costs. The Bancorp 
records 
the 
these  BOLI  policies  within  other  assets 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  at  each  policy’s  respective  cash 
surrender  value,  with  changes  recorded  in  other  noninterest 
income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.   

in 

Other  intangible  assets  consist  of  core  deposit  intangibles, 
customer 
lists,  non-competition  agreements  and  cardholder 
relationships.  Other intangibles are amortized on either a straight-
line  or  an  accelerated  basis  over  their  useful  lives.    The  Bancorp 
reviews other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not 
be recoverable.   

Acquisitions of treasury stock are carried at cost.  Reissuance 
of  shares  in  treasury  for  acquisitions,  exercises  of  stock-based 
awards  or  other  corporate  purposes  is  recorded  based  on  the 
specific identification method. 

Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred. 

New Accounting Pronouncements 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value 
Measurements.”    This  Statement  defines  fair  value,  establishes  a 
framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about 
fair  value  measurements.    SFAS  No.  157  emphasizes  that  fair 
value  is  a  market-based  measurement  and  should  be  determined 
based  on  assumptions  that  a  market  participant  would  use  when 
pricing  an  asset  or  liability.    This  Statement  clarifies  that  market 
participant assumptions should include assumptions about risk as 
well  as  the  effect  of  a  restriction  on  the  sale  or  use  of  an  asset.  
Additionally, this Statement establishes a fair value hierarchy that 
provides  the  highest  priority  to  quoted  prices  in  active  markets 
and  the  lowest  priority  to  unobservable  data.    The  adoption  of 
SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 did not have a material effect 
on the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements.  In February 
2008,  the  FASB  issued  FSP  No.  FAS  157-2,  "Effective  Date  of 
FASB  Statement  No.  157",  which  delayed  the  effective  date  of 
SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, 
except  for  items  that  are  recognized  or  disclosed  at  fair  value  in 
the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), to 
fiscal  years  beginning  after  November  15,  2008.  The  impact  of 
adopting SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial 
liabilities on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on the 
Bancorp's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  In  October  2008, 
the  FASB  issued  FSP  No.  FAS  157-3,  "Determining  the  Fair 
Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not 
Active",  which  clarifies  the  application  of  SFAS  No.  157  in  a 
market  that  is  not  active  and  illustrates  key  considerations  in 
determining  the  fair  value.    FSP  No.  FAS  157-3  was  effective 
upon issuance.  The adoption of FSP No. FAS 157-3 did not have 
a  material  impact  on  the  Bancorp's  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.   

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair 
Value  Option  for  Financial  Assets  and  Financial  Liabilities  – 
Including  an  Amendment  of  FASB  Statement  No.  115.”  This 
Statement permits an entity to choose to measure certain financial 

   Fifth Third Bancorp    63 

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

items  at  fair  value,  on  an 
instruments  and  certain  other 
instrument-by-instrument  basis.    Once  an  entity  has  elected  to 
record  eligible  items  at  fair  value,  the  decision  is  irrevocable  and 
the  entity  should  report  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  items for 
which  the  fair  value  option  has  been  elected  in  earnings.    On 
January  1,  2008,  upon  adoption  of  this  Statement,  the  Bancorp 
elected to prospectively measure at fair value, residential mortgage 
loans  originated  on  or  after  January  1,  2008  that  have  a 
designation  as  held  for  sale.    Prior  to  the  Bancorp's  adoption  of 
SFAS  No.  159  for  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale, 
mortgage  loan  origination  fees  and  costs  were  capitalized  as  part 
of the carrying amount of the loan and recognized as a reduction 
of  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  upon  the  sale  of  the  loans.  
Subsequent  to  the  adoption,  mortgage  loan  origination  costs  are 
in 
recognized  as  an  expense  when 
noninterest  expense  within  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income.  For the year ended December 31, 2008, the adoption of 
SFAS  No.  159  resulted  in  the  recognition  of  approximately  $65 
million in mortgage loan origination fees and costs in noninterest 
expense.   

incurred  and 

included 

retains 

  This  Statement 

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  141(R), 
“Business  Combinations”  which  supercedes  SFAS  No.  141, 
“Business  Combinations." 
the 
fundamental  requirements  in  SFAS  No.  141  that  the  acquisition 
method of accounting  (formerly referred to as purchase method) 
be  used  for  all  business  combinations  and  that  an  acquirer  be 
identified for each business combination.  This Statement defines 
the  acquirer  as  the  entity  that  obtains  control  of  one  or  more 
businesses  in  the  business  combination  and  establishes  the 
acquisition date as of the date that the acquirer achieves control.  
This  Statement  requires  an  acquirer  to  recognize  the  assets 
acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in 
the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values.  
This  Statement  requires  the  acquirer  to  generally  recognize 
acquisition-related  costs  and  restructuring  costs  separately  from 
the  business  combination  as  period  expenses.    The  Bancorp's 
adoption  of  this  statement  will  impact  the  accounting  and 
reporting of business combinations for which the acquisition date 
is on or after January 1, 2009. 

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  160, 
"Noncontrolling  Interests  in  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  - 
an Amendment to ARB No. 51."  This Statement establishes new 
accounting  and  reporting  standards  that  require  the  ownership 
interests  in  subsidiaries  held  by  parties  other  than  the  parent  be 
clearly  identified,  labeled,  and  presented  in  the  consolidated 
statement  of  financial  position  within  equity,  but  separate  from 
the  parent's  equity.    The  Statement  also  requires  the  amount  of 
consolidated  net  income  attributable  to  the  parent  and  to  the 
noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the 
face of the consolidated statement of income.  In addition, when a 
subsidiary  is  deconsolidated,  any  retained  noncontrolling  equity 
investment  in  the  former  subsidiary  shall  be  initially  measured  at 
fair  value,  with  the  gain  or  loss  on  the  deconsolidation  of  the 
subsidiary  measured  using  the  fair  value  of  any  noncontrolling 
equity investment rather than the carrying amount of that retained 
investment.  SFAS No. 160 also clarifies that changes in a parent's 
in 
ownership 
deconsolidation  are  equity  transactions  if  the  parent  retains  its 
controlling  financial  interest.    The  Statement  also  includes 
expanded  disclosure  requirements  regarding  the  interests  of  the 
parent  and  its  noncontrolling  interest.    The  adoption  of  this 
Statement on January 1, 2009 will not have a material impact on 
the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

in  a  subsidiary  that  do  not  result 

interest 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures 
about  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities  -  an 
Amendment of FASB Statement 133".  This Statement enhances 
required  disclosures  regarding  derivatives  and  hedging  activities, 
including  enhanced  disclosures  regarding  how:  (a)  an  entity  uses 

64    Fifth Third Bancorp     

derivative  instruments;  (b)  derivative  instruments  and  related 
hedged 
items  are  accounted  for  under  SFAS  No.  133, 
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"; 
and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an 
entity's  financial  position,  financial  performance,  and  cash  flows.  
SFAS  No.  161  is  effective  for  fiscal  years  and  interim  periods 
beginning after November 15, 2008.   

In November 2007, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 
(SAB)  No.  109,  "Written  Loan  Commitments  Recorded  at  Fair 
Value  through  Earnings."    This  SAB  supersedes  SAB  No.  105, 
"Application  of  Accounting  Principles  to  Loan  Commitments", 
and  expresses  the  current  view  of  the  staff  that,  consistent  with 
guidance in SFAS No. 156 and No. 159, the expected net future 
cash flows related to the associated servicing of a loan should be 
included in the measurement of all written loan commitments that 
are accounted for at fair value through earnings.  Additionally, this 
SAB  expands  the  SAB  No.  105  view  that  internally-developed 
intangible assets should not be  recorded as part of the fair value 
for  any  written  loan  commitments  that  are  accounted  for  at  fair 
value through earnings.  The adoption of SAB No. 109 on January 
1,  2008  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In  June  2008,  the  FASB  issued  FSP  No.  EITF  03-6-1, 
"Determining  Whether  Instruments  Granted  in  Share-Based 
Payment  Transactions  Are  Participating  Securities."  This  FSP 
provides  that  unvested  share-based  payment  awards  that  contain 
nonforfeitable  rights 
to  dividends  or  dividend  equivalents 
(whether  paid  or  unpaid)  are  participating  securities  and  shall  be 
included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the 
two-class method described in paragraphs 60 and 61 of SFAS No.  
128,  "Earnings  per  Share".    This  FSP  is  effective  for  financial 
statements  issued  for  fiscal  years  beginning  after  December  15, 
2008,  and  interim  periods  within  those  years.    All  prior-period 
earnings per share data presented will be adjusted retrospectively 
(including  interim  financial  statements,  summaries  of  earnings, 
and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions of this 
FSP.  Early application is not permitted.  The Bancorp's adoption 
of  this  FSP  on  January  1,  2009  will  result  in  a  retrospective 
adjustment  of  earnings  per  share  previously  reported  in  2008.  
Upon applying this FSP in 2009, the Bancorp's basic and diluted 
earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 
and 2006 will be adjusted as follows: 

As Reported 

Upon Adoption of 
FSP EITF 03-6-1

2008 
  Earnings Per Share 
  Earnings Per Diluted Share 
2007 
  Earnings Per Share 
  Earnings Per Diluted Share 
2006 
  Earnings Per Share 
  Earnings Per Diluted Share 

($3.94) 
(3.94) 

$2.00 
1.99 

$2.14 
2.13 

($3.91) 
(3.91) 

$1.99 
1.98 

$2.13 
2.12 

income  taxes  recognized 

In  July  2006,  the  FASB  issued  Interpretation  (FIN)  No.  48, 
“Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation 
of  FASB  Statement  No.  109.”    This  Interpretation  clarifies  the 
in 
in 
accounting  for  uncertainty 
accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  
This  Interpretation  also  prescribes  a  recognition  threshold  and 
measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and 
measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a 
tax  return.    This  Interpretation  also  provides  guidance  on 
derecognition,  classification,  interest  and  penalties,  accounting  in 
interim periods, disclosure and transition.  The evaluation of a tax 
position  in  accordance  with  this  Interpretation  is  a  two-step 
process.    The  first  step  is  a  recognition  process  to  determine 
whether  it  is  more-likely-than-not  that  a  tax  position  will  be 
sustained  upon  examination,  including  resolution  of  any  related 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINABCIAL STATEMENTS 

appeals  or  litigation  processes,  based  on  the  technical  merits  of 
the position.  The second step is a measurement process whereby 
a  tax  position  that  meets  the  more-likely-than-not  recognition 
threshold  is  calculated  to  determine  the  amount  of  benefit  to  be 
recognized  in  the  financial  statements.    In  May  2007,  the  FASB 
issued FSP No. FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB FIN 
No.  48.”    FSP  No.  FIN  48-1  amends  FIN  No.  48  to  provide 
guidance  on  determining  whether  a  tax  position  is  “effectively 
settled”  for  the  purpose  of  recognizing  previously  unrecognized 
tax  benefits.  The  concept  of  “effectively  settled”  replaces  the 
concept  of  “ultimately  settled”  originally  issued  in  FIN  48.    The 
tax  position  can  be  considered  “effectively  settled”  upon 
completion of an examination by the taxing authority if the entity 
does  not  plan  to  appeal  or  litigate  any  aspect  of  the  tax  position 
and  it  is  remote  that  the  taxing  authority  would  examine  any 
aspect of the tax position.  For effectively settled tax positions, the 
full amount of the tax benefit can be recognized. The guidance in 
FSP No. FIN 48-1 was effective upon initial adoption of FIN No. 
48.    FIN  No.  48  was  effective  for  fiscal  years  beginning  after 
December  15,  2006.    Upon  adoption  of  this  Interpretation  on 
January  1,  2007,  the  Bancorp  recognized  an  after-tax  adjustment 
to  beginning  retained  earnings  of  $2  million  representing  the 
cumulative effect of applying the provisions of this interpretation. 
In  July  2006,  the  FASB  issued  FASB  Staff  Position  (FSP) 
No. FAS 13-2, “Accounting for a Change or Projected Change in 
the  Timing  of  Cash  Flows  Relating  to  Income  Taxes  Generated 
by  a  Leveraged  Lease  Transaction.”    This  FSP  addresses  the 
accounting  for  a  change  or  projected  change  in  the  timing  of 
lessor cash flows, but not the total net income, relating to income 
taxes generated by a leveraged lease transaction.  This FSP amends 
SFAS  No.  13,  “Accounting  for  Leases,”  and  applies  to  all 
transactions  classified  as  leveraged  leases.    The  timing  of  cash 
flows relating to income taxes generated by a leveraged lease is an 
important assumption that affects the periodic income recognized 
by the lessor.  Under this FSP, the projected timing of income tax 
cash flows generated by a leveraged lease transaction are required 
to  be  reviewed  annually  or  more  frequently 
if  events  or 
circumstances indicate that a change in timing has occurred or is 
projected to occur.  The expected timing of the income tax cash 
flows generated by a leveraged lease is revised if during the lease 
term  the  rate  of  return  and  the  allocation  of  income  would  be 
recalculated  from  the  inception  of  the  lease.    In  the  year  of 
adoption,  the  cumulative  effect  of  the  change  in  the  net 
investment  balance  resulting  from  the  recalculation  will  be 
recognized as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained 
earnings.  On an ongoing basis following the adoption, a change 
in the net investment balance resulting from a recalculation will be 
recognized  as  a  gain  or  a  loss  in  the  period  in  which  the 
assumption  changed  and  included  in  income  from  continuing 
operations in the same line item where leveraged lease income is 
recognized.  These amounts would then be recognized back into 
leases.  
income  over  the  remaining  terms  of  the  affected 
Additionally,  upon  adoption,  only  tax  positions  that  meet  the 
more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be reflected  in 
the  financial  statements  and  all  recognized  tax  positions  in  a 
leveraged  lease  must  be  measured  in  accordance  with  FIN  48.  
Upon  adoption  of  this  FSP  on  January  1,  2007,  the  Bancorp 
recognized an after-tax adjustment to beginning retained earnings 
of $96 million representing the cumulative effect of applying the 
provisions  of  this  FSP.    Furthermore,  due  to  recent  court 
decisions related to leveraged leases and uncertainty regarding the 
involving  certain  of  the 
litigation 
outcome  of  outstanding 
Bancorp’s  leveraged  leases,  the  Bancorp  recognized  after-tax 
charges relating to leveraged leases of $229 million and $3 million 
in the second and third quarters of 2008, respectively.  See Note 
16 for additional information. 

In  September  2008,  the  FASB  issued  FSP  No.  FAS  133-1 
and FIN 45-4, "Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain 

Guarantees  -  An  Amendment  of  FASB  Statement  No.  133  and 
FASB  Interpretation  No.  45;  and  Clarification  of  the  Effective 
Date of FASB Statement No. 161." This FSP applies to: (a) credit 
derivatives  within  the  scope  of  SFAS  No.  133;  (b)  hybrid 
instruments  that  have  embedded  credit  derivatives;  and  (c) 
guarantees  within  the  scope  of  FIN  No.  45,  "Guarantor’s 
Accounting  and  Disclosure  Requirements 
for  Guarantees, 
Including  Indirect  Guarantees  of  Indebtedness  of  Others."  This 
FSP  amends  Statement  133,  to  require  disclosures  by  sellers  of 
credit  derivatives,  including  credit  derivatives  embedded  in  a 
hybrid  instrument.  This  FSP  also  amends  FIN  45,  to  require  an 
additional  disclosure 
the 
payment/performance  risk  of  a  guarantee.  In  addition,  this  FSP 
clarifies  the  FASB’s  intent  that  the  disclosures  required  by  SFAS 
No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging 
Activities", should be provided for any reporting period (annual or 
interim)  beginning  after  November  15,  2008.    The  provisions  of 
this FSP that amend Statement 133 and FIN 45 are effective for 
reporting  periods  (annual  or  interim)  ending  after  November  15, 
2008.   

status  of 

current 

about 

the 

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 140-4 and 
FIN  46(R)-8,  "Disclosures  about  Transfers  of  Financial  Assets 
and  Interests  in  Variable  Interest  Entities".  The  purpose  of  this 
FSP  is  to  improve  disclosures  by  public  entities  and  enterprises 
until the pending amendments to SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for 
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments 
of Liabilities", and FIN 46(R), "Consolidation of Variable Interest 
Entities",  are  finalized  and  approved  by  the  FASB.    The  FSP 
amends  Statement  140  to  require  public  entities  to  provide 
additional  disclosures  about  transfers  of  financial  assets  and 
variable  interests  in  qualifying  special-purpose  entities.    It  also 
amends  Interpretation  46(R)  to  require  public  enterprises  to 
provide  additional  disclosures  about  their  involvement  with 
variable  interest  entities.    This  FSP  is  effective  for  reporting 
periods  ending  after  December  15,  2008.    The  disclosure 
requirements of this FSP have been incorporated in the Notes to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) issued 
EITF  Issue  No.  06-11,  "Accounting  for  Income  Tax  Benefits  of 
Dividends  on  Share-Based  Payment  Awards."    The  Issue  states 
that  a  realized  income  tax  benefit  from  dividends  or  dividend 
equivalents  that  are  charged  to  retained  earnings  and  are  paid  to 
employees for equity classified nonvested equity shares, nonvested 
equity share units, and outstanding equity share options should be 
recognized  as  an  increase  to  additional  paid-in  capital.  The 
amount  recognized  in  additional  paid-in  capital  for  the  realized 
income  tax  benefit  from  dividends  on  those  awards  should  be 
included in the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax 
deficiencies  on  share-based  payment  awards.    This  Issue  is 
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, and 
interim  periods  within  those  fiscal  years.    The  Bancorp  has 
prospectively  applied  this  Issue  to  applicable  dividends  declared 
on or after January 1, 2008. The Bancorp's adoption of this Issue 
did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

In June 2008, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF 
Issue  No.  07-5,  "Determining  Whether  an  Instrument  (or 
Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock."  This 
Issue provides guidance an entity should use to evaluate whether 
an  equity-linked  financial  instrument  (or  embedded  feature)  is 
indexed  to  its  own  stock.  This  Issue  is  effective  for  financial 
statements  issued  for  fiscal  years  beginning  after  December  15, 
2008,  and  interim  periods  within  that  period.    Early  adoption  is 
not permitted.  The Bancorp’s adoption of this Issue on January 1, 
2009  will  not  have  a  material 
impact  on  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In  January  2009,  the  FASB  issued  FSP  No.  EITF  99-20-1, 
"Amendments  to  the  Impairment  Guidance  of  EITF  Issue  No. 

   Fifth Third Bancorp    65 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

99-20,"  which  applies  to  beneficial  interests  within  the  scope  of 
EITF  Issue  No.  99-20,  “Recognition  of  Interest  Income  and 
Impairment  on  Purchased  Beneficial  Interests  and  Beneficial 
Interests That Continue to Be Held by a Transferor in Securitized 
Financial Assets.”  This FSP amends the impairment guidance in 
Issue  99-20  to  align  with  Statement  115  and  other  related 
impairment guidance.  The FSP is effective for interim and annual 

reporting  periods  ending  after  December  15,  2008,  and  is  to  be 
applied prospectively. Retrospective application to a prior interim 
or  annual  reporting  period  is  not  permitted.    The  Bancorp's 
adoption  of  this  FSP  on  December  31,  2008  did  not  have  a 
the  Bancorp's  Consolidated  Financial 
material  effect  on 
Statements. 

acquisition  strengthened  the  Bancorp’s  presence  in  the  Greater 
Orlando and Tampa Bay markets and also expanded its footprint 
into the Jacksonville and Augusta, Georgia markets.   

Under  the  terms  of  the  transaction,  the  Bancorp  paid  $259 
million  to  R&G  Financial  and  assumed  $50  million  of  trust 
preferred  securities.  Additionally,  Fifth  Third  Financial  paid 
approximately  $16  million  to  R-G  Crown  Real  Estate,  LLC  to 
acquire land leased by Crown for certain branches.  The assets and 
liabilities of Crown were recorded on the Bancorp’s Consolidated 
Balance Sheets at their respective fair values as of the closing date.  
The results of Crown’s operations were included in the Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of acquisition.  
In  addition,  the  Bancorp  realized  charges  against  its  earnings  for 
Crown  acquisition-related  expenses  of  $7  million  in  2007  and  $1 
in  2008.  The  acquisition-related  expenses  consisted 
million 
primarily  of  marketing,  consulting,  travel,  and  other  costs 
associated with system conversions. 

The  transaction  resulted  in  total  intangible  assets  of  $287 
million  based  upon  the  purchase  price,  the  fair  values  of  the 
acquired  assets  and  assumed  liabilities  and  applicable  purchase 
accounting  adjustments.  Of  this  total  intangibles  amount,  $19 
million was allocated to core deposit intangibles and the remaining 
$268  million  was  recorded  as  goodwill.    The  tax  deductible 
portion  of  goodwill  associated  with  the  transaction  was  $249 
million,  with  the  remaining  $19  million  non-deductible  for  tax 
purposes. 

The  pro  forma  effect  of  the  financial  results  of  Crown 
included  in  the  results  of  operations  subsequent  to  the  date  of 
acquisition  were  immaterial  to  the  Bancorp’s  financial  condition 
and operating results for the periods presented. 

Other 
On  October  31,  2008,  banking  regulators  declared  Bradenton, 
Florida-based Freedom Bank insolvent and the FDIC was named 
receiver.  The  FDIC  approved  the  assumption  of  all  deposits  by 
the  Bancorp,  which  approximated  $257  million.    The  FDIC 
retained  substantially  all  of  Freedom  Bank's  loan  portfolio  for 
later  disposition.    As  part  of  the  asset  acquisition,  the  Bancorp 
recorded a core deposit intangible of $3 million. 

On May 2, 2008, the Bancorp completed its purchase of nine 
branches located in Atlanta, Georgia from First Horizon National 
Corporation  (First  Horizon).    Under  terms  of  the  deal,  the 
Bancorp  acquired  the  nine  branches  and  assumed  the  related 
deposits of $114 million.  First Horizon retained all loans held at 
the  branches.  As  part  of  the  asset  acquisition,  the  Bancorp 
recorded a core deposit intangible of $1 million.  

2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND ASSET ACQUISITIONS 
First Charter  
On June 6, 2008, the Bancorp acquired 100% of the outstanding 
stock  of  First  Charter,  a  full  service  financial 
institution 
headquartered 
in  Charlotte,  North  Carolina.  First  Charter 
operated  57  branches  in  North  Carolina  and  two  in  suburban 
Atlanta,  Georgia.  The  acquisition  of  First  Charter  expanded  the 
Bancorp's footprint into the Charlotte, North Carolina market and 
strengthened the Bancorp's presence in Georgia.  

Under the terms of the transaction, the Bancorp paid $31.00 
per  First  Charter 
share,  or  approximately  $1.1  billion.  
Consideration  was  paid  in  the  form  of  approximately  70%  Fifth 
Third common stock and 30% cash.  First Charter common stock 
shareholders who received shares of Fifth Third common stock in 
the  merger  received  1.7412  shares  of  Fifth  Third  common  stock 
for  each  share  of  First  Charter  common  stock,  resulting  in  the 
issuance of 42.9 million shares of Fifth Third common stock.  The 
common  stock  issued  to  effect  the  transaction  was  valued  at 
$17.80  per  share,  the  average  closing  price  of  the  Bancorp’s 
common  stock  on  the  five  previous  trading  days  ending  on  the 
trading day immediately prior to the closing date.  

The  assets  and  liabilities  of  First  Charter  were  recorded  on 
the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  at  their  respective  fair  values  as 
of the closing date. The results of First Charter's operations were 
included  in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income 
from  the  date  of  acquisition.    In  addition,  the  Bancorp  realized 
charges against its earnings for acquisition-related expenses of $17 
million  during  2008.  The  acquisition-related  expenses  consisted 
primarily of consulting, marketing, travel and relocation, and other 
costs associated with system conversions.  

The  transaction  resulted  in  total  intangible  assets  of  $1.2 
billion  based  upon  the  purchase  price,  the  fair  values  of  the 
acquired  assets  and  assumed  liabilities  and  applicable  purchase 
accounting  adjustments.  Of  this  total  intangibles  amount,  $56 
million  was  allocated  to  core  deposit  intangibles,  $9  million  was 
allocated  to  customer  lists  and  $2  million  was  allocated  to  lease 
intangibles.  The  remaining  $1.1  billion  of  intangible  assets  was 
recorded as goodwill, which is non-deductible for tax purposes.  

The pro forma effect and the financial results of First Charter 
included  in  the  results  of  operations  subsequent  to  the  date  of 
acquisition  were  immaterial  to  the  Bancorp’s  financial  condition 
or the operating results for the periods presented. 

R-G Crown 
On  November  2,  2007,  the  Bancorp  acquired  100%  of  the 
outstanding stock of R-G Crown Bank, FSB (Crown) from R&G 
Financial  Corporation  (R&G  Financial).  Crown  operated  30 
in  Augusta,  Georgia.  The 
branches 

in  Florida  and  three 

66    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

3.  RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DIVIDENDS        
The  Federal  Reserve  Bank  requires  banks  to  maintain  minimum 
average reserve balances.  The amount of the reserve requirement 
was approximately $406 million and $301 million at December 31, 
2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.  

Dividends paid by the Bancorp are subject to various federal 
and  state  regulatory  limitations.    The  dividends  paid  by  the 
Bancorp’s  state  chartered  subsidiary  banks  are  subject  to  state 
regulations.  Dividends that may be paid by the Bancorp’s national 
charter subsidiary bank without the express approval of the Office 
of  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  (OCC)  are  limited  to  that 
bank’s  retained  net  profits  for  the  preceding  two  calendar  years 
plus retained net profits up to the date of any dividend declaration 
in  the  current  calendar  year.  Under  these  provisions,  the 
Bancorp’s  state  chartered  and  national  subsidiary  banks  could 
have declared additional dividends of $492 million and $1.9 billion 
at  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  respectively,  without  obtaining 
prior  regulatory  approval.    The  Bancorp’s  nonbank  subsidiaries 
are  also  limited  by  certain  federal  and  state  statutory  provisions 

4. SECURITIES 
Trading  securities  were  $1.2  billion  as  of  December  31,  2008 
compared to $171 million at December 31, 2007.  The increase in 
trading  securities  was  due  to  the  Bancorp  purchasing  VRDNs 
from  the  market  during  2008.  VRDNs  classified  as  trading 
securities totaled $1.1 billion at December 31, 2008.  See Note 15 
for  further  information  on  VRDNs.  Unrealized  gains  and  losses 
on  trading  securities  held  at  December  31,  2008  and  2007  were 
immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

In 2008, 2007, and 2006, gross realized securities gains were 

and  regulations  covering  the  amount  of  dividends  that  may  be 
paid in any given year.  Based on retained earnings at December 
31, 2008 and 2007, the Bancorp’s nonbank subsidiaries could have 
declared  additional  dividends  of  $50  million  and  $100  million, 
respectively, without obtaining prior regulatory approval. 

On December 31, 2008, the Bancorp sold approximately $3.4 
billion  in  senior  preferred  stock  and  related  warrants  to  the  U.S. 
Treasury  under  the  terms  of  the  CPP.  The  terms  include 
restrictions  on  common  stock  dividends,  which  require  the  U.S. 
Treasury’s  consent  to  increase  common  stock  dividends  for  a 
period  of  three  years  from  the  date  of  investment  unless  the 
preferred shares are redeemed in whole or the U.S. Treasury has 
transferred  all  of  the  preferred  shares  to  a  third  party.    For  the 
Bancorp,  approval  from  the  U.S.  Treasury  will  be  required  for 
common stock dividends in excess of $0.15 per share of common 
stock.    In  addition,  no  dividends  can  be  declared  or  paid  on  the 
Bancorp’s common stock unless all accrued and unpaid dividends 
have been paid on the preferred shares.  

$164 million, $28 million and $48 million, respectively, while gross 
realized  securities  losses  were  $130  million,  $1  million  and  $408 
million, respectively. 

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, securities with a fair value 
of  $9.2  billion  and  $8.8  billion,  respectively,  were  pledged  to 
secure  borrowings,  public  deposits,  trust  funds  and  for  other 
purposes  as  required  or  permitted  by  law.    The  following  table 
provides  a  breakdown  of  the  available-for-sale  and  held-to-
maturity securities portfolio as of December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Available-for-sale and other: 

U.S. Treasury and 

Government agencies 
U.S. Government sponsored 

agencies 

Obligations of states and 
political subdivisions 
Agency mortgage-backed 

securities 

Other bonds, notes and 

debentures 
Other securities(a) 

Total 

Held-to-maturity: 

Amortized 
Cost 

Unrealized 
Gains 

Unrealized 
Losses 

Fair Value 

Amortized 
Cost 

Unrealized 
Gains 

Unrealized 
Losses 

Fair Value 

2008 

2007 

$186 

1,651 

323 

8,529 

613 
1,248 
$12,550 

4

83

4

157

-
-
248

-

(4)

(1)

(5)

(43)
(17)
(70)

190

1,730

326

8,681

570
1,231
12,728

3

160

490

8,738

385
1,045
10,821

- 

1 

6 

24 

1 
7 
39 

-

(1)

-

(153)

(10)
(19)
(183)

3

160

496

8,609

376
1,033
10,677

Obligations of states and 
political subdivisions 

Other debt securities 

-
-
Total 
-
(a) Other securities consist of FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank restricted stock holdings of $545 million and $252 million at December 31, 2008, respectively, and $523 million and $199 million 

$355 
5 
$360 

351
4
355

351
4
355

355
5
360

- 
- 
- 

-
-
-

-
-
-

at December 31, 2007, respectively, that are carried at cost, certain mutual fund holdings and equity security holdings. 

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of securities at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following 
table.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities when there exists a right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or 
prepayment penalties.   

($ in millions) 
Debt securities: 
  Under 1 year 
  1-5 years 
  5-10 years 
  Over 10 years 
 Other securities 
Total 

Available-for-Sale & Other 
Amortized 
Cost 

Fair Value 

Held-to-Maturity 

Amortized 
Cost 

Fair Value 

$263
750
2,013
8,276
1,248
$12,550

264 
762 
2,080 
8,391 
1,231 
12,728 

2
79
248
31
-
360

2
79
248
31
-
360

  Fifth Third Bancorp    67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The  following  table  provides  the  fair  value  and  gross  unrealized  loss,  aggregated  by  investment  category  and  length  of  time  the  individual 
securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007: 

Less than 12 months 

12 months or more 

Total 

Fair Value 

$1
367
5
480
184
37
$1,074

($ in millions) 
2008 
U.S. Treasury and Government agencies 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 
Agency mortgage-backed securities 
Other bonds, notes and debentures 
Other securities 
Total 
2007 
U.S. Treasury and Government agencies 
U.S. Government sponsored agencies 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 
Agency mortgage-backed securities 
Other bonds, notes and debentures 
Other securities 
Total 
The  Bancorp’s  management  has  evaluated  the  securities  in  an 
unrealized  loss  position  in  the  available-for-sale  portfolio  on  the 
basis  of  both  the  duration  of  the  decline  in  value  of  the  security 
and the severity of that decline, and maintains the intent and ability 
to hold these securities to the earlier of the recovery of the loss or 
maturity.  

$1
99
6
2,279
279
57
$2,721

At  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  26%  and  four  percent, 
respectively, of unrealized losses in the available-for-sale securities 
portfolio were represented by non-rated securities.   

Unrealized 
Losses 

Fair Value 

Unrealized 
Losses 

Fair Value 

Unrealized 
Losses 

-
(4)
(1)
(2)
(23)
(17)
(47)

-
(1)
-
(25)
(9)
(7)
(42)

1
-
3
876
81
2
963

1
-
1
3,730
6
27
3,765

- 
- 
- 
(3) 
(20) 
- 
(23) 

- 
- 
- 
(128) 
(1) 
(12) 
(141) 

2
367
8
1,356
265
39
2,037

2
99
7
6,009
285
84
6,486

-
(4)
(1)
(5)
(43)
(17)
(70)

-
(1)
-
(153)
(10)
(19)
(183)

In  2008,  the  Bancorp  recognized  $104  million  in  OTTI 
charges on certain securities.  Trust preferred securities included in 
other bonds, notes and debentures, which had an original par value 
of  $116  million,  are  now  carried  at  $79  million,  after  an  OTTI 
charge of $37 million.  Additionally, FHLMC and FNMA preferred 
stock  included  in  other  securities  had  OTTI  charges  totaling  $67 
million in 2008 and are now carried at $1 million at December 31, 
2008.    These  charges  were  recognized  due  to  the  severity  of  the 
decline in the fair value of these securities during 2008. 

5. LOANS AND LEASES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES 

A summary of the total loans and leases classified by primary purpose as of December 31: 
($ in millions) 
Loans and leases held for sale: 
  Commercial loans  
    Commercial mortgage loans 
    Commercial constructions loans 
  Residential mortgage loans 
    Automobile loans 

  Other consumer loans and leases 
Total loans and leases held for sale 
Portfolio loans and leases (a): 
  Commercial loans 

Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 

  Commercial leases 

Total commercial loans and leases 
Residential mortgage loans 

  Home equity 

Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 
Total consumer loans and leases 

Total portfolio loans and leases 
(a) At December 31, 2008 and 2007, deposit overdrafts of $51 million and $78 million, respectively, were included in portfolio loans. 
Total  portfolio  loans  and  leases  were  recorded  net  of  unearned 
income, which totaled $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion as of December 
31,  2008  and  2007,  respectively.  Additionally,  unamortized 
premiums  and  discounts,  deferred  loan  fees  and  costs,  and  fair 
value  adjustments  (associated  with  acquired  loans  or  loans 
designated  as  fair  value  upon  origination)  were  $421  million  and 
$18 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  

The  Bancorp  diversifies  its  loan  and  lease  portfolio  by 
offering a variety of loan and lease products with various payment 
terms  and  rate  structures.    Lending  activities  are  concentrated 
within those states that the Bancorp has banking centers and are 
primarily located in the Midwest and Southeastern portion of the 
United States.  The Bancorp’s commercial loan portfolio consists 
of  lending  to  various  industry  types.  Management  periodically 

68    Fifth Third Bancorp     

2008 

$23
229
221
906
-
73
$1,452

$29,197
12,502
5,114
3,666
50,479
9,385
12,752
8,594
1,811
1,122
33,664
$84,143

2007

1,266
105
-
893
1,982
83
4,329

24,813
11,862
5,561
3,737
45,973
10,540
11,874
9,201
1,591
1,074
34,280
80,253

reviews the performance of its loan and lease products to ensure 
they are performing within acceptable interest rate and credit risk 
levels  and  changes  are  made  to  underwriting  policies  and 
procedures  as  needed.    The  Bancorp  maintains  an  allowance  to 
absorb loan and lease losses inherent in the portfolio.  

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transactions in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the years ended December 31: 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

($ in millions) 
Balance at January 1 

Losses charged off 
Recoveries of losses previously charged off 
Provision for loan and lease losses 

2008 
$937 
(2,791) 
81 
4,560 
$2,787 

2007
771
(544)
82
628
937

2006
744
(408)
92
343
771

Balance at December 31 
As stated in Note 1, larger commercial loans that exhibit probable or observed credit weaknesses are subject to individual review.  The balance 
of these impaired loans and related valuation allowance were as follows:  

($ in millions) 
Impaired loans with allowance 
Impaired loans without allowance 
Total impaired loans 
Average impaired loans 

2008 

Loan 
Balance 
$1,222
270
$1,492
$822

Allowance 

$534
-
$534

2007 

Loan 
Balance 

Allowance 

Loan 
Balance 

2006 

Allowance

306
188
494
280

118 
- 
118 

193
100
293
209

59
-
59

Cash  basis  interest  income  recognized  on  impaired  loans  during  each  of  the  years  presented  was  immaterial  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.   

The following table presents the Bancorp’s nonperforming and delinquent loans included in the Bancorp’s portfolio of loans and leases as of 
December 31:  

($ in millions) 
Nonaccrual loans and leases 
Restructured loans and leases (a) 
Total nonperforming loans and leases 
Repossessed personal property and other real estate owned 
Total nonperforming assets (b) 
Total 90 days past due loans and leases 
 (a) Represents loans modified as part of a troubled debt restructuring. 
 (b) Does not include $473 million of nonaccrual loans held for sale at December 31, 2008, which are held at market value and not included in the allowance for loan and lease losses. 

            2008
$1,696
574
2,270
230
$2,500
$662

           2007
813
80
893
171
1,064
491

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, total nonperforming assets were 
$3.0 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, and total loans and leases 
90 days past due were $662 million and $491 million, respectively.  
As of December 31, 2008 the Bancorp had less than $1 million in 
funding commitments to commercial borrowers whose loans were 
classified as nonperforming.  

