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Fifth Third Bancorp

fitb · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 10,000+
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FY2014 Annual Report · Fifth Third Bancorp
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F I F T H
T H I R D
B A N C O R P

2014 

A N N U A L 
R E P O R T

Corporate Profile

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of December 

31, 2014, the Company had $139 billion in assets and operated 15 affiliates with 1,302 full-service Banking Centers, 

including 101 Bank Mart® locations, most open seven days a week, inside select grocery stores and 2,638 ATMs in 

Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and 

North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, 

and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 22.8% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest 

money managers in the Midwest and, as of December 31, 2014, had $308 billion in assets under care, of which it 

managed $27 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press 

releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market 

under the symbol “FITB.”

 111111111111111111111111111111111
2014 ANNUAL REPORT    |    1
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A Message to Our Shareholders
Dear Fifth Third Shareholders,

If you have banked with us lately, you may have noticed 
that something is different. That’s because at Fifth Third, 
we have been changing the way we do business. 

KEVIN T. KABAT

Vice Chairman and  

Chief Executive Officer

We are repositioning the Company for a new age in banking. 
In today’s world, this isn’t a simple task, nor is it singular in 
its effects. It touches every part of our Company.

We are doing important work to enhance our culture and 
our reputation as a well-run institution, one that provides 
valuable  solutions  for  our  customers  while  appropriately 
balancing risk and reward. We are continuing our efforts 
to  achieve  the  right  business  mix  –  one  that  produces 
less  volatile,  more  sustainable  earnings  growth  –  while 
providing  a  good  return  for  our  investors  and  great 
opportunities for our employees. Finding the right mix is 
as much about the opportunities we pursue as it is about 
the  activities  from  which  we  choose  to  refrain.  And,  we 
will  continue  to  simplify  the  business  in  every  way  we 
can  by  taking  complexity  out  of  processes  and  systems 
and focusing on hiring and retaining strong talent. As we 
think about the future of our Company in this context, we 
continue  to  pursue  our  four  main  strategies:  distinctive 
innovation,  and 
execution,  focused  segmentation, 
accelerating growth. Across all of our businesses, we are 
doing exceptional work.

As we make our plans, we are closely attuned to the cyclical 
nature  of  interest  rates  and  the  impact  of  external  forces 
on our industry. Competition from banks and non-banks 
is  intense.  Evolving  consumer  behavior  and  technology 
are challenging the status quo. Although the economy has 
shown  modest  signs  of  improvement,  progress  has  been 
uneven  and  the  low  interest  rate  environment  remains 
a  headwind.  Heightened  regulatory  and  supervisory 
expectations  continue  to  create  substantial  uncertainty, 
although some significant areas of regulation, like capital 
and liquidity requirements, are coming into focus. It’s clear 
to us: The realities of the near-to-medium term climate for 
the financial services industry make the case for change.

Our  2014  financial  performance  demonstrated  our 
ability  to  effectively  address  those  things  and,  equally 
effectively,  execute  on  our  business  plans.  Our  results  in 
the years ahead will reflect the repositioning that is already 
underway and our objectives to drive outperformance and 
positive differentiation from our peers. The expectations – 
from our customers, our investors, our employees, and our 
regulators  –  are  that  we  continue  to  pursue  operational 
excellence  and  successfully  mitigate  all  categories  of 

2    |    FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

Common Dividends Declared
($MM)

risk  while  also  anticipating  and  managing  change  in  our 
business. We are well along the path. 

$407

$427

$325

$257

$32

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Book Value Per Share

$15.10

$15.85

$17.35

$13.06

$13.92

2014  net  income  available  to  common  shareholders  was 
$1.4  billion  and  earnings  per  diluted  share  were  $1.66. 
Results  included  solid  performance  across  our  business 
lines  highlighted  by  growth 
in  corporate  banking, 
payments  processing,  and  investment  advisory  revenue. 
This  contributed  to  a  return  on  average  assets  of  1.1 
percent,  which  is  above  the  average  of  our  commercial 
bank  peers,  and  return  on  average  tangible  common 
equity*  of  12.2  percent.  It  takes  focused  execution  to 
deliver on the promise of creating long-term value, and the 
solid returns that we produced provide a good barometer 
for our progress. Our persistent focus on the things we can 
control and our day-to-day execution on the fundamentals 
were  evident  as  we  strengthened  the  balance  sheet,  grew 
net interest income, reduced expenses, and saw continued 
improvement in credit metrics throughout the year. 

Our  results  have  been  supplemented  by  gains  on  our 
position in the payment processing company, Vantiv, Inc. 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

* Non-GAAP measure. For further information, see the Non-
GAAP Financial Measures section of MD&A.

$450
$400
$350
$300
$250
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0

$18
$16
$14
$12
$10
$8
$6
$4
$2
$0

2014 PERFORMANCE

Full year 2014 net income available to common 

areas that we don’t believe have a compelling risk/

shareholders of $1.4 billion decreased 21 percent from 

return profile. Average loans and leases increased to 

2013. Earnings per diluted common share of $1.66 

$91.1 billion, with 9 percent growth in commercial and 

decreased 17 percent. 

industrial loans. 

Results for both years included the benefit of earnings 

We also continued to grow high-value, low-cost 

related to our holding in Vantiv. In 2014, after-tax 

transaction deposits in 2014, with average balances 

Vantiv net gains were approximately $148 million 

increasing 8 percent from 2013. We view the strength 

(approximately $0.17 per share), compared with  

of our deposit franchise to be the driving force for 

net gains of $403 million (approximately $0.45 per 

profitable balance sheet growth in the coming years.

share) in 2013. Excluding Vantiv-related items, diluted 

earnings per share declined 5 percent year-over-year, 

driven by lower motgage banking net revenue.

In a year with continued pressure on margins, we grew 

net interest income 1 percent. We took advantage of rate 

opportunities throughout the year to add to and change 

Our balance sheet is strong as we maintained our 

the composition of our securities portfolio in order  

cautious approach to lending and scaled back in 

to improve our liquidity position. At year-end, we 

This has proven to be a strategic advantage for us as we have 
recognized approximately $3.2 billion in total pre-tax gains 
from  our  sale  of  the  processing  business  in  2009  to  today, 
including  net  gains  of  $227  million  in  2014.  We  currently 
own  a  22.8  percent  interest  in  Vantiv,  whose  market 
capitalization  was  $5.8  billion  at  year-end.  Fifth  Third  has 
benefited tremendously from its investment in Vantiv, and 
while we would expect to manage our position downward 
over  time  in  a  disciplined  way,  it  continues  to  give  us 
significant capital flexibility.

We increased our annual common dividend 9 percent from 
2013, to a level consistent with the Federal Reserve’s near-
term dividend payout ratio guidance of 30 percent. Including 
common  stock  repurchases,  we  returned  $1.1  billion  to 
shareholders. We have reduced our share count by 4 percent 
from year-end 2013 and grew tangible book value per share 
by 11 percent. Despite these returns, our capital levels remain 
very strong overall, with a Tier 1 common equity ratio* of 
9.7 percent, up 20 basis points, and 9.4 percent as estimated 
pro forma under the Basel III requirements.

* Non-GAAP measure. For further information, see the Non-
GAAP Financial Measures section of MD&A.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT    |    3

Average Assets
($B)

$140

$120

$112.43

$112.67

$117.61

$123.73

$131.94

$100

$80

$60

$40

$20

$0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

NPA Ratio

2.23%

1.49%

1.10%

0.82%

3.0%

2.79%

2.5%

2.0%

1.5%

1.0%

0.5%

0.0%

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

estimated Fifth Third’s liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) 

achieve our return targets. Total noninterest expense 

to be above 110 percent, which currently compares 

declined 6 percent from 2013 despite a 4 percent 

favorably with many similarly-sized banks and positions 

increase in technology and communications expense as 

us to be compliant with the Federal Banking Regulators’ 

we continue to invest in our businesses.

LCR requirements.

Credit trends reflected our continued de-risking of the 

Noninterest income decreased 23 percent from 2013, 

business. Full year net charge-offs increased 15 percent 

reflecting the lower net benefit from our investment in 

while nonperforming assets declined 24 percent from 

Vantiv and a 56 percent decline in mortgage banking net 

2013. We reduced our loan loss reserves by $260 million; 

revenue. Otherwise, fee income results were highlighted 

although our coverage ratios remain solid at 1.47 percent 

by corporate banking revenue and categories that 

of loans and 228 percent of nonperforming loans.

exhibit less volatility like card and processing revenue, 

investment advisory fees, and service charges on 

deposits. 

Our focus on expense management was evident and 

represents another cornerstone of our strategy to 

Overall, we have good momentum in many of our core 

businesses and believe we are taking appropriate steps 

to position ourselves for long-term success.

4    |    FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

In light of our results, we are disappointed that our one-
year total shareholder return (stock price plus dividends) 
was  negative  0.7  percent  in  2014.  Given  the  positive 
momentum  and  outperformance  we  have  seen  over  the 
past several years, we are not satisfied with this outcome. 
Looking out over a longer-term horizon, Fifth Third’s five-
year  total  shareholder  return  was  129.7  percent,  which 
outperformed both the S&P commercial banks index and 
the S&P 500 index. As stewards of your capital, we believe 
that we are positioning the Bank for stronger performance 
than  our  one-year  total  return  would  suggest  and  we 
are  aligned  with  our  shareholders  in  the  desire  to  regain 

positive momentum when it comes to our valuation. We 
have reason to hope that as the market looks forward, we 
will be rewarded for the actions we are taking to proactively 
transform  the  Company  for  sustainable  excellence  and 
competitive advantage in the years ahead. 

Being  proactive  often  means  making  tough  decisions.  In 
2014,  we  took  several  steps  to  enhance  our  risk  culture, 
fine-tune our business mix, and reduce the complexity of 
our operations, identifying ways to best use our strengths 
while decreasing our dependency in areas where we face 
risks  or  add  limited  value.  We  determined  that  certain 

2014 
HIGHLIGHTS

CONSUMER LENDING

$603
million

Total Revenue

$20.9
billion

Average Loans

$79
billion

We know that consumers value the security of accessing credit when needed. Across our 

Consumer Lending solutions, we offer competitive rates with flexible terms in order to help 

customers reach their goals, whether short- or long-term. 

In our consumer credit card business, our focus remains on acquiring and activating existing 

retail and small business customers to strengthen the total customer relationship. To fuel 

continued growth in this business, we successfully launched a new rewards platform in 

2014, we dramatically increased Access 360° sales through improved customer features and 

benefits, and we continue to improve the features of our core credit card product offerings. 

We are committed to developing new, customer-focused solutions, which will be further 

accelerated by the creation of our new Payments and Commerce Solutions division.

Our auto business is another source of strength as it tends to be a high-quality, attractive 

asset class. Our long-standing presence in this market has allowed us to develop strong 

relationships with dealers across our 45-state indirect auto footprint. We are the sixth-

largest bank originator of indirect auto loans in the country.

Mortgage 
Servicing Portfolio

Our mortgage business is the most cyclical of our businesses and we have managed well 

through the most recent cycle. We have a fairly flexible business model that can be adjusted 

9,693

Dealer Indirect 
Auto Lending 
Network

quickly in response to the changing environment. We are currently focused on winning in 

the purchase mortgage market and growing through direct, relationship-oriented channels.

Across our lending solutions, we provide ample resources to simplify the process of 

obtaining a loan and we proactively work with borrowers to explore options that make 

sense within their current financial situation. It is important for us to be trusted and valued 

over the life of the loans we make and for many years beyond.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT    |    5

activities  fell  outside  of  our  current  risk  parameters  and 
were  willing  to  sacrifice  near-term  earnings  for  long-
term growth and a less volatile, more consistent earnings 
stream  over  time.  For  example,  in  March,  we  decided 
to  exit  the  broker  mortgage  business  given  regulatory 
concerns  and  the  prevailing  market  environment  at  the 
time. This business generated a little more than 30 percent 
of our mortgage originations in 2013; while it is difficult 
to walk away from that kind of contribution, this decision 
strengthens our controls and simplifies our operations in 
mortgage lending. Another decision we made was to end 
enrollment  of  new  customers  and  make  changes  to  the 

structure  for  existing  customers  in  our  deposit  advance 
product. We believe there is a need for a short-term, small-
dollar  credit  product  within  the  banking  industry  and 
we  continue  to  proactively  engage  with  key  stakeholders 
to  review  alternative  solutions.  We  are  also  taking  a 
measured  approach  to  lending.  We  are  scaling  back  in 
areas that we don’t believe have a compelling risk/return 
profile, like certain segments of commercial lending, and 
we have maintained our disciplined pricing methodology 
in indirect auto lending. 

Even  as  we  scaled  back,  we  increased  portfolio  loan 
balances to $90.1 billion, up 2 percent from 2013, with 4 

BRANCH BANKING

2014 HIGHLIGHTS

A strong Retail Bank is critical to our future. Consumer banking  

continues to go through significant transformations. Some of our  

changes thus far have been due to strategies we had planned and 

executed, especially those geared toward providing consultative 

and differentiated service. Others were driven by evolving consumer 

behavior and our desire to offer our customers options in line with their 

preferences. Amidst all of the changes, our affiliate model continues 

to provide a competitive advantage for us. Our local teams are able to 

connect with the unique and diverse areas of our footprint to create a 

more personal banking experience. 

While our banking centers represent the physical manifestation of our 

brand in the community, our enhanced online and mobile presence is 

becoming an increasingly valued tool for our customers. We will continue 

to integrate our delivery channels to bring a consistent experience that 

drives efficiencies and revenue opportunities for the Bank. 

We are focused on reducing reliance on the aspects of consumer banking 

that are exposed to regulation or which present return challenges. We 

will benefit from the integrated, multi-channel delivery model that we 

made enhancements to throughout this past year. Likewise, our focused 

segmentation strategy is helping us to deliver new value propositions 

with a fair-value exchange as we continue to emphasize the importance 

of our relationship-banking orientation.

$2.3
billion

$16.6
billion

Total Revenue

Average Loans

$47.9
billion

1,302

Average Core 
Deposits

Banking Centers

$1.6
million

Online 
Banking 
Customers

2,638

ATMs

approximately
900,000

Mobile 
Banking 
Customers

6    |    FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

percent  growth  in  commercial  and  industrial  loans  and 
nearly  doubling  commercial  construction  balances.  We 
loaned  over  $31  billon  to  businesses  in  2014,  and  are 
committed to working with businesses to help them expand 
and generate jobs in the years ahead. Across the balance 
sheet, we grew average core deposits by 8 percent in 2014. 
The FDIC’s annual deposit market share data showed that 
we  grew  deposits  in  each  of  our  15  affiliates  and  gained 
market share in 13 of them. The data also indicated that we 
had the third largest increase in total deposits among peers 
across our footprint. The strength of our deposit franchise 
is a testament to the strategies we have maintained to drive 
deposits and to develop deeper customer relationships.

In our Consumer Bank, we are providing a differentiated 
customer experience with clear value propositions through 
outstanding,  consistent  delivery.  Our  willingness  to  take 
a  thoughtful  approach  and  to  actively  test  and  evaluate 
different  tactics  will  lead  to  the  best  solutions  for  Fifth 
Third and our customers. We continue to redesign our 

Fifth Third 

introduced Now 

Balance in 2014, 

allowing customers 

to quickly check their 

account balances 

without logging in  

to mobile banking.

distribution network to better match our delivery options 
with  consumer  demand.  Mobile  and  ATM  deposits  now 
account for more than one-third of our consumer deposit 
transactions, a result that has corresponded with a decline 
in  teller  transactions.  As  we  optimize  our  distribution 
network, we have become more efficient by rethinking the 
role of branches, upgrading our ATM network, and making 
enhancements to our digital delivery. 

Our  banking  centers,  especially  in  today’s  competitive 
deposit  environment,  provide  valuable  touch  points  with 
customers.  We  are  addressing  branch  efficiency  primarily 
through  recalibrating  our  branch  staff.  Most  impactful  to 
this shift has been our new “universal banker” role, which 
combines  personal  banking  and  customer  service  skills. 
We are also testing a smaller branch format that has lower 
staffing  requirements  compared  with  traditional  full-
service branches, and we are exploring alternative coverage 
models where we could operate multiple branches with the 
same management team. Our branches are complemented 
by our network of 2,638 ATMs, all of which are now entirely 
image-enabled. In select locations, we deployed ATMs with 
additional consumer-friendly upgrades. We also rolled out 
a  number  of  new  services  geared  to  improve  the  mobile 
customer experience. The most popular new feature, Now 
Balance, allows customers to access their account balances 
without logging in to mobile banking.

Banking is a relationship business and we align our teams 
to  place  the  customer  in  the  center  of  every  discussion. 
As  we  work  with  our  customers,  we  use  innovation  to 
create  solutions  that  drive  shared  value.  Whether  we 
are  improving  products  and  services,  sharpening  the 
technology  used  to  deliver  them,  or  utilizing  a  more 
consultative  sales  technique,  we  are  moving  forward  to 
create value in the industry. 

Fifth  Third  Bank  is  an  integral  part  of  our  communities 
and  our  customers’  lives,  so  we  feel  compelled  to  help 
in  ways  that  go  beyond  traditional  banking.  We  are 
succeeding  with  programs  that  take  the  concept  of 
impacting lives to a whole new level. Our work with Stand 
Up To Cancer transformed the idea of what a bank could 
do  to  help  customers  and  communities.  Similarly,  our 
continued partnership with NextJob for our Homeowner 

2014 ANNUAL REPORT    |    7

INVESTMENT ADVISORS

Investment Advisors is comprised of five distinct businesses tailored to the unique 

needs of its customers. We put more than 100 years of experience to work to help 

individuals, families, businesses, and institutional clients protect, grow, and manage 

their wealth.

•  Fifth Third Private Bank serves the complex financial needs of the Bank’s clients with 

teams of professionals dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals.

•  Fifth Third Securities helps individuals and families at every stage of their lives, 

offering retirement, investment and education planning, managed money, annuities 

and transactional brokerage services. 

•  Fifth Third Insurance helps clients minimize risk and protect wealth through 

insurance products and services such as life insurance, long-term care insurance, 

disability income protection and annuities. 

•  ClearArc Capital, Inc. provides asset management services to institutional clients.

2014 
HIGHLIGHTS

$531
million

Total Revenue

$2.3
billion

Average Loans

$9.5
billion

•  Fifth Third Institutional Services provides consulting, investment and record-

Average Core Deposits

keeping services for corporations, financial institutions, foundations, endowments 

and not-for-profit organizations. Products include retirement plans, endowment 

management, planned giving and global and domestic custody services. 

Our Investment Advisors business has become successful through helping clients over 

their lifetimes and becoming their trusted partner. In 2014 this business generated 9 

percent of Bancorp revenue. We know that with wealth comes complexity. Throughout 

our rich history, we have helped the Bank’s clients to articulate and reach their wealth 

management goals. We are committed to a collaborative, team-based approach that is 

rooted in our curiosity about our clients and their future. 

$27
billion

Assets Under 
Management

$308
billion

Assets Under Care

Reemployment  Initiative  has  transformed  lives  and  is 
helping  to  shift  our  industry’s  thinking  about  problem 
resolution. This program was named a winner of the BAI-
Finacle Global Banking Innovation Award in Societal and 
Community  Impact,  which  recognizes  innovation  in  the 
retail  banking  industry  that  positively  impacts  customer 
experience, bank efficiency, and profitability. We were the 
only U.S.-headquartered firm to be nominated. While we 
appreciate  the  recognition,  we  are  most  satisfied  that  we 
are creating better outcomes for our customers.

Within our Investment Advisors business, our distinctive 
leadership,  a 
Private  Bank  brand  provides  thought 

differentiated wealth planning experience, and a dedicated 
fulfillment  process.  We  offer  a  complete  set  of  externally 
managed products and we have added wealth management 
advisors to bring the right level of talent and expertise to 
meet  the  needs  of  our  clients.  Productivity  and  results 
have  improved,  leading  to  a  record  year  for  Investment 
Advisory  revenue  in  2014.  Our  advice-based  model  is 
built  for  sustainable  growth,  with  recurring,  asset-based 
revenue growing faster than transactional fees. Our focus 
on cross-sell is very important to the Investment Advisors 
business  and  contributed  to  an  increase  in  assets  under 
management  of  6  percent  in  2014.  Also  reflecting  this 

8    |    FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

growth, Barron’s, a premier financial news magazine, listed 
Fifth Third Private Bank as No. 25 on its list of top wealth 
management firms (including both banks and independent 
wealth managers) measured by assets under management. 
Our ranking increased eight spots from 2013, more than 
any other firm on the list.

In  our  Commercial  Bank,  we  have  been  focused  on 
hiring  and  developing  the  right  people  and  investing  in 
the right products to build lasting relationships with our 
customers. Recent data from Greenwich Associates shows 
that  Fifth  Third  Bank  is  outperforming  competitors  in 

customer  satisfaction  in  this  space.  In  fact,  their  results 
during  the  year  showed  that  Fifth  Third  relationship 
managers’ performance ranked No. 1 in all eight categories 
with  customers  in  the  $5  million  to  $500  million  range 
who  consider  Fifth  Third  their  lead  bank.  The  talent  
and expertise of our strong relationship managers helped 
contribute  to  growth  in  corporate  banking  revenue 
of  7  percent  in  2014.  This  also  reflects  our  geographic 
expansion  as  our  vertical  segmentation  strategies  bring 
sector expertise and industry-leading solutions that have 
grown  our  reach  beyond  our  12-state  branch  footprint. 

2014 HIGHLIGHTS

COMMERCIAL BANKING

$2.5
billion

Total Revenue

$51.3
billion

Average Loans

$34.8
billion

Expertise, experience, innovation, and trust are valued in the marketplace. 

Customers seek those assets as they build their business. Our Commercial  

Bank delivers.

We develop relationships with business, government, and professional customers 

through customized financial solutions. With our focused segmentation strategy, 

we’re targeting clients ranging in size from those with $20 million in annual 

revenue to some of the world’s largest companies. Our comprehensive and 

competitive offerings span from traditional lending and depository products 

to global cash management, foreign exchange and international trade finance, 

derivatives and capital markets services, asset-based lending, real estate finance, 

public finance, commercial leasing, and syndicated finance.

This wide range of service and experience allows us to address our clients’ needs 

as our talented bankers become valued partners in our customers’ financial 

Average Core Deposits

success. We have seen the benefits of our strategies in stronger partnerships 

18,000

Clients

1,800

with our customers and in the steady growth of this business. In 2014, our 

Commercial Bank produced 42 percent of Bancorp revenue and accounted for 

more than half of our loan balances.

We are focused on sustaining the growth trajectory in this business by 

cultivating relationships that go well beyond traditional lending arrangements 

and that fit within our risk appetite. Our commitment to business lending 

remains strong and our track record of success and ability to develop new 

capabilities sets Fifth Third apart from the competition. We stand ready to help 

businesses adapt to the new economy, drive innovation and growth, and access 

Strategic Vertical Clients

the working capital needed to meet their goals.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT    |    9

CPS units fill the cash room managed by Delaware North at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

We  believe  our  investments  to  develop  and  strengthen 
our  Commercial  verticals  in  healthcare,  mid-corporate, 
and energy are ahead of the industry and allow us to serve 
clients at a higher level. In 2014, we added a retail-focused 
vertical as well. 

We  are  seeing  greater  utilization  of  the  sophisticated 
payments, capital markets, and other non-credit products 
that we offer. Results showed our strong levels of treasury 
management sales, and we believe this business is growing 
at a rate more than double the industry. One of our treasury 
management  solutions,  Currency  Processing  Solutions 
(CPS), was awarded a patent in 2014 and also was featured 
in  a  Wall  Street  Journal  article  as  a  best  practice  in  cash 
management.  In  2014,  Fifth  Third  led  the  largest  rollout 
of  smart  safes  in  the  United  States,  going  out  across  497 
locations, in 446 cities in 42 states.

Our  prospects  for  success  in  treasury  management 
are  further  enhanced  through  the  realignment  of  our 
Payments and Commerce Solutions business. We created 
this new division to rethink those aspects of the customer 
experience,  both  for  businesses  and  consumers,  and  to 
find ways to turn our curiosity about new technology into 
greater  value  for  customers.  This  provides  yet  another 

example of how we are managing the Company to achieve 
the  right  business  mix.  The  new  division  optimizes 
the  resources  of  our  existing  businesses  like  treasury 
management,  commercial  and  consumer  cards,  and  CPS 
through  consolidated  strategy,  product  development, 
and  operational  execution.  We  expect  to  leverage  the 
Company’s scale and extensive payments infrastructure to 
provide solutions for complex, high-transaction industries 
and  to  capture  new  market  development  opportunities 
such as payment security, mobile payments, and cobranded 
cards and loyalty programs. 

Our  commitment  to  improving  the  risk  culture  and 
achieving  the  right  business  mix  at  Fifth  Third  extends 
to  investments  we  are  making  in  our  infrastructure 
needed  to  support  this  enhancement.  We  are  adding 
talented  and  experienced  employees  to  our  enterprise 
risk  and  compliance  organizations  and  we  will  continue 
to  invest  in  talent,  training,  and  systems  to  maintain  a 
strong  and  robust  platform  across  our  entire  Company. 
We  are  working  to  make  our  strength  in  these  areas  a 
competitive  advantage  for  Fifth  Third.  We  are  balancing 
our  investments  with  disciplined  expense  management 
as  we  reduced  total  noninterest  expense  by  6  percent  in 
2014. We took significant costs out of mortgage and retail 

10    |    FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

“Part of our approach as The curious bank is to ask questions and listen 
carefully. When we do that, we develop better solutions that represent 

greater value to customers – and we develop better solutions to the 

problems facing our communities.”

operations corresponding with the changes I discussed in 
those businesses, and we continue to identify areas where 
we could be more efficient.
Part of our approach as The curious bank is to ask questions 
and  listen  carefully.  When  we  do  that,  we  develop  better 
solutions  that  represent  greater  value  to  customers  – 
and  we  develop  better  solutions  to  the  problems  facing 
our  communities.  We’re  putting  people  to  work,  we’re 
helping people buy their first home, we’re sending kids to 
college. We’re also expanding businesses, fighting cancer, 
improving  lives  through  financial  empowerment,  and  so 
much more. We bring a spirit of teamwork, accountability, 
integrity, and respect to the way we work with customers. 
Delivering  greater  value  to  customers  equals  success 
in  the  marketplace,  and  helping  solve  problems  in  our 
communities means building a better environment for us 
and our customers.

I  would  personally  like  to  thank  William  Isaac,  Darryl 
Allen, and John Schiff Jr. who retired from the Fifth Third 
Bancorp  Board  of  Directors  in  April  2014.  These  leaders 
provided  significant  guidance  and  contributions  during 
one of the most challenging environments our industry has 
faced. Their collective experience proved invaluable and we 
are fortunate to have had the benefit of their expertise. 

Our  2014  Employee  Viewpoints  Survey,  administered 
by  Gallup,  showed  that  we  continued  to  strengthen  the 
Bank’s  engaging  and  inclusive  culture.  We  improved  on 
every  item,  a  clear  sign  that  we  are  each  committed  to 
maintaining  a  great  workplace,  a  place  where  employees 
can  build  their  futures,  win  together,  and  impact  lives.  I 
thank all of our employees as well as my fellow directors 
for their commitment to our Company. Certainly, we are 
experiencing new challenges, but we are asking the right 
questions  and  pursuing  promising  strategies  that  are 
aligned with our risk appetite. 

With  2015  underway,  our  Vision  remains  our  strongest 
aspiration: to become the one bank that people most value 
and trust. We have reframed our thinking to recognize the 
progress we have made so far and the work that remains at 
hand. This includes making proactive risk management an 
enduring  part  of  our  DNA,  something  we  will  achieve  by 
investing in people and technology. We will achieve the right 
business mix, focusing on consistent execution and on those 
areas where we add the most value. Finally, we will simplify 
the  business  by  taking  complexity  out  of  our  systems  and 
processes. These are tall orders, but I am confident we can 
deliver on them. I look forward to sharing our successes in 
the months and years ahead. 

Sincerely,

KEVIN T. KABAT

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

February 2015

 
 
2014 ANNUAL REPORT    |    11

Fifth Third Bancorp
Community Commitment 

Fifth Third seeks to markedly improve the lives of our customers and communities. 
This is our corporate social responsibility (CSR) and our Purpose. We consider 
carefully the needs of individuals, customers and communities, consistently working 
to achieve maximum impact. 

We do this by focusing on several key areas, those in which we 
have developed core competencies over the years, including 
reemployment  and  financial  empowerment.  We  offer  our 
signature programs at no cost to the communities we serve. 
They enable us to put our financial resources to the best use, 
and more important, to channel the generosity and passion 
of our employees into areas of great need and opportunity.  

Homeowner  Reemployment  is  our  innovative  program 
with national reemployment solutions company NextJob, 
in  which  we  help  our  unemployed  mortgage  customers 
land  jobs.  We  do  this  by  sponsoring  them  through 
NextJob’s comprehensive, three-part job training program, 

which includes personalized job coaching. This program, 
which  hundreds  of  mortgage  customers  have  now  used 
and  which  boasts  a  success  rate  near  40  percent,  earned 
Fifth  Third  a  Global  Innovation  Award  in  Societal  and 
Community  Impact  from  BAI-Finacle  in  2014.  We  were 
the  only  U.S.  bank  to  earn  such  honors.  Since  2012,  we 
have  expanded  access  to  the  program,  in  whole  and  in 
part, to all Fifth Third customers year-round, and to non-
customers,  including  veterans,  during  special  promotion 
periods. At the end of 2014, more than 7,200 individuals 
were using another tool—the free online training modules 
that comprise the Job Seeker’s Toolkit, also from NextJob—
through 53.com.  

Fifth  Third’s  suite  of  L.I.F.E.  (Lives  Improved  through 
Financial  Empowerment)  programs  further  supports 
people, and at all ages and stages of life. We understand that 
knowledge  and  basic  skills  about  financial  management 
can greatly affect one’s quality of life. Our L.I.F.E. programs 
include the Young Bankers Club for fifth-grade students; 
Dave  Ramsey’s  Foundations  in  Personal  Finance  course  
for  high-school  students;  and  EmpowerU  financial 

Randall Jackson was one of four original customers featured 

in a Fifth Third advertising and social media campaign 

designed to help job seekers reach prospective employers. He 

landed a job after being long-term unemployed and is among 

the near 40 percent of Bank NextJob participants to do so.

12    |    FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

Celebrating 10 years of service in 2014, Fifth Third’s Financial Empowerment Mobiles, or eBuses, have logged 202,000 miles since 2004. 

education  classes  for  adults.  We  also  offer  SmallBizU 
online  courses  for  entrepreneurs  and  small  business 
owners.  Our  financial  empowerment  buses,  or  eBuses, 
take financial education directly into low- and moderate-
income communities we serve.

Additionally,  our  strategic  alliances  enable  us  to  offer 
products  that  pair  a  quality  financial  service  with  a 
community purpose. A prime example is the Fifth Third 
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) credit and debit cards we have 
offered  since  2013.  Last  year,  we  ran  special  promotions 
that enabled customers opening a new checking account 
to earn $150 for themselves and generate a $150 donation 
to  SU2C,  a  charitable  program  dedicated  to  accelerating 
cancer  research  and  saving  lives.  As  a  result  of  this  and 
other campaigns benefitting SU2C, we have donated more 
than $4 million in recent years.

The Bank also continued our fight against hunger. We use 
the calendar date of May 3—Fifth Third Day—each year to 
support sustainable community gardens, raise money and 
volunteer to fight hunger in our communities. In 2014, we 
provided 770,000 meals, representing an increase of more 
than 220,000 versus our 2013 total. 

Work  in  support  of  veterans  is  another  important  cause 
for  Fifth  Third.  In  November,  around  the  Veterans  Day 
holiday,  our  employees  volunteered  for  projects  that 
commemorated,  supported  and  raised  funds  for  former 
and current U.S. military members and their families. In 
2014, we rehabbed veterans’ homes in 14 cities, conducted 
a first-ever job fair for veterans and generated donations of 
nearly $300,000 for charities who serve veterans.

Our  ongoing  work  with  Project  SEARCH,  a  school-
to-work  transition  program  for  high  school  students 
with  developmental  disabilities,  benefits 
individuals, 
communities,  our  employees,  and  our  Bank.  We  were 
an  original  collaborator  on  Project  SEARCH  and  today 
operate  three  Project  SEARCH  campuses.  We’re  proud 
that  25  Project  SEARCH  graduates  are  now  valued  Fifth 
Third team members. 

At Fifth Third, we all take our community responsibilities 
seriously.  Our  employees  and  Organization  give  time, 
talent and resources to improve the lives around us. This 
commitment includes employee and corporate support of 
United Way, with more than $7 million donated in 2014, 
as well as ongoing efforts that include volunteerism, non-
profit  board  leadership,  community  sponsorships  and 
thought leadership. More information will be included in 
the 2014 CSR Report, available in April at 53.com.

In 2014, Fifth Third Bank donated $190,000 to Rebuilding Together, 

an organization that rebuilds homes for low-income homeowners, 

to fund long-term home rebuilding projects for veterans. 

Tennessee-area employees volunteered for two of 14 rebuild 

projects across the Bank’s footprint during the month of November. 

2014 ANNUAL REPORT 
FINANCIAL CONTENTS 

Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  
Selected Financial Data 
Overview 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures 
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 Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information 
Restrictions on Cash and Dividends 
Securities 
Loans and Leases 
Credit Quality and the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses 
Bank Premises and Equipment 
Goodwill 
Intangible Assets 
Variable Interest Entities 
Sales of Receivables and Servicing Rights 
Derivative Financial Instruments 
Offsetting Derivative Financial Instruments 
Other Assets 
Short-Term Borrowings 
Long-Term Debt 

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

Stock-Based Compensation 

Legal and Regulatory Proceedings 
Related Party Transactions 
Income Taxes 
Retirement and Benefit Plans 

90 Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Guarantees 
100
100
101
103
104 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 
113 Common, Preferred and Treasury Stock 
114
115 Other Noninterest Income and Other Noninterest Expense 
116 Earnings Per Share 
119
121 Certain Regulatory Requirements and Capital Ratios 
126
126
127
128

Parent Company Financial Statements 
Business Segments 
Subsequent Event 

Fair Value Measurements 

171
187
188

14

15
16
21
23
23
27
36
43
50
52
57
81
82
83
84

85
86
87
88
89

130
134
136
137
138
143
145
147
151
152
153
164
165
167
170

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
This report contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or 
business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “will likely result,” “may,” “are expected to,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “projected,” “intends to,” or may include 
other similar words or phrases such as “believes,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” “remain,” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” 
“can,” or similar verbs. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements we may make. Moreover, you should treat 
these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to us. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially 
from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) general economic conditions and weakening in the economy, 
specifically the real estate market, either nationally or in the states in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company do business, are less favorable than expected; (2) deteriorating 
credit quality; (3) political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (4) changes in the interest rate environment reduce interest 
margins; (5) prepayment speeds, loan origination and sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (6) Fifth Third’s ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity; (7) 
maintaining capital requirements and adequate sources of funding and liquidity may limit Fifth Third’s operations and potential growth; (8) changes and trends in capital markets; (9) problems encountered by larger 
or similar financial institutions may adversely affect the banking industry and/or Fifth Third; (10) competitive pressures among depository institutions increase significantly; (11) effects of critical accounting policies 
and judgments; (12) changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other regulatory agencies; (13) legislative or regulatory changes or 
actions, or significant litigation, adversely affect Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company or the businesses in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined 
company are engaged, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; (14) ability to maintain favorable ratings from rating agencies; (15) fluctuation of Fifth Third’s stock price; (16) 
ability to attract and retain key personnel; (17) ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries; (18) potentially dilutive effect of future acquisitions on current shareholders’ ownership of Fifth Third; (19) effects of 
accounting or financial results of one or more acquired entities; (20) difficulties from Fifth Third’s investment in, relationship with, and nature of the operations of Vantiv, LLC; (21) loss of income from any sale or 
potential sale of businesses that could have an adverse effect on Fifth Third’s earnings and future growth; (22) ability to secure confidential information and deliver products and services through the use of computer 
systems and telecommunications networks; and (23) the impact of reputational risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Fifth Third Bancorp provides the following list of abbreviations and acronyms as a tool for the reader that are used in Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements. 

ALCO: Asset Liability Management Committee 
ALLL: Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses 
AML: Anti-Money Laundering 
AOCI: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 
ARM: Adjustable Rate Mortgage  
ATM: Automated Teller Machine  
BCBS: Basel Committee on Banking Supervision 
BHC: Bank Holding Company  
BHCA: Bank Holding Company Act 
BOLI: Bank Owned Life Insurance 
BPO: Broker Price Opinion 
bps: Basis points 
BSA: Bank Secrecy Act 
CCAR: Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review  
CDC: Fifth Third Community Development Corporation 
CFPB: United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
CFTC: Commodity Futures Trading Commission 
C&I: Commercial and Industrial 
CPP: Capital Purchase Program 
CRA: Community Reinvestment Act 
DCF: Discounted Cash Flow 
DFA: Dodd-Frank Act 
DIF: Deposit Insurance Fund 
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
ERM: Enterprise Risk Management 
ERMC: Enterprise Risk Management Committee 
EVE: Economic Value of Equity 
FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board 
FDIA: Federal Deposit Insurance Act 
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
FHA: Federal Housing Administration 
FHLB: Federal Home Loan Bank 
FHLMC: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation 
FICO: Fair Isaac Corporation (credit rating) 
FNMA: Federal National Mortgage Association 
FRB: Federal Reserve Bank 
FSOC: Financial Stability Oversight Council 
FTAM: Fifth Third Asset Management, Inc. 
FTE: Fully Taxable Equivalent 
FTP: Funds Transfer Pricing 
FTS: Fifth Third Securities 
GDP: Gross Domestic Product 
GNMA: Government National Mortgage Association 

GSE: Government Sponsored  Enterprise 
HAMP: Home Affordable Modification Program 
HARP: Home Affordable Refinance Program  
HFS: Held for Sale 
HQLA: High Quality Liquid Assets 
IPO: Initial Public Offering 
IRC: Internal Revenue Code 
IRLC: Interest Rate Lock Commitment 
IRS: Internal Revenue Service 
ISDA: International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. 
LCR: Liquidity Coverage Ratio 
LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate 
LLC: Limited Liability Company 
LTV: Loan-to-Value 
MD&A: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations 
MSR: Mortgage Servicing Right 
N/A: Not Applicable 
NASDAQ: National Association of Securities Dealers Automated 
Quotations 
NII: Net Interest Income 
NM: Not Meaningful 
NSFR: Net Stable Funding Ratio 
OCC: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 
OCI: Other Comprehensive Income 
OREO: Other Real Estate Owned 
OTTI: Other-Than-Temporary Impairment 
PMI: Private Mortgage Insurance 
RSAs: Restricted Stock Awards 
SARs: Stock Appreciation Rights  
SBA: Small Business Administration 
SEC: United States Securities and Exchange Commission 
TARP: Troubled Asset Relief Program 
TBA: To Be Announced 
TDR: Troubled Debt Restructuring 
TruPS: Trust Preferred Securities 
U.S.: United States of America 
U.S. GAAP: United States Generally Accepted Accounting 
Principles 
VA: Department of Veterans Affairs 
VIE: Variable Interest Entity 
VRDN: Variable Rate Demand Note 

14  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The  following  is  MD&A  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 filing. Reference 
to the Bancorp incorporates the parent holding company and all consolidated subsidiaries. 

$

$

2014   

2013   

2012   

2011   

1.20   
1.18   
0.28   
13.92   
12.72   

2.05   
2.02   
0.47 
15.85 
21.03 

1.69 
1.66 
0.36 
15.10 
15.20   

1.68   
1.66   
0.51   
17.35   
20.38   

3,581 
3,227 
6,808 
229 
3,961 
1,836   
1,799   

3,613   
2,999   
6,612 
303   
4,081   
1,576 
1,541 

3,600   
2,473   
6,073   
315   
3,709   
1,481   
1,414   

 3,575   
 2,455   
6,030 
 423   
 3,758   
 1,297   
 1,094   

TABLE 1: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions, except for 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 attributable to Bancorp  
Net income available to common shareholders  
Common Share Data  
Earnings per share, basic  
Earnings per share, diluted  
Cash dividends per common share  
Book value per share  
Market value per share  
Financial Ratios (%)  
Return on average assets  
Return on average common equity  
Return on average tangible common equity(b) 
Dividend payout ratio  
Average Total Bancorp shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets  
Tangible common equity(b) 
Net interest margin(a) 
Efficiency(a) 
Credit Quality   
Net losses charged-off   
Net losses charged-off as a percent of average portfolio loans and leases 
ALLL as a percent of portfolio loans and leases  
Allowance for credit losses as a percent of portfolio loans and leases(c) 
Nonperforming assets as a percent of portfolio loans, leases and other  
     assets, including other real estate owned(d) 
Average Balances  
Loans and leases, including held for sale  
Total securities and other short-term investments  
Total assets  
Transaction deposits(e) 
Core deposits(f) 
Wholesale funding(g) 
Bancorp shareholders’ equity  
Regulatory Capital Ratios (%)  
Tier I risk-based capital  
Total risk-based capital   
Tier I leverage  
Tier I common equity(b) 
(a) Amounts presented on a FTE basis. The FTE adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $21, $20, $18, $18 and $18, respectively. 
(b)

 80,214   
 17,468   
 112,666   
 72,392   
 78,652   
 16,939   
 12,851   

1.12  %
10.0   
12.2   
30.3   
11.59   
8.43   
3.10   
61.1   

84,822   
16,814   
117,614   
78,116   
82,422   
16,978   
13,701 

89,093   
18,861   
123,732   
82,915   
86,675   
17,797   
14,302   

91,127   
24,866   
131,943   
89,715   
93,477   
19,188   
15,290   

1.48   
13.1   
16.0   
22.9 
11.56   
8.63 
3.32 
58.2 

1.15   
9.0   
11.4   
23.3 
11.41   
8.68   
3.66   
62.3   

1.34 
11.6 
14.3 
21.3 
11.65 
8.83 
3.55 
61.7 

10.83  %
14.33   
9.66   
9.65   

 1,172   
1.49   
2.78   
3.01   

 12.00   
 16.19   
 11.25   
 9.41   

575   
0.64  %
1.47   
1.62   

10.69   
14.47   
10.15   
9.54   

704   
0.85   
2.16   
2.37   

10.43 
14.17 
9.73 
9.45 

501 
0.58 
1.79 
1.97 

0.82   

2.23   

1.49   

1.10 

$

$

2010   

3,622 
2,729 
6,351 
1,538 
3,855 
753   
503   

0.63   
0.63   
0.04 
13.06 
14.68 

0.67   
5.0   
7.0   
6.3   
12.22   
7.04 
3.66 
60.7 

2,328 
3.02 
3.88 
4.17 

2.79 

79,232   
19,699   
112,434   
65,662   
76,188   
18,917   
13,737   

 13.89   
 18.08   
 12.79   
 7.48   

The return on average tangible common equity, tangible common equity and Tier I common equity ratios are non-GAAP measures. For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures section of MD&A. 
The allowance for credit losses is the sum of the ALLL and the reserve for unfunded commitments. 

(c)
(d) Excludes nonaccrual loans held for sale. 
(e)
(f)
(g)

Includes demand, interest checking, savings, money market and foreign office deposits. 
Includes transaction deposits plus other time deposits. 
Includes certificates $100,000 and over, other deposits, federal funds purchased, other short-term borrowings and long-term debt. 

15  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

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  borrower  credit  events,  such  as  loan  defaults  and 
inadequate  collateral  due  to  a  weakened  economy  within  the 
Bancorp’s footprint. 

Noninterest  income  is  derived  from  service  charges  on 
deposits,  corporate  banking  revenue,  investment  advisory  revenue, 
mortgage  banking  net  revenue,  card  and  processing  revenue  and 
other  noninterest  income.  Noninterest  expense  is  primarily  driven 
by  personnel  costs,  net  occupancy  expenses,  technology  and 
communication costs and other noninterest expense. 

Vantiv, Inc. Share Sale  
The  Bancorp’s  ownership  position  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  was 
reduced  in  the  second  quarter  of  2014  when  the  Bancorp  sold  an 
approximate  three  percent  interest  and  recognized  a  $125  million 
gain.  The  Bancorp’s  remaining  approximate  23%  ownership  in 
Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  was  accounted  for  as  an  equity  method 
investment in the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements and 
had a carrying value of $394 million as of December, 31, 2014. For 
more  information,  refer  to  Note  19  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements.  

Accelerated Share Repurchase Transactions 
During  2013  and  2014,  the  Bancorp  entered  into  a  number  of 
accelerated  share  repurchase  transactions.  As  part  of  these 
transactions,  the  Bancorp  entered  into  forward  contracts  in  which 
the final number of shares to be delivered at settlement was or will 
be  based  generally  on  a  discount  to  the  average  daily  volume-
weighted average price of the Bancorp’s common stock during the 
term  of  the  Repurchase  Agreement.  For  more  information  on  the 
accounting for these instruments, refer to Note 23 of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements. For a summary of all accelerated 
share  repurchase  transactions  entered  into  or  settled  during  2013 
and 2014 refer to Table 2. For further information on a subsequent 
event  related  to  capital  actions  refer  to  Note  31  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

OVERVIEW 
Fifth  Third  Bancorp  is  a  diversified  financial  services  company 
headquartered  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  At  December  31,  2014,  the 
Bancorp  had  $138.7  billion  in  assets,  operated  15  affiliates  with 
1,302  full-service  Banking  Centers,  including  101  Bank  Mart® 
locations  open  seven  days  a  week  inside  select  grocery  stores,  and 
in  12  states  throughout  the  Midwestern  and 
2,638  ATMs 
Southeastern  regions  of  the  U.S.  The  Bancorp  reports  on  four 
business 
segments:  Commercial  Banking,  Branch  Banking, 
Consumer Lending and Investment Advisors. The Bancorp also has 
an approximate 23% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. The carrying 
value of the Bancorp’s investment in Vantiv Holding, LLC was $394 
million as of December 31, 2014. 

This overview of MD&A highlights selected information in the 
financial  results  of  the  Bancorp  and  may  not  contain  all  of  the 
information  that  is  important  to  you.  For  a  more  complete 
trends,  events,  commitments,  uncertainties, 
understanding  of 
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. In addition, see the 
Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms in this report for a list of 
terms  included  as  a  tool  for  the  reader  of  this  annual  report  on 
Form 10-K. The abbreviations and acronyms identified therein are 
used throughout this MD&A, as well as the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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.  The  Bancorp 
believes 
its  affiliate  operating  model  provides  a  competitive 
advantage  by  emphasizing  individual  relationships.  Through  its 
affiliate operating model, individual managers at all levels within the 
affiliates  are  given  the  opportunity  to  tailor  financial  solutions  for 
their customers. 

Net interest income, net interest margin and the efficiency ratio 
are presented in MD&A on a 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.  

The  Bancorp’s  revenues  are  dependent  on  both  net  interest 
income and noninterest income. For the year ended December 31, 
2014, net interest income, on a FTE basis, and noninterest income 
provided 59% and 41% of total revenue, respectively. The Bancorp 
derives the majority of its revenues within the U.S. from customers 
domiciled in the United States. Revenue from foreign countries and 
external customers domiciled in foreign countries was immaterial to 
the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  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  Risk  Management  section,  risk  identification, 
measurement,  monitoring,  control  and  reporting  are  important  to 
the management of risk and to the financial performance and capital 
strength of the Bancorp.  

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,  other  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 

16  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE TRANSACTIONS

(cid:3)  (cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)
(cid:3) 

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)
Repurchase Date(cid:3)
November 9, 2012 
December 19, 2012 
January 31, 2013 
May 24, 2013 
November 18, 2013 
December 13, 2013 
January 31, 2014 
May 1, 2014 
July 24, 2014 
October 23, 2014 

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)
   Amount ($ in millions) 
125 
$
100 
125 
539 
200 
456 
99 
150 
225 
180 

Shares Repurchased on 
Repurchase Date

Shares Received from Forward 
Contract Settlement 

Total Shares 
Repurchased 

 7,710,761 
 6,267,410 
 6,953,028 
 25,035,519 
 8,538,423 
 19,084,195 
 3,950,705 
 6,216,480 
 9,352,078 
 8,337,875 

 657,914 
 127,760 
 849,037 
 4,270,250 
 1,132,495 
 2,294,932 
 602,109 
 1,016,514 
 1,896,685 
 794,245 

 8,368,675 
 6,395,170 
 7,802,065 
 29,305,769 
 9,670,918 
 21,379,127 
 4,552,814 
 7,232,994 
 11,248,763 
 9,132,120 

Settlement Date 

February 12, 2013
February 27, 2013
April 5, 2013
October 1, 2013
March 5, 2014
March 31, 2014
March 31, 2014
July 21, 2014
October 14, 2014
January 8, 2015

Preferred Stock Offering 
On June 5, 2014, the Bancorp issued in a registered public offering 
300,000  depositary  shares,  representing  12,000  shares  of  4.90% 
fixed-to-floating  rate  non-cumulative  Series  J  perpetual  preferred 
stock,  for  net  proceeds  of  $297  million.  The  Series  J  preferred 
shares  are  not  convertible  into  Bancorp  common  shares  or  any 
other  securities.  For  more  information,  refer  to  Note  23  of  the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Senior Notes Offerings 
On February 28, 2014, the Bancorp issued and sold $500 million of 
2.30%  unsecured  senior  fixed-rate  notes,  with  a  maturity  of  five 
years, due on March 1, 2019. These notes will be redeemable by the 
Bancorp,  in  whole  or  in  part,  on  or  after  the  date  that  is  30  days 
prior  to  the  maturity  date  at  a  redemption  price  equal  to  100%  of 
the  principal  amount  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  up  to,  but 
excluding the redemption date.  

On  April  25,  2014,  the  Bank  issued  and  sold  $1.5  billion  in 
aggregate  principal  amount  of  unsecured  senior  bank  notes.  The 
bank  notes  consisted  of  $850  million  of  2.375%  senior  fixed-rate 
notes, with a maturity of five years, due on April 25, 2019; and $650 
million  of  1.35%  senior  fixed-rate  notes  with  a  maturity  of  three 
years, due on June 1, 2017. These bank notes will be redeemable by 
the  Bank,  in  whole  or  in  part,  on  or  after  the  date  that  is  30  days 
prior  to  the  maturity  date  at  a  redemption  price  equal  to  100%  of 
the  principal  amount  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  up  to,  but 
excluding, the redemption date.  

On September 5, 2014, the Bank issued and sold $850 million 
of  2.875%  unsecured  senior  fixed-rate  bank  notes,  with  a  maturity 
of  seven  years,  due  on  October  1,  2021.  These  bank  notes  will  be 
redeemable  by  the  Bank,  in  whole  or  in  part,  on  or  after  the  date 
that is 30 days prior to the maturity date at a redemption price equal 
to  100%  of  the  principal  amount  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest 
up  to,  but  excluding,  the  redemption  date.  For  additional 
information  on  the  senior  notes  offerings,  refer  to  Note  16  of  the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Automobile Loan Securitizations 
In  securitization  transactions  that  occurred  in  2014,  the  Bancorp 
transferred  an  aggregate  amount  of  approximately  $3.8  billion  in 
fixed-rate  consumer  automobile  loans  to  bankruptcy  remote  trusts 
which  were  deemed  to  be  VIEs.  The  Bancorp  concluded  that  it  is 
the  primary  beneficiary  of  these  VIEs  and,  therefore,  has 
consolidated  these  VIEs.  For  additional 
information  on  the 
automobile  loan  securitizations,  refer  to  Notes  10  and  16  of  the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Legislative Developments 
On  July  21,  2010,  the  DFA  was  signed  into  federal  law.  This  act 
implements changes to the financial services industry and affects the 
lending,  deposit,  investment,  trading  and  operating  activities  of 
financial  institutions  and  their  holding  companies.  The  legislation 
established  the  CFPB  responsible  for  implementing  and  enforcing 
compliance with consumer financial laws, changes the methodology 
for  determining  deposit  insurance  assessments,  gives  the  FRB  the 
ability to regulate and limit interchange rates charged to merchants 
for  the  use  of  debit  cards,  enacts  new  limitations  on  proprietary 
trading,  broadens  the  scope  of  derivative  instruments  subject  to 
regulation,  requires  on-going  stress  tests  and  the  submission  of 
annual  capital  plans  for  certain  organizations,  requires  changes  to 
rules  governing  regulatory  capital  ratios  and  requires  enhanced 
liquidity standards.  

The FRB launched the 2014 capital planning and stress testing 
program,  CCAR,  on  November  1,  2013.  The  CCAR  program 
requires BHCs with $50 billion or more of total consolidated assets 
to submit annual capital plans to the FRB for review and to conduct 
stress tests under a number of economic scenarios. The capital plan 
and stress testing results were submitted by the Bancorp to the FRB 
on January 6, 2014. 

In  March  of  2014,  the  FRB  disclosed  its  estimates  of 
participating  institutions  results  under  the  FRB  supervisory  stress 
scenario,  including  capital  results,  which  assume  all  banks  take 
certain  consistently  applied  future  capital  actions.  In  addition,  the 
FRB disclosed its estimates of participating institutions results under 
the FRB supervisory severe stress scenarios including capital results 
based on each company’s own base scenario capital actions. 

On March 26, 2014, the Bancorp announced the results of its 
capital plan submitted to the FRB as part of the 2014 CCAR. The 
FRB indicated to the Bancorp that it did not object to the following 
capital  actions  for  the  period  beginning  April  1,  2014  and  ending 
March 31, 2015:  

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

The potential increase in the quarterly common stock 
dividend to $0.13 per share; 
The  potential  repurchase  of  common  shares  in  an 
amount up to $669 million; 
The  additional  ability  to  repurchase  shares  in  the 
amount of any after-tax gains from the sale of Vantiv, 
Inc. common stock; and 
The 
preferred stock. 

issuance  of  an  additional  $300  million 

in 

For more information on the 2014 CCAR results, refer to the 

Capital Management section of MD&A. 

17  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The  BHCs  that  participated  in  the  2014  CCAR,  including  the 
Bancorp,  were  required  to  conduct  mid-cycle  company-run  stress 
tests using data as of March 31, 2014. The stress tests must be based 
on  three  BHC  defined  economic  scenarios  –  baseline,  adverse  and 
severely  adverse.  As  required,  the  Bancorp  reported  the  mid-cycle 
stress  test  results  to  the  FRB  on  July  7,  2014.  In  addition,  the 
Bancorp published a Form 8-K providing a summary of the results 
under the severely adverse scenario on September 18, 2014, which is 
available  on  Fifth  Third’s  website  at  https://www.53.com.  These 
results  represented  estimates  of  the  Bancorp’s  results  from  the 
second  quarter  of  2014  through  the  second  quarter  of  2016  under 
the severely adverse scenario, which is considered highly unlikely to 
occur. 

Fifth  Third  offers  qualified  deposit  customers  a  deposit 
advance product if they choose to avail themselves of this product 
to  meet  short-term,  small-dollar  financial  needs.  In  April  of  2013, 
the  CFPB  issued  a  “White  Paper”  which  studied  financial  services 
industry offerings and customer use of deposit advance products as 
well  as  payday  loans  and  is  considering  whether  rules  governing 
these products are warranted. At the same time, the OCC and FDIC 
each  issued  proposed  supervisory  guidance  for  public  comment  to 
institutions  they  supervise  which  supplements  existing  OCC  and 
FDIC  guidance,  detailing  the  principles  they  expect  financial 
institutions  to  follow  in  connection  with  deposit  advance  products 
and  supervisory  expectations  for  the  use  of  deposit  advance 
products.  The  Federal  Reserve  also  issued  a  statement  in  April  of 
2013 to state member banks like Fifth Third for whom the Federal 
Reserve  is  the  primary  regulator.  This  statement  encouraged  state 
member banks to respond to customers’ small-dollar credit needs in 
a  responsible  manner;  emphasized  that  they  should  take  into 
consideration  the  risks  associated  with  deposit  advance  products, 
including  potential  consumer  harm  and  potential  elevated 
compliance  risk;  and  reminded  them  that  these  product  offerings 
must comply with applicable laws and regulations.  

Fifth  Third’s  deposit  advance  product  is  designed  to  fully 
comply  with  the  applicable  federal  and  state  laws  and  use  of  this 
product  is  subject  to  strict  eligibility  requirements  and  advance 
restriction  guidelines  to  limit  dependency  on  this  product  as  a 
borrowing  source.  The  Bancorp’s  deposit  advance  balances  are 
included  in  other  consumer  loans  and  leases  in  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  and  represent  substantially  all  of  the 
revenue reported in interest and fees on other consumer loans and 
leases  in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  and  in 
Table  8  in  the  Statements  of  Income  Analysis  section  of  MD&A. 
On January 17, 2014, given developments in industry practice, Fifth 
Third announced that it would no longer enroll new customers in its 
deposit  advance  product  and  expected  to  phase  out  the  service  to 
existing customers by the end of 2014. To avoid a disruption to its 
existing  customers  during  the  extension  period  while  the  banking 
industry  awaits  further  regulatory  guidance  on  the  deposit  advance 
product, on November 3, 2014, Fifth Third announced changes to 
its  current  deposit  advance  product  for  existing  customers 
beginning  January  1,  2015,  including  a  lower  transaction  fee,  an 
extended  repayment  period  and  a  reduced  maximum  advance 
period.  The  Bancorp  currently  expects  to  continue  to  offer  the 
service  to  existing  deposit  advance  customers  until  further 
regulatory  guidance  is  provided.  The  Bancorp  currently  expects 
these  changes  to  the  deposit  advance  product  to  negatively  impact 
net interest income by approximately $100 million in 2015. 

In  December  of  2010  and  revised  in  June  of  2011,  the  BCBS 
issued  Basel  III,  a  global  regulatory  framework,  to  enhance 
international  capital  standards.  In  June  of  2012,  U.S.  banking 
regulators  proposed  enhancements 
the  regulatory  capital 
requirements for U.S. banks, which implement aspects of Basel III, 
such  as  re-defining  the  regulatory  capital  elements  and  minimum 

to 

18  Fifth Third Bancorp 

capital  ratios,  introducing  regulatory  capital  buffers  above  those 
minimums, revising the agencies’ rules for calculating risk-weighted 
assets and introducing a new Tier I common equity ratio. In July of 
2013,  U.S.  banking  regulators  approved  the  final  enhanced 
regulatory  capital  rules  (Basel  III  Final  Rule),  which  included 
modifications  to  the  proposed  rules.  The  Bancorp  continues  to 
evaluate the Basel III Final Rule and its potential impact. For more 
information  on  the  impact  of  the  regulatory  capital  enhancements, 
refer  to  the  Capital  Management  section  of  MD&A.  Refer  to  the 
Non-GAAP section of MD&A for an estimate of the Basel III Tier 
I common equity ratio. 

On December 10, 2013, the banking agencies finalized section 
619  of  the  DFA,  known  as  the  Volcker  Rule,  which  became 
effective April 1, 2014. Though the final rule was effective April 1, 
2014, the FRB granted the industry an extension of time until July 
21,  2015  to  conform  certain  of  its  activities  related  to  proprietary 
trading to comply with the Volcker Rule. In addition, the FRB has 
granted  the  industry  an  extension  of  time  until  July  21,  2016,  and 
announced  its  intention  to  grant  a  one  year  extension  of  the 
conformance  period  until  July  21,  2017,  to  conform  certain 
ownership  interests  in,  sponsorship  activities  of  and  relationships 
with  private  equity  or  hedge  funds  as  well  as  holding  certain 
collateralized loan obligations that were in place as of December 31, 
2013.  It  is  possible  that  additional  conformance  period  extensions 
could  be  granted  either  to  the entire  industry, or,  upon request,  to 
requesting banking organizations on a case-by-case basis. The final 
rule prohibits banks and bank holding companies from engaging in 
short-term  proprietary  trading  of  certain  securities,  derivatives, 
commodity futures and options on these instruments for their own 
account.  The  Volcker  Rule  also  restricts  banks  and  their  affiliated 
entities  from  owning,  sponsoring  or  having  certain  relationships 
with  private  equity  and  hedge  funds,  as  well  as  holding  certain 
collateralized loan obligations that are deemed to contain ownership 
interests.  Exemptions  are  provided  for  certain  activities  such  as 
underwriting,  market  making,  hedging, 
in  certain 
government obligations and organizing and offering a hedge fund or 
private equity fund. Fifth Third does not sponsor any private equity 
or  hedge  funds  that,  under  the  final  rule,  it  is  prohibited  from 
sponsoring.  As  of  December  31,  2014,  the  Bancorp  held  no 
collateralized  loan  obligations.  As  of  December  31,  2014,  the 
Bancorp  had  approximately  $165  million 
interests  and 
approximately  $60  million  in  binding  commitments  to  invest  in 
private  equity  funds  that  are  affected  by  the  Volcker  Rule.  It  is 
expected  that  over  time  the  Bancorp  may  need  to  sell  or  redeem 
these  investments,  however  no  formal  plan  to  sell  has  been 
approved  as  of  December  31,  2014.  As  a  result  of  the  announced 
conformance period extension, the Bancorp believes it is likely that 
these investments will be reduced over time in the ordinary course 
of events before compliance is required. 

trading 

in 

implementing  a  quantitative 

On  October  10,  2014,  the  U.S.  Banking  Agencies  published 
final  rules 
liquidity  requirement 
consistent with the LCR standard established by the BCBS for large 
internationally  active  banking  organizations,  generally  those  with 
$250  billion  or  more  in  total  consolidated  assets  or  $10  billion  or 
more in on-balance sheet foreign exposure.  In addition, a modified 
LCR  requirement  was  implemented  for  BHCs  with  $50  billion  or 
more  in  total  consolidated  assets  but  that  are  not  internationally 
active, such as Fifth Third. The modified LCR is effective January 1, 
2016  and  requires  BHCs  to  calculate  its  LCR  on  a  monthly  basis. 
Refer  to  the  Liquidity  Risk  Management  section  of  MD&A  for 
further discussion on these ratios.  

On  July  31,  2013,  the  U.S.  District  Court  for  the  District  of 
Columbia  issued  an  order  granting  summary  judgment  to  the 
plaintiffs in a case challenging certain provisions of the FRB’s rule 
concerning  electronic  debit  card  transaction  fees  and  network 

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

exclusivity arrangements (the “Current Rule”) that were adopted to 
implement  Section  1075  of  the  DFA,  known  as  the  Durbin 
Amendment. The Court held that, in adopting the Current Rule, the 
FRB  violated  the  Durbin  Amendment’s  provisions  concerning 
which  costs  are  allowed  to  be  taken  into  account  for  purposes  of 
setting  fees  that  are  reasonable  and  proportional  to  the  costs 
incurred  by  the  issuer  and  therefore  the  Current  Rule’s  maximum 
permissible fees were too high. In addition, the Court held that the 
Current  Rule’s  network  non-exclusivity  provisions  concerning 
unaffiliated  payment  networks  for  debit  cards  also  violated  the 
Durbin  Amendment.  The  Court  vacated  the  Current  Rule,  but 
stayed  its  ruling  to  provide  the  FRB  an  opportunity  to  replace  the 

invalidated portions. The FRB appealed this decision and on March 
21,  2014,  the  D.C.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  reversed  the  District 
Court’s  grant  of  summary  judgment  and  remanded  the  case  for 
further proceedings in accordance with its opinion. The merchants 
have filed a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. 
However, on January 20, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to 
hear  an  appeal  of  the  Circuit  Court  reversal,  thereby  largely 
upholding  the  Current  Rule  and  substantially  reducing  uncertainty 
surrounding debit card interchange fees the Bancorp is permitted to 
charge.  Refer  to  the  Noninterest  Income  subsection  of  the 
Statements  of  Income  Analysis  section  of  MD&A  for  further 
information regarding the Bancorp’s debit card interchange revenue. 

19  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

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 after provision for loan and lease losses (FTE) 
Noninterest income 
Noninterest expense 
Income before income taxes (FTE) 
Fully taxable equivalent adjustment 
Applicable income tax expense 
Net income 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Net income attributable to Bancorp 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net income available to common shareholders 
Earnings per share - basic 
Earnings per share - diluted 
Cash dividends declared per common share 

2014  
4,051 
451 
3,600 
315 
3,285 
2,473 
3,709 
2,049 
21 
545 
1,483 
2 
1,481 
67 
1,414 
 1.68 
 1.66 
 0.51 

$

$
$

$

2013  
3,993 
412 
3,581 
229 
3,352 
3,227 
3,961 
2,618 
20 
772 
1,826 
(10)
1,836 
37 
1,799 
 2.05 
 2.02 
 0.47 

2012  
4,125 
512 
3,613 
303 
3,310 
2,999 
4,081 
2,228 
18 
636 
1,574 
(2)
1,576 
35 
1,541 
 1.69 
 1.66 
 0.36 

2011  
4,236 
661 
3,575 
423 
3,152 
2,455 
3,758 
1,849 
18 
533 
1,298 
1 
1,297 
203 
1,094 
 1.20 
 1.18 
 0.28 

2010  
4,507 
885 
3,622 
1,538 
2,084 
2,729 
3,855 
958 
18 
187 
753 
- 
753 
250 
503 
 0.63 
 0.63 
 0.04 

Holding,  LLC  and  a  decrease  in  equity  method  earnings  from 
Vantiv Holding, LLC.  

Noninterest expense decreased $252 million, or six percent, in 
2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to decreases in total personnel 
costs  and  other  noninterest  expense.  Total  personnel  costs 
decreased  $155  million  in  2014  compared  to  2013  driven  by  a 
decrease  in  incentive  compensation  primarily  in  the  mortgage 
business  due  to  lower  production  levels  and  a  decrease  in  base 
compensation and employee benefits as a result of a decline in the 
number  of  full-time  equivalent  employees.  Other  noninterest 
expense decreased $125 million in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily 
due  to  decreases  in  loan  and  lease  expense,  FDIC  insurance  and 
other  taxes,  losses  and  adjustments,  marketing  expense,  debt 
extinguishment costs and an increase in the benefit from the reserve 
for  unfunded  commitments,  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in 
impairment on affordable housing investments.  

Credit Summary 
The provision for loan and lease losses was $315 million and $229 
million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively. Net charge-offs as a percent of average portfolio loans 
and  leases  increased  to  0.64%  during  2014  compared  to  0.58% 
during  2013.  At  December  31,  2014,  nonperforming  assets  as  a 
percent  of 
including  OREO 
leases  and  other  assets, 
(excluding  nonaccrual  loans  held  for  sale)  decreased  to  0.82%, 
compared  to  1.10%  at  December  31,  2013.  For  further  discussion 
on  credit  quality,  refer  to  the  Credit  Risk  Management  section  in 
MD&A. 

loans, 

Capital Summary 
The Bancorp’s capital ratios exceed the “well-capitalized” guidelines 
as  defined  by  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  Federal  Reserve 
System. As of December 31, 2014, the Tier I risk-based capital ratio 
was 10.83%, the Tier I leverage ratio was 9.66% and the Total risk-
based capital ratio was 14.33%. 

Earnings Summary 
The  Bancorp’s  net  income  available  to  common  shareholders  for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  was $1.4  billion,  or  $1.66  per 
diluted  share,  which  was  net  of  $67  million  in  preferred  stock 
income  available  to  common 
dividends.  The  Bancorp’s  net 
shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $1.8 billion, 
or $2.02 per diluted share, which was net of $37 million in preferred 
stock dividends. Pre-provision net revenue was $2.3 billion and $2.8 
billion  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  Pre-provision  net  revenue  is  a  non-GAAP  measure. 
For  further 
information,  refer  to  the  Non-GAAP  Financial 
Measures section in the MD&A. 

Net interest income was $3.6 billion for both the years ended 
December  31,  2014  and  2013.  Net  interest  income  was  positively 
impacted by an increase in average taxable securities of $5.4 billion 
for the year ended December 31, 2014 coupled with an increase in 
yields on these securities of 16  bps compared to the prior year. In 
addition, net interest income also included the benefit of an increase 
in average loans and leases and a decrease in the rates paid on long-
term debt compared to the prior year, partially offset by lower yields 
on loans and leases and an increase in average long-term debt. The 
net interest rate spread decreased to 2.94% in 2014 from 3.15% in 
2013 primarily due to a 21 bps decrease in yields on average interest-
earning  assets  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014.  Net  interest 
margin  was  3.10%  and  3.32%  for  the  years  ended  December  31, 
2014 and 2013, respectively. 

Noninterest  income  decreased  $754  million,  or  23%,  in  2014 
compared to 2013. The decrease from the prior year was primarily 
due  to  decreases  in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  and  other 
noninterest income. Mortgage banking net revenue decreased $390 
million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  compared  to  the 
prior year primarily due to decreases in origination fees and gains on 
loan  sales  and  net  mortgage  servicing  revenue.  Other  noninterest 
income  decreased  $429  million  compared  to  the  prior  year.  The 
decrease included the impact of a gain of $125 million on the sale of 
Vantiv, Inc. shares in the second quarter of 2014, compared to gains 
totaling $327 million during the second and third quarters of 2013. 
The  Bancorp  recognized  gains  of  $23  million  and  $9  million 
associated  with  a  tax  receivable  agreement  with  Vantiv,  Inc.  in  the 
fourth  quarter  of  2014  and  2013,  respectively.  Additionally,  other 
noninterest  income  decreased  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2014  compared  to  2013  primarily  due  to  decreases  in  the  positive 
valuation  adjustments  on  the  stock  warrant  associated  with  Vantiv 

20  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES 
The following are Non-GAAP measures which are important to the 
reader  of  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  but 
should be supplemental to primary GAAP measures. The Bancorp 
considers  many  factors  when  determining  the  adequacy  of  its 
liquidity  profile,  including  its  LCR  as  defined  by  the  U.S.  Banking 
Agencies Basel III LCR final rule. Generally, the LCR is designed to 
ensure  banks  maintain  an  adequate  level  of  unencumbered  HQLA 
to  satisfy  the  estimated  net  cash  outflows  under  a  30-day  stress 
scenario. The Bancorp will be subject to the Modified LCR whereby 

TABLE 4:  Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Liquidity Coverage Ratio

As of ($ in millions) 
High Quality Liquid Assets 
Estimated net cash outflow 
Estimated Modified LCR 

the  net  cash  outflow  under  the  30-day  stress  scenario  is  multiplied 
by  a  factor  of  0.7.  The  final  rule  is  not  effective  for  the  Bancorp 
until January 1, 2016. The Bancorp believes there is no comparable 
U.S.  GAAP  financial  measure  to  LCR.  The  Bancorp  believes 
providing an estimated LCR is important for comparability to other 
liquidity 
institutions.  For  a  further  discussion  on 
financial 
management and the LCR, refer to the Liquidity Risk Management 
section of MD&A. 

$ 

December 31, 
2014  
 22,162 
 19,831 

 112 %

Pre-provision  net  revenue  is  net  interest  income  plus  noninterest 
income  minus  noninterest  expense.  The  Bancorp  believes  this 

measure  is  important  because  it  provides  a  ready  view  of  the 
Bancorp’s pre-tax earnings before the impact of provision expense. 

The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure of pre-provision net revenue to U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31:

TABLE 5:  Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Pre-Provision Net Revenue
($ in millions) 
Net interest income (U.S. GAAP) 
Add: Noninterest income 
Less: Noninterest expense 
Pre-provision net revenue 

   $ 

   $ 

2014   
 3,579 
 2,473 
 3,709 
 2,343   

2013   
 3,561 
 3,227 
 3,961 
 2,827   

The Bancorp believes return on average tangible common equity is 
an important measure for comparative purposes with other financial 

institutions, but is not defined under U.S. GAAP, and therefore is 
considered a non-GAAP financial measure.(cid:3)

The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measure of return on average tangible common equity to U.S. GAAP for the years ended 
December 31:

TABLE 6:  Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
($ in millions) 
Net income available to common shareholders (U.S. GAAP) 
Add: Intangible amortization, net of tax 
Tangible net income available to common shareholders (1) 

Average Bancorp's shareholders' equity (U.S. GAAP) 
Less: Average preferred stock 
        Average goodwill 
        Average intangible assets and other servicing rights 
Average Tangible common equity (2) 

Return on average tangible common equity (1) / (2) 

   $ 

   $ 

   $ 

2014   
 1,414 
 3   
 1,417 

 15,290 
(1,205)  
(2,416)  
(20)  

   $ 

 11,649 

2013   
 1,799 
 5   
 1,804 

 14,302 
(604)
(2,416)
(29)
 11,253 

 12.2  %

 16.0 

The  Bancorp  considers  various  measures  when  evaluating  capital 
utilization and adequacy, including the tangible equity ratio, tangible 
common equity ratio and Tier I common equity ratio, in addition to 
capital  ratios  defined  by  banking  regulators.  These  calculations  are 
intended  to  complement  the  capital  ratios  defined  by  banking 
regulators  for  both  absolute  and  comparative  purposes.  Because 
U.S.  GAAP  does  not  include  capital  ratio  measures,  the  Bancorp 
believes there are no comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures to 
these ratios. These ratios are not formally defined by U.S. GAAP or 
codified  in  the  federal  banking  regulations  and,  therefore,  are 
considered to be non-GAAP financial measures. Since analysts and 
banking regulators may assess the Bancorp’s capital adequacy using 

The  Bancorp  believes 

these  ratios,  the  Bancorp  believes  they  are  useful  to  provide 
investors the ability to assess its capital adequacy on the same basis. 
these  non-GAAP  measures  are 
important  because  they  reflect  the  level  of  capital  available  to 
withstand unexpected market conditions. Additionally, presentation 
of these measures allows readers to compare certain aspects of the 
Bancorp’s  capitalization  to  other  organizations.  However,  because 
there are no standardized definitions for these ratios, the Bancorp’s 
calculations  may  not  be  comparable  with  other  organizations,  and 
the usefulness of these measures to investors may be limited. As a 
result, the Bancorp encourages readers to consider its Consolidated 
Financial  Statements  in  their  entirety  and  not  to  rely  on  any  single 
financial measure.  

21  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

U.S.  banking  regulators  approved  final  capital  rules  (Basel  III 
Final Rule) in July of 2013 that substantially amend the existing risk-
based  capital  rules  (Basel  I)  for  banks.  The  Bancorp  believes 
providing  an  estimate  of  its  capital  position  based  upon  the  final 
rules is important to complement the existing capital ratios and for 

comparability to other financial institutions. Since these rules are not 
effective for the Bancorp until January 1, 2015, they are considered 
non-GAAP  measures  and  therefore  are  included  in  the  following 
non-GAAP financial measures table. 

The following table reconciles non-GAAP capital ratios to U.S. GAAP as of December 31:

TABLE 7:  Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Capital Ratios  
($ in millions)  
Total Bancorp shareholders’ equity (U.S. GAAP)  
Less:  Preferred stock  
          Goodwill  
          Intangible assets and other servicing rights  
Tangible common equity, including unrealized gains / losses  
Less:  Accumulated other comprehensive income  
Tangible common equity, excluding unrealized gains / losses (1)  
Add:   Preferred stock  
Tangible equity (2)  

Total assets (U.S. GAAP)  
Less:  Goodwill  
          Intangible assets and other servicing rights  
          Accumulated other comprehensive income, before tax  
Tangible assets, excluding unrealized gains / losses (3)  

Total Bancorp shareholders’ equity (U.S. GAAP)  
Less:  Goodwill and certain other intangibles  
         Accumulated other comprehensive income  
Add:  Qualifying TruPS  
         Other  
Tier I risk-based capital  
Less: Preferred stock  
          Qualifying TruPS  
          Qualified noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries  
Tier I common equity (4)  

Risk-weighted assets (5)(a) 

Ratios:  
          Tangible equity (2) / (3)  
          Tangible common equity (1) / (3)  
          Tier I common equity (4) / (5)  

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2014 
 15,626 
 (1,331)
 (2,416)
 (16)
 11,863 
 (429)
 11,434 
 1,331 
 12,765 

 138,706 
 (2,416)
 (16)
 (660)
 135,614 

 15,626 
 (2,476)
 (429)
 60 
 (17)
 12,764 
 (1,331)
 (60)
 (1)
 11,372 

2013 
 14,589 
 (1,034)
 (2,416)
 (19)
 11,120 
 (82)
 11,038 
 1,034 
 12,072 

 130,443 
 (2,416)
 (19)
 (126)
 127,882 

 14,589 
 (2,492)
 (82)
 60 
 19 
 12,094 
 (1,034)
 (60)
 (37)
 10,963 

 117,878 

 115,969 

9.41 %
8.43 %
9.65 %

 9.44 
 8.63 
 9.45 

Basel III Final Rule - Estimated Tier I common equity ratio  
Tier I common equity (Basel I)  
Add: Adjustment related to capital components(b) 
Estimated Tier I common equity under Basel III Final Rule without AOCI (opt out) (6)  
Add: Adjustment related to AOCI(c) 
Estimated Tier I common equity under Basel III Final Rule with AOCI (non opt out) (7)   
Estimated risk-weighted assets under Basel III Final Rule (8)(d) 
Estimated Tier I common equity ratio under Basel III Final Rule (opt out) (6) / (8)   
Estimated Tier I common equity ratio under Basel III Final Rule (non opt out) (7) / (8)  
(a) Under the banking agencies’ risk-based capital guidelines, assets and credit equivalent amounts of derivatives and off-balance sheet exposures are assigned to broad risk categories. The aggregate dollar 
amount in each risk category is multiplied by the associated risk-weight of the category. The resulting weighted values are added together, along with the measure for market risk, resulting in the 
Bancorp’s total risk-weighted assets. 

 11,372   
 84   
 11,456   
 429   
 11,885   
 122,018   
9.39 %
9.74 %

 10,963   
 82   
 11,045   
 82   
 11,127   
 122,074   
9.05   
9.12   

$ 

(b) Adjustments related to capital components include MSRs and deferred tax assets subject to threshold limitations and deferred tax liabilities related to intangible assets, which were deductions to 

(c)
(d)

capital under Basel I capital rules. 
Under Basel III, non-advanced approach banks are permitted to make a one-time election to opt out of the requirement to include AOCI in Tier I common equity. 
Key differences under Basel III in the calculation of risk-weighted assets compared to Basel I include: (1) Risk-weighting for commitments less than 1 year; (2) Higher risk-weighting for exposures to 
securitizations, past due loans, foreign banks and certain commercial real estate; (3) Higher risk-weighting for MSRs and deferred tax assets that are under certain thresholds as a percent of Tier I 
capital; and (4) Derivatives are differentiated between exchange clearing and over-the-counter and the 50% risk-weight cap is removed. 

22  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 
Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements provides 
a discussion of the significant new accounting standards adopted by 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
The  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are  prepared  in 
accordance  with  U.S.  GAAP.  Certain  accounting  policies  require 
management  to  exercise  judgment  in  determining  methodologies, 
economic assumptions and estimates that may materially affect the 
Bancorp’s  financial  position,  results  of  operations  and  cash  flows. 
The Bancorp’s critical accounting policies include the accounting for 
the  ALLL,  reserve  for  unfunded  commitments,  income  taxes, 
valuation of servicing rights, fair value measurements, goodwill and 
legal contingencies. No material changes were made to the valuation 
techniques  or  models  described  below  during  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2014. 

ALLL 
The  Bancorp  disaggregates  its  portfolio  loans  and  leases  into 
portfolio  segments  for  purposes  of  determining  the  ALLL.  The 
Bancorp’s  portfolio  segments 
include  commercial,  residential 
mortgage,  and  consumer.  The  Bancorp  further  disaggregates  its 
portfolio  segments  into  classes  for  purposes  of  monitoring  and 
assessing credit quality based on certain risk characteristics. Classes 
within  the  commercial  portfolio  segment  include  commercial  and 
industrial,  commercial  mortgage  owner-occupied,  commercial 
mortgage  nonowner-occupied,  commercial  construction,  and 
commercial  leasing.  The  residential  mortgage  portfolio  segment  is 
also  considered  a  class.  Classes  within  the  consumer  portfolio 
segment  include  home  equity,  automobile,  credit  card,  and  other 
consumer loans and leases. For an analysis of the Bancorp’s ALLL 
by portfolio segment and credit quality information by class, refer to 
Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

The  Bancorp  maintains  the  ALLL  to  absorb  probable  loan 
and  lease  losses  inherent  in  its  portfolio  segments.  The  ALLL  is 
maintained  at  a  level  the  Bancorp  considers  to  be  adequate  and  is 
based  on  ongoing  quarterly  assessments  and  evaluations  of  the 
collectability  and  historical  loss  experience  of  loans  and  leases. 
Credit losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the ALLL. 
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.  The 
includes  a 
Bancorp’s  strategy 
combination  of  conservative  exposure  limits  significantly  below 
legal  lending  limits  and  conservative  underwriting,  documentation 
and 
emphasizes 
diversification on a geographic, industry and customer level, regular 
credit  examinations  and  quarterly  management  reviews  of  large 
credit  exposures  and  loans  experiencing  deterioration  of  credit 
quality. 

risk  management 

standards.  The 

for  credit 

collections 

strategy 

also 

The  Bancorp’s  methodology  for  determining  the  ALLL  is 
based  on  historical  loss  rates,  current  credit  grades,  specific 
allocation  on  loans  modified  in  a  TDR  and  impaired  commercial 
credits above specified thresholds and other qualitative adjustments. 
Allowances  on  individual  commercial  loans,  TDRs  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 
in  estimating  and 
measuring losses when evaluating allowances for individual loans or 
pools of loans. 

to  recognize 

imprecision 

the 

Larger  commercial  loans  included  within  aggregate  borrower 
relationship  balances  exceeding  $1  million  that  exhibit  probable  or 

the  Bancorp  during  2014  and  the  expected  impact  of  significant 
accounting standards issued, but not yet required to be adopted.  

observed  credit  weaknesses,  as  well  as  loans  that  have  been 
modified in a TDR, are subject to individual review for impairment. 
The Bancorp considers the current value of collateral, credit quality 
of  any  guarantees,  the  guarantor’s  liquidity  and  willingness  to 
cooperate,  the  loan  structure,  and  other  factors  when  evaluating 
whether  an  individual  loan  is  impaired.  Other  factors  may  include 
the  industry  and  geographic  region  of  the  borrower,  size  and 
financial  condition  of  the  borrower,  cash  flow  and  leverage  of  the 
borrower,  and 
the  borrower’s 
the  Bancorp’s  evaluation  of 
management.  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.  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  collectability  of  both  principal  and 
interest when assessing the need for a loss accrual. 

Historical credit loss rates are applied to commercial loans that 
are  not  impaired  or  are  impaired,  but  smaller  than  the  established 
threshold  of  $1  million  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 
utilized for allowance analysis purposes encompasses ten categories. 
Homogenous loans and leases in the residential mortgage and 
consumer  portfolio  segments  are  not  individually  risk  graded. 
Rather, standard credit scoring systems and delinquency monitoring 
are used to assess credit risks, and allowances are established based 
on the expected net charge-offs. Loss rates are based on the trailing 
twelve month net charge-off history by loan category. Historical loss 
rates may be adjusted for certain prescriptive and qualitative 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 reviewers. 

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 regional geographic concentrations and the closely associated 
effect  changing  economic  conditions  have  on  the  Bancorp’s 
customers. 

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 
in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  The 
determination  of  the  adequacy  of  the  reserve  is  based  upon  an 
evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment 
of  historical  commitment  utilization  experience,  credit  risk  grading 
and  historical  loss  rates  based  on  credit  grade  migration.  This 
process  takes  into  consideration  the  same  risk  elements  that  are 

liabilities 

23  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

analyzed  in  the  determination  of  the  adequacy  of  the  Bancorp’s 
ALLL,  as  discussed  above.  Net  adjustments  to  the  reserve  for 
unfunded  commitments  are  included  in  other  noninterest  expense 
in the Consolidated Statements of 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 the net deferred tax asset or liability is 
reported  in  other  assets  or  accrued  taxes,  interest  and  expenses, 
respectively,  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  reflects  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. This analysis is performed on 
a  quarterly  basis  and  includes  an  evaluation  of  all  positive  and 
negative  evidence,  such  as  the  limitation  on  the  use  of  any  net 
operating  losses,  to  determine  whether  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 
in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  The  Bancorp 
expenses 
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.  For  additional  information  on 
income  taxes,  refer  to  Note  20  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

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 
revenue.  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.  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  and  the  weighted-average  coupon  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 

24  Fifth Third Bancorp 

measuring  impairment,  the  mortgage  servicing  rights  are  stratified 
into  classes  based  on  the  financial  asset  type  (fixed-rate  vs. 
adjustable  rate)  and  interest  rates.  For  additional  information  on 
servicing  rights,  refer  to  Note  11  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

Fair Value Measurements 
The  Bancorp  measures  certain  financial  assets  and  liabilities  at  fair 
value in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which 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.  Valuation  techniques  the  Bancorp  uses  to 
measure  fair  value  include  the  market  approach,  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. 

U.S. GAAP 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 
that  are  derived  principally  from  or 
corroborated  by  observable  market  data  by  correlation 
or other means. 

inputs 

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 
Bancorp’s  own 
internally 
developed  pricing  models  and  DCF  methodologies,  as 
fair  value 
well  as 
determination 
significant  management 
judgment. 

financial  data  such  as 

instruments 

for  which 

requires 

the 

The  Bancorp’s  fair  value  measurements  involve  various 
valuation  techniques  and  models,  which  involve  inputs  that  are 
observable,  when  available.  Valuation  techniques  and  parameters 
used  for  measuring  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 

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

trades  and  overall 

exception reports based on certain analytical criteria, comparison to 
previous 
for 
reasonableness. The following is a summary of valuation techniques 
utilized  by  the  Bancorp  for  its  significant  assets  and  liabilities 
measured at fair value on a recurring basis. 

review  and  assessments 

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 DCFs. Examples of such instruments, 
which  are  classified  within  Level  2  of  the  valuation 
hierarchy,  include  federal  agencies,  obligations  of  states 
and  political  subdivisions,  agency  residential  mortgage-
backed  securities,  agency  and  non-agency  commercial 
mortgage-backed  securities  and  asset-backed  securities 
and  other  debt  securities.  Corporate  bonds  are  included 
in  asset-backed  securities  and  other  debt  securities. 
Federal  agencies,  obligations  of  states  and  political 
subdivisions, 
residential  mortgage-backed 
securities, agency and non-agency commercial mortgage-
backed  securities  and  asset-backed  securities  and  other 
debt  securities  are  generally  valued  using  a  market 
approach  based  on  observable  prices  of  securities  with 
similar characteristics. 

agency 

Residential mortgage loans held for sale and held 
for investment 
For  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  for  which 
the  fair  value  election  has  been  made,  fair  value  is 
estimated based upon mortgage-backed securities prices 
and  spreads  to  those  prices  or,  for  certain  ARM  loans, 
DCF  models  that  may  incorporate  the  anticipated 
portfolio  composition,  credit  spreads  of  asset-backed 
securities  with  similar  collateral,  and  market  conditions. 
The anticipated portfolio composition includes the effect 
of  interest  rate  spreads  and  discount  rates  due  to  loan 
characteristics  such  as  the  state  in  which  the  loan  was 
originated,  the  loan  amount  and  the  ARM  margin. 
Residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  that  are  valued 
based on mortgage-backed securities prices are classified 
within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy as the valuation 
is  based  on  external  pricing  for  similar  instruments. 
ARM  loans  classified  as  held  for  sale  are  also  classified 
within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy due to the use 
the  DCF  model.  These 
of  observable 
observable  inputs  include  interest  rate  spreads  from 
agency  mortgage-backed  securities  market  rates  and 
observable discount rates. For residential mortgage loans 
in  which  the  fair  value  election  has  been  made  that  are 
subsequently  reclassified  from  held  for  sale  to  held  for 
investment,  the  fair  value  estimation 
is  based  on 
mortgage-backed  securities  prices,  interest  rate  risk  and 
an  internally  developed  credit  component.  Therefore, 
these loans are classified within Level 3 of the valuation 
hierarchy. 

inputs 

in 

Derivatives 
Exchange-traded  derivatives  valued  using  quoted  prices 
and  certain  over-the-counter  derivatives  valued  using 
active bids are classified within Level 1 of the valuation 

interest 

hierarchy. Most of the Bancorp’s derivative contracts are 
valued  using  DCF  or  other  models  that  incorporate 
current  market  interest  rates,  credit  spreads  assigned  to 
the  derivative  counterparties,  and  other  market 
parameters  and,  therefore,  are  classified  within  Level  2 
of the valuation hierarchy. Such derivatives include basic 
rate  swaps  and  options. 
and  structured 
Derivatives  that  are  valued  based  upon  models  with 
significant unobservable market parameters are classified 
within  Level  3  of 
the  valuation  hierarchy.  At 
December 31,  2014,  derivatives  classified  as  Level  3, 
which  are  valued  using  an  option-pricing  model 
containing  unobservable  inputs,  consisted  primarily  of 
the  warrant  associated  with  the  initial  sale  of  the 
Bancorp’s  51%  interest  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  to 
Advent  International  and  a  total  return  swap  associated 
with  the  Bancorp’s  sale  of  its  Visa,  Inc.  Class  B  shares. 
Level  3  derivatives  also  include  IRLCs,  which  utilize 
internally  generated  loan  closing  rate  assumptions  as  a 
significant unobservable input in the valuation process. 

In  addition  to  the  assets  and  liabilities  measured  at  fair  value 
on a recurring basis, the Bancorp measures servicing rights, certain 
loans  and  long-lived  assets  at  fair  value  on  a  nonrecurring  basis. 
Refer to Note 27 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
for further information on fair value measurements. 

Goodwill 
Business combinations entered into by the Bancorp typically include 
the  acquisition  of  goodwill.  U.S.  GAAP  requires  goodwill  to  be 
tested  for  impairment  at  the  Bancorp’s  reporting  unit  level  on  an 
annual  basis,  which  for  the  Bancorp  is  September 30,  and  more 
frequently  if  events  or  circumstances  indicate  that  there  may  be 
impairment. The Bancorp has determined that its segments qualify 
as reporting units under U.S. GAAP. 

Impairment exists when a reporting unit’s carrying amount of 
goodwill  exceeds  its  implied  fair  value.  In  testing  goodwill  for 
impairment,  U.S.  GAAP  permits  the  Bancorp  to  first  assess 
qualitative  factors  to  determine  whether  it  is  more  likely  than  not 
that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. 
In  this  qualitative  assessment,  the  Bancorp  evaluates  events  and 
circumstances which may include, but are not limited to, the general 
economic  environment,  banking  industry  and  market  conditions, 
the overall financial performance of the Bancorp, the performance 
of the Bancorp’s stock, the key financial performance metrics of the 
reporting  units,  and  events  affecting  the  reporting  units.  If,  after 
assessing  the  totality  of  events  and  circumstances,  the  Bancorp 
determines  it  is  not  more  likely  than  not  that  the  fair  value  of  a 
reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the 
two-step  impairment  test  would  be  unnecessary.  However,  if  the 
Bancorp concludes otherwise, it would then be required to perform 
the first step (Step 1) of the goodwill impairment test, and continue 
to  the  second  step  (Step  2),  if  necessary.  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,  Step  2  of  the  goodwill  impairment  test  is  performed  to 
measure the amount of impairment loss, 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.  Since  none  of  the 
Bancorp’s  reporting  units  are  publicly  traded,  individual  reporting 
unit  fair  value  determinations  cannot  be  directly  correlated  to  the 
Bancorp’s  stock  price.  To  determine  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting 
unit, the Bancorp employs an income-based approach, utilizing the 

25  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

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  compares  this 
market-based fair value measurement to the aggregate fair value of 
the Bancorp’s reporting units in order to corroborate the results of 
the income approach. 

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.  A  recognized  impairment  loss  cannot  exceed  the 
carrying amount of that goodwill and cannot be reversed in future 
periods even if the fair value of the reporting unit recovers. 

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 
the  Bancorp’s 
Statements  for  further 
goodwill. 

information  regarding 

Legal Contingencies 
The  Bancorp  is  party  to  numerous  claims  and  lawsuits  as  well  as 
threatened or potential actions or claims concerning matters arising 
from  the  conduct  of  its  business  activities.  The  outcome  of  claims 
or  litigation  and  the  timing  of  ultimate  resolution  are  inherently 
difficult to predict, and significant judgment may be required in the 
determination  of  both  the  probability  of  loss  and  whether  the 
amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. The Bancorp’s estimates 
are  subjective  and  are  based  on  the  status  of  legal  and  regulatory 
proceedings,  the  merit  of  the  Bancorp’s  defenses  and  consultation 
with  internal  and  external  legal  counsel.  A  reserve  for  a  potential 
litigation  loss  is  established  when  information  related  to  the  loss 
contingency  indicates  both  that  a  loss  is  probable  and  that  the 
amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. This reserve is included 
in  Other  Liabilities  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  and  is 
adjusted  from  time  to  time  as  appropriate  to  reflect  changes  in 
circumstances.  Legal  expenses  are  recorded  in  other  noninterest 
expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  

26  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

RISK FACTORS 
The  risks  listed  below  present  risks  that  could  have  a  material 
impact  on  the  Bancorp’s  financial  condition,  the  results  of  its 
operations, or its business.  

RISKS RELATING TO ECONOMIC AND MARKET 
CONDITIONS 

Weakness in the U.S. economy, including within Fifth Third’s 
geographic footprint, has adversely affected Fifth Third in the 
past and may adversely affect Fifth Third in the future. 
If the strength of the U.S. economy in general or the strength of the 
local economies in which Fifth Third conducts operations declines 
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  ALLL  and  in  the  receipt  of 
lower  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  loans  and  foreclosed  properties. 
These  factors  could  result  in  higher  delinquencies,  greater  charge-
offs  and  increased  losses  in  future  periods,  which  could  materially 
adversely  affect  Fifth  Third’s  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations. 

The global financial markets continue to be strained as a 
result of economic slowdowns and concerns, especially about 
the creditworthiness of the European Union member states 
and financial institutions in the European Union.  These 
factors could have international implications, which could 
hinder the U.S. economic recovery and affect the stability of 
global financial markets. 
Certain  European  Union  member  states  have  fiscal  obligations 
greater than their fiscal revenue, which has caused investor concern 
over  such  countries’  ability  to  continue  to  service  their  debt  and 
foster  economic  growth  in  their  economies.  The  European  debt 
crisis  and  measures  adopted  to  address  it  have  significantly 
weakened European economies. A weaker European economy may 
cause  investors  to  lose  confidence  in  the  safety  and  soundness  of 
European  financial  institutions  and  the  stability  of  European 
member economies. A failure to adequately address sovereign debt 
concerns in Europe could hamper economic recovery or contribute 
to  recessionary  economic  conditions  and  severe  stress  in  the 
financial  markets,  including  in  the  United  States.  Should  the  U.S. 
economic  recovery  be  adversely  impacted  by  these  factors,  the 
likelihood  for  loan  and  asset  growth  at  U.S.  financial  institutions, 
like Fifth Third, may deteriorate.  

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. 

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  manages 
investment  positions  on  behalf  of  its  customers.  These  investment 
positions include derivative financial instruments. The revenues and 
profits Fifth Third derives from managing proprietary and customer 
trading  and  investment  positions  are  dependent  on  market  prices. 
Market  changes  and  trends  may  result  in  a  decline  in  investment 
advisory  revenue  or  investment  or  trading  losses  that  may  impact 
Fifth  Third.  Losses  on  behalf  of  its  customers  could  expose  Fifth 
Third  to  litigation,  credit  risks  or  loss  of  revenue  from  those 
customers.  Additionally, 
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. 

losses 

Problems encountered by financial institutions larger than 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. 

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: 

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

Actual or anticipated variations in earnings; 
Changes in analysts’ recommendations or projections; 
Fifth  Third’s  announcements  of  developments  related  to 
its businesses; 

(cid:120) Operating  and  stock  performance  of  other  companies 

deemed to be peers;  
Actions by government regulators; 

(cid:120)
(cid:120) New  technology  used  or  services  offered  by  traditional 

and non-traditional competitors; 

(cid:120) News reports of trends, concerns and other issues related 

to the financial services industry; 

(cid:120) Natural disasters; 
(cid:120) Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism 

or military conflicts. 

The  price  for  shares  of  Fifth  Third’s  common stock  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 for shares of 
Fifth Third’s common stock, and the current market price of such 
shares may not be indicative of future market prices. 

27  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Changes  in  retail  distribution  strategies  and  consumer 
behavior may adversely impact Fifth Third’s investments in its 
bank premises and equipment and other assets and may lead 
to increased expenditures to change its retail distribution 
channel 
Fifth  Third  has  significant  investments  in  bank  premises  and 
equipment  for  its  branch  network  including  its  1,302  full  service 
banking  centers,  93  parcels  of  land  held  for  the  development  of 
future  banking  centers,  as  well  as  its  retail  work  force  and  other 
branch banking assets. Advances in technology such as e-commerce, 
telephone,  internet  and  mobile  banking,  and  in-branch  self-service 
teller  machines  and  other 
technologies 
equipment, as well as changing customer preferences for these other 
methods  of  accessing  Fifth  Third’s  products  and  services,  could 
decrease  the  value  of  Fifth  Third’s  branch  network  or  other  retail 
distribution assets and may cause it to change its retail distribution 
strategy,  close  and/or  sell  certain  branches  or  parcels  of  land  held 
for  development  and  restructure  or  reduce  its  remaining  branches 
and work force. These actions could lead to losses on these assets or 
could adversely impact the carrying value of other long-lived assets 
and may lead to increased expenditures to renovate and reconfigure 
remaining  branches  or  to  otherwise  reform  its  retail  distribution 
channel. 

including  automatic 

RISKS RELATING TO FIFTH THIRD’S GENERAL 
BUSINESS 

Deteriorating credit quality, particularly in real estate loans, 
has adversely impacted Fifth Third in the past and may 
adversely impact Fifth Third in the future. 
When  Fifth  Third  lends  money  or  commits  to  lend  money  the 
Bancorp  incurs  credit  risk  or  the  risk  of  loss  if  borrowers  do  not 
repay  their  loans.  The  credit  performance  of  the  loan  portfolios 
significantly affects the Bancorp’s financial results and condition. If 
the  current  economic  environment  were  to  deteriorate,  more 
customers  may  have  difficulty  in  repaying  their  loans  or  other 
obligations which could result in a higher level of credit losses and 
reserves  for  credit  losses.  Fifth  Third  reserves  for  credit  losses  by 
establishing  reserves  through  a  charge  to  earnings.  The  amount  of 
these reserves is based on Fifth Third’s assessment of credit losses 
inherent 
(including  unfunded  credit 
commitments).  The  process  for  determining  the  amount  of  the 
ALLL and the reserve for unfunded commitments is critical to Fifth 
Third’s  financial  results  and  condition.  It  requires  difficult, 
subjective and complex judgments about the environment, including 
analysis  of  economic  or  market  conditions  that  might  impair  the 
ability of borrowers to repay their loans. 

loan  portfolio 

the 

in 

Fifth Third might underestimate the credit losses inherent in its 
loan  portfolio  and  have  credit  losses  in  excess  of  the  amount 
reserved. Fifth Third might increase the reserve because of changing 
economic  conditions,  including  falling  home  prices  or  higher 
unemployment,  or  other  factors  such  as  changes  in  borrower’s 
behavior.  As  an  example,  borrowers  may  "strategically  default,"  or 
discontinue  making  payments  on  their  real  estate-secured  loans  if 
the value of the real estate is less than what they owe, even if they 
are still financially able to make the payments.  

Fifth  Third  believes  that  both  the  ALLL  and  the  reserve  for 
unfunded  commitments  are  adequate  to  cover  inherent  losses  at 
December 31, 2014; however, there is no assurance that they will be 
sufficient  to  cover  future  credit  losses,  especially  if  housing  and 
employment  conditions  worsen.  In  the  event  of  significant 
deterioration  in  economic  conditions,  Fifth  Third  may  be  required 
to increase reserves in future periods, which would reduce earnings. 
For more information, refer to the "Risk Management - Credit 
Risk  Management,"  "Critical  Accounting  Policies  -  Allowance  for 

28  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Loan  and  Leases,”  and  “Reserve  for  Unfunded  Commitments” 
sections of MD&A.  

Fifth Third must maintain adequate sources of funding and 
liquidity. 
Fifth Third must maintain adequate funding sources in the normal 
course  of  business  to  support  its  operations  and  fund  outstanding 
liabilities,  as  well  as  meet  regulatory  expectations.    Fifth  Third 
primarily relies on bank deposits to be a low cost and stable source 
of  funding  for  the  loans  Fifth  Third  makes  and  the  operations  of 
Fifth  Third’s  business.  Core  customer  deposits,  which  include 
transaction  deposits  and  other  time  deposits,  have  historically 
provided Fifth Third with a sizeable source of relatively stable and 
low-cost funds (average core deposits funded 71% of average total 
assets  at  December  31,  2014).  In  addition  to  customer  deposits, 
sources  of  liquidity  include  investments  in  the  securities  portfolio, 
Fifth  Third’s  sale  or  securitization  of  loans  in  secondary  markets 
and  the  pledging  of  loans  and  investment  securities  to  access 
secured  borrowing  facilities  through  the  FHLB  and  the  FRB,  and 
Fifth  Third’s  ability  to  raise  funds  in  domestic  and  international 
money and capital markets. 

Fifth Third’s liquidity and ability to fund and run the business 
could be materially adversely affected by a variety of conditions and 
factors, 
including  financial  and  credit  market  disruptions and 
volatility  or  a  lack  of  market  or  customer  confidence  in  financial 
markets  in  general  similar  to  what  occurred  during  the  financial 
crisis in 2008 and early 2009, which may result in a loss of customer 
deposits  or  outflows  of  cash  or  collateral  and/or  ability  to  access 
capital markets on favorable terms.  

Other  conditions  and  factors  that  could  materially  adversely 
affect Fifth Third’s liquidity and funding include a lack of market or 
customer  confidence  in  Fifth  Third  or  negative  news  about  Fifth 
Third  or  the  financial  services  industry  generally  which  also  may 
result  in  a  loss  of  deposits  and/or  negatively  affect  the  ability  to 
access  the  capital  markets;  the  loss  of  customer  deposits  to 
alternative investments;  inability to sell or securitize loans or other 
assets,  increased  regulatory  requirements,  and  reductions  in  one  or 
more  of  Fifth  Third’s  credit  ratings.  A  reduced  credit  rating  could 
adversely  affect  Fifth  Third’s  ability  to  borrow  funds  and  raise  the 
cost  of  borrowings  substantially  and  could  cause  creditors  and 
business counterparties to raise collateral requirements or take other 
actions  that  could  adversely  affect  Fifth  Third’s  ability  to  raise 
capital. Many of the above conditions and factors may be caused by 
events over which Fifth Third has little or no control such as what 
occurred  during  the  financial  crisis.  While  market  conditions  have 
stabilized and, in many cases, improved, there can be no assurance 
that significant disruption and volatility in the financial markets will 
not occur in the future. 

and 

additional 

Recent  regulatory  changes  relating  to 

liquidity  and  risk 
management  may  also  negatively  impact  Fifth  Third’s  results  of 
operations  and  competitive  position.    Various  regulations  recently 
adopted  or  proposed, 
regulations  under 
consideration,  impose  or  could  impose  more  stringent  liquidity 
requirements  for  large  financial  institutions,  including  Fifth  Third.  
These  regulations  address,  among  other  matters,  liquidity  stress 
testing,  minimum  liquidity  requirements  and  restrictions  on  short-
term debt issued by top-tier holding companies. Given the overlap 
and complex interactions of these regulations with other regulatory 
framework 
changes, 
applicable  to  Fifth  Third,  the  full  impact  of  the  adopted  and 
proposed  regulations  will  remain  uncertain  until 
their  full 
implementation.  

resolution  and 

including 

recovery 

the 

If  Fifth  Third  is  unable  to  continue  to  fund  assets  through 
customer bank deposits or access capital markets on favorable terms 
or if Fifth Third suffers an increase in borrowing costs or otherwise 

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

fails  to  manage  liquidity  effectively;  liquidity,  operating  margins, 
financial results and condition may be materially adversely affected. 
As  Fifth  Third  did  during  the  financial  crisis,  it  may  also  need  to 
raise  additional  capital  through  the  issuance  of  stock,  which  could 
dilute  the  ownership  of  existing  stockholders,  or  reduce  or  even 
eliminate common stock dividends to preserve capital. 

Fifth Third may have more credit risk and higher credit losses 
to the extent loans are concentrated by location or industry of 
the borrowers or collateral. 
Fifth Third’s credit risk and credit losses can increase if its loans are 
concentrated to borrowers engaged in the same or similar activities 
or 
to  borrowers  who  as  a  group  may  be  uniquely  or 
disproportionately  affected  by  economic  or  market  conditions. 
Deterioration  in  economic  conditions,  housing  conditions  and  real 
estate  values  in  these  states  and  generally  across  the  country  could 
result in materially higher credit losses. 

loans  for 

investment  or  private 

Fifth  Third  may  be  required  to  repurchase  residential 
mortgage loans or reimburse investors and others as a result of 
breaches in contractual representations and warranties. 
Fifth  Third  sells  residential  mortgage  loans  to  various  parties, 
including  GSEs  and  other  financial  institutions  that  purchase 
residential  mortgage 
label 
securitization. Fifth Third may be required to repurchase residential 
mortgage  loans,  indemnify  the  securitization  trust,  investor  or 
insurer, or reimburse the securitization trust, investor or insurer for 
credit  losses  incurred  on  loans  in  the  event  of  a  breach  of 
contractual representations or warranties that is not remedied within 
a period (usually 60 days or less) after Fifth Third receives notice of 
the  breach.  Contracts  for  residential  mortgage  loan  sales  to  the 
GSEs  include  various  types  of  specific  remedies  and  penalties  that 
could be applied to inadequate responses to repurchase requests. If 
economic  conditions  and  the  housing  market  deteriorate  or  future 
investor  repurchase  demand  and  success  at  appealing  repurchase 
requests  differ  from  past  experience,  Fifth  Third  could  have 
increased  repurchase  obligations  and  increased  loss  severity  on 
repurchases, requiring material additions to the repurchase reserve.  

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. 

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  to  meet 
liquidity objectives, it may be subject to paying higher funding costs.  
Fifth  Third  competes  with  banks  and  other  financial  services 

companies  for  deposits.  If  competitors  raise  the  rates  they  pay  on 
deposits,  Fifth  Third’s  funding  costs  may  increase,  either  because 
Fifth  Third  raises  rates  to  avoid  losing  deposits  or  because  Fifth 
Third  loses  deposits  and  must  rely  on  more  expensive  sources  of 
funding.  Higher  funding  costs  reduce  our  net  interest  margin  and 
net  interest  income.  Fifth  Third’s  bank  customers  could  take  their 
money out of the bank and put it in alternative investments, causing 
Fifth  Third  to  lose  a  lower  cost  source  of  funding.  Checking  and 
savings account balances and other forms of customer deposits may 
decrease  when  customers  perceive  alternative  investments,  such  as 
the stock market, as providing a better risk/return tradeoff.  

The  Bancorp’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,  as  well  as  regulatory 
expectations,  limit  the  amount  of  dividends  that  the  Bancorp’s 
banking  subsidiary  and  certain  nonbank  subsidiaries  may  pay. 
Regulatory scrutiny of capital levels at bank holding companies and 
insured  depository  institution  subsidiaries  has  increased  since  the 
financial crisis and has resulted in increased regulatory focus on all 
aspects  of  capital  planning, 
including  dividends  and  other 
distributions  to  shareholders  of  banks  such  as  the  parent  bank 
holding companies. 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  the  Bancorp’s  ability  to  receive  dividends 
from  its  subsidiaries  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  its 
liquidity  and  ability  to  pay  dividends  on  stock  or  interest  and 
principal on its debt. 

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 competes on the basis of 
including  capital,  access  to  capital,  revenue 
several  factors, 
generation,  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. 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. 

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 subsidiaries 
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  subsidiaries  and/or  its 

29  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

securities receive from recognized rating agencies. A downgrade to 
Fifth Third or its subsidiaries’ 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 subsidiaries 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  its  results  of  operations  or  financial  condition. 
Additionally,  a  downgrade  of  the  credit  rating  of  any  particular 
security  issued  by  Fifth  Third  or  its  subsidiaries  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 could suffer if it fails to attract and retain skilled 
personnel. 
Fifth Third’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract 
and  retain  key  individuals.  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  its  business  strategies  and  may 
suffer adverse consequences to its business, operations and financial 
condition. 

In  June  2010,  the  federal  banking  agencies  issued  joint 
guidance on executive compensation designed to help ensure that a 
banking  organization’s  incentive  compensation  policies  do  not 
encourage  imprudent  risk  taking  and  are  consistent  with  the  safety 
and  soundness  of  the  organization.  In  addition,  the  DFA  requires 
those  agencies,  along  with  the  SEC,  to  adopt  rules  to  require 
reporting  of  incentive  compensation  and  to  prohibit  certain 
compensation  arrangements.  The  federal  banking  agencies  and  the 
SEC proposed such rules in April 2011. In addition, in June  2012, 
the SEC issued final rules to implement DFA’s requirement that the 
SEC direct the national securities exchanges to adopt certain listing 
standards  related  to  the  compensation  committee  of  a  company's 
board  of  directors  as  well  as  its  compensation  advisers.  If  Fifth 
Third is unable to attract and retain qualified employees, or do so at 
rates  necessary 
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.  

its  competitive  position,  or 

to  maintain 

Fifth Third’s mortgage banking revenue can be volatile from 
quarter to quarter. 
Fifth  Third  earns  revenue  from  the  fees  it  receives  for  originating 
mortgage  loans  and  for  servicing  mortgage  loans.  When  rates  rise, 
the demand for mortgage loans tends to fall, reducing the revenue 
Fifth  Third  receives  from  loan  originations.  At  the  same  time, 
revenue  from  MSRs  can  increase  through  increases  in  fair  value. 
When rates fall, mortgage originations tend to increase and the value 
of MSRs tends to decline, also with some offsetting revenue effect. 
Even though the origination of mortgage loans can act as a “natural 
hedge,”  the  hedge  is  not  perfect,  either  in  amount  or  timing.  For 
example, the negative effect on revenue from a decrease in the fair 
value  of  residential  MSRs  is  immediate,  but  any  offsetting  revenue 
benefit  from  more  originations  and  the  MSRs  relating  to  the  new 
loans would accrue over time. It is also possible that even if interest 
rates were to fall, mortgage originations may also fall or any increase 
in mortgage originations may not be enough to offset the decrease 
in the MSRs value caused by the lower rates.  
     Fifth  Third  typically  uses  derivatives  and  other  instruments  to 
hedge  its  mortgage  banking  interest  rate  risk.  Fifth  Third  generally 
does not hedge all of its risks, and the fact that Fifth Third attempts 
to  hedge  any  of  the  risks  does  not  mean  Fifth  Third  will  be 
successful.  Hedging  is  a  complex  process,  requiring  sophisticated 

30  Fifth Third Bancorp 

models  and  constant  monitoring.  Fifth  Third  may  use  hedging 
instruments tied to U.S. Treasury rates, LIBOR or Eurodollars that 
may not perfectly correlate with the value or income being hedged. 
Fifth Third could incur significant losses from its hedging activities. 
There may be periods where Fifth Third elects not to use derivatives 
and other instruments to hedge mortgage banking interest rate risk.  

Fifth  Third  uses  financial models  for  business  planning 
purposes that may not adequately predict future results. 
Fifth Third uses financial models to aid in  its planning for various 
purposes  including  its  capital  and  liquidity  needs,  potential  charge- 
offs,  reserves,  and  other  purposes.  The  models  used  may  not 
accurately  account  for  all  variables  that  could  affect  future  results, 
may  fail  to  predict  outcomes  accurately  and/or  may  overstate  or 
understate  certain  effects.  As  a  result  of  these  potential  failures, 
Fifth  Third  may  not  adequately  prepare  for  future  events  and  may 
suffer losses or other setbacks due to these failures. 

Changes in interest rates could also reduce the value of MSRs. 
Fifth  Third  acquires  MSRs  when  it  keeps  the  servicing  rights  after 
the  sale  or  securitization  of  the  loans  that  have  been  originated  or 
when it purchases the servicing rights to mortgage loans originated 
by other lenders. Fifth Third initially measures all residential MSRs 
at fair value and subsequently amortizes the MSRs in proportion to, 
and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. Fair value is 
the  present  value  of  estimated  future  net  servicing  income, 
calculated  based  on  a  number  of  variables,  including  assumptions 
about  the  likelihood  of  prepayment  by  borrowers.  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. 

Changes  in  interest  rates  can  affect  prepayment  assumptions 
and  thus  fair  value.  When  interest  rates  fall,  borrowers  are  usually 
more likely to prepay their mortgage loans by refinancing them at a 
lower rate. As the likelihood of prepayment increases, the fair value 
of  MSRs  can  decrease.  Each  quarter  Fifth  Third  evaluates  the  fair 
value  of  MSRs,  and  decreases  in  fair  value  below  amortized  cost 
reduce earnings in the period in which the decrease occurs. 

The preparation of Fifth Third’s financial statements requires 
the use of estimates that may vary from actual results. 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity 
with U.S. GAAP requires management to make significant estimates 
that  affect  the  financial  statements.  If  new  information  arises  that 
results  in  a  material  change  to  a  reserve  amount,  such  a  change 
could  result  in  a  change  to  previously  announced  financial  results. 
Refer  to  the  “Critical  Accounting  Policies”  section  of  MD&A  for 
more information regarding management’s significant estimates.  

regulatory  agencies,  periodically  change 

Changes in accounting standards or interpretations could 
impact  Fifth  Third’s  reported  earnings  and  financial 
condition. 
The accounting standard setters, including the FASB, the SEC and 
financial 
other 
accounting  and  reporting  standards  that  govern  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 recasting of 
Fifth Third’s prior period financial statements.  

the 

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

to 

requisite 

regulatory  approvals, 

Future  acquisitions  may  dilute  current  shareholders’ 
ownership of Fifth Third and may cause Fifth Third to 
become more susceptible to adverse economic events. 
Subject 
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. 

requisite 

approvals 

receipt  of 

governmental 

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. 
Upon 
and 
consummation  of  such  transactions,  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. 

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, or owns a minority stake in, as applicable, 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  and/or  interests, 
including,  for  example,  portions  of  our  stake  in  Vantiv  Holding, 
LLC. If it were to determine to sell such businesses and/or interests, 
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 and/or interests, it would suffer the loss 
of  income  from  the  sold  businesses  and/or  interests,  including 
those  accounted  for  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting,  and 
such  loss  of  income  could  have  an  adverse  effect  on  its  future 
earnings and growth. 

Fifth Third relies on its systems and certain service providers, 
and  certain  failures  could  materially  adversely  affect 
operations. 
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  systems  will  not  be 

inoperable.  Fifth  Third  also  has  security  to  prevent  unauthorized 
access to the systems. 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 systems  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 as well 
as additional significant costs for privacy monitoring activities.  

flaws  or  employee  errors, 

Fifth Third’s necessary dependence upon automated systems to 
record  and  process  its  transaction  volume  poses  the  risk  that 
technical  system 
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 is exposed to cyber-security risks, including denial 
of service, hacking, and identity theft.  
Fifth  Third  relies  heavily  on  communications  and  information 
systems to conduct its business. Any failure, interruption or breach 
in  security  of  these  systems  could  result  in  disruptions  to  its 
accounting,  deposit,  loan  and  other  systems,  and  adversely  affect 
our  customer  relationships.  While  Fifth  Third  has  policies  and 
procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of these possible 
events, there can be no assurance that any such failure, interruption 
or security breach will not occur or, if any does occur, that it can be 
sufficiently  remediated.  There  have  been  increasing  efforts  on  the 
part of third parties, including through cyber attacks, to breach data 
security  at  financial  institutions  or  with  respect  to  financial 
transactions.  There  have  been  several  recent  instances  involving 
financial  services  and  consumer-based  companies  reporting  the 
unauthorized  disclosure  of  client  or  customer  information  or  the 
destruction  or  theft  of  corporate  data,  by  both  private  individuals 
and foreign governments. In addition, because the techniques used 
to  cause  such  security  breaches  change  frequently,  often  are  not 
recognized  until  launched  against  a  target  and  may  originate  from 
less regulated and remote areas around the world, Fifth Third may 
be  unable  to  proactively  address  these  techniques  or  to  implement 
adequate preventative measures. Furthermore, there has been a well-
publicized  series  of  apparently  related  distributed  denial  of  service 
attacks on large financial services companies, including Fifth Third 
Bank. Distributed denial of service attacks are  designed to saturate 
the  targeted  online  network  with  excessive  amounts  of  network 
traffic,  resulting  in  slow  response  times,  or  in  some  cases,  causing 
the site to be temporarily unavailable. To date these attacks have not 
been  intended  to  steal  financial  data,  but  meant  to  interrupt  or 
suspend a company’s Internet service. These events did not result in 
a  breach  of  Fifth  Third’s  client  data  and  account  information 
remained  secure;  however,  the  attacks  did  adversely  affect  the 
performance  of  Fifth  Third’s  website  and  in  some  instances 
prevented  customers  from  accessing  Fifth  Third’s  website.  While 
the event was resolved in a timely fashion and primarily resulted in 
inconvenience to our customers, future cyber-attacks could be more 
disruptive  and  damaging.  Cyber  threats  are  rapidly  evolving  and 
Fifth Third may not be able to anticipate or prevent all such attacks. 
Fifth Third may incur increasing costs in an effort to minimize these 
risks  or  in  the  investigation  of  such  cyber-attacks  or  related  to  the 
protection of the Bancorp’s customers from identity theft as a result 

31  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

of  such  attacks.  Nevertheless,  the  occurrence  of  any  failure, 
interruption or security breach of our systems, or of our third-party 
service providers, particularly if widespread or resulting in financial 
losses  to  customers,  could  also  seriously  damage  Fifth  Third’s 
reputation,  result  in  a  loss  of  customer  business,  subject  it  to 
additional  regulatory  scrutiny,  or  expose  it  to  civil  litigation  and 
financial liability. 

Fifth Third is exposed to operational and reputational risk. 
Fifth Third is exposed to many types of operational risk, including 
but  not 
information 
to,  business  continuity 
management risk, fraud risk, model risk, third party service provider 
risk, human resources risk, and process risk.  

limited 

risk, 

 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.  Additionally,  actions  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.  

The results of Vantiv Holding, LLC could have a negative 
impact  on  Fifth  Third’s  operating  results  and  financial 
condition. 
In  2009,  Fifth  Third  sold  an  approximate  51%  interest  in  its 
processing  business,  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  (formerly  Fifth  Third 
Processing  Solutions).  As  a  result  of  additional  share  sales 
completed  by  Fifth  Third  in  2012,  2013  and  2014  the  Bancorp’s 
current  ownership  share  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  is  approximately 
23%.  The  Bancorp’s  investment  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  is 
accounted  for  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting  and  is  not 
consolidated  based  on  Fifth  Third’s  remaining  ownership  share  in 
Vantiv  Holding,  LLC.  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC’s  operating  results 
could be poor or favorable and could affect the operating results of 
Fifth  Third.  In  addition,  Fifth  Third  participates  in  a  multi-lender 
credit facility to Vantiv Holding, LLC and repayment of these loans 
is contingent on future cash flows from Vantiv Holding, LLC.  

Weather related events or other natural disasters may have an 
effect on the performance of Fifth Third’s loan portfolios, 
especially in its coastal markets, thereby adversely impacting 
its results of operations. 
Fifth  Third’s  footprint  stretches  from  the  upper  Midwestern  to 
lower  Southeastern  regions  of  the  United  States.  This  area  has 
experienced  weather  events  including  hurricanes  and  other  natural 
disasters.  The  nature  and  level  of  these  events  and  the  impact  of 
global  climate  change  upon  their  frequency  and  severity  cannot  be 
predicted. If large scale events occur, they may significantly impact 
its  loan  portfolios  by  damaging  properties  pledged  as  collateral  as 
well as impairing its borrowers’ ability to repay their loans. 

RISKS  RELATED  TO  THE  LEGAL  AND  REGULATORY 
ENVIRONMENT 

As a regulated entity, the Bancorp is subject to certain capital 
requirements that may limit its operations and potential 
growth.   
The  Bancorp  is  a  bank  holding  company  and  a  financial  holding 
company. As such, it is subject to the comprehensive, consolidated 
supervision  and  regulation  of  the  FRB,  including  risk-based  and 
leverage capital  requirements, investment practices, dividend policy 
and  growth.  The  Bancorp  must  maintain  certain  risk-based  and 
leverage  capital  ratios  as  required  by  the  FRB  which  can  change 
depending  upon  general  economic  conditions  and  the  Bancorp’s 

32  Fifth Third Bancorp 

In 

capital 

regulatory 

2012,  Federal  banking 

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 the Bancorp’s ability to expand or maintain present 
business levels. 
June 

agencies  proposed 
enhancements  to  the  regulatory  capital  requirements  for  U.S. 
banking  organizations,  which  implemented  aspects  of  Basel  III, 
such  as  re-defining  the  regulatory  capital  elements  and  minimum 
capital  ratios,  introducing  regulatory  capital  buffers  above  those 
minimums, revising the agencies’ rules for calculating risk-weighted 
assets  and  introducing  a  new  Tier  I  common  equity  ratio.  In  July 
2013,  the  Federal  banking  agencies  issued  final  rules  for  the 
enhanced 
included 
modifications  to  the  proposed  rules.  The  final  rules  provide  the 
option for certain banking organizations, including the Bancorp, to 
opt out of including AOCI in Tier I capital and retain the treatment 
of residential mortgage exposures consistent with the current Basel I 
capital rules. The new capital rules are effective for the Bancorp on 
January 1, 2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain components 
and other provisions. The need to maintain more and higher quality 
capital  as  well  as  greater  liquidity  going  forward  could  limit  our 
business  activities,  including  lending,  and  our  ability  to  expand, 
either organically or through acquisitions. Moreover, although these 
new  requirements  are  being  phased  in  over  time,  U.S.  Federal 
banking  agencies  have  been  taking  into  account  expectations 
regarding  the  ability  of  banks  to  meet  these  new  requirements, 
including  under  stressed  conditions,  in  approving  actions  that 
represent  uses  of  capital,  such  as  dividend  increases  and  share 
repurchases.  

requirements,  which 

The Bancorp’s banking subsidiary must remain well-capitalized, 
well-managed and maintain at least a “Satisfactory” CRA rating for 
the  Bancorp  to  retain  its  status  as  a  financial  holding  company. 
Failure to meet these requirements could result in the FRB placing 
limitations  or  conditions  on  the  Bancorp’s  activities  (and  the 
commencement of new activities) and could ultimately result in the 
loss of financial holding company status. In addition, failure by the 
Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  to  meet  applicable  capital  guidelines 
could  subject  the  bank  to  a  variety  of  enforcement  remedies 
include 
available  to  the  federal  regulatory  authorities.  These 
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.  

Fifth Third’s business, financial condition and results of 
operations could be adversely affected by new or changed 
regulations and by the manner in which such regulations are 
applied by regulatory authorities.  
Previous 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,  by 
introducing various actions and passing legislation such as the DFA. 
Such  programs  and  legislation  subject  Fifth  Third  and  other 
financial institutions to restrictions, oversight and/or costs that 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  and  regulations  continue  to  be 
introduced that could further substantially increase regulation of the 
financial  services  industry.  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 

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

have  an  adverse  effect  on  its  business,  financial  condition  and 
results of operations.   

and/or financial statements, as applicable, and/or determinations of 
material weaknesses in its disclosure controls and procedures.  

Fifth Third is subject to various regulatory requirements that 
may limit its operations and potential growth. 
Under federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the safety 
and  soundness  of  insured  depository  institutions  and  their  holding 
companies, the FRB, the FDIC, the CFPB and the Ohio Division of 
Financial Institutions have the authority to compel or restrict certain 
actions by Fifth Third and its banking subsidiary. Fifth Third and its 
banking  subsidiary  are  subject  to  such  supervisory  authority  and, 
more  generally,  must,  in  certain  instances,  obtain  prior  regulatory 
approval before engaging in certain activities or corporate decisions. 
There  can  be  no  assurance  that  such  approvals,  if  required,  would 
be forthcoming or that such approvals would be granted in a timely 
manner. Failure to receive any such approval, if required, could limit 
or impair Fifth Third’s operations, restrict its growth and/or affect 
its  dividend  policy.  Such  actions  and  activities  subject  to  prior 
approval include, but are not limited to, increasing dividends paid by 
Fifth  Third  or  its  banking  subsidiary,  entering  into  a  merger  or 
acquisition transaction, acquiring or establishing new branches, and 
entering into certain new businesses.  

to  stress 

testing,  capital 

In  addition,  Fifth  Third,  as  well  as  other  financial  institutions 
more  generally,  have  recently  been  subjected  to  increased  scrutiny 
from government authorities, including bank regulatory authorities, 
stemming  from  broader  systemic  regulatory  concerns,  including 
with  respect 
levels,  asset  quality, 
provisioning,  AML/BSA,  consumer  compliance  and  other 
prudential  matters  and  efforts  to  ensure  that  financial  institutions 
take  steps  to  improve  their  risk  management  and  prevent  future 
crises.  In  this  regard,  government  authorities,  including  the  bank 
regulatory  agencies,  are  also  pursuing  aggressive  enforcement 
actions with respect to compliance and other legal matters involving 
financial  activities,  which  heightens  the  risks  associated  with  actual 
and perceived compliance failures and may also adversely affect our 
ability  to  enter  into  certain  transactions  or  engage  in  certain 
activities,  or  obtain  necessary  regulatory  approvals  in  connection 
therewith.  

In some cases, regulatory agencies may take supervisory actions 
that may not be publicly disclosed, which restrict or limit a financial 
institution.  Finally,  as  part  of  Fifth  Third’s  regular  examination 
process,  Fifth  Third’s  and  its  banking  subsidiary’s  respective 
regulators may advise it and its banking subsidiary to operate under 
various restrictions as a prudential matter. Such supervisory actions 
or  restrictions,  if  and  in  whatever  manner  imposed,  could  have  a 
material  adverse  effect  on  Fifth  Third’s  business  and  results  of 
operations and may not be publicly disclosed. 

Fifth Third and/or its affiliates are or may become involved 
from  time  to  time  in  information-gathering  requests, 
investigations  and  proceedings  by  various  governmental 
regulatory agencies and law enforcement authorities, as well 
as  self-regulatory  agencies  which  may  lead  to  adverse 
consequences. 
Fifth  Third  and/or  its  affiliates  are  or  may  become  involved  from 
time 
reviews, 
information-gathering 
investigations  and  proceedings  (both  formal  and  informal)  by 
governmental  regulatory  agencies  and  law  enforcement  authorities, 
as  well  as  self-regulatory  agencies,  regarding  their  respective 
businesses.  Such  matters  may 
in  material  adverse 
consequences,  including  without  limitation,  adverse  judgments, 
settlements, 
injunctions  or  other  actions, 
amendments  and/or  restatements  of  Fifth  Third’s  SEC  filings 

fines,  penalties, 

requests, 

result 

time 

to 

in 

Deposit insurance premiums levied against Fifth Third Bank 
may increase if the number of bank failures increase or the 
cost of resolving failed banks increases.  
The  FDIC  maintains  a  DIF  to  protect  insured  depositors  in  the 
event  of  bank  failures.  The  DIF  is  funded  by  fees  assessed  on 
insured  depository  institutions  including  Fifth  Third  Bank.  Future 
deposit premiums paid by Fifth Third Bank depend on the level of 
the  DIF  and  the  magnitude  and  cost  of  future  bank  failures.  Fifth 
Third  Bank  may  be  required  to  pay  significantly  higher  FDIC 
premiums  if  market  developments  change  such  that  the  DIF 
balance is reduced.  

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  and 
depositors.  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. 

On  July  21,  2010  the  President  of  the  United  States  signed  into 
law  the  DFA.  Many  parts  of  the  DFA  are  now  in  effect,  while 
others are in an implementation stage likely to continue for several 
years.  A  number  of  reform  provisions  are  likely  to  significantly 
impact  the  ways  in  which  banks  and  bank  holding  companies, 
including  Fifth  Third  and  its  bank  subsidiary,  conduct  their 
business: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

The  CFPB  has  been  given  authority  to  regulate 
consumer  financial  products  and  services  sold  by 
banks  and  non-bank  companies  and  to  supervise 
banks with assets of more than $10 billion and their 
affiliates  for  compliance  with  Federal  consumer 
protection  laws.  Any  new  regulatory  requirements 
promulgated  by  the  CFPB  could  require  changes  to 
increased 
our  consumer  businesses, 
compliance costs and affect the streams of revenue of 
such  businesses.  The  FSOC  has  been  charged  with 
identifying 
stronger 
financial  regulation  and  identifying  those  non-bank 
companies  that  are  systemically  important  and  thus 
should  be  subject  to  regulation  by  the  Federal 
Reserve.  

risks,  promoting 

systemic 

result 

in 

and 
“Volcker  Rule”  provisions 
The  DFA 
final  rule  generally  prohibit  any 
implementing 
banking  entity  from  (i)  engaging 
in  short-term 
proprietary  trading  for  its  own  account  and  (ii) 
sponsoring  or  acquiring  ownership 
in 
private  equity  or  hedge  funds.  The  Volcker  Rule, 
however,  contains  a  number  of  exceptions  to  these 

interests 

33  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

prohibitions.  For  example,  transactions  on  behalf  of 
customers or in connection with certain underwriting 
and  market  making  activities,  as  well  as  risk-
mitigating  hedging  activities  and  certain  foreign 
banking  activities  are  permitted.  The  risk-mitigating 
hedging  exemption  applies  to  hedging  activities  that 
are  designed  to  reduce  or  significantly  mitigate 
specific, identifiable risks of individual or aggregated 
positions.  Fifth  Third  is  required  to  conduct  an 
analysis  supporting  its  hedging  strategy  and  the 
effectiveness  of  hedges  must  be  monitored  and 
recalibrated as necessary. Fifth Third will be required 
to 
the 
transaction, 
for  certain 
transactions  that  present  heighted  compliance  risks. 
Under  the  market-making  exemption,  a  trading  desk 
is  required  to  routinely  stand  ready  to  purchase  and 
sell  one  or  more  types  of  financial  instruments.  The 
trading  desk’s  inventory  in  these  types  of  financial 
instruments has to be designed not to exceed, on an 
ongoing  basis,  the  reasonably  expected  near-term 
demands of customers. 

contemporaneously  with 
rationale 

the  hedging 

document, 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

$60  million 

approximately 

The  Volcker  Rule  and  the  rulemakings  promulgated 
thereunder  restrict  banks  and  their  affiliated  entities 
from investing in or sponsoring certain private equity 
and hedge funds.  Fifth Third does not sponsor any 
private  equity  or  hedge  funds  that  it  is  prohibited 
from  sponsoring.    As  of  December  31,  2014,  the 
Bancorp  had  approximately  $165  million  in  interests 
in  binding 
and 
commitments  to  invest  in  private  equity  funds  likely 
to be affected by the Volcker rule. It is expected that 
the Bancorp may need to eliminate these investments 
although  it  is  likely  that  these  investments  will  be 
reduced  over  time  in  the  ordinary  course  before 
compliance is required. In December 2014, the FRB 
extended the conformance period through July 2016 
for 
in  and  relationships  with  such 
covered funds that were in place prior to December 
31,  2013,  and  indicated  that  it  intends  to  further 
extend  the  compliance  period  for  such  investments 
through  July  2017.  An  ultimate  forced  sale  of  some 
of  these  investments  could  result  in  Fifth  Third 
receiving  less  value  than  it  would  otherwise  have 
received. 

investments 

The  FDIC  and  the  Federal  Reserve  adopted  a  final 
rule  that  requires  bank  holding  companies  that  have 
$50  billion  or  more  in  assets,  like  Fifth  Third,  to 
periodically submit to the Federal Reserve, the FDIC 
and  the  FSOC  a  plan  discussing  how  the  company 
could be resolved in a rapid and orderly fashion if the 
company were to fail or experience material financial 
distress. In a related rulemaking, the FDIC adopted a 
final rule that requires insured depository institutions 
with $50 billion or more in assets, like Fifth Third, to 
annually prepare and submit a resolution plan to the 
FDIC, which would include, among other things, an 
analysis  of  how  the  institution  could  be  resolved 
under the FDIA in a manner that protects depositors 
and  limits  losses  or  costs  to  creditors  of  the  bank. 
Initial  plans  for  Fifth  Third  and  its  bank  subsidiary 
have  been  submitted,  in  accordance  with  the  final 

34  Fifth Third Bancorp 

regulatory rules, for review by the FDIC, the Federal 
Reserve, and the FSOC. The Federal Reserve and the 
FDIC may jointly impose restrictions on Fifth Third 
or  its  bank  subsidiary,  including  additional  capital 
requirements or limitations on growth, if the agencies 
determine that the institution’s plan is not credible or 
would not facilitate a rapid and orderly resolution of 
Fifth Third under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, or Fifth 
Third  Bank  under  the  FDIA,  and  additionally  could 
require  Fifth  Third  to  divest  assets  or  take  other 
actions  if  it  did  not  submit  an  acceptable  resolution 
within  two  years  after  any  such  restrictions  were 
imposed. 

Title  VII  of  DFA  imposes  a  new  regulatory  regime 
on  the  U.S.  derivatives  markets.  While  most  of  the 
provisions  related  to  derivatives  markets  are  now  in 
effect,  several  additional  requirements  await  final 
regulations  from  the  relevant  regulatory  agencies  for 
derivatives,  the  CFTC  and  the  SEC.  One  aspect  of 
this  new  regulatory  regime  for  derivatives  is  that 
substantial oversight responsibility has been provided 
to  the  CFTC,  which,  as  a  result,  now  has  a 
meaningful supervisory role with respect to some of 
Fifth  Third’s  businesses.  In  2014,  Fifth  Third  Bank 
registered  as  a  swap  dealer  with  the  CFTC  and 
became  subject  to  new  substantive  requirements, 
including real time trade reporting and robust record 
keeping requirements, business conduct requirements 
(including daily valuations, disclosure of material risks 
associated  with  swaps  and  disclosure  of  material 
incentives  and  conflicts  of  interest),  and  mandatory 
clearing  and  exchange  trading  of  all  standardized 
swaps  designated  by  the  relevant  regulatory  agencies 
as  required  to  be  cleared.  Although  the  ultimate 
impact  will  depend  on  the  promulgation  of  all  final 
regulations,  Fifth  Third‘s  derivatives  business  will 
to  new  substantive 
likely  be 
requirements, 
in 
excess  of  current  market  practice  and  capital 
requirements 
this  business.  These 
to 
requirements will collectively impose implementation 
and ongoing compliance burdens on Fifth Third and 
will  introduce  additional  legal  risk  (including  as  a 
result  of  newly  applicable  antifraud  and  anti-
manipulation provisions and private rights of action). 
Once  finalized,  the  rules  may  raise  the  costs  and 
liquidity  burden  associated  with  Fifth  Third’s 
derivatives  businesses  and  adversely  affect  or  cause 
Fifth Third to change its derivatives products. 

including  margin  requirements 

further  subject 

specific 

for 

the  U.S.  Treasury 

Financial  institutions  may  be  required,  regardless  of 
risk, to pay taxes or other fees to the U.S. Treasury. 
Such  taxes  or  other  fees  could  be  designed  to 
reimburse 
the  many 
government  programs  and  initiatives  it  has  taken  or 
may  undertake  as  part  of  its  economic  stimulus 
efforts.  The  Department  of  Treasury  issued  an 
interim  final  rule  in  2012  to  establish  an  assessment 
schedule for the collection of fees from bank holding 
companies  with  at  least  $50  billion  in  assets  and 
foreign banks with at least $50 billion in assets in the 
U.S. to cover the expenses of the Office of Financial 
Research  and  FSOC.  In  August  2013,  the  FRB  also 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

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

adopted  a  final  rule  to  implement  an  assessment 
provision  under  the  DFA  equal  to  the  expense  the 
FRB  estimates  are  necessary  or  appropriate  to 
supervise  and  regulate  bank  holding  companies  with 
$50 billion or more in assets.  

(cid:120) On  July  31,  2013,  the  U.S.  District  Court  for  the 
issued  an  order  granting 
District  of  Columbia 
summary 
in  a  case 
judgment  to  the  plaintiffs 
challenging  certain  provisions  of  the  FRB’s  rule 
concerning electronic debit card transaction fees and 
(the  “Current 
network  exclusivity  arrangements 
Rule”) that were adopted to implement Section 1075 
of the DFA, known as the Durbin Amendment. The 
Court  held  that,  in  adopting  the  Current  Rule,  the 
FRB  violated  the  Durbin  Amendment’s  provisions 
concerning which costs are allowed to be taken into 
account  for  purposes  of  setting  fees  that  are 
reasonable and proportional to the costs incurred by 
the issuer and therefore the Current Rule’s maximum 
permissible fees were too high. In addition, the Court 
held that the Current Rule’s network non-exclusivity 
provisions concerning unaffiliated payment networks 
for debit cards also violated the Durbin Amendment. 
The  Court  vacated  the  Current  Rule,  but  stayed  its 
ruling to provide the FRB an opportunity to replace 
the  invalidated  portions.  The  FRB  appealed  this 
decision  and  on  March  21,  2014,  the  D.C.  Circuit 
Court of Appeals reversed the District Court’s grant 
of  summary  judgment  and  remanded  the  case  for 
further  proceedings  in  accordance  with  its  opinion. 
The  merchants  have  filed  a  petition  for  writ  of 
certiorari  to  the  U.S.  Supreme  Court.  However,  on 
January 20, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to 
hear an appeal of the Circuit Court reversal, thereby 
largely  upholding  the  Current  Rule  and  substantially 
reducing  uncertainty 
card 
interchange fees the Bancorp is permitted to charge. 
Refer  to  the  Noninterest  Income  subsection  of  the 
Statements of Income Analysis section of MD&A for 
further  information  regarding  the  Bancorp’s  debit 
card interchange revenue.  

surrounding  debit 

It is clear that the reforms, both under the DFA and otherwise, are 
having  a  significant  effect  on  the  entire  financial  industry.  Fifth 
Third  believes  compliance  with  the  DFA  and  implementing  its 
regulations  and  other  initiatives  will  likely  continue  to  negatively 
impact  revenue  and  increase  the  cost  of  doing  business,  both  in 
terms of transition expenses and on an ongoing basis, and may also 
limit  Fifth  Third’s  ability  to  pursue  certain  desirable  business 
opportunities.  Any  new  regulatory  requirements  or  changes  to 
existing  requirements  could  require  changes  to  Fifth  Third’s 
businesses,  result  in  increased  compliance  costs  and  affect  the 
profitability  of  such  businesses.  Additionally,  reform  could  affect 
the behaviors of third parties that we deal with in the course of our 
business,  such  as  rating  agencies, 
insurance  companies  and 
investors. The extent to which Fifth Third can adjust its strategies to 
offset such adverse impacts also is not known at this time.  

Fifth Third and/or its affiliates are or may become the subject 
of litigation which could result in legal liability and damage to 
Fifth Third’s 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.  The  SEC  has  announced  a 
policy  of  seeking  admissions  of  liability  in  certain  settled  cases, 
which could adversely impact the defense of private litigation. These 
matters  could  result  in  material  adverse  judgments,  settlements, 
fines,  penalties,  injunctions  or  other  relief,  amendments  and/or 
restatements  of  Fifth  Third’s  SEC  filings  and/or  financial 
statements,  as  applicable  and/or  determinations  of  material 
weaknesses  in  its  disclosure  controls  and  procedures.    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’s ability to pay or increase dividends on its 
common stock or to repurchase its capital stock is restricted. 
Fifth Third’s ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock is subject 
to  regulatory  requirements  and  the  need  to  meet  regulatory 
expectations. Fifth Third is subject to an annual assessment by the 
FRB as part of CCAR. The mandatory elements of the capital plan 
are  an  assessment  of  the  expected  use  and  sources  of  capital  over 
the  planning  horizon,  a  description  of  all  planned  capital  actions 
over the planning horizon, a discussion of any expected changes to 
the Bancorp’s business plan that are likely to have a material impact 
on  its  capital  adequacy  or  liquidity,  a  detailed  description  of  the 
Bancorp’s process for assessing capital adequacy and the Bancorp’s 
capital  policy.  The  capital  plan  must  reflect  the  revised  capital 
framework 
the 
implementation  of  the  Basel  III  accord,  including  the  framework’s 
minimum regulatory capital ratios and transition arrangements. Fifth 
Third’s stress testing results and 2015 capital plan were submitted to 
the FRB on January 5, 2015. 

in  connection  with 

the  FRB  adopted 

that 

The  FRB’s  review  of  the  capital  plan  will  assess  the 
comprehensiveness  of  the  capital  plan,  the  reasonableness  of  the 
the  capital  plan. 
the  analysis  underlying 
assumptions  and 
Additionally,  the  FRB  will  review  the  robustness  of  the  capital 
adequacy  process,  the  capital  policy  and  the  Bancorp’s  ability  to 
maintain  capital  above  the  minimum  regulatory  capital  ratios  and 
above  a  Tier  I  common  ratio  of  5  percent  under  baseline  and 
stressful conditions throughout a nine-quarter planning horizon.  