As  shown  previously,  the  Bancorp  engages  in  commercial 
and consumer lease products primarily related to the financing of 
commercial  equipment  and  automobiles.  The  following  is  a 
summary of the gross investment in lease financing at December 
31:

($ in millions) 
Direct financing leases 
Leveraged leases 
Total 

The components of the investment in lease financing at December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Rentals receivable, net of principal and interest on nonrecourse debt 
Estimated residual value of leased assets 
Initial direct cost, net of amortization 
Gross investment in lease financing 
Unearned income 
Net investment in lease financing 

2008
$3,445
2,375
$5,820

2008
$4,415
1,381
24
5,820
(1,384)
$4,436

2007
3,407
2,452
5,859

2007
4,438
1,397
24
5,859
(1,325)
4,534

The  Bancorp  periodically  reviews  residual  values  associated  with 
its leasing portfolio.  Declines in residual values that are deemed 
to be other-than-temporary are recognized as a loss.  The Bancorp 
recognized  $3  million  in  residual  value  write-downs  related  to 
consumer  automobile  leases  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 

2008  while  residual  write  downs  were  immaterial  for  the  year 
ended December 31, 2007.  At December 31, 2008, the minimum 
future  lease  payments  receivable  for  each  of  the  years  2009 
through 2013 was $1.1 billion, $1.1 billion, $.9 billion, $.7 billion 
and $.4 billion, respectively. 

Fifth Third Bancorp  69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

into  interest  income  (nonaccretable  difference).  The  remaining 
amount representing the difference in the expected cash flows of 
acquired  loans  and  the  initial  investment  in  the  acquired  loans  is 
accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan or 
pool of loans (accretable yield). A summary of activity is provided. 

($ in millions) 
Balance as of December 31, 2006 
Additions 
Accretion 
Reclassifications from (to) 
nonaccretable difference  

Balance as of December 31, 2007 
Additions 
Accretion 
Reclassifications from (to) 
nonaccretable difference  

Accretable Yield
$-
8
(2)

-
$6
24
(15)

13
Balance as of December 31, 2008 
$28
The  following  table  reflects  loans  acquired,  for  which  it  was 
probable  at  acquisition  that  all  contractually  required  payments 
would not be collected as of December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Contractually required payments receivable at acquisition: 

2008

2007

Commercial 
Consumer  

Total 

Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition 
Fair value of acquired loans at acquisition 

$182
34
$216

$90
66

99
136
235

113
105

Estimated Useful Life 

10 to 50 yrs. 
3 to 20 yrs. 
3 to 40 yrs. 

2008
$743
1,518
1,317
378
120
(1,582)
$2,494

2007
620
1,383
1,210
320
113
(1,423)
2,223

The  Bancorp’s  subsidiaries  have  entered  into  a  number  of 
noncancelable lease agreements with respect to bank premises and 
equipment.  The  minimum  annual  rental  commitments  under 
noncancelable 
land  and  buildings  at 
December 31, 2008, exclusive of income taxes and other charges, 
are $90 million in 2009, $83 million in 2010, $78 million in 2011 
$74 million in 2012, $70 million in 2013 and $543 million in 2014 
and subsequent years. 

lease  agreements  for 

6. LOANS ACQUIRED IN A TRANSFER 
In  2008  and  2007,  the  Bancorp  acquired  certain  loans  for  which 
there  was  evidence  of  deterioration  of  credit  quality  since 
origination  and  for  which  it  was  probable,  at  acquisition,  that  all 
contractually  required  payments  would  not  be  collected.    These 
loans  were  evaluated  either  individually  or  segregated  into  pools 
based  on  common  risk  characteristics  and  accounted  for  under 
Statement  of  Position  03-3,  “Accounting  for  Certain  Loans  or 
Debt  Securities  Acquired  in  a  Transfer”  (SOP  03-3).    SOP  03-3 
requires  acquired  loans  within  its  scope  to  be  recorded  at  their 
initial  fair  value  and  prohibits  carrying  over  valuation  allowances 
when  applying  purchase  accounting.    Loans  carried  at  fair  value, 
mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  and  loans  under  revolving  credit 
agreements  are  excluded  from  the  scope  of  SOP  03-3.    During 
2008,  the  Bancorp  recorded  provision  expense  for 
loans 
accounted for under SOP 03-3 of $35 million in the Consolidated 
Statements  of  Income.    As  of  December  31,  2008  the  Bancorp 
maintained an allowance for loan and lease losses of $6 million on 
loans accounted for under SOP 03-3. 

The  following  table  reflects  the  outstanding  balance  of  all 
contractually  required  payments  and  carrying  amounts  of  those 
loans accounted for under SOP 03-3 at December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Commercial 
Consumer  
Outstanding balance 
Carrying amount 

2008
$224
87
$311
$106

2007
94
135
229
101

At the acquisition date, the Bancorp determines the excess of the 
loan’s  contractually  required  payments  over  all  cash  flows 
expected to be collected as an amount that should not be accreted 

7. BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT 
A summary of bank premises and equipment at December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Land and improvements 
Buildings 
Equipment 
Leasehold improvements 
Construction in progress 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization 
Total 
Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  related  to  bank  premises 
and equipment was $218 million in 2008, $205 million in 2007 and 
$187 million in 2006.  

Occupancy  expense  for  cancelable  and  noncancelable  leases 
was $98 million for 2008, $85 million for 2007 and $78 million for 
2006.  Occupancy  expense  has  been  reduced  by  rental  income 
from  leased  premises  of    $13  million  in  2008  and  $12  million  in 
2007 and 2006. 

70    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

8. GOODWILL 
Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill by reporting segment for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows: 

($ in millions) 
Balance as of December 31, 2006 
Acquisition activity 
Balance as of December 31, 2007 
Acquisition activity 
Impairment 
Balance as of December 31, 2008 

Commercial 
Banking 

Branch 
Banking 

Consumer 
Lending 

Investment 
Advisors 

$871 
124 
995 
369 
(750) 
$614 

797 
153 
950 
707 
- 
1,657 

182 
- 
182 
33 
(215) 
- 

138 
- 
138 
10 
- 
148 

Processing 
Solutions 
205 
- 
205 
- 
- 
205 

Total 
2,193 
277 
2,470 
1,119 
(965) 
2,624 

Business  combinations  entered  into  by  the  Bancorp  typically 
include  the  acquisition  of  goodwill.    Acquisition  activity  includes 
acquisitions  in  the  respective  period  in  addition  to  purchase 
accounting  adjustments  related  to  previous  acquisitions.    During 
the  second  quarter  of  2008,  the  Bancorp  acquired  First  Charter, 
which  resulted  in  the  recognition  of  $1.1  billion  of  goodwill.  
During  2007,  the  Bancorp  acquired  Crown,  which  resulted  in  the 
recognition  of  $268  million  in  goodwill;  of  this  amount  $249 
million was deductible for tax purposes. 

At  September  30,  2008,  the  Bancorp  completed  its  annual 
goodwill  impairment  test  and  determined  that  no  impairment 
existed.  As prescribed in SFAS No. 142, goodwill should be tested 
for  impairment  between  annual  tests  if  an  event  occurs  or 
circumstances  change  that  would  more-likely-than-not  reduce  the 
fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  below  its  carrying  amount.    During 
the  fourth  quarter  of  2008,  the  Bancorp  experienced  a  sustained, 
its  stock  price,  which  was  primarily 
significant  decline 

in 

9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 
Intangible  assets  consist  of  servicing  rights,  core  deposit 
intangibles,  customer 
lists,  non-compete  agreements  and 
cardholder  relationships.    Intangible  assets,  excluding  servicing 
rights,  are  amortized  on  either  a  straight-line  or  an  accelerated 
basis  over  their  estimated  useful  lives  and  have  an  estimated 
weighted-average  life  at  December  31,  2008  of  2.8  years.    The 

($ in millions)  
As of December 31, 2008: 

Mortgage servicing rights 
Other consumer and commercial servicing rights 
Core deposit intangibles 
Other 

Total intangible assets 
As of December 31, 2007: 

Mortgage servicing rights 
Other consumer and commercial servicing rights 
Core deposit intangibles 
Other 

Total intangible assets 

attributable  to  the  continuing  economic  slowdown  and  increased 
market  concern  surrounding  financial  services  companies’  credit 
risks and capital positions.  The Bancorp determined these events 
resulted  in  certain  of  its  reporting  units’  fair  values  being  more-
likely-than-not  reduced  below  their  carrying  amounts.  Therefore, 
the Bancorp performed a goodwill impairment test as of December 
31, 2008. 

Based on the results of the Step 1 test as defined in SFAS No. 
142,  the  Commercial  Banking,  Consumer  Lending,  and  Branch 
Banking  reporting  units’  carrying  amounts,  including  goodwill, 
exceeded their related fair values.  Upon completion of the Step 2 
test,  the  Bancorp  determined  that  the  Commercial  Banking  and 
Consumer  Lending  reporting  units’  goodwill  carrying  amounts 
exceeded  their  associated  implied  fair  values  by  $750  million  and 
$215  million,  respectively.    The  resulting  $965  million  goodwill 
impairment charge was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008. 

intangible  assets  for  possible 

Bancorp  reviews 
impairment 
whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that 
carrying  amounts  may  not  be  recoverable.    The  details  of  the 
Bancorp’s intangible assets are shown in the following table.  For 
further information on servicing rights, see Note 10. 

Gross Carrying 
Amount 

Accumulated 
Amortization 

Valuation 
Allowance 

Net Carrying 
Amount 

$1,614 
13 
487 
61 
$2,175 

$1,417 
24 
430 
44 
$1,915 

(862) 
(10) 
(346) 
(34) 
(1,252) 

(755) 
(19) 
(302) 
(25) 
(1,101) 

(256) 
- 
- 
- 
(256) 

(49) 
- 
- 
- 
(49) 

496 
3 
141 
27 
667 

613 
5 
128 
19 
765 

As of December 31, 2008, all of the Bancorp’s intangible assets were being amortized.  Amortization expense recognized on intangible 
assets, including servicing rights, for 2008 and 2007 was $164 million and $135 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense, including 
servicing rights, for the years ending December 31, 2009 through 2013 is as follows: 

($ in millions) 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 

$217 
165 
115 
86 
66 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

10. SALES OF RECEIVABLES AND SERVICING RIGHTS 
Residential Mortgage Loan Sales 
The  Bancorp  sold  fixed  and  adjustable  rate  residential  mortgage 
loans  during  2008,  2007  and  2006.    In  those  sales,  the  Bancorp 
obtained  servicing  responsibilities  and  the  investors  have  no 
recourse to the Bancorp’s other assets for failure of debtors to pay 
when due.  The Bancorp receives annual servicing fees based on a 
percentage  of  the  outstanding  balance.  The  Bancorp  identifies 
classes of servicing assets based on financial asset type and interest 
rates.  Initial  carrying  values  of  servicing  rights  recognized  during 
2008 and 2007 were $196 million and $205 million, respectively.   

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the 
Bancorp recognized pretax gains of $260 million, $67 million  and 
$68 million, respectively, on the sales of $11.5 billion, $10.1 billion 
and  $7.1  billion,  respectively,  of  residential  mortgage  loans. 
Additionally,  the  Bancorp  recognized  $164  million,  $145  million 
and $121 million in servicing fees on residential mortgages for the 
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The 
gains on sales of residential mortgages and servicing fees related to 
residential mortgages are included in mortgage banking net revenue 
in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  

The  Bancorp  previously  sold  certain  residential  mortgage 
loans  in  the  secondary  market  with  recourse.  In  the  event  of  any 
customer  default,  pursuant  to  the  credit  recourse  provided,  the 
Bancorp  is  required  to  reimburse  the  third  party.    The  maximum 
amount  of  credit  risk  in  the  event  of  nonperformance  by  the 
underlying borrowers is equivalent to the total outstanding balance.  
In  the  event  of  nonperformance,  the  Bancorp  has  rights  to  the 
underlying  collateral  value  securing  the  loan.    At  December  31, 
2008 and 2007, the outstanding balances on these loans sold with 
recourse  were  approximately  $1.3  billion  and  $1.5  billion, 
respectively,  and  the  delinquency  rates  were  approximately  6.40% 
and  3.03%,  respectively.    At  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the 
Bancorp maintained an estimated credit loss reserve on these loans 
sold  with  recourse  of  approximately  $20  million  and  $17  million, 
respectively,  recorded  in  other  liabilities  on  the  Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.  To determine the credit loss reserve, the Bancorp 
used  an  approach  that  is  consistent  with  its  overall  approach  in 
estimating  credit  losses  for  various  categories  of  residential 
mortgage loans held in its loan portfolio. 

Automobile Loan Securitizations 
During  2008,  the  Bancorp  recognized  pretax  gains  of  $15  million 
on  the  sale  of  $2.7  billion  of  automobile  loans  in  three  separate 
transactions.  Each  transaction  isolated  the  related  loans  through 
the use of a securitization trust or a conduit, formed as QSPEs, to 
facilitate  the  securitization  process  in  accordance  with  SFAS  No. 
140. The QSPEs issue asset-backed securities with varying levels of 
credit  subordination  and  payment  priority.  The  investors  in  these 
securities have no recourse to the Bancorp’s other assets for failure 
of  debtors  to  pay  when  due.  During  2008,  the  Bancorp  did  not 
repurchase  any  previously  transferred  automobile  loans  from  the 
QSPEs. 

In  each  of  these  sales,  the  Bancorp  obtained  servicing 
responsibility, but no servicing asset or liability was recorded as the 
market based servicing fee was considered adequate compensation.  
The  Bancorp  recognized  $9  million  of  servicing  fees  on  these 
automobile  loans  during  2008,  which  is  included  in  mortgage 
banking net revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income.   

included 

As of December 31, 2008, the Bancorp held retained interests 
in  the  QSPEs  in  the  form  of  asset-backed  securities  totaling  $51 
million and residual interests totaling $124 million.  These retained 
interests  are 
in  available-for-sale  securities  on  the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  During  2008,  the  Bancorp  received 
cash  flows  of  $3  million  from  the  asset-backed  securities  and  $37 
million from the residual interests. The asset-backed securities are 
measured  at  fair  value  using  quoted  market  prices.  The  residual 
interests  are  measured  at  fair  value  based  on  the  present  value  of 

72    Fifth Third Bancorp     

future expected cash flows using management’s best estimates for 
the key assumptions, which are further discussed below.   

Commercial Loan Sales to a QSPE 
Through  December  31,  2008,  2007  and  2006,  the  Bancorp  had 
transferred,  subject  to  credit  recourse,  certain  primarily  floating-
rate,  short-term, 
loans  to  an 
unconsolidated  QSPE  that  is  wholly  owned  by  an  independent 
third-party.  The transfer of loans to the QSPE was accounted for 
as  a  sale  in  accordance  with  SFAS  No.  140.    The  QSPE  issues 
commercial paper and uses the proceeds to fund the acquisition of 
commercial loans transferred to it by the Bancorp.  

investment  grade  commercial 

The  Bancorp  transferred  the  loans  for  par  at  origination, 
therefore,  no  gains  or  losses  were  recognized  on  the  transfers  to 
the QSPE for the years ended 2008, 2007 and 2006.  Generally, the 
loans  transferred  provide  a  lower  yield  due  to  their  investment 
grade  nature,  and  therefore  transferring  these  loans  to  the  QSPE 
allows  the  Bancorp  to  reduce  its  interest  rate  exposure  to  these 
loan  assets  while  maintaining  the  customer 
lower  yielding 
relationships.    Under  current  accounting  provisions,  QSPEs  are 
exempt  from  consolidation  and,  therefore,  not  included  in  the 
Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.    The  outstanding 
balance  of  these  loans  at  December  31,  2008  and  2007  was  $1.9 
billion  and  $3.0  billion,  respectively.    At  December  31,  2008  and 
2007,  the  value  of  the  servicing  asset  related  to  these  sales  was 
immaterial to the Bancorp's Consolidated Financial Statements. As 
of  December  31,  2008,  the  loans  transferred  had  a  weighted 
average  life  of  2.2  years.  These  loans  may  be  transferred  back  to 
the  Bancorp  upon  the  occurrence  of  certain  specified  events.  
These  events  include  borrower  default  on  the  loans  transferred, 
bankruptcy  preferences  initiated  against  underlying  borrowers, 
ineligible  loans  transferred  by  the  Bancorp  to  the  QSPE,  and  the 
inability  of  the  QSPE  to  issue  commercial  paper.    The  maximum 
amount  of  credit  risk  in  the  event  of  nonperformance  by  the 
underlying  borrowers  is  approximately  equivalent  to  the  total 
outstanding balance.  During the years ended December 31, 2008, 
2007  and  2006,  the  QSPE  did  not  transfer  any  loans  back  to  the 
Bancorp as a result of a credit event.  

The  Bancorp  monitors  the  credit  risk  associated  with  the 
underlying  borrowers  through  the  same  risk  grading  system 
currently utilized for establishing loss reserves in its loan and lease 
portfolio. Under this risk rating system as of December 31, 2008, 
approximately $1.8 billion of the loans in the QSPE were classified 
average  or  better;  approximately  $77  million  were  classified  as 
watch-list or special mention; and approximately $76 million were 
classified  as  substandard.  At  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the 
Bancorp’s loss reserve related to the credit enhancement provided 
to the QSPE was $37 million and $18 million, respectively, and was 
recorded in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  To 
determine  the  credit  loss  reserve,  the  Bancorp  used  an  approach 
that  is  consistent  with  its  overall  approach  in  estimating  credit 
losses  for  various  categories  of  commercial  loans  held  in  its  loan 
portfolio.   

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Bancorp collected 
$334  million  in  net  cash  proceeds  from  loan  transfers  and  $13 
million  in  servicing  fees  from  the  QSPE.    For  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2007, the Bancorp collected $1.1 billion in net cash 
proceeds from loan transfers and $30 million in servicing fees from 
the  QSPE.  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2006,  the  Bancorp 
collected $1.6 billion in net cash proceeds from loan transfers and 
$30 million in servicing fees from the QSPE. 

The  ability  of  the  QSPE  to  issue  commercial  paper  is  a 
function of general market conditions and the credit rating of the 
liquidity  provider.    In  the  event  the  QSPE  is  unable  to  issue 
commercial  paper,  the  Bancorp  has  agreed  to  provide  liquidity 
support  to  the  QSPE  in  the  form  of  purchases  of  commercial 
paper,  a  line  of  credit  to  the  QSPE  and  the  repurchase  of  assets 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

from the QSPE.  As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the liquidity 
asset  purchase  agreement  was  $2.8  billion  and  $5.0  billion, 
respectively.  During  2008,  dislocation  in  the  short-term  funding 
market caused the QSPE difficulty in obtaining sufficient funding 
through  the  issuance  of  commercial  paper.    As  a  result,  the 
Bancorp  provided  liquidity  support  to  the  QSPE  during  2008 
through  purchases  of  commercial  paper,  a  line  of  credit  to  the 
QSPE,  and  the  repurchase  of  assets  from  the  QSPE  under  the 
liquidity asset purchase agreement.  As of December 31, 2008, the 
Bancorp  held  approximately  $143  million  of  asset-backed 
commercial  paper  issued  by  the  QSPE,  representing  7%  of  the 
total commercial paper issued by the QSPE.   

During  2008,  the  Bancorp  repurchased  $686  million  of 
commercial  loans  at  par  from  the  QSPE  under  the  liquidity  asset 
purchase  agreement.    Fair  value  adjustment  charges  of  $3  million 
were recorded on these loans upon repurchase.  As of December 
31, 2008, there were no outstanding balances on the line of credit 
from the Bancorp to the QSPE.   

Servicing Assets and Residual Interests 
Refer to Note 1 for the accounting policies for measuring interests 
in  transferred  financial  assets  that  continue  to  be  held  by  the 
Bancorp.  The  key  economic  assumptions  used  in  measuring  the 
initial  carrying  values  of  the  mortgage  servicing  assets  and 
automobile  residual  interests  that  continue  to  be  held  by  the 
Bancorp were as follows:  

2008 

2007 

Weighted-
Average 
Life 
(in years) 

Rate 

Prepayment 
Speed 
Assumption

Discount 
Rate 

Weighted-
Average 
Default 
Rate 

Weighted-
Average 
Life 
(in years) 

Prepayment 
Speed 
Assumption  

Discount 
Rate  

Weighted-
Average 
Default  
Rate  

Residential mortgage loans: 
  Servicing assets 
  Servicing assets 
Automobile loans: 
  Residual interests 

Fixed 
Adjustable 

Fixed 

5.9 
2.7 

1.8 

19.2%
30.8 

22.9 

9.7%
14.5 

8.0 

N/A
N/A

1.5%

6.4
3.4

N/A

12.9% 
29.4 

9.6%
12.9 

N/A 

N/A

N/A
N/A

N/A

Based  on  historical  credit  experience,  expected  credit  losses  for 
residential  mortgage  loan  servicing  assets  have  been  deemed 
immaterial,  as  the  Bancorp  sold  the  majority  of  the  underlying 
loans  without  recourse.    At  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the 
Bancorp  serviced  $40.4  billion  and  $34.5  billion  of  residential 
mortgage loans for other investors.  

The  value  of  interests  that  continue  to  be  held  by  the 
Bancorp is subject to credit, prepayment and interest rate risks on 
the sold financial assets.  At December 31, 2008, the sensitivity of 
a  decline  in  the  current  fair  value  of  residual  cash  flows  to 
immediate  10%  and  20%  adverse  changes  in  those  assumptions 
are as follows: 

Weighted-
Average 
Life (in 
years) 

Fair 
Value 

Prepayment Speed 
Assumption 

Impact of Adverse 
Change on Fair 
Value 

10%

20% 

Residual Servicing  
Cash Flows 
Impact of Adverse 
Change on Fair 
Value 

Weighted-Average 

 Default 
Impact of Adverse 
Change on Fair 
Value 

10%

20% 

Rate

10% 

20% 

Discount
Rate 

Rate

  Rate 

4.1 
2.8 

$458 
38 

19.2%
31.9

Fixed 
Adjustable 

($ in millions) 
Residential mortgage loans: 
  Servicing assets 
  Servicing assets 
Automobile loans: 
  Residual interest 
These  sensitivities  are  hypothetical  and  should  be  used  with 
caution,  as  changes  in  fair  value  based  on  a  10%  variation  in 
assumptions 
the 
relationship  of  the  change  in  assumption  to  the  change  in  fair 
value may not be linear.  Also, in the previous table, the effect of a 
variation  in  a  particular  assumption  on  the  fair  value  of  the 
interests  that  continue  to  be  held  by  the  transferor  is  calculated 

typically  cannot  be  extrapolated  because 

Fixed 

124 

25.0

2.0 

$30
3

$58
5

     10.0 % 
    15.0

$14
1

$27 
3 

- %
-

$-
-

$-
-

3

5

3

3

1.8

11.4

6 
without changing any other assumption; in reality, changes in one 
factor may result in changes in another.  For example, increases in 
market  interest  rates  may  result  in  lower  prepayments  and 
increased  credit  losses,  which  might  magnify  or  counteract  the 
sensitivities.  The following table reflects changes in the servicing 
asset  related  to  residential  mortgage  loans  for  the  years  ended 
December 31: 

6

($ in millions) 
Carrying amount as of the beginning of period  
Servicing obligations that result from transfer of residential mortgage loans 
Acquisitions 
Amortization 
Carrying amount before valuation allowance 
Valuation allowance for servicing assets: 
Beginning balance 
Servicing valuation impairment  
Ending balance 
Carrying amount as of the end of the period 

Temporary impairment or impairment recovery, effected through 
a  change  in  the  MSR  valuation  allowance,  is  reported  as  a 
component of mortgage banking net revenue in the Consolidated 
Statements  of  Income.    The  Bancorp  maintains  a  non-qualifying 
hedging  strategy  to  manage  a  portion  of  the  risk  associated  with 
changes in value of the MSR portfolio.  This strategy includes the 
purchase  of  free-standing  derivatives  (principal-only  swaps, 
swaptions  and  interest  rate  swaps)  and  various  available-for-sale 

                            2008 
$662
196
1
(107)
$752

($49)
(207)
(256)
$496 

2007 
546
207
-
(91)
662

(27)
(22)
(49)
613 

securities  (primarily  principal-only  strips).    The  interest  income, 
mark-to-market  adjustments  and  gain  or  loss  on  sales  activities 
associated  with  these  portfolios  are  expected  to  economically 
hedge  a  portion  of  the  change  in  value  of  the  MSR  portfolio 
caused  by 
fluctuating  discount  rates,  earnings  rates  and 
prepayment speeds. 

During  2008,  the  Bancorp  recognized  a  net  gain  of  $120 
million, classified as securities gains in noninterest income, related 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    73     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

to  sales  of  available-for-sale  securities  purchased  to  economically 
hedge the MSR portfolio and a net gain of $89 million, classified 
as mortgage banking net revenue in noninterest income, related to 
changes  in  fair  value  and  settlement  of  free-standing  derivatives 
purchased  to  economically  hedge  the  MSR  portfolio.    During 
2007, the Bancorp recognized a net gain of $6 million, classified as 
securities gains in noninterest income, related to sales of available-
for-sale  securities  purchased  to  economically  hedge  the  MSR 
portfolio  and  a  net  gain  of  $23  million,  classified  as  mortgage 
banking net revenue in noninterest income, related to changes in 
fair value and settlement of free-standing derivatives purchased to 
economically hedge the MSR portfolio.  As of December 31, 2008 
and  2007,  other  assets 
free-standing  derivative 
included 
instruments related to the MSR portfolio with a fair value of $218 

million and $70 million, respectively, and other liabilities included 
free-standing  derivative  instruments  with  a  fair  value  of  $77 
million  and  $16  million,  respectively.    The  outstanding  notional 
amounts on the free-standing derivative instruments related to the 
MSR portfolio totaled $8.5 billion and $4.3 billion as of December 
31,  2008  and  2007,  respectively.    As  of  December  31,  2008  and 
2007,  the  available-for-sale  securities  portfolio  included  $1.1 
billion  and  $205  million,  respectively,  of  securities  related  to  the 
non-qualifying hedging strategy. 

 The fair value of the servicing asset is based on the present 
value of expected future cash flows.  The following table displays 
the beginning and ending fair value for the years ended December 
31, 2008 and 2007: 

($ in millions) 
Fixed rate residential mortgage loans: 
Fair value at beginning of period  
Fair value at end of period 
Adjustable rate residential mortgage loans: 
Fair value at beginning of period  
Fair value at end of period 

2008 

$565 
458 

50 
38 

2007

483 
565 

45 
50 

The following table provides a summary of the total loans and leases managed by the Bancorp, including loans securitized and loans in the 
unconsolidated QSPE for the years ended December 31: 

Balance 

2008
$31,163
12,952
5,477
3,666
9,946
13,025
9,183
3,006
$88,418

2007
29,052
11,967
5,561
3,737
11,454
12,162
11,183
2,749
87,865

Balance of Loans 90 Days or 
More Past Due 
2008
76
136
74
4
198
98
22
57
665

2007 
43 
73 
67 
5 
187 
74 
13 
32 
494 

          Net Credit  
           Losses 
2008
649
613
749
(1)
242
207
141
118
2,718

2007
109
44
29
-
43
99
86
54
464

($ in millions) 
Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity loans 
Automobile loans 
Other consumer loans and leases 
Total loans and leases managed and securitized (a) 
Less: 

Automobile loans securitized 
Home equity loans securitized 
Residential mortgage loans securitized 
Commercial loans sold to unconsolidated QSPE 
Loans held for sale 

Total portfolio loans and leases 
(a) Excluding securitized assets that the Bancorp continues to service, but with which it has no other continuing involvement.

$589
273
18
1,943
1,452
$84,143

-
289
21
2,973
4,329
80,253

74    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

11. DERIVATIVES 
The  Bancorp  maintains  an  overall  risk  management  strategy  that 
incorporates  the  use  of  derivative  instruments  to  reduce  certain 
risks  related  to  interest  rate,  prepayment  and  foreign  currency 
volatility.  Additionally, the Bancorp holds derivative instruments 
for  the  benefit  of  its  commercial  customers.    The  Bancorp  does 
not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. 

The  Bancorp’s 

interest  rate  risk  management  strategy 
involves modifying the repricing characteristics of certain financial 
instruments  so  that  changes  in  interest  rates  do  not  adversely 
affect  the  Bancorp’s  net 
interest  margin  and  cash  flows.  
Derivative  instruments  that  the  Bancorp  may  use  as  part  of  its 
interest rate risk management strategy include interest rate swaps, 
interest  rate  floors,  interest  rate  caps,  forward  contracts,  options 
and  swaptions.    Interest  rate  swap  contracts  are  exchanges  of 
interest  payments,  such  as  fixed-rate  payments  for  floating-rate 
payments,  based  on  a  common  notional  amount  and  maturity 
date.    Interest  rate  floors  protect  against  declining  rates,  while 
interest  rate  caps  protect  against  rising  interest  rates.    Forward 
contracts are contracts in which the buyer agrees to purchase, and 
the  seller  agrees  to  make  delivery  of,  a  specific  financial 
instrument at a predetermined price or yield.  Options provide the 
purchaser with the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell 
a  contracted  item  during  a  specified  period  at  an  agreed  upon 
price.  Swaptions are financial instruments granting the owner the 
right, but not the obligation, to enter into or cancel a swap. 

Prepayment volatility arises mostly from changes in fair value 
of  the  largely  fixed-rate  MSR  portfolio,  mortgage  loans  and 
mortgage-backed securities.  The Bancorp may enter into various 
free-standing  derivatives  (principal-only  swaps,  swaptions,  floors, 
options  and 
to  economically  hedge 
prepayment volatility.  Principal-only swaps are total return swaps 
based  on  changes  in  the  value  of  the  underlying  mortgage 
principal-only trust. 

interest  rate  swaps) 

Foreign currency volatility occurs as the Bancorp enters into 
certain  loans  denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  Derivative 
instruments  that  the  Bancorp  may  use  to  economically  hedge 
these  foreign  denominated  loans  include  foreign  exchange  swaps 
and forward contracts. 

The  Bancorp  also  enters  into  derivative  contracts  (including 
foreign exchange contracts, commodity contracts and interest rate 
swaps, floors and caps) for the benefit of commercial customers. 
The  Bancorp  may  economically  hedge  significant  exposures 
into 
related  to  these  free-standing  derivatives  by  entering 
reputable 
offsetting 

third-party  contracts  with  approved, 

counterparties  with  substantially  matching  terms  and  currencies.  
Credit  risk  arises  from  the  possible  inability  of  counterparties  to 
meet  the  terms  of  their  contracts.  The  Bancorp’s  exposure  is 
limited  to  the  replacement  value  of  the  contracts  rather  than  the 
notional, principal or contract amounts.  The Bancorp minimizes 
the  credit  risk  through  credit  approvals,  limits,  counterparty 
collateral  and  monitoring  procedures.  During  2008,  credit 
downgrades to certain counterparties of customer accommodation 
derivative  contracts  negatively  impacted  their  fair  value  by 
approximately $31 million. 

The Bancorp holds certain derivative instruments that qualify 
for  hedge  accounting  treatment  under  SFAS  No.  133  and  are 
designated  as  fair  value  hedges  or  cash  flow  hedges.    Derivative 
instruments  that  do  not  qualify  for  hedge  accounting  treatment 
under  SFAS  No.  133,  or  for  which  hedge  accounting  is  not 
established,  are  held  as  free-standing  derivatives  and  provide  the 
Bancorp  an  economic  hedge.    All  customer  accommodation 
derivatives are held as free-standing derivatives. 

interest  rate  swaps 

Fair Value Hedges 
The  Bancorp  may  enter  into  interest  rate  swaps  to  convert  its 
fixed-rate,  long-term  debt  or  time  deposits  to  floating-rate.  
Decisions  to  convert  fixed-rate  debt  or  time  deposits  to  floating 
are made primarily through consideration of the asset/liability mix 
of  the  Bancorp,  the  desired  asset/liability  sensitivity  and  interest 
rate  levels.    For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2008  and  2007, 
certain interest rate swaps met the criteria required to qualify for 
the  shortcut  method  of  accounting.    Based  on  this  shortcut 
method  of  accounting  treatment,  no  ineffectiveness  is  assumed.  
For 
the  shortcut 
requirements,  an  assessment  of  hedge  effectiveness  was 
performed  and  such  swaps  were  accounted  for  using  the  “long-
haul”  method.    The  long-haul  method  requires  a  quarterly 
assessment  of  hedge  effectiveness  and  measurement  of 
ineffectiveness.    For  interest  rate  swaps  accounted  for  as  a  fair 
value  hedge  using  the  long-haul  method,  ineffectiveness  is  the 
difference between the changes in the fair value of the interest rate 
swap and changes in fair value of the long-term debt attributable 
to  the  risk  being  hedged.  The  ineffectiveness  on  interest  rate 
swaps hedging long-term debt or time deposits is reported within 
interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.   

that  do  not  meet 

The  following  table  reflects  the  change  in  fair  value  for 
interest rate contracts and the related hedged items included in the 
Consolidated Statements of Income.   

For the year ended December 31, ($ in millions) 
Interest rate contracts: 

Consolidated Statements of 
Income Caption 

Change in fair value on interest rate swaps hedging long-term debt 
Change in fair value on long-term debt - hedged item 
Change in fair value on interest rate swaps hedging time deposits 
Change in fair value on time deposits - hedged item 

Interest on long-term debt 
Interest on long-term debt 
Interest on deposits 
Interest on deposits 

The following table reflects fair value hedges included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31: 

2008 

2007 

($776) 
765 
(19) 
19 

105 
(109) 
- 
- 

($ in millions) 
Included in other assets: 

Interest rate swaps related to debt 
  Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale 

Total included in other assets 
Included in other liabilities: 

Interest rate swaps related to debt 
Interest rate swaps related to time deposits 

  Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale 
Total included in other liabilities 

2008 

Notional 
Amount

Fair Value 

2007 

Notional 
Amount

Fair Value

$5,430
-

$ -
1,575
-

$823 
- 
$823 

$ - 
19 
- 
$19 

 3,000
183

775
-
511

 67
1
68

21
-
4
25

  Fifth Third Bancorp    75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The  Bancorp  previously  entered  into  forward  contracts  that  met 
the criteria for fair value hedge accounting to hedge its residential 
mortgage loans held for sale.  Upon adoption of SFAS No. 159 on 
January  1,  2008  and  the  Bancorp’s  election  to  carry  residential 
mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  at  fair  value,  all  new  forward 
contracts held to hedge its residential mortgage loans held for sale 
were  held  as  free-standing  derivative  instruments.    For  the  year 
ended  December  31,  2007,  the  ineffectiveness  of  the  hedging 
relationships  related  to  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale 
was  immaterial  to  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income.  

During  2006,  the  Bancorp  terminated  interest  rate  swaps 
designated as fair value hedges and, in accordance with SFAS No. 
133,  an  amount  equal  to  the  cumulative  fair  value  adjustment  to 
the  hedged  items  at  the  date  of  termination  will  be  amortized  as 
an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the 
long-term  debt.    For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2008  and 
2007, $6 million and $11 million in net deferred losses, net of tax, 
on  the  terminated  fair  value  hedges  were  amortized  into  interest 
expense, respectively. 

Cash Flow Hedges 
The  Bancorp  may  enter  into  interest  rate  swaps  to  convert 
floating-rate assets and liabilities to fixed rates or to hedge certain 
forecasted  transactions.    The  assets  or  liabilities  are  typically 
grouped  and  share  the  same  risk  exposure  for  which  they  are 
being hedged.  The Bancorp may also enter into interest rate caps 
and floors to limit cash flow variability of floating rate assets and 
liabilities.  As of December 31, 2008, all hedges designated as cash 
flow  hedges  are  assessed  for  effectiveness  using  regression 
analysis.    Ineffectiveness  is  generally  measured  as  the  amount  by 

which  the  cumulative  change  in  the  fair  value  of  the  hedging 
instrument exceeds the present value of the cumulative change in 
the hedged item’s expected cash flows.  Ineffectiveness is reported 
within  other  noninterest  income  in  the  Consolidated  Statements 
of Income.   

are 

and 

from 

reclassified 

The  effective  portion  of  the  gains  or  losses  on  derivative 
contracts  are  reported  within  accumulated  other  comprehensive 
income 
accumulated  other 
comprehensive  income  to  current  period  earnings  when  the 
forecasted  transaction  affects  earnings.    Reclassified  gains  and 
losses  on  interest  rate  floors  related  to  commercial  loans  and 
interest  rate  caps  related  to  debt  are  recorded  within  interest 
income  and  interest  expense,  respectively.    As  of  December  31, 
2008,  $88  million  of  net  deferred  gains  on  cash  flow  hedges  are 
recorded  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income.    As  of 
December 31, 2008, $47 million in net deferred gains, net of tax, 
recorded 
income  are 
expected  to  be  reclassified  into  earnings  during  the  next  twelve 
months. 

in  accumulated  other  comprehensive 

income 

relating 

to  cash 

The  following  table  presents  the  net  gains  (losses)  recorded 
in the Consolidated Statements of Income and accumulated other 
comprehensive 
flow  derivative 
instruments.    Included  in  the  ineffectiveness  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2007  are  certain  terminated  interest  rate  swaps 
previously  designated  as  cash  flow  hedges.    In  conjunction  with 
this  termination,  the  Bancorp  reclassified  $22  million  of  losses 
into  earnings  as  it  was  determined  that  the  original  forecasted 
transaction was no longer probable of occurring by the end of the 
originally specified time period or within the additional period of 
time as defined in SFAS No. 133. 

For the year ended December 31: 
($ in millions) 
Interest rate contracts 

Amount of gain (loss)  
recognized in OCI 

Amount of gain (loss) 
reclassified from OCI into net 
interest income 

Amount of ineffectiveness 
recognized in other  
noninterest income  

2008 
$100 

2007
42

2006
-

2008
3

2007
1

2006 
(20) 

2008 
1 

2007 
(21)

2006
-

The following table reflects cash flow hedges included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Included in other assets: 

  Interest rate floors related to commercial loans 
  Interest rate caps related to debt 

Total included in other assets 
Included in other liabilities: 

  Interest rate swaps related to commercial loans 

Total included in other liabilities 

2008 

Notional 
Amount

Fair Value

2007 

Notional 
Amount

Fair Value

$1,500
1,750

$3,000

$216
1
$217

$22
$22

1,500
1,750

1,000

 107
11
118

11
11

certain 

foreign  denominated 

Free-Standing Derivative Instruments – Risk Management 
The Bancorp enters into foreign exchange derivative contracts to 
economically  hedge 
loans.  
Derivative instruments that the Bancorp may use to economically 
hedge  these  foreign  denominated  loans  include  foreign  exchange 
swaps  and  forward  contracts.    The  Bancorp  does  not  designate 
these  instruments  against  the  foreign  denominated  loans,  and 
therefore,  does  not  obtain  hedge  accounting 
treatment.  
Revaluation  gains  and  losses  on  such  foreign  currency  derivative 
contracts  are  recorded  within  other  noninterest  income  in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income, as are revaluation gains  and 
losses on foreign denominated loans.  

As part of its overall risk management strategy relative to its 
mortgage  banking  activity,  the  Bancorp  may  enter  into  various 
free-standing  derivatives  (principal-only  swaps,  swaptions,  floors, 
options and interest rate swaps) to economically hedge changes in 
fair  value  of  its  largely  fixed-rate  MSR  portfolio.    Principal-only 
swaps  hedge  the  mortgage-LIBOR  spread  because  these  swaps 
appreciate in value as a result of tightening spreads.  Principal-only 
swaps  also  provide  prepayment  protection  by  increasing  in  value 

76    Fifth Third Bancorp         

when prepayment speeds increase, as opposed to MSRs that lose 
value  in  a  faster  prepayment  environment.    Receive  fixed/pay 
floating interest rate swaps and swaptions increase in value when 
interest rates do not increase as quickly as expected.  The Bancorp 
enters into forward contracts to economically hedge the change in 
fair value of certain residential mortgage loans held for sale due to 
changes  in  interest  rates.    The  Bancorp  may  also  enter  into 
forward swaps to economically hedge the change in fair value of 
certain commercial mortgage loans held for sale due to changes in 
interest  rates. 
issued  on 
residential mortgage loan commitments that will be held for resale 
are  also  considered  free-standing  derivative  instruments  and  the 
interest  rate  exposure  on  these  commitments  is  economically 
hedged  primarily  with  forward  contracts.    Revaluation  gains  and 
losses from free-standing derivatives related to mortgage banking 
activity  are  recorded  as  a  component  of  mortgage  banking  net 
revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

lock  commitments 

  Interest  rate 

Additionally,  the  Bancorp  occasionally  may  enter  into  free-
standing  derivative  instruments  (options,  swaptions  and  interest 
rate  swaps)  in  order  to  minimize  significant  fluctuations  in 

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

earnings  and  cash  flows  caused  by  interest  rate  volatility.    The 
gains and losses on these derivative contracts are recorded within 
other  noninterest  income  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income. 

The  net  gains 

(losses)  recorded 

Statements  of  Income  relating 
instruments used for risk management are summarized below: 

in 

the  Consolidated 
to  free-standing  derivative 

For the year ended December 31, ($ in millions)                                                         
Interest rate contracts: 

Forward contracts related to commercial mortgage loans held for sale 
Forward contracts related residential mortgage loans held for sale 
Derivative instruments related to MSR portfolio 
Derivative instruments related to interest rate risk 

Foreign exchange contracts: 
Foreign exchange contracts 

Consolidated Statements of 
Income Caption 

Corporate banking revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 

Other noninterest income 

2008

2007

2006

($8)
(17)
89
1

29

(6)
(8)
23
(1)

(19)

-
7
(9)
(20)

3

The following table reflects the notional amount and market value of free-standing derivatives used for risk management included in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets: 

($ in millions) 
Interest rate contracts included in other assets: 
Derivative instruments related to MSR portfolio 
Derivative instruments related to held for sale mortgage loans 
Derivative instruments related to interest rate risk 

Foreign exchange contracts included in other assets: 

Foreign exchange contracts 
Total included in other assets 
Interest rate contracts included in other liabilities: 
Derivative instruments related to MSR portfolio 
Derivative instruments related to held for sale mortgage loans 
Derivative instruments related to interest rate risk 

Foreign exchange contracts included in other liabilities: 

Foreign exchange contracts 
Total included in other liabilities 

Free-Standing Derivative Instruments – Customer 
Accommodation 
The  majority  of  the  free-standing  derivative  instruments  the 
Bancorp enters into are for the benefit of commercial customers.  
These  derivative  contracts  are  not  designated  against  specific 
assets  or  liabilities  on  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  or  to 
forecasted  transactions  and,  therefore,  do  not  qualify  for  hedge 
accounting. These instruments include foreign exchange derivative 
contracts  entered  into  for  the  benefit  of  commercial  customers 
involved in international trade to hedge their exposure to foreign 
currency  fluctuations,  commodity  contracts  to  hedge  such  items 
as  natural  gas  and  various  other  derivative  contracts.    The 
Bancorp may economically hedge significant exposures related to 
these  derivative  contracts  entered 
into  for  the  benefit  of 
customers  by  entering  into  offsetting  contracts  with  approved, 
reputable, independent counterparties with substantially matching 
terms.  The  Bancorp  hedges 
interest  rate  exposure  on 
commercial  customer  transactions  by  executing  offsetting  swap 
agreements with primary dealers.  Revaluation gains and losses on 
foreign  exchange,  commodity  and  other  commercial  customer 
derivative  contracts  are  recorded  as  a  component  of  corporate 
banking revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  

its 

The Bancorp enters into risk participation agreements, under 
which  the  Bancorp  assumes  credit  exposure  relating  to  certain 
underlying  interest  rate  derivative  contracts.  The  Bancorp  only 
enters  into  these  risk  participation  agreements  in  instances  in 
which the Bancorp has participated in the loan that the underlying 
interest  rate  derivative  contract  was  designed  to  hedge.  The 
Bancorp  will  make  payments  under  these  agreements  if  a 
customer defaults on its obligation to perform under the terms of 
the  underlying  interest  rate  derivative  contract.  As  of  December 

2008 

Notional 
Amount 

Fair Value 

2007 

Notional 
Amount 

Fair Value 

$6,028
1,830
446

40

$2,505
3,987
440

136

$218 
6 
5 

1 
$230 

$77 
42 
4 

2 
$125 

3,062 
229 
1 

- 

1,280 
588 
- 

153 

70 
1 
- 

- 
71 

16 
9 
- 

1 
26 

31, 2008, the total notional amount was approximately $1.0 billion 
and the fair value was a liability of $2 million, which is included in 
interest  rate  contracts  for  customers.    The  Bancorp’s  maximum 
exposure in the risk participation agreements is contingent on the 
fair value of the underlying interest rate derivative contracts in an 
asset  position  at  the  time  of  default.  The  Bancorp  monitors  the 
credit  risk  associated  with  the  underlying  customers  in  the  risk 
participation  agreements  through  the  same  risk  grading  system 
currently utilized for establishing loss reserves in its loan and lease 
portfolio. Under this risk rating system as of December 31, 2008, 
approximately  $959  million  in  notional  amount  of  the  risk 
participation  agreements  were  classified  average  or  better; 
approximately  $42  million  were  classified  as  watch-list  or  special 
mention;  and  approximately  $16  million  were  classified  as 
substandard.  As  of  December  31,  2008,  the  risk  participation 
agreements had an average life of approximately 3.3 years. 

The  Bancorp  previously  offered  its  customers  an  equity-
linked  certificate  of  deposit  that  had  a  return  linked  to  equity 
indices.    Under  SFAS  No.  133,  a  certificate  of  deposit  that  pays 
interest  based  on  changes  on  an  equity  index  is  a  hybrid 
instrument  that  requires  separation  into  a  host  contract  (the 
certificate  of  deposit)  and  an  embedded  derivative  contract 
(written  equity  call  option).    The  Bancorp  entered  into  an 
offsetting derivative contract to economically hedge the exposure 
taken through the issuance of equity-linked certificates of deposit.  
Both the embedded derivative and derivative contract entered into 
by  the  Bancorp  were  recorded  as  free-standing  derivatives  and 
recorded at fair value with offsetting gains and losses recognized 
within  noninterest  income  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income.

  Fifth Third Bancorp    77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The following table reflects the fair value of all free-standing derivatives included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Interest rate contracts included in other assets: 

Interest rate contracts for customers 
Interest rate lock commitments 

Commodity contracts included in other assets: 

Commodity contracts for customers 

Foreign exchange contracts included in other assets: 

Foreign exchange contracts for customers 
Equity contracts included in other assets: 

Derivative instruments related to equity-linked CD 

Total included in other assets 
Interest rate contracts included in other liabilities: 

Interest rate contracts for customers 
Interest rate lock commitments 

Commodity contracts included in other liabilities: 

Commodity contracts for customers 

Foreign exchange contracts included in other liabilities: 

Foreign exchange contracts for customers 
Equity contracts included in other liabilities: 

Derivative instruments related to equity-linked CD 

Total included in other liabilities 

2008 

Notional 
Amount 

Fair Value 

2007 

Notional 
Amount 

Fair Value 

$15,425
3,120

485

6,807

57

$16,306
672

464

6,360

57

$1,228 
24 

167 

534 

2 
$1,955 

$1,257 
2 

156 

478 

2 
$1,895 

12,265 
656 

167 

7,132 

50 

12,430 
253 

163 

6,642 

50 

391 
3 

28 

255 

5 
682 

391 
1 

22 

234 

5 
653 

The net gains (losses) recorded in the Consolidated Statements of 
Income  relating  to  free-standing  derivative  instruments  for  the 
years ended December 31 are summarized in the table below.  For 
the  years  ended  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the  Bancorp 

recorded  $5  million  in  losses  related  to  derivative  counterparty 
default.  As  of  December  31,  2008,  derivative  contracts  for 
customers in a gain position reflect fair value with a credit related 
mark of $37 million. 

For the year ended December 31, ($ in millions 
Interest rate contracts: 
Interest rate lock commitments 
Commodity contracts: 
Commodity contracts for customers 
Foreign exchange contracts: 
Foreign exchange contracts for customers 

Consolidated Statements of 
Income Caption 

Mortgage banking net revenue 

Corporate banking revenue 

Corporate banking revenue 

2008 

2007

2006

$54 

7 

106 

3

2

60

(2)

-

53

78    Fifth Third Bancorp         

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. OTHER ASSETS 
The following table provides the components of other assets included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31: 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

($ in millions) 
Derivative instruments 
Bank owned life insurance 
Accounts receivable and drafts-in-process 
Partnership investments 
Deposit with IRS 
Income tax receivable  
Accrued interest receivable 
Deferred tax asset 
Other real estate owned 
Prepaid pension and other expenses 
Other 
Total 

The  Bancorp  purchases  life  insurance  policies  on  the  lives  of 
certain  directors,  officers  and  employees  and  is  the  owner  and 
beneficiary of the policies.  The Bancorp invests in these policies, 
known as BOLI, to provide an efficient form of funding for long-
term  retirement  and  other  employee  benefits  costs.    Therefore, 
the  Bancorp’s  BOLI  policies  are  intended  to  be  long-term 
investments  to  provide  funding  for  future  payment  of  long-term 
liabilities.  The Bancorp records these BOLI policies within other 
assets  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  at  each  policy’s 
respective  cash  surrender  value,  with  changes  recorded  in  other 
noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.   

Certain BOLI policies have a stable value agreement through 
either  a  large,  well-rated  bank  or  multi-national  insurance  carrier 
that  provides  limited  cash  surrender  value  protection  from 
declines  in  the  value  of  each  policy’s  underlying  investments.  
During 2008, the value of the investments underlying one of the 
Bancorp’s BOLI policies continued to decline due to disruptions 
in  the  credit  markets,  widening  of  credit  spreads  between  U.S. 
treasuries/swaps versus municipal bonds and bank trust preferred 
securities,  and  illiquidity  in  the  asset-backed  securities  market.  
These  factors  caused  the  decline  in  the  cash  surrender  value  to 
exceed the protection provided by the stable value agreement. 

As a result of exceeding the cash surrender value protection, 
the  Bancorp  recorded  charges  totaling  $215  million  and  $177 
million  during  2008  and  2007,  respectively,  to  reflect  declines  in 
the cash surrender value related to this policy.  The cash surrender 
value of this BOLI policy was $291 million at December 31, 2008.  
In  2009,  the  cash  surrender  value  of  this  policy  may  increase  or 
decrease  further  depending  on  market  conditions  related  to  the 
underlying  investments.    At  December  31,  2008,  the  cash 
surrender  value  protection  had  not  been  exceeded  for  any  other 
BOLI policy.  

13. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS 
Borrowings  with  original  maturities  of  one  year  or  less  are 
classified  as  short  term.    Federal  funds  purchased  are  excess 
balances  in  reserve  accounts  held  at  Federal  Reserve  Banks  that 
the  Bancorp  purchased  from  other  member  banks  on  an 
overnight  basis.    Bank  notes  are  promissory  notes  issued  by  the 
Bancorp’s subsidiary banks.  Other short-term borrowings include 
securities sold under repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and 
other borrowings with original maturities of one year or less.  In 

($ in millions) 
As of December 31: 
  Federal funds purchased 
  Other short-term borrowings 
Average for the years ended December 31: 
  Federal funds purchased 
  Other short-term borrowings 
Maximum month-end balance: 
  Federal funds purchased 
  Other short-term borrowings 

2008
$3,225
1,777
1,188
1,121
1,007
488
478
301
231
84
212
$10,112

2007
$939
1,832
1,892
958
386
-
564
-
159
116
177
$7,023

Fifth Third Community Development Corporation (CDC), a 
wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp, was created to invest in 
Low  Income  Housing,  Historic  Rehabilitation,  and  New  Market 
Tax Credit projects that support community revitalization and the 
creation  of  affordable  housing.    CDC  generally  co-invests  with 
other  unrelated  companies  and/or  individuals.    CDC  typically 
makes  investments  in  a  separate  legal  entity  that  owns  the 
property  under  development.    The  entities  are  usually  limited 
partnerships, and CDC serves as a limited partner. The developers 
are the general partners that oversee the day-to-day operations of 
the  entity.    Pursuant  to  FIN  46(R),  the  Bancorp  has  determined 
that  these  entities  are  Variable  Interest  Entities  (VIEs)  and  that 
the  Bancorp’s  investments  represent  variable  interests.  The 
Bancorp  has  also  determined  it  is  not  the  primary  beneficiary  of 
the VIEs because the general partners are more closely associated 
to  the  VIEs  and  will  absorb  the  majority  of  the  VIEs’  expected 
losses.  Therefore  the  Bancorp  accounts  for  these  investments 
using the equity method.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, these 
investments,  including  unfunded  commitments,  are  recorded  in 
partnership investments and had carrying amounts of $1.0 billion 
and  $871  million,  respectively.  Also  at  December  31,  2008  and 
2007,  the  unfunded  commitments  related  to  these  VIEs  were 
included  in  other  liabilities  and  were  $302  million  and  $307 
million,  respectively.    The  Bancorp’s  maximum  exposure  to  loss 
as  a  result  of  its  involvement  with  the  VIEs  is  limited  to  the 
carrying amounts of the investments.  

At  December  31,  2008,  other  assets  included  a  deposit  of 
approximately  $1  billion  with  the  IRS  pertaining  to  Internal 
Revenue  Code  section  6603  for  taxes  associated  with  the 
leveraged  lease  portfolio.    This  deposit  enables  the  Bancorp  to 
stop  the  accrual  of  interest,  to  the  extent  of  the  deposits,  if  the 
Bancorp is not ultimately successful in its legal dispute.  Refer to 
Note 22 for further information. 

2008,  there  was  a  reduction  in  the  overnight  federal  funds 
purchased  year-end  balance  due  to  the  receipt  of  $3.4  billion  in 
equity  funding  on  December  31,  2008  under  the  CPP  and  an 
increase  in  other  short-term  borrowings  primarily  through  the 
purchase  of  term  funding  through  FHLB  advances  and  Term 
Auction  Facility  Funds.    A  summary  of  short-term  borrowings 
and weighted-average rates follows: 

2008 

2007 

2006 

Amount 

Rate 

Amount 

Rate 

Amount 

Rate 

$287
9,959

$2,975
7,785

$6,233
13,864

.18%
1.42 

2.34%
2.29 

$4,427 
4,747 

$3,646 
3,244 

$5,130 
5,381 

3.29% 
3.90 

5.04% 
4.32 

$1,421
2,796

$4,148
4,522

$5,434
6,287

5.26%
4.04 

5.02%
4.28 

Fifth Third Bancorp    79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

14. LONG-TERM DEBT 
A summary of long-term borrowings at December 31: 
($ in millions) 
Parent Company 
Senior: 

Fixed-rate bank notes 
Extendable notes 

Subordinated(b): 

Floating-rate notes  
Fixed-rate notes  
Fixed-rate notes 
Fixed-rate notes  

Junior subordinated (a): 
Fixed-rate notes (c) 
Fixed-rate notes (c) 
Fixed-rate notes (c) 
Fixed-rate notes (c) 

Subsidiaries 
Senior: 

Fixed-rate bank notes 
Floating-rate bank notes 
Extendable bank notes 

Subordinated(b): 

Fixed-rate bank notes  
Junior subordinated(a): 

Floating-rate bank notes  
Floating-rate debentures  
Floating-rate debentures  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances 
Other 
Total 
(a) Qualify as Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes. 
(b) Qualify as Tier II capital for regulatory capital purposes. 
(c) Future periods of debt are floating. 

The  Bancorp  pays  down  long-term  debt  in  accordance  with 
contractual terms over maturity periods summarized in the above 
table.    Contractually  obligated  payments  for  long-term  debt  are 
due  over  the  following  periods  as  of  December  31,  2008:  $2.8 
billion  in  2009;  $843  million  in  2010,  $16  million  in  2011,  $1.0 
billion in 2012, $1.3 billion in 2013 and $7.6 billion after 2013. At 
December  31,  2008  the  Bancorp  had  an  outstanding  principal 
balance of $12.8 billion, discounts and premiums of negative $16 
million  and  a  mark-to-market  adjustment  on  its  hedged  debt  of 
$813  million.    At  December  31,  2007,  the  Bancorp  had  an 
outstanding  principal  balance  of  $12.8  billion,  discounts  and 
premiums of negative $1 million and a mark-to-market adjustment 
on its hedged debt of $44 million. 

Parent Company Long-Term Borrowings 
In April 2008, the Bancorp issued $750 million of senior notes to 
third party investors.  The senior notes bear a fixed rate of interest 
of  6.25%  per  annum.  The  Bancorp  entered  into  floating-rate 
swaps  to  convert  $675  million  to  floating  rate  and,  at  December 
31,  2008,  paid  a  rate  of  5.32%.   The  notes  are unsecured,  senior 
obligations of the Bancorp.  Payment of the full principal amount 
of the notes will be due upon maturity on May 1, 2013.  The notes 
will not be subject to redemption at the Bancorp's option at any 
time prior to maturity. 

The  $31  million  in  senior  extendable  notes  currently  pay 
interest at one-month LIBOR plus 1 bp and the final maturity of 
these  notes  is  April  23,  2009.    During  the  third  quarter  of  2008,  
$1.7 billion of the extendable notes matured and were paid. 

The subordinated floating-rate notes due in 2016 pay interest 
at  three-month  LIBOR  plus  42  bp.    In  February  2008,  the 
Bancorp  issued  $1.0  billion  of  8.25%  subordinated  notes,  of 
which $705 million were subsequently hedged to floating and paid 
a rate of 6.11% at December 31, 2008. The Bancorp has entered 
into  interest  rate  swaps  to  convert  its  subordinated  fixed-rate 
notes  due  in  2017  and  2018  to  floating-rate.    The  rate  paid  on 
these swaps was 2.71% and 3.08%, respectively, at December 31, 
2008.   

80    Fifth Third Bancorp     

Maturity

Interest Rate 

2008

2007

2013
2009

2016
2017
 2018
2038

2067
2067
2067
2068

6.25% 
0.49% 

1.95% 
5.45% 
4.50% 
8.25% 

7.25% 
6.50% 
7.25% 
8.875% 

2009 - 2019
2013
2009

2.87% - 5.20% 
2.26% 
0.22% - 3.60% 

2015

4.75% 

2032 - 2033
2033 - 2034
2035
2009 - 2037
2009 - 2032

4.72%-6.97% 
4.36% - 4.66% 
3.42% - 3.69% 
0% - 8.34% 
Varies 

$801
31

250
588
572
1,326

942
750
639
427

1,137
500
1,197

573

52
67
49
3,565
119
$13,585

-
1,745

250
510
485
-

876
750
601
-

1,640
500
1,200

513

52
67
-
3,571
97
12,857

The  7.25%  junior  subordinated  notes  due  in  2067,  with  a 
current  carrying  amount  of  $942  million  and  an  outstanding 
principal  balance  of  $863  million  at  December  31,  2008,  pay  a 
fixed  rate  of  7.25%  until  2057,  then  convert  to  floating  at  three-
month  LIBOR  plus  303  bp.    The  Bancorp  entered  into  interest 
rate  swaps  to  convert  $700  million  of  the  fixed-rate  debt  into 
floating.    At  December  31,  2008,  the  weighted-average  rate  paid 
on  the  swaps  was  3.83%.    The  6.50%  junior  subordinated  notes 
due in 2067 pay a fixed rate of 6.50% until 2017, then convert to 
floating  at  three-month  LIBOR  plus  137  bp  until  2047.  
Thereafter,  the  notes  pay  a  floating  rate  at  one-month  LIBOR 
plus 237 bp.   The junior subordinated notes due in 2067, with a 
current  carrying  amount  of  $639  million  and  an  outstanding 
principal  balance  of  $575  million  at  December  31,  2008,  pay  a 
fixed  rate  of  7.25%  until  2057,  then  convert  to  floating  at  three-
month  LIBOR  plus  257  bp.  The  Bancorp  entered  into  interest 
rate  swaps  to  convert  $500  million  of  the  fixed-rate  debt  into 
floating.    At  December  31,  2008,  the  weighted-average  rate  paid 
on these swaps was 3.40%.  The obligations were issued to Fifth 
Third Capital Trusts VI, IV and V, respectively.  The Bancorp has 
fully  and  unconditionally  guaranteed  all  obligations  under  these 
trust  preferred  securities.    In  addition,  the  Bancorp  entered  into 
replacement capital covenants for the benefit of holders of long-
term  debt  senior  to  the  junior  subordinated  notes  that  limits, 
subject to certain restrictions, the Bancorp’s ability to redeem the 
junior subordinated notes prior to their scheduled maturity. 

In  May  2008,  Fifth  Third  Capital  Trust  VII  (Trust  VII),  a 
wholly-owned non-consolidated subsidiary of the Bancorp, issued 
$400 million of Tier 1-qualifying trust preferred securities to third 
party investors and invested these proceeds in junior subordinated 
notes (JSN VII) issued by the Bancorp. The Bancorp’s obligations 
under  the  transaction  documents,  taken  together,  have  the  effect 
of  providing  a  full  and  unconditional  guarantee  by  the  Bancorp, 
on a subordinated basis, of the payment obligations of the Trust 
VII.  No other subsidiaries of the Bancorp are guarantors of the 
JSN  VII.    The  JSN  VII  will  mature  on  May  15,  2068.    The  JSN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

VII held by the Trust VII bear a fixed rate of interest of 8.875% 
until  May  15,  2058.    Thereafter,  the  notes  pay  a  floating  rate  at 
three-month  LIBOR  plus  500  bp.    The  Bancorp  entered  into an 
interest  rate  swap  to  convert  $275  million  of  the  fixed-rate  debt 
into  floating.    At  December  31,  2008,  the  rate  paid  on  the  swap 
was 6.05%.  The JSN VII may be redeemed at the option of the 
Bancorp  on  or  after  May  15,  2013,  or  in  certain  other  limited 
circumstances,  at  a  redemption  price  of  100%  of  the  principal 
amount  plus  accrued  but  unpaid  interest.    All  redemptions  are 
subject to certain conditions and generally require approval by the 
Federal Reserve Board.    

Subsidiary Long-Term Borrowings 
The  senior  fixed-rate  bank  notes  due  from  2009  to  2019  are  the 
obligations of a subsidiary bank.  The maturities of the face value 
of  the  senior  fixed-rate  bank  notes  are  as  follows:  $36  million  in 
2009,  $800  million  in  2010  and  $275  million  in  2019.    The 
Bancorp entered into interest rate swaps to convert $1.1 billion of 
the fixed-rate debt into floating rates.  At December 31, 2008, the 
rates paid on these swaps were 2.19% on $800 million and 2.20% 
on $275 million.  In August 2008, $500 million of senior fixed-rate 
bank notes issued in July of 2003 matured and were paid.  These 
long-term  bank  notes  were  issued  to  third-party  investors  at  a 
fixed rate of 3.375%. 

The  senior  floating-rate  bank  notes  due  in  2013  are  the 

obligations of a subsidiary bank.  The notes pay a floating rate at   
three-month LIBOR plus 11 bp. 

The  senior  extendable  notes  consist  of  $797  million  that 
currently pay interest at three-month LIBOR plus 4 bp and $400 
million that pay at the Federal Funds open rate plus 12 bp.   

The  subordinated  fixed-rate  bank  notes  due  in  2015  are  the 
obligations  of  a  subsidiary  bank.    The  Bancorp  entered  into 
interest rate swaps to convert the fixed-rate debt into floating rate.  
At  December  31,  2008,  the  weighted-average  rate  paid  on  the 
swaps was 3.29%. 

The junior subordinated floating-rate bank notes due in 2032 

and  2033  were  assumed  by  a  Bancorp  subsidiary  as  part  of  the 
acquisition of Crown in November 2007.  Two of the notes pay 
floating at  three-month LIBOR plus 310 and 325 bp.  The third 
note pays floating at six-month LIBOR plus 370 bp.    

The  three-month  LIBOR  plus  290  bp  and  the  three-month 
LIBOR  plus  279  bp  junior  subordinated  debentures  due  in  2033 
and  2034,  respectively,  were  assumed  by  a  subsidiary  of  the 
Bancorp  in  connection  with  the  acquisition  of  First  National 
Bank.  The obligations were issued to FNB Statutory Trusts I and 
II, respectively.   

The junior subordinated floating-rate bank notes due in 2035 
were assumed by a Bancorp subsidiary as part of the acquisition of 
First  Charter  in  May  2008.    The  obligations  were  issued  to  First 
Charter  Capital  Trust  I  and  II,  respectively.    The  notes  of  First 
Charter Capital Trust I and II pay floating at three-month LIBOR 
plus 169 bp and 142 bp, respectively. The Bancorp has fully and 
unconditionally guaranteed all obligations under the acquired trust 
preferred securities. 

At  December  31,  2008,  FHLB  advances  have  rates  ranging 
from 0% to 8.34%, with interest payable monthly.  The advances 
are  secured  by  certain  residential  mortgage  loans  and  securities 
totaling $8.6 billion.  At December 31, 2008, $2.5 billion of FHLB 
advances  are  floating  rate.    The  Bancorp  has  interest  rate  caps, 
with  a  notional  of  $1.5  billion,  held  against  its  FHLB  advance 
borrowings.  The $3.6 billion in advances mature as follows:  $1.5 
billion in 2009, $1 million in 2010, $2 million in 2011, $1 billion in 
2012 and $1.1 billion in 2013 and thereafter.   

Medium-term senior notes and subordinated bank notes with 
maturities ranging from one year to 30 years can be issued by two 
subsidiary  banks,  of  which  $3.8  billion  was  outstanding  at 
December  31,  2008  with  $16.2  billion  available  for  future 
issuance.  There  were  no  other  medium-term  senior  notes 
outstanding on either of the two subsidiary banks as of December 
31, 2008. 

15. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND GUARANTEES  
The  Bancorp,  in  the  normal  course  of  business,  enters  into 
financial 
instruments  and  various  agreements  to  meet  the 
financing  needs  of  its  customers.    The  Bancorp  also  enters  into 
certain transactions and agreements to manage its interest rate and 
prepayment  risks,  provide  funding,  equipment  and  locations  for 
its  operations  and  invest  in  its  communities.    These  instruments 
and  agreements  involve,  to  varying  degrees,  elements  of  credit 
risk,  counterparty  risk  and  market  risk  in  excess  of  the  amounts 
recognized 
in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  
Creditworthiness  for  all  instruments  and  agreements  is  evaluated 
on  a  case-by-case  basis  in  accordance  with  the  Bancorp’s  credit 
policies.    The  Bancorp’s  significant  commitments,  contingent 
liabilities  and  guarantees  in  excess  of  the  amounts  recognized  in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets are summarized as follows: 

is 

Commitments  
The Bancorp has certain commitments to make future payments 
under  contracts.  A  summary  of  significant  commitments  at 
December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Commitments to extend credit 
Letters of credit (including standby letters of 

credit) 

Forward contracts to sell mortgage loans 
Noncancelable lease obligations 
Purchase obligations 
Capital expenditures 

2008 
$49,470 

2007
49,788 

8,951 
3,235 
937 
81 
68 

8,522 
1,511 
734 
52 
94 

Commitments  to  extend  credit  are  agreements  to  lend, 
typically having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses 
that  may  require  payment  of  a  fee.    Since  many  of  the 
commitments  to  extend  credit  may  expire  without  being  drawn 

upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent 
future cash flow requirements.  The Bancorp is exposed to credit 
risk  in  the  event  of  nonperformance  for  the  amount  of  the 
contract.  Fixed-rate commitments are also subject to market risk 
resulting  from  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  and  the  Bancorp’s 
those 
exposure 
commitments.  As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Bancorp 
had  a  reserve  for  unfunded  commitments  totaling  $195  million 
and  $95  million,  respectively,  included  in  other  liabilities  in  the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

replacement  value  of 

limited 

the 

to 

Standby  and  commercial  letters  of  credit  are  conditional 
commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer 
to  a  third  party.    At  December  31,  2008,  approximately  $3.3 
billion  of  letters  of  credit  expire  within  one  year  (including  $57 
million  issued  on  behalf  of  commercial  customers  to  facilitate 
trade  payments  in  dollars  and  foreign  currencies),  $5.3  billion 
expire between one to five years and $0.4 billion expire thereafter.  
Standby letters of credit are considered guarantees in accordance 
with  FASB  Interpretation  No.  45,  “Guarantor’s  Accounting  and 
Disclosure  Requirements  for  Guarantees,  Including  Indirect 
Guarantees  of  Indebtedness  of  Others”  (FIN  45).  At  December 
31, 2008, the reserve related to these standby letters of credit was 
$3  million.    Approximately  66%  and  70%  of  the  total  standby 
letters of credit were secured as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, 
respectively.    In  the  event  of  nonperformance  by  the  customers, 
the  Bancorp  has  rights  to  the  underlying  collateral,  which  can 
include  commercial  real  estate,  physical  plant  and  property, 
inventory,  receivables,  cash  and  marketable  securities.    The 
Bancorp  monitors  the  credit  risk  associated  with  the  standby 
letters of credit using the same dual risk rating system utilized for 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

estimating  probabilities  of  default  within  its  loan  and  lease 
portfolio.  Under  this  risk  rating  as  of  December  31,  2008, 
approximately  $7.4  billion  of  the  standby  letters  of  credit  were 
classified  as  average  or  better;  approximately  $1.2  billion  were 
classified as watch-list or special mention; and approximately $300 
million were classified as substandard. 

At December 31, 2008, the Bancorp had outstanding letters 
of credit that were supporting certain securities issued as VRDNs.  
The  Bancorp  facilitates  financing  for  its  commercial  customers, 
which  consist  of  companies  and  municipalities,  by  marketing  the 
VRDNs  to  investors.    The  VRDNs  pay  interest  to  holders  at  a 
rate  of  interest  that  fluctuates  based  upon  market  demand.    The 
VRDNs  generally  have  long-term  maturity  dates,  but  can  be 
tendered  by  the  holder  for  purchase  at  par  value  upon  proper 
advance  notice.  When  the  VRDNs  are  tendered,  a  remarketing 
agent generally finds another investor to purchase the VRDNs to 
keep  the  securities  outstanding  in  the  market.    FTS  acts  as  the 
remarketing  agent  to  issuers  on  approximately  $4.2  billion  of 
VRDNs  at  December  31,  2008.    As  remarketing  agent,  FTS  is 
responsible  for  finding  purchasers  for  VRDNs  that  are  put  by 
investors.  The  Bancorp  issues  letters  of  credit,  as  a  credit 
enhancement,  to  the  VRDNs  remarketed  by  FTS,  in  addition  to 
approximately $2.0 billion in VRDNs remarketed by third parties 
at December 31, 2008.  These letters of credit are included in the 
total  letters  of  credit  balance  provided  in  the  previous  table.    At 
December 31, 2008, FTS held $388 million of these securities in 
its  portfolio  and  classified  them  as  trading  securities.    The 
Bancorp purchased $756 million of the VRDNs from the market, 
through  FTS,  and  held  them  in  its  trading  securities  portfolio  at 
December 31, 2008.  For the VRDNs remarketed by third parties, 
in  some  cases,  the  remarketing  agent  has  failed  to  remarket  the 
securities  and  has  instructed  the  indenture  trustee  to  draw  upon 
approximately  $173  million  of  letters  of  credit  issued  by  the 
Bancorp.  The Bancorp recorded these draws as commercial loans 
in its Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008.   

The  Bancorp  enters  into  forward  contracts  to  economically 
hedge the change in fair value of certain residential mortgage loans 
held  for  sale  due  to  changes  in  interest  rates.    The  outstanding 
notional amounts of these forward contracts were $3.2 billion, and 
$1.5 billion as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. 

lease 

agreements.  The  minimum 

The  Bancorp’s  subsidiaries  have  entered  into  a  number  of 
noncancelable 
rental 
commitments under noncancelable lease agreements are shown in 
the  previous  table.  The  Bancorp  or  its  subsidiaries  have  also 
entered into a limited number of agreements for work related to 
banking center construction and to purchase goods or services. 