35  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

increase 
interest 
in  average  money  market  deposits,  average 
checking deposits and average demand deposits, partially offset by a 
decrease  in  average  savings  deposits.  The  cost  of  average  interest 
bearing  core  deposits  was  27  bps  for  both  the  years  ended 
December  31,  2014  and  2013.  Interest  expense  on  money  market 
deposits  increased  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014 
compared  to  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013  driven  by  a  $5.2 
billion  increase  in  average  money  market  deposits  and  a  10  bps 
increase  in  the  rate  paid  on  average  money  market  deposits.  This 
increase was partially offset by a decrease of 27 bps in the rate paid 
on  other  time  deposits  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014 
compared  to  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013.  Refer  to  the 
Deposits  subsection  of  the  Balance  Sheet  Analysis  section  of 
MD&A for additional information on the Bancorp’s deposits. 

Interest  expense  on  average  wholesale  funding  for  the  year 
ended  December  31,  2014  increased  $23  million,  or  nine  percent, 
compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to an 
increase in interest expense related to long-term debt partially offset 
by  a  decrease  in  average  certificates  $100,000  and  over.  Interest 
expense  on  long-term  debt  increased  during  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 
driven by a $5.0 billion increase in average long-term debt partially 
offset  by  a  67  bps  decrease  in  the  rate  paid  on  long-term  debt 
primarily  due  to  the  redemption  of  $750  million  of  outstanding 
TruPS during the fourth quarter of 2013 and the lower cost of new 
debt  issuances  in  2014.  Interest  expense  on  average  certificates 
$100,000  and  over  decreased  during  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2014  compared  to  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013  driven 
primarily  by  a  $2.4  billion  decrease  in  average  certificates  $100,000 
and  over  partially  offset  by  a  7  bps  increase  in  the  rate  paid  on 
average  certificates  $100,000  and  over.  Refer  to  the  Borrowings 
subsection  of  the  Balance  Sheet  Analysis  section  of  MD&A  for 
additional  information  on  the  Bancorp’s  borrowings.  During  both 
the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  wholesale  funding 
represented  24%  of  average  interest-bearing  liabilities.  For  more 
information  on  the  Bancorp’s  interest  rate  risk  management, 
including estimated earnings sensitivity to changes in market interest 
rates, refer to the Market Risk Management section of MD&A.  

STATEMENTS OF INCOME ANALYSIS 
Net Interest Income 
Net  interest  income  is  the  interest  earned  on  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 
of  deposit  $100,000  and  over,  other  deposits,  federal  funds 
purchased,  other  short-term  borrowings  and  long-term  debt).  The 
net interest margin is calculated by dividing net interest income by 
average  interest-earning  assets.  Net  interest  rate  spread  is  the 
difference  between  the  average  yield  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 
noninterest-bearing  liabilities,  or  free  funding,  such  as  demand 
deposits or shareholders’ equity. 

Table  8  presents  the  components  of  net  interest  income,  net 
interest  margin  and  net  interest  rate  spread  for  the  years  ended 
December  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012.  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 9 provides the relative 
impact of changes in the balance sheet and changes in interest rates 
on net interest income.  

Net interest income was $3.6 billion for both the years ended 
December  31,  2014  and  2013.  Net  interest  income  was  positively 
impacted by an increase in average taxable securities of $5.4 billion 
for the year ended December 31, 2014 coupled with an increase in 
yields on these securities of 16 bps for the year ended December 31, 
2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. Net interest 
income also included the benefit of an increase in average loans and 
leases of $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well 
as a decrease in the rates paid on long-term debt for the year ended 
December  31,  2014  compared  to  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2013.  These  benefits  were  partially  offset  by  lower  yields  on  loans 
and leases and an increase in average long-term debt of $5.0 billion 
for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended 
December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the net 
interest rate spread decreased to 2.94% from 3.15% in 2013 driven 
by a 21 bps decrease in yields on average interest-earning assets for 
the year ended December 31, 2014. 

Net  interest  margin  was  3.10%  for  the  year  ended  December 
31, 2014 compared to 3.32% for the year ended December 31, 2013. 
The decrease from December 31, 2013 was driven primarily by the 
previously  mentioned  decrease  in  the  net  interest  rate  spread, 
partially offset by increases in average free funding balances.  

Interest income from loans and leases decreased $148 million, 
or  four  percent,  compared  to  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013 
primarily due to a decrease of 25 bps in yields on average loans and 
leases partially offset by an increase of two percent in average loans 
and leases for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the 
year  ended  December  31,  2013.  The  increase  in  average  loans  and 
leases  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  was  driven  primarily 
by an increase of nine percent in average commercial and industrial 
loans  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  average  residential  mortgage 
loans  of  eight  percent  compared  to  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2013.  For  more  information  on  the  Bancorp’s  loan  and  lease 
portfolio,  refer to  the  Loans  and  Leases  subsection  of  the  Balance 
Sheet Analysis section of MD&A. Interest income from investment 
securities  and  other  short-term  investments  increased  $206  million 
compared  to  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013  driven  by  the 
factors discussed above.  

Average  core  deposits  increased  $6.8  billion,  or  eight  percent, 
compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily due to an 

36  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

TABLE 8: CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME
For the years ended December 31  

2013  

2014  

2012  

   Average   Revenue/ 
   Balance 

 Cost 

  Average 
Yield/ 
Rate 

Average  
Balance 

Revenue/ 
 Cost 

  Average        
Yield/ 
Rate 

     Average     Revenue/ 

Balance   

 Cost 

  Average  
Yield/ 
Rate 

$ 

21,770 
53 
3,043 
115,993 
2,892 
14,539 
(1,481)
131,943 

41,178 
7,745 
1,492 
3,585 
54,000 
13,344 
9,059 
12,068 
2,271 
385 
37,127 
91,127 

($ in millions)  
Assets  
Interest-earning assets:  
Loans and leases:(a) 
Commercial and industrial loans  
Commercial mortgage   
Commercial construction  
Commercial leases  
Subtotal – commercial  
Residential mortgage loans  
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 Equity  
Interest-bearing liabilities:  
Interest checking  
Savings   
Money market  
Foreign office deposits  
Other time deposits  
Certificates - $100,000 and over  
Other deposits  
Federal funds purchased  
Other short-term borrowings  
Long-term debt  
Total interest-bearing liabilities  
Demand deposits  
Other liabilities  
Total liabilities  
Total equity  
Total liabilities and equity  
Net interest income   
Net interest margin  
Net interest rate spread  
Interest-bearing liabilities to interest-earning assets 
(a)

25,382 
16,080 
14,670 
1,828 
3,762 
3,929 
- 
458 
1,873 
12,928 
80,910 
31,755 
3,950 
116,615 
15,328 
131,943 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 1,346  
260  
51  
108  
1,765  
518  
336  
334  
227  
138  
1,553  
3,318  

722  
3  
8  
4,051 

$

56  
16  
51  
5  
40  
34  
-  
-  
2  
247  
451  

$ 1,361  
306  
27  
116  
1,810
564  
355  
373  
209  
155  
1,656
3,466

518  
3  
6  
3,993

$

53  
22  
23  
4  
50  
50  
-  
1  
5  
204  
412

3.27 %  $
3.36  
3.44  
3.01  
3.27  
3.88  
3.71  
2.77  
9.98  
35.99  
4.18  
3.64  

37,770 
8,481 
793 
3,565 
50,609 
14,428 
9,554 
12,021 
2,121 
360 
38,484 
89,093 

3.32  
4.94  
0.26  
3.49  

16,395 
49 
2,417 
107,954 
2,482 
15,053 
(1,757) 
  $ 123,732 

0.22 %  $
0.10  
0.35  
0.29  
1.06  
0.85  
0.02  
0.09  
0.10  
1.91  
0.56  

23,582 
18,440 
9,467 
1,501 
3,760 
6,339 
17 
503 
3,024 
7,914 
74,547 
29,925 
4,917 
109,389 
14,343 
  $ 123,732 

$ 1,349  
369  
25  
127  
1,870 
543  
393  
439  
192  
155  
1,722 
3,592 

527  
2  
4  
4,125 

$

49  
37  
11  
4  
68  
46  
-  
1  
8  
288  
512 

3.60 %    $
3.60      
3.45      
3.26      
3.58      
3.91      
3.71      
3.10      
9.87      
42.93      
4.30      
3.89      

32,911 
9,686 
835 
3,502 
46,934 
13,370 
10,369 
11,849 
1,960 
340 
37,888 
84,822 

3.16      
5.29      
0.26      
3.70      

15,262 
57 
1,495 
101,636 
2,355 
15,695 
(2,072)  
      $ 117,614 

0.23 %    $
0.12      
0.25      
0.28      
1.33      
0.78      
0.11      
0.12      
0.18      
2.58      
0.55      

23,096 
21,393 
4,903 
1,528 
4,306 
3,102 
27 
560 
4,246 
9,043 
72,204 
27,196 
4,462 
103,862 
13,752 
      $ 117,614 

$ 3,600  

$ 3,581  

$ 3,613  

3.10 %   
2.94  
69.75  

3.32 %     
3.15        
69.05        

4.10 %
3.81
2.99
3.62
3.98  
4.06  
3.79  
3.70  
9.79  
45.32  
4.54  
4.23  

3.45  
3.29  
0.26  
4.06  

0.22 %
0.17  
0.22  
0.27  
1.59  
1.48  
0.13  
0.14  
0.18  
3.17  
0.71  

3.55 %
3.35  
71.04  

The FTE adjustments included in the above table were $21, $20 and $18 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The federal statutory rate utilized was 35% for 
all periods presented. 

37  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

$

$

Total 

2014 Compared to 2013 

  Volume  Yield/Rate

 (15) 
 (46) 
 24  
 (8) 
 (45) 
 (46) 
 (19) 
 (39) 
 18  
 (17) 
 (103) 
 (148) 

 (131) 
 (20) 
 -  
 (9) 
 (160) 
 (4) 
 (1) 
 (40) 
 2  
 (26) 
 (69) 
 (229) 

TABLE 9: CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO VOLUME AND YIELD/RATE(a) 
For the years ended December 31  
($ in millions)  
Assets  
Interest-earning assets:  
Loans and leases:  
Commercial and industrial loans  
Commercial mortgage   
Commercial construction  
Commercial leases  
Subtotal – commercial loans and leases  
Residential mortgage loans  
Home equity  
Automobile loans  
Credit card  
Other consumer loans and leases  
Subtotal – consumer loans and leases  
Total loans and leases  
Securities:  
Taxable   
Exempt from income taxes  
Other short-term investments  
Subtotal – securities and other short-term investments  
Total change in interest income  
Liabilities  
Interest-bearing liabilities:  
Interest checking  
Savings   
Money market  
Foreign office deposits  
Other time deposits  
Certificates - $100,000 and over  
Federal funds purchased  
Other short-term borrowings  
Long-term debt  
Total change in interest expense  
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 dollar amount of change in volume and yield/rate. 

 116
 (26)
 24
 1
 115
 (42)
 (18)
 1
 16
 9
 (34)
 81
 -
 177
 -
 2
 179
 260

 -  
 (4) 
 12  
 -  
 (10) 
 4  
 -  
 (2) 
 (63) 
 (63) 
 (139) 

 3  
 (6) 
 28  
 1  
 (10) 
 (16) 
 (1) 
 (3) 
 43  
 39  
 19  

 3
 (2)
 16
 1
 -
 (20)
 (1)
 (1)
 106
 102
 158

 27  
 -  
 -  
 27
 (202) 

 204  
 -  
 2  
 206  
 58  

$

$

$

$

$

2013 Compared to 2012 

Volume 

Yield/Rate

Total  

 (175) 
 (19) 
 4  
 (13) 
 (203)
 (21) 
 (7) 
 (72) 
 2  
 (8) 
 (106)
 (309)

 (47) 
 -  
 -  
 (47)
 (356)

 4  
 (11) 
 1  
 -  
 (10) 
 (29) 
 -  
 -  
 (50) 
 (95)
 (261) 

 12   
 (63)  
 2   
 (11)  
 (60)  
 21   
 (38)  
 (66)  
 17   
 -   
 (66)  
 (126)  

 (9)  
 1   
 2   
 (6)  
 (132)  

 4   
 (15)  
 12   
 -   
 (18)  
 4   
 -   
 (3)  
 (84)  
 (100)  
 (32)  

 187 
 (44)
 (2)
 2 
 143 
 42 
 (31)
 6 
 15 
 8 
 40 
 183 

 38 
 1 
 2 
 41 
 224 

 - 
 (4)
 11 
 - 
 (8)
 33 
 - 
 (3)
 (34)
 (5)
 229 

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  ALLL  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 ALLL. 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  $315 
million in 2014 compared to $229 million in 2013. The increase in 
provision  expense  for  2014  compared  to  the  prior  year  was 
primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  net  charge-offs  related  to  certain 
impaired  commercial  and  industrial  loans  in  the  first  and  third 
quarters  of  2014  and  an  increase  in  net  charge-offs  related  to  the 

transfer of certain residential mortgage loans from the portfolio to 
held  for  sale  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014.  The  impact  of  these 
increases in charge-offs on provision expense in 2014 was partially 
offset by decreases in nonperforming loans and leases and improved 
delinquency  metrics.  The  ALLL  declined  $260  million  from  $1.6 
billion at December 31, 2013 to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2014. 
As of December 31, 2014, the ALLL as a percent of portfolio loans 
and leases decreased to 1.47%, compared to 1.79% at December 31, 
2013.  

Refer  to  the  Credit  Risk  Management  section  of  MD&A  as 
well  as  Note  6  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements 
for  more  detailed  information  on  the  provision  for  loan  and  lease 
losses, 
loan  portfolio  composition, 
nonperforming assets, net charge-offs, and other factors considered 
by the Bancorp in assessing the credit quality of the loan and lease 
portfolio and the ALLL. 

including  an  analysis  of 

38  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income decreased $754 million, or 23%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. The 
components of noninterest income are as follows:   

TABLE 10: NONINTEREST INCOME
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Service charges on deposits 
Corporate banking revenue 
Investment advisory revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Card and processing revenue 
Other noninterest income 
Securities gains, net 
Securities gains, net, non-qualifying hedges on mortgage servicing rights 
Total noninterest income 

Service charges on deposits 
Service charges on deposits increased $11 million in 2014 compared 
to 2013. Commercial deposit revenue increased $15 million in 2014 
compared  to  2013  primarily  due  to  new  customer  acquisition  and 
product expansion. Consumer deposit revenue decreased $4 million 
in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to a decrease in consumer 
checking  and  savings  fees  from  a  decline  in  the  percentage  of 
consumer  customers  being  charged  service  fees,  partially  offset  by 
an increase in overdraft fees. 

Corporate banking revenue 
Corporate banking revenue increased $30 million in 2014 compared 
to 2013. The increase from the prior year was primarily the result of 
an  increase  in  syndication  and  lease  remarketing  fees.  Syndication 
fees increased $22 million compared to 2013 due to the investment 

2014  
 560
 430
 407
 310
 295
 450
 21
 -
 2,473

$

$

2013  
 549 
 400 
 393 
 700 
 272 
 879 
 21 
 13 
 3,227 

2012  
 522 
 413 
 374 
 845 
 253 
 574 
 15 
 3 
 2,999 

2011  
 520 
 350 
 375 
 597 
 308 
 250 
 46 
 9 
 2,455 

2010  

 574   
 364   
 361   
 647   
 316   
 406   
 47   
 14   
 2,729   

in  resources  in  the  commercial  business  and  a  strengthening 
economy  in  2014.  The  increase  in  lease  remarketing  fees  included 
the  impact  of  a  $9  million  write-down  of  equipment  value  on  an 
operating lease during the fourth quarter of 2013.  

increased  $14  million 

Investment advisory revenue 
Investment  advisory  revenue 
in  2014 
compared to 2013. The increase was primarily due to an increase of 
$15 million in private client service fees due to growth in personal 
asset  management  fees,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  securities 
broker fees due to a decline in transactional brokerage revenue. The 
Bancorp  had  approximately  $308  billion  and  $302  billion  in  total 
assets  under  care  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  respectively, 
and managed $27 billion in assets for individuals, corporations and 
not-for-profit organizations as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

Mortgage banking net revenue
Mortgage banking net revenue decreased $390 million, or 56%, in 2014 compared to 2013.  The components of mortgage banking net revenue are
as follows: 

TABLE 11: COMPONENTS OF MORTGAGE BANKING NET REVENUE
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Origination fees and gains on loan sales 
Net mortgage servicing revenue: 
   Gross mortgage servicing fees 
   Mortgage servicing rights amortization 
   Net valuation adjustments on mortgage servicing rights and free-standing derivatives  
     entered into to economically hedge MSR 
Net mortgage servicing revenue 
Mortgage banking net revenue 

2014  

153   

246   
(119)  

30   
157   
310   

$

$

2013  

453   

251   
(166)  

162   
247   
700   

2012  

821   

250   
(186)  

(40)  
24   
845   

Origination  fees  and  gains  on  loan  sales  decreased  $300  million  in 
2014 compared to 2013 primarily as the result of a 66% decrease in 
residential  mortgage  loan  originations.  Residential  mortgage  loan 
originations  decreased  to  $7.5  billion  in  2014  from  $22.3  billion  in 
2013 due to strong refinancing activity that occurred during the year 
ended December 31, 2013.  

and  outstanding 

Net mortgage servicing revenue is comprised of gross servicing 
fees  and  related  servicing  rights  amortization  as  well  as  valuation 
adjustments  on  MSRs  and  mark-to-market  adjustments  on  both 
settled 
financial 
instruments  used  to  economically  hedge  the  MSR  portfolio.  Net 
servicing revenue decreased $90 million in 2014 compared to 2013 
driven  primarily  by  a  decrease  of  $132  million  in  net  valuation 
adjustments,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  mortgage  servicing 
rights amortization of $47 million.   

free-standing  derivative 

The  net  valuation  adjustment  gain  of  $30  million  during  2014 
included $95 million in gains from derivatives economically hedging 

the  MSRs  partially  offset  by  temporary  impairment  of  $65  million 
on  the  MSRs.  The  net  valuation  adjustment  gain  of  $162  million 
during 2013  included a recovery of temporary  impairment of $192 
million  on  MSRs  partially  offset  by  $30  million  in  losses  from 
derivatives  economically  hedging 
the  MSRs.  Mortgage  rates 
decreased  during  2014  which  caused  the  modeled  prepayments 
speeds to increase, which led to temporary impairment on servicing 
rights  during  the  year.  Mortgage  rates  increased  in  2013  which 
caused  the  modeled  prepayment  speeds  to  slow,  and  led  to  the 
recovery of temporary impairment on servicing rights in 2013.  

Servicing  rights  are  deemed  impaired  when  a  borrower’s  loan 
rate  is  distinctly  higher  than  prevailing  rates.  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  MSRs  can  be  found  in  Note  11  of  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  Bancorp  maintains  a  non-
qualifying  hedging  strategy  to  manage  a  portion  of  the  risk 

39  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

associated  with  changes  in  the  valuation  on  the  MSR  portfolio. 
Refer to Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
for  more  information  on  the  free-standing  derivatives  used  to 
economically hedge the MSR portfolio. 

The Bancorp’s total residential loans serviced as of December 
31, 2014 and 2013 was $79.0 billion and $82.7 billion, respectively, 
with  $65.4  billion  and  $69.2  billion,  respectively,  of  residential 
mortgage loans serviced for others. 

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.  The  Bancorp 
did not sell securities related to the non-qualifying hedging strategy 
during the year ended December 31, 2014.  Net gains on the sale of 

Other noninterest income
The major components of other noninterest income are as follows:

these  securities  were  $13  million  during  the  year  ended  2013, 
recorded in securities gains, net, non-qualifying hedges on mortgage 
servicing  rights  in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income.  

Card and processing revenue 
Card  and  processing  revenue  increased  $23  million  in  2014 
compared  to  2013.    The  increase  was  primarily  the  result  of  an 
increase  in  the  number  of  actively  used  cards  as  well  as  higher 
processing  fees  related  to  additional  ATM  locations.  Debit  card 
interchange  revenue,  included  in  card  and  processing  revenue,  was 
$128  million  and  $122  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31, 
2014 and 2013, respectively.  

TABLE 12: COMPONENTS OF OTHER NONINTEREST INCOME
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Gain on Vantiv, Inc. IPO and sale of  Vantiv, Inc. shares  
Operating lease income 
Equity method income from interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC 
Cardholder fees 
BOLI income 
Valuation adjustments on the warrant and put options associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC  
Banking center income 
Consumer loan and lease fees 
Insurance income 
Gain on loan sales 
Loss on OREO 
Loss on swap associated with the sale of Visa, Inc. Class B shares 
Other, net 
Total other noninterest income 

2014   
148 
84 
48 
45 
44 
31 
30 
25 
13 
 - 
(14)
(38)
34 
450 

$

$

2013   
336 
75 
77 
47 
52 
206 
34 
27 
25 
3 
(26)
(31)
54 
879 

2012   
272 
60 
61 
46 
35 
67 
32 
27 
28 
20 
(57)
(45)
28 
574 

Other noninterest income decreased $429 million in 2014 compared 
to 2013. The decrease included the impact of a gain of $125 million 
on  the  sale  of  Vantiv,  Inc.  shares  in  the  second  quarter  of  2014 
compared to gains totaling $327 million during the second and third 
quarters of 2013. The Bancorp recognized gains of $23 million and 
$9  million  associated  with  a  tax  receivable  agreement  with  Vantiv, 
Inc.  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014  and  2013,  respectively.  In 
addition,  the  positive  valuation  adjustments  on  the  stock  warrant 
associated  with  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  were  $31  million  and  $206 
million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively. The fair value of the stock warrant is calculated using 
the Black-Scholes valuation model, which utilizes several key inputs 
(Vantiv,  Inc.  stock  price,  strike  price  of  the  warrant  and  several 
unobservable  inputs).  The  positive  valuation  adjustments  for  the 
years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013  were  primarily  due  to 
increases  of  four  percent  and  60%,  respectively,  in  Vantiv,  Inc.’s 
share  price  from  December  31,  2013  to  December  31,  2014  and 
from  December  31,  2012  to  December  31,  2013,  respectively. 
Equity  method  earnings  from  the  Bancorp’s  interest  in  Vantiv 

Holding,  LLC  decreased  $29  million  from  2013  primarily  due  to 
charges  taken  by  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  related  to  an  acquisition  in 
2014  and  a  decrease  in  the  Bancorp’s  ownership  percentage  of 
Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  from  approximately  25%  at  December  31, 
2013 to approximately 23% at December 31, 2014.  

Insurance  income  decreased  $12  million  in  2014  compared  to 
2013  due  to  a  decrease  in  premiums  and  fees  collected  in  2014. 
Additionally, the Bancorp recognized $38 million and $31 million in 
negative valuation adjustments related to the Visa total return swap 
for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For 
additional information on the valuation of the swap associated with 
the sale of Visa, Inc. Class B shares and the valuation of the warrant 
and  put  options  associated  with  the  sale  of  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC, 
refer to Note 27 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 
The “other” caption decreased $20 million for the year ended 
2014  compared  to  2013.  The  decrease  was  primarily  the  result  of 
$20  million  in  impairment  charges  in  2014  for  branches  and  land. 
For more information on these impairment charges, refer to Note 7 
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

40  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense decreased $252 million, or six percent, for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 
2013, primarily due to decreases in total personnel costs (salaries, wages and incentives plus employee benefits) and other noninterest expense. 
The components of noninterest expense are as follows:  

TABLE 13: NONINTEREST EXPENSE
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Salaries, wages and incentives 
Employee benefits 
Net occupancy expense 
Technology and communications 
Card and processing expense 
Equipment expense 
Other noninterest expense 
Total noninterest expense 
Efficiency ratio 

$

$

2014  
1,449
334
313
212
141
121
1,139
3,709
 61.1 % 

2013  
1,581 
357 
307 
204 
134 
114 
1,264 
3,961 
58.2 

2012  
1,607 
371 
302 
196 
121 
110 
1,374 
4,081 
61.7 

2011  
 1,478 
 330 
 305 
 188 
 120 
 113 
 1,224 
 3,758 
 62.3 

2010  
 1,430 
 314 
 298 
 189 
 108 
 122 
 1,394 
3,855 
 60.7 

Total  personnel  costs  decreased  $155  million,  or  eight  percent,  in 
2014  compared  to  2013  driven  by  a  decrease 
incentive 
compensation  primarily  in  the  mortgage  business  due  to  lower 
production  levels  and  a  decrease  in  base  compensation  and 

in 

employee benefits as a result of a decline in the number of full time 
equivalent  employees  in  2014.  Full  time  equivalent  employees 
totaled  18,351  at  December  31,  2014  compared  to  19,446  at 
December 31, 2013. 

The major components of other noninterest expense are as follows:

TABLE 14: COMPONENTS OF OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Losses and adjustments 
Impairment on affordable housing investments  
Loan and lease 
Marketing 
FDIC insurance and other taxes 
Professional service fees 
Operating lease 
Travel 
Postal and courier 
Data processing 
Recruitment and education 
OREO expense 
Insurance 
Supplies 
Intangible asset amortization 
Loss on debt extinguishment 
Benefit from the reserve for unfunded commitments
Other, net 
Total other noninterest expense 

Total other noninterest expense decreased $125 million, or 10%, in 
2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to decreases in loan and lease 
expense,  FDIC  insurance  and  other  taxes,  losses  and  adjustments, 
marketing expense, debt extinguishment costs and an increase in the 
benefit from the reserve for unfunded commitments, partially offset 
by increases in impairment on affordable housing investments.  

Loan  and  lease  expense  decreased  $39  million  in  2014 
compared  to  2013  due  to  lower  loan  closing  and  appraisal  costs 
driven  by  a  decline  in  mortgage  originations.  FDIC  insurance  and 
other  taxes  decreased  $38  million  in  2014  compared  to  2013 
primarily  due  to  the  change  in  the  mix  of  the  Bancorp’s  funding 
base and higher capital levels, a change in tax laws during 2014 and 
the  implementation  of  the  large  bank  assessment  fee,  which 
included  billings  for  prior  periods  during  2013.  Losses  and 
adjustments  decreased  $33  million  in  2014  compared  to  2013 
primarily due to a decrease in legal settlements and reserve expense. 
Marketing expense decreased $16 million in 2014 compared to 2013 
due to management’s expense control efforts. Debt extinguishment 

2014   
188   
135   
119   
98   
89   
72   
67   
52   
47   
41   
28   
17   
16   
15   
4   
 -   
(27)  
178   
 1,139   

$

$

2013   
221   
108   
158   
114   
127   
76   
57   
54   
48   
42   
26   
16   
17   
16   
8   
8   
(17)  
185   
 1,264   

2012   
187   
90   
183   
128   
114   
56   
43   
52   
48   
40   
28   
21   
18   
17   
13   
169   
(2)  
169   
 1,374   

costs  decreased  $8  million  in  2014  compared  to  2013.  During  the 
fourth  quarter  of  2013,  the  Bancorp  incurred  $8  million  of  debt 
extinguishment costs associated with the redemption of outstanding 
TruPS issued by Fifth Third Capital Trust IV. The benefit from the 
reserve for unfunded commitments was $27 million and $17 million 
in  2014  and  2013,  respectively.  The  increase  in  the  benefit 
recognized  reflects  a  decrease  in  estimated  loss  rates  related  to 
unfunded  commitments  due  to  improved  credit  trends  partially 
offset  by  an  increase  in  unfunded  commitments  for  which  the 
Bancorp holds reserves. 

Impairment  on  affordable  housing  investments  increased  $27 
million in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily driven by a $12 million 
benefit from the sale of affordable housing investments in 2013 and 
incremental losses on previous investments.  

The Bancorp continues to focus on efficiency initiatives as part 
of its core emphasis on operating leverage and expense control. The 
efficiency  ratio  (noninterest  expense  divided  by  the  sum  of  net 

41  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

interest income (FTE) and noninterest income) was 61.1% for 2014 

compared to 58.2% in 2013. 

Applicable Income Taxes 
Applicable  income  tax  expense  for  all  periods  includes  the  benefit 
from tax-exempt income, tax-advantaged investments, certain gains 
on  sales  of  leveraged  leases  that  are  exempt  from  federal  taxation 
and tax credits, partially offset by the effect of certain nondeductible 
expenses.  The  tax  credits  are  associated  with  the  Low-Income 
Housing  Tax  Credit  program  established  under  Section  42  of  the 
IRC,  the  New  Markets  Tax  Credit  program  established  under 
Section  45D  of  the  IRC,  the  Rehabilitation  Investment  Tax  Credit 
program established under Section 47 of the IRC and the Qualified 
Zone Academy Bond program established under Section 1397E of 
the IRC.  

The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2014 
and 2013 were primarily impacted by $164 million and $155 million, 
respectively,  in  tax  credits,  $27  million  of  tax  benefit  from  tax 
exempt  income  in  2014  and  2013,  respectively,  and  a  $9  million 
non-cash  charge  to  income  tax  expense  related  to  stock-based 
awards during the year ended December 31, 2013. The Bancorp did 
not  recognize  a  similar  non-cash  charge  related  to  stock-based 
awards during the year ended December 31, 2014.  

As  required  under  U.S.  GAAP,  the  Bancorp  established  a 
deferred  tax  asset  for  stock-based  awards  granted  to  its  employees 
and directors. When the actual tax deduction for these stock-based 
awards is less than the expense previously recognized for financial  

reporting  or  when  the  awards  expire  unexercised  and  where  the 
Bancorp  has  not  accumulated  an  excess  tax  benefit  for  previously 
exercised or released stock-based awards, the Bancorp is required to 
recognize a non-cash charge to income tax expense upon the write-
off of the deferred tax asset previously established for these stock-
based awards. As a result of the expiration of certain stock options 
and  SARs,  the  lapse  of  restrictions  on  certain  shares  of  restricted 
stock and because the Bancorp did not have an accumulated excess 
tax  benefit,  the  Bancorp  was  required  to  recognize  a  non-cash 
charge to income tax expense of $9 million for the write-off of the 
deferred tax asset previously established for these awards during the 
year  ended  December  31,  2013.  Based  on  the  accumulated  excess 
tax benefit at December 31, 2014 the Bancorp was not required to 
recognize a non-cash charge to income tax expense related to stock-
based awards for the year ended December 31, 2014. 

Based on the Bancorp’s stock price at December 31, 2014 and 
the  Bancorp’s  accumulation  of  an  excess  tax  benefit  through  the 
year ended December 31, 2014, the Bancorp does not believe it will 
be required to recognize a non-cash charge to income tax expense 
over  the  next  twelve  months  related  to  stock-based  awards. 
However, the Bancorp cannot predict its stock price or whether its 
employees  will  exercise  other  stock-based  awards  with  lower 
exercise prices in the future.  Therefore, it is possible the Bancorp 
may need to recognize a non-cash charge to income tax expense in 
the future. 

The Bancorp’s income before income taxes, applicable income tax expense and effective tax rate are as follows:  

TABLE 15: APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES

For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions)
Income before income taxes  
Applicable income tax expense  
Effective tax rate 

$

2014  
 2,028  
 545  
 26.9 % 

2013  
2,598  
772  
 29.7  

2012  
 2,210      
 636      
 28.8      

2011  
1,831  
533  
 29.1  

2010  
 940  
 187  
 19.8  

42  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

BUSINESS SEGMENT REVIEW 
The  Bancorp  reports  on  four  business  segments:  Commercial 
Banking,  Branch  Banking,  Consumer  Lending  and  Investment 
Advisors. Additional detailed financial information on each business 
segment  is  included  in  Note  30  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’s 
accounting practices or businesses change.  

The  Bancorp  manages  interest  rate  risk  centrally  at  the 
corporate  level  and  employs  a  FTP  methodology  at  the  business 
segment  level.  This  methodology  insulates  the  business  segments 
from  interest  rate  volatility,  enabling  them  to  focus  on  serving 
customers  through  loan  and  deposit  products.  The  FTP  system 
assigns  charge  rates  and  credit  rates  to  classes  of  assets  and 
liabilities,  respectively,  based  on  expected  duration  and  the  U.S. 
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  Bancorp  adjusts  the  FTP  charge  and  credit  rates  as 
dictated  by  changes  in  interest  rates  for  various  interest-earning 
assets  and  interest-bearing  liabilities.  The  credit  rate  provided  for 
demand  deposit  accounts  is  reviewed  annually  based  upon  the 
account  type,  its  estimated  duration  and  the  corresponding  fed 
funds,  U.S.  swap  curve  or  swap  rate.  The  credit  rates  for  several 
deposit  products  were  reset  January  1,  2014  to  reflect  the  current 
market  rates  and  updated  duration  assumptions.  These  rates  were 
generally  higher  than  those  in  place  during  2013,  thus  net  interest 
income  for  deposit  providing  businesses  was  positively  impacted 
during 2014.  

The business segments are charged provision expense based on 
the  actual  net  charge-offs  experienced  on  the  loans  and  leases 
owned by each segment. Provision expense attributable to loan and 
lease growth and changes in ALLL factors are captured in General 
Corporate and Other. The financial results of the business segments 
include  allocations  for  shared  services  and  headquarters  expenses. 
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.  

The  results  of  operations  and  financial  position  for  the  years 
ended  December  31,  2013  and  2012  were  adjusted  to  reflect  the 
transfer of certain customers and Bancorp employees from Branch 
Banking  to  Commercial  Banking,  effective  January  1,  2014.  In 
addition,  the  2013  and  2012  balances  were  adjusted  to  reflect  a 
change in internal allocation methodology. 

Net income (loss) by business segment is summarized in the following table:

TABLE 16: BUSINESS SEGMENT NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Commercial Banking 
Branch Banking 
Consumer Lending 
Investment Advisors 
General Corporate & Other 
Net income 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Net income attributable to Bancorp 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net income available to common shareholders 

2014  

2013  

2012  

$ 

$ 

 819 
 346 
 (68)
 54 
 332 
 1,483 
 2 
 1,481 
 67 
 1,414 

 814 
 204 
 183 
 68 
 557 
 1,826 
 (10)
 1,836 
 37 
 1,799 

 714 
 144 
 223 
 43 
 450 
 1,574 
 (2)
 1,576 
 35 
 1,541 

43  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Commercial Banking 
Commercial Banking offers credit intermediation, cash management 
and  financial  services  to  large  and  middle-market  businesses  and 
government  and  professional  customers.  In  addition  to  the 
traditional  lending  and  depository  offerings,  Commercial  Banking 

products  and  services  include  global  cash  management,  foreign 
exchange  and  international  trade  finance,  derivatives  and  capital 
markets  services,  asset-based  lending,  real  estate  finance,  public 
finance, commercial leasing and syndicated finance.  

The following table contains selected financial data for the Commercial Banking segment:

$ 

2014  

2013  

2012  

 1,673 
 235 

 1,612 
 194 

TABLE 17: 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:  
    Corporate banking revenue  
    Service charges on deposits  
    Other noninterest income  
Noninterest expense:  
    Salaries, incentives and employee benefits  
    Other noninterest expense  
Income before taxes  
Applicable income tax expense(a)(b) 
Net income  
Average Balance Sheet Data  
Commercial loans, including held for sale  
Demand deposits  
Interest checking deposits  
Savings and money market deposits  
Other time deposits and certificates - $100,000 and over  
Foreign office deposits and other deposits  
(a)
(b) Applicable income tax expense for all periods includes the tax benefit from tax-exempt income and business tax credits, partially offset by the effect of certain nondeductible expenses. Refer to the 

The FTE adjustments included in the above table were $21, $20 and $17 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 

 44,028 
 16,742 
 7,795 
 3,368 
 1,795 
 1,298 

 47,762 
 17,116 
 7,095 
 4,987 
 1,330 
 1,486 

 51,310 
 18,935 
 8,068 
 5,946 
 1,399 
 1,824 

 310 
 925 
 1,001 
 187 
 814 

 306 
 1,013 
 1,006 
 187 
 819 

 304 
 883 
 888 
 174 
 714 

 429 
 286 
 172 

 402 
 251 
 121 

 392 
 267 
 159 

 1,550 
 249 

$ 

$ 

Applicable Income Taxes section of the MD&A for additional information. 

Comparison of 2014 with 2013 
Net  income  was  $819  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2014,  compared  to  net  income  of  $814  million  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2013.  The  increase  in  net  income  was  the  result  of 
increases  in  net  interest  income  and  noninterest  income,  partially 
offset by increases in noninterest expense and the provision for loan 
and lease losses. 

Net interest income increased $61 million from the prior year 
primarily  due  to  growth  in  average  commercial  construction  loans, 
an  increase  in  FTP  credits  due  to  an  increase  in  demand  deposits 
and a decrease in FTP charges, partially offset by a decline in yields 
of 29 bps on average commercial loans. 

Provision for loan and lease losses increased $41 million from 
the prior year due to an increase in net charge-offs related to certain 
impaired  commercial  and  industrial  loans  in  the  first  and  third 
quarters of 2014. Net charge-offs as a percent of average portfolio 
loans and leases increased to 46 bps for 2014 compared to 41 bps 
for 2013.  

Noninterest income increased $69 million from the prior year 
due  to  increases  in  corporate  banking  revenue,  service  charges  on 
deposits and other noninterest income. Corporate banking revenue 
increased  $37  million  from  2013  primarily  driven  by  increases  in 
syndication  fees  and  lease  remarketing  fees.  Service  charges  on 
deposits increased $19 million from 2013 primarily driven by higher 
commercial deposit revenue which increased due to the acquisition 
of  new  customers  and  product  expansion.  Other  noninterest 
income increased $13 million from 2013 primarily due to increases 
in operating lease income and card and processing revenue. 

Noninterest expense increased $84 million from the prior year 
as  a  result  of  an  increase  in  other  noninterest  expense,  partially 
offset  by  a  decrease  in  salaries,  incentives  and  benefits.  Other 

44  Fifth Third Bancorp 

in  corporate  overhead  allocations, 

noninterest  expense  increased  $88  million  from  2013  driven  by 
impairment  on 
increases 
affordable  housing  investments  and  operating  lease  expense.  The 
decrease in salaries, incentives and employee benefits of $4 million 
was  due  to  a  decrease  in  incentive  compensation  resulting  from  a 
change to the structure of the incentive compensation plans in the 
first quarter of 2014.  

in  average  commercial  mortgage 

Average commercial loans increased $3.5 billion from the prior 
year primarily due to increases in average commercial and industrial 
loans and average commercial construction loans, partially offset by 
loans.  Average 
a  decrease 
commercial  and  industrial  portfolio  loans  and  average  commercial 
construction portfolio loans increased $3.5 billion and $689 million, 
respectively,  from  the  prior  year  as  a  result  of  an  increase  in  new 
loan  origination  activity  and  utilization 
from  a 
strengthening  economy  and  targeted  marketing  efforts.  Average 
commercial  mortgage  portfolio  loans  decreased  $651  million  from 
the  prior  year  due  to  continued  run-off  as  the  level  of  new 
originations was less than the repayments on the current portfolio. 

resulting 

Average  core  deposits  increased  $4.1  billion  from  the  prior 
year.  The  increase  was  the  result  of  strong  growth  in  average 
demand deposits, average interest checking deposits, average savings 
and money market deposits and average foreign deposits and other 
deposits which increased $1.8 billion, $973 million, $959 million and 
$338 million, respectively, from to the prior year. 

Comparison of 2013 with 2012 
Net  income  was  $814  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2013,  compared  to  net  income  of  $714  million  for  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2012.  The  increase  in  net  income  was  primarily 
driven  by  increases  in  net  interest  income  and  noninterest  income 

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

and  a  decrease  in  the  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses,  partially 
offset by higher noninterest expense. 

Net interest income increased $62 million from 2012 primarily 
due  to  growth  in  average  commercial  and  industrial  loans,  an 
increase  in  FTP  credits  due  to  increases  in  savings  and  money 
market  deposits  and  demand  deposits  and  a  decrease  in  FTP 
charges on loans, partially offset by a decline in yields of 28 bps on 
average commercial loans. 

Provision for loan and lease losses decreased $55 million from 
2012  as  a  result  of  improved  credit  trends.  Net  charge-offs  as  a 
percent of average portfolio loans and leases decreased to 41 bps for 
2013 compared to 57 bps for 2012.  

Noninterest income increased $44 million from 2012 primarily 
due to increases in other noninterest income and service charges on 
deposits, partially offset by a decrease in corporate banking revenue. 
The increase in other noninterest income of $38 million from 2012 
was primarily due to decreases in negative valuation adjustments on 
OREO, increases in operating lease income and card and processing 
revenue,  and  decreases  in  negative  valuation  adjustments  on  loans 
held  for  sale,  partially  offset  by  decreases  in  gains  on  loan  sales. 
Service  charges  on  deposits  increased  $16  million  from  2012 
primarily  driven  by  commercial  deposit  revenue  which  increased 
due  to  fee  repricing  and  the  acquisition  of  new  customers.  The 
decrease in corporate banking revenue of $10 million from the prior 
year  was  primarily  driven  by  decreases  in  lease  remarketing  and 
letter of credit fees, partially offset by increases in syndication fees, 
foreign exchange fees and business lending fees. 

Branch Banking  
Branch Banking provides a full range of deposit and loan and lease 
products  to  individuals  and  small  businesses  through  1,302  full-
service Banking Centers. Branch Banking offers depository and loan 
products, such as checking and savings accounts, home equity loans 

Noninterest  expense  increased  $48  million  from  2012  as  a 
result  of  increases  in  other  noninterest  expense  and  salaries, 
incentives  and  employee  benefits.  Other  noninterest  expense 
increased  $42  million  from  the  prior  year  primarily  driven  by 
increases  in  impairment  on  affordable  housing  investments  and 
operating  lease  expense,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  loan  and 
lease  expense.  The  increase  in  salaries,  incentives  and  employee 
benefits  of  $6  million  from  2012  was  primarily  the  result  of  an 
increase  in  base  compensation  primarily  driven  by  improved 
production levels. 

Average commercial loans increased $3.7 billion from the prior 
year  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  average  commercial  and 
industrial loans, partially offset by a decrease in average commercial 
mortgage  loans.  Average  commercial  and  industrial  portfolio  loans 
increased  $4.9  billion  from  December  31,  2012  as  a  result  of  an 
increase in new origination activity from an increase in demand due 
to a strengthening economy and targeted marketing efforts. Average 
commercial mortgage loans decreased $1.1 billion due to continued 
run-off as the level of new originations was less than the repayments 
of the existing portfolio. 

Average  core  deposits  increased  $1.5  billion  from  December 
31,  2012.  The  increase  was  primarily  driven  by  strong  growth  in 
average  savings  and  money  market  deposits  and  average  demand 
deposits, which increased $1.6 billion and $374 million, respectively, 
from  to  the  prior  year,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  interest 
checking deposits of $700 million. 

and lines of credit, credit cards and loans for automobiles and other 
personal financing needs, as well as products designed to meet the 
specific  needs  of  small  businesses,  including  cash  management 
services. 

The following table contains selected financial data for the Branch Banking segment:

TABLE 18: BRANCH BANKING 
For the years ended December 31  ($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 
    Service charges on deposits 
    Card and processing revenue 
    Investment advisory revenue 
    Other noninterest income 
Noninterest expense: 
    Salaries, incentives and employee benefits 
    Net occupancy and equipment expense 
    Card and processing expense 
    Other noninterest expense 
Income before taxes 
Applicable income tax expense 
Net income 
Average Balance Sheet Data 
Consumer loans, including held for sale 
Commercial loans, including held for sale 
Demand deposits 
Interest checking deposits 
Savings and money market deposits 
Other time deposits and certificates - $100,000 and over 

2014  

2013  

2012  

$ 

 1,546 
 181 

 1,356 
 210 

 1,261 
 268 

 272 
 226 
 152 
 70 

 537 
 246 
 133 
 635 
 534 
 188 
 346 

 279 
 207 
 148 
 106 

 547 
 241 
 125 
 660 
 313 
 109 
 204 

 268 
 195 
 129 
 107 

 537 
 238 
 115 
 579 
 223 
 79 
 144 

 14,978 
 1,583 
 11,228 
 8,998 
 23,911 
 4,690 

 15,223 
 1,807 
 10,750 
 8,841 
 22,110 
 4,709 

 14,926 
 1,905 
 8,391 
 9,080 
 22,031 
 5,386 

$ 

$ 

45  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Comparison of 2014 with 2013 
Net  income  was  $346  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2014,  compared  to  net  income  of  $204  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2013. The increase was driven by an increase in net 
interest  income  and  declines  in  the  provision  for  loan  and  lease 
losses  and  noninterest  expense,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in 
noninterest income.  

Net interest income increased $190 million from the prior year 
primarily driven by increases in the FTP credit rates for savings and 
money  market  deposits,  demand  deposits  and  interest  checking 
deposits  and  a  decrease  in  the  FTP  charges  on  loans  and  leases. 
These increases were partially offset by declines in yields on average 
commercial  loans  and  a  decrease  in  interest  income  relating  to  the 
Bancorp’s decision to no longer enroll new customers in the deposit 
advance product. 

Provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  for  2014  decreased  $29 
million  from  the  prior  year  as  a  result  of  improved  credit  trends. 
Net  charge-offs  as  a  percent  of  average  portfolio  loans  and  leases 
decreased to 110 bps for 2014 compared to 123 bps for 2013. 

Noninterest income decreased $20 million from the prior year.  
The decrease was primarily driven by decreases in other noninterest 
income  and  service  charges  on  deposits,  partially  offset  by  an 
increase in card and processing revenue. Other noninterest income 
decreased  $36  million  from  2013  primarily  due  to  $20  million  in 
impairment  charges  in  2014  for  branches  and  land.  For  more 
information  on  these  impairment  charges,  refer  to  Note  7  of  the 
Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  The  remaining 
decrease in other noninterest income was primarily due to decreases 
in  gains  on  loan  sales  and  mortgage  origination  fees  and  retail 
service fees. Service charges on deposits decreased $7 million from 
2013 primarily due to a decrease in consumer checking and savings 
fees from a decline in the percentage of consumer customers being 
charged  service  fees.  Card  and  processing  revenue  increased  $19 
million from the prior year primarily as a result of an increase in the 
number  of  actively  used  cards  as  well  as  higher  processing  fees 
related to additional ATM locations.  

Noninterest expense decreased $22 million from the prior year, 
primarily  driven  by  decreases  in  other  noninterest  expense  and 
salaries,  incentives  and  employee  benefits,  partially  offset  by 
increases  in  card  and  processing  expense  and  net  occupancy  and 
equipment  expense.  Other  noninterest  expense  decreased  $25 
million from the prior year due to lower marketing expense and loan 
and  lease  expense.  Salaries,  incentives  and  employee  benefits 
decreased $10 million from the prior year primarily driven by lower 
compensation  costs  due  to  a  decline  in  the  number  of  full-time 
equivalent  employees.  Card  and  processing  expense  increased  $8 
million from 2013 primarily due to higher rewards expense relating 
to  credit  cards  and  increased  fraud-related  charges.  Net  occupancy 
and  equipment  expense  increased  $5  million  from  2013  primarily 
due  to  an  increase  in  rent  expense  driven  by  additional  ATM 
locations. 

Average  consumer  loans  decreased  $245  million  in  2014 
primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in  average  home  equity  loans  of  $382 
million as payoffs exceeded new advances and new loan production. 
This  decrease  was  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in  average  credit 
card  loans  of  $147  million  from  the  prior  year  primarily  due  to  an 
increase in open and active accounts driven by the volume of new 
accounts. 

 Average  core  deposits  increased  $2.4  billion  from  the  prior 
year  primarily  driven  by  net  growth  in  average  savings  and  money 
market  deposits  of  $1.8  billion  and  growth  in  average  demand 
deposits of $478 million. 

46  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Comparison of 2013 with 2012 
Net  income  was  $204  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2013,  compared  to  net  income  of  $144  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2012. The increase was driven by an increase in net 
interest  income  and  noninterest  income  and  a  decline  in  the 
provision for loan and lease losses, partially offset by an increase in 
noninterest expense.  

Net interest income increased $95 million from 2012 primarily 
driven by an increase in the FTP credit rates for savings and money 
market deposits, demand deposits and interest checking deposits, a 
decrease  in  the  FTP  charges  on  loans  and  leases  and  a  decline  in 
interest  expense  on  core  deposits  due  to  favorable  shifts  from 
certificates of deposit to lower cost transaction deposits. 

Provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  for  2013  decreased  $58 
million from 2012 as a result of improved credit trends. Net charge-
offs as a percent of average portfolio loans and leases decreased to 
123 bps for 2013 compared to 159 bps for 2012. 

Noninterest  income  increased  $41  million  from  2012.  The 
increase  was  primarily  driven  by  increases  in  investment  advisory 
revenue,  card  and  processing  revenue  and  service  charges  on 
deposits.  Investment  advisory  revenue  increased  $19  million  from 
2013 primarily due to increased securities and brokerage fees due to 
an increase in equity and bond market values. Card and processing 
revenue  increased  $12  million  from  the  prior  year  due  to  higher 
transaction  volumes,  higher  levels  of  consumer  spending  and  the 
benefit of new products. Service charges on deposits increased $11 
million  from  2012  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  account 
maintenance fees due to the full year impact of new deposit product 
offerings. 

Noninterest  expense 

increased  $104  million  from  2012, 
primarily  driven  by  increases  in  salaries,  incentives  and  employee 
benefits,  card  and  processing  expense  and  other  noninterest 
expense.  Salaries,  incentives  and  employee  benefits  increased  from 
2012  primarily  due  to  an 
incentive 
compensation  associated  with  improved  securities  and  brokerage 
revenue.  Card  and  processing  expense  increased  from  2012  due 
primarily to increases in debit and credit card transaction volumes, 
consumer  spending,  fraud  insurance  costs  and  credit  card  rewards 
expense.  The  increase  in  other  noninterest  expense  was  primarily 
due  to  an  increase  in  corporate  overhead  allocations  during  2013 
compared to 2012. 

in  bonus  and 

increase 

Average  consumer  loans  increased  $297  million  in  2013 
primarily due to increases in average residential mortgage portfolio 
loans  of  $942  million  from  the  prior  year  as  a  result  of  continued 
retention  of  certain  shorter  term  residential  mortgage  loans.  In 
addition,  average  credit  card  loans  increased  from  2012  due  to 
increases  in  average  balances  per  account  and  the  volume  of  new 
customers.  These  increases  were  partially  offset  by  decreases  in 
average  home  equity  portfolio  loans  of  $743  million  from  2012  as 
payoffs exceeded new loan production. 

 Average  core  deposits  increased  $1.7  billion  from  the  prior 
year as growth in demand deposits due to excess customer liquidity 
and a continued low interest rate environment was partially offset by 
the run-off of higher priced other time deposits. 

Consumer Lending 
Consumer Lending includes the Bancorp’s mortgage, home equity, 
automobile  and  other  indirect  lending  activities.  Lending  activities 
include  the  origination,  retention  and  servicing  of  mortgage  and 
home  equity  loans  or  lines  of  credit,  sales  and  securitizations  of 
those  loans,  pools  of  loans  or  lines  of  credit,  and  all  associated 
hedging  activities.  Indirect  lending  activities  include  loans  to 
consumers through correspondent lenders and automobile dealers.  

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

The following table contains selected financial data for the Consumer Lending segment:

TABLE 19: CONSUMER LENDING 
For the years ended December 31  ($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 
    Mortgage banking net revenue 
    Other noninterest income 
Noninterest expense: 
    Salaries, incentives and employee benefits 
    Other noninterest expense 
(Loss) income before taxes 
Applicable income tax (benefit) expense 
Net (loss) income 
Average Balance Sheet Data 
Residential mortgage loans, including held for sale 
Home equity 
Automobile loans, including held for sale 
Other consumer loans and leases 

Comparison of 2014 with 2013 
Consumer  Lending  incurred  a  net  loss  of  $68  million  in  2014 
compared to net income of $183 million in 2013. The decrease was 
driven  by  decreases  in  net  interest  income  and  noninterest  income 
and  an  increase  in  the  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses, partially 
offset by a decrease in noninterest expense. 

Net interest income decreased $55 million from the prior year 
primarily due to decreases in average residential mortgage loans and 
average  home  equity  loans  as  well  as  lower  yields  on  average 
automobile  loans,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  FTP  charges  on 
loans and leases. 

The  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  increased  $64  million 
from  the  prior  year  primarily  due  to  an  $87  million  charge-off 
related to the transfer of certain residential mortgage loans from the 
portfolio  to  held  for  sale  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  partially 
offset by improved delinquency metrics on home equity loans. Net 
charge-offs as a percent of average loans and leases increased to 77 
bps for 2014 compared to 46 bps for 2013.  

Noninterest  income  decreased  $402  million  from  2013  as  a 
result of decreases in mortgage banking net revenue of $383 million 
and  other  noninterest  income  of  $19  million.  The  decrease  in 
mortgage banking net revenue was due to a $293 million decline in 
mortgage origination fees and gains on loan sales due to a decline in 
mortgage  originations  and  a  $90  million  decrease  in  net  mortgage 
servicing  revenue.  Refer  to  the  Noninterest  Income  section  of 
MD&A for additional information on the fluctuations in mortgage 
banking net revenue. The decrease in other noninterest income was 
primarily due to a $16 million decrease in securities gains.

Noninterest  expense  decreased  $133  million  due  to  decreases 
of $93 million in salaries, incentives and benefits and $40 million in 
other  noninterest  expense  from  the  prior  year.  The  decrease  in 
salaries, incentives and employee benefits was primarily the result of 
lower mortgage loan originations. The decrease in other noninterest 
expense  was  primarily  due  to  decreases  in  loan  and  lease  expense 
and corporate overhead allocations. 

Average consumer loans and leases decreased $1.3 billion from 
the prior year. Average residential mortgage loans, including held for 
sale,  decreased  $1.4  billion  from  the  prior  year  due  primarily  to  a 
decline of $1.5 billion in average residential mortgage loans held for 
sale  from  reduced  origination  volumes  driven  by  a  reduction  in 
refinance  activity  and  the  exit  of  the  broker  origination  channel 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2014  

2013  

2012  

 257 
 156 

 304 
 42 

 122 
 430 
 (105)
 (37)
 (68)

 312 
 92 

 687 
 61 

 215 
 470 
 283 
 100 
 183 

 314 
 176 

 830 
 46 

 231 
 439 
 344 
 121 
 223 

 8,866 
 483 
 11,517 
 19 

 10,222 
 560 
 11,409 
 16 

 10,143 
 643 
 11,191 
 30 

during  2014.  This  decrease  was  partially  offset  by  the  continued 
retention  of  certain  shorter  term  residential  mortgage 
loans 
originated through the Bancorp’s retail branches and the decision to 
retain  certain  conforming  ARMs  and  certain  other  fixed-rate  loans 
originated during the year ended December 31, 2014. Average home 
equity  loans  decreased  $77  million  from  the  prior  year  as  payoffs 
exceeded new loan production. Average automobile loans, including 
held  for  sale,  increased  $108  million  for  the  current  year  from  the 
prior year due to new originations exceeding run-off. 

Comparison of 2013 with 2012 
Net  income  was  $183  million  in  2013  compared  to  net  income  of 
$223  million  in  2012.  The  decrease  was  driven  by  a  decrease  in 
noninterest income and an increase in noninterest expense, partially 
offset by a decline in the provision for loan and lease losses.  

Net  interest  income  decreased  $2  million  from  2012  due 
primarily  to  lower  yields  on  average  residential  mortgage  and 
automobile  loans,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  FTP  charges  on 
loans  and  leases  and  increases  in  average  residential  mortgage  and 
average automobile loans. 

The  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  decreased  $84  million 
from  2012  as  delinquency  metrics  and  underlying  loss  trends 
improved  across  all  consumer  loan  types.  Net  charge-offs  as  a 
percent  of  average  loans  and  leases  decreased  to  46  bps  for  2013 
compared to 88 bps for 2012.  

Noninterest 

income  decreased  $128  million  from  2012 
primarily due to a decrease in mortgage banking net revenue of $143 
million, partially offset by an increase in other noninterest income of 
$15  million.  The  decrease  in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  was 
primarily due to a decrease in gains on loan sales of $368 million as 
a result of a decrease in profit margins on sold residential mortgage 
loans  coupled  with  a  decrease 
loan 
originations,  partially  offset  by  a  $223  million  increase  in  net 
residential  mortgage  servicing  revenue.  The 
in  net 
residential mortgage servicing revenue was driven by an increase of 
$202  million  in  net  valuation  adjustments  on  MSRs  and  free-
standing  derivatives  entered  into  to  economically  hedge  the  MSRs 
and a  decrease  of $20 million in servicing rights amortization.  The 
increase  in  other  noninterest  income  was  primarily  due  to  a  $12 
million increase in securities gains and a $7 million decline in losses 
on the sale of OREO. 

in  residential  mortgage 

increase 

47  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Noninterest  expense  increased  $15  million  driven  by  an 
increase of $31 million in other noninterest expense, partially offset 
by  a  decrease  of  $16  million  in  salaries,  incentives  and  employee 
benefits  compared  to  2012.  The  increase  in  other  noninterest 
expense  was  primarily  due  to  higher  litigation  expense  and  an 
increase  in  corporate  overhead  allocations,  partially  offset  by  a 
decrease in loan and lease expense due to lower appraisal costs. The 
decrease in salaries, incentives and employee benefits was due  to a 
decline  in  incentive  compensation  driven  primarily  by  a  decline  in 
originations  during  2013  compared  to  2012,  partially  offset  by  an 
increase in deferred compensation for 2013 compared to 2012. 

Average  consumer  loans  and  leases  increased  $200  million 
from  2012.  Average  residential  mortgage  loans,  including  held  for 
sale, increased $79 million for 2013 compared to 2012 due to strong 
refinancing activity that occurred in the first half of 2013. Average 
automobile loans increased $218 million in 2013 compared to 2012 
due  to  an  increase  in  originations  primarily  driven  by  modest 
improvement  in  general  economic  conditions  and  a  continued  low 
interest  rate  environment.  Average  home  equity  portfolio  loans 
decreased  $83  million  for  2013  compared  to  2012  as  payoffs 
exceeded new loan production. Average other consumer loans and 

leases  decreased  $14  million  in  2013  resulting  from  a  decrease  in 
average consumer leases due to run-off as the Bancorp discontinued 
automobile leasing in 2008, partially offset by an increase in average 
other consumer loans. 
(cid:3)
Investment Advisors 
Investment Advisors provides a full range of investment alternatives 
for 
individuals,  companies  and  not-for-profit  organizations. 
Investment  Advisors  is  made  up  of  four  main  businesses:  FTS,  an 
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bancorp; ClearArc Capital, 
Inc.  (formerly  FTAM),  an  indirect  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the 
Bancorp;  Fifth  Third  Private  Bank;  and  Fifth  Third  Institutional 
Services.  FTS  offers  full  service  retail  brokerage  services  to 
individual  clients  and  broker  dealer  services  to  the  institutional 
marketplace.  ClearArc  Capital,  Inc.  provides  asset  management 
services.  Fifth  Third  Private  Bank  offers  holistic  strategies  to 
affluent  clients  in  wealth  planning,  investing,  insurance  and  wealth 
protection.  Fifth  Third  Institutional  Services  provides  advisory 
services for institutional clients including states and municipalities. 

The following table contains selected financial data for the Investment Advisors segment:

TABLE 20: INVESTMENT ADVISORS 
For the years ended December 31  ($ in millions) 
Income Statement Data 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 
    Investment advisory revenue 
    Other noninterest income 
Noninterest expense: 
    Salaries, incentives and employee benefits 
    Other noninterest expense 
Income before taxes 
Applicable income tax expense 
Net income 
Average Balance Sheet Data 
Loans and leases 
Core deposits 

2014  

2013  

2012  

 121 
 3 

 397 
 13 

 162 
 283 
 83 
 29 
 54 

 154 
 2 

 384 
 22 

 159 
 294 
 105 
 37 
 68 

 117 
 10 

 366 
 30 

 161 
 276 
 66 
 23 
 43 

 2,270 
 9,535 

 2,014 
 8,815 

 1,877 
 7,709 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Comparison of 2014 with 2013 
Net income was $54 million in 2014 compared to net income of $68 
million for 2013. The decrease in net income was primarily due to a 
decrease  in  net  interest  income,  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in 
noninterest expense and an increase in noninterest income.  

Net interest income decreased $33 million from 2013 primarily 
due to a decrease in the FTP credit rate on certain interest checking 
deposits. 

Noninterest  income  increased  $4  million  from  the  prior  year 
due  to  a  $13  million  increase  in  investment  advisory  revenue 
primarily  driven  by  an  increase  of  $12  million  in  private  client 
services revenue due to growth in personal asset management fees, 
partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  securities  broker  fees  due  to  a 
decline  in  transactional  brokerage  revenue.  This  increase  was 
partially offset by a $9 million decrease in other noninterest income 
as other noninterest income in the prior year included gains on the 
sale of certain advisory contracts. 

Noninterest  expense  decreased  $8  million  from  the  prior  year 
primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in  other  noninterest  expense  driven  by 
decreases  in  operational  losses,  marketing  expense  and  corporate 
overhead allocations. 

48  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Average loans and leases increased $256 million from the prior 
year  primarily  driven  by  increases  in  average  residential  mortgage 
loans  and  average  commercial  mortgage  loans,  partially  offset  by  a 
decrease  in  average  home  equity  loans.  Average  core  deposits 
increased $720 million from the prior year due to growth in average 
interest  checking  balances  as  customers  have  opted  to  maintain 
excess  funds  in  liquid  transaction  accounts  as  a  result  of  interest 
rates remaining near historic lows. 

Comparison of 2013 with 2012 
Net income was $68 million in 2013 compared to net income of $43 
million  for  2012.  The  increase  in  net  income  was  primarily  due  to 
increases  in  net  interest  income  and  noninterest  income  and  a 
decrease in the provision for loan and lease losses, partially offset by 
an increase in noninterest expense.  

Net interest income increased $37 million from 2012 due to an 
increase  in  FTP  credits  resulting  from  an  increase  in  interest 
checking deposits. 

Provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  decreased  $8  million  from 
the  prior  year.  Net  charge-offs  as  a  percent  of  average  loans  and 
leases  decreased  to  9  bps  compared  to  53  bps  for  the  prior  year 
reflecting improved credit trends during 2013.  

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

Noninterest  income  increased  $10  million  compared  to  2012 
due to an increase in investment advisory revenue, partially offset a 
decrease  in  other  noninterest  income.  The  increase  in  investment 
advisory revenue was primarily driven by increases in securities and 
brokerage  fees  and  private  client  service  fees  due  to  strong 
production and an increase in equity and bond market values. The 
decrease in other noninterest income was due to a decrease in gains 
on sales of held for sale loans and the impact of the gain on the sale 
of certain FTAM funds in the third quarter of 2012. 

Noninterest  expense  increased  $16  million  compared  to  2012 
due to an increase in other noninterest expense primarily driven by 
increases in corporate allocations and fraud losses. 

Average  loans  and  leases  increased  $137  million  compared  to 
2012  primarily  driven  by  increases  in  average  residential  mortgage, 
average  other  consumer  and  average  commercial  and  industrial 
loans, partially offset by a decrease in average commercial mortgage 
loans.  Average  core  deposits  increased  $1.1  billion  compared  to 
2012 due to growth in interest checking as customers have opted to 
maintain  excess  funds  in  liquid  transaction  accounts  as  a  result  of 
the low interest rate environment. 

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

Comparison of 2014 with 2013 
Results  for  2014  and  2013  were  impacted  by  a  benefit  of  $260 
million  and  $269  million,  respectively,  due  to  reductions  in  the 
ALLL. Net interest income decreased from $147 million in 2013 to 
$3  million  for  2014  primarily  due  to  increases  in  FTP  credits  and 
interest  expense  on  long-term  debt  and  a  decrease  in  the  benefit 
related to the FTP charges on loans and leases, partially offset by an 
increase  in  interest  income  on  taxable  securities.  Noninterest 
income  was  $256  million  for  2014  compared  to  $659  million  in 
2013.  Noninterest  income  included  the  impact  of  a  gain  of  $125 
million  on  the  sale  of  Vantiv,  Inc.  shares  in  the  second  quarter  of 
2014 compared to gains totaling $327 million during the second and 
third  quarters  of  2013.  The  Bancorp  also  recognized  gains  of  $23 
million  and  $9  million  associated  with  a  tax  receivable  agreement 
with  Vantiv,  Inc.  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  The  positive  valuation  adjustments  on  the  stock 
warrant associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC were $31 million and 
$206  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  Additionally,  the  equity  method  earnings  from  the 
Bancorp’s  interest  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  decreased  $29  million 
from  2013.  Noninterest  income  also  included  $38  million  in 
negative valuation adjustments related to the Visa total return swap 
for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $31 million for 
the year ended December 31, 2013. 

Noninterest  expense  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014 
was  a  benefit  of  $12  million  compared  to  an  expense  of  $159 
million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013.  The  decrease  was 
driven by decreases in compensation expense, FDIC insurance and 
other taxes and litigation and regulatory activity, partially offset by a 
decrease  in  the  benefit  from  other  noninterest  expense  driven  by 
decreased  corporate  overhead  allocations  from  General  Corporate 
and Other to the other business segments. 

Comparison of 2013 with 2012 
Results  for  2013  and  2012  were  impacted  by  a  benefit  of  $269 
million  and  $400  million,  respectively,  due  to  reductions  in  the 
ALLL.  The  decrease  in  provision  expense  was  primarily  due  to  a 
decrease  in  nonperforming  loans  and  leases  and  improvements  in 
delinquency metrics and underlying loss trends. Net interest income 
decreased  from  $370  million  in  2012  to  $147  million  for  2013 
primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in  FTP  charges  partially  offset  by  a 
decrease in interest expense on long-term debt. Noninterest income 
increased $278  million compared to 2012 primarily due to positive 
valuation  adjustments  on  the  stock  warrant  associated  with  Vantiv 
Holding,  LLC  which  increased  $139  million  in  2013  compared  to 
2012.  In  addition,  gains  of  $242  million  and  $85  million  were 
recognized  on  the  sales  of  Vantiv,  Inc.  shares  in  the  second  and 
third  quarters  of  2013,  respectively,  compared  to  gains  of  $115 
million related to the Vantiv, Inc. IPO and $157 million on the sale 
of Vantiv, Inc. shares in 2012. The Bancorp also recognized a gain 
of $9 million associated with a tax receivable agreement with Vantiv, 
Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2013. The equity method earnings from 
the Bancorp’s interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC increased $16 million 
from 2012. 

in 

the  Bancorp 

Noninterest expense decreased $286 million compared to 2012 
due  to  decreases  in  other  noninterest  expense  and  total  personnel 
costs.  Other  noninterest  expense  decreased  due  to  a  decrease  in 
debt  extinguishment  costs,  an  increase  in  corporate  overhead 
allocations  assigned  to  the  segments,  a  decrease  in  loan  and  lease 
expense  and  a  decrease 
losses  and  adjustments.  Debt 
extinguishment costs decreased $161 million during 2013 compared 
to 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bancorp incurred $8 
million of debt extinguishment costs associated with the redemption 
of  outstanding  TruPS  issued  by  Fifth  Third  Capital  Trust  IV. 
During  2012, 
incurred  $160  million  of  debt 
extinguishment  costs  associated  with  the  redemption  of  certain 
TruPS  and  the  termination  of  certain  FHLB  debt.  Loan  and  lease 
expense  decreased  $72  million  during  2013  compared  to  2012 
primarily due to a decrease in loan closing fees due to a decline in 
mortgage  originations.  Losses  and  adjustments  decreased  $17 
million  compared  to  2012  primarily  driven  by  a  decline  in  the 
provision for representation and warranty claims partially offset by 
an  increase  in  litigation  expense.  The  provision  for  representation 
and  warranty  claims  changed  from  a  $49  million  expense  for  the 
year  ended  December  31,  2012  to  a  benefit  of  $39  million  for  the 
year  ended  December  31,  2013  due  to  the  Bancorp  recording 
significant additions to the reserve in 2012 as the result of additional 
information  obtained  from  FHLMC  regarding  their  file  selection 
criteria which enabled the Bancorp to better estimate the losses that 
were  probable  on  loans  sold  to  FHLMC  with  representation  and 
warranty  provisions.  In  addition,  2013  included  a  decrease  in  the 
representation  and  warranty  reserve  due  to  improving  underlying 
repurchase metrics and the settlement with FHLMC. The decrease 
in representation and warranty expense was partially offset by a $54 
million 
litigation  expense.  Total  personnel  costs 
decreased  $38  million  from  2012  due  primarily  to  decreases  in 
incentive compensation and employee benefits. 

increase 

in 

49  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

FOURTH QUARTER REVIEW 
The Bancorp’s 2014 fourth quarter net income available to common 
shareholders was $362 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared 
to net income available to common shareholders of $328 million, or 
$0.39 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2014 and net income 
available  to  common  shareholders  of  $383  million,  or  $0.43  per 
diluted  share,  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  2013.  Fourth  quarter  2014 
earnings included a $56 million positive adjustment on the valuation 
of  the  warrant  associated  with  the  sale  of  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC,  a 
$23  million  gain  from  Vantiv  Inc.  pursuant  to  a  tax  receivable 
agreement  and a  $19  million  charge  related  to  the  valuation  of  the 
total return swap entered into as part of the 2009 sale of Visa, Inc. 
Class  B  shares.  Third  quarter  2014  results  included  a  $53  million 
negative adjustment on the valuation of the warrant associated with 
the  sale  of  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC.  Fourth  quarter  2013  earnings 
included  a  $91  million  positive  adjustment  on  the  valuation  of  the 
warrant  associated  with  the  sale  of  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC,  $69 
million in net charges to increase litigation reserves, an $18 million 
charge related to the valuation of the total return swap entered into 
as part of the 2009 sale of Visa, Inc. Class B shares and $8 million of 
debt extinguishment costs associated with the redemption of TruPS 
issued by Fifth Third Capital Trust IV.  

Fourth  quarter  2014  net  interest  income  of  $888  million 
decreased  $20  million  from  the  third  quarter  of  2014  and  $17 
million from the same period a year ago. Interest income decreased 
$7  million  from  the  third  quarter  of  2014  primarily  driven  by  the 
effects  of  loan  repricing  and  lower  average  investment  securities 
balances.  Interest  expense  increased  $13  million  from  the  third 
quarter of 2014 primarily driven by the issuance of $850 million of 
long-term  debt  during  the  third  quarter  and  higher  deposit  costs 
during  the  quarter.  The  decrease  in  net  interest  income  in 
comparison to the fourth quarter of 2013 was driven by the effects 
of  loan  repricing  and  higher  interest  expense  from  increased  long-
term  debt  balances,  partially  offset  by  higher  average  investment 
securities balances and average loan balances.  

Fourth  quarter  2014  noninterest  income  of  $653  million 
increased  $133  million  compared  to  the  third  quarter  of  2014  and 
decreased $50 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. The 
increase  from  the  third  quarter  of  2014  was  primarily  due  to 
increases  in  other  noninterest  income  and  corporate  banking 
revenue. The year-over-year decline was primarily the result of lower 
mortgage  banking  net  revenue  and  other  noninterest  income, 
partially offset by higher corporate banking revenue. 