Contingent Liabilities 
The Bancorp, through its electronic payment processing division, 
processes  VISA®  and  MasterCard®  merchant  card  transactions. 
Pursuant to VISA® and MasterCard® rules, the Bancorp assumes 
certain  contingent  liabilities  relating  to  these  transactions  which 
typically  arise  from  billing  disputes  between  the  merchant  and 
cardholder  that  are  ultimately  resolved  in  the  cardholder’s  favor.  
In  such  cases,  these  transactions  are  “charged-back”  to  the 
merchant and disputed amounts are refunded to the cardholder. If 
the  Bancorp  is  unable  to  collect  these  amounts  from  the 
merchant,  it  will  bear  the  loss  for  refunded  amounts.    The 
likelihood  of 
liability  arising  from 
chargebacks  is  relatively  low,  as  most  products  or  services  are 
delivered  when  purchased  and  credits  are  issued  on  returned 
items.  For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the 
Bancorp processed approximately $133 million and $126 million, 
respectively, of chargebacks presented by issuing banks, resulting 
in  no  material  losses  to  the  Bancorp.  The  Bancorp  accrues  for 
probable losses based on historical experience and did not carry a 
credit  loss  reserve  related  to  such  chargebacks  at  December  31, 
2008 and 2007. 

incurring  a  contingent 

82    Fifth Third Bancorp         

For  certain  mortgage  loans  originated  by  the  Bancorp, 
borrowers may be required to obtain Private Mortgage Insurance 
(PMI)  provided  by  third-party  insurers.  In  some  instances  these 
PMI  insurers  cede  a  portion  of  the  PMI  premiums  to  the 
Bancorp, and the Bancorp provides reinsurance coverage within a 
specified  range  of  the  total  PMI  coverage.  The  Bancorp’s 
reinsurance coverage typically ranges from 5% to 10% of the total 
PMI coverage.  The Bancorp's maximum exposure in the event of 
nonperformance by the underlying borrowers is equivalent to the 
Bancorp's total outstanding reinsurance coverage, which was $170 
million  at  December  31,  2008.    As  of  December  31,  2008,  the 
Bancorp maintained a reserve of approximately $13 million related 
to  exposures  within  the  reinsurance  portfolio.    No  reserve  was 
deemed necessary as of December 31, 2007. 

There  are  legal  claims  pending  against  the  Bancorp  and  its 
subsidiaries that have arisen in the normal course of business.  See 
Note 16 for additional information regarding these proceedings. 

Guarantees 
The Bancorp has performance obligations upon the occurrence of 
certain  events  under  financial  guarantees  provided  in  certain 
contractual arrangements.  

Through  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the  Bancorp  had 
transferred,  subject  to  credit  recourse,  certain  primarily  floating-
rate,  short-term,  investment  grade  commercial  loans  to  an 
unconsolidated  QSPE  that  is  wholly  owned  by  an  independent 
third-party.  The outstanding balance of these loans at December 
31,  2008  and  2007  was  $1.9  billion  and  $3.0  billion,  respectively.  
These  loans  may  be  transferred  back  to  the  Bancorp  upon  the 
occurrence  of  certain  specified  events.  These  events  include 
borrower default on the loans transferred, bankruptcy preferences 
initiated against underlying borrowers, ineligible loans transferred 
by  the  Bancorp  to  the  QSPE,  and  the  inability  of  the  QSPE  to 
issue commercial paper.  The maximum amount of credit risk in 
the  event  of  nonperformance  by  the  underlying  borrowers  is 
approximately equivalent to the total outstanding balance.   

The QSPE issues commercial paper and uses the proceeds to 
fund  the  acquisition  of  commercial  loans  transferred  to  it  by  the 
Bancorp.  The ability of the QSPE to issue commercial paper is a 
function of general market conditions and the credit rating of the 
liquidity  provider.    In  the  event  the  QSPE  is  unable  to  issue 
commercial  paper,  the  Bancorp  has  agreed  to  provide  liquidity 
support  to  the  QSPE  in  the  form  of  purchases  of  commercial 
paper, a line of  credit to the QSPE and the repurchase of assets 
from the QSPE.  As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the liquidity 
asset  purchase  agreement  was  $2.8  billion  and  $5.0  billion, 
respectively.    During  2008,  dislocation  in  the  short-term  funding 
market caused the QSPE difficulty in obtaining sufficient funding 
through  the  issuance  of  commercial  paper.    As  a  result,  the 
Bancorp  provided  liquidity  support  to  the  QSPE  during  2008 
through  purchases  of  commercial  paper,  a  line  of  credit  to  the 
QSPE,  and  the  repurchase  of  assets  from  the  QSPE  under  the 
liquidity asset purchase agreement.  As of December 31, 2008, the 
Bancorp  held  approximately  $143  million  of  asset-backed 
commercial  paper  issued  by  the  QSPE,  representing  7%  of  the 
total commercial paper issued by the QSPE.   

During  2008,  the  Bancorp  repurchased  $686  million  of 
commercial loans at par from the QSPE under the liquidity asset 
purchase agreement.  Fair value adjustment charges of $3 million 
were recorded on these loans upon repurchase.  As of December 
31, 2008, there were no outstanding balances on the line of credit 
from the Bancorp to the QSPE.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, 
the  Bancorp’s  loss  reserve  related  to  the  liquidity  support  and 
credit  enhancement  provided  to  the  QSPE  was  $37  million  and 
$18  million,  respectively,  and  was  recorded  in  other  liabilities  in 
the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.    To  determine  the  credit  loss 
reserve, the Bancorp used an approach that is consistent with its 
overall approach in estimating credit losses for various categories 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

of  commercial  loans  held  in  its  loan  portfolio.  For  further 
information on the QSPE, see Note 10.   

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Bancorp had provided 
credit  recourse  on  residential  mortgage  loans  sold  to  unrelated 
third  parties  of  approximately  $1.3  billion  and  $1.5  billion, 
respectively.  In the event of any customer default, pursuant to the 
credit recourse provided, the Bancorp is required to reimburse the 
third party.  The maximum amount of credit risk in the event of 
nonperformance by the underlying borrowers is equivalent to the 
information  on  the 
total  outstanding  balance.  For  further 
residential mortgage loans sold with credit recourse, see Note 10. 

FTS, a subsidiary of the Bancorp, guarantees the collection of 
all  margin  account  balances  held  by  its  brokerage  clearing  agent 
for the benefit of FTS customers.  FTS is responsible for payment 
to its brokerage clearing agent for any loss, liability, damage, cost 
or expense incurred as a result of customers failing to comply with 
margin or margin maintenance calls on all margin accounts.  The 
margin account balance held by the brokerage clearing agent as of 
December 31, 2008 was $10 million compared to $48 million as of 
December  31,  2007.    In  the  event  of  any  customer  default,  FTS 
has  rights  to  the  underlying  collateral  provided.  Given  the 
existence  of  the  underlying  collateral  provided  and  negligible 
historical  credit  losses,  the  Bancorp  does  not  maintain  a  loss 
reserve related to the margin accounts. 

As  of  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  the  Bancorp  had  fully 
and  unconditionally  guaranteed  certain  long-term  borrowing 
obligations  issued  by  four  wholly-owned  issuing  trust  entities  of 
$2.8 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively.  For further information 
on long-term borrowing obligations, see Note 14. 

The  Bancorp,  as  a  member  bank  of  Visa  prior  to  Visa’s 

16. LEGAL AND REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS 
In  May  of  2005,  the  Bancorp  filed  suit  in  the  United  States 
District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  Ohio  against  the  IRS 
seeking a refund of taxes paid as a result of the audit of the 1997 
tax  year.    This  suit  involves  a  determination  of  the  correct  tax 
treatment of certain leveraged leases entered into by the Bancorp.  
The  outcome  of  this  litigation  will  likely  impact  a  number  of 
leveraged  leases  entered  into  during  1997  through  2004.  At  the 
conclusion of a jury trial, the jury rendered a verdict in the form of 
answers  to  interrogatories,  some  of  which  favored  the  Bancorp 
and  some  of  which  favored  the  IRS.    No  judgment  has  been 
entered  by  the  court  in  the  case  and  the  parties  dispute  the 
judgment that should be entered in light of the jury’s responses to 
the  interrogatories.    During  the  second  quarter  of  2008,  the 
Bancorp increased its liability for uncertain tax reserves relating to 
these leases based upon several factors, including the jury’s verdict 
in  the  Bancorp’s  case,  and  two  other  court  cases  involving 
leveraged leasing.  In December of 2008, the Bancorp entered into 
a  Stipulated  Conditional  Dismissal.    This  Conditional  Order  of 
Dismissal, without prejudice and with leave, allows the Bancorp to 
enter  into  settlement  discussions  with  the  U.S.  Department  of 
Justice  under  the  Settlement  Initiatives  offered  by  the  IRS.    The 
Stipulated  Conditional  Dismissal  is  effective  until  June  of  2009.  
In the event the case is not settled prior to June 2009, either party 
may  reinstate  the  case.    The  ultimate  outcome  of  settlement 
discussion is uncertain.  The Bancorp continues to believe that its 
tax  treatment  was  proper  under  the  tax  law,  as  it  existed  at  the 
time the tax benefits were reported.   

During April 2006, the Bancorp was added as a defendant in 
a consolidated antitrust class action lawsuit originally filed against 
Visa®, MasterCard® and several other major financial institutions 
in  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District  of 
New  York.    The  plaintiffs,  merchants  operating  commercial 
businesses throughout the U.S. and trade associations, claim that 
fees  charged  by  card-issuing  banks  are 
the 
unreasonable  and  seek  injunctive  relief  and  unspecified  damages.  
In  addition  to  being  a  named  defendant,  the  Bancorp  is  also 

interchange 

completion  of  their  initial  public  offering  (IPO)  on  March  19, 
2008,  had  certain  indemnification  obligations  pursuant  to  Visa’s 
certificate  of  incorporation  and  bylaws  and  in  accordance  with 
their membership agreements.  In accordance with Visa’s by-laws 
prior  to  the  IPO,  the  Bancorp  could  have  been  required  to 
indemnify  Visa  for  the  Bancorp’s  proportional  share  of  losses 
based on the pre-IPO membership interests.  In contemplation of 
the  IPO,  Visa  announced  that  it  had  completed  restructuring 
transactions  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2007.    As  part  of  this 
indemnification  obligation  was 
restructuring,  the  Bancorp’s 
modified to include only certain known litigation as of the date of 
the  restructuring.    This  modification  triggered  a  requirement  to 
recognize  the  fair  value  of  the  indemnification  obligation  in 
accordance with FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure 
Requirements  for  Guarantees,  Including  Indirect  Guarantees  of 
Indebtedness of Others.”  Accordingly, the Bancorp recorded an 
indemnification  liability  under  FIN  45  of  $3  million  in  2007.  
Additionally, during 2007, the Bancorp recorded $169 million for 
its  share  of  litigation  formally  settled  by  Visa  and  for  probable 
future litigation settlements, resulting in a Visa litigation reserve of 
$172  million  as  of  December  31,  2007.    These  amounts  were 
accrued  under  SFAS  No.  5,  “Accounting  for  Contingencies.” 
During  2008,  the  Bancorp  recorded  additional  reserves  of  $71 
million  for  probable  future  litigation  settlements.    In  connection 
with the IPO in 2008, Visa retained a portion of the proceeds to 
fund  an  escrow  account  in  order  to  resolve  existing  litigation 
settlements  as well  as  fund  potential  future  litigation  settlements.  
As  of  December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp  has  recorded  its 
proportional share of $169 million of the Visa escrow account net 
against the current Visa litigation reserve of $243 million. 

subject  to  an  indemnification  obligation  of  Visa  as  discussed  in 
Note  15.    Accordingly,  in  the  third  and  fourth  quarters  of  2007, 
the  Bancorp  recorded  a  contingent  liability  included  in  the  $172 
million  litigation  reserve.    During  2008,  the  Bancorp  recorded 
additional  reserves  of  $71  million  for  probable  future  litigation 
settlements.    In  connection  with  Visa’s  IPO,  Visa  retained  a 
portion  of  the  proceeds  to  fund  an  escrow  account  in  order  to 
resolve  existing  litigation  settlements  as  well  as  fund  potential 
future  litigation  settlements.    As  of  December  31,  2008  the 
Bancorp has recorded its proportional share of $169 million of the 
Visa escrow accounts net against the current Visa litigation reserve 
of  $243  million  to  account  for  its  potential  exposure  in  this  and 
related  litigation.    This  antitrust  litigation  is  still  in  the  pre-trial 
phase.   

Several  putative  class  action  complaints  have  been  filed 
against  the  Bancorp  in  various  federal  and  state  courts.    The 
federal  cases  were  consolidated  by  the  Judicial  Panel  on 
Multidistrict Litigation and are now known as “In Re TJX Security 
Breach Litigation.” The state court actions have been removed to 
federal court and have been consolidated into that same case. The 
complaints relate to the alleged intrusion of The TJX Companies, 
Inc.’s  (TJX)  computer  system  and  the  potential  theft  of  their 
customers’  non-public  information  and  alleged  violations  of  the 
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  Some of the complaints were filed by 
consumers  and  seek  unquantified  damages  on  behalf  of  putative 
classes  of  persons  who  transacted  business  at  any  one  of  TJX’s 
stores  during  the  period  of  the  alleged  intrusion.    Another  was 
filed  by  financial  institutions  and  seeks  unquantified  damages  on 
behalf  of  other  similarly  situated  entities  that  suffered  losses  in 
relation to the alleged intrusion.  The U.S. District Court (Court) 
has granted the Bancorp’s motion to dismiss certain of the claims, 
but  additional  claims  remain  pending.    On  November  29,  2007, 
the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts (District Court) 
issued an order denying Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class  Certification 
in  the  consolidated  cases  brought  by  financial  institutions  (the 
“Financial  Institution  Track”).    On  December  18,  2007,  the 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    83 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

for 

in  and 

District  Court  entered  its  final  order  in  the  Financial  Institution 
Track  litigation  that  i)  denied  Plaintiffs’  Motion  for  Leave  to 
Amend their Complaint, without prejudice; ii) dismissed the case 
for lack of subject matter jurisdiction; and iii) transferred the case 
from  the  United  States  District  Court  to  the  Massachusetts 
Superior  Court 
the  County  of  Middlesex 
(Massachusetts  State  Court).    On  December  18,  2007,  TJX 
Companies,  Inc.  filed  a  Notice  of  Appeal  to  the  United  States 
Court  of  Appeals  for  the  First  Circuit  (First  Circuit)  as  to  that 
portion of the Court's December 18 order transferring the case to 
Massachusetts  State  Court  and  an  emergency  motion  to  stay  the 
Massachusetts  State  Court  proceedings  pending  the  appeal.  On 
December 19, 2007, the First Circuit granted the request for stay 
until  further  order  of  the  Court.    On  December  20,  2007,  the 
Bancorp  likewise  filed  a  Notice  of  Appeal  to  the  First  Circuit 
solely  as  to  that  portion  of  the  District  Court’s  December  18 
Order transferring the case to the Massachusetts State Court.  On 
December 21, 2007, Plaintiffs also filed a Notice of Appeal in the 
First Circuit as to the entirety of the District Court's December 18 
Order  and  also  as  to  all  other  prior  "adverse  rulings"  including, 
without limitation, the District Court’s denial of class certification 
and  dismissal  of  various  claims.    Both  TJX  and  the  Bancorp 
amended  their  Notices  of  Appeal  to  likewise  appeal  all  adverse 
rulings by the District Court.  Oral argument on the appeals was 
held on December 3, 2008, however, no ruling has been issued by 
the  Court.    Separately,  on  January  16,  2008,  the  two  remaining 
financial  institution  plaintiff  banks  that  had  not  reached  a 
settlement with TJX filed a new lawsuit against  the Bancorp and 
TJX  in  Massachusetts  State  Court  asserting  similar  allegations  to 
those set forth in the Financial Institution Track litigation.  After 
TJX  and  the  Bancorp  removed  the  case  to  the  District  Court,  it 
was remanded to Massachusetts State Court and the case has been 
stayed  pending  outcome  of  the  appeal.    In  regards  to  the 
consumer  track  litigation,  on  January  9,  2008,  the  District  Court 
issued  an  Order  of  Preliminary  Approval  of  a  proposed  class 
action settlement funded solely by TJX.  A Final Fairness Hearing 
was  held  July  15,  2008,  at  which  time  the  Court  approved  the 
proposed  settlement  with  certain  changes  that  are  subject  to 
objection by the parties. The consumer track litigation settlement 
was approved by the Court on September 2, 2008 and payment of 
the  attorney  fees  was  approved  by  the  Court  on  November  3, 
2008. 

In  June  2007,  Ronald  A.  Katz  Technology  Licensing,  L.P. 
(Katz)  filed  a  suit  in  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the 
Southern  District  of  Ohio  against  the  Bancorp  and  its  Ohio 
banking subsidiary.  In the suit, Katz alleges that the Bancorp and 
its Ohio bank are infringing on Katz’s patents for interactive call 

17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
At  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  certain  directors,  executive 
officers,  principal  holders  of  Bancorp  common  stock,  associates 
of  such  persons,  and  affiliated  companies  of  such  persons  were 
indebted,  including  undrawn  commitments  to  lend,  to  the 
Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiaries  in  the  aggregate  amount,  net  of 
participations, of $346 million and $348 million, respectively.  As 
of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the outstanding balance on loans 
and  undrawn 
to 
commitments, was $143 million and $132 million, respectively.   

related  parties,  net  of  participations 

Commitments to lend to related parties as of December 31, 
2008  and  2007,  net  of  participations,  were  comprised  of  $339 
million and $340 million, respectively, to directors and $7 million 
and  $8  million  at  December  31,  2008  and  2007  to  executive 
officers.    The  commitments  are  in  the  form  of  loans  and 
guarantees  for  various  business  and  personal  interests.    This 
indebtedness  was  incurred  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  on 
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, 
as  those  prevailing  at  the  time  of  comparable  transactions  with 
unrelated parties.  This indebtedness does not involve more than 

84    Fifth Third Bancorp     

processing  technology  by  offering  certain  automated  telephone 
banking  and  other  services.    This  lawsuit  is  one  of  many  related 
patent  infringement  suits  brought  by  Katz  in  various  courts 
against  numerous  other  defendants.    Katz  is  seeking  unspecified 
monetary damages and penalties as well as injunctive relief in the 
suit.  Management believes there are substantial defenses to these 
claims and intends to defend them vigorously.  The impact of the 
final disposition of this lawsuit cannot be assessed at this time.  

In  June  through  September  of  2008,  five  putative  securities 
class  action  complaints  were  filed  against  the  Bancorp  and  its 
Chief  Executive  Officer,  among  other  parties,  and  are  currently 
pending  in  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the  Southern 
District  of  Ohio.    The  lawsuits  allege  violations  of  federal 
securities laws related to disclosures made by the Bancorp in press 
releases  and  filings  with  the  SEC  regarding  its  quality  and 
sufficiency of capital, credit losses and related matters, and seeking 
unquantified  damages  on  behalf  of  putative  classes  of  persons 
who  either  purchased  the  Bancorp’s  securities,  or  acquired  the 
Bancorp’s  securities  pursuant  to  the  First  Charter  Corporation 
Acquisition.  In addition to the foregoing, two cases were filed in 
the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio 
against  the  Bancorp  and  certain  officers  alleging  violations  of 
ERISA  based  on  allegations  similar  to  those  set  forth  in  the 
securities class action cases filed during the same period of time.  
These cases remain in the early stages of litigation.  The impact of 
the  final  disposition  of  these  lawsuits  cannot  be  assessed  at  this 
time. 

In July 2008, a shareholder of the Bancorp filed a shareholder 
derivative  suit  in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Hamilton 
County,  Ohio,  against  the  members  of  the  Bancorp’s  Board  of 
Directors and, nominally, the Bancorp, alleging breach of fiduciary 
duty in connection with the Bancorp’s alleged violations of federal 
and  state  securities  laws,  among  other  charges,  in  relation  to  its 
previous statements regarding its quality and sufficiency of capital, 
credit  losses  and  related  matters.    The  suit  seeks  unspecified 
compensatory damages in favor of the Bancorp from the Board of 
Directors,  punitive  damages,  and  interest,  as  well  as  costs, 
disbursements and attorney and other expert fees to the plaintiff.   
This lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed in November 2008. 

The Bancorp and its subsidiaries are not parties to any other 
material litigation.  However, there are other litigation matters that 
arise in the normal course of business.  While it is impossible to 
ascertain the ultimate resolution or range of financial liability with 
respect  to  these  contingent  matters,  management  believes  any 
resulting  liability  from  these  other  actions  would  not  have  a 
material effect upon the Bancorp’s consolidated financial position, 
results of operations or cash flows. 

the  normal  risk  of  repayment  or  present  other  unfavorable 
features.   

None  of  the  Bancorp’s  affiliates,  officers,  directors  or 
employees  has  an  interest  in  or  receives  any  remuneration  from 
any  special  purpose  entities  or  qualified  special  purpose  entities 
with which the Bancorp transacts business. 

The  Bancorp  maintains  a  written  policy  and  procedures 
covering  related  party  transactions.    These  procedures  cover 
transactions such as employee-stock purchase loans, personal lines 
of credit, residential secured loans, overdrafts, letters of credit and 
increases  in  indebtedness.    Such  transactions  are  subject  to  the 
Bancorp’s normal underwriting and approval procedures.  Prior to 
the loan closing, Compliance Risk Management must approve and 
determine  whether  the  transaction  requires  approval  from  or  a 
post notification be sent to the Bancorp’s Board of Directors.  

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

18. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
The Bancorp has elected to present the disclosures required by SFAS No. 130, “Reporting of Comprehensive Income,” in the Consolidated 
Statements  of  Changes  in Shareholders’  Equity  and  in  the  following  table.  Disclosure  of  the  reclassification  adjustments,  related  tax  effects 
allocated to other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income as of and for the years ended December 31 were as 
follows: 

 Total Other Comprehensive  

      Total Accumulated Other    
       Comprehensive Income 

Net 
Activity 

Beginning 
Balance 

Net 
Activity 

Ending 
Balance

($ in millions) 
2008 
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities arising during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net loss 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 

Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedge derivatives 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on cash flow hedge  
   derivatives included in net loss 
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivatives 

Defined benefit plans: 
   Net prior service cost 
   Net actuarial loss 
Defined benefit plans, net 
Total 
2007 
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities arising during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 

Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedge derivatives 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on cash flow hedge  
   derivatives included in net income 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge derivatives 

Defined benefit plans: 
   Net prior service cost 
   Net actuarial gain 
Defined benefit plans, net 
Total 
2006 
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities arising during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities 

Reclassification adjustment for net losses on cash flow hedge  
    derivatives included in net income 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedge derivatives 

Minimum pension liability (a) 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for pension and other 

postretirement obligations (a) 

Pretax 
Activity

Income 

    Tax    
    Effect 

$353
(31)
322

100

(3)
97

-
(74)
(74)
$345

$60
(21)
39

42

(1)
41

-
3
3
$83

$61
364
425

20
20

(123)
10
(113)

(35)

1
(34)

-
26
26
(121)

(23)
9
(14)

(15)

-
(15)

-
(1)
(1)
(30)

(20)
(129)
(149)

(8)
(8)

230 
(21) 
209 

65 

(2) 
63 

- 
(48) 
(48) 
224 

37 
(12) 
25 

27 

(1) 
26 

- 
2 
2 
53 

41 
235 
276 

12 
12 

Total  
288 
(a) Upon adoption of SFAS No. 158, the Bancorp measured its liability for its total pension and other postretirement obligations to be $59 million. 

(157)

$445

(94) 

209

115

25 

63

88

(57) 
(126) 

(48)
224

(105)
98

(119) 

25

(94)

(1) 

(59) 
(179) 

26

2
53

25

(57)
(126)

(395) 

276

(119)

(13) 

(5) 

- 
(413) 

12

5

(59)
234

(1)

-

(59)
(179) 

  Fifth Third Bancorp    85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19.  COMMON, PREFERRED AND TREASURY STOCK 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The following is a summary of the share activity within common, preferred and treasury stock for the years ended December 31: 

Shares
($ and shares in millions) 
28
Shares at December 31, 2005 
2
Shares acquired for treasury 
(2)
Stock-based awards exercised, including shares issued 
(1)
Restricted stock grants 
27
Shares at December 31, 2006 
27
Shares acquired for treasury 
(2)
Stock-based awards exercised, including treasury shares issued 
(1)
Restricted stock grants 
1
Employee stock ownership through benefit plans 
52
Shares at December 31, 2007 
-
Issuance of preferred shares, Series G 
-
Issuance of preferred shares, Series F 
-
Redemption of preferred shares, Series D, E 
-
Stock-based awards exercised, including treasury shares issued 
(3)
Restricted stock grants 
(43)
Shares issued in business combinations 
-
Employee stock ownership through benefit plans 
Shares at December 31, 2008 
6
(a) There were 7,250 shares of Series D preferred stock and 2,000 shares of Series E preferred stock at December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.  As of December 31, 2008, 44,300 shares of Series G 

Preferred Stock  
Shares (a) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Treasury Stock 
Value
$1,279
82
(84)
(45)
$1,232
1,084
(86)
(59)
38
$2,209
-
-
-
(2)
(136)
(1,841)
(1)
$229

Common Stock 
Value
$1,295
-
-
-
$1,295
-
-
-
-
$1,295
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$1,295

Value
$9
-
-
-
$9
-
-
-
-
$9
1,072
3,169
(9)
-
-
-
-
$4,241

Shares
583
-
-
-
583
-
-
-
-
583
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
583

preferred stock and 136,320 shares of Series F preferred stock had been issued.  

shares  are  redeemed.    The  shares  are  callable  by  the  Bancorp  at 
par  after  three  years  and  may  be  repurchased  at  any  time  under 
certain  circumstances.  The  terms  also  include  restrictions  on  the 
repurchase  of  common  stock  and  an  increase  in  common  stock 
dividends, which require the U.S. Treasury’s consent, for a period 
of  three  years  from  the  date  of  investment  unless  the  preferred 
shares are redeemed in whole or the U.S. Treasury has transferred 
all of the preferred shares to a third party.  

The  proceeds  from  issuance  of  the  Series  F  preferred  stock 
were allocated to the preferred stock and to the warrants based on 
their relative fair values, which resulted in an initial book value of 
$3.2  billion  for  the  preferred  stock  and  $239  million  for  the 
warrants.  The  resulting  discount  to  the  preferred  stock  will  be 
accreted  over  five  years  through  retained  earnings  as  a  preferred 
stock  dividend,  resulting  in  an  effective  yield  of  6.7%  for  the 
Series F preferred stock for the first five years.  The warrants will 
remain  in  capital  surplus  at  their  initial  book  value  until  they  are 
exercised or expire.  

The  CPP  terms  also  required  that  preferred  stock  issued  to 
U.S.  Treasury  rank  senior  to,  or  pari  passu  with,  other  preferred 
stock.  In order to meet the U.S. Treasury’s standard terms, in the 
fourth quarter of 2008, the Bancorp repurchased its Series D and 
Series E preferred stock. The preferred stock was repurchased for 
aggregate  consideration  in  cash  of  approximately  $28  million,  in 
which $9 million par value was accounted for as retirement of the 
Series  D  and  Series  E  preferred  stock  and  the  remaining  $19 
million  was  recognized  as  dividends  paid  to  the  holders  of  the 
preferred stock.  

stock.  During  2007, 

During  2008,  the  Bancorp  repurchased  an  immaterial  amount  of 
common 
repurchased 
approximately 27 million shares of its common stock, five percent 
of  total  outstanding  shares,  in  open  market  transactions  for  $1.1 
billion.  During  2006,  the  Bancorp  repurchased  approximately  2 
million shares of its common stock, less than one percent of total 
outstanding shares, in open market transactions for $82 million. 

the  Bancorp 

In 2008, 8.5% non-cumulative Series G convertible preferred 
stock  was  issued  in  the  second  quarter.    The  depository  shares 
represented  46,000  shares  of  its  convertible  preferred  stock  and 
had a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share.  The preferred 
stock is convertible at any time, at the option of the shareholder, 
into  2,159.8272  shares  of  common  stock,  representing  a 
conversion price of approximately $11.575 per share of common 
stock.    As  of  December  31,  2008,  Series  G  preferred  stock  had 
44,300 shares outstanding and 1,700 shares reserved for issuance.   
On  December  31,  2008,  the  U.S.  Treasury  purchased 
approximately  $3.4  billion,  or  136,320  shares,  of  the  Bancorp’s 
Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series F, with a 
liquidation  preference  of  $25,000  per  share  and  related  10-year 
warrants in the amount of 15% of the preferred stock investment.  
The  warrants  allow  the  U.S.  Treasury  to  purchase  up  to 
43,617,747  shares  of  the  Bancorp’s  common  stock  with  an 
exercise price of $11.72.  The Series F senior preferred stock was 
issued complying with the terms established by the CPP.  Per the 
program terms, the U.S. Treasury’s investment consists of senior 
preferred stock with a  five percent dividend for each of the first 
five  years  of  investment  and  nine  percent  thereafter,  unless  the 

86    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

20. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION 
The  Bancorp  has  historically  emphasized  employee  stock 
ownership.    Based  on  total  stock-based  awards  outstanding  and 
shares 
Incentive 
Compensation Plan, the Bancorp’s total overhang is approximately 

future  grants  under 

remaining 

the 

for 

12%.  The following table provides detail of the number of shares 
to be issued upon exercise of outstanding stock-based awards and 
remaining  shares  available  for  future  issuance  under  all  of  the 
Bancorp’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2008: 

Plan Category (shares in thousands) 
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders: 
  Stock options (a) 
  Stock appreciation rights (SARs) 
  Restricted stock 
  Performance units 
    Performance-based restricted stock 
  Employee stock purchase plan 

Deferred stock compensation plans 

Number of Shares to Be  
Issued Upon Exercise 

Weighted-Average 
Exercise Price 

17,769 
(c) 
5,584 
(e) 
180 

$52.66 
(c) 
(d) 
(d) 
(d) 

Shares Available 
for Future Issuance 
23,888(b) 
(b) 
(b) 
(b) 
(b) 
(b) 
568(f) 
161 
24,617 

Total shares 
(a) Excludes 2.8 million outstanding options awarded under plans assumed by the Bancorp in connection with certain mergers and acquisitions. The Bancorp has not made any awards under these 

23,533 

plans and will make no additional awards under these plans. The weighted-average exercise price of the outstanding options is $25.47 per share.   

(b) Under the 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan, 33.0 million shares of stock were authorized for issuance as incentive and nonqualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock 

units, performance shares and performance restricted stock awards. 

(c) At December 31, 2008, approximately 22.5 million SARs were outstanding at a weighted-average grant price of $35.43.  The number of shares to be issued upon exercise will be determined at 

vesting based on the difference between the grant price and the market price at the date of exercise. 

(d) Not applicable. 
(e) The number of shares to be issued is dependent upon the Bancorp achieving certain predefined performance targets and ranges from zero shares to approximately 366 thousand shares. 
(f)  Represents  remaining  shares  of  Fifth  Third  common  stock  under  the  Bancorp’s  1993  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  as  amended  and  restated,  including  an  additional  1,500,000  shares  approved  by 

shareholders on March 28, 2006. 

Stock-based  awards  are  eligible  for  issuance  under  the  Bancorp’s 
Incentive  Compensation  Plan  to  key  employees  and  directors  of 
the  Bancorp  and  its  subsidiaries.    The  Incentive  Compensation 
Plan was approved by shareholders on April 15, 2008.  The plan 
has  authorized  the  issuance  of  up  to  33  million  shares  as  equity 
compensation  and  provides  for  incentive  and  nonqualified  stock 
options,  stock  appreciation  rights,  restricted  stock  and  restricted 
stock  units,  and  performance  share  and  restricted  stock  awards. 
All  of  the  Bancorp's  stock-based  awards  are  to  be  settled  with 
stock  with  the  exception  of  a  portion  of  the  performance  shares 
that are to be settled in cash.  The Bancorp has historically used 
treasury stock to settle stock-based awards, when available. Stock 
options, issued at fair market value based on the closing price of 
the Bancorp’s common stock on the date of grant, have up to ten-
year  terms  and  vest  and  become  fully  exercisable  ratably  over  a 
three or four year period of continued employment.  SARs, issued 
at  fair  market  value  based  on  the  closing  price  of  the  Bancorp’s 
common stock on the date of grant, have up to ten-year terms and 
vest and become exercisable either ratably or fully over a four year 
period  of  continued  employment.    The  Bancorp  does  not  grant 
discounted  stock  options  or  SARs,  re-price  previously  granted 
stock options or SARs, or grant reload stock options.  Restricted 
stock grants vest either after four years or ratably after three, four 
and five years of continued employment and include dividend and 
voting  rights.    Performance  share  and  performance  restricted 
stock awards have three-year cliff vesting terms with performance 
or market conditions as defined by the plan.   

Effective  January  1,  2006,  the  Bancorp  adopted  SFAS  No. 
123(R)  using  the  modified  retrospective  application  basis  in 
accounting  for  stock-based  compensation  plans.    Under  SFAS 
No.  123(R),  the  Bancorp  recognizes  compensation  expense  for 

the grant-date fair value of stock-based compensation issued over 
its  requisite  service  period.    The  grant-date  fair  value  of  stock 
options  and  SARs  is  measured  using  the  Black-Scholes  option-
pricing  model.   Awards  with  a  graded  vesting  are  expensed  on a 
straight-line basis.   

The  Bancorp  uses  assumptions,  which  are  evaluated  and 
revised as necessary, in estimating the grant-date fair value of each 
SAR  grant.    The  weighted-average  assumptions  were  as  follows 
for the years ended: 

2006 
6 
23% 
4.1% 
4.9% 

2008 
6 
30% 
8.7% 
3.3% 

2007 
6 
22% 
4.4% 
4.6% 

Expected life (in years) 
Expected volatility  
Expected dividend yield 
Risk-free interest rate 
The  expected  option  life  is  derived  from  historical  exercise 
patterns  and  represents  the  amount  of  time  that  options  granted 
are  expected  to  be  outstanding.    The  expected  volatility  is  based 
on  a  combination  of  historical  and  implied  volatilities  of  the 
Bancorp’s  common  stock.    The  expected  dividend  yield  is  based 
on  annual  dividends  divided  by  the  Bancorp’s  stock  price.    The 
risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the 
option  is  based  on  the  U.S.  Treasury  yield  curve  in  effect  at  the 
time of grant.   

Stock-based  compensation  expense  was  $56  million,  $63 
million  and  $76  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2008, 
2007 and 2006, respectively.  The total related income tax benefit 
recognized  was  $20  million,  $22  million  and  $23  million  for  the 
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The 
following tables include a summary of stock-based compensation 
transactions for the previous three fiscal years: 

2008 

2007 

2006 

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise  Price 
Stock Options (shares in thousands) 
$46.49 
Outstanding at January 1 
- 
Granted (a) 
21.70 
Exercised 
53.24 
Forfeited or expired 
$47.58 
Outstanding at December 31 
Exercisable at December 31 
$47.43 
(a) 2008 Options granted include 1,131 options assumed as part of the First Charter Corporation acquisition completed on June 6, 2008.  These options were granted under a First Charter 

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise Price 
$49.07 
11.57 
15.32 
40.73 
$48.97 
$48.97 

Weighted-
Average 
Exercise  Price 
$47.58 
40.98 
26.91 
53.87 
$49.07 
$49.07 

    Shares 
31,546 
- 
(1,931) 
(2,715) 
26,900  
25,978 

   Shares 
26,900 
4 
(2,068) 
(1,191) 
23,645  
23,628 

Shares 
23,645 
1,133 
(202) 
(4,012) 
20,564  
20,564 

Corporation Plan assumed by the Bancorp.  

Fifth Third Bancorp    87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The  weighted-average  grant-date  fair  value  of  stock  options 
granted  for  the  years  ended  2008  and  2007  was  $2.87  and  $7.39 
per  share,  respectively.  There  were  no  stock  options  granted 
during 2006.   

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $1 million, 
$28 million and $32 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  
Cash received from options exercised was $3 million, $48 million 
and $35 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The actual 
tax benefit realized from the exercised options was $1 million, $7 
2008 

million and $9 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The 
total  grant-date  fair  value  of  stock  options  that  vested  during 
2008,  2007  and  2006  was  $0.2  million,  $16  million  and  $25 
million,  respectively.    As  of  December  31,  2008,  the  aggregate 
intrinsic  value  of  both  outstanding  options  and  exercisable 
options was $28 thousand.    

At  December  31,  2008,  stock-based  compensation  expense 
related  to  non-vested  stock  options  not  yet  recognized  was 
immaterial to the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements.   