Service  charges  on  deposits  of  $142  million  decreased  $3 
million  from  the  previous  quarter  and  were  flat  compared  to  the 
fourth quarter of 2013. The decrease from the third quarter of 2014 
was primarily due to a decrease in commercial service charges due to 
a  decrease  in  treasury  management  fees  and  a  decrease  in  retail 
service charges due to lower overdraft occurrences.  

Corporate  banking  revenue  of  $120  million  increased  $20 
million from the previous quarter and $26 million from the fourth 
quarter  of  2013.  The  increase  from  the  third  quarter  of  2014  was 
primarily due to a $13 million increase in syndication fees during the 
fourth  quarter  of  2014  due  to  the  investment  in  resources  in  the 
commercial  business.    In  addition,  the  increase  from  the  third 
quarter of 2014 was due to an increase in business lending fees and 
an increase in foreign exchange fees, partially offset by a decrease in 
institutional  sales  revenue.  The  year-over-year  increase  was  driven 
by higher syndication fees and lease remarketing fees. The increase 
in syndication fees from the fourth quarter of 2013 was due to the 
investment 
in  the  commercial  business  and  a 
strengthening economy. The increase in lease remarketing fees year-
over-year  was  impacted  by  a  $9  million  write-down  of  equipment 
value on an operating lease during the fourth quarter of 2013. 

in  resources 

50  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Investment  advisory  revenue  of  $100  million  decreased  $3 
million from the previous quarter and increased $2 million from the 
fourth quarter of 2013. The decline from the third quarter of 2014 
was  due  to  a  decrease  in  private  client  service  fees  and  insurance 
fees  relative  to  elevated  levels  in  the  third  quarter,  as  well  as  a 
decrease  in  securities  and  brokerage  fees  due  to  a  continued  shift 
from transaction-based fees to recurring revenue streams. The year-
over-year  increase  was  due  to  an  increase  in  personal  asset 
management fees due to market-related growth, partially offset by a 
decrease in securities and brokerage fees.  

Mortgage  banking  net  revenue  was  $61  million  in  both  the 
fourth  and  third  quarters  of  2014  and  $126  million  in  the  fourth 
quarter of 2013. Fourth quarter 2014 originations were $1.7 billion, 
compared with $2.1 billion in the previous quarter and $2.6 billion 
in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2013.  Fourth  quarter  2014  originations 
resulted in gains of $36 million  on mortgages sold, compared with 
gains  of  $34  million  during  the  previous  quarter  and  $60  million 
during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2013.  The  increase  from  the  prior 
quarter was driven by higher gain on sale margins, partially offset by 
lower  production.  The  decrease  from  the  prior  year  was  due  to 
lower  production,  including  Fifth  Third’s  exit  from  the  broker 
channel,  partially  offset  by  higher  gain  on  sale  margins.  Mortgage 
servicing  fees  were  $60  million  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  $61 
million  in  the  third  quarter  of  2014  and  $63  million  in  the  fourth 
quarter  of  2013.  Mortgage  banking  net  revenue  is  also  affected  by 
net  servicing  asset  valuation  adjustments,  which  include  MSR 
amortization  and  MSR  valuation  adjustments,  including  mark-to-
market 
to 
economically  hedge  the  MSR  portfolio.  These  net  servicing  asset 
valuation adjustments were negative $34 million in both the fourth 
and  third  quarters  of  2014  and  positive  $3  million  in  the  fourth 
quarter of 2013.  

free-standing  derivatives  used 

adjustments  on 

Card  and  processing  revenue  of  $76  million  increased  $1 
million compared to the third quarter of 2014 and $5 million from 
the  fourth  quarter  of  2013.  The  increases  from  both  periods  were 
driven by higher transaction volumes and an increase in the number 
of actively used cards. 

Other  noninterest  income  of  $150  million  increased  $117 
million  compared  to  the  third  quarter  of  2014  and  decreased  $20 
million  from  the  fourth  quarter  of  2013.    Fourth  quarter  2014 
results  included  a  $56  million  positive  valuation  adjustment  on  the 
Vantiv Holding, LLC warrant and $23 million in gains pursuant to 
Fifth  Third’s  tax  receivable  agreement  with  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC. 
This  compares  with  a  $53  million  negative  warrant  valuation 
adjustment in the third quarter of 2014, and a $91 million positive 
warrant valuation adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2013 as well as 
$9  million  in  gains  pursuant  to  Fifth  Third’s  tax  receivable 
agreement  with  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC,  recognized  in  the  fourth 
quarter  of  2013.  Quarterly  results  also  included  charges  related  to 
the  valuation  of  the  total  return  swap  entered  into  as  part  of  the 
2009  sale  of  Visa,  Inc.  Class  B  shares.  Negative  valuation 
adjustments  on  this  swap  were  $19  million,  $3  million  and  $18 
million in the fourth quarter of 2014, the third quarter of 2014 and 
the fourth quarter of 2013, respectively. 

The  net  gains  on  investment  securities  were  $4  million  in  the 
fourth quarter of 2014, $3 million in the third quarter of 2014 and 
$2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.  

Noninterest  expense  of  $918  million  increased  $30  million 
from  the  previous  quarter  and  decreased  $71  million  from  the 
fourth  quarter  of  2013.  The  increase  in  noninterest  expense 
compared to the third quarter of 2014 was driven by an increase in 
personnel costs, an increase in  provision expense from the reserve 
for unfunded commitments and an increase in operational losses in 
the  fourth  quarter  of  2014.  The  decrease  in  noninterest  expense 

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

from the fourth quarter of 2013 was primarily due to $69 million in 
charges to litigation reserves in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared 
to a $3 million reversal of litigation reserves in the fourth quarter of 
2014,  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in  credit-related  costs  in  the 
fourth quarter of 2014.  

The  ALLL  as  a  percentage  of  portfolio  loans  and  leases  was 
1.47%  as  of  December  31,  2014,  compared  to  1.56%  as  of 
September  30,  2014  and  1.79%  as  of  December  31,  2013.  Net 

TABLE 21: QUARTERLY INFORMATION (unaudited) 

charge-offs  were  $191  million  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  or  83 
bps  of  average  loans  on  an  annualized  basis,  compared  with  net 
charge-offs  of  $115  million  in  the  third  quarter  of  2014  and  $148 
million in the fourth quarter of 2013. During the fourth quarter of 
2014,  the  Bancorp  transferred  certain  residential  mortgage  loans 
from  the portfolio  to  held  for  sale  resulting  in  a  charge-off  of $87 
million.  

2014  

2013  

3/31
For the three months ended ($ in millions, except per share data) 
 893 
Net interest income(a) 
 62 
Provision for loan and lease losses  
 743 
Noninterest income  
 978 
Noninterest expense  
 422 
Net income attributable to Bancorp   
 413 
Net income available to common shareholders  
 0.47 
Earnings per share, basic   
Earnings per share, diluted   
 0.46 
(a) Amounts presented on a FTE basis. The FTE adjustment for the three months ended December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, June 30, 2014, March 31, 2014, December 31, 

6/30
 885
 64
 1,060
 1,035
 591
 582
 0.67
 0.65

12/31
$ 888
 99
 653
 918
 385
 362
 0.44
 0.43

12/31
 905 
 53 
 703 
 989 
 402 
 383 
 0.44 
 0.43 

3/31
898 
 69 
 564 
 950 
 318 
 309 
 0.36 
 0.36 

9/30
908 
 71 
 520 
 888 
 340 
 328 
 0.39 
 0.39 

6/30
905
 76
 736
 954
 439
 416
 0.49
 0.49

9/30
 898 
 51 
 721 
 959 
 421 
 421 
 0.47 
 0.47 

2013, September 30, 2013, June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 was $5. 
b 

COMPARISON OF THE YEAR ENDED 2013 WITH 2012 
The  Bancorp’s  net  income  available  to  common  shareholders  for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2013  was  $1.8  billion,  or  $2.02  per 
diluted  share,  which  was  net  of  $37  million  in  preferred  stock 
dividends.  The  Bancorp’s  net 
income  available  to  common 
shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $1.5 billion, 
or $1.66 per diluted share, which was net of $35 million in preferred 
stock  dividends.  Overall,  credit  trends  improved  in  2013,  and  as  a 
result,  the  provision  for  loan  and  lease  losses  decreased  to  $229 
million in 2013 compared to $303 million in 2012.  

Net interest income was $3.6 billion for both the years ended 
December  31,  2013  and  2012.  Net  interest  income  was  negatively 
impacted by a decline of 36 bps in yields on the Bancorp’s interest-
earning  assets,  partially  offset  by  a  $4.3  billion  increase  in  average 
loans  and  leases  due  primarily  to  increases  in  average  commercial 
and  industrial  loans  and  average  residential  mortgage  loans.  In 
addition,  interest  expense  decreased  primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in 
rates paid on average long-term debt and a reduction in higher cost 
average long-term debt.  

Noninterest income increased $228 million, or eight percent, in 
2013 compared to 2012. The increase from 2012 was primarily due 
to increases in other noninterest income partially offset by decreases 
in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue.  Other  noninterest  income 
increased $305 million compared to 2012, primarily due to positive 
valuation  adjustments  on  the  stock  warrant  associated  with  Vantiv 
Holding,  LLC.  In  addition,  the  Bancorp  recognized  gains  of  $242 
million  and  $85  million,  on  the  sale  of  Vantiv,  Inc.  shares  in  the 
second and third quarters of 2013, respectively, compared to gains 
of $115 million related to the Vantiv, Inc. IPO recorded in the first 
quarter of 2012 and a $157 million gain on the sale of Vantiv shares 
during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2012.  Mortgage  banking  net  revenue 
decreased  $145  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013 
compared to 2012 primarily due to a decrease in origination fees and 
gains  on  loan  sales  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in  positive  net 
valuation  adjustments  on  mortgage  servicing  rights  and  free-
standing  derivatives  entered  into  to  economically  hedge  the  MSR 
portfolio. 

Noninterest expense decreased $120 million, or three percent, 
in  2013  compared  to  2012  primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in  other 
noninterest  expense  driven  by  a  decrease  in  debt  extinguishment 

costs  and  a  decrease  in  the  provision  for  representation  and 
warranty claims partially offset by an increase in litigation expense. 

Net  charge-offs  as  a  percent  of  average  portfolio  loans  and 
leases  decreased  to  0.58%  during  2013  compared  to  0.85%  during 
2012  largely  due  to  improved  credit  trends  across  all  commercial 
and consumer loan types. 

The Bancorp took a number of actions that impacted its capital 
position  in  2013.  In  March  of  2013,  the  Bancorp  announced  the 
results of its capital plan submitted to the FRB as part of the 2013 
CCAR. The FRB indicated to the Bancorp that it did not object to 
the  following  proposed  capital  actions  for  the  period  beginning 
April 1, 2013 and ending March 31, 2014: the potential increase in 
its  quarterly  common  stock  dividend  to  $0.12  per  share;  the 
potential repurchase of up to $750 million in TruPS, subject to the 
determination of a regulatory capital event and replacement with the 
issuance of a similar amount of Tier II-qualifying subordinated debt; 
the potential conversion of the $398 million in outstanding Series G 
8.5%  convertible  preferred  stock  into  approximately  35.5  million 
common  shares  issued  to  the  holders  and  the  repurchase  of  an 
equivalent  amount  of  common  shares  issued  in  the  conversion  up 
to $550 million in market value, and the issuance of $550 million in 
preferred shares; the potential repurchase of common shares in an 
amount up to $984 million, including any shares issued in a Series G 
preferred  stock  conversion;  incremental  repurchase  of  common 
shares in the amount of any after-tax gains from the sale of Vantiv, 
Inc stock and the potential issuance of an additional $500 million in 
preferred  stock.  Actions  consistent  with  these  proposed  capital 
actions were substantially completed in 2013. 

The FRB launched the 2014 stress testing program and CCAR 
on  November  1,  2013.  The  stress  testing  results  and  capital  plan 
were submitted by the Bancorp to the FRB on January 6, 2014. 

Additionally, the Bancorp entered into a number of accelerated 
share  repurchase  transactions  in  2013.    Refer  to  Note  23  of  the 
Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  more  information 
on the accelerated share repurchase transactions.  

51  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS 
Loans and Leases 
The Bancorp classifies its loans and leases based upon the primary 
purpose  of  the  loan  or  lease.  Table  22  summarizes  end  of  period 
loans  and  leases,  including  loans  held  for  sale  and  Table  23 

summarizes average total loans and leases, including loans held for 
sale. 

$

2014  

TABLE 22: COMPONENTS OF TOTAL LOANS AND LEASES (INCLUDES HELD FOR SALE)
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Commercial: 
   Commercial and industrial loans 
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   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 
Total portfolio loans and leases (excludes loans held for sale) 

13,582  
8,886  
12,037  
2,401  
436  
37,342  
91,345  
90,084  

40,801  
7,410  
2,071  
3,721  
54,003  

$
$

2013  

2012  

2011  

2010  

39,347   
8,069   
1,041   
3,626   
52,083   

13,570   
9,246   
11,984   
2,294   
381   
37,475   
89,558   
88,614   

36,077   
9,116   
707   
3,549   
49,449   

14,873   
10,018   
11,972   
2,097   
312   
39,272   
88,721   
85,782   

30,828  
10,214  
1,037  
3,531  
45,610  

13,474  
10,719  
11,827  
1,978  
364  
38,362  
83,972  
81,018  

27,275  
10,992  
2,111  
3,378  
43,756  

10,857  
11,513  
10,983  
1,896  
702  
35,951  
79,707  
77,491  

Loans  and  leases,  including  loans  held  for  sale,  increased  $1.8 
billion,  or  two  percent,  from  December  31,  2013.  The  increase  in 
loans  and  leases  from  December  31,  2013  was  the  result  of  a  $1.9 
billion,  or  four  percent,  increase  in  commercial  loans  and  leases 
partially  offset  by  a  $133  million  decrease  in  consumer  loans  and 
leases.  

Commercial  loans  and  leases  increased  from  December  31, 
2013  primarily  due  to  increases  in  commercial  and  industrial  loans 
and commercial construction loans partially offset by a decrease in 
commercial  mortgage  loans.  Commercial  and  industrial  loans 
increased $1.5 billion, or four percent, from December 31, 2013 and 
commercial construction loans increased $1.0 billion, or 99%, from 
December  31,  2013  primarily  driven  by  an  increase  in  new  loan 

origination  activity  and  utilization  resulting  from  a  strengthening 
economy  and  targeted  marketing  efforts.  Commercial  mortgage 
loans decreased $659 million, or eight percent, from December 31, 
2013 due to continued run-off as the level of new originations was 
outpaced by increased repayments on the current portfolio.  

Consumer loans and leases decreased from December 31, 2013 
primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in  home  equity  partially  offset  by  an 
increase  in  credit  card  loans.  Home  equity  decreased  $360  million, 
or four percent, from December 31, 2013 as payoffs exceeded new 
loan  production.  Credit  card  loans  increased  $107  million,  or  five 
percent,  from  December  31,  2013  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in 
average  balances  per  account  and  an  increase  in  new  customer 
accounts.  

$

2014  

2013  

TABLE 23: COMPONENTS OF AVERAGE TOTAL LOANS AND LEASES (INCLUDES HELD FOR SALE)
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Commercial: 
   Commercial and industrial loans 
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   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 loans held for sale) 

14,428   
9,554   
12,021   
2,121   
360   
38,484   
89,093   
86,950   

13,344  
9,059  
12,068  
2,271  
385  
37,127  
91,127  
90,485  

37,770   
8,481   
793   
3,565   
50,609   

41,178  
7,745  
1,492  
3,585  
54,000  

$
$

2012  

2011  

2010  

32,911   
9,686   
835   
3,502   
46,934   

13,370   
10,369   
11,849   
1,960   
340   
37,888   
84,822   
82,733   

28,546  
10,447  
1,740  
3,341  
44,074  

11,318  
11,077  
11,352  
1,864  
529  
36,140  
80,214  
78,533  

26,334  
11,585  
3,066  
3,343  
44,328  

9,868  
11,996  
10,427  
1,870  
743  
34,904  
79,232  
77,045  

Average  loans  and  leases,  including  loans  held  for  sale,  increased 
$2.0 billion, or two percent, from December 31, 2013. The increase 
from December 31, 2013  was the result of a $3.4 billion, or seven 
percent,  increase  in  average  commercial  loans  and  leases  partially 
offset  by  a  $1.4  billion,  or  four  percent,  decrease  in  average 
consumer loans and leases. 

52  Fifth Third Bancorp 

leases 

increased 

loans  and 

Average  commercial 

from 
in  average 
increases 
December  31,  2013  primarily  due 
loans  and  average  commercial 
commercial  and 
construction 
in  average 
loans  partially  offset  by  a  decrease 
commercial  mortgage  loans.  Average  commercial  and  industrial 
loans  increased  $3.4  billion,  or  nine  percent,  from  December  31, 
2013  and  average  commercial  construction  loans  increased  $699 

industrial 

to 

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

million,  or  88%,  from  December  31,  2013  primarily  due  to  an 
increase  in  new  loan  origination  activity  and  utilization  resulting 
from  a  strengthening  economy  and  targeted  marketing  efforts. 
Average commercial mortgage loans decreased $736 million, or nine 
percent,  from December  31,  2013  due  to  continued  run-off  as  the 
level of new originations was outpaced by increased repayments on 
the current portfolio. 

Average consumer loans and leases decreased from December 
31, 2013 primarily due to decreases in average residential mortgage 
loans  and  average  home  equity  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in 
average  credit  card  loans.  Average  residential  mortgage  loans 
decreased  $1.1  billion,  or  eight  percent,  from  December  31,  2013 
primarily  due  to  a  decline  in  average  loans  held  for  sale  of  $1.5 

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,  2014,  total  investment 
securities were $23.0 billion compared to $19.1 billion at December 
31,  2013.  Refer  to  Note  1  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements  for  the  Bancorp’s  methodology  for  both  classifying 
investment  securities  and  management’s  evaluation  of  securities  in 
an unrealized loss position for OTTI.  

At  December  31,  2014,  the  Bancorp’s  investment  portfolio 
consisted  primarily  of  AAA-rated  available-for-sale  securities.  The 
Bancorp  did  not  hold  asset-backed  securities  backed  by  subprime 
mortgage  loans  in  its  investment  portfolio.  Additionally,  securities 

TABLE 24: COMPONENTS OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES 
As of December 31 ($ in millions)  
Available-for-sale and other: (amortized cost basis)  
   U.S. Treasury and federal agencies  
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
   Mortgage-backed securities:  

   Agency residential mortgage-backed securities  
   Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities  
   Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities  
   Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities  

   Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
   Equity securities(a) 
Total available-for-sale and other securities  
Held-to-maturity: (amortized cost basis)  
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
   Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
Total held-to-maturity  
Trading: (fair value)  
   U.S. Treasury and federal agencies  
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
   Mortgage-backed securities:  

   Agency residential mortgage-backed securities  
   Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities  

billion  from  reduced  origination  volumes  driven  by  a  reduction  in 
refinance  activity  and  the  exit  of  the  broker  origination  channel 
during  2014.  This  decrease  was  partially  offset  by  the  continued 
retention  of  certain  shorter  term  residential  mortgage 
loans 
originated through the Bancorp’s retail branches and the decision to 
retain  certain  conforming  ARMs  and  certain  other  fixed-rate  loans 
originated during the year ended December 31, 2014. Average home 
equity decreased $495 million, or five percent, from December 31, 
2013 as payoffs exceeded new loan production. Average credit card 
loans increased $150 million, or seven percent, from December 31, 
2013 primarily due to an increase in open and active accounts driven 
by the volume of new customer accounts.    

classified  as  below 
immaterial  as  of 
investment  grade  were 
December  31,  2014  and  2013.  The  Bancorp’s  management  has 
evaluated  the  securities  in  an  unrealized  loss  position  in  the 
available-for-sale  and  held-to-maturity  portfolios  for  OTTI.  The 
Bancorp  recognized  $24  million,  $74  million  and  $58  million  of 
OTTI on its available-for-sale and other debt securities, included in 
securities gains, net and securities gains, net – non-qualifying hedges 
on  mortgage  servicing  rights,  in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated 
Statements  of  Income  during  the  years  ended December  31,  2014, 
2013 and 2012, respectively. The Bancorp did not recognize OTTI 
on  any  of  its  available-for-sale  equity  securities  or  held-to-maturity 
debt  securities  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014,  2013  and 
2012. 

2014  

2013  

2012  

2011  

2010  

$

$

$

$

$

1,545  
185  

11,968  
4,465  
 -  
1,489  
1,324  
701  
21,677  

186  
1  
187  

14  
8  

1,549   
187   

 1,771   
 203   

 1,953  
 96  

 1,789  
 170  

12,294   
 -   
 -   
1,368   
2,146   
865   
18,409   

207   
1   
208   

5   
13   

 8,403   
 -   
 -   
 1,089   
 2,072   
 1,033   
 14,571   

 282   
 2   
 284   

7   
17   

 9,743  
 -  
 28  
 498  
 1,266  
 1,030  
 14,614  

 320  
 2  
 322  

 -  
 9  

 10,570  
 -  
 41  
 -  
 1,297  
 1,052  
 14,919  

 348  
 5  
 353  

 1  
 21  

9  
 -  
13  
316  
360  

3   
 -   
7   
315   
343   

7   
 -   
15   
161   
207   

 11  
 1  
 12  
 144  
 177  

 8  
 -  
 120  
 144  
 294  

   Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
   Equity securities  
Total trading   
(a) Equity securities consist of FHLB and FRB restricted stock holdings that are carried at par, FHLMC and FNMA preferred stock holdings and certain mutual fund holdings and equity security 

$

holdings. 

As of December 31, 2014, available-for-sale and other securities on 
an  amortized  cost  basis  increased  $3.3  billion,  or  18%,  from 
December  31,  2013  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  agency 
commercial mortgage-backed securities partially offset by a decrease 
in  asset-backed  securities  and  other  debt  securities.  Agency 
commercial  mortgage-backed  securities  increased  $4.5  billion  from 
December  31,  2013  due  to  $4.7  billion  in  purchases  of  agency 

commercial  mortgage-backed  securities  partially  offset  by  $196 
million in sales and $20 million in paydowns on the portfolio during 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2014.  Asset-backed  securities  and 
other debt securities decreased $822 million, or 38%, due primarily 
to sales of $1.1 billion of asset-backed securities, collateralized loan 
obligations and corporate bonds and paydowns on the portfolio of 

53  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

$45 million partially offset by the purchase of $297 million of asset-
backed securities during the year ended December 31, 2014.  

On  an  amortized  cost  basis,  available-for-sale  and  other 
securities  were  18%  and  16%  of  total  interest-earning  assets  at 
December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The estimated weighted-
average life of the debt securities in the available-for-sale and other 
portfolio was 5.8 years at December 31, 2014, compared to 6.7 years 
at  December  31,  2013.  In  addition,  at  December  31,  2014,  the 
available-for-sale  and  other  securities  portfolio  had  a  weighted-
average yield of 3.31%, compared to 3.39% at December 31, 2013. 

Information presented in Table 25 is on a weighted-average life 
is 

basis,  anticipating  future  prepayments.  Yield 

information 

presented  on  a  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.  Total  net  unrealized  gains  on  the  available-for-sale  and 
other securities portfolio were $731 million at December 31, 2014, 
compared to $188 million at December 31, 2013. The increase from 
December 31, 2013 was primarily due to a decrease in interest rates 
during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014.  The  fair  value  of 
investment  securities  is  impacted  by  interest  rates,  credit  spreads, 
market  volatility  and 
liquidity  conditions.  The  fair  value  of 
investment securities generally increases when interest rates decrease 
or when credit spreads contract. 

TABLE 25: CHARACTERISTICS OF AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE AND OTHER SECURITIES

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
U.S. Treasury and federal agencies: 
  Average life 1 – 5 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 residential 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 
Agency commercial 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
Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities:
  Average life of one year or less  

Average life 1 – 5 years
Average life 5 – 10 years 

Amortized Cost 

Fair Value 

Life (in years) 

Yield 

   Weighted-Average  Weighted-Average 

$

1,545 
1,545 

39 
111 
30 
5 
185 

42 
3,224 
8,386 
316 
11,968 

15 
865 
3,350 
235 
4,465 

54 
561 
874 
1,489 

1,632 
1,632 

39 
115 
32 
6 
192 

43 
3,361 
8,665 
335 
12,404 

15 
874 
3,427 
249 
4,565 

54 
576 
920 
1,550 

 2.0 
 2.0 

 0.4 
 2.9 
 7.9 
 10.3 
 3.4 

 0.4 
 4.1 
 5.9 
 12.9 
 5.6 

 0.3 
 4.4 
 7.7 
 13.6 
 7.3 

 0.5 
 2.3 
 7.9 
 5.5 

 3.62 % 
 3.62 

 0.03 
 3.72 
 3.67 
 3.78 
 2.93 

 5.61 
 3.80 
 3.33 
 3.83 
 3.47 

 - 
 2.83 
 3.13 
 3.90 
 3.10 

 2.19 
 2.69 
 3.67 
 3.25 

Total
Asset-backed securities and other debt 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 
Equity securities 
Total available-for-sale and other securities 
(a)

97 
514 
244 
469 
1,324 
701 
21,677 
Taxable-equivalent yield adjustments included in the above table are 0.01%, 0.00%, 1.94%, 2.01% and 0.37 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. 

102 
524 
253 
483 
1,362 
703 
22,408 

 2.05 
 2.76 
 1.90 
 1.91 
 2.25 

 0.2 
 3.1 
 6.9 
 14.5 
 7.6 

 3.31 % 

 5.8 

$

Deposits 
The  Bancorp’s  deposit  balances  represent  an  important  source  of 
funding and revenue growth opportunity. The Bancorp continues to 
focus on core deposit growth in its retail and commercial franchises 

by  improving  customer  satisfaction,  building  full  relationships  and 
offering  competitive  rates.  Core  deposits  represented  71%  of  the 
Bancorp’s asset funding base for both of the years ended December 
31, 2014 and 2013. 

54  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

TABLE 26: 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 

Core deposits increased $6.1 billion, or seven percent, compared to 
December  31,  2013,  driven  by  an  increase  of  $5.7  billion,  or  six 
percent, in transaction deposits and an increase of $430 million, or 
12%,  in  other  time  deposits.  Total  transaction  deposits  increased 
from  December  31,  2013  due  to  increases  in  money  market 
deposits,  demand  deposits  and  interest  checking  deposits  partially 
offset  by  decreases  in  savings  deposits  and  foreign  office  deposits. 
Money  market  deposits  increased  $5.4  billion,  or  47%,  from 
December  31,  2013  primarily  driven  by  balance  migration  from 
savings  deposits  which  decreased  $2.0  billion,  or  12%.  The 
remaining  increase  in  money  market  deposits  was  due  to  a 
promotional product offering and the acquisition of new customers. 
Demand  deposits  increased  $2.2  billion,  or  seven  percent,  from 
December  31,  2013  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  commercial 
customer balances and new commercial customer accounts. Interest 

2014  
 34,809  
 26,800  
 15,051  
 17,083  
 1,114  
 94,857  
 3,960  
 98,817  
 2,895  
 -  
 101,712  

$

$

2013  
 32,634  
 25,875  
 17,045  
 11,644  
 1,976  
 89,174  
 3,530  
 92,704  
 6,571  
 -  
 99,275  

2012  
30,023   
24,477   
19,879   
6,875   
885   
82,139   
4,015   
86,154   
3,284   
79   
89,517   

2011  
27,600  
20,392  
21,756  
4,989  
3,250  
77,987  
4,638  
82,625  
3,039  
46  
85,710  

2010  
21,413  
18,560  
20,903  
5,035  
3,721  
69,632  
7,728  
77,360  
4,287  
1  
81,648  

checking  deposits  increased  $925  million,  or  four  percent,  from 
December  31,  2013  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  commercial 
customer balances and new commercial customer accounts. Foreign 
office deposits decreased $862 million, or 44%, from December 31, 
2013  primarily  due  to  lower  balances  per  account.  Other  time 
deposits increased $430 million, or 12%, from December 31, 2013 
primarily from the acquisition of new customers due to promotional 
interest rates. 

The  Bancorp  uses  certificates  $100,000  and  over  as  a  method 
to fund earning assets. At December 31, 2014, certificates $100,000 
and over decreased $3.7 billion, or 56%, compared to December 31, 
2013  primarily  due  to  the  maturity  and  run-off  of  retail  and 
institutional certificates of deposit during the year ended December 
31, 2014. 

The following table presents average deposits for the years ended December 31: 

TABLE 27: AVERAGE DEPOSITS
($ 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 

2014  
 31,755  
 25,382  
 16,080  
 14,670  
 1,828  
 89,715  
 3,762  
 93,477  
 3,929  
 -  
 97,406  

$

$

2013  
 29,925  
 23,582  
 18,440  
 9,467  
 1,501  
 82,915  
 3,760  
 86,675  
 6,339  
 17  
 93,031  

2012  
27,196   
23,096   
21,393   
4,903   
1,528   
78,116   
4,306   
82,422   
3,102   
27   
85,551   

2011  
23,389  
18,707  
21,652  
5,154  
3,490  
72,392  
6,260  
78,652  
3,656  
7  
82,315  

2010  
19,669  
18,218  
19,612  
4,808  
3,355  
65,662  
10,526  
76,188  
6,083  
6  
82,277  

On  an  average  basis,  core  deposits  increased  $6.8  billion,  or  eight 
percent,  compared  to  December  31,  2013  primarily  due  to  an 
increase  of  $6.8  billion,  or  eight  percent,  in  average  transaction 
deposits. The increase in average transaction deposits was driven by 
an  increase  in  average  money  market  deposits,  average  demand 
deposits and average interest checking deposits, partially offset by a 
decrease  in  average  savings  deposits.  Average  money  market 
deposits  increased  $5.2  billion,  or  55%,  from  December  31,  2013 
primarily  driven  by  balance  migration  from  savings  deposits  which 
decreased  $2.4  billion,  or  13%.  The  remaining  increase  in  average 
money market deposits was due to a promotional product offering, 

an  increase  in  average  commercial  account  balances  and  new 
customer accounts. Average demand deposits increased $1.8 billion, 
or six percent, from December 31, 2013 primarily due to an increase 
in  average  commercial  account  balances  and  new  commercial 
customer  accounts.  Average  interest  checking  deposits  increased 
$1.8 billion, or eight percent from December 31, 2013 primarily due 
to an increase in average balance per account and new commercial 
customer  accounts.  Average  certificates  $100,000  and  over 
decreased  $2.4  billion,  or  38%,  from  December  31,  2013  due 
primarily  to  the  maturity  and  run-off  of  retail  and  institutional 
certificates of deposit during the year ended December 31, 2014. 

55  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The contractual maturities of certificates $100,000 and over as of December 31, 2014 are summarized in the following table:

TABLE 28: CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES OF CERTIFICATES $100,000 AND OVER 
($ in millions)  
Three months or less 
After three months through six months 
After six months through 12 months 
After 12 months 
Total 

2014  

 759  
 203  
 273  
 1,660  
 2,895  

$

$

The contractual maturities of other time deposits and certificates $100,000 and over as of December 31, 2014 are summarized in the following 
table:

TABLE 29: CONTRACTUAL MATURITIES OF OTHER TIME DEPOSITS AND CERTIFICATES $100,000 AND OVER 
($ in millions) 
Next 12 months 
13-24 months 
25-36 months 
37-48 months 
49-60 months 
After 60 months 
Total 

2014  
 2,507  
 1,617  
 961  
 626  
 884  
 260  
 6,855  

$

$

Borrowings 
Total  borrowings  increased  $5.4  billion,  or  48%,  from  December 
31, 2013 due to increases in other short-term borrowings and long-

term debt, partially offset by a decrease in federal funds purchased. 
Total borrowings as a percentage of interest-bearing liabilities were 
20% and 14% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

TABLE 30: BORROWINGS
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Federal funds purchased 
Other short-term borrowings 
Long-term debt 
Total borrowings 

Federal  funds  purchased  decreased  $140  million,  or  49%,  from 
December  31,  2013  driven  by  a  decrease  in  excess  balances  in 
reserve  accounts  held  at  Federal  Reserve  Banks  that  the  Bancorp 
purchased from other member banks on an overnight basis. Other 
short-term  borrowings  increased  $176  million,  or  13%,  from 
December 31, 2013 driven by an increase in cash held as collateral 
related  to  derivative  agreements  with  various  counterparties. 
Additionally,  the  utilization  of  short-term  funding  remained  low  in 
2014  due  to  strong  deposit  growth  and  to  comply  with  regulatory 
standards which require greater dependency on long-term and stable 

TABLE 31: AVERAGE BORROWINGS
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Federal funds purchased 
Other short-term borrowings 
Long-term debt 
Total average borrowings 

Average total borrowings increased $3.8 billion, or 33%, compared 
to December 31, 2013, due to an increase in average long-term debt 
partially offset by decreases in average federal funds purchased and 
average other short-term borrowings. The increase in average long-
term  debt  of  $5.0  billion,  or  63%,  was  driven  primarily  by  the 
issuances of long-term debt as discussed above. The level of average 
federal  funds  purchased  and  average  other  short-term  borrowings 
can  fluctuate  significantly  from  period  to  period  depending  on 
funding  needs  and  which  sources  are  used  to  satisfy  those  needs. 
Additionally,  the  utilization  of  short-term  funding  remained  low  in 
2014  due  to  strong  deposit  growth  and  to  comply  with  regulatory 

56  Fifth Third Bancorp 

2014  

 144  
 1,556  
 14,967  
 16,667  

2013  

 284   
 1,380   
 9,633   
 11,297   

2012  

 901   
 6,280   
 7,085   
 14,266   

2011  

 346  
 3,239  
 9,682  
 13,267  

2010  

 279  
 1,574  
 9,558  
 11,411  

$

$

funding.  Long-term  debt  increased  $5.3  billion,  or  55%,  from 
December 31, 2013 primarily driven by the issuance of $2.9 billion 
of  unsecured  senior  bank  notes  and  the  issuance  of  asset-backed 
securities by consolidated VIEs of $3.8 billion related to automobile 
loan  securitizations  during  2014,  partially  offset  by  $1.4  billion  of 
paydowns  on  long-term  debt  associated  with  automobile  loan 
securitizations.  For  additional  information  regarding  automobile 
securitizations  and  long-term  debt,  refer  to  Note  10  and  16, 
respectively, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

2014  

 458  
 1,873  
 12,928  
 15,259  

$

$

2013  

 503  
 3,024  
 7,914  
 11,441  

2012  

2011  

2010  

 560   
 4,246   
 9,043   
 13,849   

 345  
 2,777  
 10,154  
 13,276  

 291  
 1,635  
 10,902  
 12,828  

standards which require greater dependency on long-term and stable 
funding.  

Information  on  the  average  rates  paid  on  borrowings  is 
discussed in the net interest income section of MD&A. In addition, 
refer to the Liquidity Risk Management section for a discussion on 
the role of borrowings in the Bancorp’s liquidity management. 

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
     
     
 
  
 
 
  
     
     
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
     
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
     
 
  
 
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 
approach  includes  processes  for  identifying,  assessing,  managing, 
monitoring  and  reporting  risks.  The  ERM  division,  led  by  the 
Bancorp’s Chief Risk Officer ensures the consistency and adequacy 
of the Bancorp’s risk management approach 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. 

an 

that 

comprise 

integrated 

The  assumption  of  risk  requires  robust  and  active  risk 
and 
management  practices 
comprehensive set of activities, measures and strategies that apply to 
the entire organization. The Bancorp has established a Risk Appetite 
Framework, approved by the Board, that provides the foundations 
of  corporate  risk  capacity,  risk  appetite  and  risk  tolerances.  The 
Bancorp’s  risk  capacity  is  represented  by  its  available  financial 
resources. Risk capacity sets an absolute limit on risk-assumption in 
the Bancorp’s annual and strategic plans. The Bancorp understands 
that not all financial resources may persist as viable loss buffers over 
time.  Further,  consideration  must  be  given  to  regulatory  capital 
buffers  required  per  Capital  Policy  Targets  that  would  reduce  risk 
capacity.  Those  factors  take  the  form  of  capacity  adjustments  to 
arrive at an Operating Risk Capacity which represents the operating 
risk  level  the  Bancorp  can  assume  while  maintaining  its  solvency 
standard.  The  Bancorp’s  policy  currently  discounts  its  Operating 
Risk Capacity by a minimum of five percent to provide a buffer; as a 
result,  the  Bancorp’s  risk  appetite  is  limited  by  policy  to,  at  most, 
95% of its Operating Risk Capacity. 

Economic  capital  is  the  amount  of  unencumbered  financial 
resources  required  to  support  the  Bancorp’s  risks.  The  Bancorp 
measures economic capital under the assumption that it expects to 
maintain  debt  ratings  at  strong  investment  grade  levels  over  time. 
The  Bancorp’s  capital  policies  require  that  the  Operating  Risk 
Capacity  less  the  aforementioned  buffer  exceed  the  calculated 
economic capital required in its business. 

Risk  appetite  is  the  aggregate  amount  of  risk  the  Bancorp  is 
willing  to  accept  in  pursuit  of  its  strategic  and  financial  objectives. 
By  establishing  boundaries  around  risk  taking  and  business 
decisions,  and  by  incorporating  the  needs  and  goals  of  its 
shareholders,  regulators,  rating  agencies  and  customers, 
the 
Bancorp’s  risk  appetite  is  aligned  with  its  priorities  and  goals.  Risk 
tolerance is the maximum amount of risk applicable to each of the 
eight  specific  risk  categories  included  in  its  Enterprise  Risk 
Management  Framework.  This  is  expressed  primarily  in  qualitative 
terms. The Bancorp’s risk appetite and risk tolerances are supported 
by risk targets and risk limits. Those limits are used to monitor the 
amount of risk assumed at a granular level. On a quarterly basis, the 
Risk and Compliance Committee of the Board reviews performance 
against key risk limits as well as current assessments of each of the 
eight risk types relative to the established tolerance. Any results over 
limits or outside of tolerance require the development of an action 
plan  that  describes  actions  to  be  taken  to  return  the  measure  to 
within the limit or tolerance. 

The risks faced by the Bancorp include, but are not limited to, 
credit,  market,  liquidity,  operational,  regulatory  compliance,  legal, 
reputational  and  strategic.  Each  of  these  risks  is  managed  through 
the  Bancorp’s  risk  program  which  includes  the  following  key 
functions: 

•     Enterprise  Risk  Management  is  responsible  for  developing
and  overseeing  the  implementation  of  risk  programs  and
reporting that facilitate a broad integrated view of risk. The
department also leads the continual fostering of a strong risk

management  culture  and  the  framework,  policies  and
committees that support effective risk governance, including 
the oversight of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance; 

•   Commercial  Credit  Risk  Management  is  responsible  for 
overseeing the safety and soundness of the commercial loan
portfolio  within  an  independent  portfolio  management 
framework  that  supports  the  Bancorp’s  commercial  loan 
growth  strategies  and  underwriting  practices,  ensuring 
portfolio optimization and appropriate risk controls; 

•   Risk Strategies and Reporting is responsible for quantitative 
analysis  needed  to  support  the  commercial  dual  rating 
methodology,  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 and risk management governance and reporting; 
•   Consumer  Credit  Risk  Management  is  responsible  for
overseeing  the  safety  and  soundness  of  the  consumer 
portfolio  within  an  independent  management  framework 
that  supports 
loan  growth 
the  Bancorp’s  consumer 
strategies,  ensuring  portfolio  optimization,  appropriate  risk 
controls  and  oversight,  reporting,  and  monitoring  of 
underwriting and credit administration processes; 

•   Operational  Risk  Management  works  with  lines  of  business 
and  affiliates  to  maintain  processes  to  monitor  and  manage 
all aspects of operational risk, including ensuring consistency 
in application of operational risk programs; 

•   Bank Protection oversees and manages fraud prevention and 
detection  and  provides  investigative  and  recovery  services 
for the Bancorp; 

•   Capital  Markets  Risk  Management 

is  responsible  for 
instituting,  monitoring,  and  reporting  appropriate  trading 
limits,  monitoring  liquidity,  interest  rate  risk  and  risk 
tolerances  within  Treasury,  Mortgage,  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 processes related to 
fiduciary,  CRA  and  fair  lending  compliance.  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 
oversee risk management 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 risk management 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.  The  primary 
committee responsible for the oversight of risk management is the 
ERMC. Committees accountable to the ERMC, which support the 
core  risk  programs,  are  the  Corporate  Credit  Committee,  the 
the  Management  Compliance 
Operational  Risk  Committee, 

57  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Committee,  the  Asset/Liability  Committee  and  the  Enterprise 
Marketing Committee. Other committees accountable to the ERMC 
oversee  the  ALLL,  capital  and  CRA/fair  lending  functions.  In 
addition,  the  Legal  and  Regulatory  Reserve  Committee,  which  is 
accountable  to  the  Operational  Risk  Committee,  reviews  and 
monitors  significant  legal  and  regulatory  matters  to  ensure  that 
reserves  for  potential  litigation  losses  are  established  when  such 
losses are both probable and subject to reasonable estimation. 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. 

is  based  on 

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  the  failure  of  a 
borrower  or  counterparty  to  honor  its  financial  or  contractual 
obligations  to  the  Bancorp.  The  Bancorp's  credit  risk  management 
three  core  principles:  conservatism, 
strategy 
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  ongoing  portfolio  monitoring  and 
timely 
management  reviews  of 
large  credit  exposures  and  credits 
experiencing deterioration of credit quality. Credit officers with the 
authority to extend credit are delegated specific authority amounts, 
the utilization of which is closely monitored. Underwriting activities 

Credit Risk Review is an independent function responsible for 
evaluating  the  sufficiency  of  underwriting,  documentation  and 
approval  processes  for  consumer  and  commercial  credits,  the 
accuracy  of  risk  grades  assigned  to  commercial  credit  exposure, 
nonaccrual status, specific reserves and monitoring for charge-offs. 
Credit  Risk  Review  reports  directly  to  the  Risk  and  Compliance 
Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  administratively  to  the 
Chief Auditor. 

The Bancorp conducts regular reviews of the business it serves 
based  on  the  changing  competitive  and  regulatory  environment. 
Based on the most recent review, the Bancorp exited the Residential 
Wholesale Loan Broker business during the first quarter of 2014.  

are  centrally  managed,  and  ERM  manages  the  policy  and  the 
authority  delegation  process  directly.  The  Credit  Risk  Review 
function  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  the 
adequacy  of  the  allowance  for  credit  losses  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.    The  Bancorp  defines  potential  problem  loans  and 
leases as those rated substandard that do not meet the definition of 
a  nonperforming  asset  or  a  restructured  loan.    Refer  to  Note  6  of 
the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  further 
information  on  the  Bancorp’s  credit  grade  categories,  which  are 
derived from standard regulatory rating definitions.   

The following tables provide a summary of potential problem loans and leases as of December 31:

TABLE 32: POTENTIAL PROBLEM LOANS AND LEASES

Carrying 
Value 

 1,022   
 272   
 7   
 29   
 1,330   

Carrying 
Value  

 1,032   
 517   
 44   
 18   
 1,611   

$

$

$

$

Unpaid  
Principal     
Balance  

 1,028   
 273   
 7   
 29   
 1,337   

Unpaid  
Principal     
Balance  

 1,034   
 520   
 44   
 18   
 1,616   

  Exposure 

 1,344 
 273 
 11 
 29 
 1,657 

  Exposure 

 1,323 
 520 
 50 
 18 
 1,911 

2014 ($ in millions) 
Commercial and industrial  
Commercial mortgage 
Commercial construction 
Commercial leases  
Total  

TABLE 33: POTENTIAL PROBLEM LOANS AND LEASES

2013 ($ in millions) 
Commercial and industrial  
Commercial mortgage 
Commercial construction 
Commercial leases  
Total  

58  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

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 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  for  credit  approval  and  pricing,  portfolio 
monitoring and capital allocation that includes a “through-the-cycle” 
rating philosophy for modeling expected losses. The dual risk rating 
system includes thirteen probabilities of default grade categories and 
an  additional  six  grade  categories  for  estimating  losses  given  an 
event  of  default.  The  probability  of  default  and  loss  given  default 
evaluations are not separated in the ten-category risk rating system. 
The Bancorp has completed significant validation and testing of the 
dual risk rating system as a commercial credit risk management tool. 
The  Bancorp  is  assessing  the  necessary  modifications  to  the  dual 
risk  rating  system  outputs  to  develop  a  U.S.  GAAP  compliant 
ALLL model and will make a decision on the use of modified dual 
risk ratings for purposes of determining the Bancorp’s ALLL once 
the  FASB  has 
issued  a  final  standard  regarding  proposed 
methodology changes to the determination of credit impairment as 
outlined  in  the  FASB’s  proposed  Accounting  Standard  Update—
Financial  Instruments–Credit  Losses  (Subtopic  825-15) 
issued  on 
December  20,  2012.  Scoring  systems,  various  analytical  tools  and 
portfolio performance monitoring are used to assess the credit risk 
in  the  Bancorp’s  homogenous  consumer  and  small  business  loan 
portfolios.  

Overview 
Economic growth is improving and GDP is expected to maintain its 
modest expansionary pattern. The job market is slowly but steadily 
improving. Housing prices have largely stabilized and are increasing 
in  many  markets,  but  overall  current  economic  conditions  are 
causing weaker  than desired qualified loan demand and a relatively 
low interest rate environment, which directly impacts the Bancorp’s 
growth and profitability.  

the  Bancorp  began 

Among  consumer  portfolios, 

residential  mortgage  and 
brokered  home  equity  portfolios  exhibited  the  most  stress.  As  of 
December  31,  2014,  consumer  real  estate  loans  originated  from 
2005  through  2008  represent  approximately  24%  of  the  consumer 
real estate portfolio and approximately 68% of total losses in 2014. 
Loss  rates  continue  to  improve  as  newer  vintages  are  performing 
within  expectations.  With  the  stabilization  of  certain  real  estate 
to  selectively  originate  new 
markets, 
homebuilder  and  developer 
lending  and  nonowner-occupied 
commercial lending in the third quarter of 2011. Currently, the level 
of  new  commercial  real  estate  fundings  is  slightly  above  the 
amortization and pay-off of the portfolio. The Bancorp continues to 
aggressively  engage  in  other  loss  mitigation  strategies  such  as 
reducing credit commitments, restructuring certain commercial and 
consumer loans, as well as utilizing commercial and consumer loan 
workout teams. For commercial and consumer loans owned by the 
Bancorp,  loan  modification  strategies  are  developed  that  are 
workable  for  both  the  borrower  and  the  Bancorp  when  the 
borrower  displays  a  willingness  to  cooperate.  These  strategies 
typically involve either a reduction of the stated interest rate of the 
loan,  an  extension  of  the  loan’s  maturity  date(s)  with  a  stated  rate 
lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, 
or in limited circumstances, a reduction of the principal balance of 
the  loan  or  the  loan’s  accrued  interest.  For  residential  mortgage 
loans serviced for FHLMC and FNMA, the Bancorp participates in 
the  HAMP  and  HARP  2.0  programs.  For  loans  refinanced  under 
the  HARP  2.0  program,  the  Bancorp  strictly  adheres  to  the 
underwriting  requirements  of  the  program  and  promptly  sells  the 
refinanced loan  back to the agencies. Loan restructuring  under the 
HAMP program is performed on behalf of FHLMC or FNMA and 

the  Bancorp  does  not  take  possession  of  these  loans  during  the 
modification  process.  Therefore,  participation  in  these  programs 
does  not  significantly  impact  the  Bancorp’s  credit  quality  statistics. 
The Bancorp participates in trial modifications in conjunction with 
the HAMP program for loans it services for FHLMC and FNMA. 
As these trial modifications relate to loans serviced for others, they 
are not included in the Bancorp’s TDRs as they are not assets of the 
Bancorp.  In  the  event  there  is  a  representation  and  warranty 
violation on loans sold through the programs, the Bancorp may be 
required  to  repurchase  the  sold  loan.  As  of  December  31,  2014, 
repurchased loans restructured or refinanced under these programs 
the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial 
were 
Statements.  Additionally,  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  $22 
million  and  $111  million,  respectively,  of  loans  refinanced  under 
HARP  2.0  were  included  in  loans  held  for  sale  in  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  For  the  years  ended  December  31, 
2014 and 2013, the Bancorp recognized $13 million and $97 million, 
respectively, of noninterest income in mortgage banking net revenue 
in the Bancorp’s Consolidated Statements of Income related to the 
sale  of  loans  restructured  or  refinanced  under  the  HAMP  and 
HARP 2.0 programs. 

immaterial 

to 

In  the  financial  services  industry,  there  has  been  heightened 
focus  on  foreclosure  activity  and  processes.  The  Bancorp  actively 
works  with  borrowers  experiencing  difficulties  and  has  regularly 
modified  or  provided  forbearance  to  borrowers  where  a  workable 
solution  could  be  found.  Foreclosure  is  a  last  resort,  and  the 
Bancorp  undertakes  foreclosures  only  when  it  believes  they  are 
necessary and appropriate and is careful to ensure that customer and 
loan data are accurate.  

During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bancorp settled certain 
repurchase  claims  related  to  mortgage  loans  originated  and  sold  to 
FHLMC  prior  to  January  1,  2009  for  $25  million,  after  paid  claim 
credits  and  other  adjustments.  The  settlement  removes  the 
Bancorp’s  responsibility  to  repurchase  or  indemnify  FHLMC  for 
representation  and  warranty  violations  on  any  loan  sold  prior  to 
January 1, 2009 except in limited circumstances.  

Commercial Portfolio  
The Bancorp’s credit risk management strategy includes minimizing 
concentrations  of  risk  through  diversification.  The  Bancorp  has 
commercial  loan  concentration  limits  based  on  industry,  lines  of 
business  within  the  commercial  segment,  geography  and  credit 
product type. 

loan 

The  risk  within  the  commercial  loan  and  lease  portfolio  is 
managed  and  monitored  through  an  underwriting  process  utilizing 
detailed  origination  policies,  continuous 
level  reviews, 
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  and  nonowner-occupied  and  construction 
lending.  Included  in  the  policies  are  maturity  and  amortization 
terms,  maximum  LTVs,  minimum  debt  service  coverage  ratios, 
construction  loan  monitoring  procedures,  appraisal  requirements, 
pre-leasing  requirements  (as  applicable),  sensitivity  and  pro-forma 
analysis  requirements  and  interest  rate  sensitivity.  The  Bancorp 
requires a valuation of real estate collateral, which may include third-
party  appraisals,  be  performed  at  the  time  of  origination  and 
renewal  in  accordance  with  regulatory  requirements  and  on  an  as 
needed basis when market conditions justify. Although the Bancorp 
does  not  back  test  these  collateral  value  assumptions,  the  Bancorp 
maintains an appraisal review department to order and review third-
party  appraisals 
in  accordance  with  regulatory  requirements. 
Collateral values on criticized assets with relationships exceeding $1 
million  are  reviewed  quarterly  to  assess  the  appropriateness  of  the 

59  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

value ascribed in the assessment of charge-offs and specific reserves. 
In addition, the Bancorp applies incremental valuation adjustments 
to  older  appraisals  that  relate  to  collateral  dependent  loans,  which 
can currently be up to 20-30% of the appraised value based on the 
type of collateral. These incremental valuation adjustments generally 
reflect the age of the most recent appraisal as well as collateral type. 
Trends  in  collateral  values,  such  as  home  price  indices  and  recent 
asset  dispositions,  are  monitored  in  order  to  determine  whether 
changes  to  the  appraisal  adjustments  are  warranted.  Other  factors 

such as local market conditions or location may also be considered 
as necessary. 

The  Bancorp  assesses  all  real  estate  and  non-real  estate 
collateral securing a loan and considers all cross collateralized loans 
in  the  calculation  of  the  LTV  ratio.  The  following  tables  provide 
detail on the most recent LTV ratios for commercial mortgage loans 
greater  than  $1  million,  excluding  impaired  commercial  mortgage 
loans  individually  evaluated.  The  Bancorp  does  not  typically 
aggregate  the  LTV  ratios  for  commercial  mortgage  loans  less  than 
$1 million. 

TABLE 34: COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE LOANS OUTSTANDING BY LTV, LOANS GREATER THAN $1 MILLION
As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans 
Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans 
Total  

LTV > 100%  LTV 80-100% LTV (cid:148) 80% 
1,982   
2,423   
4,405   

248   
333   
581   

148   
243   
391   

$

$

TABLE 35: COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE LOANS OUTSTANDING BY LTV, LOANS GREATER THAN $1 MILLION
As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 
Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans 
Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans 
Total  

LTV > 100%  LTV 80-100% LTV (cid:148) 80% 
2,152   
1,798   
3,950   

345   
353   
698   

240   
274   
514   

$

$

60  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The  following  table  provides  detail  on  commercial  loan  and  leases  by  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 loans and leases:

TABLE 36: COMMERCIAL LOAN AND LEASE PORTFOLIO (EXCLUDING LOANS HELD FOR SALE)

As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
By industry: 

Manufacturing 
Financial services and insurance 
Real estate 
Business services 
   Wholesale trade 
Healthcare 
Retail trade 
Transportation and warehousing 
Communication and information 
Construction 
Mining 
Accommodation and food 
Entertainment and recreation 
Utilities 
Other services 
Public administration  
Agribusiness 
Individuals 
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 
Illinois 
Florida 
Indiana 
Kentucky 
North Carolina 
Tennessee 
Pennsylvania 
All other states 

Total 

   Outstanding 

2014  
Exposure 

Nonaccrual 

Outstanding 

2013  
Exposure 

Nonaccrual 

$

$

 10,315   
 6,097   
 5,392   
 4,644   
 4,314   
 4,133   
 3,754   
 3,012   
 2,409   
 1,864   
 1,862   
 1,712   
 1,451   
 1,044   
 881   
 567   
 318   
 170   
 14   
 53,953   

 1 % 
 5   
 11   
 8   
 25   
 50   
 100 % 

 17 % 
 9   
 7   
 7   
 5   
 3   
 3   
 3   
 3   
 43   
 100 % 

 20,496  
 13,557  
 8,612  
 7,109  
 8,004  
 6,322  
 7,190  
 4,276  
 4,140  
 3,352  
 3,323  
 2,945  
 2,321  
 2,551  
 1,207  
 658  
 444  
 201  
 17  
 96,725  

 1  
 3  
 9  
 7  
 22  
 58  
 100  

 20  
 8  
 8  
 6  
 5  
 3  
 4  
 3  
 2  
 41  
 100  

$

 55  
 20  
 32  
 79  
 62  
 20  
 22  
 1  
 3  
 25  
 3 
 9  
 10  
 - 
 11  
 -  
 11  
 4  
 -  
 367   $

 6  
 15  
 22  
 19  
 24  
 14  
 100  

 11  
 11  
 6  
 17  
 5  
 2  
 2  
 -  
 7  
 39  
 100  

 10,299   
 5,998   
 5,027   
 4,910   
 4,407   
 4,038   
 3,301   
 3,134   
 1,801   
 1,865   
 1,580   
 1,668   
 1,149   
 773   
 1,013   
 541   
 356   
 174   
 12   
 52,046   

 1 % 
 5   
 13   
 10   
 27   
 44   
 100 % 

 19 % 
 10   
 7   
 7   
 5   
 3   
 3   
 3   
 3   
 40   
 100 % 

 19,955  
 14,010  
 7,302  
 7,411  
 8,406  
 6,220  
 6,673  
 4,416  
 3,295  
 3,196  
 3,206  
 2,556  
 1,955  
 2,332  
 1,362  
 734  
 504  
 218  
 12  
 93,763  

 1  
 4  
 10  
 8  
 23  
 54  
 100  

 22  
 8  
 7  
 6  
 5  
 3  
 3  
 3  
 3  
 40  
 100  

 55  
 25  
 70  
 55  
 35  
 26  
 18  
 1  
 2  
 36  
 55  
 12  
 12  
 -  
 24  
 -  
 26  
 6  
 -  
 458  

 8  
 18  
 23  
 10  
 34  
 7  
 100  

 16  
 11  
 8  
 19  
 9  
 2  
 1  
 1  
 7  
 26  
 100  

The  Bancorp  has  identified  certain  categories  of  loans  which  it 
believes represent a higher level of risk compared to the rest of the 

Bancorp’s  commercial  loan  portfolio,  due  to  economic  or  market 
conditions within the Bancorp’s key lending areas.  

61  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The following tables provide an analysis of nonowner-occupied commercial real estate loans (excluding loans held for sale):

TABLE 37: NONOWNER-OCCUPIED COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE(a)

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)  

By State: 
Ohio 
Michigan 
Florida 
Illinois 
North Carolina 
Indiana 
All other states 
Total 
(a)

By State: 
Ohio 
Michigan 
Florida 
Illinois 
North Carolina 
Indiana 
All other states 
Total 
(a)

Included in commercial mortgage and commercial construction loans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

TABLE 38: NONOWNER-OCCUPIED COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE(a)

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)  

Included in commercial mortgage and commercial construction loans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

Outstanding 
1,283   
724   
575   
449   
369   
250   
1,865   
5,515   

$

$

Exposure 
1,685   
797   
871   
964   
537   
344   
3,560   
8,758   

90 Days 
Past Due 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

Nonaccrual 
 7   
 9   
 16   
 6   
 -   
 -   
 19   
 57   

For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2014 
Net Charge-offs 
(Recoveries) 

 (1)
 8 
 5 
 2 
 - 
 - 
 4 
 18 

Outstanding 
 1,086 
 851 
 508 
 353 
 248 
 161 
 1,270 
 4,477 

$

$

Exposure 
 1,377
 925
 629
 593
 428
 253
 2,173
 6,378   

For the Year Ended  
December 31, 2013 

90 Days 
Past Due 

Nonaccrual 

Net Charge-offs 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 14 
 17 
 7 
 6 
 2 
 4 
 7 
 57 

 12 
 5 
 3 
 4 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 27 

62  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Consumer Portfolio 
The Bancorp’s consumer portfolio is materially comprised of three 
loans:  residential  mortgage,  home  equity  and 
categories  of 
automobile.  The  Bancorp  has  identified  certain  categories  within 
these  loan  types  which  it  believes  represent  a  higher  level  of  risk 
compared  to  the  rest  of  the  consumer  loan  portfolio  due  to  high 
loan amount to collateral value.  The Bancorp does not update LTV 
ratios  for  the  consumer  portfolio  subsequent  to  origination  except 
as part of the charge-off process for real estate secured loans.   

Residential Mortgage Portfolio 
The  Bancorp  manages  credit  risk  in  the  residential  mortgage 
portfolio  through  conservative  underwriting  and  documentation 
standards and geographic and product diversification. The Bancorp 
may also package and sell loans in the portfolio. 

The  Bancorp  does  not  originate  mortgage  loans  that  permit 
customers  to  defer  principal  payments  or  make  payments  that  are 

less  than  the  accruing  interest.  The  Bancorp  originates  both  fixed 
and  adjustable  rate  residential  mortgage  loans.  Resets  of  rates  on 
ARMs are not expected to have a material impact on credit costs in 
the current interest rate environment, as approximately $900 million 
of  adjustable  rate  residential  mortgage  loans  will  have  rate  resets 
during  the  next  twelve  months.  Approximately  three  fourths  of 
those resets are expected to experience an increase in rate, with an 
average increase of approximately an eighth of a percent. 

Certain residential mortgage products have contractual features 
that may increase credit exposure to the Bancorp in the event of a 
decline in housing values. These types of mortgage products offered 
by the Bancorp include loans  with high LTV ratios, multiple loans 
on the same collateral that when combined result in a LTV greater 
than  80%  and  interest-only  loans.  The  Bancorp  has  deemed 
residential mortgage loans with greater than 80% LTV ratios and no 
mortgage insurance as loans that represent a higher level of risk.  

The following table provides an analysis of the residential mortgage portfolio loans outstanding by LTV at origination: 

TABLE 39: RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE PORTFOLIO LOANS BY LTV AT ORIGINATION

As of December 31 ($ in millions) 

LTV (cid:148) 80% 
LTV > 80%, with mortgage insurance 
LTV > 80%, no mortgage insurance 
Total  

2014  

2013  

Outstanding  

Weighted 
Average LTV 

      Outstanding  

Weighted 
Average LTV  

$

$

 9,220   
 1,206   
 1,963   
 12,389   

 65.1 %    $ 
 93.8         
 96.2         
 73.0 %    $ 

 9,507   
 1,242   
 1,931   
 12,680   

 65.2 %
 93.7  
 95.9  
 72.7 %

The following tables provide an analysis of the residential mortgage portfolio loans outstanding with a greater than 80% LTV ratio and no mortgage 
insurance:

TABLE 40: RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE PORTFOLIO LOANS, LTV GREATER THAN 80%, NO MORTGAGE INSURANCE

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 

By State: 
Ohio  
Illinois 
Michigan 
Florida 
Indiana 
North Carolina 
Kentucky 
All other states 

Total 
(a)

  Outstanding 
$

 509
 293
 265
 247
 126
 100
 78
 345

$

 1,963

90 Days 
Past Due  Nonaccrual

 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 - 
 - 

 6 

 10 
 4 
 5 
 5 
 2 
 1 
 1 
 2 

 30 

For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2014 

Net Charge-offs 
 22 
 3 
 11 
 3 
 3 
 - 
 2 
 2 

 46 

(a)  

 Includes $34 in charge-offs related to the transfer of $720 of restructured residential mortgage loans from the portfolio to loans held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2014.

63  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

TABLE 41: RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE PORTFOLIO LOANS, LTV GREATER THAN 80%, NO MORTGAGE INSURANCE

For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2013

90 Days 
Past Due  Nonaccrual

Net Charge-offs 

 3 
 - 
 2 
 1 
 1 
 - 
 - 
 1 
 8 

 20 
 5 
 7 
 11 
 4 
 2 
 3 
 2 
 54 

 10 
 2 
 5 
 3 
 1 
 - 
 2 
 1 
 24 

  Outstanding 
$

 583
 236
 305
 260
 120
 94
 83
 250
 1,931

34% are in senior lien positions and 66% are in junior lien 
positions at December 31, 2014; 
Approximately 90% of non-delinquent borrowers made at 
least  one  payment  greater  than  the  minimum  payment 
during the year ended December 31, 2014; and 
The portfolio had an average refreshed FICO score of 740 
and 736 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.   

$

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

The  Bancorp  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  Bancorp 
does not routinely obtain appraisals on performing loans to update 
LTV  ratios  after  origination.  However,  the  Bancorp  monitors  the 
local housing markets by reviewing various home price indices and 
incorporates the impact of the changing market conditions in its on-
going credit monitoring processes. For junior lien home equity loans 
which  become  60  days  or  more  past  due,  the  Bancorp  tracks  the 
performance  of  the  senior  lien  loans  in  which  the  Bancorp  is  the 
servicer  and  utilizes  consumer  credit  bureau  attributes  to  monitor 
the status of the senior lien loans that the Bancorp does not service. 
If the senior lien loan is found to be 120 days or more past due, the 
junior  lien  home  equity  loan  is  placed  on  nonaccrual  status  unless 
both  loans  are  well-secured  and  in  the  process  of  collection. 
Additionally, if the junior lien home equity loan becomes 120 days 
or more past due and the senior lien loan is also 120 days or more 
past due, the junior lien home equity loan is assessed for charge-off, 
unless it is well-secured and in the process of collection. Refer to the 
Analysis  of  Nonperforming  Assets  section  of  MD&A  for  more 
information. 

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 

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

Home Equity Portfolio 
The  Bancorp’s  home  equity  portfolio  is  primarily  comprised  of 
home  equity  lines  of  credit.  Beginning  in  the  first  quarter  of  2013, 
the  Bancorp’s  newly  originated  home  equity  lines  of  credit  have  a 
10-year interest only draw period followed by a 20-year amortization 
period.  The  home  equity  line  of  credit  previously  offered  by  the 
Bancorp  was  a  revolving  facility  with  a  20-year  term,  minimum 
payments  of  interest  only  and  a  balloon  payment  of  principal  at 
maturity.  

The ALLL provides coverage for probable and estimable losses 
in  the  home  equity  portfolio.  The  allowance  attributable  to  the 
portion of the home equity portfolio that has not been restructured 
in a TDR is calculated on a pooled basis with senior lien and junior 
lien  categories  segmented  in  the  determination  of  the  probable 
credit losses in the home equity portfolio. The modeled loss factor 
for the home equity portfolio is based on the trailing twelve month 
historical  loss  rate  for  each  category,  as  adjusted  for  certain 
prescriptive  loss  rate  factors  and  certain  qualitative  adjustment 
factors to reflect risks associated with current conditions and trends. 
The  prescriptive 
for 
delinquency  trends,  LTV  trends,  refreshed  FICO  score  trends  and 
product  mix.  The  qualitative  factors  include  adjustments  for  credit 
administration  and  portfolio  management,  credit  policy  and 
underwriting  and  the  national  and  local  economy.  The  Bancorp 
considers  home  price  index  trends  when  determining  the  national 
and local economy qualitative factor. 

include  adjustments 

loss  rate 

factors 

The home equity portfolio is managed in two primary groups: 
loans  outstanding  with  a  combined  LTV  greater  than  80%  and 
those  loans  with  a  LTV  80%  or  less  based  upon  appraisals  at 
origination. The carrying value of the greater than 80% LTV home 
equity  loans  and  80%  or  less  LTV  home  equity  loans  were  $3.0 
billion  and  $5.9  billion,  respectively,  as  of  December  31,  2014.  Of 
the total $8.9 billion of outstanding home equity loans:  

(cid:120)

84%  reside  within  the  Bancorp’s  Midwest  footprint  of 
Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois; 

64  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The following table provides an analysis of home equity loans outstanding disaggregated based upon refreshed FICO score as of: 
(cid:3) 
TABLE 42: HOME EQUITY PORTFOLIO LOANS OUTSTANDING BY REFRESHED FICO SCORE

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

($ in millions) 
Senior Liens:  
FICO < 620 
FICO 621-719 
FICO > 720  
        Total Senior Liens  
Junior Liens: (cid:3)
FICO < 620 
FICO 621-719 
FICO > 720  
       Total Junior Liens  
Total  

December 31, 2014

% of 
Total  

December 31, 2013

$ 

$ 

 178 
 613 
 2,257 

 3,048 

 471 
 1,542 
 3,825 
 5,838 
 8,886 

 2 %  $ 
 7   
 25   
 34 (cid:3) 

(cid:3)(cid:3)

 6   
 17 
 43   
 66   
 100 %  $ 

 201 
 638 
 2,253 

 3,092 

 565 
 1,662 
 3,927 
 6,154 
 9,246 

% of  
Total 

 2 %
 7   
 24   

 33   

 6   
 18   
 43   
 67   
 100 %

The  Bancorp  believes  that  home  equity  loans  with  a  greater  than 80%  combined  LTV  ratio  present  a  higher  level  of  risk.  The  following  table 
provides an analysis of the home equity loans outstanding in a senior and junior lien position by LTV at origination: 

TABLE 43: HOME EQUITY PORTFOLIO LOANS OUTSTANDING BY LTV AT ORIGINATION

As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Senior Liens:  
LTV (cid:148) 80% 
LTV > 80% 
    Total Senior Liens  
Junior Liens: 
LTV (cid:148) 80% 
LTV > 80% 
    Total Junior Liens  
Total  

2014  

2013  

Outstanding  

Weighted 
Average LTV 

         Outstanding 

Weighted 
Average LTV

$

$

 2,635 
 413 
 3,048 

 3,281   
 2,557   
 5,838   
 8,886   

 55.2 %    $ 
 89.1         
 60.0         

 67.4         
 91.1         
 79.6         
 72.4 %    $ 

 2,645
 447
 3,092

 3,353   
 2,801   
 6,154   
 9,246   

 54.9 %
 89.2   
 60.1  

 67.3  
 91.4  
80.2  
72.9 %

The following tables provide an analysis of home equity loans by state with a combined LTV greater than 80%:

TABLE 44: HOME EQUITY PORTFOLIO LOANS OUTSTANDING WITH A LTV GREATER THAN 80%

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 

By State: 
Ohio 
Michigan 
Illinois 
Indiana 
Kentucky 
Florida 
All other states 
Total 

  Outstanding
$

 1,123
 613
 346
 260
 246
 107
 275
 2,970

$

For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2014 

90 Days 
Past Due  Nonaccrual

Net Charge-offs 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 9 
 7 
 6 
 4 
 3 
 2 
 5 
 36 

 9 
 8 
 6 
 3 
 3 
 2 
 4 
 35 

Exposure 
 1,838
 882
 507
 404
 390
 143
 376
 4,540

65  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

TABLE 45: HOME EQUITY PORTFOLIO LOANS OUTSTANDING WITH A LTV GREATER THAN 80%

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 

By State: 
Ohio 
Michigan 
Illinois 
Indiana 
Kentucky 
Florida 
All other states 
Total 

For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2013 

90 Days 
Past Due  Nonaccrual

Net Charge-offs 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 10 
 7 
 6 
 3 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 35 

 18 
 14 
 9 
 4 
 3 
 4 
 7 
 59 

Exposure 
 1,868
 987
 554
 454
 436
 157
 425
 4,881

  Outstanding 
$

 1,161
 697
 383
 296
 278
 116
 317
 3,248

$

Automobile Portfolio 
The  automobile  portfolio  is  characterized  by  direct  and  indirect 
lending products to consumers. As of December 31, 2014, 51% of 
the automobile loan portfolio is comprised of loans collateralized by 

new automobiles. It is a common practice to advance on automobile 
loans  an  amount  in  excess  of  the  automobile  value  due  to  the 
inclusion of taxes, title and other fees paid at closing. The Bancorp 
monitors its exposure to these higher risk loans.  

The following table provides an analysis of automobile loans outstanding by LTV at origination: 

TABLE 46: AUTOMOBILE PORTFOLIO LOANS OUTSTANDING BY LTV AT ORIGINATION

As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
LTV (cid:148) 100% 
LTV > 100% 
Total  

2014  

2013  

Outstanding  
 8,212   
 3,825   
 12,037   

$

$

Weighted 
Average LTV 

         Outstanding  

Weighted 
Average LTV

 81.6 %    $ 
 111.0         
 91.3 %    $ 

 8,306   
 3,678   
 11,984   

81.4 %
110.7  
90.7 %

The following table provides an analysis of the Bancorp’s automobile loans with a LTV at origination greater than 100%:

TABLE 47: AUTOMOBILE PORTFOLIO LOANS OUTSTANDING WITH A LTV GREATER THAN 100%  
As of ($ in millions) 

December 31, 2014 
December 31, 2013 

$ 

Outstanding 

 3,825 
 3,678 

90 Days Past 
Due and Accruing   
 5 
 5 

   Net Charge-offs for the

Nonaccrual 

Year Ended 

 1 
 1 

 16 
 14 

European Exposure  
The  Bancorp  has  no  direct  sovereign  exposure  to  any  European 
government as of December 31, 2014.  In providing services to our 
customers,  the  Bancorp  routinely  enters  into  financial  transactions 
with foreign domiciled and U.S. subsidiaries of foreign businesses as 
well as foreign financial institutions.  These financial transactions are 
in the form of loans, loan commitments, letters of credit, derivatives 

and  securities.    The  Bancorp’s  risk  appetite  for  foreign  country 
exposure is managed by having established country exposure limits. 
The  Bancorp’s  total  exposure  to  European  domiciled  or  owned 
businesses and European financial institutions was $4.4 billion and 
funded  exposure  was  $2.3  billion  as  of  December  31,  2014.  
Additionally,  the  Bancorp  was  within  its  established  country 
exposure limits for all European countries.  

The following table provides detail about the Bancorp’s exposure to all European domiciled and owned businesses and financial institutions as of 
December 31, 2014:

TABLE 48: EUROPEAN EXPOSURE 

Sovereigns  

Financial Institutions 

Non-Financial 
Institutions  

Total  

Total  

Total  

($ in millions)   
Peripheral Europe(b) 
Other Eurozone(c)  
      Total Eurozone   
Other Europe(d)  
       Total Europe   
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d) Other Europe includes European countries not part of the Eurozone (primarily the United Kingdom and Switzerland). 
(e)

Total exposure includes funded exposure and unfunded commitments, reported net of collateral.  
Peripheral Europe includes Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain.  
Eurozone includes countries participating in the European common currency (Euro).  

Funded  
   Exposure  Exposure 
 -   
$
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

Includes $1,778 related to U.S. based customers owned by European entities. 

 -    
 -    
 -    
 -    
 -    

$

Total  

Funded    

Funded     

Total  
  Exposure  Exposure    Exposure   Exposure     Exposure a
 162   
 3,156   
 3,318   
 1,082   
 4,400 a
(e)

 91   
 1,682   
 1,773   
 510   
 2,283   

 162 
 3,145 
 3,307 
 1,052 
 4,359 

 -    
 11  
 11  
 25  
 36  

 -   
11 
 11 
30 
 41 

   Funded  
(a) Exposure 
 91
 1,693
 1,784
 535
 2,319

66  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Analysis of Nonperforming Assets 
Nonperforming  assets  include  nonaccrual  loans  and  leases  for 
which  ultimate  collectability  of  the  full  amount  of  the  principal 
and/or interest is uncertain; restructured commercial and credit card 
loans which have not yet met the requirements to be classified as a 
performing  asset;  restructured  consumer  loans  which  are  90  days 
past  due  based  on  the  restructured  terms  unless  the  loan  is  both 
well-secured  and  in  the  process  of  collection;  and  certain  other 
assets, 
including  OREO  and  other  repossessed  property.  A 
summary  of  nonperforming  assets  is  included  in  Table  49.  For 
further information on the Bancorp’s policies related to accounting 
for  delinquent  and  nonperforming  loans  refer  to  the  Nonaccrual 
Loans  and  Leases  section of  Note  1  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

Total nonperforming assets, including loans held for sale, were 
$783  million  at  December  31  2014  compared  to  $986  million  at 
December  31,  2013.  At  December  31,  2014,  $39  million  of 
nonaccrual  loans,  consisting  primarily  of  real  estate  secured  loans, 
were held for sale, compared to $6 million at December 31, 2013.  

Total nonperforming assets, including loans held for sale, as a 
percentage of total loans, leases and other assets, including OREO 
as  of  December  31,  2014  were  0.86%,  compared  to  1.10%  as  of 
December  31,  2013.  Excluding  nonaccrual  loans  held  for  sale, 
nonperforming assets as a percentage of portfolio loans, leases and 
other  assets,  including  OREO  were  0.82%  as  of  December  31, 
2014,  compared  to  1.10%  as  of  December  31,  2013.  The 
composition  of  nonaccrual  loans  and  leases  continues  to  be 
concentrated  in  real  estate  as  50%  of  nonaccrual  loans  and  leases 
were  secured  by  real  estate  as  of  December  31,  2014  compared  to 
60% as of December 31, 2013.  

Commercial nonperforming loans and leases were $391 million 
at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $73 million from December 31, 
2013  as  charge-offs,  loan  paydowns/payoffs,  loan  transfers  to 
performing  and  loans  sold  from  the  portfolio  outpaced  new 
nonaccruals. Excluding commercial nonperforming loans and leases 
held  for  sale,  commercial  nonperforming  loans  and  leases  at 
December  31,  2014  decreased  $91  million  compared  to  December 
31, 2013. 

Consumer  nonperforming  loans  and  leases  were  $227  million 
at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $66 million from December 31, 
2013  as  loan  pay  downs/payoffs,  charge-offs  and  transfers  to 
performing and OREO outpaced new nonaccrual loans. Excluding 
consumer  nonperforming  loans  and  leases  held  for  sale,  consumer 
nonperforming  loans  and  leases  at  December  31,  2014  decreased 
$81 million compared to December 31, 2013. Geographical market 
conditions  continue  to  be  a  large  driver  of  nonaccrual  activity  as 
Florida  properties  represent  approximately  11%  and  seven  percent 
of residential mortgage and home equity balances, respectively, but 
represent  32%  and  15%  of  nonaccrual  loans  for  each  category  at 
December  31,  2014.  Refer  to  Table  50  for  a  rollforward  of  the 
nonperforming loans and leases. 

OREO  and  other  repossessed  property  was  $165  million  at 
December  31,  2014,  compared  to  $229  million  at  December  31, 
2013. The Bancorp recognized $26 million and $45 million in losses 
on  the  sale  or write-down  of  OREO  properties  in  2014  and  2013, 
respectively. The decrease from the prior year was primarily due to a 
modest improvement in general economic conditions.  

In 2014 and 2013, approximately $49 million and $71 million, 
respectively,  of  interest  income  would  have  been  recognized  if  the 
nonaccrual  and  renegotiated  loans  and  leases  on  nonaccrual  status 
had been current in accordance with their original terms. Although 
these  values  help  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. 

67  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

$

2014  

86   
64   
-   
3   
44   
72   
-   
-   

TABLE 49: SUMMARY OF NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND DELINQUENT LOANS
As of December 31 ($ in millions)  
Nonaccrual loans and leases:  
   Commercial and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
   Residential mortgage loans  
   Home equity   
   Automobile loans   
   Other consumer loans and leases  
Restructured loans and leases:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage loans(e) 
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
   Residential mortgage loans  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card and other  
Total nonperforming portfolio loans and leases(d) 
OREO and other repossessed property(c) 
Total nonperforming portfolio assets  
Nonaccrual loans held for sale  
Total nonperforming assets including loans held for sale  
Loans and leases 90 days past due and accruing:  
   Commercial and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Residential mortgage loans(b) 
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card and other  
Total loans and leases 90 days past due and accruing  
Nonperforming assets as a percent of portfolio loans, leases and   
   other  assets, including OREO(a) 
Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of   
   nonperforming assets(a) 
(a) Excludes nonaccrual loans held for sale. 
(b)

142   
71   
-   
1   
33   
21   
1   
41   
579   
165   
744   
39   
783   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 56   
 -   
 8   
 23   
 87   

 178   

$

$

$

 0.82 %  

2013  

2012  

2011  

2010  

127   
90   
10   
3   
83   
74   
-   
-   

154   
53   
19   
2   
83   
19   
1   
33   
751   
229   
980   
6   
986   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 66   
 -   
 8   
 29   
 103   

234   
215   
70   
1   
114   
30   
-   
1   

96   
67   
6   
8   
123   
23   
2   
39   
1,029   
257   
1,286   
29   
1,315   

 1   
 22   
 1   
 75   
 58   
 8   
 30   
 195   

408   
358   
123   
9   
134   
25   
-   
1   

79   
63   
15   
3   
141   
29   
2   
48   
1,438   
378   
1,816   
138   
1,954   

 4   
 3   
 1   
 79   
 74   
 9   
 30   
 200   

473   
407   
182   
11   
152   
23   
1   
84   

95   
28   
10   
8   
116   
33   
2   
55   
1,680   
494   
2,174   
294   
2,468   

 16   
 11   
 3   
 100   
 89   
 13   
 42   
 274   

 1.10   

 1.49   

 2.23   

 2.79   

 161   

 144   

 124   

 138   

Information for all periods presented excludes loans whose repayments are insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. As of December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010 these advances 
were $373, $378, $414, $309 and $279, respectively. The Bancorp recognized losses of $13 for the year ended December 31, 2014, $5 for 2013 and $2 for 2012 due to claim denials and 
curtailments associated with these advances.  
Excludes $71, $77, $72, $64 and $38 of OREO related to government insured loans at December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  
Includes $9,  $10,  $10,  $17  and  $24  of  nonaccrual  government  insured  commercial  loans  whose  repayments  are  insured  by  the  SBA  at December 31, 2014,  2013,  2012,  2011  and  2010, 
respectively, and $4, $2, $1, $2, and $0 of restructured nonaccrual government insured commercial loans at December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. 
Excludes $21 of restructured nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013 associated with a consolidated VIE in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due to the risk being 
assumed by a third party. 

(c)
(d)

(e)

68  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The following table provides a rollforward of portfolio nonperforming loans and leases, by portfolio segment: 

TABLE 50: ROLLFORWARD OF PORTFOLIO NONPERFORMING LOANS AND LEASES 

For the year ended December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
Beginning Balance  

Transfers to nonperforming 
Transfers to performing 
Transfers to performing (restructured) 
Transfers to held for sale 
Loans sold from portfolio 
Loan paydowns/payoffs 
Transfers to other real estate owned 

   Charge-offs  
   Draws/other extensions of credit 
Ending Balance  

For the year ended December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 
Beginning Balance  

Transfers to nonperforming 
Transfers to performing 
Transfers to performing (restructured) 
Transfers to held for sale 
Loans sold from portfolio 
Loan paydowns/payoffs 
Transfers to other real estate owned 

   Charge-offs (recoveries) 
   Draws/other extensions of credit 
Ending Balance  

Commercial 

Residential 
Mortgage 

 458  
 520  
 (22) 
 (49) 
 (4) 
 (43) 
 (181) 
 (41) 
 (279) 
 8  
 367  

 697  
 409  
 (9) 
 (15) 
 (3) 
 (38) 
 (295) 
 (81) 
 (221) 
 14  
 458  

 166   
 135   
 (39)  
 (40)  
 (24)  
 -     
 (41)  
 (67)  
 (13)  
 -     
 77   

 237   
 204   
 (52)  
 (41)  
 -     
 -     
 (112)  
 (73)  
 3   
 -     
 166   

$

$

$

$

Consumer  
 127 
 219 
 (42)
 (46)
 -   
 -   
 (9)
 (22)
 (92)
 -   
 135 

 95 
 297   
 (60)  
 (62)  
 -     
 -     
 (11)  
 (13)  
 (122)  
 3   
 127 

Total  
 751   
 874   
 (103)  
 (135)  
 (28)  
 (43)  
 (231)  
 (130)  
 (384)  
 8   
 579   

 1,029   
 910   
 (121)  
 (118)  
 (3)  
 (38)  
 (418)  
 (167)  
 (340)  
 17   
 751   

$

$

$

$

Troubled Debt Restructurings 
If  a  borrower  is  experiencing  financial  difficulty,  the  Bancorp  may 
consider, in certain circumstances, modifying the terms of their loan 
to  maximize  collection  of  amounts  due.  Typically, 
these 
modifications  reduce  the  loan  interest  rate,  extend  the  loan  term, 
reduce  the  accrued  interest  or  in  limited  circumstances,  reduce  the 
principal  balance  of  the  loan.  These  modifications  are  classified  as 
TDRs. 

At  the  time  of  modification,  the  Bancorp  maintains  certain 
consumer  loan  TDRs  (including  residential  mortgage  loans,  home 
equity loans, and other consumer loans) on accrual status, provided 
there  is  reasonable  assurance  of  repayment  and  performance 
according  to  the  modified  terms  based  upon  a  current,  well-
documented  credit  evaluation.  Commercial  loans  modified  as  part 
of  a  TDR  are  maintained  on  accrual  status  provided  there  is  a 
sustained  payment  history  of  six  months  or  greater  prior  to  the 

modification  in  accordance  with  the  modified  terms  and  all 
remaining  contractual  payments  under  the  modified  terms  are 
reasonably  assured  of  collection.  TDRs  of  commercial  loans  and 
credit card loans that do not have a sustained payment history of six 
months or greater in accordance with the modified terms remain on 
nonaccrual status until a six month payment history is sustained.  

Consumer  restructured  loans  on  accrual  status  totaled  $905 
million  and  $1.7  billion  at  December  31,  2014  and  December  31, 
2013,  respectively.  The  decrease  from  the  prior  year  was  primarily 
due  to  the  transfer  of  $720  million  of  restructured  residential 
mortgage loans from the portfolio to loans held for sale during the 
fourth  quarter  of  2014.  As  a  result  of  the  transfer,  the  Bancorp 
recognized a charge-off of $87 million in 2014. As of December 31, 
2014,  the  percentage  of  restructured  residential  mortgage  loans, 
home equity loans, and credit card loans that are past due 30 days or 
more were 40%, 12% and 33%, respectively. 

The following tables summarize TDRs by loan type and delinquency status:

TABLE 51: PERFORMING AND NONPERFORMING TDRs 

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)  
Commercial loans(b)(c)  
Residential mortgage loans(a)(c)  
Home equity  
Credit card  
Automobile and other consumer loans and leases  
Total  
(a)

Current 

 867  
 312  
 337  
 31  
 22  
 1,569  

$

$

Performing 
30-89 Days  
Past Due 
 2   
54   
23   
 6   
1   
86   

90 Days or 
More Past Due 

 -   
 119   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 119   

Nonaccrual 
214   
33   
21   
41   
1   
310   

$

$

Total  
 1,083  
 518  
 381  
 78  
 24  
 2,084  

Information includes advances made pursuant to servicing agreements for GNMA mortgage pools whose repayments are insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. As of December 31, 
2014, these advances represented $165 of current loans, $42 of 30-89 days past due loans and $102 of 90 days or more past due loans. 

(b) As of December 31, 2014, excludes $7 of restructured accruing loans and $21 of restructured nonaccrual loans associated with a consolidated VIE in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit 

risk due to the risk being assumed by a third party. 
Excludes restructured nonaccrual loans held for sale.  

(c)

69  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

TABLE 52: PERFORMING AND NONPERFORMING TDRs 

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)  
Commercial loans(b)(c)  
Residential mortgage loans(a) 
Home equity  
Credit card  
Automobile and other consumer loans and leases  
Total  
(a)

Current 

 869  
 1,045  
 368  
 25  
 24  
 2,331  

$ 

$ 

Performing 
30-89 Days  
Past Due 
 -   
82   
26   
 -   
1   
109   

90 Days or 
More Past Due 

 -   
 114   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 114   

Nonaccrual 
228   
84   
18   
33   
1   
364   

$

$

Total  
 1,097  
 1,325  
 412  
 58  
 26  
 2,918  

Information includes loans whose repayments are insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. As of December 31, 2013, these loans represented $155 of current loans, $31 of 30-89 days past 
due loans and $88 of 90 days or more past due loans. 

(b) As of December 31, 2013, excludes $8 of restructured accruing loans and $21 of restructured nonaccrual loans associated with a consolidated VIE in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit 

The  ratio  of  consumer  loan  and  lease  net  charge-offs  to 
average  consumer  loans  and  leases  increased  to  86  bps  in  2014 
compared  to  77  bps  in  2013.  Net  charge-offs  on  residential 
mortgage  loans,  which  typically  involve  partial  charge-offs  based 
upon appraised values of underlying collateral, increased $66 million 
from  the  prior  year.  The  increase  in  net  charge-offs  on  residential 
mortgage  loans  was  primarily  due  to  an  $87  million  charge-off 
related to the transfer of certain residential mortgage loans from the 
portfolio  to  held  for  sale  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2014,  partially 
offset  by  improvements  in  delinquencies  and  loss  severities.  The 
Bancorp  expects  the  composition  of  the  residential  mortgage 
portfolio  to  improve  as  it  continues  to  retain  high  quality,  shorter 
duration  residential  mortgage  loans  that  are  originated  through  its 
branch  network  as  a  low-cost,  refinance  product  of  conforming 
residential mortgage loans. 

Home  equity  net  charge-offs  decreased  $38  million  compared 
to  the  prior  year,  primarily  due  to  improvements  in  loss  severities. 
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.  

Automobile 

loan  net  charge-offs 

increased  $5  million 
compared to 2013 due to increased delinquencies and losses in the 
indirect  portfolio.  Credit  card  net  charge-offs  increased  $4  million 
risk-adjusted  pricing 
from  2013.  The  Bancorp  utilizes  a 
methodology to ensure adequate compensation is received for those 
products that have higher credit costs. 

(c)

risk due to the risk being assumed by a third party. 
Excludes restructured nonaccrual loans held for sale. 
A 

Analysis of Net Loan Charge-offs 
Net charge-offs were 64 bps and 58 bps of average portfolio loans 
and  leases  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively. Table 53 provides a summary of credit loss experience 
and  net  charge-offs  as  a  percentage  of  average  portfolio  loans  and 
leases outstanding by loan category. 

The  ratio  of  commercial  loan  and  lease  net  charge-offs  to 
average  portfolio  commercial  loans  and  leases  increased  to  48  bps 
during 2014 compared to 44 bps in 2013, as a result of increases in 
net  charge-offs  of  $41  million  partially  offset  by  an  increase  in 
average  commercial  loan  and  lease  balances  of  $3.4  billion.  The 
increase  in  net charge-offs  during  2014  was  driven  primarily  by  an 
increase  in  charge-offs  on  certain  commercial  and  industrial  loans, 
primarily due to $96 million in aggregate net charge-offs related to 
six  impaired  commercial  and  industrial  loans  in  the  first  and  third 
quarters  of  2014.  The  increases  in  commercial  and  industrial  loan 
and commercial construction loan net charge-offs during 2014 were 
partially  offset  by  a  decrease  in  commercial  mortgage  loan  net 
charge-offs,  compared  to  2013,  due  to  improvements  in  general 
economic conditions and previous actions taken by the Bancorp to 
address  problem  loans.  Net  charge-offs  for  2014  related  to 
nonowner-occupied  commercial  real  estate  were  $18  million 
compared  to  $27  million  in  2013.  Net  charge-offs  related  to 
nonowner-occupied  commercial  real  estate  are  recorded  in  the 
commercial  mortgage  loans  and  commercial  construction  loans 
captions  in  Table  53.  Net  charge-offs  on  these  loans  represented 
seven percent of total commercial loan and lease net charge-offs in 
2014 and 12% in 2013.  

70  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

$

$

TABLE 53: SUMMARY OF CREDIT LOSS EXPERIENCE
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Losses charged-off: 
   Commercial and industrial 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 and industrial 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 and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
Total net losses charged-off 
Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans and leases (excluding held for sale): 
   Commercial and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
Total commercial loans 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
Total consumer loans and leases 
Total net losses charged-off 

2014  

2013  

2012  

2011  

2010  

(248)  
(37)  
(13)  
(1)  
(139)  
(75)  
(44)  
(95)  
(27)  
(679)  

26   
11   
1   
-   
13   
16   
17   
13   
7   
104   

(222)  
(26)  
(12)  
(1)  
(126)  
(59)  
(27)  
(82)  
(20)  
(575)  

0.54 %
0.34   
0.79   
0.01   
0.48   
0.99   
0.65   
0.22   
3.60   
5.80   
0.86   
0.64 %

(207)  
(66)  
(9)  
(2)  
(70)  
(114)  
(44)  
(92)  
(33)  
(637)  

39   
19   
5   
1   
10   
17   
22   
14   
9   
136   

(168)  
(47)  
(4)  
(1)  
(60)  
(97)  
(22)  
(78)  
(24)  
(501)  

0.44   
0.56   
0.51   
0.04   
0.44   
0.48   
1.02   
0.18   
3.67   
6.71   
0.77   
0.58   

(194)  
(120)  
(34)  
(10)  
(129)  
(172)  
(55)  
(90)  
(33)  
(837)  

29   
21   
9   
2   
7   
15   
24   
16   
10   
133   

(165)  
(99)  
(25)  
(8)  
(122)  
(157)  
(31)  
(74)  
(23)  
(704)  

0.50   
1.02   
3.08   
0.22   
0.63   
1.07   
1.51   
0.26   
3.79   
7.02   
1.13   
0.85   

(314)  
(211)  
(89)  
(1)  
(180)  
(234)  
(85)  
(114)  
(86)  
(1,314)  

38   
16   
4   
3   
7   
14   
32   
16   
12   
142   

(276)  
(195)  
(85)  
2   
(173)  
(220)  
(53)  
(98)  
(74)  
(1,172)  

0.97   
1.89   
4.96   
(0.08)  
1.26   
1.75   
1.97   
0.47   
5.19   
15.29   
1.79   
1.49   

(631)  
(541)  
(265)  
(7)  
(441)  
(276)  
(132)  
(164)  
(28)  
(2,485)  

45   
17   
13   
5   
2   
12   
44   
9   
10   
157   

(586)  
(524)  
(252)  
(2)  
(439)  
(264)  
(88)  
(155)  
(18)  
(2,328)  

2.23   
4.58   
8.48   
0.05   
3.10   
5.49   
2.20   
0.85   
8.28   
2.58   
2.92   
3.02   

Allowance for Credit Losses 
The  allowance  for  credit  losses is  comprised  of  the  ALLL  and  the 
reserve  for  unfunded  commitments.  The  ALLL  provides  coverage 
for  probable  and  estimable  losses  in  the  loan  and  lease  portfolio. 
The  Bancorp  evaluates  the  ALLL  each  quarter  to  determine  its 
adequacy  to  cover  inherent  losses.  Several  factors  are  taken  into 
consideration  in  the  determination  of  the  overall  ALLL,  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  level  of  the  ALLL  as  a 
percentage of loans. The Bancorp also considers overall asset quality 
trends,  credit  administration  and  portfolio  management  practices, 
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.  Refer  to  the  Critical  Accounting  Policies  section  of 
MD&A for more information. 

In 2014, the Bancorp did not substantively change any material 
aspect of its overall approach in the determination of the ALLL 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 
ALLL, 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  ALLL. 
The  provision  for  unfunded  commitments  is  included  in  other 
noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

71  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The  ALLL  attributable  to  the  portion  of  the  residential 
mortgage and consumer loan and lease portfolio that has not been 
restructured is determined on a pooled basis with the segmentation 
based on the similarity of credit risk characteristics. Loss factors for 
real  estate  backed  consumer  loans  are  developed  for  each  pool 
based  on  the  trailing  twelve  month  historical  loss  rate,  as  adjusted 
for  certain  prescriptive  loss  rate  factors  and  certain  qualitative 
adjustment factors. The prescriptive loss rate factors and qualitative 
adjustments  are  designed  to  reflect  risks  associated  with  current 
conditions and trends which are not believed to be fully reflected in 
the trailing twelve month historical loss rate. For real estate backed 
include 
consumer 
adjustments  for  delinquency  trends,  LTV  trends,  refreshed  FICO 
score  trends  and  product  mix,  and  the  qualitative  factors  include 
adjustments  for  credit  administration  and  portfolio  management 
practices,  credit  policy  and  underwriting  practices  and  the  national 
and local economy. The Bancorp considers home price index trends 
in  its  footprint  when  determining  the  national  and  local  economy 
qualitative  factor.  The  Bancorp  also  considers  the  volatility  of 
collateral  valuation  trends  when  determining  the  unallocated 
component of the ALLL. 

the  prescriptive 

loss  rate 

factors 

loans, 

The  Bancorp’s  determination  of  the  ALLL  for  commercial 
loans is sensitive to the risk grades 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  would  increase  by  approximately  $162  million  at 
December 31, 2014. In addition, the Bancorp’s determination of the 
allowance for residential and consumer loans is sensitive to changes 
in estimated loss rates. In the event that estimated loss rates would 
increase  by  10%,  the  allowance  for  residential  and  consumer  loans 
would increase by approximately $34 million at December 31, 2014. 
As  several  qualitative  and  quantitative  factors  are  considered  in 
determining the ALLL, these sensitivity analyses do not necessarily 
reflect the nature and extent of future changes in the ALLL. They 
are intended to provide insights into the impact of adverse changes 
to  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. 

TABLE 54: CHANGES IN ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
ALLL: 
Balance, beginning of period 

Impact of change in accounting principle 

   Losses charged-off 
   Recoveries of losses previously charged-off 
   Provision for loan and lease losses 
Balance, end of period 

Reserve for unfunded commitments: 
Balance, beginning of period 

Impact of change in accounting principle 

   Benefit from the reserve for unfunded commitments 
Balance, end of period 

2014  

2013  

2012  

2011  

2010  

$

$

$

$

 1,582 
 -   
 (679)
 104 
 315 
 1,322 

 162 
 -   
 (27)
 135 

 1,854 
 -   
 (637)
 136 
 229 
 1,582 

 179 
 -   
 (17)
 162 

 2,255 
 -   
 (837)
 133 
 303 
 1,854 

 181 
 -   
 (2)
 179 

 3,004 
 -   
 (1,314)
 142 
 423 
 2,255 

 227 
 -   
 (46)
 181 

 3,749 
 45 
 (2,485)
 157 
 1,538 
 3,004 

 294 
 (43)
 (24)
 227 

Certain  inherent,  but  unconfirmed  losses  are  probable  within  the 
loan  and  lease  portfolio.  The  Bancorp’s  current  methodology  for 
determining  the  level  of  losses  is  based  on  historical  loss  rates, 
current  credit  grades,  specific  allocation  on  impaired  commercial 
credits above specified thresholds and restructured loans and other 
qualitative  adjustments.  Due  to  the  heavy  reliance  on  realized 
historical  losses  and  the  credit  grade  rating  process,  the  model-
derived  estimate  of  ALLL  tends  to  slightly  lag  behind  the 
deterioration  in  the  portfolio,  in  a  stable  or  deteriorating  credit 
environment,  and  tend  not  to  be  as  responsive  when  improved 
conditions  have  presented 
these  model 
limitations, the qualitative adjustment factors may be incremental or 
decremental to the quantitative model results.  

themselves.  Given 

An  unallocated  component  to  the  ALLL  is  maintained  to 
recognize  the  imprecision  in  estimating  and  measuring  loss.  The 
unallocated allowance as a percent of total portfolio loans and leases 
at  both  December  31,  2014  and  2013  was  0.12%.  The  unallocated 
allowance was eight percent of the total allowance as of December 
31, 2014 compared to seven percent as of December 31, 2013.  

As  shown  in  Table  55,  the  ALLL  as  a  percent  of  portfolio 
loans  and  leases  was  1.47%  at  December  31,  2014,  compared  to 
1.79%  at  December  31,  2013.  The  ALLL  was  $1.3  billion  as  of 
December 31, 2014, compared to $1.6 billion at December 31, 2013. 
The  decrease  was  reflective  of  decreases  in  nonperforming  loans 
and  leases  and  improved  delinquency  metrics  in  commercial  and 
consumer loans and leases.  

72  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

$

$

2014  

2013  

2012  

 673   
 140   
 17   
 45   
 104   
 87   
 33   
 104   
 13   
 106   
 1,322   

 802   
 333   
 33   
 68   
 229   
 143   
 28   
 87   
 20   
 111   
 1,854   

 767   
 212   
 26   
 53   
 189   
 94   
 23   
 92   
 16   
 110   
 1,582   

TABLE 55: ATTRIBUTION OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES TO PORTFOLIO LOANS AND LEASES
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Allowance attributed to: 
   Commercial and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
   Unallocated 
Total ALLL 
Portfolio loans and leases: 
   Commercial and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
Total portfolio loans and leases 
Attributed allowance as a percent of respective portfolio loans and leases: 
   Commercial and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
   Unallocated (as a percent of total portfolio loans and leases) 
Total portfolio loans and leases 

 40,765   
 7,399   
 2,069   
 3,720   
 12,389   
 8,886   
 12,037   
 2,401   
 418   
 90,084   

 39,316   
 8,066   
 1,039   
 3,625   
 12,680   
 9,246   
 11,984   
 2,294   
 364   
 88,614   

 36,038   
 9,103   
 698   
 3,549   
 12,017   
 10,018   
 11,972   
 2,097   
 290   
 85,782   

 1.65 %
 1.89   
 0.82   
 1.21   
 0.84   
 0.98   
 0.27   
 4.33   
 3.11   
 0.12   
 1.47 %

 1.95   
 2.63   
 2.50   
 1.46   
 1.49   
 1.02   
 0.19   
 4.01   
 4.40   
 0.12   
 1.79   

 2.23   
 3.66   
 4.73   
 1.92   
 1.91   
 1.43   
 0.23   
 4.15   
 6.90   
 0.13   
 2.16   

$

$

2011  

929   
441   
77   
80   
227   
 195   
 43   
 106   
 21   
136   
2,255   

 30,783   
 10,138   
 1,020   
 3,531   
 10,672   
 10,719   
 11,827   
 1,978   
 350   
 81,018   

 3.02   
 4.35   
 7.55   
 2.27   
 2.13   
 1.82   
 0.36   
 5.36   
 6.00   
 0.17   
 2.78   

2010  

1,123   
597   
158   
111   
310   
 265   
 73   
 158   
 59   
150   
3,004   

 27,191   
 10,845   
 2,048   
 3,378   
 8,956   
 11,513   
 10,983   
 1,896   
 681   
 77,491   

 4.13   
 5.50   
 7.71   
 3.29   
 3.46   
 2.30   
 0.66   
 8.33   
 8.66   
 0.19   
 3.88   

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: 

(cid:120) Assets and liabilities may mature or reprice at different times; 
(cid:120) Short-term  and  long-term  market  interest  rates  may  change 

by different amounts; or  

(cid:120) 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. 

Interest Rate Risk Management Oversight 
The  Bancorp’s  Executive  ALCO,  which 
senior 
management  representatives  and  is  accountable  to  the  ERM 
Committee,  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. 

includes 

Net Interest Income Sensitivity 
The  Bancorp  employs  a  variety  of  measurement  techniques  to 
identify and manage its interest rate risk, including the use of an NII 
simulation model to analyze the sensitivity of net interest income to 
changing  interest  rates.  The  model  is  based  on  contractual  and 
assumed  cash  flows  and  repricing  characteristics  for  all  of  the 
Bancorp’s  assets,  liabilities  and  off-balance  sheet  exposures  and 
incorporates  market-based  assumptions  regarding  the  effect  of 
changing interest rates on the prepayment rates of certain assets and 
attrition  rates  of  certain  liabilities.  The  model  also  includes  senior 
management’s 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  may  differ  from  simulated 
results  due  to  timing,  magnitude  and  frequency  of  interest  rate 
changes  as  well  as  changes  in  market  conditions  and  management 
strategies. 

73  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

The  Bancorp’s  interest  rate  risk  exposure  is  evaluated  by 
measuring  the  anticipated  change  in  net  interest  income  over  12-
month  and  24-month  horizons  assuming  100  bps  and  200  bps 
parallel  ramped  increases  in  interest  rates.  In  accordance  with 
internal policy, rate movements are assumed to occur over one year 
and  are  sustained  thereafter.  The  analysis  would  typically  include 

100  bps  and  200  bps  parallel  ramped  decreases  in  interest  rates; 
however,  this  analysis  is  currently  omitted  due  to  the  current  low 
levels  of  certain  interest  rates.  Applying  the  ramps  would  result  in 
certain  interest  rates  becoming  negative  in  the  parallel  ramped 
decrease scenarios.  

The following table shows the Bancorp’s estimated NII sensitivity profile and ALCO policy limits as of December 31:

TABLE 56: ESTIMATED NII SENSITIVITY PROFILE 

2014  

2013  

Change in Interest Rates (bps) 

12 Months 

13 to 24 
Months 

Percent Change in NII 
(FTE) 

ALCO Policy Limits 
13 to 24 
Months 

12 Months

Percent Change in NII 
(FTE) 

12 Months 

13 to 24 
Months 

ALCO Policy Limits 
13 to 24 
Months 

12 Months

+200  
+100  

2.19   %
1.16  

6.49  
4.18  

(4.00) 
 -  

(6.00) 
 -  

1.73   % 
0.77  

6.89  
3.37  

(4.00) 
 -  

(6.00) 
 -  

At  December  31,  2014,  the  Bancorp’s  net  interest  income  would 
benefit in year one and year two under these parallel ramp increases. 
The  benefit  was  attributable  to  the  combination  of  floating-rate 
assets,  including  the  predominantly  floating-rate  commercial  loan 
portfolio,  and  certain  intermediate-term  fixed-rate  liabilities.  The 
benefit was up modestly compared to December 31, 2013 with the 
exception  of  the  +200  scenario  from  13  to  24  months,  which was 
down slightly.  Improvements in the NII benefit were attributable to 
continued  growth  in  commercial  loans  and  core  deposits,  and  the 
issuance  of  fixed-rate  debt  securities.    The  modest  decline  in  the 
+200  scenario  from  13  to  24  months  compared  to  December  31, 
2013  was  primarily  due  to  changes  in  expected  loan  and  security 
prepayment speeds. 

Economic Value of Equity Sensitivity 
The  Bancorp  also  uses  EVE  as  a  measurement  tool  in  managing 
interest rate risk. Whereas the net interest income sensitivity analysis 

highlights the impact on forecasted NII over one and two year time 
horizons, the EVE analysis is a point in time analysis of the current 
positions  that  incorporates  all  cash  flows  over  their  estimated 
remaining  lives.  The  EVE  of  the  balance  sheet  is  defined  as  the 
discounted  present  value  of  all  asset  and  net  derivative  cash  flows 
less  the  discounted  value  of  all  liability  cash  flows.  Due  to  this 
longer  horizon,  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 NII sensitivity analysis. As with the 
NII simulation model, assumptions about the timing and variability 
of existing balance sheet cash flows are critical in the EVE analysis. 
Particularly  important  are  assumptions  driving  loan  and  security 
prepayments  and  the  expected  balance  attrition  and  pricing  of 
transaction deposits. 

The following table shows the Bancorp’s EVE sensitivity profile as of December 31:

TABLE 57: ESTIMATED EVE SENSITIVITY PROFILE 

Change in Interest Rates (bps) 

+200  
+100  
+25  
-25  

2014  
Change in EVE   ALCO Policy Limit
(12.00)

(2.21)%
(0.62) 
(0.06) 
(0.05) 

2013  

   Change in EVE    ALCO Policy Limit
(12.00)

(5.78)%
(2.91) 
(0.70) 
0.63  

The  EVE  sensitivity  was  modestly  negative  at  December  31,  2014 
and has improved from the EVE sensitivity at December 31, 2013. 
The  lower  level  of  EVE  risk  since  December  31,  2013  was 
attributable  to  continued  growth  in  commercial  loans  and  core 
deposits, and the issuance of fixed-rate debt securities. 

While  an  instantaneous  shift  in  interest  rates  was  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  or  exacerbate  the  impact  of  changes  in  interest  rates.  The 
NII simulations and EVE analyses do not necessarily include certain 

74  Fifth Third Bancorp 

actions that management may undertake to manage risk in response 
to anticipated changes in interest rates. 

The  Bancorp  regularly  evaluates  its  exposures  to  LIBOR  and 
Prime basis risks, nonparallel shifts in the yield curve and embedded 
options  risk.  In  addition,  the  impact  on  NII  and  EVE  of  extreme 
changes in interest rates is modeled, wherein the Bancorp employs 
the use of yield curve shocks and environment-specific scenarios. 

Use of Derivatives to Manage Interest Rate Risk 
An 
interest  rate  risk 
integral  component  of  the  Bancorp’s 
management strategy is its use of derivative instruments to minimize 
significant  fluctuations  in  earnings  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, options, swaptions and TBA securities.  

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

As  part  of  its  overall  risk  management  strategy  relative  to  its 
mortgage  banking  activity,  the  Bancorp  enters 
into  forward 
contracts accounted for as free-standing derivatives to economically 
hedge  IRLCs  that  are  also  considered  free-standing  derivatives. 
Additionally,  the  Bancorp  economically  hedges  its  exposure  to 
mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  through  the  use  of  forward  contracts 
and mortgage options.  

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  risk  arises  from 
the  possible  inability  of  counterparties  to  meet  the  terms  of  their 
through  collateral 
the  Bancorp  minimizes 
contracts,  which 

arrangements,  approvals,  limits  and  monitoring  procedures.  For 
further information including the notional amount and fair values of 
these  derivatives,  refer  to  Note  12  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. The following table summarizes the expected cash flows 
of the carrying value of the Bancorp’s portfolio loans and leases as 
of December 31, 2014: 

Less than 1 year 

$

TABLE 58: PORTFOLIO LOANS AND LEASES EXPECTED MATURITIES
($ in millions) 
     Commercial and industrial loans 
     Commercial mortgage loans 
     Commercial construction loans 
     Commercial leases 
 Subtotal - commercial loans and leases 
     Residential mortgage loans 
     Home equity 
     Automobile loans 
     Credit card 
     Other consumer loans and leases 
 Subtotal - consumer loans and leases 
 Total 

 23,653   
 3,328   
 847   
 735   
 28,563   
 2,497   
 1,203   
 5,209   
 481   
 404   
 9,794   
 38,357   

$

1-5 years 

 16,371   
 3,613   
 1,183   
 1,623   
 22,790   
 5,428   
 3,460   
 6,704   
 1,920   
 14   
 17,526   
 40,316   

Over 5 years 
 741 
 458 
 39 
 1,362 
 2,600 
 4,464 
 4,223 
 124 
 - 
 - 
 8,811 
 11,411 

Total 
 40,765   
 7,399   
 2,069   
 3,720   
 53,953   
 12,389   
 8,886   
 12,037   
 2,401   
 418   
 36,131   
 90,084   

Additionally, the following table displays a summary of expected cash flows, excluding interest receivable, occurring after one year for both fixed 
and floating/adjustable rate loans and leases, as of December 31, 2014:

TABLE 59: PORTFOLIO LOANS AND LEASES PRINCIPAL CASH FLOWS OCCURING AFTER ONE YEAR 

($ in millions) 
     Commercial and industrial loans 
     Commercial mortgage loans 
     Commercial construction loans 
     Commercial leases 
Subtotal - commercial loans and leases 
     Residential mortgage loans 
     Home equity 
     Automobile loans 
     Credit card 
     Other consumer loans and leases 
Subtotal - consumer loans and leases 
Total 

$

$

Fixed 
 2,672 
 1,031 
 31 
 2,985 
 6,719 
 7,031 
 736 
 6,783 
 627 
 - 
 15,177 
 21,896 

Interest Rate 

Floating or Adjustable 

 14,440   
 3,040   
 1,191   
 -   
 18,671 
 2,861   
 6,947   
 45   
 1,293   
 14   
 11,160 
 29,831 

Residential Mortgage Servicing Rights and Interest Rate Risk 
The net carrying amount of the residential MSR portfolio was $856 
million  and  $967  million  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
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 the year ended December 31, 
2014 which caused actual prepayments on the servicing portfolio to 

increase.  The  increase  in  actual  prepayments  on  the  servicing 
portfolio  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014  caused  the 
modeled  prepayment  speeds  to  increase,  which  led  to  a  temporary 
impairment of $65 million on servicing rights during the year ended 
December 31, 2014. Mortgage rates increased during the year ended 
December  31,  2013  which  caused  actual  prepayments  on  the 
servicing portfolio to decrease. The decrease in actual prepayments 
on the servicing portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2013 
caused the modeled prepayment speeds to decrease, which led to a 
recovery  of  temporary  impairment  of  $192  million  on  servicing 
rights during the year ended December 31, 2013. 

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 

75  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

prevailing rates return to a level commensurate with the borrower’s 
loan rate. In addition to the mortgage servicing rights valuation, the 
Bancorp recognized net gains of $95 million and net losses of $17 
million  on  its  non-qualifying  hedging  strategy  for  the  years  ended 
2014  and  2013,  respectively.  These  amounts  include  net  gains  on 
securities  related  to  the  Bancorp’s  non-qualifying  hedging  strategy 
which  were  zero  during  2014  and  $13  million  during  2013.  The 
Bancorp may adjust its hedging strategy to reflect its assessment of 
the composition of its MSR portfolio, the cost of hedging and the 
anticipated  effectiveness  of  the  hedges  given  the  economic 
environment. Refer  to  Note  11  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements  for  further  discussion  on  servicing  rights  and 
the instruments used to hedge interest rate risk on MSRs.

Foreign Currency Risk 
The  Bancorp  may  enter  into  foreign  exchange  derivative  contracts 
to  economically  hedge  certain  foreign  denominated  loans.  The 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT 
The  goal  of  liquidity  management  is  to  provide  adequate  funds  to 
meet  changes  in  loan  and  lease  demand,  unexpected  levels  of 
deposit  withdrawals  and  other  contractual  obligations.  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.  A  summary  of  certain  obligations  and 
commitments to make future payments under contracts is included 
in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

The  Bancorp  maintains  a  contingency  funding  plan  that 
assesses  the  liquidity  needs  under  various  scenarios  of  market 
conditions,  asset  growth  and  credit  rating  downgrades.  The  plan 
includes liquidity stress testing which measures various sources and 
uses  of  funds  under  the  different  scenarios.  The  contingency  plan 
provides for ongoing monitoring of unused borrowing capacity and 
available  sources  of  contingent  liquidity  to  prepare  for  unexpected 
liquidity  needs  and  to  cover  unanticipated  events  that  could  affect 
liquidity. 

Sources of Funds 
The  Bancorp’s  primary  sources  of  funds  relate  to  cash  flows  from 
loan and lease repayments, payments from securities related to sales 
and  maturities,  the  sale  or  securitization  of  loans  and  leases  and 
funds  generated  by  core  deposits,  in  addition  to  the  use  of  public 
and private debt offerings. 

Expected  maturities  from  loan  and  lease  repayments  are 
included  in  Table  58  of  the  Market  Risk  Management  section  of 
MD&A. Of the $22.4 billion of securities in the Bancorp’s available-
for-sale  and  other  portfolio  at  December  31,  2014,  $3.3  billion  in 
principal  and  interest  is  expected  to  be  received  in  the  next  12 
months and an additional $3.5 billion is expected to be received in 
the next 13 to 24 months. For further information on the Bancorp’s 
securities portfolio, refer to the Investment Securities subsection of 
the Balance Sheet Analysis of MD&A. 

Asset-driven  liquidity  is  provided  by  the  Bancorp’s  ability  to 
sell or securitize loans and leases. 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 certain other residential mortgages, certain 
commercial  loans,  home  equity  loans,  automobile  loans  and  other 
consumer loans are also capable of being securitized or sold. For the 
years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp  sold  or 
securitized loans totaling $9.4 billion and $23.4 billion, respectively. 

76  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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,  2014  and 
December 31, 2013 was $720 million and $581 million, respectively. 
The  Bancorp  also  enters  into  foreign  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. 

For further information on the transfer of financial assets, refer to 
Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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 
82% of its average total assets during 2014 and 2013. In addition to 
core  deposit  funding,  the  Bancorp  also  accesses  a  variety  of  other 
short-term and long-term funding sources, which include the use of 
the FHLB system. Certificates of deposit with 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. 

On  February  25,  2014,  the  Bancorp  issued  and  sold  $500 
million of unsecured senior fixed-rate notes. On June 5, 2014, The 
Bancorp  issued  in  a  registered  public  offering  300,000  depositary 
shares,  representing  12,000  shares  of  4.90%  fixed-to-floating  rate 
non-cumulative Series J perpetual preferred stock, for net proceeds 
of  $297  million.  As  of  December  31,  2014,  $3.0  billion  of  debt  or 
other  securities  were  available  for  issuance  under  the  current 
Bancorp’s  Board  of  Directors’  authorizations  and  the  Bancorp  is 
authorized to file any necessary registration statements with the SEC 
to  permit  ready  access  to  the  public  securities  markets;  however, 
access  to  these  markets  may  depend  on  market  conditions.  At 
December 31, 2014, the Bancorp has approximately $41.7 billion of 
borrowing  capacity  available  through  secured  borrowing  sources 
including the FHLB and FRB. 

In  2013,  the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  updated  and 
amended  its  existing  global  bank  note  program  to  increase  the 
capacity from $20 billion to $25 billion. On April 25, 2014, the Bank 
issued  and  sold  $1.5  billion  in  aggregate  principal  amount  of 
unsecured  senior  bank  notes.  On  September  5,  2014,  the  Bank 
issued  and  sold  $850  million  of  unsecured  senior  fixed-rate  bank 
notes.  The  Bancorp  has  $19.1  billion  of  funding  available  for 
issuance  under  the  global  bank  note  program  as  of  December  31, 
2014. 

For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2014,  the  Bancorp 
transferred approximately $3.8 billion in consumer automobile loans 
to  bankruptcy  remote  trusts  which  were  deemed  to  be  VIEs.  The 
Bancorp concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs 
and,  therefore,  has  consolidated  these  VIEs.  The  assets  of  these 
VIEs  are  restricted  to  the  settlement  of  the  notes  and  other 
obligations  of  the  VIEs.  Third-party  holders  of  the  notes  do  not 
have recourse to the general assets of the Bancorp. 

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

Liquidity Coverage Ratio and Net Stable Funding Ratio  
A  key  reform  within  the  Basel  III  framework  to  strengthen 
international  liquidity  standards  was  the  introduction  of  the  LCR 
and  NSFR.  On  January 7,  2013,  the  BCBS  issued  a  final  standard 
for  the  LCR  applicable  to  large  internationally  active  banking 
organizations. The BCBS plans on implementing the NSFR in 2018. 
Section  165  of  the  DFA  requires  the  FRB  to  establish 
enhanced liquidity standards in the U.S. for BHCs with total assets 
of  $50  billion  or  greater.  On  October  10,  2014,  the  U.S.  Banking 
Agencies published final rules implementing a quantitative liquidity 
requirement  consistent  with  the  LCR  standard  established  by  the 
internationally  active  banking  organizations, 
BCBS  for 
generally those with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets 
or  $10  billion  or  more  in  on-balance  sheet  foreign  exposure.  In 
addition, a modified LCR requirement was finalized for BHCs with 
$50  billion  or  more  in  total  consolidated  assets  that  are  not 
internationally  active,  such  as  Fifth  Third.  The  Modified  LCR 
requires  BHCs  to  maintain  HQLA  equal  to  its  calculated  net  cash 
outflows over a 30 calendar-day stress period multiplied by a factor 
of 0.7. The modified LCR is effective January 1, 2016 and requires 
BHCs  to  calculate  its  LCR  on  a  monthly  basis.  The  final  rule 
includes  a  transition  period  for  the  modified  LCR  in  which  BHCs 
must maintain HQLA of 90% of its calculated net cash outflows for 
2016 and then 100% beginning in 2017. The Bancorp estimates its 

large 

TABLE 60: AGENCY RATINGS
As of February 25, 2015 
Fifth Third Bancorp: 
    Short-term 
    Senior debt 
    Subordinated debt 
Fifth Third Bank: 
    Short-term 
    Long-term deposit 
    Senior debt 
    Subordinated debt 

OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT 
The  Bancorp  faces  ongoing  and  emerging  risks  and  regulations 
related  to  the  activities  that  surround  the  delivery  of  banking  and 
financial products. The Bancorp believes that effective management 
of  operational  risk  plays  a  major  role  in  both  the  level  and  the 
stability  of  profitability.  Operational  risk  is  the  risk  of  loss  from 
inadequate  or  failed  internal  processes,  people  or  systems  or  from 
external  events.  This  includes,  but  is  not  limited  to,  the  following 
types  of  risk:    business  continuity  risk,  information  management 
risk, fraud risk, model risk, third party service provider risk, human 
resources risk, and process risk.

The  Bancorp’s  risk  management  framework  consists  of  five 
integrated  components,  including  identifying,  assessing,  managing, 
monitoring, and reporting risks. The Operational Risk Management 
function 
the 
implementation of the Bancorp’s approach to managing operational 

is  responsible  for  developing  and  overseeing 

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT  
Management  regularly  reviews  the  Bancorp’s  capital  levels  to  help 
ensure  it  is  appropriately  positioned  under  various  operating 
environments.  The  Bancorp  has  established  a  Capital  Committee 
which  is  responsible  for  making  capital  plan  recommendations  to 
management.  These  recommendations  are  reviewed  by  the  ERM 
Committee  and  the  capital  plan  is  approved  by  the  Board  of 
Directors.  The  Capital  Committee  is  responsible  for  execution 
oversight of the capital actions of the capital plan. 

modified  LCR  was  112%  at  December  31,  2014  calculated  under 
the modified LCR final rule. For more information on LCR, refer to 
the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of MD&A.  

Credit Ratings 
The cost and  availability of financing to the Bancorp are impacted 
by  its  credit  ratings.  A  downgrade  to  the  Bancorp’s  credit  ratings 
could  affect  its  ability  to  access  the  credit  markets  and  increase  its 
borrowing  costs,  thereby  adversely 
impacting  the  Bancorp’s 
financial  condition  and  liquidity.  Key  factors  in  maintaining  high 
credit  ratings  include  a  stable  and  diverse  earnings  stream,  strong 
credit  quality,  strong  capital  ratios  and  diverse  funding  sources,  in 
addition to disciplined liquidity monitoring procedures. 

The Bancorp’s credit ratings are summarized in Table 60. The 
ratings reflect the ratings agencies view on the Bancorp’s capacity to 
meet financial commitments. *  

*  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.  Additional 
information on the credit rating ranking within the overall classification system is 
located on the website of each credit rating agency. 

Moody's 

Standard and Poor's 

Fitch 

DBRS 

No rating 
Baa1 
Baa2 

P-2 
A3 
A3 
Baa1 

A-2 
BBB+ 
BBB 

A-2 
No rating 
A- 
BBB+ 

F1 
A 
A- 

F1 
A+ 
A 
A- 

R-1L 
AL 
BBBH 

R-1L 
A 
A 
AL 

risk.  This includes providing training, tools, guidance and oversight 
to support implementation of key risk programs and systems as they 
relate to operational risk management, such as risk and control self-
assessments, new product/initiative risk reviews, key risk indicators, 
and  operational  losses.  The  function  is  also  responsible  for 
developing  reports  that  support  the  proactive  management  of 
operational  risk  across  the  enterprise.    The  lines  of  business  and 
corporate  functions  are  responsible  for  managing  the  operational 
risks  associated  with  their  areas  in  accordance  with  the  risk 
management  framework.  The  framework  is  intended  to  enable  the 
Bancorp  to  function  with  a  sound  and  well-controlled  operational 
environment.  These  processes  support  the  Bancorp’s  goals  to 
minimize  future  operational  losses  and  strengthen  the  Bancorp’s 
performance by maintaining sufficient capital to absorb operational 
losses that are incurred.  

Capital Ratios 
The  U.S  banking  agencies  established  quantitative  measures  that 
assign risk weightings to assets and off-balance sheet items and also 
define  and  set  minimum  regulatory  capital  requirements.  The  U.S. 
banking agencies define “well-capitalized” ratios for Tier I and Total 
risk-based  capital  as  6%  and  10%,  respectively.  The  Bancorp 
exceeded these “well-capitalized” ratios for all periods presented. 

The  Basel  II  advanced  approach  framework  was  finalized  by 
U.S.  banking  agencies  in  2007.  Core  banks,  defined  as  those  with 
consolidated  total  assets  in  excess  of  $250  billion  or  on  balance 

77  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

sheet  foreign  exposures  of  $10  billion  were  required  to  adopt  the 
advanced  approach  effective  April  1,  2008.  The  Bancorp  does  not 
meet  these  thresholds  and,  therefore,  is  not  subject  to  the 
requirements of Basel II. 

The  DFA  requires  more  stringent  prudential  standards, 
including capital and liquidity requirements, for larger institutions. It 
addresses the quality of capital components by limiting the degree to 
which  certain  hybrid  instruments  can  be  included.  The  DFA  will 
phase out the inclusion of certain TruPS as a component of Tier I 
risk-based  capital  when  the  Bancorp  implements  the  revised 
regulatory capital rules known as Basel III. 

to 

In  December  of  2010  and  revised  in  June  of  2011,  the  BCBS 
issued  Basel  III,  a  global  regulatory  framework,  to  enhance 
international  capital  standards.  In  June  of  2012,  U.S.  banking 
regulators  proposed  enhancements 
the  regulatory  capital 
requirements for U.S. banks, which implement aspects of Basel III, 
such  as  re-defining  the  regulatory  capital  elements  and  minimum 
capital  ratios, introducing  regulatory  capital  buffers  above  those 
minimums, revising the agencies’ rules for calculating risk-weighted 
assets and introducing a new Tier I common equity ratio. In July of 
2013,  U.S.  banking  regulators  approved  final  enhanced  regulatory 
included 
capital  requirements  (Basel  III  Final  Rule),  which 
modifications  to  the  proposed  rules.  The  Basel  III  Final  Rule 
provides  for  certain  banks,  including  the  Bancorp,  to  opt  out  of 
including  AOCI  in  Tier  I  capital  and  retain  the  treatment  of 
residential  mortgage  exposures  consistent  with  the  current  Basel  I 
capital  rules.  The  Basel  III  Final  Rule  phases  out  the  inclusion  of 
certain  TruPS  as  a  component  of  Tier  I  capital.  Under  these 
provisions, these TruPS qualify as a component of Tier II capital. At 
December 31, 2014 the Bancorp’s Tier I capital included $60 million 
of TruPS representing approximately 5 bps of risk-weighted assets. 

The Basel III Final Rule is effective for the Bancorp as of January 1, 
2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain of its components and 
other provisions.  

The Bancorp’s current estimate of the pro-forma fully phased 
in  Tier  I  common  equity  ratio  at  December  31,  2014  under  the 
Basel  III  Final  Rule  is  approximately  9.39%  compared  with  9.65% 
as  calculated  under  the  existing  Basel  I  capital  framework.  The 
primary  drivers  of  the  change  from  the  existing  Basel  I  capital 
framework  to  the  Basel  III  Final  Rule  are  an  increase  in  Tier  I 
common  equity  of  approximately  74  bps  (primarily  from  the 
elimination  of  the  current  10%  deduction  of  mortgage  servicing 
rights from capital), which would be more than offset by the impact 
of increases in risk-weighted assets (primarily from the treatment of 
securitizations, mortgage servicing rights and commitments with an 
original  maturity  of  one  year  or  less).  If  the  Bancorp  elected  to 
include  AOCI  components  in  capital,  the  December  31,  2014  pro 
forma  Basel  III  Final  Rule  Tier  I  common  ratio  would  have 
increased by approximately 35 bps. The pro-forma Tier I common 
equity ratio exceeds the proposed minimum Tier I common equity 
ratio  of  7%  comprised  of  a  minimum  of  4.5%  plus  a  capital 
conservation buffer of 2.5%. The pro-forma Tier I common equity 
ratio  does  not  include  the  effect  of  any  mitigating  actions  the 
Bancorp may undertake to offset the impact of the proposed capital 
enhancements.  Additionally,  pursuant  to  the  Basel  III  Final  Rule, 
the minimum capital ratios as of January 1, 2015 are 6% for the Tier 
I capital ratio, 8% for the Total risk-based capital ratio and 4% for 
the Tier I capital to average consolidated assets (leverage ratio). For 
further  discussion  on  the  Basel  I  and  Basel  III  Tier  I  common 
equity ratios, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of 
MD&A. 

TABLE 61: CAPITAL RATIOS
As of December 31 ($ in millions)  
Average equity as a percent of average assets  
Tangible equity as a percent of tangible assets(a) 
Tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets(a) 

Tier I capital  
Total risk-based capital  
Risk-weighted assets(b) 

2014  
 11.59 % 
 9.41   
 8.43   

$ 

 12,764   
 16,895   
 117,878   

2013  
 11.56   
 9.44   
 8.63   

 12,094   
 16,431   
 115,969   

2012  
 11.65   
 9.17   
 8.83   

 11,685   
 15,811   
 109,301   

2011  
 11.41   
 9.03   
 8.68   

 12,503   
 16,876   
 104,219   

2010  
 12.22   
 10.42   
 7.04   

 13,965   
 18,178   
 100,561   

Regulatory capital ratios:  
Tier I risk-based capital  
Total risk-based capital  
Tier I leverage  
Tier I common equity(a) 
(a)
(b) Under the banking agencies’ risk-based capital guidelines, assets and credit equivalent amounts of derivatives and off-balance sheet exposures are assigned to broad risk categories. The aggregate dollar 

For further information on these ratios, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of MD&A. 

 10.83 % 
 14.33   
 9.66   
 9.65   

 13.89   
 18.08   
 12.79   
 7.48   

 10.69   
 14.47   
 10.15   
 9.54   

 12.00   
 16.19   
 11.25   
 9.41   

 10.43   
 14.17   
 9.73   
 9.45   

amount in each risk category is multiplied by the associated risk weight of the category. The resulting weighted values are added together resulting in the Bancorp’s total risk-weighted assets. 

Preferred Stock Offering and Conversion 
As contemplated by the 2013 CCAR, on May 16, 2013 the Bancorp 
issued  in  a  registered  public  offering  600,000  depositary  shares, 
representing  24,000  shares  of  5.10%  fixed-to-floating  rate  non-
cumulative  Series  H  perpetual  preferred  stock,  for  net  proceeds  of 
$593  million.  Each  preferred  share  has  a  $25,000  liquidation 
preference.  The  preferred  stock  accrues  dividends,  on  a  non-
cumulative  semi-annual  basis,  at  an  annual  rate  of  5.10%  through 
but excluding June 30, 2023, at which time it converts to a quarterly 
floating rate dividend of three-month LIBOR plus 3.033%. Subject 
to  any  required  regulatory  approval,  the  Bancorp  may  redeem  the 
Series  H  preferred  shares  at  its  option  in  whole  or  in  part,  at  any 
time on or after June 30, 2023 and may redeem in whole, but not in 
part,  following  a  regulatory  capital  event  at  any  time  prior  to  June 

30,  2023.  The  Series  H  preferred  shares  are  not  convertible  into 
Bancorp common shares or any other securities.  

On June 11, 2013, the Bancorp’s Board of Directors authorized 
the conversion into common stock, no par value, of all outstanding 
shares of the Bancorp’s 8.50% non-cumulative convertible perpetual 
preferred  stock,  Series  G,  which  shares  are  represented  by 
depositary shares each representing 1/250th of a share of Series G 
preferred stock, pursuant to the Amended Articles of Incorporation. 
The Articles grant the Bancorp the right, at its option, to convert all 
outstanding shares of Series G preferred stock if the closing price of 
common  stock  exceeded  130%  of  the  applicable  conversion  price 
for 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days. 
The  closing  price  of  shares  of  common  stock  satisfied  such 
threshold  for  the  30  trading  days  ended  June 10,  2013,  and  the 

78  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Bancorp  gave  the  required  notice  of  its  exercise  of  its  conversion 
right.  

On July 1, 2013, the Bancorp converted the remaining 16,442 
outstanding  shares  of  Series  G  preferred  stock,  which  represented 
4,110,500  depositary  shares,  into  shares  of  Fifth  Third’s  common 
stock.  Each  share  of  Series  G  preferred  stock  was  converted  into 
2,159.8272  shares  of  common  stock,  representing  a  total  of 
35,511,740  issued  shares.  The  common  shares  issued  in  the 
conversion are exempt securities pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the securities exchanged were 
exclusively  with  Bancorp’s  existing  security  holders  where  no 
commission or other remuneration was paid. Upon conversion, the 
depositary  shares  were  delisted  from  the  NASDAQ  Global  Select 
Market and withdrawn from the Exchange. 

On  December  9,  2013,  the  Bancorp  issued,  in  a  registered 
public  offering,  18,000,000  depositary  shares,  representing  18,000 
shares  of  6.625%  fixed-to-floating  rate  non-cumulative  Series  I 
perpetual  preferred  stock,  for  net  proceeds  of  $441  million.  Each 
preferred share has a $25,000 liquidation preference. The preferred 
stock accrues dividends, on a non-cumulative quarterly basis, at an 
annual rate of 6.625% through but excluding December 31, 2023, at 
which time it converts to a quarterly floating rate dividend of three-
month  LIBOR  plus  3.71%.  Subject  to  any  required  regulatory 
approval, the Bancorp may redeem the Series I preferred shares at 
its option in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 31, 
2023  and  may  redeem  in  whole,  but  not  in  part,  following  a 
regulatory capital event at any time prior to December 31, 2023. The 
Series I preferred shares are not convertible into Bancorp common 
shares or any other securities. 
        As  contemplated  by  the  2014  CCAR,  on  June  5,  2014,  the 
Bancorp  issued  in  a  registered  public  offering  300,000  depositary 
shares,  representing  12,000  shares  of  4.90%  fixed-to-floating  rate 
non-cumulative Series J perpetual preferred stock, for net proceeds 
of  $297  million.  Each  preferred  share  has  a  $25,000  liquidation 
preference.  The  preferred  stock  accrues  dividends,  on  a  non-
cumulative  semi-annual  basis,  at  an  annual  rate  of  4.90%  through 
but  excluding  September  30,  2019,  at  which  time  it  converts  to  a 
quarterly  floating  rate  dividend  of  three-month  LIBOR  plus 

3.129%.  Subject  to  any  required  regulatory  approval,  the  Bancorp 
may redeem the Series J preferred shares at its option in whole or in 
part,  at  any  time  on  or  after  September  30,  2019,  or  at  any  time 
following a regulatory capital event. The Series J preferred shares are 
not  convertible  into  Bancorp  common  shares  or  any  other 
securities.  

Redemption of TruPS 
The  Bancorp  redeemed  all  $750  million  of  the  outstanding  TruPS 
issued  by  Fifth  Third  Capital  Trust  IV  on  December  30,  2013. 
These  securities  had  a  distribution  rate  of  6.50%  and  a  scheduled 
maturity date of April 1, 2067. Pursuant to the terms of the TruPS, 
the  securities  of  Fifth  Third  Capital  Trust  IV  were  redeemable 
within  ninety  days  of  a  Capital  Treatment  Event.  The  Bancorp 
determined  that  a  Capital  Treatment  Event  occurred  upon  the 
publication  of  a  Final  Rule  regarding  Regulatory  Capital  Rules 
jointly  by  the  Federal  Reserve  System  and  the  OCC.  The 
redemption price was $1,000 per security, which reflected 100% of 
the liquidation amount, plus accrued and unpaid distributions to the 
actual redemption date of $10 million. The Bancorp recognized an 
$8  million  loss  on  the  extinguishment  of  this  debt  within  other 
noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

Dividend Policy and Stock Repurchase Program  
The Bancorp’s common stock dividend policy and stock repurchase 
program reflect its earnings outlook, desired payout ratios, the need 
to  maintain  adequate  capital  levels,  the  ability  of  its  subsidiaries  to 
pay  dividends,  the  need  to  comply  with  safe  and  sound  banking 
practices as well as meet regulatory requirements and expectations. 
The  Bancorp  declared  dividends  per  common  share  of  $0.51  and 
$0.47  during  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively. The Bancorp entered into accelerated share repurchase 
transactions  during  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013. 
Refer to the Overview section of MD&A and Note 23 of the Notes 
to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on 
the accelerated share repurchase transactions. 
A 

The following table summarizes shares authorized for repurchase for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013: 

TABLE 62: SHARE REPURCHASES
For the years ended December 31  
Shares authorized for repurchase at January 1  
Additional authorizations(a) (b) 
Share repurchases(c) 
Shares authorized for repurchase at December 31   
Average price paid per share   
(a)

2014  
 43,071,613   
 64,908,628   
 (34,799,873)  
 73,180,368   
$ 20.87   

2013  
 63,046,682   
 45,541,057   
 (65,516,126)  
 43,071,613   
$ 18.80   

2012  
 19,201,518   
 86,269,178   
 (42,424,014)  
 63,046,682   
$ 14.82   

In March 2014, the Bancorp announced that its Board of Directors had authorized management to purchase 100 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. This share repurchase authorization replaces the Board’s previous authorization pursuant to which 
approximately 35 million shares remained available for repurchase by the Bancorp. 
In March 2013, the Bancorp announced that its Board of Directors had authorized management to purchase 100 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. This share repurchase authorization replaces the Board’s previous authorization pursuant to which 
approximately 54 million shares remained available for repurchase by the Bancorp. 
Excludes 2,116,370, 1,863,097 and 2,059,003 shares repurchased during 2014, 2013 and 2012, 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. 

(b)

(c)

Stress Tests and CCAR 
In  2011,  the  FRB  adopted  the  capital  plan  rule,  which  requires 
BHCs  with  consolidated  assets  of  $50  billion  or  more  to  submit 
annual  capital  plans  to  the  FRB  for  review.    Under  the  rule,  these 
capital  plans  must  included  detailed  descriptions  of  the  following: 
the  BHC’s  internal  processes  for  assessing  capital  adequacy;  the 
policies governing capital actions such as common stock issuances, 
dividends,  and  share  repurchases;  and  all  planned  capital  actions 

over a nine-quarter planning horizon.  Further, each BHC must also 
report to the FRB the results of stress tests conducted by the BHC 
under  a  number  of  scenarios  that  assess  the  sources  and  uses  of 
capital  under  baseline  and  stressed  economic  scenarios.    The  FRB 
launched the 2014 stress testing program and CCAR on November 
1, 2013, with firm submissions of stress test results and capital plans 
due to the FRB on January 6, 2014, which the Bancorp submitted as 
required.  Refer  to  Note  3  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial 

79  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

Statements for a discussion on the FRB’s review of the capital plan, 
the FRB’s non-objection to the Bancorp’s proposed capital actions 
and the Bancorp’s capital actions taken in 2014. 

The  BHCs  that  participated  in  the  2014  CCAR,  including  the 
Bancorp,  are  required  to  conduct  mid-cycle  company-run  stress 
tests using data as of March 31, 2014. The stress tests must be based 
on  three  BHC  defined  scenarios  –  baseline,  adverse  and  severely 
adverse. As required, the Bancorp reported the mid-cycle stress test 
results  to  the  FRB  on  July  7,  2014.  In  addition,  the  Bancorp 
published a Form 8-K providing a summary of the results under the 
severely adverse scenario on September 18, 2014, which is available 
on  Fifth  Third’s  website  at  https://www.53.com.  These  results 
represented  estimates  of  the  Bancorp’s  results  from  the  second 
quarter  of  2014  through  the  second  quarter  of  2016  under  the 
severely  adverse  scenario,  which  is  considered  highly  unlikely  to 
occur. 

The FRB launched the 2015 stress testing program and CCAR 
on October 23, 2014. The stress testing results and capital plan were 
submitted by the Bancorp to the FRB on January 5, 2015. 

The FRB expects to release summary results of the 2015 stress 
testing  program  and  CCAR  in  March  of  2015.  The  results  will 
include supervisory projections of capital ratios, losses and revenues 
under  the  supervisory  adverse  and  supervisory  severely  adverse 
scenarios. The FRB will also issue an objection or non-objection to 
each participating institution’s capital plan submitted under CCAR. 
The  FRB’s  summary  results  will  also  include  an  overview  of 
methodologies used for supervisory tests.  Additionally, as a CCAR 
institution,  Fifth  Third  is  required  to  disclose  its  own  estimates  of 
results  under  the  supervisory  severely  adverse  scenario  using  the 
same  consistently  applied  capital  actions  noted  above,  and  to 
provide  information  related  to  risks  included  in  its  stress  testing;  a 
summary  description  of  the  methodologies  used;  estimates  of 
aggregate  pre-provision  net  revenue,  losses,  provisions,  and  pro 
forma  capital  ratios  at  the  end  of  the  forward-looking  planning 
horizon  of  at  least  nine  quarters;  and  an  explanation  of  the  most 
significant  causes  of  changes  in  regulatory  capital  ratios.  These 
disclosures are required to be sent to the FRB and publicly disclosed 
within 15 days of the date the FRB discloses the results of its DFA 
supervisory stress test.  

80  Fifth Third Bancorp 

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

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS  
In the ordinary course of business, the Bancorp enters into financial 
transactions  that  are  considered  off-balance  sheet  arrangements  as 
they involve varying elements of market, credit and liquidity risk in 
excess  of  the  amounts  recognized  in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated 
Balance  Sheets.  The  Bancorp’s  off-balance  sheet  arrangements 
liabilities,  guarantees,  and 
include  commitments,  contingent 
transactions  with  non-consolidated  VIEs.  A  brief  discussion  of 
these transactions is as follows: 

Commitments 
The  Bancorp  has  certain  commitments  to  make  future  payments 
under contracts, including commitments to extend credit, letters of 
credit,  forward  contracts  related  to  held  for  sale  mortgage  loans, 
noncancelable  lease  obligations,  capital  commitments  for  private 
equity  investments  and  purchase  obligations.  Refer  to  Note  17  of 
the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  additional 
information on commitments.  

Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities 
For  certain  mortgage  loans  originated  by  the  Bancorp,  borrowers 
may be required to obtain PMI provided by third-party insurers. In 
some instances, these 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  $29 
million  at  December  31,  2014  and  $37  million  at  December  31, 
2013. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Bancorp maintained a 
reserve  of  $2  million  and  $10  million,  respectively,  related  to 
exposures  within  the  reinsurance  portfolio  which  was  included  in 
other  liabilities  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  The  change  in 
the reserve was due to a decrease in both the outstanding exposure 
and  expected  losses.  During  2009,  the  Bancorp  suspended  the 
practice  of  providing  reinsurance  of  PMI  for  newly  originated 
mortgage loans. 

The Bancorp has performance obligations upon the occurrence 
of  certain  events  provided  in  certain  contractual  arrangements, 
including  residential  mortgage  loans  sold  with  representation  and 
warranty  provisions  or  credit  recourse.  Refer  to  Note  17  of  the 
Notes 
for  additional 
to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements 
information on guarantees and contingent liabilities. 

Transactions with Non-consolidated VIEs 
The  Bancorp  engages  in  a  variety  of  activities  that  involve  VIEs, 
which  are  legal  entities  that  lack  sufficient  equity  to  finance  their 
activities, or the equity investors of the entities as a group lack any 
of  the  characteristics  of  a  controlling  interest.  The  investments  in 
those  entities  in  which  the  Bancorp  was  determined  not  to  be  the 
primary  beneficiary  but  holds  a  variable  interest  in  the  entity  are 
accounted  for  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting  or  other 
accounting standards as appropriate and not consolidated. Refer to 
Note  10  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for 
additional information on non-consolidated VIEs. 