2007 

2006 

Stock Appreciation Rights (shares in thousands) 
Outstanding at January 1 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited or expired 
Outstanding at December 31 
Exercisable at December 31 

Shares 
17,526 
6,836 
- 
(1,854) 
22,508  
8,352 

Weighted-
Average 
Grant Price 
$41.81 
19.25 
- 
36.03 
$35.43 
$44.46 

   Shares 
13,053 
6,613 
(56) 
(2,084) 
17,526 
2,972 

Weighted-
Average 
Grant Price 
$43.43 
38.45 
39.36 
41.36 
$41.81 
$41.45 

Weighted-
Average 
Grant Price 
$47.51 
39.18 
- 
44.31 
$43.43 
$42.99 

    Shares 
7,541 
6,949 
- 
(1,437) 
13,053 
989 

The  weighted-average  grant-date  fair  value  of  SARs  granted 
was  $2.09,  $6.24  and  $7.35  per  share  for  the  years  ended  2008, 
2007  and  2006,  respectively.    The  total  grant-date  fair  value  of 
SARs that vested during 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $61 million, $19 
million and $10 million, respectively.   

At December 31, 2008, there was $22 million of stock-based 
compensation  expense  related  to  non-vested  SARs  not  yet 
recognized.  The  expense  is  expected  to  be  recognized  over  a 
remaining weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years. 

Restricted Stock (shares in thousands) 
Nonvested at January 1 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Nonvested at December 31 

2008 

2007 

2006 

Weighted- 
Average 
Grant-Date 
Fair Value  
$40.80 
19.27 
48.62 
30.72 
$29.04 

Shares 
3,519 
3,157 
(486) 
(606) 
5,584  

    Shares 
2,380 
1,622 
(39) 
(444) 
3,519  

Weighted-
Average 
Grant-Date 
Fair Value  
$40.28 
38.19 
48.28 
40.95 
$40.80 

Weighted-
Average 
Grant-Date 
Fair Value  
$46.16 
38.93 
44.91 
40.76 
$40.28 

    Shares 
1,482 
1,265 
(24) 
(343) 
2,380  

The total grant-date fair value of restricted stock that vested 
during  2008,  2007  and  2006  was  $23.7  million,  $1.9  million  and 
$1.1 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2008, there was $50 
to 
million  of  stock-based  compensation  expense 
nonvested  restricted  stock  not  yet  recognized.    The  expense  is 
expected  to  be  recognized  over  a  remaining  weighted-average 
period of approximately 3.1 years.   

related 

The following table summarizes outstanding and exercisable 

stock options by exercise price at December 31, 2008: 

Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options 

Exercise Price 
per Share 
Under $10.00 
$10.01-$25.00 
$25.01-$40.00 
$40.01-$55.00 
Over $55.00 
All stock options 

Number of 
Options at 
Year End 
(000’s) 
335 
1,212 
871 
13,879 
4,267 
20,564 

Weighted-
Average   
Exercise 
Price 
$9.30 
15.27 
34.37 
48.36 
66.61 
$48.97 

Weighted-Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life  
(in years) 
2.34 
3.91 
2.00 
1.99 
3.26 
2.37 

thousand,  132 

Approximately  186 

thousand  and  111 
thousand  shares  of  performance-based  awards  were  granted 
during  2008,  2007  and  2006,  respectively.    These  awards  are 
payable in stock and cash contingent upon the Bancorp achieving 
certain  predefined  performance  targets  over  the  three-year 
measurement period.  These performance targets are based on the 
Bancorp’s  performance  relative  to  a  defined  peer  group.    The 
performance-based  awards  were  granted  at  a  weighted-average 
grant-date fair value of $19.18, $39.89 and $39.14 per share during 
2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  

88    Fifth Third Bancorp 

137 

180 

and 

thousand 

Approximately 

thousand 
performance-based restricted shares were granted during 2008 and 
2007, respectively.  These awards are payable in stock contingent 
upon  the  Bancorp  achieving  certain  predefined  performance 
targets over the one-year measurement period. These performance 
targets  are  based  on  the  Bancorp’s  performance  relative  to  a 
defined peer group.  If performance targets are met, the shares are 
vested over a three-year period.  The performance-based restricted 
shares were granted at a weighted-average grant-date fair value of 
$23.39  and  $38.27  per  share  during  2008  and  2007,  respectively.  
The  performance  condition  related  to  the  performance-based 
restricted  shares  was  achieved  in  2007  and  was  not  achieved  in 
2008. 

At  December  31,  2008,  there  were  7.2  million  incentive 
options, 13.4 million non-qualified options, 22.5 million SARs, 5.4 
million  restricted  stock  awards  outstanding,  0.4  million  shares 
reserved  for  performance  unit  awards,  0.2  million  restricted 
performance  stock  awards  and  23.9  million  shares  available  for 
grant.    Stock  options,  SARs  and  restricted  stock  outstanding 
represent  approximately  eight  percent  of  the  Bancorp’s  issued 
shares at December 31, 2008. 

The  Bancorp  sponsors  a  stock  purchase  plan  that  allows 
qualifying  employees  to  purchase  shares  of  the  Bancorp’s 
common  stock  with  a  15%  match.    During  the  years  ended 
December  31,  2008,  2007  and  2006,  respectively,  there  were 
712,338,  333,039  and  317,483  shares  purchased  by  participants 
and  the  Bancorp  recognized  stock-based  compensation  expense 
of $2 million for each of the years ended 2008, 2007 and 2006. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

21. OTHER NONINTEREST INCOME AND OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE 
The major components of other noninterest income and other noninterest expense for the years ended December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Other noninterest income: 
  Gain on redemption of Visa, Inc. ownership shares 
  CitFed litigation settlement 
  Cardholder fees 
  Consumer loan and lease fees 

Operating lease income 
Insurance income 
Banking center income 
  Gain (loss) on loan sales 
  Loss on sale of other real estate owned 
  Bank owned life insurance income (loss) 
  Other 
Total 
Other noninterest expense: 
  Loan processing 
  Marketing  
  Professional services fees 
  Provision for unfunded commitments and letters of credit 
  FDIC insurance and other taxes 
  Affordable housing investments 
Intangible asset amortization 

  Travel 
  Postal and courier 
    Recruitment and education 
    Operating lease 
  Supplies 
  Visa litigation expense (share redemption) 
  Debt and other financing agreement termination 
  Other 
Total 

2008

2007

2006

$273
76
58
51
47
36
31
(11)
(60)
(156)
18
$363

$188
102
102
98
73
67
56
54
54
33
32
31
(99)
-
298
$1,089

-
-
56
46
32
32
29
25
(14)
(106)
53
153

119
84
54
16
31
57
42
54
52
41
22
31
172
-
214
989

-
-
49
47
26
28
22
17
(8)
86
32
299

93
78
41
5
39
42
45
52
49
51
18
28
-
49
173
763

22. INCOME TAXES  
The Bancorp and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.  The following is a summary of applicable income taxes included 
in the Consolidated Statements of Income at December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Current income tax expense: 
  U.S. income taxes 
  State and local income taxes 
    Non-U.S. income taxes 
Total current tax expense 
Deferred income tax expense: 
  U.S. income taxes 
  State and local income taxes 
    Non-U.S. income taxes 
Total deferred tax expense 
Applicable income tax expense (benefit)  

2008

2007

2006

$560
25
3
588

623
16
-
639

(1,090)
     (47)
(2)
 (1,139)
($551)

(197)
     19 
       - 
    (178)
461

457
7
-
464

(24)
3
-
(21)
443

2006
35.0

.4 
(2.8) 
(3.9) 
(2.2) 
- 
1.1 
(.4) 
27.2

A reconciliation between the statutory U.S. income tax rate and the Bancorp’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31: 

Statutory tax rate 
Increase (decrease) resulting from:  
  State taxes, net of federal benefit 
  Tax-exempt income 
  Credits 

Dividends on subsidiary preferred stock 
Goodwill 

     Interest to taxing authority, net of tax 
  Other, net 
Effective tax rate 

2008
(35.0%)

2007
35.0

(.5) 
1.5 
      (3.6) 
- 
11.9 
5.1 
(.1) 
(20.7%)

1.5 
1.4 
       (5.0) 
(2.5) 
- 
.1 
(.5) 
30.0

Tax-exempt  income  in  the  rate  reconciliation  table  includes 
interest on municipal bonds, interest on tax-exempt lending, and 
income/charges  on  life  insurance  policies  held  by  the  Bancorp. 
The effective tax rate was adversely impacted in 2008 and 2007 by 
$215 million and $177 million, respectively, of charges to one of 
the  Bancorp’s  BOLI  policies.    See  Note  12  for  a  further 
discussion of those charges.  

        The  Internal  Revenue  Service  has  completed  its  audits  for 
the 2004 and 2005 income tax years. In addition to the leveraged 
leases, there are several items that are currently being addressed as 
part  of  the  appeals  process  and  are  considered  in  arriving  at  the 
Bancorp’s  uncertain  tax  position  liability  discussed  below.  The 
statute of limitations for federal income tax returns remains open 
for  tax  years  2004  through  2008.    In  addition,  limited  federal 

Fifth Third Bancorp    89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

statute  extensions  are  in  place  for  tax  years  1997  through  2003, 
primarily for leasing uncertainties. With the exception of the state 
impact of the federal items discussed above as well as a few states 
with  insignificant  uncertain  liabilities,  the  statutes  of  limitations 
for  state  income  tax  returns  remain  open  for  tax  years  in 
accordance with the various states’ statutes. 

As of January 1, 2007, the Bancorp adopted FIN 48.  Upon 
adoption  of  this  Interpretation  on  January  1,  2007,  the  Bancorp 
recognized an after-tax adjustment to beginning retained earnings 
of  $2  million  representing  the  cumulative  effect  of  applying  the 
provisions  of  this  Interpretation.  At  December  31,  2008  and  at 
December 31, 2007, the Bancorp had unrecognized tax benefits of 
$959  million  and  $469  million,  respectively.    Those  balances 
included  $83  million  and  $100  million  of  tax  positions  that,  if 
recognized, would impact the effective tax rate and $1 million and 
$6  million  in  tax  positions  that  would  impact  goodwill.    The 
remaining $875 million and $363 million is related to tax positions 
for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which 
there  is  uncertainty  about  the  timing  of  the  deductions.  A 
significant  portion  of  these  tax  positions  relate  to  the  leveraged 
lease litigation discussed below and in Note 16.   

Any  interest  and  penalties  incurred  in  connection  with 
income  taxes  are  recorded  as  a  component  of  tax  expense.    For 
the year ended December 31, 2008, the Bancorp accrued interest, 
net  of  the  related  tax  benefit,  of  $143  million  and,  at  December 
31, 2008, had accrued interest liabilities of $210 million, net of the 
related  tax  benefits.    No  material  liabilities  were  recorded  for 
penalties. 

Included 

in  other  assets  at  December  31,  2008  and 
December 31, 2007 is a deposit of $1.0 billion and $386 million, 
respectively, that the Bancorp made under Internal Revenue Code 

($ in millions) 
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1  
Gross increases for tax positions taken during prior period 
Gross decreases for tax positions taken during prior period 
Gross increases for tax positions taken during current period 
Settlements with taxing authorities 
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations 
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31 

section  6603  for  taxes  associated  with  the  leveraged  lease 
portfolio. 

involving 

leveraged 

 As previously disclosed, during May 2005, the Bancorp filed 
suit in the United States District Court of the Southern District of 
Ohio against the IRS seeking a refund of taxes paid as a result of 
the audit of the 1997 tax year. This suit involves a determination 
of  the  correct  tax  treatment  of  certain  leveraged  leases  entered 
into by the Bancorp.  The outcome of this litigation will impact a 
number of leveraged leases entered into from 1997 through 2004.  
During  the  second  quarter  of  2008,  the  Bancorp  increased  its 
liability  for  uncertain  tax  positions  relating  to  these  leases  based 
upon  several  factors,  including  the  jury’s  verdict  in  the  form  of 
answers  to  interrogatories  in  the  Bancorp’s  case,  and  two  other 
court  cases 
in  the 
Bancorp’s  case  has  not  issued  his  final  ruling.  In  December  of 
2008, 
into  a  Stipulated  Conditional 
Dismissal. This Conditional Order of Dismissal without prejudice 
and  with  leave  allows  the  Bancorp  to  enter  into  settlement 
discussions  with  the  US  Department  of  Justice  under  the 
Settlement  Initiatives  offered  by  the  Internal  Revenue  Service.  
The  Stipulated  Conditional  Dismissal  is  effective  until  June  of 
2009. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that the amount of the 
unrecognized  benefit  with  respect  to  certain  of  the  Bancorp’s 
uncertain tax positions could significantly change during the next 
12  months.  If  the  Bancorp  is  able  to  reach  an  amenable 
settlement, it is possible that the unrecognized tax benefits could 
decrease  by  up  to  $875  million  of  the  $959  million  as  of 
December 31, 2008 disclosed below. 

the  Bancorp  entered 

leasing.  The 

judge 

The  following  table  provides  a  reconciliation  of  the 
beginning and ending amounts of the Bancorp’s unrecognized tax 
benefits. 

2008
$469
496
(8)
4
-
(2)
$959

2007
446
-
-
47
(4)
(20)
469

Deferred  income  taxes  are  included  as  a  component  of  other  assets  and  accrued  taxes,  interest  and  expenses  in  the  Consolidated  Balance 
Sheets and are comprised of the following temporary differences at December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Deferred tax assets: 
  Allowance for credit losses 
  Deferred compensation 
    Accrued interest 
  Other comprehensive income 
  State net operating losses 
  Other 
Total deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities: 
  Lease financing 
  State deferred taxes 
  Bank premises and equipment 
Mortgage servicing rights 
    Other comprehensive income 
  Other 
Total deferred tax liabilities 
Total net deferred tax asset (liability) 

2008

2007

$975
171
104
-
58
328
$1,636

$849
44
96
149
53
144
$1,335
$301

328
174
33
68
72
188
863

1,344
149
75
160
-
154
1,882
(1,019)

Retained earnings at December 31, 2008 included $157 million 
in allocations of earnings for bad debt deductions of former thrift 
subsidiaries  for  which  no  income  tax  has  been  provided.    Under 
current  tax  law,  if  certain  of  the  Bancorp’s  subsidiaries  use  these 

bad  debt  reserves  for  purposes  other  than  to  absorb  bad  debt 
losses,  they  will  be  subject  to  federal  income  tax  at  the  current 
corporate tax rate. 

90    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

23. RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS 
SFAS  No.  158,  “Employers’  Accounting  for  Defined  Benefit 
Pension  and  Other  Postretirement  Plans  –  an  amendment  of 
FASB  Statements  No.  87,  88,  106  and  132(R)”  requires  the 
funded status of pension plans to be recorded in the balance sheet 
as an asset for plans with an overfunded status and a liability for 
plans  with  an  underfunded  status.    The  Bancorp  recognized  the 
overfunded  and  underfunded  status  of  its  pension  plans  as  an 
asset and liability, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets 
as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.   

Overfunded  and  underfunded  amounts  recognized  in  other 
assets and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for 
the defined benefit retirement plans as of December 31 consist of: 

($ in millions)   
Prepaid benefit cost 
Accrued benefit liability 
Net (underfunded) overfunded status 

2008
$ -
(84)
($84)

2007
37
(36)
1

The 

following 

tables  summarize 

the  defined  benefit 

retirement plans as of and for the years ended December 31:   

Plans With an Overfunded Status (a) 
($ in millions) 
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 
Actual return on assets 
Settlement 
Benefits paid 
Fair value of plan assets at December 31 
Projected benefit obligation at January 1 
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Settlement 
Actuarial loss 
Benefits paid 
Projected benefit obligation at December 31 
Overfunded projected benefit obligation recognized  
in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an asset  

2008
$ -
-
-
-
$ -
$ -
-
-
-
-
-
$ -

2007
252
12
(20)
(7)
237
213
-
12
(20)
2
(7)
200

37
(a)  The  Bancorp’s  defined  benefit  plan  had  an  overfunded  status  for  December  31,  2007.    The 
plan was underfunded at December 31, 2008 and is reflected in the Underfunded Status table. 

$ -

Plans With an Underfunded Status 
($ in millions)  
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 
Actual return on assets 
Contributions 
Settlement 
Benefits paid 
Fair value of plan assets at December 31 
Projected benefit obligation at January 1 
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Settlement 
Actuarial loss 
Benefits paid 
Projected benefit obligation at December 31 
Unfunded projected benefit obligation recognized in  
the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a liability  

2008
$237
(70)
4
(17)
(10)
$144
$236
-
13
(17)
6
(10)
$228

2007
 -
-
3
-
(3)
 -
37
-
2
-
-
(3)
36

($84)

(36)

The  estimated  net  actuarial  loss  and  prior  service  cost  for  the 
defined  benefit  pension  plans  that  will  be  amortized  from 
accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  into  net  periodic 
benefit  cost  during  2009  are  $16  million  and  $1  million, 
respectively. 

The  following  tables  summarize  net  periodic  benefit  cost  and  other 
changes  in  plan  assets  and  benefit  obligations  recognized  in  other 
comprehensive income for the years ended December 31:      

($ in millions) 
Components of net periodic benefit cost: 
  Service cost 
Interest cost 

  Expected return on assets 
  Amortization of net actuarial loss 
  Amortization of net prior service cost 
  Settlement 
Net periodic benefit cost 

($ in millions) 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit 

obligations recognized in other 
comprehensive income: 

    Net actuarial loss 
  Net prior service cost 
  Amortization of net actuarial loss 
    Amortization of prior service cost 
    Settlements 
Total recognized in other comprehensive 

income 

Total recognized in net periodic benefit 

cost and other comprehensive income  

2008

2007

2006

$ -
13
(18)
7
1
10
$13

-
14
(19)
7
1
7
10

1
13
(19)
9
1
8
13

2008

2007

$93
-
(7)
(1)
(10)

75

$88

10
-
(7)
(1)
(7)

(5)

5

The  plan  assumptions  are  evaluated  annually  and  are  updated  as 
necessary.    The  discount  rate  assumption  reflects  the  yield  on  a 
portfolio  of  high  quality  fixed-income  instruments  that  have  a 
similar  duration  to  the  plan’s  liabilities.    The  expected  long-term 
rate of return assumption reflects the average return expected on 
the  assets  invested  to  provide  for  the  plan’s  liabilities.    In 
determining  the  expected  long-term  rate  of  return,  the  Bancorp 
evaluated  actuarial  and  economic  inputs,  including  long-term 
inflation  rate  assumptions  and  broad  equity  and  bond  indices 
long-term return projections, as well as actual long-term historical 
plan performance.     

 The  following  table  summarizes  the  plan  assumptions  for 

the years ended December 31: 

Weighted-average assumptions 
For measuring benefit obligations at 

year end: 
  Discount rate 
  Rate of compensation increase 
  Expected return on plan assets 
For measuring net periodic benefit cost: 
  Discount rate 
  Rate of compensation increase 
  Expected return on plan assets 

 2008 

2007

2006

6.11 %
 5.00 
8.53 

6.45 
5.00 
8.50 

6.26
5.00
 8.52

5.80
5.00
8.50

5.80
5.00
8.50

5.375
5.00
8.45

The Bancorp’s qualified defined benefit plan and other retirement 
plans are currently underfunded.  The benefit plan’s benefits were 
frozen  in  1998,  except  for  grandfathered  employees.    The 
Bancorp’s  other  retirement  plans  consist  of  nonqualified, 
supplemental retirement plans, which are funded on an as needed 
basis.    A  majority  of  these  plans  were  obtained  in  acquisitions 
from prior years.  

Lowering  both  the  expected  rate  of  return  on  the  plan  and 
the  discount  rate  by  0.25%  would  have  increased  the  2008 
pension expense by approximately $1 million.   

Plan  assets  consist  primarily  of  common  trust  and  mutual 
funds  (equities  and  fixed  income)  and  Bancorp  common  stock.  
As  of  December  31,  2008  and  2007,  $124  million  and  $153 
million, respectively, of plan assets were managed by Fifth Third 
Bank,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Bancorp,  through  common  trust  and 
mutual funds and included $3 million and $9 million, respectively, 
of  Bancorp  common  stock.    Plan  assets  are  not  expected  to  be 
returned to the Bancorp during 2009. 

Fifth Third Bancorp    91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The Bancorp’s policy for the investment of plan assets is to 
employ  investment  strategies  that  achieve  a  range  of  weighted-
average  target  asset  allocations  relating  to  equity  securities 
(including the Bancorp’s common stock), fixed income securities 
and  cash.    The  following  table  provides  the  Bancorp’s  targeted 
and actual weighted-average asset allocations by asset category for 
2008 and 2007: 

Weighted-average asset allocation 
Equity securities 
Bancorp common stock 
Total equity securities 
Total fixed income securities 
Cash 
Total 

Targeted 
range 

    70 – 80%
    20 – 25  
        0 - 5   

2008 
   68%
 2 
70 
27 
3 

     100% 

2007
71
5
76
20
4
100

The risk tolerance for the plan is determined by management 
to  be  moderate  to  aggressive,  recognizing  that  higher  returns 
involve some volatility and that periodic declines in the portfolio’s 
value  are  tolerated  in  an  effort  to  achieve  real  capital  growth.  
Prohibited  asset  classes  of  the  plan  include  precious  metals, 
venture  capital,  short  sales  and  leveraged  transactions.    Per  the 
Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act 
the 
Bancorp’s  common  stock  cannot  exceed  ten  percent  of  the  fair 

(ERISA), 

market value of plan assets.   

The  accumulated  benefit  obligation  for  all  defined  benefit 
plans  was  $227  million  and  $235  million  at  December  31,  2008 
and 2007, respectively.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, amounts 
relating  to  the  Bancorp’s  defined  benefit  plans  with    benefit 
obligations exceeding assets were as follows:   

($ in millions) 
Projected benefit obligation 
Accumulated benefit obligation 
Fair value of plan assets 

2008 
 $228 
  227 
  144 

2007 
  36 
36 
   - 

Based  on  actuarial  assumptions,  the  Bancorp’s  minimum 
required  contribution  is  $168,000  for  2009.    Estimated  pension 
benefit  payments,  which  reflect  expected  future  service,  are  $21 
million  in  2009,  $19  million  in  2010,  $19  million  in  2011,  $19 
million  in  2012  and  $17  million  in  2013.    The  total  estimated 
payments for the years 2014 through 2018 is $78 million. 

The  Bancorp’s  profit  sharing  plan  expense  was  $18  million 
for  2008,  $13  million  for  2007  and  $22  million  for  2006.  
Expenses recognized during the years ended December 31, 2008, 
2007  and  2006  for  matching  contributions  to  the  Bancorp’s 
defined  contribution  savings  plans  were  $37  million,  $37  million 
and $35 million, respectively. 

24.  EARNINGS PER SHARE 
The calculation of earnings per share and the reconciliation of earnings per share to earnings per diluted share for the years ended December 31: 

(in millions, except per share data) 
Earnings per share: 
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net income (loss) available to common 
shareholders before cumulative effect 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting 

principle, net of tax 

Net income (loss) available to common   

2008 
Average 
Shares 

Per Share 
Amount 

Income

$1,076
1

Income 

($2,113) 
67 

(2,180) 

553

($3.94)

1,075

- 

-

-

-

shareholders  

($2,180)  

553

($3.94)

$1,075

2007 
Average 
Shares 

Per Share 
Amount 

2006 
Average 
Shares 

Per Share 
Amount 

Income 

$1,184 
- 

538

-

538

$2.00 

1,184 

- 

4 

$2.00 

$1,188 

555

-

555

$2.13

.01

$2.14

Earnings per diluted share: 
Net income (loss) available to common 
shareholders before cumulative effect 

Effect of dilutive securities: 
    Stock based awards 
    Convertible preferred stock (a) (b) 
Income (loss) plus assumed conversions 

before cumulative effect 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting 

principle, net of tax 

Net income (loss) available to common 

($2,180) 

553

($3.94)

$1,075

538

$2.00 

$1,184 

555

$2.13

- 

(2,180)  

- 

-
-

553

-

-
-

-

(3.94)

1,076

-

-

2
-

540

-

(.01) 
- 

- 

$1.99 

1,184 

- 

4 

2
-

557

-

(.01)
-

2.12

.01

shareholders plus assumed conversions 

$2.13
($3.94)
(a) The effect of dilutive securities on the dividends on preferred stock for year ended December 31, 2008 was included in the calculation of net income available to common shareholders, however, it was 

($2,180) 

$1,188 

$1,076

$1.99 

540

557

553

excluded from assumed conversions because the effect would be anti-dilutive.   

(b) The additive effect to income from dividends on convertible preferred stock is $.580 million and the average share dilutive effect from convertible preferred stock is .308 million shares for the years 

ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. 

Due  to  the  net  loss  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008,  the 
diluted earnings per share calculation excludes all common stock 
equivalents, 
including  43  million  stock  options  and  stock 
appreciation rights, 6 million shares of restricted stock, 96 million  
common  shares  from  convertible  preferred  stock  and  44  million 
shares under warrants related to the CPP as their inclusion would 
have been anti-dilutive to earnings per share. 

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, there were 36.2 million and 
33.1  million  shares  outstanding,  respectively,  that  were  not 
included in the computation of net income per diluted share.  The 
outstanding  shares  consist  of  options  and  stock  appreciation 
rights  that  had  not  yet  been  exercised,  and  unvested  restricted 

stock.    The  options  and  stock  appreciation  rights  are  excluded 
from  the  computation  of  net  income  per  diluted  shares  because 
the  exercise  price  of  the  shares  was  greater  than  the  average 
market  price  of  the  common  shares  and,  therefore,  the  effect 
would  be  anti-dilutive.    Restricted  shares  are  excluded  from  the 
calculation until vested. 

During  the  first  quarter  of  2006,  the  Bancorp  recognized  a 
benefit for the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 
of $4 million, net of $2 million of tax, related to the adoption of 
SFAS  No.  123(R).    The  benefit  recognized  relates  to  the 
Bancorp’s  estimate  of  forfeiture  experience  to  be  realized  for  all 
unvested stock-based awards outstanding.   

92    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

transaction  between  market  participants  at 

25. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Effective  January  1,  2008,  the  Bancorp  adopted  SFAS  No.  157, 
which  provides  a  framework  for  measuring  fair  value  under 
accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of 
America.  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would 
be  received  to  sell  an  asset  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  an 
orderly 
the 
measurement  date.    SFAS  No.  157  also  establishes  a  fair  value 
hierarchy,  which  prioritizes  the  inputs  to  valuation  techniques 
used to measure fair value into three broad levels.  The fair value 
hierarchy  gives  the  highest  priority  to  quoted  prices  in  active 
markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level  1) and the lowest 
priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  A financial instrument’s 
categorization  within  the  fair  value  hierarchy  is  based  upon  the 
lowest  level  of  input  that  is  significant  to  the  instrument’s  fair 
value  measurement.    The  three  levels  within  the  fair  value 
hierarchy are described as follows:    

Level  1  -  Quoted  prices  (unadjusted)  in  active  markets  for 
identical  assets  or  liabilities  that  the  Bancorp  has  the  ability 
to access at the measurement date.     

Level  2  -  Inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  included  within 
Level  1  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or  liability,  either 
directly  or  indirectly.    Level  2  inputs  include:  quoted  prices 
for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices 
for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are 
not  active; 
inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  that  are 
observable  for  the  asset  or  liability;  and  inputs  that  are 

is 

little, 

derived  principally  from  or  corroborated  by  observable 
market data by correlation or other means.   
Level  3  -  Unobservable  inputs  for  the  asset  or  liability  for 
if  any,  market  activity  at  the 
which  there 
measurement  date. 
the 
  Unobservable 
Bancorp’s own assumptions about what market participants 
would  use  to  price  the  asset  or  liability.    The  inputs  are 
developed  based  on  the  best  information  available  in  the 
circumstances,  which  might  include  the  Bancorp’s  own 
financial  data  such  as  internally  developed  pricing  models, 
discounted cash flow methodologies, as well  as instruments 
for  which  the  fair  value  determination  requires  significant 
management judgment.   

inputs  reflect 

Effective  January  1,  2008,  the  Bancorp  adopted  SFAS  No. 
159,  which  allows  an  entity  the  irrevocable  option  to  elect  fair 
value  for  the  initial  and  subsequent  measurement  for  certain 
financial  assets  and  liabilities  on  an  instrument-by-instrument 
basis.  Upon election of the fair value option in accordance with 
SFAS No. 159, subsequent changes in fair value are recorded as 
an adjustment to earnings.   

Assets  and  Liabilities  Measured  at  Fair  Value  on  a 
Recurring Basis 
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at 
fair value on a recurring basis, including financial instruments in 
which the Bancorp has elected the fair value option in accordance 
with SFAS No. 159.  

As of December 31, 2008 ($ in millions) 
Assets: 
     Available-for-sale securities (a) 
     Trading securities  
     Loans held for sale (b)  
     Residential mortgage loans (c)  
     Other assets (d) 
Total assets 

                                Fair Value Measurements Using 

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets   
(Level 1) 

Significant   
Other 
Observable 

Significant 
Unobservable 

Inputs         
(Level 2) 

Inputs         
(Level 3) 

Total Fair Value

$634 
1 
- 
- 
6 
$641 

11,151 
1,190 
881 
- 
3,189 
16,411 

146(f)
- 
- 
7 
30 
183 

6 
6 

$11,931 
1,191 
881 
7 
3,225 
$17,235 

$2,049 
$2,049 

Liabilities: 
     Other liabilities (e)   
Total liabilities 
(a) Excludes FHLB and FRB restricted stock totaling $545 million and $252 million, respectively, which are carried at par. 
(b) Includes residential mortgage loans held for sale.  
(c) Includes residential mortgage loans originated as held for sale and subsequently transferred to held for investment.  
(d) Includes derivatives with a positive fair value. 
(e) Includes derivatives with a negative fair value and short positions. 
(f) See Note 10 for a sensitivity analysis on residual interests from securitizations of automobile loans.  

$30 
$30 

2,013 
2,013 

The  following  is  a  description  of  the  valuation  methodologies 
used for significant instruments measured at fair value, as well as 
the  general  classification  of  such  instruments  pursuant  to  the 
valuation hierarchy. 

Available-for-sale and trading securities 
Where  quoted  prices  are  available  in  an  active  market,  securities 
are  classified  within  Level  1  of  the  valuation  hierarchy.    Level  1 
securities 
include  government  bonds  and  exchange  traded 
equities.    If  quoted  market  prices  are  not  available,  then  fair 
values  are  estimated  using  pricing  models,  quoted  prices  of 
securities  with  similar  characteristics,  or  discounted  cash  flows.  
instruments,  which  would  generally  be 
Examples  of  such 
classified  within  Level  2  of  the  valuation  hierarchy,  include 

corporate  and  municipal  bonds,  mortgage-backed  securities, 
asset-backed securities and VRDNs.  In certain cases where there 
is  limited  activity  or  less  transparency  around  inputs  to  the 
valuation, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation 
hierarchy.  Securities classified within Level 3 consist primarily of 
residual  interests  in  securitizations  of  automobile  loans.  These 
residual  interests  are  valued  using  discounted  cash  flow  models 
that  integrate  significant  unobservable  inputs,  including  discount 
rates,  prepayment  speeds,  and  loss  rates  which  are  estimated 
based  on  actual  performance  of  similar  loans  transferred  in 
previous securitizations. Refer to Note 10 for further information 
on residual interests.  

Fifth Third Bancorp    93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Residential mortgage loans held for sale  
For residential mortgage loans held for sale, fair value is estimated 
based  upon  mortgage-backed  securities  prices  and  spreads  to 
those  prices  or,  for  certain  assets,  discounted  cash  flow  models 
that may incorporate the anticipated portfolio composition, credit 
spreads  of  asset-backed  securities  with  similar  collateral,  and 
market  conditions.    Residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  are 
classified  within  Level  2  of  the  valuation  hierarchy.    For 
residential mortgage loans reclassified from held for sale to held 
for investment, the fair value estimation is based primarily on the 
underlying collateral values.  Therefore, these loans are classified 
within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. 

Derivatives 
Exchange-traded  derivatives  valued  using  quoted  prices  are 
classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.  However, few 
classes  of  derivative  contracts  are  listed  on  an  exchange.  Most 
derivative  contracts  are  valued  using  discounted  cash  flow  or 
other models that incorporate current market interest rates, credit 
spreads  assigned  to  the  derivative  counterparties,  and  other 
market  parameters.  The  majority  of  the  Bancorp's  derivative 
positions are valued utilizing models that use as their basis readily 
observable market parameters and are classified within Level 2 of 
the  valuation  hierarchy.    Such  derivatives  include  basic  and 
structured  interest  rate  swaps  and  options.    Derivatives  that  are 
valued  based  upon  models  with  significant  unobservable  market 
parameters are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. 

At December 31, 2008, derivatives classified as Level 3 consisted 
primarily  of  interest  rate  lock  commitments,  which  utilize 
internally generated loan closing rate assumptions as a significant 
unobservable input in the valuation process.  The net fair value of 
the interest rate lock commitments was $22 million at December 
31, 2008.  At December 31, 2008, immediate decreases in current 
interest rates of 25 bp and 50 bp would result in increases in the 
fair value of the interest rate lock commitments of approximately 
$12 million and $20 million, respectively.  Immediate increases of 
current interest rates of 25bp and 50 bp would result in decreases 
in  the  fair  value  of  the  interest  rate  lock  commitments  of 
approximately  $16  million  and  $37  million,  respectively.    The 
change  in  fair  value  of  interest  rate  lock  commitments  at 
December  31,  2008  due  to  immediate  10%  and  20%  adverse 
rates  would  be 
changes 
approximately $2 million and $4 million respectively, and due to 
immediate 10% and 20% favorable changes in the assumed loan 
closing  rates  would  be  approximately  $2  million  and  $4  million, 
respectively.  These  sensitivities  are  hypothetical  and  should  be 
used with caution, as changes in fair value based on a variation in 
assumptions 
the 
relationship  of  the  change  in  assumptions  to  the  change  in  fair 
value may not be linear.      

typically  cannot  be  extrapolated  because 

the  assumed 

loan  closing 

in 

The  following  table  is  a  reconciliation  of  all  assets  and 
liabilities  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  using 
significant  unobservable  inputs  (Level  3)  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2008: 

                                                             Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) 

Available-for- 
Sale Securities
$10 

Residential 
Mortgage 
Loans 

Derivatives, Net 
(a)  

Total 
 Fair Value 
$6 

($ in millions) 
Beginning balance 
   Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized): 
       Included in earnings  
       Included in other comprehensive income 
   Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net 
   Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (b) 
Ending balance 
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings 
attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still 
held at December 31, 2008 (c) 
(a)  Net derivatives include derivative assets and liabilities of $30 million and $6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008, and derivative assets and liabilities of 

38 
1 
124 
8 
$177 

(15) 
1 
150 
- 
$146 

54 
- 
(26) 
- 
24 

(1) 
- 
- 
8 
7 

($15) 

$11 

(1)  

(4) 

27 

- 

$9 million and $13 million, respectively, at January 1, 2008. 
Includes residential mortgage loans held for sale that were transferred to held for investment. 
Includes interest income and expense. 

(b) 
(c) 
The total gains and losses included in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a 
recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:  

($ in millions) 
Interest income 
Corporate banking revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities losses, net 
Total gains 

Gains (Losses)  

$7 
(4) 
53 
5 
(23) 
$38 

The total gains and losses included in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2008 attributable to changes in unrealized gains and losses 
related to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at December 31, 2008 were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows: 

($ in millions) 
Interest income 
Corporate banking revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities losses, net 
Total gains 

94    Fifth Third Bancorp     

Gains (Losses)  

$7 
1 
21 
5 
(23) 
$11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis 
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  These assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an 
ongoing basis; however, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment.   