81  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,  2014  are  shown  in 
Table 63. As of December 31, 2014, 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. For further 
detail on the impact of income taxes refer to Note 20 of the Notes 
to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

TABLE 63: CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)  

Less than 1 
year 

1-3 years 

3-5 years 

Greater than 
5 years 

Total 

$ 

$ 

94,857
 2,507
1,700
 702
999
92
191
22
51
11
101,132

 - 
 2,578 
 - 
6,499 
 - 
166 
 118 
40 
26 
14 
9,441 

 - 
 1,510 
 - 
3,649 
 - 
 145 
 24 
 34 
 28 
 10 
5,400 

 - 
 260 
 - 
4,117 
 - 
 294 
 31 
 80 
 - 
 2 
4,784 

94,857
6,855
1,700
14,967
999
697
364
176
105
37
120,757

Contractually obligated payments due by period:  
     Deposits with a stated maturity of less than one year(a) 
     Time deposits(c) 
     Short-term borrowings(e) 
     Long-term debt(b) 
     Forward contracts related to held for sale mortgage loans(d) 
     Noncancelable operating lease obligations(f) 
     Partnership investment commitments(g) 
     Pension benefit payments(i) 
     Purchase obligations and capital expenditures(h) 
     Capital lease obligations  
Total contractually obligated payments due by period  
Other commitments by expiration period  
     Commitments to extend credit(j) 
     Letters of credit(k) 
Total other commitments by expiration period  
(a)
(b)

$ 

26,540
2,181
28,721

63,905
3,974
67,879
Includes demand, interest checking, savings, money market and foreign office deposits. For additional information, refer to the Deposits discussion in the Balance Sheet Analysis section of MD&A. 
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. Refer to Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these debt instruments. 
Includes other time and certificates $100,000 and over. For additional information, refer to the Deposits discussion in the Balance Sheet Analysis section of MD&A. 
Refer to Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on forward contracts to sell residential mortgage loans. 
Includes federal funds purchased and borrowings with an original maturity of less than one year. For additional information, refer to Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 
Includes rental commitments. 
Includes low-income housing and historic tax investments. For additional information, refer to Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 
Represents agreements to purchase goods or services and includes commitments to various general contractors for work related to banking center construction. 
Refer to Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on pension obligations. 
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 include capital commitments for private equity investments and do not necessarily represent future cash flow requirements. For 
additional information, refer to Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

17,602 
590 
18,192 

12,105 
1,160 
13,265 

7,658 
43 
7,701 

$ 

(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)

(k) Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. For additional information, refer to Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 

Statements. 

82  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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, 2014. Management’s assessment is based on the criteria established in the 
Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  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, 2014. 
Based on this assessment, management believes that the Bancorp maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2014. 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, 2014. This report appears on page 84 
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. 

(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)

Kevin T. Kabat 
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer                                 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
February 25, 2015   

          February 25, 2015 

          Tayfun Tuzun 

83  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, 2014, 
based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  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, 2014, based 
on the criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework (2013) 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,  2014  of  the  Bancorp  and  our  report  dated  February  25,  2015  expressed  an 
unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. 

Cincinnati, Ohio 
February 25, 2015 

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, 2014 
and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the 
period ended December 31, 2014. 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 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 2014, 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, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  and  our  report  dated  February  25,  2015  expressed  an 
unqualified opinion on the Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Cincinnati, Ohio 
February 25, 2015 

84  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

2014 

2013 

$ 

 3,178 
 18,597 
 208 
 343 
 5,116 
 944 

 3,091 
 22,408 
 187 
 360 
 7,914 
 1,261 

 40,765 
 7,399 
 2,069 
 3,720 
 12,389 
 8,886 
 12,037 
 2,401 
 418 
 90,084 
 (1,322)
 88,762 
 2,465 
 728 
 2,416 
 15 
 858 
 8,241 
 138,706 

 39,316 
 8,066 
 1,039 
 3,625 
 12,680 
 9,246 
 11,984 
 2,294 
 364 
 88,614 
 (1,582)
 87,032 
 2,531 
 730 
 2,416 
 19 
 971 
 8,358 
 130,443 

As of December 31 ($ in millions, except share data) 
Assets  
Cash and due from banks(a) 
Available-for-sale and other securities(b) 
Held-to-maturity securities(c) 
Trading securities  
Other short-term investments  
Loans held for sale(d) 
Portfolio loans and leases:  
    Commercial and industrial loans   
    Commercial mortgage loans(a) 
    Commercial construction loans  
    Commercial leases   
    Residential mortgage loans(e) 
    Home equity  
    Automobile loans(a) 
    Credit card  
    Other consumer loans and leases  
Portfolio loans and leases  
Allowance for loan and lease losses(a) 
Portfolio loans and leases, net  
Bank premises and equipment  
Operating lease equipment  
Goodwill  
Intangible assets  
Servicing rights  
Other assets(a) 
Total Assets  
Liabilities  
Deposits:  
    Demand  
    Interest checking  
    Savings   
    Money market  
    Other time  
    Certificates - $100,000 and over  
    Foreign office  
Total deposits  
Federal funds purchased  
Other short-term borrowings  
Accrued taxes, interest and expenses  
Other liabilities(a) 
Long-term debt(a) 
Total Liabilities  
Equity  
 2,051 
Common stock(f) 
 1,034 
Preferred stock(g) 
 2,561 
Capital surplus  
 10,156 
Retained earnings  
 82 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  
 (1,295)
Treasury stock(f) 
 14,589 
Total Bancorp shareholders’ equity  
 37 
Noncontrolling interests  
 14,626 
Total Equity  
Total Liabilities and Equity  
 130,443 
(a) At December 31, 2014 and 2013, includes $179 and $49 of cash and due from banks, $47 and $48 of commercial mortgage loans, $3,331 and $1,010 of automobile loans, $(22) and $(15) 
of ALLL, $25 and $13 of other assets, $5 and $1 of other liabilities, $3,434 and $1,048 of long-term debt from consolidated VIEs that are included in their respective captions. For further 
information, refer to Note 10. 

 32,634 
 25,875 
 17,045 
 11,644 
 3,530 
 6,571 
 1,976 
 99,275 
 284 
 1,380 
 1,758 
 3,487 
 9,633 
 115,817 

 34,809 
 26,800 
 15,051 
 17,083 
 3,960 
 2,895 
 1,114 
 101,712 
 144 
 1,556 
 2,020 
 2,642 
 14,967 
 123,041 

 2,051 
 1,331 
 2,646 
 11,141 
 429 
 (1,972)
 15,626 
 39 
 15,665 
 138,706 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(b) Amortized cost of $21,677 and $18,409 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

Fair value of $187 and $208 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  
Includes $561 and $890 of residential mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value at December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. 
Includes $108 and $92 of residential mortgage loans measured at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
Common shares: Stated value $2.22 per share; authorized 2,000,000; outstanding at December 31, 2014 – 824,046,952 (excludes 99,845,629 treasury shares) and December 31, 
2013 – 855,305,745 (excludes 68,586,836 treasury shares). 

(g) 446,000 and 458,000 shares of undesignated no par value preferred stock are authorized and unissued at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively;  fixed-to-floating rate non-
cumulative Series H perpetual preferred stock with a $25,000 liquidation preference: 24,000 authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; fixed-to-
floating rate non-cumulative Series I perpetual preferred stock with a $25,000 liquidation preference: 18,000 authorized,  issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December  31, 
2013; and fixed-to-floating rate non-cumulative Series J perpetual preferred stock with a $25,000 liquidation preference: 12,000 authorized shares, issues and outstanding at December 31, 
2014.  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

85  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 

2014 

 3,298 
 724 
 8 
 4,030 

 202 
 2 
 247 
 451 
 3,579 
 315 
 3,264 

 560 
 430 
 407 
 310 
 295 
 450 
 21 
 - 
 2,473 

2013 

 3,447 
 520 
 6 
 3,973 

 202 
 6 
 204 
 412 
 3,561 
 229 
 3,332 

 549 
 400 
 393 
 700 
 272 
 879 
 21 
 13 
 3,227 

2012 

 3,574 
 529 
 4 
 4,107 

 216 
 8 
 288 
 512 
 3,595 
 303 
 3,292 

 522 
 413 
 374 
 845 
 253 
 574 
 15 
 3 
 2,999 

 1,449 
 334 
 313 
 212 
 141 
 121 
 1,139 
 3,709 
 2,028 
 545 
 1,483 
 2 
 1,481 
 67 
 1,414 
 1.68 
 1.66 
 833,116,349 
 842,967,356 
 0.51 

 1,581 
 357 
 307 
 204 
 134 
 114 
 1,264 
 3,961 
 2,598 
 772 
 1,826 
 (10)
 1,836 
 37 
 1,799 
 2.05 
 2.02 
 869,462,977 
 894,736,445 
 0.47 

 1,607 
 371 
 302 
 196 
 121 
 110 
 1,374 
 4,081 
 2,210 
 636 
 1,574 
 (2)
 1,576 
 35 
 1,541 
 1.69 
 1.66 
 904,425,226 
 945,554,102 
 0.36 

$

$
$
$

$

For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions, except 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 After Provision for Loan and Lease Losses  
Noninterest Income  
Service charges on deposits  
Corporate banking revenue  
Investment advisory revenue  
Mortgage banking net revenue  
Card and processing revenue  
Other noninterest income  
Securities gains, 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  
Technology and communications  
Card and processing expense  
Equipment expense  
Other noninterest expense  
Total noninterest expense  
Income Before Income Taxes   
Applicable income tax expense   
Net Income   
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests  
Net Income Attributable to Bancorp  
Dividends on preferred stock   
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders   
Earnings per share - basic  
Earnings per share - diluted  
Average common shares outstanding - basic   
Average common shares outstanding - diluted   
Cash dividends declared per common share   

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

86  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions)
Net income 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 
   Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities: 

   Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during the year 
   Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income 

   Unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivatives: 

   Unrealized holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedge derivatives arising during the year 
   Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income 

   Defined benefit pension plans: 

   Net actuarial (loss) gain arising during the year 
   Reclassification of amounts to net periodic benefit costs 

Other comprehensive income (loss) 
Comprehensive income 
   Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Comprehensive income attributable to Bancorp 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

$

$

2014 
 1,483 

 378 
 (24)

 39 
 (29)

 (25)
 8 
 347 
 1,830 
 2 
 1,828 

2013 
 1,826 

 (295)
 4 

 (8)
 (29)

 25 
 10 
 (293)
 1,533 
 (10)
 1,543 

2012
 1,574

 (63)
 (10)

 24
 (54)

 (5)
 13
 (95)
 1,479
 (2)
 1,481

87  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

Bancorp Shareholders’ Equity 
Accumulated 
Other 

Total 
Bancorp 

Non- 

   Common  Preferred Capital  Retained Comprehensive Treasury  Shareholders’  Controlling
Interests 

 Income  

Equity 

Stock 

Stock 

Stock 

$ 

 2,051 

 398 

Surplus  Earnings
 7,554 
 1,576 

 2,792 

 470 

 (64)

 (95)

 (23)

 (11)

 2,051 

 398 

 2,758 

 1,034 
 (398)

 2,051 

 1,034 

 (78)

 (142)

 22 
 1 
 2,561 

 (325)
 (35)

 (2)
 8,768 
 1,836 

 (407)
 (37)

 (4)
 10,156 
 1,481 

 (427)
 (67)

 375 

 (293)

 82 

 347 

 297 

 72 

 13 

$ 

 2,051 

 1,331 

 2,646 

 (2)
 11,141 

 429 

 (627)

 54 
 3 
 (634)

 (1,242)

 540 

 38 
 3 
 (1,295)

 (726)

 47 
 2 
 (1,972)

 13,201
 1,576
 (95)

 (325)
 (35)
 (650)

 43
 1
 13,716
 1,836
 (293)

 (407)
 (37)
 (1,320)
 1,034
 -

 60
 -
 14,589
 1,481
 347

 (427)
 (67)
 (654)
 297

 60
 -
 15,626

 50 
 (2)

 48 
 (10)

 (1)
 37 
 2 

 39 

Total 
Equity 

 13,251
 1,574
 (95)

 (325)
 (35)
 (650)

 43
 1
 13,764
 1,826
 (293)

 (407)
 (37)
 (1,320)
 1,034
 -

 60
 (1)
 14,626
 1,483
 347

 (427)
 (67)
 (654)
 297

 60
 -
 15,665

($ in millions, except per share data) 
Balance at December 31, 2011 
Net income 
Other comprehensive loss 
Cash dividends declared: 
    Common stock at $0.36 per share 
    Preferred stock 
Shares acquired for treasury 
Impact of stock transactions under 
    stock compensation plans, net 
Other 
Balance at December 31, 2012 
Net income 
Other comprehensive loss 
Cash dividends declared: 
    Common stock at $0.47 per share 
    Preferred stock 
Shares acquired for treasury 
Issuance of preferred stock 
Redemption of preferred stock, Series G 
Impact of stock transactions under 
    stock compensation plans, net 
Other 
Balance at December 31, 2013 
Net income 
Other comprehensive income 
Cash dividends declared: 
    Common stock at $0.51 per share 
    Preferred stock 
Shares acquired for treasury 
Issuance of preferred stock 
Impact of stock transactions under 
    stock compensation plans, net 
Other 
Balance at December 31, 2014 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

88  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions)
Operating Activities 
Net income  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 

Provision for loan and lease losses 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 
Stock-based compensation expense 
Provision for deferred income taxes 
Securities gains, net 
Securities gains, net - non-qualifying hedges on mortgage servicing rights 
Provision for (recovery of) MSR impairment 
Net gains on sales of loans and fair value adjustments on loans held for sale 
Net losses on disposition and impairment of bank premises and equipment 
Loss on extinguishment of debt 
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale 
Loans originated for sale, net of repayments 
Dividends representing return on equity method investments 
Gain on sales of Vantiv, Inc. shares and Vantiv, Inc. IPO 
Net change in: 

Trading securities 
Other assets 
Accrued taxes, interest and expenses 
Other liabilities 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 
Investing Activities 
Sales: 

Available-for-sale securities 
Loans 
Bank premises and equipment 

Repayments / maturities: 

Available-for-sale securities 
Held-to-maturity securities 

Purchases: 

Available-for-sale securities 
Bank premises and equipment 

Proceeds from sales and dividends representing return of equity method investments 
Net change in: 

Other short-term investments 
Loans and leases 
Operating lease equipment 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities 
Financing Activities 
Net change in: 

Core deposits 
Certificates - $100,000 and over, including foreign office and other 
Federal funds purchased 
Other short-term borrowings 
Dividends paid on common stock 
Dividends paid on preferred stock 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 
Repayment of long-term debt 
Repurchases of treasury shares and related forward contracts 
Issuance of preferred stock 
Other 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Due from Banks 
Cash and Due from Banks at Beginning of Period 
Cash and Due from Banks at End of Period 

2014 

 1,483 

 315 
 414 
 83 
 79 
 (21)
 -   
 65 
 (67)
 19 
 -   
 5,477 
 (4,874)
 42 
 (148)

 (16)
(221)
 1 
 (555)
 2,076 

 5,234 
 147 
 24 

 2,265 
 20 

 (10,691)
 (216)
 279 

 (2,798)
 (3,136)
 (66)
 (8,938)

 6,114 
 (3,677)
 (140)
 176 
 (423)
 (67)
 6,570 
 (1,399)
 (654)
 297 
 (22)
 6,775 
 (87)
 3,178 
 3,091 

2013 

 1,826 

 229 
 507 
 78 
 253 
 (21)
 (13)
 (192)
 (622)
 6 
 8 
 22,047 
 (19,003)
 54 
 (336)

 (131)
(672)
 8 
 569 
 4,595 

 9,328 
 657 
 33 

 3,191 
 74 

 (16,216)
 (274)
 674 

 (2,695)
 (4,750)
 (206)
 (10,184)

 6,550 
 3,208 
 (618)
 (4,900)
 (393)
 (37)
 5,044 
 (2,225)
 (1,320)
 1,034 
 (17)
 6,326 
 737 
 2,441 
 3,178 

2012 

1,574 

303 
531 
69 
271 
(15)
(3)
103 
(583)
 21 
 169 
22,044 
(21,439)
45 
 (272)

(28)
4 
1 
(238)
2,557 

2,521 
275 
13 

4,100 
36 

(6,813)
(362)
393 

(640)
(5,930)
(126)
(6,533)

3,529 
279 
555 
3,041 
(309)
(35)
523 
(3,159)
 (650)
 -   
(20)
3,754 
 (222)
2,663 
2,441 

$

$

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Note 2 contains cash payments related to interest and income taxes in addition to noncash investing and financing activities.  

89  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES 
Nature of Operations 
Fifth  Third  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  located  throughout  the  Midwestern  and 
Southeastern regions of the United States. 

occurred. However, even if the Bancorp does not intend to sell the 
debt security and will not likely be required to sell the debt security 
before recovery of its entire amortized cost basis, the Bancorp must 
evaluate expected cash flows to be received and determine if a credit 
loss  has  occurred.  In  the  event  of  a  credit  loss,  the  credit 
component  of  the  impairment  is  recognized  within  noninterest 
income and the non-credit component is recognized through OCI. 
For  equity  securities,  the  Bancorp’s  management  evaluates  the 
securities  in  an  unrealized  loss  position  in  the  available-for-sale 
portfolio  for  OTTI  on  the  basis  of  the  duration  of  the  decline  in 
value  of  the  security  and  severity  of  that  decline  as  well  as  the 
Bancorp’s intent and ability to hold these securities for a period of 
time  sufficient  to  allow  for  any  anticipated  recovery  in  the  market 
value. If it is determined that the impairment on an equity security is 
other-than-temporary,  an  impairment  loss  equal  to  the  difference 
between  the  amortized  cost  of  the  security  and  its  fair  value  is 
recognized within noninterest income.

Portfolio Loans and Leases 

Basis of Accounting 
Portfolio  loans  and  leases  are  generally  reported  at  the  principal 
amount  outstanding,  net  of  unearned  income,  deferred  loan  fees 
and  costs,  and  any  direct  principal  charge-offs.  Direct  loan 
origination  fees  and  costs  are  deferred  and  the  net  amount  is 
amortized  over  the  estimated  life  of  the  related  loans  as  a  yield 
adjustment.  Interest  income  is  recognized  based  on  the  principal 
balance outstanding computed using the effective interest method. 

Loans  acquired  by  the  Bancorp  through  a  purchase  business 
combination  are  recorded  at  fair  value  as  of  the  acquisition  date. 
The  Bancorp  does  not  carry  over  the  acquired  company’s  ALLL, 
nor does the Bancorp add to its existing ALLL as part of purchase 
accounting. 

Purchased 

loans  are  evaluated 

for  evidence  of  credit 
deterioration  at  acquisition  and  recorded  at  their  initial  fair  value. 
For loans acquired with no evidence of credit deterioration, the fair 
value discount or premium is amortized over the contractual life of 
the loan as an adjustment to yield. For loans acquired with evidence 
of  credit  deterioration,  the  Bancorp  determines  at  the  acquisition 
date 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  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). Subsequent to the acqusition 
date,  increases  in  expected  cash  flows  over  those  expected  at  the 
acquisition date are recognized prospectively as interest income over 
the remaining life of the loan. The present value of any decreases in 
expected  cash  flows  resulting  directly  from  a  change  in  the 
contractual interest rate are recognized prospectively as a reduction 
of  the  accretable  yield.  The  present  value  of  any  decreases  in 
expected  cash  flows  after  the  acquisition  date  as  a  result  of  credit 
deterioration is recognized by recording an ALLL or a direct charge-
off.  Subsequent  to  the  purchase  date,  the  methods  utilized  to 
estimate  the  required  ALLL  are  similar  to  originated  loans.  Loans 
carried  at  fair  value,  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  and  loans  under 
revolving  credit  agreements  are  excluded  from  the  scope  of  this 
guidance on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality. 

The Bancorp’s lease portfolio consists of both direct financing 
and  leveraged  leases.  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 

Basis of Presentation 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the 
Bancorp and its majority-owned subsidiaries and 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  of 
accounting and not consolidated. The investments in 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. 
transactions  and  balances  have  been 
eliminated. 

Intercompany 

Use of Estimates 
The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  U.S. 
GAAP  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. 

Cash and Due From Banks 
Cash and due from banks consist of currency and coin, cash items 
in the process of collection and due from banks. Currency and coin 
includes  both  U.S.  and  foreign  currency  owned  and  held  at  Fifth 
Third  offices  and  that  is  in-transit  to  the  FRB.  Cash  items  in  the 
process  of  collection  include  checks  and  drafts  that  are  drawn  on 
another  depository 
institution  or  the  FRB  that  are  payable 
immediately upon presentation in the U.S. Balances due from banks 
include  non-interest  bearing  balances  that  are  funds  on  deposit  at 
other depository institutions or the FRB. 

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  are 
classified  as  held-to-maturity  and  reported  at  amortized  cost. 
Securities are classified as available-for-sale when, in management’s 
judgment,  they  may  be  sold  in  response  to,  or  in  anticipation  of, 
changes  in  market  conditions.  Securities  are  classified  as  trading 
when bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in 
the near term. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value 
with  unrealized  gains  and  losses,  net  of  related  deferred  income 
taxes, included in OCI. Trading securities are reported at fair value 
with  unrealized  gains  and  losses  included  in  noninterest  income. 
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  DCF 
models  that  incorporate  market  inputs  and  assumptions  including 
discount rates, prepayment speeds, and loss rates. Realized securities 
gains  or  losses  are  reported  within  noninterest  income  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  with 
unrealized losses are reviewed quarterly for possible OTTI. For debt 
securities,  if  the  Bancorp  intends  to  sell  the  debt  security  or  will 
more  likely  than  not  be  required  to  sell  the  debt  security  before 
recovery  of  the  entire  amortized  cost  basis,  then  an  OTTI  has 

90  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

financing leases is recognized over the term of the lease to achieve a 
constant periodic rate of return on the outstanding investment. 

Leveraged leases are carried at the aggregate of lease payments 
(less  nonrecourse  debt  payments)  plus  estimated  residual  value  of 
the  leased  property,  less  unearned  income.  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. 

Nonaccrual Loans and Leases 
When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, the accrual of interest, 
amortization  of  loan  premium,  accretion  of  loan  discount,  and 
amortization/accretion  of  deferred  net  loan  fees  are  discontinued 
and  all  previously  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  is  charged  against 
income.  Commercial  loans  are  placed  on  nonaccrual  status  when 
there is a clear indication that the borrower’s cash flows 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 90 days or more, unless the loan is both well secured and in the 
process  of  collection.  The  Bancorp  classifies  residential  mortgage 
loans  that  have  principal  and  interest  payments  that  have  become 
past due 150 days as nonaccrual unless the loan is both well secured 
and  in  the  process  of  collection.  Residential  mortgage  loans  may 
stay  on  nonperforming  status  for  an  extended  time  as  the 
foreclosure  process  typically  lasts  longer  than  180  days.  Home 
equity loans and lines of credit are reported on nonaccrual status if 
principal or interest has been in default for 90 days or more unless 
the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Home 
equity loans and lines of credit that have been in default for 60 days 
or more are also reported on nonaccrual status if the senior lien has 
been  in  default  120  days  or  more,  unless  the  loan  is  both  well 
secured  and  in  the  process  of  collection.  Residential  mortgage, 
home equity, automobile and other consumer loans and leases that 
have been modified in a TDR and subsequently become past due 90 
days  are  placed  on  nonaccrual  status  unless  the  loan  is  both  well 
secured and in the process of collection. Commercial and credit card 
loans that have been modified in a TDR are classified as nonaccrual 
unless  such  loans  have  sustained  repayment  performance  of  six 
months  or  greater  and  are  reasonably  assured  of  repayment  in 
accordance  with  the  restructured  terms.  Well  secured  loans  are 
collateralized by perfected security interests in real and/or personal 
property for which the Bancorp estimates proceeds from sale would 
be  sufficient  to  recover  the  outstanding  principal  and  accrued 
interest  balance  of  the  loan  and  pay  all  costs  to  sell  the  collateral. 
The  Bancorp  considers  a  loan  in  the  process  of  collection  if 
collection  efforts  or  legal  action  is  proceeding  and  the  Bancorp 
expects  to  collect  funds  sufficient  to  bring  the  loan  current  or 
recover  the  entire  outstanding  principal  and  accrued  interest 
balance. 

Nonaccrual commercial loans and nonaccrual credit card loans 
are  generally  accounted  for  on  the  cost  recovery  method.  The 
Bancorp  believes  the  cost  recovery  method  is  appropriate  for 
nonaccrual  commercial  loans  and  nonaccrual  credit  card  loans 
because  the  assessment  of  collectability  of  the  remaining  recorded 
investment of these loans involves a high degree of subjectivity and 
uncertainty  due  to  the  nature  or  absence  of  underlying  collateral. 
Under the cost recovery method, any payments received are applied 
to  reduce  principal.  Once  the  entire  recorded  investment  is 
collected,  additional  payments  received  are  treated  as  recoveries  of 
amounts  previously  charged-off  until  recovered  in  full,  and  any 
subsequent  payments  are  treated  as  interest  income.  Nonaccrual 
residential mortgage loans and other nonaccrual consumer loans are 
generally  accounted  for  on  the  cash  basis  method.  The  Bancorp 
believes  the  cash  basis  method  is  appropriate  for  nonaccrual 

residential mortgage and other nonaccrual consumer loans because 
such loans have generally been written down to estimated collateral 
values  and  the  collectability  of  the  remaining  investment  involves 
only  an  assessment  of  the  fair  value  of  the  underlying  collateral, 
which  can  be  measured  more  objectively  with  a  lesser  degree  of 
uncertainty  than  assessments  of  typical  commercial  loan  collateral. 
Under  the  cash  basis  method,  interest  income  is  recognized  upon 
cash receipt to the extent to which it would have been accrued on 
the  loan’s  remaining  balance  at  the  contractual  rate.  Nonaccrual 
loans may be returned to accrual status when all delinquent interest 
and principal payments become current in accordance with the loan 
agreement  and  are  reasonably  assured  of  repayment  in  accordance 
with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, or when the loan 
is both well-secured and in the process of collection. 

Commercial 

including  those 
loans  on  nonaccrual  status, 
modified  in  a  TDR,  as  well  as  criticized  commercial  loans  with 
aggregate borrower relationships exceeding $1 million, are subject to 
an individual review to identify charge-offs. The Bancorp does not 
have  an  established  delinquency  threshold  for  partially  or  fully 
charging  off  commercial  loans.  Residential  mortgage  loans,  home 
equity  loans  and  lines  of  credit  and  credit  card  loans  that  have 
principal and interest payments that have become past due 180 days 
are  assessed  for  a  charge-off  to  the  ALLL,  unless  such  loans  are 
both  well-secured  and  in  the  process  of  collection.  Home  equity 
loans  and  lines  of  credit  are  also  assessed  for  charge-off  to  the 
ALLL when such loans or lines of credit have become past due 120 
days if the senior lien is also 120 days past due, unless such loans are 
both well-secured and in the process of collection. Automobile and 
other  consumer  loans  and  leases  that  have  principal  and  interest 
payments  that  have  become  past  due  120  days  are  assessed  for  a 
charge-off to the ALLL, unless such loans are both well-secured and 
in the process of collection.

Restructured Loans and Leases 
A loan is accounted for as a TDR if the Bancorp, for economic or 
legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a 
concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. A 
TDR typically involves a modification of terms such as a reduction 
of the stated interest rate or remaining principal 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.  During  the  third  quarter  of  2012,  the 
OCC,  a  national  bank  regulatory  agency, 
interpretive 
guidance  that  requires  non-reaffirmed  loans  included  in  Chapter  7 
bankruptcy filings to be accounted for as nonperforming TDRs and 
collateral  dependent  loans  regardless  of  their  payment  history  and 
capacity to pay in the future. The Bancorp’s banking subsidiary is a 
state  chartered  bank  which  therefore  is  not  subject  to  guidance  of 
the  OCC.  The  Bancorp  does  not  consider  the  bankruptcy  court’s 
discharge of the borrower’s debt a concession when the discharged 
debt  is  not  reaffirmed,  and  as  such  these  loans  are  classified  as 
TDRs only if one or more of the previously mentioned concessions 
are granted. 

issued 

The Bancorp measures the impairment loss of a TDR based on 
the difference between the original loan’s carrying amount and  the 
present  value  of  expected  future  cash  flows  discounted  at  the 
original,  effective  yield  of  the  loan.  Residential  mortgage  loans, 
home  equity  loans,  automobile  loans  and  other  consumer  loans 
modified  as  part  of  a  TDR  are  maintained  on  accrual  status, 
provided  there  is  reasonable  assurance  of  repayment  and  of 
performance according to the modified terms based upon a current, 
well-documented  credit  evaluation.  Commercial  loans  and  credit 
card  loans  modified  as  part  of  a  TDR  are  maintained  on  accrual 
status  provided  there  is  a  sustained  payment  history  of  six-months 
or greater prior to the modification in accordance with the modified 

91  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

remaining  contractual  payments  under 

terms  and  all 
the 
modified terms  are  reasonably  assured  of  collection.  TDRs  of 
commercial  loans  and  credit  cards  that  do  not  have  a  sustained 
payment  history  of  six  months  or  greater  in  accordance  with  their 
modified  terms  remain  on  nonaccrual  status  until  a  six-month 
payment history is sustained. In certain cases, commercial TDRs on 
nonaccrual status may be accounted for using the cash basis method 
for  income  recognition,  provided  that  full  repayment  of  principal 
under the modified terms of the loan is reasonably assured.

Impaired Loans and Leases 
A  loan  is  considered  to  be  impaired  when,  based  on  current 
information  and  events,  it  is  probable  that  the  Bancorp  will  be 
unable  to  collect  all  amounts  due  (including  both  principal  and 
interest)  according  to  the  contractual  terms  of  the  loan  agreement. 
Impaired  loans  generally  consist  of  nonaccrual  loans  and  leases, 
loans  modified  in  a  TDR  and  loans  over  $1  million  that  are 
currently on accrual status and not yet modified in a TDR, but for 
which  the  Bancorp  has  determined  that  it  is  probable  that  it  will 
grant a payment concession in the near term due to the borrower’s 
financial  difficulties.  For  loans  modified  in  a  TDR,  the  contractual 
terms  of  the  loan  agreement  refer  to  the  terms  specified  in  the 
original loan agreement. A loan restructured in a TDR is no longer 
considered 
if  the 
restructuring agreement specifies a rate equal to or greater than the 
rate  the  Bancorp  was  willing  to  accept  at  the  time  of  the 
restructuring  for  a  new  loan  with  comparable  risk  and  the  loan  is 
not  impaired  based  on  the  terms  specified  by  the  restructuring 
agreement. Refer to the ALLL section for discussion regarding the 
Bancorp’s  methodology 
loans  and 
identifying 
determination of the need for a loss accrual.

in  years  after  the  restructuring 

impaired 

impaired 

for 

Loans Held for Sale 
Loans  held  for  sale  primarily  represent  conforming  fixed-rate 
residential mortgage loans originated or acquired with the intent to 
sell in the secondary market and jumbo residential mortgage loans, 
commercial  loans,  other  residential  mortgage  loans  and  other 
consumer loans that management has the intent to sell. Loans held 
for sale may be carried at the lower of cost or fair value, or carried at 
fair  value  where  the  Bancorp  has  elected  the  fair  value  option  of 
accounting under U.S. GAAP. The Bancorp has elected to measure 
residential mortgage loans originated as held for sale under the fair 
value  option.  For  loans  in  which  the  Bancorp  has  not  elected  the 
fair value option, the lower of cost or fair value is determined at the 
individual loan level. 

The  fair  value  of  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  for 
which the fair value election has been made is estimated based upon 
mortgage-backed securities prices and spreads to those prices or, for 
certain  ARM 
incorporate  the 
loans,  DCF  models  that  may 
anticipated  portfolio  composition,  credit  spreads  of  asset-backed 
securities  with  similar  collateral,  and  market  conditions.  The 
anticipated  portfolio  composition  includes  the  effects  of  interest 
rate  spreads  and  discount  rates  due  to  loan  characteristics  such  as 
the state in which the loan was originated, the loan amount and the 
ARM margin. These fair value marks are recorded as a component 
of  noninterest  income  in  mortgage  banking  net  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. 
intent 

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  specific  to  certain  loans  held  for  sale.  Consequently, 
these  loans  may  be  reclassified  to  loans  held  for  investment  and, 
thereafter, reported within the Bancorp’s residential mortgage class 
of portfolio loans and leases. In such cases, the residential mortgage 

to  sell  residential  mortgage 

Management’s 

92  Fifth Third Bancorp 

loans will continue to be measured at fair value, which is based on 
mortgage-backed securities prices, interest rate risk and an internally 
developed credit component. 

Loans held for sale are placed on nonaccrual status consistent 
with the Bancorp’s nonaccrual policy for portfolio loans and leases. 

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

ALLL 
The  Bancorp  disaggregates  its  portfolio  loans  and  leases  into 
portfolio  segments  for  purposes  of  determining  the  ALLL.  The 
include  commercial,  residential 
Bancorp’s  portfolio  segments 
mortgage,  and  consumer.  The  Bancorp  further  disaggregates  its 
portfolio  segments  into  classes  for  purposes  of  monitoring  and 
assessing credit quality based on certain risk characteristics. Classes 
within  the  commercial  portfolio  segment  include  commercial  and 
industrial,  commercial  mortgage  owner-occupied,  commercial 
mortgage  nonowner-occupied,  commercial  construction,  and 
commercial  leasing.  The  residential  mortgage  portfolio  segment  is 
also  considered  a  class.  Classes  within  the  consumer  portfolio 
segment  include  home  equity,  automobile,  credit  card,  and  other 
consumer loans and leases. For an analysis of the Bancorp’s ALLL 
by portfolio segment and credit quality information by class, refer to 
Note 6. 

The Bancorp maintains the ALLL to absorb probable loan and 
lease  losses  inherent  in  its  portfolio  segments.  The  ALLL  is 
maintained  at  a  level  the  Bancorp  considers  to  be  adequate  and  is 
based  on  ongoing  quarterly  assessments  and  evaluations  of  the 
collectability  and  historical  loss  experience  of  loans  and  leases. 
Credit losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the ALLL. 
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.  The 
includes  a 
Bancorp’s  strategy 
combination  of  conservative  exposure  limits  significantly  below 
legal  lending  limits  and  conservative  underwriting,  documentation 
and 
emphasizes 
diversification on a geographic, industry and customer level, regular 
credit  examinations  and  quarterly  management  reviews  of  large 
credit  exposures  and  loans  experiencing  deterioration  of  credit 
quality. 

risk  management 

standards.  The 

for  credit 

collections 

strategy 

also 

The  Bancorp’s  methodology  for  determining  the  ALLL  is 
based  on  historical  loss  rates,  current  credit  grades,  specific 
allocation  on  loans  modified  in  a  TDR  and  impaired  commercial 
credits above specified thresholds and other qualitative adjustments. 
Allowances  on  individual  commercial  loans,  TDRs  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 
in  estimating  and 
measuring losses when evaluating allowances for individual loans or 
pools of loans. 

to  recognize 

imprecision 

the 

Larger  commercial  loans  included  within  aggregate  borrower 
relationship  balances  exceeding  $1  million  that  exhibit  probable  or 
observed  credit  weaknesses,  as  well  as  loans  that  have  been 
modified in a TDR, are subject to individual review for impairment. 
The Bancorp considers the current value of collateral, credit quality 
of  any  guarantees,  the  guarantor’s  liquidity  and  willingness  to 
cooperate,  the  loan  structure,  and  other  factors  when  evaluating 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

whether  an  individual  loan  is  impaired.  Other  factors  may  include 
the  industry  and  geographic  region  of  the  borrower,  size  and 
financial  condition  of  the  borrower,  cash  flow  and  leverage  of  the 
borrower,  and 
the  borrower’s 
the  Bancorp’s  evaluation  of 
management.  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.  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  collectability  of  both  principal  and 
interest when assessing the need for a loss accrual. 

Historical credit loss rates are applied to commercial loans that 
are  not  impaired  or  are  impaired,  but  smaller  than  the  established 
threshold  of  $1  million  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 
utilized for allowance analysis purposes encompasses ten categories. 
Homogenous loans and leases in the residential mortgage and 
consumer  portfolio  segments  are  not  individually  risk  graded. 
Rather, standard credit scoring systems and delinquency monitoring 
are used to assess credit risks, and allowances are established based 
on the expected net charge-offs. Loss rates are based on the trailing 
twelve month net charge-off history by loan category. Historical loss 
rates may be adjusted for certain prescriptive and qualitative 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 reviewers. 

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

In the current year, the Bancorp has not substantively changed 
any material aspect to its overall approach to determining its ALLL 
for  any  of  its  portfolio  segments.  There  have  been  no  material 
changes  in  criteria  or  estimation  techniques  as  compared  to  prior 
periods  that  impacted  the  determination  of  the  current  period 
ALLL for any of the Bancorp’s portfolio segments. 

liabilities 

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  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  The 
in  other 
determination  of  the  adequacy  of  the  reserve  is  based  upon  an 
evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment 
of  historical  commitment  utilization  experience,  credit  risk  grading 
and  historical  loss  rates  based  on  credit  grade  migration.  This 
process  takes  into  consideration  the  same  risk  elements  that  are 
analyzed  in  the  determination  of  the  adequacy  of  the  Bancorp’s 
ALLL,  as  discussed  above.  Net  adjustments  to  the  reserve  for 
unfunded  commitments  are  included  in  other  noninterest  expense 
in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

is  recognized 

Loan Sales and Securitizations 
The  Bancorp  periodically  sells  loans  through  either  securitizations 
or  individual  loan  sales  in  accordance  with  its  investment  policies. 
The sold loans are removed from the balance sheet and a net gain or 
loss 
in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements  at  the  time  of  sale.  The  Bancorp  typically  isolates  the 
loans  through  the  use  of  a  VIE  and  thus  is  required  to  assess 
whether the entity holding the sold or securitized loans is a VIE and 
whether  the  Bancorp  is  the  primary  beneficiary  and  therefore 
consolidator of that VIE. If the Bancorp holds the power to direct 
activities most significant to the economic performance of the VIE 
and has the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits 
that  could  potentially  be  significant  to  the  VIE,  then  the  Bancorp 
will generally be deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIE. If the 
Bancorp is determined not to be the primary beneficiary of a  VIE 
but holds a variable interest in the entity, such variable interests are 
accounted  for  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting  or  other 
accounting  standards  as  appropriate.  Refer  to  Note  10  for  further 
information on consolidated and non-consolidated VIEs. 

temporary 

The  Bancorp’s  loan  sales  and  securitizations  are  generally 
structured  with  servicing  retained.  As  a  result,  servicing  rights 
resulting  from  residential  mortgage  loan  sales  are  initially  recorded 
at fair value and subsequently amortized in proportion to and over 
the period of estimated net servicing revenues and are reported as a 
component  of  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  in  the  Consolidated 
Statements of Income. Servicing rights are assessed for impairment 
monthly,  based  on  fair  value,  with 
impairment 
recognized 
through  a  valuation  allowance  and  permanent 
impairment  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, and the weighted-average coupon, 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.

Reserve for Representation and Warranty Provisions 
Conforming  residential  mortgage  loans  sold  to  unrelated  third 
parties  are  generally  sold  with  representation  and  warranty 
provisions. A contractual liability arises only in the event of a breach 
of these representations and warranties and, in general, only when a 
loss  results  from  the  breach.  The  Bancorp  may  be  required  to 
repurchase any previously sold loan or indemnify (make whole) the 
investor or insurer for which the representation or warranty of the 
Bancorp  proves  to  be  inaccurate,  incomplete  or  misleading.  The 
Bancorp  establishes  a  residential  mortgage  repurchase  reserve 
related  to  various  representations  and  warranties  that  reflects 
management’s estimate of losses based on a combination of factors. 
The  Bancorp’s  estimation  process  requires  management  to 
make  subjective  and  complex  judgments  about  matters  that  are 
inherently uncertain, such as future demand expectations, economic 
factors  and  the  specific  characteristics  of  the  loans  subject  to 
repurchase.  Such  factors  incorporate  historical  investor  audit  and 
repurchase  demand  rates,  appeals  success  rates,  historical  loss 

93  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

severity,  and  any  additional  information  obtained  from  the  GSEs 
regarding future mortgage repurchase and file request criteria. At the 
time  of  a  loan  sale,  the  Bancorp  records  a  representation  and 
warranty  reserve  at  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the  Bancorp’s 
guarantee and continually updates the reserve during the life of the 
loan  as  losses  in  excess  of  the  reserve  become  probable  and 
reasonably  estimable.  The  provision  for  the  estimated  fair  value  of 
the  representation  and  warranty  guarantee  arising  from  the  loan 
sales  is  recorded  as  an  adjustment  to  the  gain  on  sale,  which  is 
included in other noninterest income at the time of sale. Updates to 
the reserve are recorded in other noninterest expense. 

Legal Contingencies 
The  Bancorp  is  party  to  numerous  claims  and  lawsuits  as  well  as 
threatened or potential actions or claims concerning matters arising 
from  the  conduct  of  its  business  activities.  The  outcome  of  claims 
or  litigation  and  the  timing  of  ultimate  resolution  are  inherently 
difficult to predict, and significant judgment may be required in the 
determination  of  both  the  probability  of  loss  and  whether  the 
amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. The Bancorp’s estimates 
are  subjective  and  are  based  on  the  status  of  legal  and  regulatory 
proceedings,  the  merit  of  the  Bancorp’s  defenses  and  consultation 
with  internal  and  external  legal  counsel.  A  reserve  for  a  potential 
litigation  loss  is  established  when  information  related  to  the  loss 
contingency  indicates  both  that  a  loss  is  probable  and  that  the 
amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. This reserve is included 
in  Other  Liabilities  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  and  is 
adjusted  from  time  to  time  as  appropriate  to  reflect  changes  in 
circumstances.  Legal  expenses  are  recorded  in  other  noninterest 
expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

income 

Bank Premises and Equipment 
Bank  premises  and  equipment,  including  leasehold  improvements, 
are  carried  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 
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. Whenever events or 
changes  in  circumstances  dictate,  the  Bancorp  tests  its  long-lived 
assets  for  impairment  by  determining  whether  the  sum  of  the 
estimated undiscounted future cash flows attributable to a long-lived 
asset  or  asset  group  is  less  than  the  carrying  amount  of  the  long-
through  a  probability-weighted 
lived  asset  or  asset  group 
approach. In  the  event  the  carrying  amount  of  the  long-lived  asset 
or asset group is not recoverable, an impairment loss is measured as 
the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or 
asset  group  exceeds  its  fair  value.  Maintenance,  repairs  and  minor 
the 
improvements  are  charged 
Consolidated Statements of Income as incurred. 

to  noninterest  expense 

in 

the  Bancorp  designates 

Derivative Financial Instruments 
The Bancorp accounts for its derivatives as either assets or liabilities 
measured at fair value through adjustments to AOCI and/or current 
earnings,  as  appropriate.  On  the  date  the  Bancorp  enters  into  a 
derivative  contract, 
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 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 
that  it  is  effective,  are  recorded  in  AOCI  and  subsequently 
reclassified  to  net  income  in  the  same  period(s)  that  the  hedged 

94  Fifth Third Bancorp 

impacts  net 

transaction 
income.  For  free-standing  derivative 
instruments, changes in fair values are reported in current period net 
income. 

the 

relationship  between 

Prior  to  entering  into  a  hedge  transaction,  the  Bancorp 
formally  documents 
the  hedging 
instrument  and  the  hedged  item,  as  well  as  the  risk  management 
objective  and  strategy  for  undertaking  the  hedge  transaction.  This 
process  includes  linking  the  derivative  instrument  designated  as  a 
fair  value  or  cash  flow  hedge  to  a  specific  asset  or  liability  on  the 
balance  sheet  or  to  specific  forecasted  transactions  and  the  risk 
being hedged, 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. 

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 the net deferred tax asset or liability is 
reported  in  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  reflects  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 
that 
realization  is  more  likely  than  not.  This  analysis  is  performed  on  a 
quarterly  basis  and  includes  an  evaluation  of  all  positive  and 
negative  evidence,  such  as  the  limitation  on  the  use  of  any  net 
operating  losses,  to  determine  whether  realization  is  more  likely 
than not. 

judgment 

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. Any interest and penalties incurred 
in  connection  with  income  taxes  are  recorded  as  a  component  of 
income  tax  expense  in  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  For 
additional information on income taxes, refer to Note 20.

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 

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

of  shares  of  common  stock  and  common  stock  equivalents 
outstanding  during  the  period.  Dilutive  common  stock  equivalents 
represent  the  assumed  conversion  of  dilutive  convertible  preferred 
stock, the exercise of dilutive stock-based awards and warrants and 
the  dilutive  effect  of  the  settlement  of  outstanding  forward 
contracts. 

The Bancorp calculates earnings per share pursuant to the two-
class  method.  The  two-class  method  is  an  earnings  allocation 
formula that determines earnings per share separately for common 
stock  and  participating  securities  according  to  dividends  declared 
and  participation  rights  in  undistributed  earnings.  For  purposes  of 
calculating earnings per share under the two-class method, restricted 
shares that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered 
participating securities until vested. While the dividends declared per 
share  on  such  restricted  shares  are  the  same  as  dividends  declared 
per  common  share  outstanding,  the  dividends  recognized  on  such 
restricted  shares  may  be  less  because  dividends  paid  on  restricted 
shares  that  are  expected  to  be  forfeited  are  reclassified  to 
compensation  expense  during  the  period  when  forfeiture 
is 
expected.

Goodwill 
Business combinations entered into by the Bancorp typically include 
the  acquisition  of  goodwill.  Goodwill  is  required  to  be  tested  for 
impairment at the Bancorp’s reporting unit level on an annual basis, 
which  for  the  Bancorp  is  September 30,  and  more  frequently  if 
events or circumstances indicate that there may be impairment. The 
Bancorp has determined that its segments qualify as reporting units 
under U.S. GAAP. 

Impairment  exists  when  a  reporting  unit’s  carrying  amount  of 
goodwill  exceeds  its  implied  fair  value.  In  testing  goodwill  for 
impairment,  U.S.  GAAP  permits  the  Bancorp  to  first  assess 
qualitative  factors  to  determine  whether  it  is  more  likely  than  not 
that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. 
In  this  qualitative  assessment,  the  Bancorp  evaluates  events  and 
circumstances which may include, but are not limited to, the general 
economic  environment,  banking  industry  and  market  conditions, 
the overall financial performance of the Bancorp, the performance 
of  the  Bancorp’s  common  stock,  the  key  financial  performance 
metrics  of  the  Bancorp’s  reporting  units,  and  events  affecting  the 
reporting  units.  If,  after  assessing  the  totality  of  events  and 
circumstances, the Bancorp determines it is not more likely than not 
that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, 
then  performing 
test  would  be 
unnecessary. However, if the Bancorp concludes otherwise, it would 
then be required to perform the first step (Step 1) of the goodwill 
impairment  test,  and  continue  to  the  second  step  (Step  2),  if 
necessary. Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test 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,  Step  2  of  the  goodwill  impairment  test  is  performed  to 
measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. 

impairment 

two-step 

the 

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.  As  none  of  the 
Bancorp’s  reporting  units  are  publicly  traded,  individual  reporting 
unit  fair  value  determinations  cannot  be  directly  correlated  to  the 
Bancorp’s  stock  price.  To  determine  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting 
unit, the Bancorp employs 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  of  the  closing  price  of  the 

Bancorp’s stock during the month including the measurement date, 
incorporating  an  additional  control  premium,  and  compares  this 
market-based fair value measurement to the aggregate fair value of 
the Bancorp’s reporting units in order to corroborate the results of 
the income approach. 

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.  A  recognized  impairment  loss  cannot  exceed  the 
carrying amount of that goodwill and cannot be reversed in future 
periods  even  if  the  fair  value  of  the  reporting  unit  subsequently 
recovers. 

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  does  it  recognize  previously  unrecognized  intangible  assets  in 
the Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of this assignment 
process.  Refer  to  Note  8  for  further  information  regarding  the 
Bancorp’s goodwill.

Fair Value Measurements 
The  Bancorp  measures  certain  financial  assets  and  liabilities  at  fair 
value in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which 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.  Valuation  techniques  the  Bancorp  uses  to 
measure  fair  value  include  the  market  approach,  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. 

U.S. GAAP 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 

95  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

derived  principally  from  or  corroborated  by  observable 
market data by correlation or other means. 

is 

little, 

reflect 

Level  3  –  Unobservable  inputs  for  the  asset  or  liability  for 
if  any,  market  activity  at  the 
which  there 
measurement  date.  Unobservable 
the 
inputs 
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 
and  DCF  methodologies,  as  well  as  instruments  for  which 
the fair value determination requires significant management 
judgment. 

The  Bancorp’s  fair  value  measurements 

involve  various 
valuation  techniques  and  models,  which  involve  inputs  that  are 
observable,  when  available.  Valuation  techniques  and  parameters 
used  for  measuring  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 
for 
reasonableness.  Refer  to  Note  27  for  further  information  on  fair 
value measurements.

review  and  assessments 

trades  and  overall 

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 card and processing 
services  on  an  accrual  basis  as  such  services  are  performed, 
recording  revenues  net  of  certain  costs  (primarily  interchange  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 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. 

lists,  non-compete 

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

agreements 

and 

Stock-Based Compensation 
The  Bancorp  recognizes  compensation  expense  for  the  grant-date 
fair value of stock-based awards that are expected to vest over the 
requisite service period. All awards, both those with cliff vesting and 
graded  vesting,  are  expensed  on  a  straight-line  basis.  Awards  to 
employees  that  meet  eligible  retirement  status  are  expensed 
immediately. As compensation expense is recognized, a deferred tax 
asset  is  recorded  that  represents  an  estimate  of  the  future  tax 
deduction  from  exercise  or  release  of  restrictions.  At  the  time 
awards  are  exercised,  cancelled,  expire,  or  restrictions  are  released, 
the Bancorp may be required to recognize an adjustment to income 
tax expense for the difference between the previously estimated tax 
deduction  and  the  actual  tax  deduction  realized.  For  further 
information  on  the  Bancorp’s  stock-based  compensation  plans, 
refer to Note 24.

Pension Plans 
The  Bancorp  uses  an  expected  long-term  rate  of  return  applied  to 
the  fair  market  value  of  assets  as  of  the  beginning  of  the  year  and 
the expected cash flow during the year for calculating the expected 
investment  return  on  all  pension  plan  assets.  Amortization  of  the 
net  gain  or  loss  resulting  from  experience  different  from  that 
assumed  and  from  changes  in  assumptions  (excluding  asset  gains 
and losses not yet reflected in market-related value) is included as a 
component  of  net  periodic  benefit  cost.  If,  as  of  the  beginning  of 
the  year,  that  net  gain  or  loss  exceeds  10%  of  the  greater  of  the 
projected  benefit  obligation  and  the  market-related  value  of  plan 
assets,  the  amortization  is  that  excess  divided  by  the  average 
remaining  service  period  of  participating  employees  expected  to 
receive  benefits  under  the  plan.  The  Bancorp  uses  a  third-party 
actuary  to  compute  the  remaining  service  period  of  participating 
employees.  This  period  reflects  expected  turnover,  pre-retirement 
mortality, and other applicable employee demographics. 

Other 
Securities  and  other  property  held  by  Fifth  Third  Investment 
Advisors,  a  division  of  the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary,  in  a 
fiduciary  or  agency  capacity  are  not  included  in  the  Consolidated 

96  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Securities sold under repurchase agreements are accounted for 
as secured borrowings and included in other short-term borrowings 
in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  at  the  amounts  at  which  the 
securities were sold plus accrued interest. 

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. 

Accounting and Reporting Developments 

Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for 
Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date 
In  February  2013,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  relating  to 
the  measurement  of  obligations  resulting  from  joint  and  several 
liability  arrangements  for  which  the  total  amount  under  the 
arrangement is fixed at the reporting date. For the total amount of 
an  obligation  under  an  arrangement  to  be  considered  fixed  at  the 
reporting date, there can be no measurement uncertainty relating to 
the  total  amount  of  the  obligation.  The  obligation  resulting  from 
joint  and  several  liability  arrangements  would  be  measured  initially 
as the sum of 1) the amount the Bancorp has agreed to pay on the 
basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and 2) any additional 
amount  the  Bancorp  expects  to  pay  on  behalf  of  its  co-obligors. 
The amended guidance also would require the Bancorp to disclose 
the  nature  and  amount  of  the  obligation  as  well  as  information 
about the risks that such obligations pose to future cash flows. The 
amended  guidance  was  effective  for  reporting  periods  beginning 
after December 15, 2013 and was applied retrospectively to all prior 
periods  presented  for  those  obligations  resulting  from  joint  and 
several liability arrangements that exist at the beginning of the fiscal 
year  of  adoption.  The  Bancorp  adopted  the  amended  guidance  on 
January 1, 2014 and the adoption did not have a material impact on 
the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Presentation  of  an  Unrecognized  Tax  Benefit  When  a  Net  Operating  Loss 
Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists 
In July 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance to clarify that an 
unrecognized  tax  benefit,  or  a  portion  of  an  unrecognized  tax 
benefit,  should  be  presented  in  the  financial  statements  as  a 
reduction  to  a  deferred  tax  asset  for  a  net  operating  loss 
carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except 
as follows. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar 
tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting 
date  under  the  tax  law  of  the  applicable  jurisdiction  to  settle  any 
income  taxes  that  would  result  from  the  disallowance  of  a  tax 
position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require 
the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred 
tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be 
presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be 
combined  with  deferred  tax  assets.  The  assessment  of  whether  a 
deferred  tax  asset  is  available  is  based  on  the  unrecognized  tax 
benefit  and  deferred  tax  asset  that  exist  at  the  reporting  date  and 
should  be  made  presuming  disallowance  of  the  tax  position  at  the 
reporting date. The amended guidance was effective for fiscal years, 
those  years,  beginning  after 
and 
December 15,  2013,  with  early  adoption  permitted.  The  Bancorp 
adopted the amended guidance on January 1, 2014 and the adoption 
of  the  amended  guidance  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the 
Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

interim  periods  within 

Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects 
In January 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance which would 
permit  the  Bancorp  to  make  an  accounting  policy  election  to 
account for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects 
using  a  proportional  amortization  method  if  certain  conditions  are 
met and to present the amortization as a component of income tax 
expense. The amended guidance would be applied retrospectively to 
all  periods  presented  and  is  effective  for  fiscal  years,  and  interim 
periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014, with 
early  adoption  permitted.  Regardless  of  the  policy  election,  the 
amended  guidance  requires  disclosures  to  enable  the  users  of  the 
financial  statements  to  understand  the  nature  of  the  Bancorp’s 
investments  in  qualified  affordable  housing  projects  and  the  effect 
of  the  measurement  of  the  investments  in  qualified  affordable 
housing  projects  and  the  related  tax  credits  on  the  Bancorp’s 
financial position and results of operation. 

The  Bancorp  adopted  the  amended  guidance  on  January  1, 
2015, and  did not make an accounting policy election to apply the 
proportional  amortization  method  for  its  investments  in  qualified 
affordable  housing  projects.  Therefore,  the  adoption  did  not  have 
an impact on the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Reclassification  of  Residential  Real  Estate  Collateralized  Consumer  Mortgage 
Loans upon Foreclosure 
In  January  2014,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  that  clarifies 
when  a  creditor  should  be  considered  to  have  received  physical 
possession  of  residential  real  estate  property  collateralizing  a 
consumer  mortgage  loan  such  that  the  loan  receivable  should  be 
derecognized and the real estate property recognized. The amended 
guidance  clarifies  that  an  in  substance  repossession  or  foreclosure 
occurs,  and  a  creditor  is  considered  to  have  received  physical 
possession  of  residential  real  estate  property  collateralizing  a 
consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal 
title  to  the  residential  real  estate  property  upon  completion  of  a 
foreclosure  or  (2) the  borrower  conveying  all  interest  in  the 
residential  real  estate  property  to  the  creditor  to  satisfy  that  loan 
through  completion  of  a  deed  in  lieu  of  foreclosure  or  through  a 
similar legal agreement. In addition, the amended guidance requires 

interim and annual disclosures of both (1) the amount of foreclosed 
residential  real  estate  property  held  by  the  creditor  and  (2) the 
recorded  investment  in  consumer  mortgage  loans  collateralized  by 
residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure 
according  to  local  requirements  of  the  applicable  jurisdiction.  The 
amended  guidance  may  be  applied  prospectively  or  through  a 
modified retrospective approach and is effective for fiscal years, and 
interim  periods  within  those  years,  beginning  after  December 15, 
2014,  with  early  adoption  permitted.  The  Bancorp  adopted  the 
amended  guidance  on  January 1,  2015  and  the  adoption  of  the 
amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Reporting  Discontinued  Operations  and  Disclosures  of  Disposals  of 
Components of an Entity 
In April 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance that changes the 
criteria  for  reporting  discontinued  operations.  The  amended 
guidance requires a disposal of a component of an entity or a group 
of  components  of  an  entity  to  be  reported  in  discontinued 
operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will 
have)  a  major  effect  on  an  entity’s  operations  and  financial  results 
when any of the following occurs: 1) the component of an entity or 
group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified 
as  held  for  sale;  2)  the  component  of  an  entity  or  group  of 
components of an entity is disposed of by sale; or 3) the component 
of  an  entity  or  group  of  components  of  an  entity  is  disposed  of 
other than by sale (for example, by abandonment or in a distribution 
to owners in a spinoff). The amended guidance requires an entity to 
present,  for  each  comparative  period,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  a 
disposal  group  that  includes  a  discontinued  operation  separately  in 
the  asset  and  liability  sections,  respectively,  of  the  statement  of 
financial  position,  as  well  as  additional  disclosures  about 
discontinued  operations.  The  amended  guidance  is  to  be  applied 
prospectively for 1) all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) 
of  components  of  an  entity  that  occur  within  annual  periods 
beginning  on  or  after  December 15,  2014,  and  interim  periods 
within those years; and 2) all businesses or nonprofit activities that, 
on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual 
periods  beginning  on  or  after  December 15,  2014,  and  interim 
periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for 
disposals  (or  classifications  as  held  for  sale)  that  have  not  been 
reported  in  financial  statements  previously  issued.  The  Bancorp 
adopted the amended guidance on January 1, 2015 and the adoption 
of  the  amended  guidance  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the 
Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
In  May  2014,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  on  revenue 
recognition from contracts with customers. The standard outlines a 
single  comprehensive  model  for  entities  to  use  in  accounting  for 
revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most 
contract  revenue  recognition  guidance,  including  industry-specific 
guidance.  The  core  principle  of  the  amended  guidance  is  that  an 
entity  should  recognize  revenue  to  depict  the  transfer  of  promised 
goods  or  services  to  customers  in  an  amount  that  reflects  the 
consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange 
for those goods or services. The amended guidance is effective for 
annual  reporting  periods  beginning  after  December 15,  2016,  and 
interim  periods  within  the  reporting  period,  and  should  be  applied 
either  retrospectively  to  each  prior  reporting  period  presented  or 
retrospectively  with  the  cumulative  effect  of  initially  applying  the 
amendments  recognized  at  the  date  of  initial  application.  Early 
adoption  is  prohibited.  The  Bancorp  is  currently  in  the  process  of 

97  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

evaluating the impact of the amended guidance on its Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

for  a 

transfer  of  a 

transactions,  and 

Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures 
In June 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance that changes the 
accounting  for  repurchase-to-maturity  transactions  to  secured 
borrowing accounting. The amended guidance also requires separate 
financial  asset  executed 
accounting 
contemporaneously  with  a  repurchase  agreement  with  the  same 
counterparty, which will result in secured borrowing accounting for 
the  repurchase  agreement.  The  amended  guidance  requires 
disclosures  for  certain  transactions  comprising:  1)  a  transfer  of  a 
financial asset accounted for as a sale and 2) an agreement with the 
same transferee entered into in contemplation of the initial transfer 
that  results  in  the  transferor  retaining  substantially  all  of  the 
exposure  to  the  economic  return  on  the  transferred  financial  asset 
throughout the term of the transaction. The amended guidance also 
requires  new  disclosures  for  repurchase  agreements,  securities 
lending 
transactions 
accounted  for  as  secured  borrowings.  The  amended  guidance  is 
effective  for  fiscal  years,  and  interim  periods  within  those  years, 
beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption prohibited. 
Changes in accounting for transactions outstanding on the effective 
date  should  be  presented  as  a  cumulative-effect  adjustment  to 
retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The 
disclosures  for  certain  transactions  accounted  for  as  a  sale  are 
required  to  be  presented  for  interim  and  annual  periods  beginning 
after  December 15,  2014,  and  the  disclosures  for  repurchase 
agreements,  securities  lending  transactions,  and  repurchase-to-
maturity  transactions  accounted  for  as  secured  borrowings  are 
required  to  be  presented  for  annual  periods  beginning  after 
December 15, 2014, and interim periods beginning after March 15, 
2015.  The  Bancorp  adopted  the  amended  guidance  on  January 1, 
2015  and  the  adoption  of  the  amended  guidance  did  not  have  a 
material 
the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements. 

repurchase-to-maturity 

impact  on 

Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of the Award Provide 
That  a  Performance  Target  Could  be  Achieved  after  the  Requisite  Service 
Period 
In  June  2014,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  which  clarifies 
that  a  performance  target  that  affects  vesting  and  can  be  achieved 
after  the  requisite  service  period  be  treated  as  a  performance 
condition.  The  amended  guidance  provides  that  an  entity  should 
apply  existing  guidance  as  it  relates  to  awards  with  performance 
conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. As such, 
the  performance  target  should  not  be  reflected  in  estimating  the 
grant-date  fair  value  of  the  award.  Compensation  cost  should  be 
recognized  in  the  period  in  which  it  becomes  probable  that  the 
performance  target  will  be  achieved  and  should  represent  the 
compensation  cost  attributable  to  the  period(s)  for  which  the 
requisite  service  has  already  been  rendered.  If  the  performance 
target  becomes  probable  of  being  achieved  before  the  end  of  the 
requisite  service  period,  the  remaining  unrecognized  compensation 
cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite 
service  period.  The  total  amount  of  compensation  cost  recognized 
during  and  after  the  requisite  service  period  should  reflect  the 
number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted 
to  reflect  those  awards  that  ultimately  vest.  The  requisite  service 
period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still 
be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. 
The  amended  guidance  is  effective  for  annual  periods,  and  interim 
periods  within  those  annual  periods,  beginning after  December 15, 
2015, with early adoption permitted. The amended guidance may be 
adopted either prospectively to all awards granted or modified after 

98  Fifth Third Bancorp 

the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance 
targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual 
period  presented  in  the  financial  statements  and  to  all  new  or 
modified  awards  thereafter.  If  retrospective  transition  is  adopted, 
the  cumulative  effect  of  applying  the  amended  guidance  as  of  the 
beginning  of  the  earliest  annual  period  presented  in  the  financial 
statements  should  be  recognized  as  an  adjustment  to  the  opening 
retained earnings balance at that date. The amended guidance is not 
expected  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

Measuring  the  Financial  Assets  and  Financial  Liabilities  of  a  Consolidated 
Collateralized Financing Entity 
In August 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance that provides 
an  alternative  to  ASC  Topic  820:  Fair  Value  Measurement  for 
measuring the financial assets and financial liabilities of a CFE, such 
as a collateralized debt obligation or a collateralized loan obligation 
entity consolidated as a VIE when a) all of the financial assets and 
the financial liabilities of that CFE are measured at fair value in the 
consolidated  financial  statements  and  b)  the  changes  in  the  fair 
values  of  those  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  reflected 
in earnings. If elected, the measurement alternative would allow the 
Bancorp  to  measure  both  the  financial  assets  and  the  financial 
liabilities of the CFE by using the more observable of the fair value 
of the financial assets or the fair value of the financial liabilities and 
to  eliminate  any  measurement  difference.  When  the  measurement 
alternative is not elected for a consolidated CFE within the scope of 
this amended guidance, the amendments clarify that 1) the fair value 
of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities of 
the  consolidated  CFE  should  be  measured  using  the  requirements 
of Topic 820 and 2) any difference in the fair value of the financial 
assets  and  the  fair  value  of  the  financial  liabilities  of  that 
consolidated CFE should be reflected in earnings and attributed to 
the  Bancorp  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income.  The 
amended  guidance  may  be  applied  retrospectively  or  through  a 
modified retrospective approach and is effective for fiscal years, and 
interim  periods  within 
fiscal  years,  beginning  after 
December 15, 2015. The amended guidance is not expected to have 
a  material 
impact  on  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements. 

those 

Classification  of  Certain  Government-Guaranteed  Mortgage  Loans  upon 
Foreclosure 
In  August  2014,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  clarifying  the 
classification of certain foreclosed mortgage loans that are either full 
or  partially  guaranteed  under  government  programs.  The  amended 
guidance requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a 
separate  other  receivable  be  recognized  upon  foreclosure  if  the 
following  conditions  are  met:  1)  the  loan  has  a  government 
guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; 2) 
at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the 
real  estate  property  to  the  guarantor  and  make  a  claim  on  the 
guarantee,  and  the  creditor  has  the  ability  to  recover  under  that 
claim;  and  3)  at  the  time  of  foreclosure,  any  amount  of  the  claim 
that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is 
fixed.  Upon  foreclosure,  the  separate  other  receivable  would  be 
measured  based  on  the  amount  of  the  loan  balance  (principal  and 
interest)  expected  to  be  recovered  from  the  guarantor.  The 
amended  guidance  may  be  applied  prospectively  or  through  a 
modified retrospective approach and is effective for fiscal years, and 
interim  periods  within  those  years,  beginning  after  December 15, 
2014,  with  early  adoption  permitted.  The  Bancorp  adopted  the 
amended  guidance  on  January 1,  2015  and  the  adoption  of  the 
amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Pushdown Accounting 
In November 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance on whether 
and  at  what  threshold  an  acquired  entity  that  is  a  business  or 
nonprofit  activity  can  apply  pushdown  accounting  in  its  separate 
financial  statements  upon  the  occurrence  of  an  event  in  which  an 
acquirer (an individual or an entity) obtains control of the acquired 
entity. The amended guidance provides that an acquired entity may 
elect  the  option  to  apply  pushdown  accounting  in  the  reporting 
period  in  which  the  change-in-control  event  occurs.  An  acquired 
entity  should  determine  whether  to  elect  to  apply  pushdown 
accounting for each individual change-in-control event in which an 
acquirer  obtains  control  of  the  acquired  entity.  If  pushdown 
accounting  is  not  applied  in  the  reporting  period  in  which  the 
change-in-control  event  occurs,  an  acquired  entity  will  have  the 
option  to  elect  to  apply  pushdown  accounting  in  a  subsequent 
reporting  period  to  the  acquired  entity’s  most  recent  change-in-
control  event.  An  election  to  apply  pushdown  accounting  in  a 
reporting period after the reporting period in which the change-in-
control event occurred should be considered a change in accounting 
principle.  If  pushdown  accounting  is  applied  to  an  individual 
change-in-control  event,  that  election  is  irrevocable.  If  an  acquired 
entity elects the option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate 
financial  statements,  it  should  disclose  information  in  the  current 
reporting  period  that  enables  users  of  financial  statements  to 
evaluate the effect of pushdown accounting. The amended guidance 
was  effective  upon  issuance,  and  the  adoption  of  the  amended 
guidance  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Determining  Whether  the  Host  Contract  in  a  Hybrid  Financial  Instrument 
Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or Equity 
In  November  2014,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  that 
clarifies how current GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the 
economic  characteristics  and  risks  of  a  host  contract  in  a  hybrid 
financial  instrument  that  is  issued  in  the  form  of  a  share. 
Specifically,  the  amendments  clarify  that  an  entity  should  consider 
all relevant terms and features—including the embedded derivative 
features being evaluated for bifurcation—in evaluating the nature of 
the  host  contract.  Furthermore,  the  amendments  clarify  that  no 
single  term  or  feature  would  necessarily  determine  the  economic 
characteristics and risks of the  host contract. Rather, the nature of 
the  host  contract  depends  upon  the  economic  characteristics  and 
risks  of  the  entire  hybrid  financial  instrument.  The  amended 
guidance  is  effective  for  fiscal  years,  and  interim  periods  within 
those  fiscal  years,  beginning  after  December  15,  2015,  with  early 
adoption  permitted.  The  effects  of  initially  adopting  the  amended 
guidance  should  be  applied  on  a  modified  retrospective  basis  to 
existing hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share as 
of  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year  for  which  the  amendments  are 
effective  and  shall  be  reported  as  a  cumulative-effect  adjustment 
directly  to  retained  earnings  as  of  the  beginning  of  the  year  of 
adoption. The amended guidance is not expected to have a material 
impact on the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Simplifying  Income  Statement  Presentation  by  Eliminating  the  Concept  of 
Extraordinary Items 
In January 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance that eliminates 
the concept of extraordinary items from GAAP. Presently, an event 
or transaction is presumed to be an ordinary and usual activity of a 
reporting entity unless evidence clearly supports its classification as 
an  extraordinary  item,  which  must  be  both  unusual  in  nature  and 
infrequent  in  occurrence.  An  entity  was  required  to  segregate  the 
extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations and show 
the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income 

from continuing operations. An entity was also required to disclose 
applicable income taxes and either present or disclose earnings-per-
share  data  applicable  to  the  extraordinary  item.  The  presentation 
and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur 
infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include items 
that  are  both  unusual  in  nature  and  infrequently  occurring.  The 
amended  guidance  is  effective  for  fiscal  years,  and  interim  periods 
within  those  fiscal  years,  beginning  after  December  15,  2015,  with 
early adoption permitted provided that the guidance is applied from 
the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amended guidance 
may  be  applied  prospectively  or  retrospectively  to  all  periods 
presented in the financial statements. The amended guidance is not 
expected  to  have  a  material  impact  on  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated 
Financial Statements 

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis 
In February 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance that changes 
the analysis a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it 
should  consolidate  certain  types  of  legal  entities.  The  amended 
guidance 1) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships 
and  similar  legal  entities  are  VIEs  or  voting  interest  entities;  2) 
eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate 
a  limited  partnership;  3)  affects  the  consolidation  analysis  of 
reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that 
have  fee  arrangements  and  related  party  relationships;  and  4) 
provides  a  scope  exception  from  consolidation  guidance  for 
reporting  entities  that  are  required  to  comply  with  or  operate  in 
accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 
of  the  Investment  Company  Act  of  1940  for  registered  money 
market  funds.  The  amended  guidance  is  effective  for  fiscal  years, 
and 
those  years,  beginning  after 
December 15,  2015,  with  early  adoption  permitted.  The  amended 
guidance may be applied using either a retrospective approach or a 
modified 
cumulative-effect 
adjustment  to  equity  as  of  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year  of 
adoption. The Bancorp is currently in the process of evaluating the 
impact  of  adopting  the  amended  guidance  on  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.. 

interim  periods  within 

approach  with 

retrospective 

a 

99  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2.  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION   
Cash payments related to interest and income taxes in addition to noncash investing and financing activities are presented in the following table for 
the years ended December 31:

($ in millions) 
Cash payments: 
Interest 
Income taxes 

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities: 
Portfolio loans to loans held for sale 
Loans held for sale to portfolio loans 
Portfolio loans to OREO 
Loans held for sale to OREO 
Capital lease obligation 
(cid:3)
3. RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DIVIDENDS 
The  FRB,  under  Regulation  D,  requires  that  banks  hold  cash  in 
reserve against deposit liabilities, known as the reserve requirement.  
The reserve requirement is calculated based on a two-week average 
of daily net transaction account deposits as defined by the FRB and 
may be satisfied with vault cash. When vault cash is not sufficient to 
meet  the  reserve  requirement,  the  remaining  amount  must  be 
satisfied  with  funds  held  at  the  FRB.  At  December  31,  2014  and 
2013,  the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  reserve  requirement  was 
$1.8  billion  and  $1.6  billion,  respectively.  Vault  cash  was  not 
sufficient  to  meet  the  total  reserve  requirement;  therefore,  as  of 
December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary 
satisfied  the  remaining  reserve  requirement  with  $1.0  billion  and 
$942 million, respectively, of the Bancorp’s total deposit at the FRB. 
The  noninterest-bearing  portion  of  the  Bancorp’s  deposit  at  the 
FRB  is  held  in  cash  and  due  from  banks  in  the  Consolidated 
Balance  Sheets  while  the  interest  bearing  portion  is  held  in  other 
short-term investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

The  dividends  paid  by  the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  are 
subject to regulations and limitations prescribed by state and federal 
supervisory  agencies.  The  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  paid  the 
Bancorp’s nonbank subsidiary holding company, which in turn paid 
the  Bancorp  $1.1  billion  and  $859  million  in  dividends  during  the 
years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

In 2011, the FRB adopted the capital plan rule, which requires 
BHCs  with  consolidated  assets  of  $50  billion  or  more  to  submit 
annual  capital  plans  to  the  FRB  for  review.    Under  the  rule,  these 
capital plans must include detailed descriptions of the following: the 
BHC’s internal processes for assessing capital adequacy; the policies 
governing  capital  actions  such  as  common  stock 
issuances, 
dividends,  and  share  repurchases;  and  all  planned  capital  actions 
over a nine-quarter planning horizon.  Further, each BHC must also 
report to the FRB the results of stress tests conducted by the BHC 
under  a  number  of  scenarios  that  assess  the  sources  and  uses  of 
capital  under  baseline  and  stressed  economic  scenarios.    The  FRB 
launched the 2014 stress testing program and CCAR on November 
1, 2013, with firm submissions of stress test results and capital plans 
due to the FRB on January 6, 2014, which the Bancorp submitted as 
required. 

review  of 

The  FRB’s 

the  capital  plan  assessed 

the 
comprehensiveness  of  the  capital  plan,  the  reasonableness  of  the 
the  capital  plan. 
the  analysis  underlying 
assumptions  and 
Additionally,  the  FRB  reviewed  the  robustness  of  the  capital 
adequacy  process,  the  capital  policy  and  the  Bancorp’s  ability  to 
maintain  capital  above  the  minimum  regulatory  capital  ratios  and 
above a Tier I common ratio of five percent on a pro forma basis 
under  expected  and  stressful  conditions  throughout  the  planning 
horizon.  The  FRB  assessed  the  Bancorp’s  strategies  for  addressing 

100  Fifth Third Bancorp 

$

2014 

429 
550 

 855 
 31 
 145 
 2 
 15 

2013

406
535

 641
 44
 204
 4
 -

2012 

524 
383 

 62 
 77 
 272 
 23 
 - 

proposed revisions to the regulatory capital framework agreed upon 
by the BCBS and requirements arising from the DFA.  

On March 26, 2014, the FRB announced it had completed the 
2014 CCAR. For BHCs that proposed capital distributions in their 
plans,  the  FRB  either  objected  to  the  plan  or  provided  a  non-
objection  whereby  the  FRB  permitted  the  proposed  2014  capital 
distributions.  The  FRB  indicated  to  the  Bancorp  that  it  did  not 
object  to  the  following  proposed  capital  actions  for  the  period 
beginning April 1, 2014 and ending March 31, 2015: 

(a) The  potential  increase  in  the  quarterly  common  stock 

dividend to $0.13 per share;  

(b) The potential repurchase of common shares in an amount 

up to $669 million;  

(c) The additional ability to repurchase shares in the amount 
of  any  after-tax  gains  from  the  sale  of  Vantiv,  Inc. 
common stock; and 

(d) The issuance of $300 million in preferred stock. 

As contemplated by the 2014 CCAR, during the second quarter 
of  2014,  the  Bancorp  increased  the  quarterly  common  stock 
dividend from $0.12 to $0.13 per share, entered into a $150 million 
accelerated  share  repurchase  transaction,  and 
issued  300,000 
depositary  shares  of  non-cumulative  perpetual  preferred  stock  for 
net  proceeds  of  $297  million.  Additionally,  during  the  third  and 
fourth quarters of 2014, the Bancorp entered into accelerated share 
repurchase 
transactions  of  $225  million  and  $180  million, 
respectively. 

Additionally, as a CCAR institution, the Bancorp is required to 
disclose  the  results  of  its  company-run  stress  test  under  the 
supervisory  severely  adverse  scenario,  and  to  provide  information 
related  to  the  types  of  risk  included  in  its  stress  testing;  a  general 
description of the methodologies used; estimates of certain financial 
results and pro forma capital ratios; and an explanation of the most 
significant causes of changes in regulatory capital ratios. On March 
26, 2014 the Bancorp publicly disclosed the results of its company-
run stress test as required by the DFA stress testing rules. 

The  BHCs  that  participated  in  the  2014  CCAR,  including  the 
Bancorp,  are  required  to  conduct  mid-cycle  company-run  stress 
tests using data as of March 31, 2014. The stress tests must be based 
on  three  BHC  defined  scenarios  –  baseline,  adverse  and  severely 
adverse. As required, the Bancorp reported the mid-cycle stress test 
results  to  the  FRB  on  July  7,  2014.  These  results  represented 
estimates of the Bancorp’s results from the second quarter of 2014 
through  the  second  quarter  of  2016  under  the  severely  adverse 
scenario, which is considered highly unlikely to occur. 

 
 
  
    
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The FRB launched the 2015 stress testing program and CCAR 
on October 23, 2014. The stress testing results and capital plan were 
submitted by the Bancorp to the FRB on January 5, 2015. 

The FRB expects to release summary results of the 2015 stress 
testing  program  and  CCAR  in  March  of  2015.  The  results  will 
include supervisory projections of capital ratios, losses and revenues 
under  the  supervisory  adverse  and  supervisory  severely  adverse 

scenarios. The FRB will also issue an objection or non-objection to 
each participating institution’s capital plan submitted under CCAR. 
Additionally, as a CCAR institution, the Bancorp will be required to 
publicly  disclose  the  results  of  its  company  run  stress  test  as 
required by the DFA, within 15 days of the date the FRB discloses 
the results of its DFA supervisory stress test.  

4. SECURITIES 
The following table provides the amortized cost, fair value and unrealized gains and losses for the major categories of the available-for-sale and 
other and held-to-maturity securities portfolios as of December 31:

2014  

2013  

Amortized Unrealized Unrealized
Gains 

Losses 

Cost 

$

 1,545 
 185 

 87 
 7 

 - 
 - 

Fair  
Value 

 1,632 
 192 

Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized
Gains 

Losses 

Cost 

1,549 
187 

 121 
 5 

 - 
 - 

Fair  
Value 

1,670 
192 

($ in millions)  
Available-for-sale and other:  
   U.S. Treasury and federal agencies  
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
   Mortgage-backed securities:  

   Agency residential mortgage-backed securities(a) 
   Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities  
   Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities  

 11,968 
 4,465 
 1,489 
 1,324 
 701 
$  21,677 

 437 
 101 
 61 
 40 
 3 
 736 

 (1)
 (1)
 - 
 (2)
 (1)
 (5)

 12,404 
 4,565 
 1,550 
 1,362 
 703 
 22,408 

12,294 
 - 
1,368 
2,146 
865 
18,409 

 140 
 - 
 28 
 48 
 5 
347 

 (150)
 - 
 (1)
 (7)
 (1)
(159)

12,284 
 - 
1,395 
2,187 
869 
18,597 

   Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
   Equity securities(b) 
Total  
Held-to-maturity:  
   Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
   Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
Total  
(a) Includes interest-only mortgage-backed securities of $175 and $262 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, recorded at fair value with fair value changes recorded in securities gains, net and 

 186 
 1 
 187 

 186 
 1 
 187 

207 
1 
208 

207 
1 
208 

 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 

$

$

securities gains, net – non-qualifying hedges on mortgage servicing rights in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  

(b) Equity securities consist of FHLB and FRB restricted stock holdings of $248 and $352, respectively, at December 31, 2014 and, $402 and $349, respectively, at December 31, 2013, that are 

carried at cost, and certain mutual fund and equity security holdings. 

The  following  table  presents  realized  gains  and  losses  that  were  recognized  in  income  from  available-for-sale  securities  for  the  years  ended
December 31:

($ in millions) 
Realized gains  
Realized losses  
OTTI  
Net realized gains (losses)(a) 
(a) Excludes net losses on interest-only mortgage-backed securities of $17 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and net gains on interest-only mortgage-backed securities of $129 for the year ended 

77   
(102)  
(74)  
(99)  

70   
(9)  
 (24)  
37 

75   
 (2)  
(58)  
15   

2012  

2013  

2014  

$

$

December 31, 2013. 

Trading  securities  totaled  $360  million  as  of  December  31,  2014, 
compared  to  $343  million  at  December  31,  2013.  Gross  realized 
gains on trading securities were $4 million, $1 million and $2 million 
for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012, 
respectively.  Gross  realized  losses  on  trading  securities  were 
immaterial to the Bancorp for the years ended December 31, 2014, 
2013 and 2012. Net unrealized losses on trading securities were $3 

million  at  December  31,  2014  and  net  unrealized  gains  on  trading 
securities were $3 million and $1 million at December 31, 2013 and 
2012, respectively.  

At December 31, 2014 and 2013 securities with a fair value of 
$14.2 billion and $11.6 billion, respectively, were pledged to secure 
borrowings, public deposits, trust funds, derivative contracts and for 
other purposes as required or permitted by law. 

101  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
The expected maturity distribution of the Bancorp’s mortgage-backed securities and the contractual maturity distribution of the Bancorp’s available-
for-sale and other and held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2014 are shown in the following table:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Available-for-Sale and Other 

Held-to-Maturity 

($ in millions)  
Debt securities:(a) 
   Less than 1 year  
   1-5 years  
   5-10 years  
   Over 10 years  
Equity securities  
Total  
(a) Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities when there exists a right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. 

168   
6,583   
12,784   
1,441   
701   
21,677   

169   
6,841   
13,190   
1,505   
703   
22,408   

Amortized Cost 

Fair Value 

$

$

148   
21   
17   
1   
 -   
187   

   Amortized Cost 

Fair Value 

148   
21   
17   
1   
 - 
187   

The  following  table  provides  the  fair  value  and  gross  unrealized  losses  on  available-for-sale  and  other  securities  in  an  unrealized  loss  position, 
aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 
31:

($ in millions) 
2014  
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities 
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities 
Asset-backed securities and other debt securities 
Equity securities 
Total 
2013  
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities 
Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities 
Asset-backed securities and other debt securities 
Equity securities 
Total 

Less than 12 months 

12 months or more 

Total 

Fair Value 

Unrealized 
Losses 

Fair Value 

Unrealized 
Losses 

Fair Value 

Unrealized 
Losses 

$

$

$

$

 73 
 355 
 286 
 - 
 714 

 7,221 
 168 
 427 
 33 
 7,849 

 (1)
 (1)
 (1)
 -
 (3)

 (150)
 (1)
 (4)
 (1)
 (156)

 - 
 - 
 74 
 30 
 104 

 1 
 28 
 104 
 4 
 137 

 - 
 - 
 (1)
 (1)
 (2)

 - 
 - 
 (3)
 - 
 (3)

 73 
 355 
 360 
 30 
 818 

 7,222 
 196 
 531 
 37 
 7,986 

 (1)
 (1)
 (2)
 (1)
 (5)

 (150)
 (1)
 (7)
 (1)
 (159)

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments 
The Bancorp recognized $24 million, $74 million and $58 million of 
OTTI on its available-for-sale and other debt securities, included in 
securities gains, net and securities gains, net – non-qualifying hedges 
on  mortgage  servicing  rights,  in  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated 
Statements  of  Income  during  the  years  ended December  31,  2014, 
2013 and 2012, respectively. The Bancorp did not recognize OTTI 
on  any  of  its  available-for-sale  equity  securities  or  held-to-maturity 
debt  securities  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014,  2013  and 
2012. Less than one percent of unrealized losses in the available-for-
sale securities portfolio were represented by non-rated securities at 
December 31, 2014 and 2013. 

102  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

5. LOANS AND LEASES 
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  in  which  the  Bancorp  has  banking  centers  and  are  primarily 
located  in  the  Midwestern  and  Southeastern  regions  of  the  United 
States. The Bancorp’s commercial loan portfolio consists of lending 
to  various  industry  types.  Management  periodically  reviews  the 

performance of its loan and lease products to evaluate whether 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.  For  further  information  on 
credit quality and the ALLL, refer to Note 6. 

The following table provides 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 and industrial loans  
   Commercial mortgage loans 
   Commercial construction loans 
   Commercial leases 
   Residential mortgage loans 
   Other consumer loans and leases 
Total loans and leases held for sale 
Portfolio loans and leases: 
   Commercial and industrial 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 

2014  

2013  

$

$

$

$

36   
11   
2   
1   
1,193   
18   
1,261   

40,765   
7,399   
2,069   
3,720   
53,953   
12,389   
8,886   
12,037   
2,401   
418   
36,131   
90,084   

31   
3   
2   
1   
890   
17   
944   

39,316   
8,066   
1,039   
3,625   
52,046   
12,680   
9,246   
11,984   
2,294   
364   
36,568   
88,614   

Total  portfolio  loans  and  leases  are  recorded  net  of  unearned 
income,  which  totaled  $665  million  as  of  December  31,  2014  and 
$700 million as of December 31, 2013. Additionally, portfolio loans 
and 
leases  are  recorded  net  of  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) which totaled a net premium of $169 million and 
$111 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

The Bancorp’s FHLB and FRB advances are generally secured by 
loans.  The  Bancorp  had  loans  of  $11.1  billion  and  $10.9  billion  at 
December  31,  2014  and  2013,  respectively,  pledged  at  the  FHLB, 
and  loans  of  $33.9  billion  and  $33.5  billion  at  December  31,  2014 
and 2013, respectively, pledged at the FRB.  

The following table presents a summary of the total loans and leases owned by the Bancorp as of and for the years ended December 31:

($ in millions) 
Commercial and industrial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Residential mortgage loans 
Home equity 
Automobile loans 
Credit card 
Other consumer loans and leases 
Total loans and leases 
Less: Loans held for sale 
Total portfolio loans and leases 

Balance 

90 Days Past Due 
and Still Accruing 

Net 
Charge-Offs 

2014  
40,801 
7,410 
2,071 
3,721 
13,582 
8,886 
12,037 
2,401 
436 
91,345 
1,261 
90,084 

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 

2014  
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
56 
 - 
8 
23 
 - 
87 

2013  
39,347 
8,069 
1,041 
3,626 
13,570 
9,246 
11,984 
2,294 
381 
89,558 
944 
88,614 

$

$

2013  
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
66 
 - 
8 
29 
 - 
103 

$ 

$ 

2014  
222 
26 
12 
1 
126 
59 
27 
82 
20 
575 

2013  
168 
47 
4 
1 
60 
97 
22 
78 
24 
501 

103  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
     
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The Bancorp engages in commercial lease products primarily related 
to  the  financing  of  commercial  equipment.  The  Bancorp  had  $2.8 
billion  and  $2.7  billion  of  direct  financing  leases,  net  of  unearned 
income,  at  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  respectively,  and  $874 
million  and  $881  million  of  leveraged  leases,  net  of  unearned 
income, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

Pre-tax  income  from  leveraged  leases  was  $25  million  during 
both  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and  2013  and  the  tax 
effect of this income was an expense of $9 million during both the 
years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.   

The following table provides the components of the investment in portfolio commercial 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(a) 
(a)

2014  
3,589 
779 
17 
4,385 
(665)
3,720 

$ 

$ 

2013  
3,556 
754 
15 
4,325 
(700)
3,625 

The accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments was $45 million and $53 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

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 $4 million and $13 million of residual value write-downs 
related to commercial leases for the years ended December 31, 2014 
and  2013,  respectively.  The  residual  value  write-downs  related  to 
(cid:3)
6. CREDIT QUALITY AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES 
The  Bancorp  disaggregates  ALLL  balances  and  transactions  in  the  ALLL  by  portfolio  segment.  Credit  quality  related  disclosures  for  loans  and 
leases are further disaggregated by class. 

commercial leases are recorded in corporate banking revenue in the 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Income.  At  December  31,  2014,  the 
minimum  future  lease  payments  receivable  for  each  of  the  years 
2015  through  2019  was  $681  million,  $625  million,  $501  million, 
$405 million and $329 million, respectively. 

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses   
The following tables summarize transactions in the ALLL by portfolio segment:

Commercial 

Residential 
Mortgage 

Consumer 

Unallocated 

Total 

$

$

$

$

$

$

 1,058
 (299)
 38
 78
 875

 189 
 (139)
 13 
 41 
 104 

 225 
 (241)
 53 
 200 
 237 

 110   
 -   
 -   
 (4)
 106 

 1,582   
 (679)
 104
 315
 1,322

Commercial 

Residential 
Mortgage 

Consumer 

Unallocated 

Total 

 1,236
 (284)
 64
 42
 1,058

 229 
 (70)
 10 
 20 
 189 

 278 
 (283)
 62 
 168 
 225 

 111   
 -   
 -   
 (1)
 110 

 1,854   
 (637)
 136
 229
 1,582

Commercial 

Residential 
Mortgage 

Consumer 

Unallocated 

Total 

 1,527
 (358)
 61
 6
 1,236

 227 
 (129)
 7 
 124 
 229 

 365 
 (350)
 65 
 198 
 278 

 136   
 -   
 -   
 (25)
 111 

 2,255   
 (837)
 133
 303
 1,854

For the year ended December 31, 2014 
($ in millions) 
Transactions in the ALLL: 
   Balance at January 1 
   Losses charged-off 
   Recoveries of losses previously charged-off 
   Provision for loan and lease losses 
Balance at December 31 

For the year ended December 31, 2013
($ in millions) 
Transactions in the ALLL: 
   Balance at January 1 
   Losses charged-off 
   Recoveries of losses previously charged-off 
   Provision for loan and lease losses 
Balance at December 31 

For the year ended December 31, 2012
($ in millions) 
Transactions in the ALLL: 
   Balance at January 1 
   Losses charged-off 
   Recoveries of losses previously charged-off 
   Provision for loan and lease losses 
Balance at December 31 

104  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
The following tables provide a summary of the ALLL and related loans and leases classified by portfolio segment:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)  
ALLL:(a) 

Individually evaluated for impairment  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment  
   Unallocated  
Total ALLL  
Portfolio loans and leases:(b) 

Commercial 

Residential 
Mortgage 

$

$

(c) 
 179 a
 696    
 -      
 875    

 65   
 39   
 -     
 104   

Individually evaluated for impairment  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment  
   Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality  
Total portfolio loans and leases  
(a)
(b) Excludes $108 of residential mortgage loans measured at fair value, and includes $874 of leveraged leases, net of unearned income. 
(c)

 518   
 11,761   
 2   
 12,281   

(c) 
 1,260 a
 52,693    
 -      
 53,953    

Includes $6 related to leveraged leases. 

$

$

Consumer 

Unallocated 

Total 

 61   
 176   
 -     
 237   

 483   
 23,259   
 -     
 23,742   

 -     
 -     
 106   
 106   

 -     
 -     
 -     
 -     

 305   
 911   
 106   
 1,322   

 2,261   
 87,713   
 2   
 89,976   

Includes five restructured nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2014 associated with a consolidated VIE, in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due to the risk being assumed by a third 
party, with a recorded investment of $28 and an allowance of $10. 

Commercial  

Residential 
Mortgage 

Consumer 

Unallocated 

Total  

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)  
ALLL:(a) 

Individually evaluated for impairment  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment  
   Unallocated  
Total ALLL  
Portfolio loans and leases:(b) 

$ 

$ 

 186 a
(c) 
 872    
 -      
 1,058    

 139 
 50 
 -   
 189 

 53 
 172 
 -   
 225 

 496 
 23,392 
 -   
 23,888 

 -   
 -   
 110 
 110 

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 378
 1,094
 110
 1,582

 3,381
 85,137
 4
 88,522

Individually evaluated for impairment  
   Collectively evaluated for impairment  
   Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality  
Total portfolio loans and leases  
(a)
(b) Excludes $92 of residential mortgage loans measured at fair value, and includes $881 of leveraged leases, net of unearned income.  
(c)

 1,560 a
 50,486
 -   
 52,046

 1,325 
 11,259 
 4 
 12,588 

Includes $9 related to leveraged leases. 

(c) 

$ 

$ 

Includes five restructured loans at December 31, 2013 associated with a consolidated VIE, in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due to the risk being assumed by a third party, with a 
recorded investment of $28 and an allowance of $11. 
A 

CREDIT RISK PROFILE 
Commercial Portfolio Segment 
For  purposes  of  monitoring 
risk 
characteristics  of  its  commercial  portfolio  segment,  the  Bancorp 
disaggregates  the  segment  into  the  following  classes:  commercial 
and  industrial,  commercial  mortgage  owner-occupied,  commercial 
mortgage  nonowner-occupied,  commercial  construction  and 
commercial leasing.  

the  credit  quality  and 

To  facilitate  the  monitoring  of  credit  quality  within  the 
commercial  portfolio  segment,  and  for  purposes  of  analyzing 
historical loss rates used in the determination of the ALLL for the 
commercial  portfolio  segment,  the  Bancorp  utilizes  the  following 
categories  of  credit  grades:  pass,  special  mention,  substandard, 
doubtful  or  loss.  The  five  categories,  which  are  derived  from 
standard  regulatory  rating  definitions,  are  assigned  upon  initial 
approval of credit to borrowers and updated periodically thereafter.  
Pass ratings, which are assigned to those borrowers that do not 
have identified potential or well defined weaknesses and for which 
there is a high likelihood of orderly repayment, are updated at least 
annually based on the size and credit characteristics of the borrower. 
All  other  categories  are  updated  on  a  quarterly  basis  during  the 
month preceding the end of the calendar quarter.  

The  Bancorp  assigns  a  special  mention  rating  to  loans  and 
leases  that  have  potential  weaknesses  that  deserve  management’s 
close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may, 
at  some  future  date,  result  in  the  deterioration  of  the  repayment 

prospects for the loan or lease or the Bancorp’s credit position.  

The  Bancorp  assigns  a  substandard  rating  to  loans  and  leases 
that  are  inadequately  protected  by  the  current  sound  worth  and 
paying  capacity  of  the  borrower  or  of  the  collateral  pledged. 
Substandard  loans  and  leases  have  well  defined  weaknesses  or 
weaknesses that could jeopardize the orderly repayment of the debt. 
Loans and leases in this grade also are characterized by the distinct 
possibility that the Bancorp will sustain some loss if the deficiencies 
noted are not addressed and corrected. 

The Bancorp assigns a doubtful rating to loans and leases that 
have  all  the  attributes  of  a  substandard  rating  with  the  added 
characteristic  that  the  weaknesses  make  collection  or  liquidation  in 
full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, 
highly  questionable  and  improbable.  The  possibility  of  loss  is 
extremely  high,  but  because  of  certain  important  and  reasonable 
specific  pending  factors  that  may  work  to  the  advantage  of  and 
strengthen the credit quality of the loan or lease, its classification as 
an  estimated  loss  is  deferred  until  its  more  exact  status  may  be 
determined.  Pending  factors  may  include  a  proposed  merger  or 
acquisition, liquidation proceeding, capital injection, perfecting liens 
on additional collateral or refinancing plans. 

Loans and leases classified as loss are considered uncollectible 
and are charged-off in the period in which they are determined to be 
uncollectible.  Because  loans  and  leases  in  this  category  are  fully 
charged-off, they are not included in the following tables. 

105  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The following tables summarize the credit risk profile of the Bancorp’s commercial portfolio segment, by class:

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
Commercial and industrial loans 
Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans 
Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Total 

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 
Commercial and industrial loans 
Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
Commercial construction loans 
Commercial leases 
Total 

Pass 
 38,013 
 3,430 
 3,198 
 1,966 
 3,678 
 50,285 

Pass 
 36,776 
 3,866 
 2,879 
 855 
 3,546 
 47,922 

$

$

$

$

Special 
Mention 
 1,352 
 137 
 76 
 65 
 9 
 1,639 

Special 
Mention 
 1,118 
 209 
 248 
 32 
 56 
 1,663 

Substandard 
 1,400 
 267 
 284 
 38 
 33 
 2,022 

Substandard 
 1,419 
 415 
 431 
 152 
 23 
 2,440 

Doubtful 

 - 
 - 
 7   
 - 
 - 
 7   

Doubtful 
 3   
 17   
 1   
 -   
 -   
 21   

Total 
 40,765  
 3,834  
 3,565  
 2,069  
 3,720  
 53,953 

Total 
 39,316  
 4,507  
 3,559  
 1,039  
 3,625  
 52,046 

Consumer Portfolio Segment 
For  purposes  of  monitoring 
risk 
characteristics  of  its  consumer  portfolio  segment,  the  Bancorp 
disaggregates  the  segment  into  the  following  classes:  home  equity, 
automobile loans, credit card, and other consumer loans and leases. 
The  Bancorp’s  residential  mortgage  portfolio  segment  is  also  a 
separate class. 

the  credit  quality  and 

The  Bancorp  considers  repayment  performance  as  the  best 
indicator  of  credit  quality  for  residential  mortgage  and  consumer 

loans,  which  includes  both  the  delinquency  status  and  performing 
versus nonperforming status of the loans. The delinquency status of 
all residential mortgage and consumer loans is presented by class in 
the age analysis section while the performing versus nonperforming 
status is presented in the table below. Refer to the nonaccrual loans 
and  leases  section  of  Note  1  for  additional  delinquency  and 
nonperforming information.  

The  following  table  presents  a  summary  of  the  Bancorp’s  residential  mortgage  and  consumer  portfolio  segments,  by  class,  disaggregated  into 
performing versus nonperforming status as of December 31:

Performing 
($ in millions)  
 12,204 
Residential mortgage loans(a) 
 8,793 
Home equity  
 12,036 
Automobile loans  
 2,360 
Credit card  
 418 
Other consumer loans and leases  
Total  
 35,811 
(a) Excludes $108 and $92 of loans measured at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
(cid:3)

$

$

2014  

Nonperforming 
 77 
 93 
 1 
 41 
 -   
 212 

Performing 
 12,423 
 9,153 
 11,982 
 2,261 
 364 
 36,183 

2013  

Nonperforming 

 165   
 93   
 2   
 33   
 -     
 293 

106  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Age Analysis of Past Due Loans and Leases   
The following tables summarize the Bancorp’s recorded investment in portfolio loans and leases by age and class:

Information for current residential mortgage loans includes loans whose repayments are insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. As of December 31, 2014, $99 of these loans were 30-89 
days past due and $373 were 90 days or more past due. The Bancorp recognized $14 of losses for the year ended December 31, 2014 due to claim denials and curtailments associated with these 
insured or guaranteed loans.  
Includes accrual and nonaccrual loans and leases. 

(c)

As of December 31, 2014  
($ in millions)  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Residential mortgage loans(a)(b) 
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
   Other consumer loans and leases   
Total portfolio loans and leases(a) 
(a) Excludes $108 of loans measured at fair value. 
(b)

As of December 31, 2013  
($ in millions)  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Residential mortgage loans(a)(b) 
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
   Other consumer loans and leases   
Total portfolio loans and leases(a) 
(a) Excludes $92 of loans measured at fair value. 
(b)

Current  
Loans and   
Leases(c) 

30-89   
Days(c) 

Past Due 
90 Days   
and  
Greater(c) 

Total  
Past Due 

Total Loans 
and Leases 

90 Days Past 
Due and Still 
Accruing 

$

$

40,651    
3,774    
3,537    
2,069    
3,717    
12,109    

8,710    
11,953    
2,335    
417    
89,272    

29    
7    
11    
 -    
3    
38    

100    
74    
34    
1    
297    

85    
53    
17    
 -    
 -    
134    

76    
10    
32    
 -    
407    

114   
60   
28   
 -   
3   
172   

176   
84   
66   
1   
704   

40,765   
3,834   
3,565   
2,069   
3,720   
12,281   

8,886   
12,037   
2,401   
418   
89,976   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
56   

 -   
8   
23   
 -   
87   

Current  
Loans and   
Leases(c) 

30-89  
Days(c) 

Past Due 
90 Days   
and  
Greater(c) 

Total  
Past Due 

Total Loans 
and Leases 

90 Days Past 
Due and Still 
Accruing 

$

$

39,118 
4,423 
3,515 
1,010 
3,620 
12,284 

9,058 
11,919 
2,225 
362 
87,534    

53    
15    
9    
 -    
 -    
73    

102    
55    
36    
2    
345    

145 
69 
35 
29 
5 
231 

86 
10 
33 
 - 
643    

198   
84   
44   
29   
5   
304   

188   
65   
69   
2   
988   

39,316   
4,507   
3,559   
1,039   
3,625   
12,588   

9,246   
11,984   
2,294   
364   
88,522   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
66   

 -   
8   
29   
 -   
103   

Information for current residential mortgage loans includes loans whose repayments are insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. As of December 31, 2013, $81 of these loans were 30-89 
days past due and $378 were 90 days or more past due. The Bancorp recognized $5 of losses for the year ended December 31, 2013 due to claim denials and curtailments associated with these 
insured or guaranteed loans.  
Includes accrual and nonaccrual loans and leases. 

(c)

107  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Impaired Loans and Leases 
Larger  commercial  loans  and  leases  included  within  aggregate 
borrower  relationship  balances  exceeding  $1  million  that  exhibit 
probable  or  observed  credit  weaknesses  are  subject  to  individual 
review for impairment. The Bancorp also performs an individual 
review  on  loans  and  leases  that  are  restructured  in  a  TDR.  The 
Bancorp considers the current value of collateral, credit quality of 
any  guarantees,  the  loan  structure,  and  other  factors  when 

evaluating whether an individual loan or lease is impaired. Other 
factors may include the geography and industry of the borrower, 
size  and  financial  condition  of  the  borrower,  cash  flow  and 
leverage  of  the  borrower,  and  the  Bancorp’s  evaluation  of  the 
borrower’s  management.  Smaller  balance  homogenous  loans  or 
leases  that  are  collectively  evaluated  for  impairment  are  not 
included in the following tables.  

The  following  tables  summarize  the  Bancorp’s  impaired  loans  and  leases  (by  class)  that  were  subject  to  individual  review,  which  includes  all 
portfolio loans and leases restructured in a TDR as of December 31:

2014   
($ in millions)  
With a related ALLL recorded:  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans(b) 
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Restructured residential mortgage loans  
Restructured consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total impaired loans and leases with a related ALLL  
With no related ALLL recorded:  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Restructured residential mortgage loans  
Restructured consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
Total impaired loans and leases with no related ALLL  
Total impaired loans and leases  
(a)

Unpaid 
Principal 
Balance 

Recorded   
Investment  

ALLL 

$

$

$

$

598   
54   
69   
18   
3   
388   

203   
19   
78   
1,430   

311   
72   
251   
48   
2   
155   

183   
5   
1,027   
2,457   

486 
46 
57    
15    
3    

383 

201 
19 
78 
1,288    

276    
68    
231    
48    
2    
135    

180    
5    
945    
(a) 

2,233 a

149   
14   
4   
 -   
2   
65   

42   
3   
16   
295   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
295   

Includes $869, $485 and $420, respectively, of commercial, residential mortgage and consumer TDRs on accrual status; $214, $33 and $63, respectively, of commercial, residential mortgage and 
consumer TDRs on nonaccrual status.  

(b) Excludes five restructured nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2014 associated with a consolidated VIE, in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due to the risk being assumed by a 

third party, with an unpaid principal balance of $28, a recorded investment of $28, and an allowance of $10.  

108  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2013   
($ in millions)  
With a related ALLL recorded:  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans(b) 
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Restructured residential mortgage loans  
Restructured consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total impaired loans and leases with a related ALLL  
With no related ALLL recorded:  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Restructured residential mortgage loans  
Restructured consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
Total impaired loans and leases with no related ALLL  
Total impaired loans and leases  
(a)

Unpaid 
Principal 
Balance 

Recorded   
Investment  

ALLL 

$

$

$

$

870   
85   
154   
68   
12   
1,081   

377   
23   
59   
2,729   

181   
106   
154   
77   
14   
313   

43   
3   
891   
3,620   

759 
74 
134 
54 
12 
1,052 

373 
23 
58 
2,539    

177    
98    
147    
63    
14    
273    

39    
3    
814    
(a) 

3,353 a

145   
11   
14   
5   
 -   
139   

39   
3   
11   
367   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
367   

Includes $869, $1,241 and $444, respectively, of commercial, residential mortgage and consumer TDRs on accrual status; $228, $84 and $52, respectively, of commercial, residential mortgage and 
consumer TDRs on nonaccrual status.   

(b) Excludes five restructured nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2013 associated with a consolidated VIE, in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due to the risk being assumed by a third 

party, with an unpaid principal balance of $28, a recorded investment of $28, and an allowance of $11. 

(cid:3)
The following table summarizes the Bancorp’s average impaired loans and leases (by class) and interest income (by class) for the year ended 
December 31:

2014  

2013  

2012  

Average 
Recorded 
Investment 

Interest 
Income 
Recognized 

Average 
Recorded 
Investment 

Interest 
Income 
Recognized 

Average 
   Recorded 
Investment 

Interest 
Income 
Recognized

$

($ in millions)  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans(a) 
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Restructured residential mortgage loans  
Restructured consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
   Other consumer loans and leases   
Total impaired loans and leases  
(a) Excludes five restructured nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2014 associated with a consolidated VIE, in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due to the risk being assumed by a 
third  party,  with  an  average  recorded  investment  of $28  for  the  years  ended December 31, 2014  and  2013  and  an  immaterial  amount  of  interest  income  recognized  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2014 and 2013.  

517   
146   
321   
108   
11   
1,311   

448   
156   
361   
160   
10   
1,276   

786   
149   
268   
92   
13   
1,273   

429   
29   
68   
2   
2,942   

439   
38   
80   
1   
2,969   

394   
24   
62   
 -   
3,061   

23   
1   
4   
 -   
113   

20   
1   
5   
 -   
119   

16   
4   
8   
4   
 -   
53   

4   
4   
10   
2   
 -   
47   

25   
4   
8   
2   
 -   
54   

24   
1   
4   
 -   
96   

$

109  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
  
  
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Nonperforming Assets 
Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and leases for which ultimate collectability of the full amount of the principal and/or interest is 
uncertain;  commercial  and  credit  card  TDRs  which  have  not  yet  met  the  requirements  to  be  classified  as  a  performing  asset;  consumer  TDRs
which are 90 days past due based on the restructured terms unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection; and certain other 
assets, including OREO and other repossessed property. The following table summarizes the Bancorp’s nonperforming loans and leases, by class, 
as of December 31:

2014  

2013  

($ in millions)  
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans(a)  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Total commercial loans and leases  
Residential mortgage loans  
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total consumer loans and leases  
Total nonperforming loans and leases(b)(c) 
OREO and other repossessed property(d) 
(a) Excludes $21 of restructured nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013 associated with a consolidated VIE in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due the risk being 

281 
95 
48 
29 
5 
458   
166 

228   
78   
57   
 -   
4   
367   
77   

93 
1 
33 
127   
751   
229   

93   
1   
41   
135   
579   
165   

$

$

assumed by a third party.  

(b) Excludes $39 and $6 of nonaccrual loans held for sale at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
(c)

Includes $9 and $10 of nonaccrual government insured commercial loans whose repayments are insured by the SBA at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $4 and $2 of restructured 
nonaccrual government insured commercial loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  

(d) Excludes $71 and $77 of OREO related to government insured loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  

A 

Troubled Debt Restructurings  
If  a  borrower  is  experiencing  financial  difficulty,  the  Bancorp  may 
consider, in certain circumstances, modifying the terms of their loan 
to  maximize  collection  of  amounts  due.  Within  each  of  the 
Bancorp’s loan classes, TDRs typically involve either a reduction of 
the  stated  interest  rate  of  the  loan,  an  extension  of  the  loan’s 
maturity date(s) with a stated rate lower than the current market rate 
for  a  new  loan  with  similar  risk,  or  in  limited  circumstances,  a 
reduction of the principal balance of the loan or the loan’s accrued 
interest. Modifying the terms of a loan may result in an increase or 
decrease  to  the  ALLL  depending  upon  the  terms  modified,  the 
method used to measure the ALLL for a loan prior to modification, 
and whether any charge-offs were recorded on the loan before or at 
the time of modification. Refer to the ALLL section of Note 1 for 
information  on 
the  Bancorp’s  ALLL  methodology.  Upon 
loan,  the  Bancorp  measures  the  related 
modification  of  a 
impairment  as  the  difference  between  the  estimated  future  cash 

flows expected to be collected on the modified loan, discounted at 
the original effective yield of the loan, and the carrying value of the 
loan. The resulting measurement may result in the need for minimal 
or no valuation allowance because it is probable that all cash flows 
will be collected under the modified terms of the loan. In addition, 
if the stated interest rate was increased in a TDR, the cash flows on 
the  modified  loan,  using  the  pre-modification  interest  rate  as  the 
discount  rate,  often  exceed  the  recorded  investment  of  the  loan.  
Conversely, upon a modification that reduces the stated interest rate 
on a loan, the Bancorp recognizes an impairment loss as an increase 
to the ALLL.  

If  a  TDR  involves  a  reduction  of  the  principal  balance  of  the 
loan or the loan’s accrued interest, that amount is charged-off to the 
ALLL.  As  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp  had  $89 
million  and  $86  million  in  line  of  credit  and  letter  of  credit 
commitments,  respectively,  to  lend  additional  funds  to  borrowers 
whose terms have been modified in a TDR.   

110  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
The following tables provide a summary of loans modified in a TDR by the Bancorp during the years ended December 31:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2014 ($ in millions)(a) 
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
Residential mortgage loans  
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total portfolio loans and leases  

2013 ($ in millions)(a) 
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans(c) 
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Residential mortgage loans  
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total portfolio loans and leases  

Number of loans  
modified in a TDR  
during the year(b) 

Recorded investment 
in loans modified 
in a TDR  
during the year 

Increase 
(Decrease) 
to ALLL upon
modification 

Charge-offs 
recognized upon  
modification 

128    
32    
28    
1,093    

284    
608    
8,929    
11,102    

$

$

230   
54   
30   
160   

12   
10   
52   
548   

 12   
 (1)  
 (3)  
8   

 -   
1   
10   
27   

 6   
 -   
 2   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 8   

Number of loans  
modified in a TDR  
during the year(b) 

Recorded investment 
in loans modified 
in a TDR  
during the year 

Increase 
(Decrease) 
to ALLL upon
modification 

Charge-offs 
recognized upon  
modification 

146    
65    
59    
4    
1    
1,620    

695    
499    
8,202    
11,291    

$

$

604   
19   
72   
34   
2   
249   

37   
14   
50   
1,081   

 39   
 (2)  
 (7)  
 (2)  
 (5)  
28   

 (1)  
1   
7   
 58   

44   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
44   

2012 ($ in millions)(a) 
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
   Commercial leases  
Residential mortgage loans  
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total portfolio loans and leases  
(a) Excludes all loans and leases held for sale and loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality. 
(b) Represents number of loans post-modification. 
(c)

Number of loans  
modified in a TDR  
during the year(b) 

Recorded investment 
in loans modified 
in a TDR  
during the year 

Increase 
(Decrease) 
to ALLL upon
modification 

Charge-offs 
recognized upon  
modification 

108    
67    
67    
17    
8    
1,758    

1,343    
1,289    
11,407    
16,064    

$

$

84   
53   
91   
38   
7   
340   

82   
23   
75   
793   

 (7)  
 (8)  
 (7)  
 (4)  
 1   
35   

1   
2   
11   
 24   

9   
2   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
11   

Excludes five loans modified in a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2013 associated with a consolidated VIE in which the Bancorp has no continuing credit risk due to the risk being 
assumed by a third party. The TDR had a recorded investment of $29 at modification, ALLL increased $7 upon modification, and a charge-off of $2 was recognized upon modification. 

The  Bancorp  considers  TDRs  that  become  90  days  or  more  past 
due  under  the  modified  terms  as  subsequently  defaulted.  For 
commercial  loans  not  subject  to  individual  review  for  impairment, 
loss rates that are applied for purposes of determining the allowance 
include  historical  losses  associated  with  subsequent  defaults  on 
loans  previously  modified  in  a  TDR.  For  consumer  loans,  the 
Bancorp  performs  a  qualitative  assessment  of  the  adequacy  of  the 
consumer  ALLL  by  comparing  the  consumer  ALLL  to  forecasted 
consumer  losses  over  the  projected  loss  emergence  period  (the 

forecasted  losses  include  the  impact  of  subsequent  defaults  of 
consumer  TDRs).  When  a  residential  mortgage,  home  equity,  auto 
or  other  consumer  loan  that  has  been  modified  in  a  TDR 
subsequently defaults, the present value of expected cash flows used 
in  the  measurement  of  the  potential  impairment  loss  is  generally 
limited  to  the  expected  net  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  loan’s 
underlying collateral and any resulting impairment loss is reflected as 
a charge-off or an increase in ALLL. The Bancorp fully reserves for 
credit card loans modified in a TDR that subsequently default. 

111  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
The following tables provide a summary of subsequent defaults that occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and within 12 
months of the restructuring date:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)(a) 
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
Residential mortgage loans  
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total portfolio loans and leases  

December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)(a) 
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
Residential mortgage loans  
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card  
Total portfolio loans and leases  

December 31, 2012 ($ in millions)(a) 
Commercial:  
   Commercial and industrial loans   
   Commercial mortgage owner-occupied loans  
   Commercial mortgage nonowner-occupied loans  
   Commercial construction loans  
Residential mortgage loans  
Consumer:  
   Home equity  
   Automobile loans  
   Credit card (revised)  
Total portfolio loans and leases  
(a) Excludes all loans and leases held for sale and loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality. 

Number of 
Contracts 

Recorded 
Investment 

11   
3   
2   
235   

30   
6   
2,059   
2,346   

Number of 
Contracts 

6   
7   
375   

65   
4   
1,768   
2,225   

Number of 
Contracts 

2   
3   
2   
2   
332   

101   
42   
1,832   
2,316   

$

$

$

$

$

$

36   
4   
1   
32   

2   
 -   
12   
87   

Recorded 
Investment 

11   
1   
58   

4   
 -   
11   
85   

Recorded 
Investment 

3   
2   
1   
3   
57   

7   
 -   
13   
86   

112  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

7. BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT 
The following is 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 $254 million in 2014, $245 million in 2013 and 
$233 million in 2012.  

At  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  land  and  improvements 
included $165 million and $196 million, respectively, associated with 
parcels of undeveloped land intended for future branch expansion. 
The  Bancorp  monitors  changing  customer  preferences  associated 
with  the  channels  it  uses  for  banking  transactions  to  evaluate  the 
efficiency,  competitiveness  and  quality  of  the  customer  service 
experience of its retail transaction network. As part of this ongoing 
assessment  the  Bancorp  may  determine  that  it  is  no  longer  fully 
committed  to  maintaining  full-service  branches  at  certain  of  its 
existing  banking  center  locations.  Similarly,  the  Bancorp  may  also 
determine  that  it  is  no  longer  fully  committed  to  building  banking 
centers  on  certain  parcels  of  land  which  had  previously  been  held 
for  future  branch  expansion.  In  these  circumstances,  the  Bancorp 
performs  an  assessment  of  the  recoverability  of  these  long-lived 

Estimated Useful Life

2 to 30 yrs. 
1 to 30 yrs. 
5 to 30 yrs. 

2014 

816 
1,810 
1,682 
416 
98 
(2,357)
2,465 

$

$

2013

838
1,763
1,581
397
118
(2,166)
2,531

assets.  Impairment  losses  associated  with  such  assessments  and 
lower  of  cost  or  market  adjustments  were  $20  million,  $6  million 
and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 
2012, respectively. The recognized impairment losses were recorded 
in  other  noninterest  income  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income.  The  Bancorp’s  assessment  of  the  recoverability  of  these 
asset  groups  requires  the  exercise  of  judgment  in  projecting  the 
extent  and  nature  of  their  future  use  and  the  related  cash  flows 
which may be impacted by unanticipated events or circumstances. 

is 

included 

in  net  occupancy  expense 

Gross  occupancy  expense  for  cancelable  and  noncancelable 
leases,  which 
in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income, was $100 million in 2014, $98 
million  in  2013  and  $99  million  in  2012,  which  was  reduced  by 
rental  income  from  leased  premises  of  $17  million  in  2014,  $16 
million in 2013 and $17 million in 2012. The Bancorp’s subsidiaries 
have entered into a number of noncancelable operating and capital 
lease agreements with respect to bank premises and equipment. 

The following table provides the annual future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases and capital leases at December 31, 2014:

 ($ in millions)

Year ending December 31, 
     2015 
     2016 
     2017 
     2018 
     2019 
Thereafter 
Total minimum lease payments 
Less: Amounts representing interest 
Present value of net minimum lease payments 

Noncancelable 
Operating Leases

Capital Leases

$

$

92 
87 
79 
76 
69 
294 
697 
 - 
 - 

11 
9 
5 
 5 
 5 
 2 
37 
9 
28 

113  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

8. GOODWILL 
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  fourth 
quarter  of  2008,  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  and  represents  the  total  amount  of  accumulated  impairment 
losses as of December 31, 2014.

Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill, by reporting unit, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

($ in millions) 
Net carrying value as of December 31, 2012 
Acquisition activity 
Net carrying value as of December 31, 2013 
Acquisition activity 

Net carrying value as of December 31, 2014 

Commercial 
Banking 

Branch 
Banking 

Consumer 
Lending 

Investment 
Advisors 

Total 

$

$

$

613
-
613
 -

613

1,655 
 - 
1,655 
 - 

1,655 

             -
             -
             -
             -

             -

148 
             -
148 
           -

148 

2,416
 -
2,416
 -

2,416

The  Bancorp  completed  its  annual  goodwill  impairment  test  as  of 
September  30,  2014  by  performing  a  qualitative  assessment  of 
goodwill  at  the  reporting  unit  level  to  determine  whether  any 
indicators  of  impairment  existed.  In  performing  this  qualitative 
assessment,  the  Bancorp  evaluated  events  and  circumstances  since 
the  last  impairment  analysis,  macroeconomic  conditions,  banking 
industry  and  market  conditions,  and  key  financial  metrics  of  the 
Bancorp  as  well  as  reporting  unit  and  overall  Bancorp  financial 
performance.  After  assessing  the  totality  of  the  events  and 
circumstances,  the  Bancorp  determined  that  it  was  not  more  likely 
than  not  that  the  fair  value  of  each  of  its  reporting  units  was  less 
than its carrying amounts and, therefore, the first and second steps 
of 
test  were  deemed 
unnecessary. 

the  quantitative  goodwill 

impairment 

114  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 
Intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles, customer lists, 
non-compete  agreements  and  cardholder  relationships.  Intangible 
assets are amortized on either a straight-line or an accelerated basis 

The details of the Bancorp’s intangible assets are shown in the following table:

over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets have an estimated 
remaining weighted-average life at December 31, 2014 of 4.5 years.   

($ in millions)  
As of December 31, 2014 
   Core deposit intangibles 
   Other 
Total intangible assets 
As of December 31, 2013 
   Core deposit intangibles 
   Other 
Total intangible assets 

Gross Carrying 
Amount 

Accumulated  
Amortization 

Valuation 
 Allowance 

Net Carrying 
 Amount 

$

$

$

$

122 
45 
167 

154 
45 
199 

(112)
(40)
(152)

(141)
(39)
(180)

 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 

10 
5 
15 

13 
6 
19 

As  of  December  31,  2014,  all  of  the  Bancorp’s  intangible  assets 
were  being  amortized.  Amortization  expense  recognized  on 

intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 
2012 was $4 million, $8 million and $13 million, respectively. 

The  Bancorp's  projections  of  amortization  expense  shown  below  are  based  on  existing  asset  balances  as  of  December  31,  2014.  Future 
amortization expense may vary from these projections. Estimated amortization expense for the years ending December 31, 2015 through 2019 is 
as follows:

($ in millions) 
2015  
2016  
2017  
2018  
2019  

$

Total 

2   
2   
2   
2   
1   

115  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

10. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES 
The Bancorp, in the normal course of business, engages in a variety 
of  activities  that  involve  VIEs,  which  are  legal  entities  that  lack 
sufficient equity to finance their activities, or the equity investors of 
the entities as a group lack any of the characteristics of a controlling 
interest. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is generally the enterprise 
that  has  both  the  power  to  direct  the  activities  most  significant  to 
the economic performance of the VIE and the obligation to absorb 
losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the 
VIE.  For  certain  investment  funds,  the  primary  beneficiary  is  the 
enterprise that will absorb a majority of the fund’s expected losses 
or  receive  a  majority  of  the  fund’s  expected  residual  returns.  The 

Bancorp evaluates its interest in certain entities to determine if these 
entities meet the definition of a VIE and whether the Bancorp is the 
primary beneficiary and should consolidate the entity based on the 
variable  interests  it  held  both  at  inception  and  when  there  is  a 
change  in  circumstances  that  requires  a  reconsideration.  If  the 
Bancorp  is  determined  to  be  the  primary  beneficiary  of  a  VIE,  it 
must  account  for  the  VIE  as  a  consolidated  subsidiary.  If  the 
Bancorp is determined not to be the primary beneficiary of a  VIE 
but holds a variable interest in the entity, such variable interests are 
accounted  for  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting  or  other 
accounting standards as appropriate. 

Consolidated VIEs
The following tables provide a summary of the classifications of consolidated VIE assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests included in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of: 

December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
Assets: 
Cash and due from banks 
Commercial mortgage loans 
Automobile loans 
ALLL 
Other assets 
Total assets 
Liabilities: 
Other liabilities 
Long-term debt 
Total liabilities 
Noncontrolling interests 

December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)  
Assets:  
Cash and due from banks  
Commercial mortgage loans  
Automobile loans  
ALLL  
Other assets  

Liabilities:  
Other liabilities  
Long-term debt  
Total liabilities  
Noncontrolling interests  

in  consumer  automobile 

Automobile Loan Securitization 
In  securitization  transactions  that  occurred  during  2014  and  2013, 
the  Bancorp  transferred  an  aggregate  amount  of  $3.8  billion  and 
$1.3  billion,  respectively, 
loans  to 
bankruptcy  remote  trusts  which  were  deemed  to  be  VIEs.  The 
primary purposes of the VIEs were to issue asset-backed securities 
with varying levels of credit subordination and payment priority, as 
well as residual interests, and to provide the Bancorp with access to 
liquidity  for  its  originated  loans.  The  Bancorp  retained  residual 
interests  in  the  VIEs  and,  therefore,  has  an  obligation  to  absorb 
losses  and  a  right  to  receive  benefits  from  the  VIEs  that  could 
potentially  be  significant  to  the  VIEs.  In  addition,  the  Bancorp 
retained  servicing  rights  for  the  underlying  loans  and,  therefore, 
holds  the  power  to  direct  the  activities  of  the  VIEs  that  most 
significantly  impact  the  economic  performance  of  the  VIEs.  As  a 
result,  the  Bancorp  concluded  that  it  is  the  primary  beneficiary  of 
the VIEs and, therefore, has consolidated these VIEs. The assets of 

116  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Automobile Loan 
Securitization 

CDC 
Investments 

 178   
 - 
 3,331   
(11)  
 23   
 3,521   

 5   
 3,434   
 3,439   
 -   

 1 
 47 
 - 
(11)  
 2 
39   

 - 
 - 
 - 
 39 

Total 

 179   
47   
 3,331   
(22)  
25   
3,560   

 5   
 3,434   
 3,439   
39   

Automobile Loan 
Securitization 

CDC 
Investments 

Total 

 49   
 -     
 1,010   
 (2)  
 11   
 1,068   

 1   
 1,048   
 1,049   
 -     

 -   
 48 
 -   
 (13)  
 2 
 37   

 -   
 -   
 -     
 37 

 49   
 48   
 1,010   
 (15)  
 13   
 1,105   

 1   
 1,048   
 1,049   
 37   

$

$

$

$

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 

the  VIEs  are  restricted  to  the  settlement  of  the  notes  and  other 
obligations  of  the  VIEs.  Third-party  holders  of  the  notes  do  not 
have recourse to the general assets of the Bancorp. 

The  economic  performance  of  the  VIEs  is  most  significantly 
impacted by the performance of the underlying loans. The principal 
risks  to  which  the  VIEs  are  exposed  include  credit  risk  and 
prepayment  risk.  The  credit  and  prepayment  risks  are  managed 
through  credit  enhancements  in  the  form  of  reserve  accounts, 
overcollateralization,  excess 
the 
subordination  of  certain  classes  of  asset-backed  securities  to  other 
classes. 

interest  on 

loans  and 

the 

CDC Investments 
CDC,  a  wholly  owned  indirect  subsidiary  of  the  Bancorp,  was 
created to invest in projects to create affordable housing, revitalize 
business  and  residential  areas,  and  preserve  historic  landmarks. 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

CDC  generally  co-invests  with  other  unrelated  companies  and/or 
individuals and typically makes investments in a separate legal entity 
that owns the property under development. The entities are usually 
formed as limited partnerships and LLCs, and CDC typically invests 
as  a  limited  partner/investor  member  in  the  form  of  equity 
contributions. The economic performance of the VIEs is driven by 
the  performance  of  their  underlying  investment  projects  as  well  as 
the  VIEs’  ability  to  operate  in  compliance  with  the  rules  and 
regulations necessary for the qualification of tax credits generated by 
equity  investments.  Typically,  the  general  partner  or  managing 
member will be the party that has the right to make decisions that 
will  most  significantly  impact  the  economic  performance  of  the 
entity. The Bancorp’s subsidiaries serve as the managing member of 
certain  LLCs  invested  in  business  revitalization  projects.  The 
Bancorp has provided an indemnification guarantee to the investor 
member  of  these  LLCs  related  to  the  qualification  of  tax  credits 

the  equity  attributable 

generated  by  the  investor  members’  investment.  Accordingly,  the 
Bancorp concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and, therefore, 
has  consolidated  these  VIEs.  As  a  result,  the  investor  members’ 
interests in these VIEs are presented as noncontrolling interests in 
the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. This presentation 
includes  reporting  separately 
the 
noncontrolling  interests  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  and 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Changes  in  Equity  and  reporting 
separately 
the 
noncontrolling 
the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Comprehensive  Income  and  the  net  income  attributable  to  the 
noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
The Bancorp’s maximum exposure related to these indemnifications 
at  December  31,  2014  and  2013  was  $24  million  and  $21  million, 
respectively,  which  is  based  on  an  amount  required  to  meet  the 
investor members’ defined target rate of return.

the  comprehensive 

attributable 

interests 

income 

to 

to 

in 

Non-consolidated VIEs
The following tables provide a summary of assets and liabilities carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to non-consolidated VIEs for 
which  the  Bancorp  holds  an  interest,  but  is  not  the  primary  beneficiary  of  the  VIE,  as  well  as  the  Bancorp’s  maximum  exposure  to  losses 
associated with its interests in the entities as of:  

December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
CDC investments 
Private equity investments 
Loans provided to VIEs 
Automobile loan securitization 

December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 
CDC investments 
Private equity investments 
Loans provided to VIEs 
Automobile loan securitization 
Restructured loans  

CDC Investments 
As  noted  previously,  CDC  typically  invests  in  VIEs  as  a  limited 
partner or investor member in the form of equity contributions. The 
Bancorp  has  determined  that  it  is  not  the  primary  beneficiary  of 
these  VIEs  because  it  lacks  the  power  to  direct  the  activities  that 
most  significantly 
impact  the  economic  performance  of  the 
underlying project or the VIEs’ ability to operate in compliance with 
the  rules  and  regulations  necessary  for  the  qualification  of  tax 
credits  generated  by  equity  investments.  This  power  is  held  by  the 
general partners/managing members who exercise full and exclusive 
control  of  the  operations  of  the  VIEs.  Accordingly,  the  Bancorp 
accounts  for  these  investments  under  the  equity  method  of 
accounting.  

The Bancorp’s funding requirements are limited to its invested 
capital and any additional unfunded commitments for future equity 
contributions. 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,  including  the  unfunded  commitments.  The 
carrying amounts of these investments, which are included in other 
assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the liabilities related 
to the unfunded commitments, which are included in other liabilities 
in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets,  are  included  in  the  previous 
tables for all periods presented. The Bancorp has no other liquidity 
arrangements  or  obligations  to  purchase  assets  of  the  VIEs  that 
would  expose  the  Bancorp  to  a  loss.  In  certain  arrangements,  the 
general  partner/managing  member  of  the  VIE  has  guaranteed  a 

$

$

Total  
Assets 

1,432   
189   
1,900   
 2   

Total  
Assets 

1,436   
204   
1,830   
4   
1   

Total  
Liabilities 
364   
 - 
 - 
 - 

Total  
Liabilities 
407   
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

Maximum  
Exposure  
1,432   
267   
2,759   
 2   

Maximum  
Exposure  
1,436   
294   
2,792   
4   
1   

level  of  projected  tax  credits  to  be  received  by  the  limited 
partners/investor  members,  thereby  minimizing  a  portion  of  the 
Bancorp’s risk. 

Private Equity Investments 
The  Bancorp,  through  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  invests  as  a 
limited  partner  in  private  equity  funds  which  provide  the  Bancorp 
an opportunity to obtain higher rates of return on invested capital, 
while  also  creating  cross-selling  opportunities  for  the  Bancorp’s 
commercial  products.  Each  of  the  limited  partnerships  has  an 
unrelated third-party general partner responsible for appointing the 
fund manager. The Bancorp has not been appointed fund manager 
for any of these private equity funds. The funds finance primarily all 
of  their  activities  from  the  partners’  capital  contributions  and 
investment  returns.  Under  the  VIE  consolidation  guidance  still 
applicable  to  the  funds,  the  Bancorp  has  determined  that  it  is  not 
the  primary  beneficiary  of  the  funds  because  it  does  not  absorb  a 
majority  of  the  funds’  expected  losses  or  receive  a  majority  of  the 
funds’  expected  residual  returns.  Therefore,  the  Bancorp  accounts 
for  its  investments  in  these  limited  partnerships  under  the  equity 
method of accounting. 

The  Bancorp  is  exposed  to  losses  arising  from  negative 
performance  of  the  underlying  investments  in  the  private  equity 
funds.  As  a  limited  partner,  the  Bancorp’s  maximum  exposure  to 
loss  is  limited  to  the  carrying  amounts  of  the  investments  plus 
these 
unfunded  commitments.  The  carrying 

amounts  of 

117  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

investments in these VIEs under the equity method or cost method 
of  accounting  based  on  its  percentage  of  ownership  and  ability  to 
exercise significant influence. 

The  Bancorp’s  maximum  exposure  to  loss  as  a  result  of  its 
involvement  with  these  VIEs  was  limited  to  the  equity  capital 
investments,  the  principal  and  accrued  interest  on  the  outstanding 
loans,  and  any  unfunded  commitments.  The  Bancorp  had 
outstanding loans to these VIEs included in commercial loans in the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  The  Bancorp  had  no  unfunded  loan 
commitments  to  these  VIEs  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013. 
The  loans  to  these  VIEs  are  included  in  the  Bancorp’s  overall 
analysis of the ALLL. The Bancorp does not provide any implicit or 
explicit  liquidity  guarantees  or  principal  value  guarantees  to  these 
VIEs. 

investments, which are included in other assets in the Consolidated 
Balance  Sheets,  are  included  in  the  previous  tables.  Also,  as  of 
December 31, 2014 and 2013, the unfunded commitment amounts 
to  the  funds  were  $78  million  and  $90  million,  respectively.  The 
Bancorp made capital contributions of $27 million and $31 million 
to  private  equity  funds  during  2014  and  2013,  respectively. 
Additionally, in response to the issuance of the Volcker Rule in the 
fourth quarter of 2013, the Bancorp recognized $4 million of OTTI 
on its investments in private equity funds during 2013. The Bancorp 
recognized  no  OTTI  on  its  investments  in  private  equity  funds 
during 2014. Refer to Note 27 for further information. 

Loans Provided to VIEs 
The Bancorp has provided funding to certain unconsolidated VIEs 
sponsored by third parties. These VIEs are generally established to 
finance  certain  consumer  and  small  business  loans  originated  by 
third parties. The entities are primarily funded through the issuance 
of  a  loan  from  the  Bancorp  or  syndication  through  which  the 
Bancorp  is  involved.  The  sponsor/administrator  of  the  entities  is 
responsible for servicing the underlying assets in the VIEs. Because 
the  sponsor/administrator,  not  the  Bancorp,  holds  the  servicing 
responsibilities, which include the establishment and employment of 
default  mitigation  policies  and  procedures,  the  Bancorp  does  not 
hold the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact 
the  economic  performance  of  the  entity  and,  therefore,  is  not  the 
primary beneficiary. 

included 

The principal risk to which these entities are exposed is credit 
risk  related  to  the  underlying  assets.  The  Bancorp’s  maximum 
exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts of the loans and 
unfunded  commitments  to  the  VIEs.  The  Bancorp’s  outstanding 
in  the 
loans  to  these  VIEs, 
Consolidated Balance Sheets, are included in the previous tables for 
all  periods  presented.  As  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the 
Bancorp’s  unfunded  commitments  to  these  entities  were  $859 
million  and  $962  million,  respectively.  The  loans  and  unfunded 
commitments  to  these  VIEs  are  included  in  the  Bancorp’s  overall 
analysis  of  the  ALLL  and  reserve  for  unfunded  commitments, 
respectively. The Bancorp does not provide any implicit or explicit 
liquidity guarantees or principal value guarantees to these VIEs. 

in  commercial 

loans 

Automobile Loan Securitization 
In March of 2013, the Bancorp recognized an immaterial loss on the 
securitization  and  sale  of  certain  automobile  loans  with  a  carrying 
amount  of  approximately  $509  million.  The  securitization  and  the 
resulting  sale  of  all  underlying  securities  qualified  for  sale 
accounting.  The  Bancorp  has  concluded  that  it  is  not  the  primary 
beneficiary  of  the  trust  because  it  has  neither  the  obligation  to 
absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the 
VIE  nor  the  right  to  receive  benefits  from  the  entity  that  could 
potentially  be  significant  to  the  VIE.  The  Bancorp  is  not  required 
and  does  not  currently  intend  to  provide  any  additional  financial 
support  to  the  trust.  Investors  and  creditors  only  have  recourse  to 
the  assets  held  by  the  trust.  The  interest  the  Bancorp  holds  in  the 
VIE relates to servicing rights that are included in the Consolidated 
Balance  Sheets.  The  maximum  exposure  to  loss  is  equal  to  the 
carrying value of the servicing asset. 

Restructured Loans 
As  part  of  loan  restructuring  efforts,  the  Bancorp  received  equity 
capital  from  certain  borrowers  to  facilitate  the  restructuring  of  the 
borrower’s  loans.  These  borrowers  meet  the  definition  of  a  VIE 
because the Bancorp was involved in their refinancing and because 
their  equity  capital  at  risk  was  insufficient  to  fund  ongoing 
its  equity  capital 
operations.  The  Bancorp  accounted 

for 

118  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

11. SALES OF RECEIVABLES AND SERVICING RIGHTS 
Automobile Loan Securitization 
In March of 2013, the Bancorp recognized an immaterial loss on the 
securitization  and  sale  of  certain  automobile  loans  with  a  carrying 
amount  of  approximately  $509  million.  The  Bancorp  utilized  a 
securitization trust to facilitate  the securitization process. The trust 
issued  asset-backed  securities  in  the  form  of  notes  and  equity 
certificates, with varying levels of credit subordination and payment 
priority.  The  Bancorp  does  not  hold  any  of  the  notes  or  equity 
certificates issued by the trust, and the investors in these securities 
have no credit recourse to the Bancorp’s assets for failure of debtors 
to pay when due. As part of the sale, the Bancorp obtained servicing 

responsibilities  and  recognized  a  servicing  asset  with  an  initial  fair 
value of $6 million. 

Residential Mortgage Loan Sales 
The  Bancorp  sold  fixed  and  adjustable  rate  residential  mortgage 
loans  during  2014,  2013  and  2012.  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.   

Information related to residential mortgage loan sales and the  Bancorp’s mortgage banking activity, which  is included in mortgage banking net 
revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income, for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

($ in millions)
Residential mortgage loan sales 

Origination fees and gains on loan sales 
Gross mortgage servicing fees 

$

2014  
 5,467 

 153 
 246 

2013  
21,529 

453 
251 

2012  
21,574 

821 
250 

Servicing Rights 
The following table presents changes in the servicing rights related to residential mortgage and automobile loans for the years ended December 31:

($ in millions)
Carrying amount before valuation allowance as of the beginning of the period 
Servicing rights that result from the transfer of residential mortgage loans 
Servicing rights that result from the transfer of automobile loans 
Amortization 
Carrying amount before valuation allowance 
Valuation allowance for servicing rights: 
    Beginning balance 
    (Provision for) recovery of MSR impairment 
    Ending balance 
Carrying amount as of the end of the period 

2014  
 1,440 
73 
 - 
(121)
 1,392 

(469)
(65)
(534)
858 

$ 

$ 

2013  
1,358 
244 
6 
(168)
1,440 

(661)
192 
(469)
971 

Amortization  expense  recognized  on  servicing  rights  for  the  years 
ended  December  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012  was  $121  million,  $168 
million and $186 million, respectively. The Bancorp's projections of 

amortization  expense  shown  below  are  based  on  existing  asset 
balances  as  of  December  31,  2014.  Future  amortization  expense 
may vary from these projections. 

Estimated amortization expense for the years ending December 31, 2015 through 2019 is as follows:

($ in millions) 
2015  
2016  
2017  
2018  
2019  

$

Total 
125   
113   
103   
93   
85   

Temporary impairment or impairment recovery, affected through a 
change in the MSR valuation allowance, is captured 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 the value 
of  the  MSR  portfolio.  This  strategy  includes  the  purchase  of  free-
standing  derivatives  and  various  available-for-sale  securities.  The 

interest income, mark-to-market adjustments and gain or loss from 
sale  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. The fair value of the servicing asset is based on 
the present value of expected future cash flows.    

119  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
The following table displays the beginning and ending fair value of the servicing rights for the years ended December 31:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

($ in millions)
Fixed-rate residential mortgage loans: 
    Beginning balance 
    Ending balance 
Adjustable rate residential mortgage loans: 
    Beginning balance 
    Ending balance 
Fixed-rate automobile loans: 
    Beginning balance 
    Ending balance 

2014  

2013  

$ 

929 
823 

38 
33 

4 
2   

664
929

33
38

-
4  

The following table presents activity related to valuations of the MSR portfolio and the impact of the non-qualifying hedging strategy, which is
included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31:

($ in millions)
Securities gains, net - non-qualifying hedges on MSRs 
Changes in fair value and settlement of free-standing derivatives purchased 
    to economically hedge the MSR portfolio (Mortgage banking net revenue) 
(Provision for) recovery of MSR impairment (Mortgage banking net revenue) 

$

2014  
 -   

95 
(65)

2013  
 13 

(30)
192 

2012  
 3 

63 
(103)

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the key economic assumptions used in measuring the interests in residential mortgage loans that continued to
be held by the Bancorp at the date of sale or securitization resulting from transactions completed during the years ended December 31 were as 
follows:

2014  

2013  

Weighted-
Average Life 
(in years) 

Rate 

Prepayment 
Speed (annual)

Discount Rate 
(annual) 

Weighted-
Average 
Default Rate

Weighted-
Average Life 
(in years) 

Prepayment 
Speed (annual) 

Discount Rate 
(annual) 

Weighted-
Average 
Default Rate

Residential mortgage loans: 
    Servicing rights 
    Servicing rights 

Fixed 
Adjustable 

6.6 
3.7 

11.3 % 
22.3

10.0 % 
11.7 

N/A
N/A

7.3
3.6

9.1 % 
22.8 

10.2 % 
11.5 

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,  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp 

serviced  $65.4  billion  and  $69.2  billion,  respectively,  of  residential 
mortgage  loans  for  other  investors.  The  value  of  MSRs  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,  2014,  the  sensitivity  of  the  current  fair  value  of  residual  cash  flows  to  immediate  10%,  20%  and  50%  adverse  changes  in
prepayment speed assumptions and immediate 10% and 20% adverse changes in other assumptions are as follows: 

Prepayment  
Speed Assumption 

Residual Servicing  
Cash Flows 

($ in millions)(a) 
Residential mortgage loans:  
    Servicing rights  
    Servicing rights  
(a)

Fair 
   Value 

Weighted-
Average Life (in
years) 

Rate 

Rate 

Impact of Adverse Change 
on Fair Value 
20% 

50% 

10% 

Impact of Adverse 
Change on Fair 
Value 

10% 

20% 

Discount 
Rate 

Fixed 
Adjustable 

$ 

823 
33 

6.0 
3.1 

12.0 % $
26.2 

(37)
(1)

(72)
(2)

(161)
(5)

9.9 % $
11.8 

(29)
(1)

(57)
(2)

The impact of the weighted-average default rate on the current fair value of residual cash flows for all scenarios is immaterial.  

These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be used with caution. 
As  the  figures  indicate,  changes  in  fair  value  based  on  these 
variations  in  the  assumptions  typically  cannot  be  extrapolated 
because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change 
in fair value may not be linear. The Bancorp believes variations of 
these levels are reasonably possible; however, there is the potential 
that  adverse  changes  in  key  assumptions  could  be  even  greater. 
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 

120  Fifth Third Bancorp 

the  Bancorp 

by 
is  calculated  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),  which  might  magnify  or  counteract  these 
sensitivities. 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
     
  
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
     
  
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
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  and  for  other  business 
purposes.  The  Bancorp  does  not  enter  into  unhedged  speculative 
derivative positions. 

the 

The Bancorp’s interest rate risk management strategy involves 
modifying 
financial 
repricing  characteristics  of  certain 
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  stated 
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. 

interest 

(principal-only  swaps, 

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 
rate 
swaptions, interest rate floors, mortgage options, TBAs and interest 
rate  swaps)  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.  TBAs  are  a  forward 
purchase agreement for a mortgage-backed securities trade whereby 
the terms of the security are undefined at the time the trade is made. 
Foreign  currency  volatility  occurs  as  the  Bancorp  enters  into 
certain 
in  foreign  currencies.  Derivative 
instruments that the Bancorp may use to economically hedge these 
foreign  denominated  loans  include  foreign  exchange  swaps  and 
forward contracts. 

loans  denominated 

The  Bancorp  also  enters  into  derivative  contracts  (including 
foreign  exchange  contracts,  commodity  contracts  and  interest  rate 
contracts)  for  the  benefit  of  commercial  customers  and  other 
business purposes. The Bancorp may economically hedge significant 
exposures related to these free-standing derivatives by entering into 
offsetting 
reputable 
contracts  with 
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.  Credit  risk  is  minimized  through 

third-party 

approved, 

credit  approvals,  limits,  counterparty  collateral  and  monitoring 
procedures.  