($ in millions) 
Loans held for sale 
Commercial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Servicing rights 
Total  

 Fair Value Measurements Using 

Total Losses 

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets   
(Level 1) 

Significant Other 
Observable 

Inputs        
(Level 2) 

$90 
 - 
- 
- 
- 
$90 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs       
(Level 3) 
383 
512 
461 
743 
496 
2,595 

Total 

$473 
512 
461 
743 
496 
$2,685 

Year Ended 
December 31, 2008
($523) 
(298) 
(186) 
(274) 
(207) 
($1,488) 

During  the  fourth  quarter  of  2008,  the  Bancorp  transferred 
certain  commercial,  commercial  mortgage  and  commercial 
construction loans from the portfolio to loans held for sale.  The 
Bancorp  recognized  losses  from  fair  value  adjustments  of 
approximately $523 million on these commercial loans at the time 
of their reclassification to loans held for sale.  For $90 million of 
the  loans,  the  fair  value  was  based  on  executable  broker  quotes 
from active market participants comparable to the executed bids 
for similar loans sold by the Bancorp during the fourth quarter of 
2008.  Therefore, these loans were classified within Level 1 of the 
valuation hierarchy.  For $383 million of the loans, the fair value 
was  based  on  appraisals  of  the  underlying  collateral  value.  
Therefore,  these  loans  were  classified  within  Level  3  of  the 
valuation hierarchy.  
During  2008, 

recorded  nonrecurring 
commercial, 
adjustments 
loans 
commercial  mortgage  and  commercial  construction 
measured for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 114. Such 
amounts  are  generally  based  on  the  fair  value  of  the  underlying 
collateral  supporting  the  loan.  In  cases  where  the  carrying  value 
exceeds  the  fair  value  of  the  collateral,  an  impairment  loss  is 
recognized. The fair values and recognized impairment losses are 
reflected in the previous table. 

collateral-dependent 

the  Bancorp 

certain 

to 

Fair Value Option 
The  Bancorp  elected  on  January  1,  2008  to  measure  residential 
mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  at  fair  value  in  accordance  with 
SFAS No. 159.  The election was prospective, at the instrument 
level,  for  residential  mortgage  loans  that  have  a  designation  as 
held  for  sale  on  the  day  the  specific  loan  closes.    Electing  to 
measure  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  at  fair  value 
reduces certain timing differences, better matches changes in the 
value of these assets with changes in the value of derivatives used 
as  economic  hedges  for  these  assets  and  eliminates  the  complex 
hedge  accounting  requirements  that  were  followed  prior  to  the 
adoption of SFAS No. 159.  

specific 

Management’s  intent  to  sell  residential  mortgage  loans 
classified  as  held  for  sale  may  change  over  time  due  to  such 
factors as changes in the overall liquidity in markets or changes in 
characteristics 
sale.  
to  certain 
Consequently,  these  loans  may  be  reclassified  to  loans  held  for 
investment  and  maintained  in  the  Bancorp’s  loan  portfolio.    In 
such cases, the loans will continue to be measured at fair value in 
accordance  with  SFAS  No.  159.    Residential  loans  with  a  fair 
value  of  $7  million  at  December  31,  2008,  including  fair  value 
losses  of  $1  million,  were  transferred  to  the  Bancorp’s  portfolio 
during 2008.  

loans  held 

for 

During 2008, the Bancorp recognized temporary impairment 
of $207 million in certain classes of the mortgage servicing rights 
portfolio  in  which  the  carrying  value  of  the  MSRs  was  written 
down to their fair value as of December 31, 2008.  MSRs do not 
currently trade in an active, open market with readily observable 
prices.    While  sales  of  MSRs  do  occur,  the  precise  terms  and 
conditions  typically  are  not  readily  available.    Accordingly,  the 
Bancorp estimates the fair value of MSRs using discounted cash 
flow  models  with  certain  unobservable 
inputs,  primarily 
prepayment speed assumptions, resulting in a classification within 
Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.  Refer to Note 10 for further 
information on the Bancorp's mortgage servicing rights. 

Fair  value  changes  included  in  earnings  for  instruments  for 
which  the  fair  value  option  was  elected  included  gains  of  $13 
million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and are reported as 
mortgage banking net revenue in the Consolidated Statements of 
Income.  

Losses  included  in  earnings  attributable  to  changes  in 
instrument-specific  credit  risk  for  residential  mortgage  loans 
reclassified  from  held  for  sale  to  held  for  investment  were  $1 
million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008.    Instrument-
specific  credit  risk  for  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale 
measured  at  fair  value  are 
the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  due  to  the  short  time  period 
between  the  origination  and  sale  of  the  loans.    Interest  on 
residential mortgage loans measured at fair value is accrued as it is 
earned  using  the  effective  interest  method  and  is  reported  as 
interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  

immaterial 

to 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  difference  between  the  aggregate  fair  value  and  the  aggregate  unpaid  principal  balance  for  residential 
mortgage loans measured at fair value as of December 31, 2008. 

($ in millions) 
Residential mortgage loans measured at fair value 
Past due loans of 90 days or more 
Nonaccrual loans 

Aggregate 
Fair Value
$888 
2 
- 

Aggregate Unpaid 
Principal Balance 

Difference 

848 
3 
- 

$40 
(1) 
- 

Fifth Third Bancorp    95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Financial Instruments Pertaining to SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments" 
The following table summarizes carrying amounts and estimated fair values for certain financial instruments, excluding financial instruments 
recorded at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31: 

2008 

2007 

Carrying 
Amount 

Carrying 
Amount 

Fair Value 

($ in millions) 
Financial assets: 
    Cash and due from banks 
    Other securities (a) 
  Held-to-maturity securities 
    Other short-term investments 
  Loans held for sale (b) 
  Portfolio loans and leases, net (b) 
Financial liabilities: 
    Deposits 
    Federal funds purchased 
    Other short-term borrowings 
  Long-term debt 
(a) 
(b)  Excludes residential mortgage loans measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with SFAS No. 159 at December 31, 2008. 

$2,739
797
     360
  3,578
          571
      81,349

  2,739 
797 
      360 
  3,578 
571 
74,234 

 78,613
     287
        9,959
  13,585

     79,145 
         287 
 9,969 
11,022 

Includes FHLB and FRB restricted stock. 

2,660
722
355
620
4,329
79,316

75,445
4,427
4,747
12,857

Fair Value 

2,660
722
355
620
4,371
79,600

75,512
4,427
4,747
13,298

Loans held for sale  
Fair values for commercial loans held for sale were valued based 
on executable broker quotes when available, or on the fair value 
of  the  underlying  collateral.    Based  upon  the  timing  of  the 
transfer of the commercial loans to held for sale, current carrying 
values  approximate  fair  value  as  of  December  31,  2008.    Fair 
values  for  other  consumer  loans  held  for  sale  are  based  on 
contractual  values  upon  which  the  loans  may  be  sold  to  a  third 
party,  and  approximate  their  carrying  value  as  of  December  31, 
2008 and 2007. 

Portfolio loans and leases, net 
Fair values were estimated by discounting future cash flows using 
the  current  market  rates  as  similar  loans  would  be  made  to 
borrowers for the same remaining maturities. 

Long-term debt 
Fair value of long-term debt was based on quoted market prices, 
when  available,  or  a  discounted  cash  flow  calculation  using 
LIBOR/swap interest rates and, in some cases, a spread for new 
issues for borrowings of similar terms. 

Short-term financial assets, other securities and liabilities 
For financial instruments with a short-term or no stated maturity, 
prevailing  market  rates  and  limited  credit  risk,  carrying  amounts 
approximate  fair  value.  Those  financial  instruments  include  cash 
and  due  from  banks,  FHLB  and  FRB  restricted  stock,  other 
short-term 
interest 
checking, savings, money market and foreign office deposits), and 
federal  funds  purchased.    Fair  values  for  other  time  deposits, 
certificates  of  deposit  $100,000  and  over,  and  other  short-term 
borrowings  were  estimated  using  a  discounted  cash  flow 
calculation that applied prevailing LIBOR/swap interest rates for 
the same maturities. 

investments,  certain  deposits 

(demand, 

Held-to-maturity securities 
The Bancorp's held-to-maturity securities are primarily composed 
of  instruments  that  provide  income  tax  credits  as  the  economic 
return  on  the  investment.  The  fair  value  of  these  instruments  is 
estimated based on current U.S. Treasury tax credit rates. 

96    Fifth Third Bancorp     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26. CERTAIN REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND CAPITAL RATIOS 
The principal source of income and funds for the Bancorp (parent 
company)  are  dividends  from  its  subsidiaries.    During  2008,  the 
amount  of  dividends  the  bank  subsidiaries  could  pay  to  the 
Bancorp without prior approval of regulatory agencies was limited 
to  their  2008  eligible  net  profits,  as  defined,  and  the  adjusted 
retained 2007 and 2006 net income of those subsidiaries.  

subject to limitations, general allowances for loan and lease losses.  
Assets  are  adjusted  under  the  risk-based  guidelines  to  take  into 
account  different  risk  characteristics.    Average  assets  for  this 
purpose does not include goodwill and any other intangible assets 
and  investments  that  the  FRB  determines  should  be  deducted 
from Tier I capital.   

The  Bancorp’s  subsidiary  banks  must  maintain  cash  reserve 
balances  when  total  reservable  deposit  liabilities  are  greater  than 
the  regulatory  exemption.    These  reserve  requirements  may  be 
satisfied with vault cash and noninterest-bearing cash balances on 
reserve  with  a  Federal  Reserve  Bank.    In  2008  and  2007,  the 
subsidiary  banks  were  required  to  maintain  average  cash  reserve 
balances of $403 million and $330 million, respectively.  

The FRB adopted guidelines pursuant to which it assesses the 
adequacy  of  capital  in  examining  and  supervising  a  bank  holding 
company  and  in  analyzing  applications  to  it  under  the  Bank 
Holding  Company  Act  of  1956,  as  amended.    These  guidelines 
include quantitative measures that assign risk weightings to assets 
and  off-balance  sheet  items,  as  well  as  define  and  set  minimum 
regulatory  capital  requirements.    All  bank  holding  companies  are 
required  to  maintain  core  capital  (Tier  I)  of  at  least  4%  of  risk-
weighted  assets  and  off-balance  sheet  items  (Tier  I  capital  ratio), 
total capital of at least 8% of risk-weighted assets and off-balance 
sheet items (Total risk-based capital ratio) and Tier I capital of at 
least 3% of adjusted quarterly average assets (Tier I leverage ratio).  
Failure  to  meet  the  minimum  capital  requirements  can  initiate 
certain actions by regulators that could have a direct material effect 
on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bancorp.   

Tier  I  capital  consists  principally  of  shareholders’  equity 
including  Tier  I  qualifying  trust  preferred  securities  or  notes 
payable  pertaining  to  unconsolidated  special  purpose  entities  that 
issue  trust  preferred  securities.  It  excludes  unrealized  gains  and 
losses  on  available-for-sale  securities  and  unrecognized  pension 
actuarial gains and losses and prior service cost, less goodwill and 
certain other intangibles.   

Tier  II  capital  consists  principally  of  perpetual  and  trust 
preferred stock that is not eligible to be included as Tier I capital, 
term  subordinated  debt,  intermediate-term  preferred  stock  and, 

Both the FRB and the OCC have issued regulations regarding 
the capital adequacy of subsidiary banks.  These requirements are 
substantially  similar  to  those  adopted  by  the  FRB  regarding  bank 
holding  companies,  as  described  above.    In  addition,  the  federal 
banking  agencies  have  issued  substantially  similar  regulations  to 
implement  the  system  of  prompt  corrective  action  established  by 
Section  38  of  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Act.    Under  the 
regulations, a bank generally shall be deemed to be well-capitalized 
if  it  has  a  Total  risk-based  capital  ratio  of  10%  or  more,  a  Tier  I 
capital ratio of 6% or more, a Tier I leverage ratio of 5% or more 
and is not subject to any written capital order or directive.  If an 
institution  becomes  undercapitalized,  it  would  become  subject  to 
significant  additional  oversight,  regulations  and  requirements  as 
mandated  by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Act.    The  Bancorp 
and each of its subsidiary banks had Tier I, Total risk-based capital 
and  Tier  I  leverage  ratios  above  the  well-capitalized  levels  at 
December 31, 2008 and 2007.  As of December 31, 2008, the most 
recent  notification  from  the  FRB  categorized  the  Bancorp  and 
each of its subsidiary banks as well-capitalized under the regulatory 
framework  for  prompt  corrective  action.    To  continue  to  qualify 
for  financial  holding  company  status  pursuant  to  the  Gramm-
Leach-Bliley  Act  of  1999,  the  Bancorp’s  subsidiary  banks  must, 
among other things, maintain “well-capitalized” capital ratios. 

U.S.  bank  regulatory  authorities  and  international  bank 
supervisory  organizations,  principally  the  Basel  Committee  on 
Banking Supervision, are currently considering changes to the risk-
based  capital  adequacy  framework  for  banks,  including  emphasis 
on  credit,  market  and  operational  risk  components,  which 
ultimately  could  affect  the  appropriate  capital  guidelines  for  bank 
holding  companies  such  as  the  Bancorp.    Capital  and  risk-based 
capital  and  leverage  ratios  for  the  Bancorp  and  its  significant 
subsidiary banks at December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets): 
  Fifth Third Bancorp (Consolidated) 
  Fifth Third Bank (Ohio) 
  Fifth Third Bank (Michigan) 
  Fifth Third Bank, N.A. 
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets): 
  Fifth Third Bancorp (Consolidated) 
  Fifth Third Bank (Ohio) 
  Fifth Third Bank (Michigan) 
  Fifth Third Bank, N.A. 
Tier I leverage (to average assets): 
  Fifth Third Bancorp (Consolidated) 
  Fifth Third Bank (Ohio) 
  Fifth Third Bank (Michigan) 
  Fifth Third Bank, N.A. 

      2008 

      2007 

Amount 

Ratio 

Amount

Ratio 

$16,646 
6,444 
6,664 
948 

14.78 % 
10.92 
12.95 
17.59 

$11,733
6,058
5,787
519

10.16 %
10.39 
10.13 
21.76 

11,924 
4,799 
5,692 
880 

11,924 
4,799 
5,692 
880 

10.59 
8.13 
11.06 
16.33 

10.27 
7.03 
10.45 
14.11 

8,924
4,744
5,191
503

8,924
4,744
5,191
503

7.72 
8.13 
9.09 
21.07 

8.50 
8.11 
10.55 
25.59 

Fifth Third Bancorp    97 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Parent Company Only) 
For the years ended December 31 
2007
Operating Activities 
Net income (loss) 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net 
cash provided by operating activities: 
Provision (benefit) for deferred income 

($2,113) 

2008 

1,076

   2006

1,188

1
(1)

17

(642)
-
(14)

11 
(85) 

40 

1,903 
57 
(5) 

(7)
(98)

132

(276)
-
46

(192) 

873

549

(2,423) 
(2,000) 

- 
(42) 
(328) 
(4,793) 

763 
2,126 
(1,714) 
(687) 
4,480 
4 
(9) 

(304)
-

6
(565)
-
(863)

13
2,135
(209)
(898)
-
50
-

(19) 
- 
(13) 

-
(1,084)
(30)

4,931 
(54) 
115 
$61 

(23)
(13)
128
115

(544)
(25)

-
(107)
-
(676)

5
748
(13)
(867)
-
43
-

-
(82)
(8)

(174)
(301)
429
128

taxes 

Increase in other assets 
Increase in accrued expenses and other 

liabilities 

Decrease (increase) in undistributed 

earnings of subsidiaries 

Goodwill impairment 
Other, net 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by 

Operating Activities 

Investing Activities 
Increase in short-term investments 
Capital contribution to subsidiaries 
Decrease in held-to-maturity and available-

for-sale securities 

(Increase) decrease in loans to subsidiaries 
Net cash paid in business combinations 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities 
Financing Activities 
Increase in other short-term borrowings 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 
Repayment of long-term debt 
Payment of cash dividends 
Issuance of preferred stock, series F, G 
Exercise of stock-based awards 
Retirement of preferred shares, series D, E 
Dividends on redemption of preferred 

shares, series D, E 

Purchases of treasury stock 
Other, net 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) 

Financing Activities 

Decrease in Cash 
Cash at Beginning of Year 
Cash at End of Year 

2007 

2008 

   2006

27. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
($ in millions) 
Condensed Statements of Income (Parent Company Only) 
For the years ended December 31 
Income 
Dividends from subsidiaries 
Interest on loans to subsidiaries 
Other 
Total income 
Expenses 
Interest 
Goodwill impairment  
Other 
Total expenses 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes and 
Change in Undistributed Earnings of 
Subsidiaries 

162 
- 
80 
242 

293 
57 
24 
374 

900 
75 
9 
984 

120
-
22
142

605
46
2
653

$ - 
80 
- 
80 

(294) 
84 

742 
(58) 

511
(35)

Applicable income tax (benefit) expense 
Income (Loss) Before Change in 

Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries 

(210) 

800 

546

(Decrease) increase in undistributed 

earnings of subsidiaries 

Net Income (Loss) 

(1,903) 
($2,113) 

276 
1,076 

642
1,188

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parent Company Only) 
As of December 31 
Assets 
Cash 
Short-term investments 
Loans to subsidiaries 
Investment in subsidiaries 
Goodwill 
Other assets 
Total Assets 
Liabilities 
Commercial paper and other short-term 

borrowings 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
Long-term debt 
Total Liabilities 
Shareholders’ Equity 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 

2008 

2007

$61 
3,508 
1,243 
13,453 
80 
959 
$19,304 

$783 
119 
6,325 
7,227 
12,077 
$19,304 

115
1,085
1,201
11,991
137
188
14,717

20
320
5,216
5,556
9,161
14,717

98    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

28. SEGMENTS 
The  Bancorp  reports  on  five  business  segments:  Commercial 
Banking,  Branch  Banking,  Consumer  Lending,  Processing 
Solutions and Investment Advisors.     

Results  of  the  Bancorp’s  business  segments  are  presented 
based  on  its  management  structure  and  management  accounting 
practices.    The  structure  and  accounting  practices  are  specific  to 
the  Bancorp;  therefore,  the  financial  results  of  the  Bancorp’s 
business  segments  are  not  necessarily  comparable  with  similar 
information for other financial institutions.  The Bancorp refines 
its  methodologies  from  time  to  time  as  management  accounting 
practices are improved and businesses change.   

The  Bancorp  manages  interest  rate  risk  centrally  at  the 
corporate  level  by  employing  an  FTP  methodology.    This 
methodology  insulates  the  business  segments  from  interest  rate 
volatility,  enabling  them  to  focus  on  serving  customers  through 
loan  originations  and  deposit  taking.    The  FTP  system  assigns 
charge  rates  and  credit  rates  to  classes  of  assets  and  liabilities, 
respectively,  based  on  expected  duration  and  the  LIBOR  swap 
curve.    Matching  duration  allocates  interest  income  and  interest 
expense  to  each  segment  so  its  resulting  net  interest  income  is 
insulated from interest rate risk.  In a rising rate environment, the 

Bancorp benefits from the widening spread between deposit costs 
and  wholesale  funding  costs.    However,  the  Bancorp’s  FTP 
system credits this benefit to deposit-providing businesses, such as 
Branch Banking and Investment Advisors, on a duration-adjusted 
basis.    The  net  impact  of  the  FTP  methodology  is  captured  in 
General Corporate and Other.   

The business segments are charged provision expense based 
on the actual net charge-offs experienced by the loans owned by 
each segment.  Provision expense attributable to loan growth and 
changes  in  factors  in  the  allowance  for  loan  and  lease  losses  are 
captured in General Corporate and Other.  The financial results of 
the business segments include allocations for shared services and 
headquarters expenses.  Even with these allocations, the financial 
results  are  not  necessarily  indicative  of  the  business  segments’ 
financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  as  if  they  were  to 
exist as independent entities.  Additionally, the business segments 
form synergies by taking advantage of cross-sell opportunities and 
when  funding  operations  by  accessing  the  capital  markets  as  a 
collective  unit.    Results  of  operations  and  average  assets  by 
segment for each of the three years ended December 31 are: 

2008 ($ in millions) 
Net interest income (a) 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net interest income (loss) after provision 

Commercial 
Banking 
$1,645 
1,864 

Branch 
Banking 
1,662 
352 

Consumer  
Lending 
497 
425 

Processing 
Solutions  
7 
16 

Investment 
Advisors 
183 
49 

General 
Corporate 
(458) 
1,854 

Eliminations
-
-

         Total
3,536
4,560

(219) 

1,310 

for loan and lease losses 

Noninterest income: 

Electronic payment processing  
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities gains (losses), net 

Total noninterest income 
Noninterest expense: 

(2) 
186 
414 
5 
- 
52 
- 
655 

Salaries, wages and incentives 
Employee benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Goodwill impairment 
Other noninterest expense 

253 
46 
17 
1 
(2) 
4 
750 
599 
1,668 
Total noninterest expense 
Income (loss) before income taxes 
(1,232) 
Applicable income tax expense (benefit) (a)  (535) 
(697) 
Net income (loss) 
Dividends on preferred stock 
- 
Net income (loss) available to common 

72 

- 
- 
- 
- 
184 
38 
124 
346 

108 
26 
8 
- 
2 
1 
215 
224 
584 
(166) 
(58) 
(108) 
- 

(9) 

796 
1 
- 
- 
- 
46 
- 
843 

67 
13 
4 
265 
42 
2 
- 
161 
554 
280 
98 
182 
- 

134 

2 
9 
18 
354 
1 
2 
- 
386 

133 
26 
10 
- 
2 
1 
- 
204 
376 
144 
51 
93 
- 

189 
447 
12 
84 
13 
67 
- 
812 

409 
108 
159 
6 
16 
44 
- 
503 
1,245 
877 
309 
568 
- 

shareholders 
Average assets 
(a)  Includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $22 million. 
(b)  Electronic payment processing service revenues provided to the banking segments are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
(c)  Revenue sharing agreements between Investment Advisors and Branch Banking are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

($697) 
$47,849 

(108) 
23,039 

568 
46,178 

93 
5,496 

182 
968 

(2,312) 

-

(1,024)

(7) 
(2) 
- 
(6) 
1 
158 
(90) 
54 

367 
59 
102 
2 
131 
78 
- 
(452) 
287 
(2,545) 
(394) 
(2,151) 
67 

(2,218) 
(9,234) 

(66)(b)
-
-
(84)(c)
-
-
-
(150)

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(150)
(150)
-
-
-
-

-
-

912
641
444
353
199
363
34
2,946

1,337
278
300
274
191
130
965
1,089
4,564
(2,642)
(529)
(2,113)
67

(2,180)
114,296

   Fifth Third Bancorp    99 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2007 ($ in millions) 
Net interest income (a) 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net interest income after provision for loan and 

         Commercial 
            Banking 
$1,311 
127 

Branch 
Banking 
1,464 
162 

Consumer  
Lending 
404 
149 

Processing 
Solutions 
(6) 
11 

Investment
Advisors 
153 
12 

General 
Corporate 
(293) 
167 

Eliminations
-
-

        Total
3,033
628

1,184 

1,302 

(6) 
154 
341 
3 
- 
66 
- 
558 

174 
421 
13 
90 
7 
73 
- 
778 

255 

- 
- 
- 
- 
122 
69 
6 
197 

(17) 

700 
(1) 
3 
- 
- 
41 
- 
743 

141 

1 
7 
10 
386 
2 
1 
- 
407 

lease losses 

Noninterest income: 

Electronic payment processing  
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities gains (losses), net 

Total noninterest income 
Noninterest expense: 

Salaries, wages and incentives 
Employee benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Other noninterest expense 

220 
44 
15 
- 
4 
3 
514 
800 
942 
244 
698 
- 
$698 
$38,800 

379 
100 
136 
6 
14 
37 
450 
1,122 
958 
338 
620 
- 
620 
44,925 

48 
26 
8 
- 
2 
1 
167 
252 
200 
70 
130 
- 
130 
23,713 

62 
13 
4 
237 
31 
4 
123 
474 
252 
89 
163 
- 
163 
1,068 

140 
27 
10 
- 
2 
1 
215 
395 
153 
54 
99 
- 
99 
5,891 

Total noninterest expense 
Income before income taxes 
Applicable income tax expense (benefit) (a) 
Net income 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net income available to common shareholders 
Average assets 
(a)  Includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $24 million. 
(b)  Electronic payment processing service revenues provided to the banking segments are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
(c) Revenue sharing agreements between Investment Advisors and Branch Banking are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

(460) 

- 
(2) 
- 
(5) 
2 
(97) 
21 
(81) 

390 
68 
96 
1 
116 
77 
(345) 
403 
(944) 
(310) 
(634) 
1 
(635) 
(11,920) 

-

(43)(b)
-
-
(92)(c)
-
-
-
(135)

-
-
-
-
-
-
(135)
(135)
-
-
-
-
-
-

2,405

826
579
367
382
133
153
27
2,467

1,239
278
269
244
169
123
989
3,311
1,561
485
1,076
1
1,075
102,477

2006 ($ in millions) 
Net interest income (a) 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net interest income after provision for loan and 

     Commercial 
      Banking 

$1,318 
99 

Branch 
Banking 
1,300 
108 

Consumer 
Lending 
409 
94 

Processing 
Solutions 
(3) 
9 

Investment
Advisors 
138 
4 

General 
Corporate  Eliminations
-
-

(263) 
29 

         Total
2,899
343

lease losses 

Noninterest income: 

Electronic payment processing  
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities gains (losses), net 
Securities gains, net – non qualifying hedges 

on mortgage servicing rights 

Total noninterest income 
Noninterest expense: 

Salaries, wages and incentives 
Employee benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Payment processing expense 
Technology and communications 
Equipment expense 
Other noninterest expense 

Total noninterest expense 
Income before income taxes and cumulative 

effect 

1,219 

1,192 

(5) 
146 
292 
3 
- 
40 
- 

- 
476 

201 
44 
14 
- 
- 
2 
467 
728 

159 
365 
15 
87 
5 
80 
- 

- 
711 

355 
100 
121 
15 
13 
32 
398 
1,034 

315 

- 
- 
- 
- 
148 
76 
- 

3 
227 

57 
30 
7 
- 
2 
1 
167 
264 

(12) 

601 
(1) 
1 
- 
- 
35 
(1) 

- 
635 

57 
13 
3 
169 
32 
4 
130 
408 

134 

1 
7 
7 
367 
2 
2 
- 

- 
386 

143 
29 
10 
- 
2 
1 
196 
381 

967 
274 
693 

869 
306 
563 

278 
98 
180 

Applicable income tax expense (benefit) (a) 
Income before cumulative effect 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting   
    principle, net of tax 
Net income 
Dividends on preferred stock (d) 
Net income available to common shareholders 
Average assets 
(a)  Includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $26 million. 
(b)  Electronic payment processing service revenues provided to the banking segments are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
(c)  Revenue sharing agreements between Investment Advisors and Branch Banking are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
(d) Dividends on preferred stock were $.740 million. 

- 
693 
- 
$693 
$35,141 

- 
180 
- 
180 
22,137 

- 
563 
- 
563 
43,426 

- 
90 
- 
90 
5,463 

- 
139 
- 
139 
586 

215 
76 
139 

139 
49 
90 

100    Fifth Third Bancorp     

(292) 

(1) 
- 
3 
(3) 
- 
66 
(363) 

- 
(298) 

361 
76 
90 
- 
92 
76 
(470) 
225 

(815) 
(334) 
(481) 

4 
(477) 
- 
(477) 
(1,515) 

-

(38)(b)
-
-
(87)(c)
-
-
-

-
(125)

-
-
-
-
-
-
(125)
(125)

-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-

2,556

717
517
318
367
155
299
(364)

3
2,012

1,174
292
245
184
141
116
763
2,915

1,653
469
1,184

4
1,188
-
1,188
105,238

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 

Commission file number 001-33653 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
Incorporated in the State of Ohio 
I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 31-0854434  
Address: 38 Fountain Square Plaza  
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263  
Telephone: (513) 534-5300  

Securities registered  
pursuant to Section  
12(b) of the Act:    

Common Stock , Without  
Par Value  

8.5% Non-Cumulative Series G  
Convertible Perpetual Preferred  
Stock 

7.25% Trust Preferred Securities 
of Fifth Third Capital Trust V 

7.25% Trust Preferred Securities 
of Fifth Third Capital Trust VI 

8.875% Trust Preferred Securities 
of Fifth Third Capital Trust VII 

Name of exchange on 
on which registered: 

The NASDAQ Stock  
Market LLC  

The NASDAQ Stock 
Market LLC 

New York Stock Exchange 

New York Stock Exchange 

New York Stock Exchange 

Indicate  by  checkmark  if  the  registrant  is  a  well-known 
seasoned  issuer,  as  defined  in  Rule  405  of  the  Securities  Act.  
Yes: ⌧ No: (cid:133) 

Indicate  by  checkmark  if  the  registrant  is  not  required  to  file 
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   
Yes: (cid:133) No: ⌧ 

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  (1)  has  filed  all 
reports  required  to  be  filed  by  Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the 
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  during  the  preceding  12 
months  (or  for  such  shorter  period  that  the  registrant  was 
required  to  file  such  reports),  and  (2)  has  been  subject  to  such 
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes: ⌧ No: (cid:133) 

Indicate  by  check  mark  if  disclosure  of  delinquent  filers 
pursuant  to  Item  405  of  Regulation  S-K(§229.405  of  this 
chapter)  is  not  contained  herein,  and  will  not  be  contained,  to 
the  best  of  registrant’s  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or 
information  statements  incorporated  by  reference  in  Part  III  of 
this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ⌧ 

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  is  a  large 
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or 
a  smaller  reporting  company.    See  definitions  of  “large 
accelerated  filer,”  “accelerated  filer”  and  “smaller  reporting 
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

Large accelerated filer  ⌧  
Accelerated filer  (cid:133)  
Non-accelerated filer  (cid:133) (Do not check if a smaller reporting 
company) 
Smaller reporting company  (cid:133)  

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  is  a  shell 
company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes: (cid:133) No: ⌧ 

There  were  577,364,046  shares  of  the  Bancorp’s  Common 
Stock,  without  par  value,  outstanding  as  of  January  31,  2009.  
The Aggregate Market Value of the Voting Stock held by non-
affiliates  of  the  Bancorp  was  $5,093,484,456  as  of  June  30, 
2008.  

report 

incorporates 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  
This 
the 
into  a  single  document 
requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 
(SEC) with respect to annual reports on Form 10-K and annual 
reports to shareholders.  The Bancorp’s Proxy Statement for the 
2009  Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders  is  incorporated  by 
reference into Part III of this report. 

Only  those  sections  of  this  2008  Annual  Report  to 
Shareholders  that  are  specified  in  this  Cross  Reference  Index 
constitute part of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended 
December  31,  2008.    No  other  information  contained  in  this 
2008  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders  shall  be  deemed  to 
constitute  any  part  of  this  Form  10-K  nor  shall  any  such 
information  be  incorporated  into  the  Form  10-K  and  shall  not 
be deemed “filed” as part of the Registrant’s Form 10-K. 

15-16, 102-106 
28
30-34, 99-100 
25

24-26
38-39, 67-68
37, 68-69
41-48
39-40
14
40, 79
20-23
None
106-107
83-84
107
107

10-K Cross Reference Index 
PART I 
Item 1. 

Business 
Employees 
Segment Information 
Average Balance Sheets 
Analysis of Net Interest Income and Net Interest Income 
Changes 
Investment Securities Portfolio 
Loan and Lease Portfolio 
Risk Elements of Loan and Lease Portfolio 
Deposits 
Return on Equity and Assets 
Short-term Borrowings 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments 
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4. 

Properties 
Legal Proceedings  
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  
Executive Officers of the Bancorp 

PART II 
Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related 

Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities 
Selected Financial Data  

Item 6. 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 

Condition and Results of Operations  

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market 

Item 8. 
Item 9. 

Risk  
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data  
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on 
Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures  
Item 9B.  Other Information 
PART III   
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation  
Item 12. 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 
Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and 

Director Independence 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

Item 14. 
PART IV 
Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules  
SIGNATURES 

108
14

14-53

41-51
56-100

None
54
None

110
110

87-88, 110

110
110

110-113
114

Fifth Third Bancorp    101   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
The Bancorp files reports with the SEC. Those reports include 
the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-
Q, current event reports on Form 8-K and proxy statements, as 
well as any amendments to those reports. The public may read 
and  copy  any  materials  the  Bancorp  files  with  the  SEC  at  the 
SEC’s  Public  Reference  Room  at  450  Fifth  Street,  NW, 
Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on 
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC 
at  1-800-SEC-0330.  The  SEC  maintains  an  internet  site  that 
contains  reports,  proxy  and  information  statements  and  other 
information  regarding  issuers  that  file  electronically  with  the 
SEC at www.sec.gov. The Bancorp’s annual report on Form 10-
K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-
K,  proxy  statements,  and  amendments  to  those  reports  filed  or 
furnished  pursuant  to  section  13(a)  or  15(d)  of  the  Exchange 
Act  are  accessible  at  no  cost  on  the  Bancorp’s  web  site  at 
www.53.com  on  a  same  day  basis  after  they  are  electronically 
filed with or furnished to the SEC. 

PART I 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS 
General Information 
Fifth Third Bancorp, an Ohio corporation organized in 1975, is 
a  bank  holding  company  as  defined  by  the  Bank  Holding 
Company  Act  of  1956,  as  amended  (the  “BHCA),  and  is 
registered  as  such  with  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  Federal 
Reserve  System  (FRB).  The  Bancorp’s  principal  office  is 
located in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

The  Bancorp’s  subsidiaries  provide  a  wide  range  of 
financial  products  and  services  to  the  retail,  commercial, 
financial,  governmental,  educational  and  medical  sectors, 
including  a  wide  variety  of  checking,  savings  and  money 
market  accounts,  and  credit  products  such  as  credit  cards, 
installment  loans,  mortgage  loans  and  leases.  Each  of  the 
banking  subsidiaries  has  deposit  insurance  provided  by  the 
Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC)  through  the 
Deposit  Insurance  Fund.    Refer  to  Exhibit  21  filed  as  an 
attachment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a list of all 
the subsidiaries of the Bancorp. 

Additional information regarding the Bancorp’s businesses 
is  included  in  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  

Competition 
The  Bancorp  competes  for  deposits,  loans  and  other  banking 
services  in  its  principal  geographic  markets  as  well  as  in 
selected  national  markets  as  opportunities  arise.  In  addition  to 
the  challenge  of  attracting  and  retaining  customers  for 
traditional banking services, the Bancorp’s competitors include 
investment 
securities  dealers,  brokers,  mortgage  bankers, 
advisors  and  insurance  companies.  These  competitors,  with 
focused  products 
targeted  at  highly  profitable  customer 
segments,  compete  across  geographic  boundaries  and  provide 
customers  increasing  access  to  meaningful  alternatives  to 
banking  services  in  nearly  all  significant  products.  The 
increasingly  competitive  environment  is  a  result  primarily  of 
changes in regulation, changes in technology, product delivery 
systems  and  the  accelerating  pace  of  consolidation  among 
financial service providers. These competitive trends are likely 
to continue. 

Acquisitions 
The  Bancorp’s  strategy  for  growth  includes  strengthening  its 
presence  in  core  markets,  expanding  into  contiguous  markets 
and  broadening  its  product  offerings  while  taking  into  account 
the  integration  and  other  risks  of  growth.  The  Bancorp 

102    Fifth Third Bancorp 

evaluates  strategic  acquisition  opportunities  and  conducts  due 
diligence activities in connection with possible transactions. As 
a result, discussions, and in some cases, negotiations may take 
place  and  future  acquisitions  involving  cash,  debt  or  equity 
securities may occur. These typically involve the payment of a 
premium  over  book  value  and  current  market  price,  and 
therefore, some dilution of book value and net income per share 
may occur with any future transactions.  

Additional  information  regarding  acquisitions  is  included 
in the Regulation and Supervision section in addition to Note 2 
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Regulation and Supervision 
In  addition  to  the  generally  applicable  state  and  federal  laws 
governing  businesses  and  employers,  the  Bancorp  and  its 
subsidiary  banks  are  subject  to  extensive  regulation  by  federal 
and  state 
to  financial 
laws  and  regulations  applicable 
institutions and their parent companies. Virtually all aspects of 
the business of the Bancorp and its subsidiary banks are subject 
to  specific  requirements  or  restrictions  and  general  regulatory 
oversight. The principal objectives of state and federal banking 
laws  are  the  maintenance  of  the  safety  and  soundness  of 
financial  institutions  and  the  federal  deposit  insurance  system 
and the protection of consumers or classes of consumers, rather 
than  the  specific  protection  of  shareholders  of  a  bank  or  the 
parent company of a bank, such as the Bancorp. In addition, the 
supervision, regulation and examination of the Bancorp and its 
subsidiaries by the bank regulatory agencies is not intended for 
the  protection  of  the  Bancorp’s  security  holders.  To  the  extent 
the  following  material  describes  statutory  or  regulatory 
provisions,  it  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to  the 
particular statute or regulation.  

The Bancorp is subject to regulation and supervision by the 
FRB  and  the  Ohio  Division  of  Financial  Institutions  (the 
“Division). The Bancorp is required to file various reports with, 
and is subject to examination by, the FRB and the Division. The 
FRB  has  the  authority  to  issue  orders  to  bank  holding 
companies to cease and desist from unsound banking practices 
and  violations  of  conditions  imposed  by,  or  violations  of 
agreements  with,  the  FRB.  The  FRB  is  also  empowered  to 
assess  civil  money  penalties  against  companies  or  individuals 
who violate the Bank Holding Company Act (BHCA) or orders 
or  regulations  thereunder,  to  order  termination  of  non-banking 
activities  of  non-banking  subsidiaries  of  bank  holding 
companies,  and  to  order  termination  of  ownership  and  control 
of a non-banking subsidiary by a bank holding company.  

The  BHCA  requires  the  prior  approval  of  the  FRB,  for  a 
bank holding company to acquire substantially all the assets of 
a  bank  or  acquiring  direct  or  indirect  ownership  or  control  of 
more  than  5%  of  any  class  of  the  voting  shares  of  any  bank, 
bank holding company or savings association, or increasing any 
such  non-majority  ownership  or  control  of  any  bank,  bank 
holding  company  or  savings  association,  or  merging  or 
consolidating with any bank holding company. 

The  Riegle-Neal 

Interstate  Banking  and  Branching 
Efficiency  Act  of  1994  generally  authorizes  bank  holding 
companies  to  acquire  banks  located  in  any  state,  subject  to 
certain state-imposed age and deposit concentration limits, and 
also  generally  authorizes  interstate  bank  holding  company  and 
bank mergers and to a lesser extent, interstate branching. 

The  Gramm-Leach-Bliley  Act  of  1999  (GLBA)  permits  a 
qualifying bank holding company to become a financial holding 
company (FHC) and thereby to engage directly or indirectly in 
a broader range of activities than had previously been permitted 
for  a  bank  holding  company  under  the  BHCA.  Permitted 
activities include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance 

 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

underwriting  and  brokerage,  merchant  banking  and  other 
activities that are declared by the FRB, in cooperation with the 
Treasury  Department,  to  be  “financial  in  nature  or  incidental 
thereto”  or  are  declared  by  the  FRB  unilaterally  to  be 
“complementary”  to  financial  activities.  In  addition,  a  FHC  is 
allowed  to  conduct  permissible  new  financial  activities  or 
acquire  permissible  non-bank  financial  companies  with  after-
the-fact notice to the FRB. A bank holding company may elect 
to  become  a  FHC  if  each  of  its  subsidiary  banks  is  “well 
capitalized,” is “well managed” and has at least a “Satisfactory” 
rating under the Federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). 
In 2000, the Bancorp elected and qualified for FHC status under 
the GLBA.   

Unless  a  bank  holding  company  becomes  a  FHC  under 
GLBA, the BHCA also prohibits a bank holding company from 
acquiring a direct or indirect interest in or control of more than 
5% of any class of the voting shares of a company that is not a 
bank or a bank holding company and from engaging directly or 
indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or 
controlling banks or furnishing services to its subsidiary banks, 
except that it may engage in and may own shares of companies 
engaged  in  certain  activities  the  FRB  has  determined  to  be  so 
closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as 
to be proper incident thereto. 

The FRB has authority to prohibit bank holding companies 
from  paying  dividends  if  such  payment  is  deemed  to  be  an 
unsafe  or  unsound  practice.    The  FRB  has  indicated  generally 
that  it  may  be  an  unsafe  or  unsound  practice  for  bank  holding 
companies  to  pay  dividends  unless  a  bank  holding  company’s 
net income is sufficient to fund the dividends and the expected 
rate  of  earnings  retention  is  consistent  with  the  organization’s 
capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.  The 
Bancorp  depends  in  part  upon  dividends  received  from  its 
subsidiary banks to fund its activities, including the payment of 
dividends.  Each of the subsidiary banks is subject to regulatory 
limitations on the amount of dividends it may declare and pay. 

Under FRB policy, a bank holding company is expected to 
act as a  source  of financial and  managerial strength to each  of 
its  subsidiary  banks  and  to  commit  resources  to  their  support.  
This  support  may  be  required  at  times  when  the  bank  holding 
company  may  not  have  the  resources  to  provide  it.    Similarly, 
under  the  cross-guarantee  provisions  of  the  Federal  Deposit 
Insurance  Act  (FDIA),  the  FDIC  can  hold  any  FDIC-insured 
depository institution liable for any loss suffered or anticipated 
by  the  FDIC  in  connection  with  (1)  the  “default”  of  a 
commonly  controlled  FDIC-insured  depository  institution;  or 
(2)  any  assistance  provided  by  the  FDIC  to  a  commonly 
controlled  FDIC-insured  depository  institution  “in  danger  of 
default.” 

The  Bancorp  owns  two  state  banks,  Fifth  Third  Bank  and 
Fifth Third Bank (Michigan), chartered under the laws of Ohio 
and  Michigan,  respectively.  These  banks  are  subject  to 
extensive  state  regulation  and  examination  by  the  appropriate 
state banking agency in the particular state or states where each 
state  bank  is  chartered,  by  the  FRB,  and  by  the  FDIC,  which 
insures the deposits of each of the state banks to the maximum 
extent  permitted  by  law.  The  federal  and  state  laws  and 
regulations  that  are  applicable  to  banks  regulate,  among  other 
matters,  the  scope  of  their  business,  their  investments,  their 
reserves  against  deposits,  the  timing  of  the  availability  of 
deposited  funds,  the  amount  of  loans  to  individual  and  related 
borrowers  and  the  nature,  amount  of  and  collateral  for  certain 
loans, and the amount of interest that may be charged on loans. 
Various  state  consumer  laws  and  regulations  also  affect  the 
operations of the state banks.  

The Bancorp’s national subsidiary bank, Fifth Third Bank, N.A. 
is subject to regulation and examination primarily by the Office 
of  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  (OCC)  and  secondarily  by 
the  FRB  and  the  FDIC,  which  insures  the  deposits  to  the 
maximum  extent  permitted  by  law.  The  federal  laws  and 
regulations  that  are  applicable  to  national  banks  regulate, 
among  other  matters,  the  scope  of  their  business,  their 
investments,  their  reserves  against  deposits,  the  timing  of  the 
availability  of  deposited  funds,  the  amount  of  loans  to 
individual and related borrowers and the nature, amount of and 
collateral for certain loans, and the amount of interest that may 
be charged on loans. 

in  establishing 

in  adjusting  deposit 

In  2006,  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Reform  Act  of 
2005  was  signed  into  law  (FDIRA).    Pursuant  to  the  FDIRA, 
the  Bank  Insurance  Fund  and  Savings  Association  Fund  were 
merged  to  create  the  Deposit  Insurance  Fund.    The  FDIC  was 
insurance 
granted  broader  authority 
the 
premium  rates  and  more  flexibility 
designated reserve ratio.  FDIRA provided assessment credits to 
insured depository institutions that could be used to offset 100% 
of insurance premiums in 2007 and 90% of premiums in 2008-
2010  or  until  they  are  fully  exhausted.    Insured  depository 
institutions  are  placed  into  one  of  four  risk  categories  under 
FDIRA,  with  the  vast  majority  qualifying  for  Risk  Category I.  
Risk Category I institutions insurance premiums are based upon 
CAMELS  ratings,  long-term  debt  issuer  ratings  (if  applicable) 
and  various  financial  ratios  derived  from  the  Consolidated 
Report  of  Condition  and  Income  (Call  Report).    In  2008,  the 
FDIC set the Deposit Insurance Fund’s designated reserve ratio 
at  1.25%.  Due  to  recent  bank  failures,  on  December  16,  2008, 
the  FDIC  adopted  a  final  rule  increasing  its  risk  based  deposit 
insurance assessment scale uniformly by seven (7) basis points 
for the first quarter of 2009.  The assessment scale for the first 
quarter  of  2009  for  Risk  Category  I  will  range  from  12  to  14 
basis points.  The FDIC has proposed to make, beginning in the 
second quarter of 2009, further risk based changes to its deposit 
insurance  assessment  system.  The  Bancorp  fully  exhausted  its 
assessment credits in the second quarter of 2008. 

Federal law, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve 
Act,  restricts  transactions  between  a  bank  and  an  affiliated 
company,  including  a  parent  bank  holding  company.  The 
subsidiary  banks  are  subject  to  certain  restrictions  on  loans  to 
affiliated  companies,  on  investments  in  the  stock  or  securities 
thereof, on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for 
loans  to  any  borrower,  and  on  the  issuance  of  a  guarantee  or 
letter  of  credit  on  their  behalf.  Among  other  things,  these 
restrictions  limit  the  amount  of  such  transactions,  require 
collateral  in  prescribed  amounts  for  extensions  of  credit, 
prohibit the purchase of low quality assets and require that the 
terms  of  such  transactions  be  substantially  equivalent  to  terms 
of  similar  transactions  with  non-affiliates.  One  result  of  these 
restrictions  is  a  limitation  on  the  subsidiary  banks  to  fund  the 
Bancorp.  Generally,  each  subsidiary  bank  is  limited  in  its 
extensions  of  credit  to  any  affiliate  to  10%  of  the  subsidiary 
bank’s capital and its extension of credit to all affiliates to 20% 
of the subsidiary bank’s capital.  

The CRA generally requires insured depository institutions 
to  identify  the  communities  they  serve  and  to  make  loans  and 
investments  and  provide  services  that  meet  the  credit  needs  of 
these communities.  Furthermore, the CRA requires the FRB to 
evaluate  the  performance  of  each  of  the  subsidiary  banks  in 
helping to meet the credit needs of their communities. As a part 
of  the  CRA  program,  the  subsidiary  banks  are  subject  to 
the  FRB,  and  must  maintain 
periodic  examinations  by 
comprehensive records of their CRA activities for this purpose.  

Fifth Third Bancorp    103 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

During  these  examinations,  the  FRB  rates  such  institutions’ 
compliance with CRA as “Outstanding,” “Satisfactory,” “Needs 
to  Improve"  or  "Substantial  Noncompliance.”    Failure  of  an 
institution  to  receive  at  least  a  “Satisfactory”  rating  could 
inhibit such institution or its holding company from undertaking 
certain activities, including engaging in activities permitted as a 
financial holding company under the GLBA and acquisitions of 
other  financial  institutions,  or,  as  discussed  above,  require 
divestitures.  The  FRB  must  take  into  account  the  record  of 
performance of banks in  meeting the credit needs of the entire 
community  served, 
low-  and  moderate-income 
neighborhoods. Fifth Third Bank, Fifth Third Bank (Michigan) 
and  Fifth  Third  Bank,  N.A.  all  received  a  “Satisfactory”  CRA 
rating. Because the Bancorp is an FHC, with limited exceptions, 
the Bancorp may not commence any new financial activities or 
acquire control of any companies engaged in financial activities 
in reliance on the GLBA if any of the subsidiary banks receives 
a CRA rating of less than “Satisfactory.”  

including 

The  FRB  has  established  capital  guidelines  for  financial 
holding  companies.    The  FRB  and  the  OCC  have  also  issued 
regulations establishing capital requirements for banks.  Failure 
to  meet capital  requirements could subject the Bancorp and its 
subsidiary  banks  to  a  variety  of  restrictions  and  enforcement 
actions.    In  addition,  as  discussed  previously,  each  of  the 
Bancorp’s subsidiary banks must remain well capitalized for the 
Bancorp to retain its status as a financial holding company. 
The  minimum  risk-based  capital  requirements  adopted  by  the 
federal banking agencies follow the Capital Accord of the Basel 
Committee  on  Banking  Supervision.  In  2004,  the  Basel 
Committee  published  its  new  capital  guidelines  (Basel  II) 
governing  the  capital  adequacy  of  large,  internationally  active 
banking  organizations  (core”  banking  organizations  with  at 
least $250 billion in total assets or at least $10 billion in foreign 
exposure). The final rule to implement the advanced approaches 
of Basel II for core banking organizations became effective on 
April  1,  2008.    Under  Basel  II,  after  a  transition  period,  core 
banking organizations are required to enhance the measurement 
and  management  of  their  risks,  including  credit  risk  and 
operational  risk,  through  the  use  of  advanced  approaches  for 
calculating risk-based capital requirements.  Other U.S. banking 
organizations may elect to adopt the requirements of this rule (if 
they  meet  applicable  qualification  requirements),  but  they  are 
not required to apply them.   

rule 

In  July  2008,  the  federal  banking  agencies  issued  a 
proposed 
that  would  give  all  non-core  banking 
organizations,  which  are  not  required  to  adopt  Basel  II’s 
advance approaches, such as Bancorp, with the option to adopt 
a new risk-based framework.  This framework would adopt the 
standardized  approach  of  Basel  II  for  credit  risk,  the  basic 
indicator  approach  of  Basel  II  for  operational  risk,  and  related 
disclosure  requirements.  The  proposed  rule,  if  adopted,  will 
replace  the  earlier  proposal  to  adopt  the  so-called  Basel  IA 
option.  Until  such  time  as  the  new  rules  for  non-core  banking 
organizations are adopted, Bancorp is unable to predict whether 
it will adopt a standardized approach under Basel II. 

The  FRB,  FDIC  and  other  bank  regulatory  agencies  have 
adopted  final  guidelines  (the  “Guidelines)  for  safeguarding 
confidential,  personal  customer  information.  The  Guidelines 
require  each  financial  institution,  under  the  supervision  and 
ongoing  oversight  of  its  Board  of  Directors  or  an  appropriate 
committee  thereof,  to  create,  implement  and  maintain  a 
comprehensive  written  information  security  program  designed 
to  ensure 
the  security  and  confidentiality  of  customer 
information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to 
the security or integrity of such information and protect against 

104    Fifth Third Bancorp     

unauthorized  access  to  or  use  of  such  information  that  could 
result  in  substantial  harm  or  inconvenience  to  any  customer. 
The  Bancorp  has  adopted  a  customer  information  security 
program  that  has  been  approved  by  the  Bancorp’s  Board  of 
Directors (the “Board).  

the  statute  requires  explanations 

The  GLBA  requires  financial  institutions  to  implement 
policies  and  procedures  regarding  the  disclosure  of  nonpublic 
personal  information  about  consumers  to  non-affiliated  third 
to 
parties.  In  general, 
consumers  on  policies and procedures regarding the disclosure 
of  such  nonpublic  personal  information,  and,  except  as 
otherwise 
such 
information except as provided in the subsidiary banks policies 
and  procedures.  The  subsidiary  banks  have  implemented  a 
privacy policy effective since the GLBA became law, pursuant 
to which all of its existing and new customers are notified of the 
privacy policies.  

law,  prohibits  disclosing 

required  by 

The  Uniting  and  Strengthening  America  by  Providing 
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism 
Act  of  2001  (the  “Patriot  Act),  designed  to  deny  terrorists  and 
others the ability to obtain access to the United States financial 
system,  has  significant  implications  for  depository  institutions, 
brokers, dealers and other businesses involved in the transfer of 
money.  The  Patriot  Act,  as  implemented  by  various  federal 
regulatory agencies, requires financial institutions, including the 
Bancorp  and  its  subsidiaries,  to  implement  new  policies  and 
procedures  or  amend  existing  policies  and  procedures  with 
laundering, 
to,  among  other  matters,  anti-money 
respect 
compliance,  suspicious  activity  and  currency 
transaction 
reporting and due diligence on customers. The Patriot Act and 
its  underlying  regulations  also  permit  information  sharing  for 
counter-terrorist  purposes  between  federal  law  enforcement 
agencies  and  financial  institutions,  as  well  as  among  financial 
institutions,  subject  to  certain  conditions,  and  require  the  FRB 
(and  other 
the 
effectiveness  of  an  applicant  in  combating  money  laundering 
activities when considering applications filed under Section 3 of 
the  BHCA  or  the  Bank  Merger  Act.  The  Bancorp’s  Board  has 
approved  policies  and  procedures  that  are  believed  to  be 
compliant with the Patriot Act.  

federal  banking  agencies) 

to  evaluate 

Certain mutual fund and unit investment trust custody and 
administrative  clients  are  regulated  as  “investment  companies” 
as  that  term  is  defined  under  the  Investment  Company  Act  of 
1940,  as  amended  (the  “ICA),  and  are  subject  to  various 
examination and reporting requirements.  The provisions of the 
ICA  and  the  regulations  promulgated  thereunder  prescribe  the 
type  of  institution  that  may  act  as  a  custodian  of  investment 
company  assets,  as  well  as  the  manner  in  which  a  custodian 
administers  the  assets  in  its  custody.  As  a  custodian  for  a 
number  of  investment  company  clients,  these  regulations 
require,  among  other  things,  that  certain  minimum  aggregate 
capital,  surplus  and  undivided  profit  levels  are  maintained  by 
the  subsidiary  banks.  Additionally,  arrangements  with  clearing 
agencies  or  other  securities  depositories  must  meet  ICA 
requirements  for  segregation  of  assets,  identification  of  assets 
and client approval. Future legislative and regulatory changes in 
laws  and  regulations  governing  custody  of 
the  existing 
investment  company  assets,  particularly  with  respect 
to 
custodian  qualifications,  may  have  a  material  and  adverse 
impact  on  the  Bancorp.  Currently,  management  believes  the 
Bancorp  is  in  compliance  with  all  minimum  capital  and 
securities  depository  requirements.  Further,  the  Bancorp  is  not 
aware  of  any  proposed  or  pending  regulatory  developments, 
which,  if  approved,  would  adversely  affect  its  ability  to  act  as 
custodian to an investment company.  

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

Investment companies are also subject to extensive record 
keeping and reporting requirements. These requirements dictate 
the  type,  volume  and  duration  of  the  record  keeping  the 
Bancorp  undertakes,  either  in  the  role  as  custodian  for  an 
investment company or as a provider of administrative services 
to  an  investment  company.  Further,  specific  ICA  guidelines 
must  be  followed  when  calculating  the  net  asset  value  of  a 
client  mutual  fund.  Consequently,  changes  in  the  statutes  or 
regulations governing recordkeeping and reporting or valuation 
calculations  will  affect  the  manner  in  which  operations  are 
conducted.   

New  legislation  or  regulatory  requirements  could  have  a 
significant  impact  on  the  information  reporting  requirements 
applicable to the Bancorp and  may in the short term adversely 
affect  the  Bancorp’s  ability  to  service  clients  at  a  reasonable 
cost. Any failure to provide such support could cause the loss of 
customers  and  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  financial 
results. Additionally, legislation or regulations may be proposed 
or  enacted  to  regulate  the  Bancorp  in  a  manner  that  may 
adversely affect financial results.  Furthermore, the mutual fund 
industry  may  be  significantly  affected  by  new  laws  and 
regulations.  

The  GLBA  amended  the  federal  securities  laws  to 
eliminate  the  blanket  exceptions  that  banks  traditionally  have 
had  from  the  definition  of  “broker”  and  “dealer.”  The  GLBA 
also  required  that  there  be  certain  transactional  activities  that 
would  not  be  “brokerage”  activities,  which  banks  could  effect 
without having to register as  a broker. In September 2007, the 
FRB and SEC approved Regulation R to govern bank securities 
activities. 
  Various  exemptions  permit  banks  to  conduct 
activities  that  would  otherwise  constitute  brokerage  activities 
under the securities laws. Those exemptions include conducting 
brokerage  activities  related  to  trust,  fiduciary  and  similar 
services,  certain  services  and  also  conducting  a  de  minimis 
number  of  riskless  principal  transactions,  certain  asset-backed 
transactions  and  certain  securities  lending  transactions.  The 
Bancorp only conducts non-exempt brokerage activities through 
its affiliated registered broker-dealer. 

to 

(ii)  auditor 

responsibility  measures, 

The  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002,  (Sarbanes-Oxley) 
implements  a  broad  range  of  corporate  governance  and 
accounting measures for public companies (including publicly-
held bank holding companies such as the Bancorp) designed to 
promote  honesty  and  transparency  in  corporate  America.  
Sarbanes-Oxley’s  principal  provisions,  many  of  which  have 
been  interpreted  through  regulations,  provide  for  and  include, 
among  other  things:  (i)  the  creation  of  an  independent 
accounting  oversight  board; 
independence 
provisions that restrict non-audit services that accountants may 
their  audit  clients;  (iii)  additional  corporate 
provide 
the 
governance  and 
requirement that the chief executive officer and chief financial 
officer of a public company certify financial statements; (iv) the 
forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and 
profits  from  the  sale  of  an  issuer’s  securities  by  directors  and 
senior  officers  in  the  twelve  month  period  following  initial 
publication  of  any  financial  statements  that  later  require 
the  oversight  of,  and 
restatement;  (v)  an 
enhancement  of  certain 
to,  audit 
committees of public companies and how they interact with the 
Bancorp’s  independent  auditors;  (vi)  requirements  that  audit 
committee  members  must  be  independent  and  are  barred  from 
accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from 
the issuer; (vii) requirements that companies disclose whether at 
least one member of the audit committee is a ‘financial expert’ 
(as such term is defined by the SEC) and if not discussed, why 

in 
requirements 

including 

increase 

relating 

the  audit  committee  does  not  have  a  financial  expert;  (viii) 
expanded  disclosure  requirements  for  corporate 
insiders, 
including accelerated reporting of stock transactions by insiders 
and  a  prohibition  on  insider  trading  during  pension  blackout 
periods;  (ix)  a  prohibition  on  personal  loans  to  directors  and 
officers,  except  certain  loans  made  by  insured  financial 
institutions  on  nonpreferential  terms  and  in  compliance  with 
other bank regulatory requirements; (x) disclosure of a code of 
ethics  and  filing  a  Form  8-K  for  a  change  or  waiver  of  such 
code; 
the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the 
Bancorp’s  Independent  Registered  Public  Accounting  Firm 
attest to the assessment; and (xii) a range of enhanced penalties 
for fraud and other violations.  

that  management  assess 

requirements 

(xi) 

Additional  information  regarding  regulatory  matters  is 
included  in  Note  26  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.  

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008  
On  October  3,  2008,  in  response  to  the  recent  stresses 
experienced in the financial markets, the Emergency Economic 
Stabilization  Act  (EESA)  was  enacted.  EESA  authorizes  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  purchase  up  to  $700  billion  in 
troubled  assets  from  financial  institutions  under  the  Troubled 
Asset  Relief  Program  or  TARP.  Troubled  assets  include 
residential  or  commercial  mortgages  and  related  instruments 
originated  prior  to  March 14,  2008  and  any  other  financial 
instrument that the Secretary determines, after consultation with 
the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System, the purchase of which is necessary to promote financial 
stability. 

Capital Purchase Program 
Pursuant to its authority under EESA, the Treasury Department 
created  the  TARP  Capital  Purchase  Program  (CPP)  under 
which the Treasury Department will invest up to $250 billion in 
senior preferred stock of U.S. banks and savings associations or 
their  holding  companies.  Qualifying  financial  institutions  may 
issue senior preferred stock with a value equal to not less than 
1% of risk-weighted assets and not more than the lesser of $25 
billion or 3% of risk-weighted assets. The senior preferred stock 
will  pay  dividends  at  the  rate  of  5% per  annum  until  the  fifth 
anniversary  of  the  investment  and  thereafter  at  the  rate  of 
9% per annum. The senior preferred stock may not be redeemed 
for  three  years  except  with  the  proceeds  from  an  offering  of 
common stock or preferred stock qualifying as Tier 1 capital in 
an  amount  equal  to  not  less  than  25%  of  the  amount  of  the 
senior preferred. After three years, the senior preferred may be 
redeemed  at  any  time  in  whole  or  in  part  by  the  financial 
institution. No dividends may be paid on common stock unless 
dividends  have  been  paid  on  the  senior  preferred  stock.  Until 
the third anniversary of the issuance of the senior preferred, the 
consent of the U.S. Treasury will be required for any increase in 
the dividends on the common stock or for any stock repurchases 
unless the senior preferred has been redeemed in its entirety or 
the Treasury has transferred the senior preferred to third parties. 
The  senior  preferred  will  not  have  voting  rights  other  than  the 
right  to  vote  as  a  class  on  the  issuance  of  any  preferred  stock 
ranking senior, any change in its terms or any merger, exchange 
or similar transaction that would adversely affect its rights. The 
senior preferred will also have the right to elect two directors if 
dividends  have  not  been  paid  for  six  periods.  The  senior 
preferred  will  be 
transferable  and  participating 
institutions will be required to file a shelf registration statement 
covering the senior preferred. The issuing institution must grant 
the Treasury piggyback registration rights. Prior to issuance, the 

freely 

Fifth Third Bancorp    105 

 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

financial  institution  and  its  senior  executive  officers  must 
modify  or  terminate  all  benefit  plans  and  arrangements  to 
comply  with  EESA.  Senior  executives  must  also  waive  any 
claims against the Department of Treasury.  

In  connection  with  the  issuance  of  the  senior  preferred, 
participating  institutions  must  issue  to  Treasury  immediately 
exercisable 10-year warrants to purchase common stock with an 
aggregate  market  price  equal  to  15%  of  the  amount  of  senior 
preferred.  The  exercise  price  of  the  warrants  will  equal  the 
average  closing  price  of  the  common  stock  for  the  20  trading 
days prior to the date of the Treasury’s approval. Treasury may 
only  exercise  or  transfer  one-half  of  the  warrants  prior  to  the 
earlier  of  December 31,  2009  or  the  date  the  issuing  financial 
institution  has  received  proceeds  equal  to  the  senior  preferred 
investment from one or more offerings of common or preferred 
stock  qualifying  as  Tier  1  capital.  Treasury  will  not  exercise 
voting  rights  with  respect  to  any  shares  of  common  stock 
acquired  through  exercise  of  the  warrants.  The  financial 
institution  must  file  a  shelf  registration  statement  covering  the 
warrants  and  underlying  common  stock  as  soon  as  practicable 
after  issuance  and  grant  piggyback  registration  rights.  The 
number of warrants will be reduced by one-half if the financial 
institution  raises  capital  equal  to  the  amount  of  the  senior 
preferred  through  one  or  more  offerings  of  common  stock  or 
preferred  stock  qualifying  as  Tier  1  capital.  If  the  financial 
institution  does  not  have  sufficient  authorized  shares  of 
common stock available to satisfy the warrants or their issuance 
financial 
otherwise 
institution must call a meeting of shareholders for that purpose 
as soon as practicable after the date of investment. The exercise 
price  of  the  warrants  will  be  reduced  by  15%  for  each  six 
months  that  lapse  before  shareholder  approval  subject  to  a 
maximum reduction of 45%.  

shareholder  approval, 

requires 

the 

therein, 

reference 

incorporated  by 

On  December 31,  2008,  Bancorp  entered  into  a  Letter 
Agreement  (including  the  Securities  Purchase  Agreement—
Standard  Terms 
the 
“Purchase  Agreement)  with  Treasury  pursuant  to  which  the 
Company issued and sold to Treasury for an aggregate purchase 
price  of  approximately  $3.4  billion  in  cash:  (i) 136,320  shares 
of  the  Company’s  Fixed  Rate  Cumulative  Perpetual  Preferred 
Stock, Series F, having a liquidation preference of $25,000 per 
share (the “Series F Preferred Stock), and (ii) a ten-year warrant 
to purchase up to 43,617,747 shares of the Company’s common 
stock,  no  par  value  per  share,  at  an  initial  exercise  price  of 
$11.72 per share.   

In the Purchase Agreement, the Bancorp agreed that, until 
such  time  as  Treasury  ceases  to  own  any  debt  or  equity 
securities  of  the  Bancorp  acquired  pursuant  to  the  Purchase 
Agreement, the Bancorp will take all necessary action to ensure 
that its benefit plans with respect to its senior executive officers 
comply  with  Section 111(b)  of  EESA  as  implemented  by  any 
guidance or regulation under the EESA that has been issued and 
is in effect as of the date of issuance of the Series F Preferred 
Stock and the Warrant, and has agreed to not adopt any benefit 
plans  with  respect  to,  or  which  covers,  its  senior  executive 
officers that do not comply with the EESA.  

Importantly,  the  CPP  may  be  unilaterally  amended  by  the 
Treasury.  There  have  also  been 
that  new 
obligations,  such  as  a  requirement  to  establish  a  foreclosure 
relief  program  and/or  increase  lending  levels,  may  be  imposed 
on CPP participants. Accordingly, the Company may be subject 
to  further  restrictions  or  obligations  as  a  result  of 
its 
participation in the CPP.  

indications 

106    Fifth Third Bancorp 

the  TLGP  was 

TLG Program 
Pursuant to EESA, on November 21, 2008, the FDIC adopted a 
final  rule  relating  to  the  Temporary  Liquidity  Guaranty 
Program  (TLGP).  Included  within 
the 
Transaction  Account  Guarantee  Program  in  which  the  FDIC 
will  provide  full  FDIC  deposit  insurance  coverage  for  all  non-
interest-bearing  transaction  accounts  through  December  31, 
2009.    Coverage  under  the  Transaction  Account  Guarantee 
Program  was  available  for  the  first  30  days  without  charge. 
Thereafter, the fee assessment for deposit insurance coverage is 
assessed  on  a  quarterly  basis  at  an  annualized  10  basis  points 
per  quarter  on  amounts 
in  covered  accounts  exceeding 
$250,000.  Pursuant  to  the  Financial  Stability  Plan,  discussed 
below,  the  TLG  Program  was  extended  to  October  31,  2009.   
On  December  5,  2008,  the  Company  elected  to  participate  in 
the Transaction Account Guarantee Program.  

Recent Developments 
On  February  10,  2009,  the  banking  agencies  issued  a  joint 
statement  announcing  the  framework  for  a  new  Financial 
Stability Plan (FSP).  The core plan elements of the FSP, which 
is intended to replace the TARP, include the Financial Stability 
Trust  Program  (FSTP),  the  Public-Private  Investment  Fund 
(PPIF)  and  the  Consumer  and  Business  Lending  Initiative 
(CBLI).   

Under  the  FSTP,  financial  institutions  that  desire  to  seek 
capital  support  from  Treasury  must  pass  a  comprehensive 
“stress test” to determine whether they have sufficient capital to 
continue  lending  and  absorb  potential  losses  that  could  result 
from a more severe decline in the economy than projected.  The 
FSTP  also  includes  a  new  Capital  Assistance  Program  (CAP) 
designed to serve as a “capital buffer” to help absorb losses and 
serve  as  a  bridge  to  receiving  private  capital.    The  CAP 
investments  are  separate  from  and  in  addition  to  any  capital  a 
banking organization may have received under the CPP.   

The PPIF is a fund that will combine a mix of government 
and  private  capital  with  financing  supported  by  the  Federal 
Reserve  and  the  FDIC  to  acquire  real  estate  related  “legacy” 
assets.  The PPIF is designed to enable the selling institutions to 
“cleanse”  their  balance  sheets.    Prices  of  the  assets  will  be  set 
the  selling 
by  negotiations  between  private  buyers  and 
institutions.  

The  CBLI  will  dramatically  increase  the  size  of  the  Term 
Asset-Backed  Securities  Lending  Facility  (TALF)  program 
previously  announced  but  not  yet  put  in  operation  by  the 
Federal  Reserve.  Under  the  TALF  as  previously  proposed, 
Treasury  and  the  Federal  Reserve  would  provide  up  to  $200 
million of secured, non-recourse financing to holders of certain 
asst-back securities, with Treasury seeding the facility with $20 
billion of TARP funding and the Federal Reserve providing the 
remaining  $180  billion.    Under  the  CBLI,  Treasury  and  the 
Federal  Reserve  have  agreed  to  increase  the  size  of  the  TALF 
from  $200  billion  to  as  much  as  $1  trillion  and  to  expand  the 
eligible asset classes.   

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES 
The  Bancorp’s  executive  offices  and  the  main  office  of  Fifth 
Third Bank are located on Fountain Square Plaza in downtown 
Cincinnati,  Ohio  in  a  32-story  office  tower,  a  five-story  office 
building  with  an  attached  parking  garage  and  a  separate  ten-
story  office  building  known  as  the  Fifth  Third  Center,  the 
William  S.  Rowe  Building  and  the  530  Building,  respectively. 
The Bancorp’s main operations center is located in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in a three-story building with an attached parking garage 
known as the Madisonville Operations Center.  A subsidiary of 
the Bancorp owns 100 percent of these buildings.  

 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

At  December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp,  through  its  banking 
and  non-banking  subsidiaries,  operated  1,307  banking  centers, 
of which 895 were owned, 278 were leased and 134 for which 
the  buildings  are  owned  but  the  land  is  leased.    The  banking 
centers  are  located  in  the  states  of  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana, 
Michigan,  Illinois,  Florida,  Tennessee,  North  Carolina,  West 
Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  Missouri,  and  Georgia.  The  Bancorp’s 
significant  owned  properties  are  owned  free  from  mortgages 
and major encumbrances.  

ITEM  4.  SUBMISSION  OF  MATTERS  TO  A  VOTE  BY 
SECURITY HOLDERS 
On December 29, 2008, the Bancorp held a Special Meeting of 
Shareholders for which the Board of Directors solicited proxies.  
At the Special Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders voted 
on the following proposals stated in the Proxy Statement dated 
December 8, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein. 

The  proposals  voted  on  and  approved  or  rejected  by  the 
shareholders  at  the  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders  were  as 
follows: 

1.  Approval  of  the  proposal  to  amend  the  Articles  of 
Incorporation  to  revise  the  express  terms  of  the 
authorized  unissued  shares  of  preferred  stock  to  allow 
for  limited  voting  rights  for  a  new  series  of  preferred 
stock  and  proposed  amendments  to  the  Code  of 
Regulations  to  revise  the  express  terms  related  to  the 
removal of directors and the filling of director vacancies 
by  a  vote  from  common  shareholders  of  412,727,093 
for, 7,558,843 against,  and  2,008,371 abstain and from 
Series G preferred shareholders of 32,593 for, 2 against, 
and 1,324 abstain.   

2.  Approval  of  the  proposal  to  amend  the  Articles  of 
Incorporation  to  revise  the  express  terms  of  the  issued 
and  outstanding  shares  of  Series  G  preferred  stock  to 
provide  those  shares  with  similar  voting  rights  as 
proposed  under  Proposal  1  by  a  vote  from  common 
shareholders  of  410,076,326  for,  10,144,168  against, 
and  2,073,813  abstain  and  from  Series  G  preferred 
shareholders of 32,593 for, 2 against, and 1,324 abstain.   
3.  Rejection  of  the  proposal  to  provide  Fifth  Third 
Bancorp  with  the  ability  to  assign  voting  rights  and 
other  terms  to  unissued  or  treasury  shares  of  preferred 
stock  by  a  vote  from  common  shareholders  of 
349,954,861  for,  70,246,781  against,  and  2,092,663 
abstain  and  from  Series  G  preferred  shareholders  of 
31,846 for, 749 against, and 1,324 abstain.    

4.  Approval  of  the  proposal  to  approve  a  mechanism  to 
adjourn  the  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders  to  solicit 
additional  shares  for  the  passage  of  the  foregoing 
propositions  if  necessary  by  a  vote  from  common 
shareholders  of  383,040,122  for,  35,458,722  against, 
and  3,794,712  abstain  and  from  Series  G  preferred 
shareholders  of  31,920  for,  236  against,  and  1,762 
abstain.    

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE BANCORP 
Officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors at the 
meeting  of  Directors 
the  Annual 
Meeting of Shareholders.  The names, ages and positions of the 
Executive Officers of the Bancorp as of February 27, 2009 are 
listed  below  along  with  their  business  experience  during  the 
past 5 years:  

immediately  following 

Kevin T. Kabat, 52. Chairman, President and Chief Executive 
Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  June  2008,  June  2006  and  April 

2007,  respectively.  Previously,  Mr.  Kabat  was  Executive  Vice 
President of the Bancorp since December 2003. Prior to that he 
was  President  and  CEO  of  Fifth  Third  Bank  (Michigan)  since 
April 2001. 

Greg  D.  Carmichael,  47.  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief 
Operating Officer of the Bancorp since June 2006.  Prior to that 
he  was  the  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Information 
Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  June  2003.  Previously,  Mr. 
Carmichael  was  the  Chief  Information  Officer  of  Emerson 
Electric Company.  

Charles  D.  Drucker,  45.  Executive  Vice  President  of  the 
Bancorp  since  June  2005  and  President  of  Fifth  Third 
Processing Solutions since July 2004. Previously, Mr. Drucker 
was  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  of 
STAR ® Debit Services, a division of First Data Corporation. 

Ross J. Kari, 50. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 
Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  November  2008.  Previously,  Mr. 
Kari was CFO of Safeco Corp. since June 2006.  Prior to that, 
Mr.  Kari  was  the  Chief  Operating  Officer  and  Executive  Vice 
President  of  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank  of  San  Francisco  since 
March 2002. 

Bruce  K.  Lee,  48.  Executive  Vice  President  of  the  Bancorp 
since June 2005.  Previously, Mr. Lee was President and CEO 
of  Fifth  Third  Bank  (Northwestern  Ohio)  since  July  2002  and 
Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking Division, Fifth 
Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio) since March 2001. 

Nancy  R.  Phillips,  41.  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief 
Human  Resources  Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  April  2008. 
Previously, Ms. Phillips was senior Human Resources Director 
for VetcoGray, General Electric Oil and Gas, since 2007.  Prior 
to that Ms. Phillips served as senior Human Resources Director 
for GE Security, Homeland Protection since 2004.   

Daniel T. Poston, 50. Executive Vice President of the Bancorp 
since June 2003, and Controller of the Bancorp and Fifth Third 
Bank  since  July  2007.    Previously,  Mr.  Poston  was  the  Chief 
Financial Officer of the Bancorp from May 2008 to November 
2008.  Formerly,  Mr.  Poston  was  the  Auditor  of  the  Bancorp 
since  October  2001  and  was  Senior  Vice  President  of  the 
Bancorp and Fifth Third Bank since January 2002.  

Paul L. Reynolds, 47. Executive Vice President, Secretary and 
General Counsel of the Bancorp since September 1999, January 
2002 and January 2002, respectively.  

Mahesh Sankaran, 46.  Senior Vice President and Treasurer of 
the  Bancorp  since  June  2006.    Previously,  Mr.  Sankaran  was 
Treasurer  for  Huntington  Bancshares  Incorporated  since 
February  2005.    Prior  to  that  Mr.  Sankaran  was  Treasurer  for 
Compass Bankshares, Inc. 

Robert A. Sullivan, 54. Senior Executive Vice President of the 
Bancorp  since  December  2002.  Previously,  Mr.  Sullivan  was 
President  and  CEO  of  Fifth  Third  Bank  (Northwestern  Ohio) 
since March 9, 2001.  

Mary  E.  Tuuk,  44.  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Risk 
Officer of the Bancorp since June 2007.  Previously, Ms. Tuuk 
was  Senior  Vice  President  of  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  since  2003 
and  Senior  Vice  President  of  Fifth  Third  Bank  (Western 
Michigan) since April 2001. 

Terry  E.  Zink,  57.    Executive  Vice  President  of  the  Bancorp 
since March 2007 and President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank 
(Chicago)  since  January  2005.    Previously  Mr.  Zink  was  the 
Executive  Vice  President/Region  President  of  Wells  Fargo 
Bank, Nebraska. 

 Fifth Third Bancorp    107     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  Additionally, 
as  of  December  31,  2008,  the  Bancorp  had  approximately 
60,025 shareholders of record. 

PART II  
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON 
EQUITY,  RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 
The  information  required  by  this  item  is  included  in  the 
Corporate  Information  found  on  the  inside  of  the  back  cover 
and 
the 
subsidiaries can pay to the Bancorp discussed in Note 26 of the 

the  discussion  of  dividend 

limitations 

that 

in 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities  

Average 
Price 
Paid Per 
Share 

Maximum 
Shares that 
May Be 
Purchased 
Under the 
Plans or 
Period 
Programs 
19,201,518
October 2008 
19,201,518
November 2008 
19,201,518
December 2008 
Total 
19,201,518
(a) The Bancorp repurchased 25,394, 7,526 and 40 shares during October, 
November  and  December  of  2008  in  connection  with  various 
employee  compensation  plans  of  the  Bancorp.    These  purchases  are 
not included against the maximum number of shares that may yet be 
purchased under the Board of Directors authorization. 

Shares 
Purchased 
as Part of 
Publicly 
Announced 
Plans or 
Programs 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Shares 
Purchased 
(a) 
25,394 
7,526 
40 
32,960 

$- 
- 
- 
$- 

108    Fifth Third Bancorp   

 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

The  following  performance  graphs  do  not  constitute  soliciting  material  and  should  not  be  deemed  filed  or  incorporated  by 
reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the 
extent the Bancorp specifically incorporates the performance graphs by reference therein. 

Total Return Analysis 

The graphs below summarize  the cumulative  return experienced by the Bancorp's shareholders over the years 2004 through 2008, and 
1999 through 2008, respectively, compared to the S&P 500 Stock and the S&P Banks indices.   

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP VS. MARKET INDICES 

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Fifth Third (FITB)

S&P 500 (SPX)

S&P Banks (BIX)

5 YEAR RETURN

60

40

20

0

(20)

(40)

(60)

(80)

x
e
d
n
I
n
r
u
t
e
R

l
a
t
o
T

(100)

2003

10 YEAR RETURN

x
e
d
n
I
n
r
u
t
e
R

l
a
t
o
T

60

40

20

0

(20)

(40)

(60)

(80)

(100)

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Fifth Third Bank (FITB)

S&P 500 (SPX)

S&P Banks (BIX)

Fifth Third Bancorp    109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

PART III  
ITEM  10.  DIRECTORS,  EXECUTIVE  OFFICERS  AND 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
The  information  required  by  this  item  relating  to  the  Executive 
Officers  of  the  Registrant  is  included  in  PART  I  under 
“EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE BANCORP.”  

The information required by this item concerning Directors 
and  the  nomination  process  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference 
under  the  caption  “ELECTION  OF  DIRECTORS”  of  the 
Bancorp’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the  2009  Annual  Meeting  of 
Shareholders.  

The information required by this item concerning the Audit 
Committee  and  Code  of  Business  Conduct  and  Ethics  is 
captions 
incorporated  herein  by 
“CORPORATE  GOVERNANCE” 
“BOARD  OF 
DIRECTORS, 
ITS  COMMITTEES,  MEETINGS  AND 
FUNCTIONS”  of  the  Bancorp’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the  2009 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  

reference  under 

and 

the 

The  information  required  by  this  item  concerning  Section 
16 
is 
(a)  Beneficial  Ownership  Reporting  Compliance 
incorporated  herein  by  reference  under  the  caption  “SECTION 
16 
REPORTING 
COMPLIANCE” of the Bancorp’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  

OWNERSHIP 

BENEFICIAL 

(a) 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION  
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by 
reference under the captions “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION 
“COMPENSATION  COMMITTEE 
AND  ANALYSIS,” 
REPORT” 
COMMITTEE 
INTERLOCKS  AND  INSIDER  PARTICIPATION”  of  the 
Bancorp’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the  2009  Annual  Meeting  of 
Shareholders. 

“COMPENSATION 

and 

ITEM  12.  SECURITY  OWNERSHIP  OF  CERTAIN 
BENEFICIAL  OWNERS  AND  MANAGEMENT  AND 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS  
Security ownership information of certain beneficial owners and 
management  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  under  the 
captions  “CERTAIN  BENEFICIAL  OWNERS,”  “ELECTION 
OF  DIRECTORS”  and    “COMPENSATION  DISCUSSION 
AND  ANALYSIS”  of  the  Bancorp’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the 
2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  

The  information  required  by  this  item  concerning  Equity 
Compensation  Plan  information  is  included  in  Note  20  of  the 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

ITEM  13.  CERTAIN  RELATIONSHIPS  AND  RELATED 
TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by 
reference  under  the  captions  “CERTAIN  TRANSACTIONS”, 
“CORPORATE 
“ELECTION 
ITS 
GOVERNANCE”  and  “BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS, 
COMMITTEES,  MEETINGS  AND  FUNCTIONS”  of 
the 
Bancorp’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the  2009  Annual  Meeting  of 
Shareholders.  

DIRECTORS”, 

OF 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND 
SERVICES 
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by 
reference  under  the  caption  “PRINCIPAL  INDEPENDENT 
REGISTERED  PUBLIC  ACCOUNTING  FIRM  FEES”  of  the 
Bancorp’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the  2009  Annual  Meeting  of 
Shareholders.  

110    Fifth Third Bancorp 

PART IV 
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
SCHEDULES 
Financial Statements Filed 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial 

Statements 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Pages
55

56-59
60-100

The  schedules  for  the  Bancorp  and  its  subsidiaries  are  omitted 
because  of  the  absence  of  conditions  under  which  they  are 
required,  or  because  the  information  is  set  forth  in  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.  

The following lists the Exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K. 
3.1 

Second Amended Articles of Incorporation of Fifth Third Bancorp, 
as amended.   

3.2 
4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

  Code of Regulations of Fifth Third Bancorp, as amended.   

Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of March 20, 1997 between 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture 
Trustee.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
March 26, 1997. 
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997 
of Fifth Third Capital Trust II, among Fifth Third Bancorp, as 
Depositor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee, and the 
Administrative Trustees named therein.  Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on March 26, 1997. 
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1997 between Fifth 
Third Bancorp, as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as 
Guarantee Trustee.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on March 26, 1997. 
Agreement as to Expense and Liabilities, dated as of March 20, 1997 
between Fifth Third Bancorp, as the holder of the Common 
Securities of Fifth Third Capital Trust I and Fifth Third Capital Trust 
II.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 
26, 1997. 

4.5 

  Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2003, between Fifth Third Bancorp 

and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee.  Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2003.  

4.6 

  Global security representing Fifth Third Bancorp’s $500,000,000 

4.50% Subordinated Notes due 2018.  Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2003.  

4.7 

  First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 20, 2006, 

4.8 

4.9 

between Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as 
Trustee. Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Annual Report on 
Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.  
  Global security representing Fifth Third Bancorp’s $500,000,000 

5.45% Subordinated Notes due 2017.  Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2006. 

  Global security representing Fifth Third Bancorp’s $250,000,000 
Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2016.  Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the 
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. 

4.10    First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 30, 2007 between 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, to 
the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of May 20, 1997 between 
Fifth Third and the Trustee. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on March 30, 2007. 

4.11    Certificate Representing $500,000,000.00 of 6.50% Junior 

Subordinated Notes of Fifth Third Bancorp. Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the 
quarter ended March 31, 2007. 

4.12    Certificate Representing $250,010,000.00 of 6.50% Junior 

Subordinated Notes of Fifth Third Bancorp. Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the 
quarter ended March 31, 2007. 

4.13    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of March 30, 

2007 of Fifth Third Capital Trust IV among Fifth Third Bancorp, as 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee and 
Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. 

4.14    Certificate Representing 500,000 6.50% Trust Preferred Securities of 

Fifth Third Capital Trust IV (liquidation amount $1,000 per Trust 
Preferred Security). Incorporated by reference to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 
2007. 

4.15    Certificate Representing 250,000 6.50% Trust Preferred Securities of 

Fifth Third Capital Trust IV (liquidation amount $1,000 per Trust 
Preferred Security). Incorporated by reference to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 
2007. 

4.16    Certificate Representing 10 6.50% Common Securities of Fifth Third 
Capital Trust IV (liquidation amount $1,000 per Common Security). 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. 

4.17    Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2007 between Fifth 
Third Bancorp, as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as 
Guarantee Trustee. Incorporated by reference to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 
2007. 

4.18    Agreement as to Expense and Liabilities, dated as of March 30, 2007 
between Fifth Third Bancorp and Fifth Third Capital Trust IV. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. 

4.19    Replacement Capital Covenant of Fifth Third Bancorp dated as of 
March 30, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on March 30, 2007. 

4.20    Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 8, 2007 between 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, to 
the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of May 20, 1997 between 
Fifth Third and the Trustee. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on August 8, 2007. 

4.29    Certificate Representing $862,510,000 of 7.25% Junior Subordinated 

Notes of Fifth Third Bancorp. Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2007. 
4.30    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of October 30, 
2007 of Fifth Third Capital Trust VI among Fifth Third Bancorp, as 
Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee and 
Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on 
Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
October 31, 2007.  

4.31    Certificate Representing 20,000,000 7.25% Trust Preferred 

Securities of Fifth Third Capital Trust VI (liquidation amount $25 
per Trust Preferred Security). Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2007.  (Issuer 
also entered into an identical certificate on October 30, 2007 
representing $362,500,000 in aggregate liquidation amount of 7.25% 
Trust Preferred Securities of Fifth Third Capital Trust VI.)  
4.32    Certificate Representing 400 7.25% Common Securities of Fifth 

Third Capital Trust VI (liquidation amount $25 per Trust Preferred 
Security). Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report 
on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. 

4.33    Guarantee Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2007 between Fifth 
Third Bancorp, as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as 
Guarantee Trustee. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on October 31, 2007. 

4.34    Agreement as to Expense and Liabilities, dated as of October 30, 

2007 between Fifth Third Bancorp and Fifth Third Capital Trust VI. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. 

4.35    Replacement Capital Covenant of Fifth Third Bancorp dated as of 

October 30, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on October 31, 2007. 

4.21    Certificate Representing $500,010,000 of 7.25% Junior Subordinated 

4.36    Global security dated as of March 4, 2008 representing Fifth Third 

Notes of Fifth Third Bancorp. Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2007. 
4.22    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of August 8, 
2007 of Fifth Third Capital Trust V among Fifth Third Bancorp, as 
Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee and 
Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on 
Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
August 8, 2007. 

4.23    Certificate Representing 20,000,000 7.25% Trust Preferred 

Securities of Fifth Third Capital Trust V (liquidation amount $25 per 
Trust Preferred Security). Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on August 8, 2007. 

4.24    Certificate Representing 400 7.25% Trust Preferred Securities of 

Fifth Third Capital Trust V (liquidation amount $25 per Trust 
Preferred Security). Incorporated by reference to Registrant's 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended June 30, 
2007. 

4.25    Guarantee Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2007 between Fifth 

Third Bancorp, as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as 
Guarantee Trustee. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on August 8, 2007. 

4.26    Agreement as to Expense and Liabilities, dated as of August 8, 2007 
between Fifth Third Bancorp and Fifth Third Capital Trust V. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q filed for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. 

4.27    Replacement Capital Covenant of Fifth Third Bancorp dated as of 
August 8, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on August 8, 2007. 

4.28    Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 30, 2007 between 

Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, to 
the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of May 20, 1997 between 
Fifth Third and the trustee. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and 

Bancorp’s $500,000,000 8.25% Subordinated Notes due 2038. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 
10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.  (1) 
4.37    Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated as of April 30, 2008 

between Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as 
trustee.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
May 6, 2008. 

4.38    Global security dated as of April 30, 2008 representing Fifth Third 

Bancorp’s $500,000,000 6.25% Senior Notes due 2013. Incorporated 
by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2008.  (2) 

4.39    Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 6, 2008 between 

Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, to 
the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of May 20, 1997 between 
Fifth Third and the Trustee.  Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2008. 

4.40    $400,010,000.00 8.875% Junior Subordinated Note dated as of May 
6, 2008 of Fifth Third Bancorp.  Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2008. 

4.41    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Fifth Third Capital 
Trust VII dated as of May 6, 2008 among Fifth Third Bancorp, as 
Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Property Trustee and 
Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on 
Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
May 6, 2008. 

4.42    Certificate dated as of May 6, 2008 representing 16,000,000 

($400,000,000) 8.875% Trust Preferred Securities of Fifth Third 
Capital Trust VII (liquidation amount $25 per Trust Preferred 
Security). Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration 
Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on May 6, 2008. 

4.43    Certificate dated as of May 6, 2008 representing 400 ($10,000) 

8.875% Common Securities of Fifth Third Capital Trust VII 
(liquidation amount $25 per Common Security).  Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 

Fifth Third Bancorp    111 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2008. 
4.44    Guarantee Agreement dated as of May 6, 2008 for Fifth Third 

Capital Trust VII between Fifth Third Bancorp, as Guarantor, and 
Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee. Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2008. 

4.45    Agreement as to Expense and Liabilities, dated as of May 6, 2008 

between Fifth Third Bancorp and Fifth Third Capital Trust VII.  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 
2008. 

4.46    Deposit Agreement dated June 25, 2008, between Fifth Third 

Bancorp, Wilmington Trust Company, as depositary and conversion 
agent and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as transfer 
agent, and the holders from time to time of the Receipts described 
therein.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrant’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on June 25, 2008.  

4.47    Form of Certificate Representing the 8.50 % Non-Cumulative 
Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series G, of Fifth Third 
Bancorp. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on June 25, 2008. 

4.48    Form of Depositary Receipt for the 8.50 % Non-Cumulative 

Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, Series G, of Fifth Third 
Bancorp.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrant’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on June 25, 2008. 

4.49    Warrant to Purchase up to 43,617,747 shares of Common Stock.   
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on December 31, 2008. 

10.1     Fifth Third Bancorp Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan for 

Non-Employee Directors.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for fiscal year ended December 
31, 1985. * 

10.2     Fifth Third Bancorp 1990 Stock Option Plan.  Incorporated by 

reference to Registrant’s filing with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement 
on Form S-8, Registration No. 33-34075. * 

10.12   Amendment No. 1 to Fifth Third Bancorp Stock Option Gain 

Deferral Plan.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on May 26, 2006. * 

10.13    Old Kent Executive Stock Option Plan of 1986, as Amended.  
Incorporated by reference to the following filings by Old Kent 
Financial Corporation with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission: Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
September 30, 1995; Exhibit 10.19 to Form 8-K filed on March 5, 
1997; Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2000. * 

10.14    Old Kent Stock Option Incentive Plan of 1992, as Amended.  
Incorporated by reference to the following filings by Old Kent 
Financial Corporation with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission: Exhibit 10(b) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 
30, 1995; Exhibit 10.20 to Form 8-K filed on March 5, 1997; Exhibit 
10(d) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997; Exhibit 
10.3 to Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2000. * 

10.15    Old Kent Executive Stock Incentive Plan of 1997, as Amended.  

Incorporated by reference to Old Kent Financial Corporation’s 
Annual Meeting Proxy Statement dated March 1, 1997. * 

10.16    Old Kent Stock Incentive Plan of 1999.  Incorporated by reference to 
Old Kent Financial Corporation’s Annual Meeting Proxy Statement 
dated March 1, 1999. * 

10.17   Notice of Grant of Performance Units and Award Agreement.  

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 
10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. * 
10.18   Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock and Award Agreement (for 
Executive Officers).  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2004. * 

10.19   Notice of Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights and Award 

Agreement.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. * 

10.20   Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock and Award Agreement (for 

Directors).  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. * 
10.21   Franklin Financial Corporation 1990 Incentive Stock Option Plan.  

Incorporated by reference to Franklin Financial Corporation’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
1989.* 

10.3     Fifth Third Bancorp 1987 Stock Option Plan.  Incorporated by 

10.22   Franklin Financial Corporation 2000 Incentive Stock Option Plan.  

reference to Registrant’s filing with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement 
on Form S-8, Registration No. 33-13252. * 

10.4     Indenture effective November 19, 1992 between Fifth Third 

Bancorp, Issuer and NBD Bank, N.A., Trustee.  Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 1992 and as 
Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, 
Registration No. 33-54134. 

10.5     Fifth Third Bancorp Master Profit Sharing Plan, as Amended.  

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 
10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. * 
10.6    Fifth Third Bancorp Incentive Compensation Plan.  Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated February 19, 2004. *

10.7     Amended and Restated Fifth Third Bancorp 1993 Stock Purchase 
Plan. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on 
Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. * 

10.8     Fifth Third Bancorp 1998 Long-Term Incentive Stock Plan, as 

Amended.  Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to Registrant’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 
2003.* 

10.9     Fifth Third Bancorp Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as 

Amended and Restated.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2007. * 

10.10    CNB Bancshares, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, 1995 Stock 
Incentive Plan, 1992 Stock Incentive Plan and Associate Stock 
Option Plan; and Indiana Federal Corporation 1986 Stock Option 
and Incentive Plan.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s filing 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a 
Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-84955 
and by reference to CNB Bancshares Annual Report on Form 10-K, 
as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. * 
10.11    Fifth Third Bancorp Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan.  Incorporated 

by reference to Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated February 9, 
2001.* 

112    Fifth Third Bancorp 

Incorporated by reference to Franklin Financial Corporation’s 
Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-52928. * 

10.23   Amended and Restated First National Bankshares of Florida, Inc. 

2003 Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to First National 
Bankshares of Florida, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
year ended December 31, 2003. * 

10.24   Southern Community Bancorp Equity Incentive Plan.  Incorporated 
by reference to Southern Community Bancorp’s Registration 
Statement on Form SB-2, Registration No. 333-35548. * 

10.25   Southern Community Bancorp Director Statutory Stock Option Plan. 
Incorporated by reference to Southern Community Bancorp’s 
Registration Statement on Form SB-2, Registration No. 333-35548. *
10.26   Peninsula Bank of Central Florida Key Employee Stock Option Plan. 
Incorporated by reference to Southern Community Bancorp’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. * 
10.27   Peninsula Bank of Central Florida Director Stock Option Plan.  

Incorporated by reference to Southern Community Bancorp’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. * 

10.28   First Bradenton Bank Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. * 

10.29   Letter Agreement with R. Mark Graf.  Incorporated by reference to 
the Exhibits to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarter ended September 30, 2005. * 

10.30   Amendment Dated January 16, 2006 to the Letter Agreement with R. 
Mark Graf.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
January 17, 2006. 

10.31   Separation Agreement between Fifth Third Bancorp and Neal E. 

Arnold dated as of December 14, 2005.  Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on December 22, 2005. * 
10.32   Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement dated March 29, 2005, as 

Amended.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
November 18, 2005. 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

10.33   Amendment to Stipulation dated May 10, 2005.  Incorporated by 

reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 2005. 

10.34   Second Amendment to Stipulation dated August 12, 2005.  

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 
18, 2005. 

10.35   Order and Final Judgment of the United States District Court for the 
Southern District of Ohio.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on November 18, 2005. 

10.36   Offer letter from Fifth Third Bancorp to Ross J. Kari. Incorporated 
by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2008. * 
10.37   Separation Agreement between Fifth Third Bancorp and Christopher 
G. Marshall dated May 1, 2008. Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2008. * 

10.38   Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2008, including Securities 
Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms incorporated by reference 
therein, between the Company and the United States Department of 
the Treasury. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on December 31, 2008. 

10.39   Form of Waiver, executed by each of Messrs. Kevin Kabat, Ross 
Kari, Greg Carmichael, Charles Drucker, Bruce Lee, Dan Poston, 
Robert A. Sullivan and Terry Zink. Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on December 31, 2008. * 
10.40   Form of Letter Agreement, executed by each of Messrs. Kevin 

Kabat, Ross Kari, Greg Carmichael, Charles Drucker, Bruce Lee, 
Dan Poston, Robert A. Sullivan and Terry Zink with the Company. 
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 
31, 2008. * 

10.41   Form of Executive Agreements effective December 31, 2008, 
between Fifth Third Bancorp and Kevin T. Kabat, Robert A. 
Sullivan, Greg D. Carmichael, Ross Kari, Bruce K. Lee, Charles D. 
Drucker and Terry Zink. Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on December 31, 2008. * 

10.42   Form of Executive Agreements effective December 31, 2008, 

between Fifth Third Bancorp and Nancy Phillips, Daniel T. Poston, 
Paul L. Reynolds and Mary E. Tuuk. Incorporated by reference to 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on December 31, 2008. * 
10.43   Form of Executive Agreement effective December 31, 2008, 

between Fifth Third Bancorp and Mahesh Sankaran. Incorporated by 
reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 31, 2008. * 

12.1     Computations of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. 
12.2    Computations of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Combined 

Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements. 
   Code of Ethics.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 of the 

14 

Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2007. 

21 
23 

   Fifth Third Bancorp Subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2008. 
   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-Deloitte 

& Touche LLP. 

31(i)     Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 

2002 by Chief Executive Officer.  

31(ii)   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 

2002 by Chief Financial Officer. 

32(i)     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted 

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief 
Executive Officer. 

32(ii)    Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted 

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Chief 
Financial Officer. 

(1) Fifth Third Bancorp also entered into an identical security on March 4, 2008 

representing an additional $500,000,000 of its 8.25% Subordinated Notes due 
2038. 

(2) Fifth Third Bancorp also entered into an identical security on April 30, 2008 

representing an additional $250,000,000 of its 6.25% Senior Notes due 2013.  

* Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. 

 Fifth Third Bancorp    113 

 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

SIGNATURES  
Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused 
this  report  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized. 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
Registrant 

Kevin T. Kabat 
Chairman, President and CEO 
Principal Executive Officer 
February 27, 2009 

Pursuant  to  requirements  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of 
1934,  this  report  has  been  signed  on  February  27,  2009  by  the 
following  persons  on  behalf  of  the  Registrant  and  in  the 
capacities indicated. 

OFFICERS: 

Kevin T. Kabat 
Chairman, President and CEO 
Principal Executive Officer 

Ross J. Kari  
Executive Vice President and CFO 
Principal Financial Officer 

Daniel T. Poston  
Executive Vice President and Controller 
Principal Accounting Officer 

DIRECTORS: 
Darryl F. Allen 
John F. Barrett 
Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr. 
James P. Hackett 
Gary R. Heminger 
Allen M. Hill 
Kevin T. Kabat 
Robert L. Koch II 
Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D. 
Hendrik G. Meijer 
John J. Schiff, Jr. 
Thomas W. Traylor 

114    Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AVERAGE ASSETS ($ IN MILLIONS)     

CONSOLIDATED TEN YEAR COMPARISON 

Year 
2008 
2007 
2006 
2005 
2004 
2003 
2002 
2001 
2000 
1999 

Loans and 
Leases 
$85,835 
78,348 
73,493 
67,737 
57,042 
52,414  
45,539  
44,888  
42,690  
38,652  

Interest-Earning Assets 
Interest-Bearing 
Deposits in 
Banks (a) 
183 
147 
144 
113 
195 
215  
184  
132  
82  
103  

Federal Funds 
Sold (a) 
438 
257 
252 
88 
120 
92  
155  
69  
118  
224  

Securities 
$13,424 
11,630 
20,910 
24,806 
30,282 
28,640  
23,246  
19,737  
18,630  
16,901  

  Total 
$99,880 
90,382 
94,799 
92,744 
87,639 
81,361  
69,124  
64,826  
61,520  
55,880  

Cash and Due 
from Banks 
$2,490 
2,275 
2,477 
2,750 
2,216 
1,600  
1,551  
1,482  
1,456  
1,628  

Other  
Assets 
$13,411 
10,613 
8,713 
8,102 
5,763 
5,250 
5,007 
5,000 
4,229 
3,344 

Total 
Average 
Assets 
$114,296 
102,477 
105,238 
102,876 
94,896 
87,481 
75,037 
70,683 
66,611 
60,292 

AVERAGE DEPOSITS AND SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS ($ IN MILLIONS)   

Deposits 

Year 
2008 
2007 
2006 
2005 
2004 
2003 
2002 
2001 
2000 
1999 

Demand 
$14,017 
13,261 
13,741 
13,868 
12,327 
10,482  
  8,953  
  7,394  
  6,257  
  6,079  

Interest 
Checking 
$14,095 
14,820 
16,650 
18,884 
19,434 
18,679  
16,239  
11,489  
  9,531  
  8,553  

Savings 
$16,192 
14,836 
12,189 
10,007 
7,941 
  8,020  
  9,465  
  4,928  
  5,799  
  6,206  

Money 
Market 
$6,127 
6,308 
6,366 
5,170 
3,473 
  3,189  
  1,162  
  2,552  
939  
  1,328  

INCOME ($ IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 

Other  
Time 
$11,135 
10,778 
10,500 
8,491 
6,208 
  6,426  
  8,855  
13,473  
13,716  
13,858  

Certificates 
- $100,000 
and Over 
$9,531 
6,466 
5,795 
4,001 
2,403 
  3,832  
  2,237  
  3,821  
  4,283  
  4,197  

Foreign 
Office 
$4,316 
3,155 
3,711 
3,967 
4,449 
  3,862  
  2,018  
  1,992  
  3,896  
952  

Total 
$75,413 
69,624 
68,952 
64,388 
56,235 
54,490  
48,929  
45,649  
44,421  
41,173  

Short-Term 
Borrowings
$10,246 
6,890 
8,670 
9,511 
13,539 
12,373  
7,191  
8,799  
9,725  
8,573  

Total 
$85,659 
76,514 
77,622 
73,899 
69,774 
66,863  
56,120  
54,448  
54,146  
49,746  

Per Share (b) 

Originally Reported 

Year 
2008 
2007 
2006 
2005 
2004 
2003 
2002 
2001 
2000 
1999 

Interest 
Income 
$5,608 
6,027 
5,955 
4,995 
4,114 
  3,991  
  4,129  
  4,709  
  4,947  
  4,199  

Interest 
Expense 
$2,094 
3,018 
3,082 
2,030 
1,102 
  1,086  
  1,430  
  2,278  
  2,697  
  2,026  

Noninterest 
Income 
$2,946 
2,467 
2,012 
2,374 
2,355 
  2,398  
  2,111  
  1,732  
  1,430  
  1,302  

Noninterest 
Expense 
$4,564 
3,311 
2,915 
2,801 
2,863 
  2,466  
  2,265  
  2,397  
  1,981  
  1,954  

Net Income  
(Loss)  
Available to 
Common 
Shareholders 
$(2,180) 
1,075 
1,188 
1,548 
1,524 
  1,664  
  1,530  
  1,001  
  1,054  
871  

Earnings 
$(3.94) 
2.00 
2.14 
2.79 
2.72 
2.91  
2.64 
1.74 
1.86 
1.55 

Diluted 
Earnings
$(3.94) 
1.99  
2.13 
2.77 
2.68 
2.87  
2.59 
1.70 
1.83 
1.53 

Dividends 
Declared 
.75 
1.70 
       1.58 
       1.46  
        1.31 
        1.13 
         .98 
         .83 
         .70 
.582/3 

Earnings 
$(3.94) 
2.00 
2.14 
2.79 
2.72 
2.91  
2.64  
1.74  
1.70  
1.32  

Diluted 
Earnings
$(3.94) 
1.99 
2.13 
2.77 
2.68 
2.87  
2.59  
1.70  
1.68  
1.29  

MISCELLANEOUS AT DECEMBER 31 ($ IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) 

Shareholders’ Equity 

Year 
2008 
2007 
2006 
2005 
2004 
2003 
2002 
2001 
2000 
1999 

Common Shares 
Outstanding (b) 
577,386,612 
532,671,925 
556,252,674 
555,623,430 
557,648,989  
566,685,301  
574,355,247  
582,674,580  
569,056,843  
565,425,468  

Common 
Stock 
$1,295 
1,295 
1,295 
1,295 
  1,295  
  1,295  
  1,295  
  1,294  
  1,263  
  1,255  

Preferred 
Stock 

$4,241 
9 
9 
9 
  9  
  9  
  9  
  9  
  9  
  9  

Capital 
Surplus 
$848 
1,779 
1,812 
1,827 
1,934 
1,964 
2,010 
1,943 
1,454 
1,090 

Retained 
Earnings 
$5,824 
8,413 
8,317 
8,007 
7,269 
  6,481  
  5,465 
  4,502  
  3,982  
  3,551  

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income 
$98 
(126) 
(179) 
(413) 
     (169) 
   (120) 
369  
  8  
28  
   (302) 

Treasury 
Stock 
$(229) 
(2,209) 
(1,232) 
(1,279) 
   (1,414) 
   (962) 
   (544) 
(4) 
(1) 
-  

Book Value 
Per  
Share (b) 
$13.57 
17.18 
18.00 
16.98 
15.99  
15.29  
14.98  
13.31  
11.83  
9.91  

Allowance 
for Loan  
and Lease 
Losses 
$2,787 
937 
771 
744 
713  
697  
683  
624  
609  
573  

Total 
$12,077 
9,161 
10,022 
9,446 
  8,924  
  8,667  
  8,604  
  7,752  
  6,735  
  5,603  

(a) Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks are combined in other short-term investments in the Consolidated Financial Statements. 
(b) Adjusted for stock splits in 2000. 

Fifth Third Bancorp    115 

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
BOARD COMMITTEES 
Finance Committee 
Kevin T. Kabat, Chairman  
James P. Hackett 
Allen M. Hill 
Robert L. Koch II 
Dudley S. Taft 

Audit Committee 
Gary R. Heminger, Chairman 
Darryl F. Allen, Vice Chairman 
John F. Barrett 
Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr. 
Robert L. Koch II 

Compensation Committee 
Allen M. Hill, Chairman 
Gary R. Heminger 
Hendrik G. Meijer 
James E. Rogers 

Nominating and Corporate 
Governance Committee 
James P. Hackett, Chairman 
Darryl F. Allen 
Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D. 
James E. Rogers 

Risk and Compliance 
Committee 
John F. Barrett, Chairman 
Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr. 
Hendrik G. Meijer 
Dudley S. Taft 
Thomas W. Traylor 

Trust Committee 
Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D., 

Chairman 
Kevin T. Kabat  
John J. Schiff, Jr. 

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 

AFFILIATE CHAIRMEN 
Charlie W. Brinkley, Jr. 
Central Florida 

H. Lee Cooper 
Southern Indiana 

Gordon E. Inman 
Tennessee 

Donald B. Shackelford 
Central Ohio 

John S. Szuch 
Northwestern Ohio 

REGIONAL PRESIDENTS 
Todd F. Clossin  
Dan W. Hogan 
Robert A. Sullivan 
Michelle L. VanDyke 
Terry E. Zink 

AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS  
& CEOs 
Samuel G. Barnes 
Central Kentucky 

John H. Bultema III 
Western Michigan 

David A. Call 
South Florida 

Todd F. Clossin  
Northeastern Ohio 

John N. Daniel 
Southern Indiana 

Karen Dee 
Central Florida 

David Girodat 
Eastern Michigan 

Dan W. Hogan 
Tennessee 

Robert E. James, Jr. 
North Carolina 

Brian P. Keenan 
Tampa Bay 

Robert W. LaClair 
Northwestern Ohio 

Philip R. McHugh 
Louisville 

Jordan A. Miller, Jr. 
Central Ohio 

John E. Pelizzari 
Central Indiana 

Robert A. Sullivan 
Cincinnati 

Terry E. Zink 
Chicago 

DIRECTORS EMERITI 
Neil A. Armstrong 
Philip G. Barach 
Vincent H. Beckman 
J. Kenneth Blackwell 
Milton C. Boesel, Jr. 
Douglas G. Cowan 
Thomas L. Dahl 
Ronald A. Dauwe 
Gerald V. Dirvin 
Thomas B. Donnell 
Nicholas M. Evans 
Richard T. Farmer 
Louis R. Fiore 
John D. Geary 
Ivan W. Gorr 
Joseph H. Head, Jr. 
William G. Kagler 
William J. Keating 
Jerry L. Kirby 
Robert B. Morgan 
Michael H. Norris 
David E. Reese 
C. Wesley Rowles 
Donald B. Shackelford 
David B. Sharrock 
Stephen Stranahan 
Dennis J. Sullivan, Jr. 
N. Beverley Tucker, Jr. 
Alton C. Wendzel 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
OFFICERS 
Kevin T. Kabat 
Chairman, President & CEO 

Greg D. Carmichael 
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Operating Officer 

Charles D. Drucker 
Executive Vice President  

Ross J. Kari  
Executive Vice President &  
Chief Financial Officer 

Bruce K. Lee 
Executive Vice President 

Nancy R. Phillips  
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Human Resources Officer 

Daniel T. Poston 
Executive Vice President & Controller 

Paul L. Reynolds  
Executive Vice President, Secretary & 
Chief Legal Officer  

Mahesh Sankaran 
Senior Vice President & Treasurer 

Robert A. Sullivan 
Senior Executive Vice President 

Mary E. Tuuk 
Executive Vice President &  
Chief Risk Officer 

Terry E. Zink 
Executive Vice President 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
DIRECTORS 
Kevin T. Kabat 
Chairman, President & CEO 
Fifth Third Bancorp 

Darryl F. Allen 
Retired Chairman 
President & CEO 
Aeroquip-Vickers, Inc. 

John F. Barrett 
Chairman, President & CEO 
Western & Southern Financial 
Group  

Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr. 
President 
ERJ Inc. and Manna, Inc. 

James P. Hackett 
President & CEO 
Steelcase, Inc. 

Gary R. Heminger 
Executive Vice President 
Marathon Oil Corporation 

Allen M. Hill 
Retired President & CEO 
DPL, Inc. 

Robert L. Koch II 
President & CEO 
Koch Enterprises, Inc. 

Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D. 
Vice President for Student Affairs 
and Services  
University of Cincinnati 

Hendrik G. Meijer 
Co-Chairman & CEO 
Meijer, Inc. 

James E. Rogers 
Chairman, President & CEO 
Duke Energy Corp. 

John J. Schiff, Jr. 
Chairman 
Cincinnati Financial Corporation & 
Cincinnati Insurance Company 

Dudley S. Taft 
President 
Taft Broadcasting Company 

Thomas W. Traylor 
Chairman & CEO  
Traylor Bros., Inc. 

Marsha C. Williams 
Senior Vice President & Chief 
Financial Officer  
Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.

116    Fifth Third Bancorp