The  Bancorp’s  derivative  assets  include  certain  contractual 
features in which the Bancorp requires the counterparties to provide 
collateral in the form of cash and securities to offset changes in the 
fair value of the derivatives, including changes in the fair value due 
to  credit  risk  of  the  counterparty.  As  of  December  31,  2014  and 
2013,  the  balance  of  collateral  held  by  the  Bancorp  for  derivative 
assets  was  $830  million  and  $514  million,  respectively.  The  credit 
component  negatively  impacting  the  fair  value  of  derivative  assets 
associated with customer accommodation contracts as of December 
31, 2014 and 2013 was $16 million and $12 million, respectively. 

In measuring the fair value of derivative liabilities, the Bancorp 
considers  its  own  credit  risk,  taking  into  consideration  collateral 
maintenance  requirements  of  certain  derivative  counterparties  and 
the duration of instruments with counterparties that do not require 
collateral  maintenance.  When  necessary, 
the  Bancorp  posts 
collateral  primarily  in  the  form  of  cash  and  securities  to  offset 
changes  in  fair  value  of  the  derivatives,  including  changes  in  fair 
value due to the Bancorp’s credit risk. As of December 31, 2014 and 
2013, the balance of collateral posted by the Bancorp for derivative 
liabilities was $574 million and $559 million, respectively. Certain of 
the  Bancorp’s  derivative 
liabilities  contain  credit-risk  related 
contingent  features  that  could  result  in  the  requirement  to  post 
additional collateral upon the occurrence of specified events. As of 
December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  fair  value  of  the  additional 
collateral  that  could  be  required  to  be  posted  as  a  result  of  the 
credit-risk related contingent features being triggered was immaterial 
to the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The posting of 
collateral  has  been  determined  to  remove  the  need  for  further 
consideration  of  credit  risk.  As  a  result,  the  Bancorp  determined 
that  the  impact  of  the  Bancorp’s  credit  risk  to  the  valuation  of  its 
derivative  liabilities  was  immaterial  to  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

The  Bancorp  holds  certain  derivative  instruments  that  qualify 
for  hedge  accounting  treatment  and  are  designated  as  either  fair 
value  hedges  or  cash  flow  hedges.  Derivative  instruments  that  do 
not  qualify  for  hedge  accounting  treatment,  or  for  which  hedge 
accounting  is  not  established,  are  held  as  free-standing  derivatives. 
All  customer  accommodation  derivatives  are  held  as  free-standing 
derivatives. 

The fair value of derivative instruments is presented on a gross 
basis,  even  when  the  derivative  instruments  are  subject  to  master 
netting  arrangements.  Derivative  instruments  with  a  positive  fair 
value  are  reported  in  other  assets  in  the  Consolidated  Balance 
Sheets  while  derivative  instruments  with  a  negative  fair  value  are 
reported in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cash 
collateral  payables  and  receivables  associated  with  the  derivative 
instruments  are  not  added  to  or  netted  against  the  fair  value 
amounts. For further information on offsetting derivatives, refer to 
Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

121  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following tables reflect the notional amounts and fair values for all derivative instruments included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Fair Value 

Notional 
Amount 

   Derivative 

Assets 

Derivative 
Liabilities 

$

 2,205 

 3,150 

 4,487 
 999 
 691 
 1,092 

 29,558 
 613 
 3,558 
 16,745 

$

 399 
 399 

 36 
 36 
 435 

 181 
 - 
 415 
 - 
 596 

 272 
 12 
 348 
 417 
 1,049 
 1,645 
 2,080 

 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 6 
 - 
 49 
 55 

 278 
 - 
 338 
 372 
 988 
 1,043 
 1,043 

Fair Value 

Notional 
Amount 

Derivative 
Assets 

Derivative 
Liabilities 

$

 3,205 

 2,200 

 4,092 
 1,448 
 664 
 947 

 28,112 
 924 
 3,300 
 19,688 

$

 292 
 292 

 40 
 40 
 332 

 141 
 13 
 384 
 - 
 538 

 329 
 12 
 66 
 276 
 683 
 1,221 
 1,553 

 13 
 13 

 21 
 21 
 34 

 14 
 1 
 - 
 48 
 63 

 339 
 1 
 65 
 252 
 657 
 720 
 754 

December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
Qualifying hedging instruments 
   Fair value hedges: 
     Interest rate swaps related to long-term debt 
   Total fair value hedges 
   Cash flow hedges: 
     Interest rate swaps related to C&I loans 
   Total cash flow hedges 
Total derivatives designated as qualifying hedging instruments 
Derivatives not designated as qualifying hedging instruments 
   Free-standing derivatives - risk management and other business purposes: 
     Interest rate contracts related to MSRs 
     Forward contracts related to held for sale mortgage loans 
     Stock warrant associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC 
     Swap associated with the sale of Visa, Inc. Class B shares 
   Total free-standing derivatives - risk management and other business purposes 
   Free-standing derivatives - customer accommodation: 
     Interest rate contracts for customers 
     Interest rate lock commitments 
     Commodity contracts 
     Foreign exchange contracts 
   Total free-standing derivatives - customer accommodation 
Total derivatives not designated as qualifying hedging instruments 
Total 

December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 
Qualifying hedging instruments 
   Fair value hedges: 
     Interest rate swaps related to long-term debt 
   Total fair value hedges 
   Cash flow hedges: 
     Interest rate swaps related to C&I loans 
   Total cash flow hedges 
Total derivatives designated as qualifying hedging instruments 
Derivatives not designated as qualifying hedging instruments 
   Free-standing derivatives - risk management and other business purposes: 
     Interest rate contracts related to MSRs 
     Forward contracts related to held for sale mortgage loans 
     Stock warrant associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC 
     Swap associated with the sale of Visa, Inc. Class B shares 
   Total free-standing derivatives - risk management and other business purposes 
   Free-standing derivatives - customer accommodation: 
     Interest rate contracts for customers 
     Interest rate lock commitments 
     Commodity contracts 
     Foreign exchange contracts 
   Total free-standing derivatives - customer accommodation 
Total derivatives not designated as qualifying hedging instruments 
Total 

122  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
     
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Fair Value Hedges 
The Bancorp may enter into interest rate swaps to convert its fixed-
rate funding to floating-rate. Decisions to convert fixed-rate funding 
to  floating  are  made  primarily  through  consideration  of  the 
asset/liability  mix  of  the  Bancorp,  the  desired  asset/liability 
sensitivity  and  interest  rate  levels.  As  of  December  31,  2014  and 
2013, 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 
interest  rate  swaps  that  do  not  meet  the  shortcut  requirements,  an 
assessment  of  hedge  effectiveness  using  regression  analysis  was 

performed  and  such  swaps  were  accounted  for  using  the  “long-
haul”  method.  The 
long-haul  method  requires  a  quarterly 
and  measurement  of 
effectiveness 
assessment  of  hedge 
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 related hedged item attributable to the 
risk  being  hedged.  The  ineffectiveness  on  interest  rate  swaps 
hedging fixed-rate funding is reported within interest expense in the 
Consolidated Statements of Income.   

The following table reflects the change in fair value of interest rate contracts, designated as fair value hedges, as well as the change in fair value of 
the related hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged, included in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

For the year ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Interest rate contracts: 
     Change in fair value of interest rate swaps hedging long-term debt 
  Interest on long-term debt 
     Change in fair value of hedged long-term debt attributable to the risk being hedged   Interest on long-term debt 

$ 

 120 
 (126)

 (279)
 276 

 (104)
 107 

Consolidated Statements of Income 
Caption 

2014  

2013  

2012  

liabilities  may  be  grouped 

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 
in 
circumstances  where  they  share  the  same  risk  exposure  that  the 
Bancorp desires to hedge. 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, 2014, all hedges designated 
as cash flow hedges were 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 attributable to the risk being 
hedged. Ineffectiveness is reported within other noninterest income 
in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The effective portion of 
the  cumulative  gains  or  losses  on  cash  flow  hedges  are  reported 
within  AOCI  and  are  reclassified  from  AOCI  to  current  period 
earnings  when  the  forecasted  transaction  affects  earnings.  As  of 
December  31,  2014,  the  maximum  length  of  time  over  which  the 

Bancorp  is  hedging  its  exposure  to  the  variability  in  future  cash 
flows is 60 months. 

Reclassified  gains  and  losses  on  interest  rate  contracts  related 
to  commercial  and  industrial  loans  are  recorded  within  interest 
income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of December 
31, 2014 and 2013, $23 million and $13 million, respectively, of net 
deferred  gains,  net  of  tax,  on  cash  flow  hedges  were  recorded  in 
AOCI  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  As  of  December  31, 
2014,  $33  million  in  net  deferred  gains,  net  of  tax,  recorded  in 
AOCI are expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next 
twelve  months.  This  amount  could  differ  from  amounts  actually 
recognized  due  to  changes  in  interest  rates,  hedge  de-designations, 
and the addition of other hedges subsequent to December 31, 2014. 
During  2014  and  2013,  there  were  no  gains  or  losses 
reclassified  from  accumulated  AOCI  into  earnings  associated  with 
the discontinuance of cash flow hedges because it was probable that 
the original forecasted transaction would no longer occur by the end 
of the originally specified time period or within the additional period 
of time as defined by U.S. GAAP. 

The following table presents the pretax net gains (losses) recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Statements of 
Comprehensive Income relating to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

For the year ended December 31 ($ in millions)
Amount of pretax net gains (losses) recognized in OCI 
Amount of pretax net gains reclassified from OCI into net income

Free-Standing Derivative Instruments – Risk Management 
and Other Business Purposes 
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,  interest  rate  swaptions, 
interest rate floors, mortgage options, TBAs 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 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. 

$

2014  
 60 
 44 

2013  
 (13)
 44 

2012  
 37 
 83 

The  Bancorp  enters  into  forward  contracts  and  mortgage 
options  to  economically  hedge  the  change  in  fair  value  of  certain 
residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  due  to  changes  in  interest 
rates. IRLCs issued on residential mortgage loan commitments that 
will  be  held  for  sale  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. 

Additionally, as part of the Bancorp’s overall risk management 
strategy  with  respect  to  minimizing  significant  fluctuations  in 
earnings  and  cash  flows  caused  by  interest  rate  and  prepayment 
volatility,  the  Bancorp  may  enter  into  free-standing  derivative 
instruments (options, swaptions and interest rate swaps). The gains 

123  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

and  losses  on  these  derivative  contracts  are  recorded  within  other 
noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 

In  conjunction  with  the  initial  sale  of  the  Bancorp’s  51% 
interest  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC,  the  Bancorp  received  a  warrant 
and  issued  a  put  option,  which  are  accounted  for  as  free-standing 
derivatives.  The  put  option  expired  as  a  result  of  the  Vantiv,  Inc. 
IPO in March of 2012. Refer to Note 27 for further discussion of 
significant  inputs  and  assumptions  used  in  the  valuation  of  the 
warrant. 

In  conjunction  with  the  sale  of  Visa,  Inc.  Class  B  shares  in 
2009,  the  Bancorp  entered  into  a  total  return  swap  in  which  the 
Bancorp  will  make  or  receive  payments  based  on  subsequent 
changes  in  the  conversion  rate  of  the  Class  B  shares  into  Class  A 
shares.  This  total  return  swap  is  accounted  for  as  a  free-standing 
derivative.  Refer  to  Note  27  for  further  discussion  of  significant 
inputs and assumptions used in the valuation of this instrument.  

The  net  gains  (losses)  recorded  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  relating  to  free-standing  derivative  instruments  used  for  risk 
management and other business purposes are summarized in the following table:

For the year ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Interest rate contracts: 
     Forward contracts related to mortgage loans held for sale 
     Interest rate contracts related to MSR portfolio 
     Interest rate swaps related to long-term debt 
Foreign exchange contracts: 
     Foreign exchange contracts for risk management purposes 
Equity contracts: 
     Stock warrant associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC 
     Put option associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC  
     Swap associated with sale of Visa, Inc. Class B shares 

Free-Standing  Derivative  Instruments  –  Customer 
Accommodation 
The  majority  of  the  free-standing  derivative  instruments  the 
Bancorp enters into are for the benefit of its 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  and  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, 
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  interest  rate,  foreign 
exchange,  commodity  and  other  commercial  customer  derivative 
contracts  are  recorded  as  a  component  of  corporate  banking 
revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  

reputable, 

its 

Consolidated Statements of Income 
Caption 

2014  

2013  

2012  

  Mortgage banking net revenue 
  Mortgage banking net revenue 
  Other noninterest income 

$ 

  Other noninterest income 

  Other noninterest income 
  Other noninterest income 
  Other noninterest income 

 (18)
 95 
 - 

 14 

 31 
 - 
 (38)

 24 
 (30)
 - 

 5 

 206 
 - 
 (31)

 28 
 63 
 2 

 - 

 66 
 1 
 (45)

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  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  total 
notional  amount  of  the  risk  participation  agreements  was  $1.1 
billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, and the fair value was a liability 
of $2 million at December 31, 2014 and $3 million at December 31, 
2013, which is included in interest rate contracts for customers. As 
of  December  31,  2014,  the  risk  participation  agreements  had  an 
average remaining life of 2.6 years. 

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. 

Risk ratings of the notional amount of risk participation agreements under this risk rating system are summarized in the following table:

At December 31 ($ in millions)
Pass 
Special mention 
Substandard 
Total 

124  Fifth Third Bancorp 

2014  

2013  

$ 

$ 

 1,052 
 59 
 2 
 1,113 

 1,153
 38
 12
 1,203

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The  net  gains  (losses)  recorded  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  relating  to  free-standing  derivative  instruments  used  for  customer 
accommodation are summarized in the following table:

For the year ended December 31
($ in millions) 
Interest rate contracts: 
     Interest rate contracts for customers (contract revenue) 
     Interest rate contracts for customers (credit losses) 
     Interest rate contracts for customers (credit portion of fair value adjustment) 
     Interest rate lock commitments 
Commodity contracts: 
     Commodity contracts for customers (contract revenue) 
     Commodity contracts for customers (credit portion of fair value adjustment) 
Foreign exchange contracts: 
     Foreign exchange contracts - customers (contract revenue) 
     Foreign exchange contracts - customers (credit portion of fair value adjustment) 

Consolidated Statements of 
Income Caption 

   2014  

2013  

2012 

Corporate banking revenue 
Other noninterest expense 
Other noninterest expense 
Mortgage banking net revenue 

$ 

Corporate banking revenue 
Other noninterest expense 

Corporate banking revenue 
Other noninterest expense 

 19
 (3)
 3
 124

 6
 (7)

 72
 -

 29 
 (3)
 7 
 58 

 7 
 - 

 69 
 (2)

 30 
 (2)
 6 
 417 

 7 
 2 

 65 
 2 

125  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

13. OFFSETTING DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
The  Bancorp’s  derivative  transactions  are  generally  governed  by 
ISDA Master Agreements and similar arrangements, which include 
provisions governing the setoff of assets and liabilities between the 
parties.  When  the  Bancorp  has  more  than  one  outstanding 
derivative  transaction  with  a  single  counterparty,  the  setoff 
provisions  contained  within  these  agreements  generally  allow  the 
non-defaulting party the right to reduce its liability to the defaulting 
party by amounts eligible for setoff, including the collateral received 

as  well  as  eligible  offsetting  transactions  with  that  counterparty, 
irrespective  of  the  currency,  place  of  payment,  or  booking  office. 
The Bancorp’s policy is to present its derivative assets and derivative 
liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a gross basis, even 
when provisions allowing for setoff are in place. 

Collateral  amounts  included  in  the  tables  below  consist 

primarily of cash and highly-rated government-backed securities. 

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 

Gross Amount    
 Recognized in the   
Consolidated Balance Sheets(a)

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 

Derivatives  

Collateral(b)  

  Net Amount 

Assets  
Derivatives 
Total assets 

Liabilities  
Derivatives 
Total liabilities  

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 

Assets  
Derivatives 
Total assets 

$

$

 1,653    
 1,653    

 1,043    
 1,043    

 (440)   
 (440)   

 (440)   
 (440)   

   $

 (684)  
 (684)  

 (293)  
 (293)  

   $

 529
 529

 310
 310

Gross Amount    
 Recognized in the   
Consolidated Balance Sheets(a)

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets  

Derivatives  

Collateral(b)  

  Net Amount 

$

 1,157    
 1,157    

 (321)   
 (321)   

   $ 

 (390)  
 (390)  

 446
 446

Liabilities  
Derivatives 
   $ 
Total liabilities  
(a) Amount does not include the stock warrant associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC and IRLCs because these instruments are not subject to master netting or similar arrangements. 
(b) Amount of collateral received as an offset to asset positions or pledged as an offset to liability positions. Collateral values in excess of related derivative amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance 

 (321)   
 (321)   

 (302)  
 (302)  

 753    
 753    

 130
 130

$

Sheets were excluded from this table. 

14. OTHER ASSETS 
The following table provides the components of other assets included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31:

 ($ in millions)
Derivative instruments 
Partnership investments 
Bank owned life insurance 
Accounts receivable and drafts-in-process 
Investment in Vantiv Holding, LLC 
Accrued interest receivable 
OREO and other repossessed personal property 
Income tax receivable 
Prepaid expenses 
Other 
Total  

2014 
2,080 
1,685 
1,623 
1,452 
394 
312 
236 
107 
97 
255 
8,241 

2013 
1,553 
1,687 
1,587 
1,433 
423 
361 
306 
12 
94 
902 
8,358 

$

$

The Bancorp utilizes derivative instruments as part of its overall risk 
management strategy to reduce certain risks related to interest rate, 
prepayment and foreign currency volatility. The Bancorp also holds 
derivatives instruments for the benefit of its commercial customers 
and  for  other  business  purposes.  For  further  information  on 
derivative instruments, refer to Note 12.  
       CDC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp, was created to 
invest  in  projects  to  create  affordable  housing,  revitalize  business 
and  residential  areas,  and  preserve  historic  landmarks,  which  are 

included above in partnership investments. In addition, Fifth Third 
Capital Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp, invests 
as a direct private equity investor and as a limited partner in private 
equity funds, which are included above as partnership investments. 
The Bancorp has determined that these partnership investments are 
VIEs  and  the  Bancorp’s  investments  represent  variable  interests. 
Refer to Note 10 for further information. Additionally, in response 
to  the  issuance  of  the  Volcker  Rule,  the  Bancorp  recognized  $4 
million  of  OTTI  on  its  investments  in  private  equity  funds  during 

126  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
  
  
 
    
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
    
  
  
 
    
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2013.  The  Bancorp  recognized  no  OTTI  on  its  investments  in 
private  equity  funds  during  2014.  Refer  to  Note  27  for  further 
information. 

The  Bancorp  purchases  life  insurance  policies  on  the  lives  of 
certain  directors,  officers  and  employees  and  is  the  owner  and 
beneficiary of the policies. 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. Refer to Note 1 for further information. 

In  2009,  the  Bancorp  sold  an  approximate  51%  interest  in  its 
processing business, Vantiv Holding, LLC. As a result of additional 
share  sales  completed  by  the  Bancorp,  its  current  ownership  share 
in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  is  approximately  23%.  The  Bancorp’s 
ownership  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  is  accounted  for  under  the 
equity  method  of  accounting.  Refer  to  Note  19  for  further 
information. 

OREO  represents  property  acquired  through  foreclosure  or 
other  proceedings  and  is  carried  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  fair  value, 
less costs to sell. Refer to Note 1 for further information.  

15. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS 
Borrowings with original maturities of one year or less are classified 
as short term, and include federal funds purchased and other short-
term  borrowings.  Federal  funds  purchased  are  excess  balances  in 
reserve  accounts  held  at  FRBs  that  the  Bancorp  purchased  from 

A summary of short-term borrowings and weighted-average rates follows:

other  member  banks  on  an  overnight  basis.  Other  short-term 
borrowings  include  securities  sold  under  repurchase  agreements, 
derivative  collateral,  FHLB  advances  and  other  borrowings  with 
original maturities of one year or less.   

 ($ 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 for the years ended December 31: 
     Federal funds purchased 
     Other short-term borrowings 

2014  

2013  

  Amount  

Rate 

  Amount

Rate 

$

$

$

144 
1,556 

  0.08%  $

0.08  

284 
1,380 

0.03% 
0.09  

458 
1,873 

  0.09%  $

0.10  

503 
3,024 

0.12% 
0.18  

286   
3,756   

$

925   
8,001   

127  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
16. LONG-TERM DEBT 
The following table is a summary of the Bancorp’s long-term borrowings at December 31:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 ($ in millions) 
Parent Company  
Senior:  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
Subordinated:(a) 
     Floating-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
Subsidiaries  
Senior:  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Floating-rate notes  
     Floating-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
     Fixed-rate notes  
Subordinated:(a) 
     Fixed-rate bank notes  
Junior subordinated:(b) 
     Floating-rate debentures  
FHLB advances  
Notes associated with consolidated VIE:  
     Automobile loan securitization:  
          Fixed-rate notes  
Other  
Total  
(a) Qualify as Tier II capital for regulatory capital purposes. 
(b) Qualify as Tier I capital for regulatory capital purposes. Refer to Note 28 for further information. . 

Maturity 

Interest Rate 

2014  

2013  

2016  
2019  
2022  

2016  
2017  
2018  
2024  
2038  

2016 
2016 
2016 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
2021 

3.625% 
2.30% 
3.50% 

0.67% 
5.45% 
4.50% 
4.30% 
8.25% 

1.15% 
0.90% 
0.74% 
0.64% 
1.35% 
1.45% 
2.375% 
2.875% 

$

1,000 
499 
497 

250 
539 
544 
748 
1,317 

 1,000 
400 
750 
300 
654 
597 
850 
846 

 999 
 -   
 497 

250 
558 
555 
 748 
1,150 

 1,000 
 400 
 750 
 300 
 -   
 587 
 -   
 -   

2015  

4.75% 

502 

524 

2035  

1.66% - 1.93% 
2015-2041  0.05% - 6.87% 

51 
 41 

51 
44 

2015-2021  0.19% - 1.47% 
2015-2039 

Varies 

 3,434 
 148 
14,967 

 1,048 
 172 
9,633 

$

The Bancorp pays down long-term debt in accordance with contractual terms over maturity periods summarized in the above table. The aggregate 
annual maturities of long-term debt obligations (based on final maturity dates) as of December 31, 2014, are presented in the following table: 

 ($ in millions)
     2015 
     2016 
     2017 
     2018 
     2019 
Thereafter 
Total  

At  December  31,  2014,  the  Bancorp  had  outstanding  principal 
balances of $14.6 billion, net discounts of $25 million and additions 
for mark-to-market adjustments on its hedged debt of $407 million. 
At  December  31,  2013,  the  Bancorp  had  outstanding  principal 
balances of $9.4 billion, net discounts of $21 million and additions 
for mark-to-market adjustments on its hedged debt of $278 million. 
The  Bancorp  was  in  compliance  with  all  debt  covenants  at 
December 31, 2014. 

PARENT COMPANY LONG-TERM BORROWINGS 

Senior Notes 
On  January  25,  2011,  the  Bancorp  issued  and  sold  $1.0  billion  of 
senior notes to third party investors. The senior notes bear a fixed-
rate  of  interest  of  3.625%  per  annum.  The  notes  are  unsecured, 

128  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Parent 

Subsidiaries 

Total 

 - 
 1,250 
 539 
 544 
 499 
 2,562 
 5,394 

 702 
 2,768 
 1,942 
 1,407 
 1,199 
 1,555 
 9,573 

 702 
 4,018 
 2,481 
 1,951 
 1,698 
 4,117 
 14,967 

$

$

senior  obligations  of  the  Bancorp.  Payment  of  the  full  principal 
amounts of the notes is due upon maturity on January 25, 2016. The 
notes are not subject to redemption at the Bancorp’s option at any 
time prior to maturity. 

to 

third  party 

investors,  and  entered 

On March 7, 2012, the Bancorp issued and sold $500 million of 
senior  notes 
into  a 
Supplemental  Indenture  dated  March  7,  2012  with  the  Trustee, 
which  modified  the  existing  Indenture  for  Senior  Debt  Securities 
dated  April  30,  2008.  The  Supplemental  Indenture  and  the 
Indenture define the rights of the senior notes, which senior notes 
are represented by a Global Security dated as of March 7, 2012. The 
senior notes bear a fixed-rate of interest of 3.50% per annum. The 
notes are unsecured, senior obligations of the Bancorp. Payment of 
the full principal amounts of the notes will be due upon maturity on 

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

March  15,  2022.  The  notes  are  not  subject  to  redemption  at  the 
Bancorp’s option at any time until 30 days prior to maturity. 

On  February  28,  2014,  the  Bancorp  issued  and  sold  $500 
million  of  senior  notes  to  third  party  investors.  The  senior  notes 
bear  a  fixed-rate  of  interest  of  2.30%  per  annum.  The  notes  are 
unsecured,  senior  obligations  of  the  Bancorp.  Payment  of  the  full 
principal  amounts  of  the  notes  is  due  upon  maturity  on  March  1, 
2019.  The  notes  are  not  subject  to  redemption  at  the  Bancorp’s 
option at any time until 30 days prior to maturity. 

Subordinated Debt 
The  subordinated  floating-rate  notes  due  in  2016  pay  interest  at 
three-month  LIBOR  plus  42  bps.  The  Bancorp  has  entered  into 
interest rate swaps to convert its subordinated fixed-rate notes due 
in 2017 and 2018 to floating-rate, which pay interest at three-month 
LIBOR plus 42 bps and 25 bps, respectively, at December 31, 2014. 
The rates paid on the swaps hedging the subordinated floating-rate 
notes due in 2017 and 2018 were 0.69% and 0.48%, respectively, at 
December  31,  2014.  Of  the  $1.0  billion  in  8.25%  subordinated 
fixed-rate notes due in 2038, $705 million were subsequently hedged 
to floating and paid a rate of 3.28% at December 31, 2014.   

On  November  20,  2013,  the  Bancorp  issued  and  sold  $750 
million  of  4.30%  unsecured  subordinated  fixed-rate  notes  with  a 
maturity  date  of  January  16,  2024.  These  fixed-rate  notes  will  be 
redeemable by the Bancorp, in whole or in part, on or after the date 
that is 30 days prior to the maturity date at a redemption price equal 
to  100%  of  the  principal  amount  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest 
up to, but excluding, the redemption date. 

SUBSIDIARY LONG-TERM BORROWINGS 

Senior and Subordinated Debt 
Medium-term  senior  notes  and  subordinated  bank  notes  with 
maturities  ranging  from  one  year  to  30  years  can  be  issued  by  the 
Bancorp’s banking subsidiary. On February 25, 2013, the Bancorp’s 
banking  subsidiary  updated  and  amended  its  existing  global  bank 
note  program.  The  amended  global  bank  note  program  increased 
the  Bank’s  capacity  to  issue  its  senior  and  subordinated  unsecured 
bank  notes  from  $20  billion  to  $25  billion.  As  of  December  31, 
2014, $19.1 billion was available for future issuance under the global 
bank note program. For the subordinated fixed-rate bank notes due 
in 2015, the Bancorp entered into interest rate swaps to convert the 
fixed-rate  debt  into  floating-rate.  At  December  31,  2014,  the 
weighted-average rate paid on the swaps was 0.33%. 

On  February  28,  2013,  the  Bank  issued  and  sold,  under  its 
amended  bank  notes  program,  $1.3  billion  in  aggregate  principal 
amount of unsecured senior bank notes. The bank notes consisted 
of:  $600  million  of  1.45%  senior  fixed-rate  notes  due  on 
February 28,  2018;  $400  million  of  0.90%  senior  fixed-rate  notes 
due  on  February 26,  2016;  and  $300  million  of  senior  floating-rate 
notes due on February 26, 2016. Interest on the floating-rate notes 
is  3-month  LIBOR  plus  41  bps.  These  bank  notes  will  be 
redeemable  by  the  Bank,  in  whole  or  in  part,  on  or  after  the  date 
that is 30 days prior to the maturity date at a redemption price equal 
to  100%  of  the  principal  amount  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest 
through the redemption date.  

On  November  20,  2013,  the  Bank  issued  and  sold,  under  its 
amended  bank  notes  program,  $1.8  billion  in  aggregate  principal 
amount of unsecured senior bank notes. The bank notes consisted 
of  $1.0  billion  of  1.15%  senior  fixed-rate  notes  due  on 
November 18,  2016  and  $750  million  of  senior  floating-rate  notes 
due on November 18, 2016. Interest on the floating-rate notes is 3-
month LIBOR plus 51 bps. These bank notes will be redeemable by 
the  Bank,  in  whole  or  in  part,  on  or  after  the  date  that  is  30  days 
prior  to  the  maturity  date  at  a  redemption  price  equal  to  100%  of 

the  principal  amount  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  up  to,  but 
excluding, the redemption date. 

On  April  25,  2014,  the  Bank  issued  and  sold,  under  its 
amended  bank  notes  program,  $1.5  billion  in  aggregate  principal 
amount of unsecured senior bank notes. The bank notes consisted 
of $850 million of 2.375% senior fixed-rate notes due on April 25, 
2019 and $650 million of 1.35% senior fixed-rate notes due on June 
1, 2017. These bank notes will be redeemable by the Bank, in whole 
or in part, on or after the date that is 30 days prior to the maturity 
date  at  a  redemption  price  equal  to  100%  of  the  principal  amount 
plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  up  to,  but  excluding,  the 
redemption date. 

On  September  5,  2014,  the  Bank  issued  and  sold,  under  its 
amended  bank  notes  program,  $850  million  of  2.875%  unsecured 
senior  fixed-rate  bank  notes  with  a  maturity  date  of  October  1, 
2021. These bank notes will be redeemable by the Bank, in whole or 
in part, on or after the date that is 30 days prior to the maturity date 
at  a  redemption  price  equal  to  100%  of  the  principal  amount  plus 
accrued  and  unpaid  interest  up  to,  but  excluding,  the  redemption 
date. 

Junior Subordinated Debt 
The junior subordinated floating-rate bank notes due in 2035 were 
assumed  by  the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  as  part  of  the 
acquisition of First Charter in May 2008. The obligation was issued 
to  First  Charter  Capital  Trust  I  and  II,  respectively.  The  notes  of 
First  Charter  Capital  Trust  I  and  II  pay  a  floating-rate  at  three-
month  LIBOR  plus  169  bps  and  142  bps,  respectively.  The  Bank 
has  fully  and  unconditionally  guaranteed  all  obligations  under  the 
acquired TruPS issued by First Charter Capital Trust I and II.  

FHLB Advances 
At  December  31,  2014,  FHLB  advances  have  rates  ranging  from 
0.05%  to  6.87%,  with  interest  payable  monthly.  The  advances  are 
secured by certain residential mortgage loans and securities totaling 
$20.5  billion.  The  $41  million  in  remaining  advances  mature  as 
follows: $2 million in 2015, $3 million in 2016, $1 million in 2017, 
$4 million in 2018, $9 million in 2019 and $22 million thereafter. 

Notes Associated with Consolidated VIE 
As previously discussed in Note 10, the Bancorp was determined to 
be  the  primary  beneficiary  of  various  VIEs  associated  with 
automobile  loan  securitizations  completed  during  the  years  ended 
December  31,  2014  and  2013.  As  such,  $3.4  billion  of  long-term 
debt  related  to  these  VIEs  was  consolidated  in  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2014. Third-
party holders of this debt do not have recourse to the general assets 
of the Bancorp. 

129  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

17. 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  Consolidated  Balance 
Sheets.  The  creditworthiness  of  counterparties  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 
in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  are 
amounts  recognized 
discussed in further detail below: 

Commitments   
The  Bancorp  has  certain  commitments  to  make  future  payments  under  contracts.  The  following  table  reflects  a  summary  of  significant
commitments as of December 31:

($ in millions)
Commitments to extend credit 
Letters of credit 
Forward contracts related to held for sale mortgage loans 
Noncancelable operating lease obligations 
Capital commitments for private equity investments 
Purchase obligations 
Capital lease obligations 
Capital expenditures 

Commitments to extend credit 
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  event  of 
The  Bancorp 
nonperformance  by  the  counterparty  for  the  amount  of  the 
contract.  Fixed-rate  commitments  are  also  subject  to  market  risk 

to  credit  risk 

is  exposed 

in 

$ 

2014  
 63,827 
 3,974 
 999 
 697 
 78 
 77 
 37 
 28 

2013  
 62,050 
 4,129 
 1,448 
 746 
 90 
 84 
 19 
 33 

resulting  from  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  and  the  Bancorp’s 
exposure is limited to the replacement value of those commitments. 
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Bancorp had a reserve for 
unfunded  commitments,  including  letters  of  credit,  totaling  $135 
million and $162 million, respectively, included in other liabilities in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Bancorp monitors the credit 
risk  associated  with  commitments  to  extend  credit  using  the  same 
risk rating system utilized within its loan and lease portfolio. 

Risk ratings under this risk rating system are summarized in the following table as of December 31:

($ in millions)
Pass 
Special mention 
Substandard 
Doubtful 
Total 

2014  

2013  

$ 

$ 

 62,787 
 660 
 380 
 - 
 63,827 

 61,364 
 369 
 316 
 1 
 62,050 

Letters of credit
Standby and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party and 
expire as summarized in the following table as of December 31, 2014: 

($ in millions) 
Less than 1 year(a) 
1 - 5 years(a) 
Over 5 years  
Total  
(a)

 2,181 
 1,750 
 43 
 3,974 
Includes $88 and $17 issued on behalf of commercial customers to facilitate trade payments in U.S. dollars and foreign currencies which expire less than one year and between one and five years, 
respectively.   

$

$

Standby letters of credit accounted for 97% of total letters of credit 
at  December  31,  2014  and  2013  and  are  considered  guarantees  in 
accordance  with  U.S.  GAAP.  Approximately  60%  and  48%  of  the 
total standby letters of credit were collateralized as of December 31, 
2014 and 2013, 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.  At 
December  31,  2014  and  2013  the  reserve  related  to  these  standby 
letters  of  credit  was  $1  million  and  $2  million,  respectively,  and  is 
included  in  the  total  reserve  for  unfunded  commitments.  The 
Bancorp  monitors  the  credit  risk  associated  with  letters  of  credit 
using  the  same  risk  rating  system  utilized  within  its  loan  and  lease 
portfolio.   

130  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
Risk ratings under this risk rating system are summarized in the following table as of December 31:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

($ in millions)
Pass 
Special mention 
Substandard 
Doubtful 
Total 

At  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  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. As of December 31, 
2014  and  2013,  total  VRDNs  in  which  the  Bancorp  was  the 
remarketing  agent  or  were  supported  by  a  Bancorp  letter  of  credit 
were  $1.7  billion  and  $2.1  billion  of  which  FTS  acted  as  the 
remarketing  agent  to  issuers  on  $1.4  billion  and  $1.8  billion, 
respectively.  As  remarketing  agent,  FTS  is  responsible  for  finding 
purchasers  for  VRDNs  that  are  put  by  investors.  The  Bancorp 
issued letters of credit, as a credit enhancement, to $1.2 billion and 
$1.5 billion of the VRDNs remarketed by FTS, in addition to $247 
million and $300 million in VRDNs remarketed by third parties at 
December  31,  2014  and  2013,  respectively.  These  letters  of  credit 
are  included  in  the  total  letters  of  credit  balance  provided  in  the 
previous table. 

Forward contracts to sell mortgage loans 
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 are included in the summary of 
significant commitments table for all periods presented. 

Noncancelable lease obligations and other commitments 
The  Bancorp’s  subsidiaries  have  entered 
into  a  number  of 
noncancelable lease agreements. The minimum rental commitments 
under noncancelable lease agreements are shown in the summary of 
significant commitments table. The Bancorp has also entered into a 
limited  number  of  agreements  for  work  related  to  banking  center 
construction and to purchase goods or services.  

Contingent Liabilities 

Private mortgage reinsurance 
For  certain  mortgage  loans  originated  by  the  Bancorp,  borrowers 
may be required to obtain PMI provided by third-party insurers. In 
some instances, these 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  $29 
million  at  December  31,  2014  and  $37  million  at  December  31, 
2013. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Bancorp maintained a 
reserve  of  $2  million  and  $10  million,  respectively,  related  to 
exposures  within  the  reinsurance  portfolio  which  was  included  in 

2014  

2013  

$ 

$ 

 3,483 
 147 
 299 
 45 
 3,974 

 3,651 
 99 
 355 
 24 
 4,129 

other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During 2009, the 
Bancorp  suspended  the  practice  of  providing  reinsurance  of  PMI 
for newly originated mortgage loans. 

Legal claims 
There  are  legal  claims  pending  against  the  Bancorp  and  its 
subsidiaries that have arisen in the normal course of business. Refer 
to Note 18 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 as discussed in the following sections. 

Residential mortgage loans sold with representation and warranty provisions 
Conforming  residential  mortgage  loans  sold  to  unrelated  third 
parties  are  generally  sold  with  representation  and  warranty 
provisions. A contractual liability arises only in the event of a breach 
of these representations and warranties and, in general, only when a 
loss  results  from  the  breach.  The  Bancorp  may  be  required  to 
repurchase any previously sold loan or indemnify (make whole) the 
investor or insurer for which the representation or warranty of the 
Bancorp proves to be inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.   

The  Bancorp  establishes  a  residential  mortgage  repurchase 
reserve related to various representations and warranties that reflects 
management’s estimate of losses based on a combination of factors. 
The  Bancorp’s  estimation  process  requires  management  to  make 
subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently 
uncertain,  such  as,  future  demand  expectations,  economic  factors 
and  the  specific  characteristics  of  the  loans  subject  to  repurchase. 
Such  factors  incorporate  historical  investor  audit  and  repurchase 
demand rates, appeals success rates, historical loss severity and any 
additional  information  obtained  from  the  GSEs  regarding  future 
mortgage repurchase and file request criteria. At the time of a loan 
sale,  the  Bancorp  records  a  representation  and  warranty  reserve  at 
the estimated fair value of the Bancorp’s guarantee and continually 
updates the reserve during the life of the loan as losses in excess of 
the  reserve  become  probable  and  reasonably  estimable.  The 
provision  for  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the  representation  and 
warranty  guarantee  arising  from  the  loan  sales  is  recorded  as  an 
adjustment  to  the  gain  on  sale,  which  is  included  in  other 
noninterest  income  at  the  time  of  sale.  Updates  to  the  reserve  are 
recorded in other noninterest expense. 

During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bancorp settled certain 
repurchase  claims  related  to  mortgage  loans  originated  and  sold  to 
FHLMC  prior  to  January  1,  2009  for  $25  million,  after  paid  claim 
credits  and  other  adjustments.  The  settlement  removes  the 
Bancorp’s  responsibility  to  repurchase  or  indemnify  FHLMC  for 
representation  and  warranty  violations  on  any  loan  sold  prior  to 
January 1, 2009 except in limited circumstances.  

As  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp  maintained 
reserves  related  to  loans  sold  with  representation  and  warranty 
provisions  totaling  $35  million  and  $44  million,  respectively, 
included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  

131  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

is 

The  Bancorp  uses  the  best  information  available  to  it  in 
its  mortgage  representation  and  warranty  reserve, 
estimating 
inherently  uncertain  and 
however,  the  estimation  process 
imprecise and, accordingly, losses in excess of the amounts accrued 
as  of  December  31,  2014,  are  reasonably  possible.  The  Bancorp 
currently  estimates  that  it  is  reasonably  possible  that  it  could  incur 
losses related to mortgage representation and warranty provisions in 
an  amount  up  to  approximately  $57  million  in  excess  of  amounts 
reserved.  This  estimate  was  derived  by  modifying  the  key 
assumptions  discussed  above  to  reflect  management's  judgment 
regarding reasonably possible adverse changes to those assumptions. 
The  actual  repurchase  losses  could  vary  significantly  from  the 

recorded  mortgage  representation  and  warranty  reserve  or  this 
estimate of reasonably possibly losses, depending on the outcome of 
various factors, including those noted above. 

During 2014 and 2013, the Bancorp paid $11 million and $64 
million,  respectively,  in  the  form  of  make  whole  payments  and 
repurchased  $59  million  and  $89  million, 
in 
outstanding  principal  of  loans  to  satisfy  investor  demands.  Total 
repurchase demand requests during 2014 and 2013 were $97 million 
and  $263  million,  respectively.  Total  outstanding  repurchase 
demand inventory was $7 million at December 31, 2014 compared 
to $46 million at December 31, 2013.  

respectively, 

The following table summarizes activity in the reserve for representation and warranty provisions for the years ended:

($ in millions)
Balance, beginning of period 
   Net additions to the reserve 
   Losses charged against the reserve 
Balance, end of period 

2014 
 44 
 6 
 (15)
 35 

2013 
 110 
 7 
 (73)
 44 

$

$

The following tables provide a rollforward of unresolved claims by claimant type for the years ended:

December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
Balance, beginning of period 
   New demands 
   Loan paydowns/payoffs 
   Resolved demands 
Balance, end of period 

December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 
Balance, beginning of period 
   New demands 
   Loan paydowns/payoffs 
   Resolved demands 
Balance, end of period 

Residential mortgage loans sold with credit recourse 
The  Bancorp  sold  certain  residential  mortgage  loans  in  the 
secondary market with credit 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. The outstanding balances on these 
loans sold with credit recourse were $548 million and $579 million 
at  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  respectively,  and  the  delinquency 
rates were 4.0% at December 31, 2014 and 4.4% at December 31, 
2013.  The  Bancorp  maintained  an  estimated  credit  loss  reserve  on 
these loans sold with credit recourse of $11 million at December 31, 
2014  and  $16  million  at  December  31,  2013  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 residential mortgage loans held in its loan portfolio. 

Margin accounts 
FTS,  a  subsidiary  of  the  Bancorp,  guarantees  the  collection  of  all 
margin account balances held by its brokerage clearing agent for the 
benefit  of  its  customers.  FTS  is  responsible  for  payment  to  its 

132  Fifth Third Bancorp 

GSE 

Private Label 

Units
 264 
 744 
 (44)
 (927)
 37 

$

$

Dollars
 41 
 95 
 (5)
 (125)
 6 

Units
 33 
 14 
 (2)
 (44)
 1 

$

$

Dollars
 5 
 2 
 (1)
 (5)
 1 

GSE 

Private Label 

Units
 294 
 1,962 
 (20)
 (1,972)
 264 

$

$

Dollars
 48 
 259 
 (3)
 (263)
 41 

Units
 124 
 237 
 (6)
 (322)
 33 

$

$

Dollars
 19 
 4 
 (1)
 (17)
 5 

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  was 
$13 million at December 31, 2014 and $12 million at December 31, 
2013.  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. 

Long-term borrowing obligations 
The Bancorp had certain fully and unconditionally guaranteed long-
term  borrowing  obligations  issued  by  wholly-owned  issuing  trust 
entities of $62 million as of December 31, 2014.  

Visa litigation 
The  Bancorp,  as  a  member  bank  of  Visa  prior  to  Visa’s 
reorganization and IPO (the “IPO”) of its Class A common shares 
(the  “Class  A  Shares”)  in  2008,  had  certain  indemnification 
obligations  pursuant  to  Visa’s  certificate  of  incorporation  and  by-
laws  and  in  accordance  with  their  membership  agreements.  In 
accordance with Visa’s by-laws prior to the IPO, the Bancorp could 
the  Bancorp’s 
have  been  required 

indemnify  Visa  for 

to 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

proportional  share  of  losses  based  on  the  pre-IPO  membership 
interests.  As  part  of  its  reorganization  and  IPO,  the  Bancorp’s 
indemnification  obligation  was  modified  to  include  only  certain 
known  litigation  (the  “Covered  Litigation”)  as  of  the  date  of  the 
restructuring.  This  modification  triggered  a  requirement  for  the 
Bancorp  to  recognize  a  liability  equal  to  the  fair  value  of  the 
indemnification liability.  

In conjunction with the IPO, the Bancorp received 10.1 million 
of  Visa’s  Class  B  common  shares  (the  “Class  B  Shares”)  based  on 
the Bancorp’s membership percentage in Visa prior to the IPO. The 
Class B Shares are not transferable (other than to another member 
bank) until the later of the third anniversary of the IPO closing or 
the date which the Covered Litigation has been resolved; therefore, 
the  Bancorp’s  Class  B  Shares  were  classified  in  other  assets  and 
accounted  for  at  their  carryover  basis  of  $0.  Visa  deposited  $3 
billion  of  the  proceeds  from  the  IPO  into  a  litigation  escrow 
account,  established  for  the  purpose  of  funding  judgments  in,  or 
settlements of, the Covered Litigation. If Visa’s litigation committee 
determines  that  the  escrow  account  is  insufficient,  then  Visa  will 
issue  additional  Class  A  Shares  and  deposit  the  proceeds  from  the 
sale of the Class A Shares into the litigation escrow account. When 
Visa  funds  the  litigation  escrow  account,  the  Class  B  Shares  are 
subject to dilution through an adjustment in the conversion rate of 
Class B Shares into Class A Shares.  

In 2009, the Bancorp completed the sale of the Class B Shares 
and entered into a total return swap in which the Bancorp will make 
or receive payments based on subsequent changes in the conversion 
rate of the Class B Shares into Class A Shares. The swap terminates 
on  the  later  of  the  third  anniversary  of  Visa’s  IPO  or  the  date  on 
which  the  Covered  Litigation  is  settled.  Refer  to  Note  27  for 
information  on  the  valuation  of  the  swap.  The 
additional 
counterparty to the swap as a result of its ownership of the Class B 

Shares  will  be  impacted  by  dilutive  adjustments  to  the  conversion 
rate  of  the  Class  B  Shares  into  Class  A  Shares  caused  by  any 
Covered Litigation losses in excess of the litigation escrow account. 
If  actual  judgments  in,  or  settlements  of,  the  Covered  Litigation 
significantly exceed current expectations, then additional funding by 
Visa  of  the  litigation  escrow  account  and  the  resulting  dilution  of 
the  Class  B  Shares  could  result  in  a  scenario  where  the  Bancorp’s 
ultimate exposure associated with the Covered Litigation (the “Visa 
Litigation  Exposure”)  exceeds  the  value  of  the  Class  B  Shares 
owned by the swap counterparty (the “Class B Value”). In the event 
the  Bancorp  concludes  that  it  is  probable  that  the  Visa  Litigation 
Exposure  exceeds  the  Class  B  Value,  the  Bancorp  would  record  a 
litigation  reserve  liability  and  a  corresponding  amount  of  other 
noninterest  expense  for  the  amount  of  the  excess.  Any  such 
litigation  reserve  liability  would  be  separate  and  distinct  from  the 
fair value derivative liability associated with the total return swap. 

As of the date of the Bancorp’s sale of the Class B Shares and 
through  December  31,  2014,  the  Bancorp  has  concluded  that  it  is 
not probable that the Visa Litigation Exposure will exceed the Class 
B value. Based on this determination, upon the sale of the Class B 
Shares,  the  Bancorp  reversed  its  net  Visa  litigation  reserve  liability 
and recognized a free-standing derivative liability associated with the 
total return swap. The fair value of the swap liability was $49 million 
and $48 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Refer 
to Notes 12 and 18 for further information. 

After the Bancorp’s sale of the Class B Shares, Visa has funded 
additional  amounts  into  the  litigation  escrow  account  which  have 
resulted in further dilution in the conversion of Class B Shares into 
Class A Shares, and along with other terms of the total return swap, 
required  the  Bancorp  to  make  cash  payments  to  the  swap 
counterparty as follows: 

($ in millions)

Period 
Q2 2010 
Q4 2010 
Q2 2011 
Q1 2012 
Q3 2012 
Q3 2014 

$

Visa 

 Funding Amount    
500   
800   
400   
1,565   
150   
450   

$

Bancorp Cash 
 Payment Amount

20   
35   
19   
75   
6   
18   

133  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

18. LEGAL AND REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS 
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,  claimed  that  the 
interchange  fees  charged  by  card-issuing  banks  were  unreasonable 
and sought injunctive relief and unspecified damages. In addition to 
being a named defendant, the Bancorp is also subject to a possible 
indemnification obligation of Visa as discussed in Note 17 and has 
also  entered  into  judgment  and  loss  sharing  agreements  with  Visa, 
MasterCard and certain other named defendants. In October 2012, 
the parties to the litigation entered into a settlement agreement. The 
court  entered  a  Class  Settlement  Preliminary  Approval  Order  in 
November 2012. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, 
the Bancorp paid $46 million into a class settlement escrow account. 
Previously,  the  Bancorp  paid  an  additional  $4  million  in  another 
settlement escrow in connection with the settlement of claims from 
plaintiffs  not  included  in  the  class  action.  More  than  7,900 
merchants  have  requested  exclusion  from  the  class  settlement. 
Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  settlement  agreement,  25%  of  the 
funds  paid  into  the  class  settlement  escrow  account  have  been 
returned  to  the control  of  the  defendants  through  Class  Exclusion 
Takedown  Payments.   Approximately  460  of  the  merchants  who 
requested  exclusion  from  the  class  have  filed  separate  federal 
lawsuits  against  Visa,  MasterCard  and  certain  other  defendants 
alleging similar antitrust violations.  These “opt-out” federal lawsuits 
have  been  transferred  to  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the 
Eastern  District  of  New  York.   The  Bancorp  was  not  named  as  a 
defendant  in  any  of  the  opt-out  federal  lawsuits,  but  may  have 
obligations  pursuant  to  indemnification  arrangements  and/or  the 
judgment or loss sharing agreements noted above. In addition, one 
merchant  filed  a  separate  state  court 
lawsuit  against  Visa, 
MasterCard  and  certain  other  defendants,  including  the  Bancorp, 
alleging  similar  antitrust  violations.  On  January  14,  2014,  the  court 
entered  a  final  order  approving  the  class  settlement.  A  number  of 
merchants have filed appeals from that approval.  On July 18, 2014, 
the  court  in  which  all  but  one  of  the  opt-out  federal  lawsuits  has 
been  consolidated  denied  defendants’  motion  to  dismiss  the 
complaints.  Several  of  the  opt-out  federal  lawsuits  have  been 
resolved.  Refer to Note 17 for further information. 

In  2008,   two  cases  were  filed  in  the  United  States  District 
Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  Ohio  against  the  Bancorp  and 
certain officers styled Dudenhoeffer v Fifth Third Bancorp et al. Case No. 
1:08-cv-538.  The  complaints  alleged  violations  of  ERISA  based  on 
allegations  similar  to  those  set  forth  in  the  previously  reported 
securities class action cases. The ERISA actions were dismissed by 
the trial court, but the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the 
trial  court  decision. The  Bancorp  petitioned  the  United  States 
Supreme Court to review and reverse the Sixth Circuit decision and 
sought  a  stay  of  proceedings  in  the  trial  court  pending  appeal.  On 
December  13,  2013,  the  Supreme  Court  granted  certiorari  and 
agreed  to  hear  the  appeal.  Oral  arguments  were  held  on  April  2, 
2014 and on June 25, 2014 the Supreme Court unanimously vacated 
the  Sixth  Circuit  decision  and  remanded  the  case  for  further 
proceedings consistent with the standards articulated in its decision.  
The Supreme Court issued its mandate remanding the case back to 
the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals but no further proceedings have 
occurred. 

In  November  2014,  a  shareholder  of  the  Bancorp  filed  a 
shareholder  derivative  suit  in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for 
Hamilton County, Ohio, against current and former members of the 
Bancorp’s Board of Directors, the Bancorp’s former Chief Financial 
Officer and current Executive Vice President, Daniel T. Poston, the 

134  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Bancorp’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin T. Kabat, and, nominally, 
the  Bancorp.  The  suit  alleges  breach  of  fiduciary  duty,  waste  of 
corporate  assets  and  unjust  enrichment  in  connection  with  the 
Bancorp’s  alleged  violations  of  federal  and  state  securities  laws, 
among  other  charges,  in  relation  to  its  administrative  settlement 
with  the  United  States  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission 
announced on December 4, 2013 to resolve the previously reported 
investigation  of  the  Bancorp’s  historical  accounting  and  reporting 
with  respect  to  certain  commercial  loans  that  were  sold  or 
reclassified as held for sale by the Bancorp in the fourth quarter of 
2008.    The  suit  seeks,  among  other  things,  unspecified  monetary 
damages, disgorgement of profits, certain corporate governance and 
personnel  actions  and  compliance  and  disclosure  changes.    On 
January  16,  2015  a  motion  to  dismiss  the  complaint  was  filed  on 
behalf of all defendants. The impact of the final disposition of this 
lawsuit cannot be assessed at this time. 

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 Bancorp and/or its affiliates are involved in information-
gathering  requests,  reviews,  investigations  and  proceedings  (both 
formal  and  informal)  by  various  governmental  regulatory  agencies 
and  law  enforcement  authorities,  as  well  as  self-regulatory  bodies 
regarding  their  respective  businesses.  Additional  matters  will  likely 
arise from time to time. Any of these matters may result in material 
adverse  consequences  to  the  Bancorp,  its  affiliates  and/or  their 
respective directors, officers and other personnel, including adverse 
judgments, findings, settlements, fines, penalties, orders, injunctions 
or other actions, amendments and/or restatements of the Bancorp’s 
SEC  filings  and/or  financial  statements,  as  applicable,  and/or 
determinations  of  material  weaknesses  in  our  disclosure  controls 
and  procedures.  Investigations  by  regulatory  authorities  may  from 
time to time result in civil or criminal referrals to law enforcement 
authorities  such  as  the  Department  of  Justice  or  a  United  States 
Attorney. Among other matters, the Bancorp has been cooperating 
with  the  Department  of  Justice,  the  Department  of  Housing  and 
Urban Development and the Federal Housing Finance Authority in 
civil investigations regarding compliance with requirements relating 
to  certain  Federal  Housing  Agency-insured  loans  and  certain  loans 
sold to government sponsored entities originated by affiliates of the 
Bancorp. The investigations could lead to liability under the Federal 
False Claims Act and/or the Federal Financial Institutions Reform, 
Recovery  and  Enforcement  Act  of  1989,  which  allow  up  to  treble 
and  other  special  damages  substantially  in  excess  of  actual  losses. 
Additionally,  the  Bancorp  is  also  cooperating  with  an  investigation 
by  the  Department  of  Justice  to  determine  whether  the  Bank 
engaged  in  any  discriminatory  practices  in  connection  with  the 
Bank's indirect automobile loan portfolio. Any claim resulting from 
this investigation could include direct and indirect damages and civil 
money penalties.  

The Bancorp is party to numerous claims and lawsuits as well 
as  threatened  or  potential  actions  or  claims  concerning  matters 
arising from the conduct of its business activities. The outcome of 
claims  or  litigation  and  the  timing  of  ultimate  resolution  are 
inherently difficult to predict. The following factors, among others, 
contribute to this lack of predictability: plaintiff claims often include 
significant legal uncertainties, damages alleged by plaintiffs are often 
unspecified  or  overstated,  discovery  may  not  have  started  or  may 
not  be  complete  and  material  facts  may  be  disputed  or 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

to 

(due 

unsubstantiated.  As  a  result  of  these  factors,  the  Bancorp  is  not 
always  able  to  provide  an  estimate  of  the  range  of  reasonably 
possible outcomes for each claim. A reserve for a potential litigation 
loss is established when information related to the loss contingency 
indicates  both  that  a  loss  is  probable  and  that  the  amount  of  loss 
can be reasonably estimated. Any such reserve is adjusted from time 
to time thereafter as appropriate to reflect changes in circumstances. 
The  Bancorp  also  determines,  when  possible 
the 
uncertainties  described  above),  estimates  of  reasonably  possible 
losses or ranges of reasonably possible losses, in excess of amounts 
reserved.  Under  U.S.  GAAP,  an  event  is  “reasonably  possible”  if 
“the  chance  of  the  future  event  or  events  occurring  is  more  than 
remote but less than likely” and an event is “remote” if “the chance 
of  the  future  event  or  events  occurring  is  slight.”  Thus,  references 
to the upper end of the range of reasonably possible loss for cases 
in  which  the  Bancorp  is  able  to  estimate  a  range  of  reasonably 
possible loss mean the upper end of the range of loss for cases for 
which the Bancorp believes the risk of loss is more than slight. For 
matters where the Bancorp is able to estimate  such possible losses 
or ranges of possible losses, the Bancorp currently estimates that it 
is reasonably possible that it could incur losses related to legal and 
regulatory proceedings including the matters discussed above in an 
aggregate  amount  up  to  approximately  $105  million  in  excess  of 
amounts  reserved,  with  it  also  being  reasonably  possible  that  no 
losses  will  be  incurred  in  these  matters.  The  estimates  included  in 
this  amount  are  based  on  the  Bancorp’s  analysis  of  currently 
available  information,  and  as  new  information  is  obtained  the 
Bancorp may change its estimates. 

For these matters and others where an unfavorable outcome is 
reasonably  possible  but  not  probable,  there  may  be  a  range  of 
possible  losses  in  excess  of  the  established  reserve  that  cannot  be 
estimated.  Based  on  information  currently  available,  advice  of 
counsel,  available  insurance  coverage  and  established  reserves,  the 
Bancorp  believes  that  the  eventual  outcome  of  the  actions  against 
the Bancorp and/or its subsidiaries, including the matters described 
above,  will  not,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  have  a  material 
adverse  effect  on  the  Bancorp’s  consolidated  financial  position. 
However,  in  the  event  of  unexpected  future  developments,  it  is 
possible that the ultimate resolution of those matters, if unfavorable, 
may  be  material  to  the  Bancorp’s  results  of  operations  for  any 
particular  period,  depending,  in  part,  upon  the  size  of  the  loss  or 
liability imposed and the operating results for the applicable period. 

135  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
The  Bancorp  maintains  written  policies  and  procedures  covering 
related  party  transactions  to  principal  shareholders,  directors  and 
executives  of  the  Bancorp.  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 approving a loan to 

a  related  party,  Compliance  Risk  Management  must  review  and 
determine whether the transaction requires approval from or a post 
notification to the Bancorp’s Board of Directors. At December 31, 
2014  and  2013,  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 subsidiary.

The following table summarizes the Bancorp’s activities with its principal shareholders, directors and executives at December 31:

($ in millions)

Commitments to lend, net of participations: 
Directors and their affiliated companies 
Executive officers 
Total 

Outstanding balance on loans, net of participations and undrawn commitments 

2014 

2013

$

$

$

 525 
 3 
 528 

 63 

586
2
588

86

The commitments to lend 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  for  comparable  transactions  with  unrelated  parties.  This 
indebtedness  does  not  involve  more  than  the  normal  risk  of 
repayment or present other features unfavorable to the Bancorp.  

On  June  30,  2009,  the  Bancorp  completed  the  sale  of  a 
majority  interest  in  its  processing  business,  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC. 
Advent  International  acquired  an  approximate  51%  interest  in 

Vantiv Holding, LLC for cash and a warrant. The Bancorp retained 
the remaining approximate 49% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC.  

During the first quarter of 2012, Vantiv, Inc. priced an IPO of 
its shares and contributed the net proceeds to Vantiv Holding, LLC 
for  additional  ownership  interests.  As  a  result  of  this  offering,  the 
Bancorp’s  ownership  of  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  was  reduced  to 
approximately  39%.    The  impact  of  the  capital  contributions  to 
Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  and  the  resulting  dilution  in  the  Bancorp’s 
interest resulted in a gain of $115 million recognized by the Bancorp 
in the first quarter of 2012. 

The following table provides a summary of the sales transactions that impacted the Bancorp's ownership interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC after the 
initial IPO:

($ in millions)

Period 
Q4 2012 
Q2 2013 
Q3 2013 
Q2 2014 
(a)

Ownership 
Percentage Sold 
6 % 
5   
3   
3   

   $

Gain on Sale 

Remaining Ownership 
Percentage(a) 

 157 
 242 
 85 
 125 

33 %  
28    
25    
23    

The Bancorp’s remaining investment in Vantiv Holding, LLC of $394 as of December 31, 2014 was accounted for as an equity method investment in the Bancorp’s Consolidated Financial 
Statements. 
A 

As  of  December  31,  2014,  the  Bancorp  continued  to  hold 
approximately 43 million Class B units of Vantiv Holding, LLC and 
a  warrant  to  purchase  approximately  20.4  million  Class  C  non-
voting  units  of  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC,  both  of  which  may  be 
exchanged for Class A Common Stock of Vantiv, Inc. on a one for 
one  basis  or  at  Vantiv,  Inc.’s  option  for  cash.  In  addition,  the 
Bancorp holds approximately 43 million Class B common shares of 
Vantiv,  Inc.  The  Class  B  common  shares  give  the  Bancorp  voting 
rights,  but  no  economic  interest  in  Vantiv,  Inc.  The  voting  rights 
attributable to the Class B common shares are limited to 18.5% of 
the  voting  power  in  Vantiv,  Inc.  at  any  time  other  than  in 
connection  with  a  stockholder  vote  with  respect  to  a  change  in 
control in Vantiv, Inc. These securities are subject to certain terms 
and restrictions. 

The  Bancorp  recognized  $48  million,  $77  million  and  $61 
million  respectively,  in  noninterest  income  as  part  of  its  equity 
method  investment  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and received cash distributions 
totaling $23 million, $40 million and $30 million during 2014, 2013 
and 2012, respectively. 

The  Bancorp  and  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  have  various 
agreements  in  place  covering  services  relating  to  the  operations  of 
Vantiv  Holding,  LLC.  The  services  provided  by  the  Bancorp  to 
Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  were  initially  required  to  support  Vantiv 
Holding,  LLC  as  a  standalone  entity  during  the  deconversion 
period. The majority of services previously provided by the Bancorp 
to support Vantiv Holding, Inc. as a standalone entity are no longer 
necessary and are now limited to certain general business resources. 
Vantiv Holding, LLC paid the Bancorp $1 million for these services 
for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012, 
respectively. Other services provided to Vantiv Holding, LLC by the 
Bancorp,  have  continued  beyond  the  deconversion  period,  include 
clearing, settlement and sponsorship. Vantiv Holding, LLC paid the 
Bancorp $44 million for these services for the year ended December 
31,  2014  and  $34  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2013 
and  2012,  respectively.  In  addition  to  the  previously  mentioned 
services, the Bancorp entered into an agreement under which Vantiv 
Holding, LLC will provide processing services to the Bancorp. The 
total amount of fees relating to the processing services provided to 
the  Bancorp  by  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  totaled  $83  million,  $88 

136  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

million  and  $83  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014, 
2013 and 2012, respectively.  

As part of the initial sale, Vantiv Holding, LLC assumed loans 
totaling  $1.25  billion  owed  to  the  Bancorp,  which  were  refinanced 
in  2010  into  a  larger  syndicated  loan  structure  that  included  the 
Bancorp. The outstanding balance of loans to Vantiv Holding, LLC 
was $204 million and $348 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, 

respectively. Interest income relating to the loans was $5 million, $7 
million and $11 million, respectively, for the years ended December 
31,  2014,  2013  and  2012  and  is  included  in  interest  and  fees  on 
loans and leases in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Vantiv 
Holding,  LLC’s  line  of  credit  was  $50  million  as  of  December  31, 
2014 and 2013. Vantiv Holding, LLC did not draw upon its line of 
credit during the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013. 

20.  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 for the years ended December 31:   

 ($ in millions)
Current income tax expense: 
     U.S. Federal income taxes 
     State and local income taxes 
     Foreign income taxes 
Total current tax expense  
Deferred income tax expense (benefit): 
     U.S. Federal income taxes 
     State and local income taxes 
     Foreign income taxes 
Total deferred income tax expense 
Applicable income tax expense  

2014 

2013 

2012 

424 
34 
8 
466 

71 
9 
(1)
 79 
 545 

494 
23 
 2 
519 

232 
23 
 (2)
 253 
 772 

 327 
 38 
 - 
 365 

 252 
 19 
 - 
 271 
 636 

$ 

$ 

The  following  is  a  reconciliation  between  the  statutory  U.S.  Federal  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 
     Unrealized stock-based compensation benefits 
     Other, net 
Effective tax rate 

Tax-exempt income in the rate reconciliation table includes interest 
on  municipal 
lending, 
interest 
income/charges on life insurance policies held by the Bancorp, and 

tax-exempt 

bonds, 

on 

2014   
35.0 %

1.4   
(1.4)  
(8.1)  
-   
-   
26.9 %

2013 
35.0 

1.2 
(1.1)
(6.0)
0.3 
0.3 
29.7 

2012 
35.0 

1.7 
(2.1)
(6.7)
0.8 
0.1 
28.8 

certain  gains  on  sales  of  leases  that  are  exempt  from  federal 
taxation. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of the Bancorp’s unrecognized tax benefits:

 ($ 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(a) 
(a) Amounts represent unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate. 

2014 
 7 
 2 
 -   
 2 
 -   
 -   
11 

2013 
 18 
 1 
 (7)
 1 
 (5)
 (1)
7 

2012 
 14 
 6 
 (3)
 2 
 -   
 (1)
18 

$ 

$ 

A 

The Bancorp’s unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014, 
2013 and 2012 relate to state income tax exposures from taking tax 
positions  where  the  Bancorp  believes  it  is  likely  that,  upon 
examination,  a  state  will  take  a  position  contrary  to  the  position 
taken by the Bancorp. 

While  it  is  reasonably  possible  that  the  amount  of  the 
unrecognized  tax  benefits  with  respect  to  certain  of  the  Bancorp’s 
uncertain tax positions could increase or decrease during the next 12 
months, the Bancorp believes it is unlikely that its unrecognized tax 
benefits  will  change  by  a  material  amount  during  the  next  12 
months. 

137  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Deferred income taxes are comprised of the following items at December 31:

 ($ in millions)
Deferred tax assets: 
     Allowance for loan and lease losses 
     Deferred compensation 
     Reserves 
     Reserve for unfunded commitments 
     State net operating losses 
     Other 
Total deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities: 
     Lease financing 
     Investments in joint ventures and partnership interests 
     MSRs 
     Other comprehensive income 
     Qualifying hedges and free-standing derivatives 
     Bank premises and equipment 
     State deferred taxes 
     Other   
Total deferred tax liabilities 
Total net deferred tax liability 

2014 

2013 

$

$

$

$
$

463 
113 
96 
47 
18 
189 
926 

896 
329 
237 
231 
105 
103 
81 
148 
2,130 
(1,204)

554 
109 
101 
57 
22 
180 
1,023 

865 
381 
254 
44 
97 
114 
76 
130 
1,961 
(938)

At  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp  had  recorded 
deferred  tax  assets  of  $18  million  and  $22  million,  respectively, 
related  to  state  net  operating  loss  carryforwards.  The  deferred  tax 
assets relating to state net operating losses (primarily resulting from 
leasing  operations)  are  presented  net  of  specific  valuation 
allowances of $19 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013. If these 
carryforwards  are  not  utilized,  they  will  expire  in  varying  amounts 
through 2034.  

The Bancorp has determined that a valuation allowance is not 
needed against the remaining deferred tax assets as of December 31, 
2014  or  2013.  The  Bancorp  considered  all  of  the  positive  and 
negative  evidence  available  to  determine  whether  it  is  more  likely 
than not that the deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized and, 
based upon that evidence, the Bancorp believes it is more likely than 
not that the deferred tax assets recorded at December 31, 2014 and 
2013  will  ultimately  be  realized.  The  Bancorp  reached  this 
conclusion  as  the  Bancorp  has  taxable  income  in  the  carryback 
period and it is expected that the Bancorp’s remaining deferred tax 
assets  will  be  realized  through  the  reversal  of  its  existing  taxable 
temporary differences and its projected future taxable income.  

The  IRS  is  currently  examining  the  Bancorp’s  2010  and  2011 
federal  income  tax  returns.  The  statute  of  limitations  for  the 
Bancorp’s  federal  income  tax  returns  remains  open  for  tax  years 
(cid:3)
21. RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS 
The Bancorp’s qualified defined 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 

2010-2014.  On  occasion,  as  various  state  and 
local  taxing 
jurisdictions examine the returns of the Bancorp and its subsidiaries, 
the  Bancorp  may  agree  to  extend  the  statute  of  limitations  for  a 
short period of time. Otherwise, with the exception of a few states 
with insignificant uncertain tax positions, the statutes of limitations 
for  state  income  tax  returns  remain  open  only  for  tax  years  in 
accordance with each state’s statutes. 

Any interest and penalties incurred in connection with income 
taxes  are  recorded  as  a  component  of  income  tax  expense  in  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  During 
the  years  ended 
December  31,  2014,  2013  and  2012,  the  Bancorp  recognized  an 
immaterial  amount  of  interest  expense  in  connection  with  income 
taxes.  At  December  31,  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp  had  accrued 
interest liabilities, net of the related tax benefits, of $1 million. No 
material  liabilities  were  recorded  for  penalties  related  to  income 
taxes. 

Retained  earnings  at  December  31,  2014  and  2013  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. 

plans  were  obtained  in  acquisitions  from  prior years.  The  Bancorp 
recognizes  the  overfunded  and  underfunded  status  of  its  pension 
plans as an asset and liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

The overfunded and underfunded amounts recognized in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were
as follows as of December 31: 

($ in millions) 
Prepaid benefit cost 
Accrued benefit liability 
Net underfunded status 

138  Fifth Third Bancorp 

$

$

2014 
- 
(52)
(52)

2013 
6 
(27)
(21)

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The following tables summarize the defined benefit retirement plans as of and for the years ended December 31: 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

$

Plans with an Overfunded Status(a)
($ 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 gain  
Benefits paid  
Projected benefit obligation at December 31  
Overfunded projected benefit obligation at December 31  
(a) The Bancorp’s defined benefit plan had an Overfunded status at December 31, 2013. The plan was Underfunded at December 31, 2014 and is reflected in the Underfunded Status table. 

2014 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
 - 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

$
$

$
$

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 (gain) 
Benefits paid 
Projected benefit obligation at December 31 
Unfunded projected benefit obligation at December 31 

$

$
$

$
$

2014 
 200 
 12 
 3 
 (11)
 (9)
 195 
221 
 -   
10 
 (11)
36 
(9)
247 
(52)

2013 
 185 
 30 
 5 
 (13)
 (7)
 200 
 224 
 - 
 10 
 (13)
 (20)
 (7)
 194 
 6 

2013 
 -   
 -   
 4 
 -   
 (4)
 -   
 32 
 -   
 1 
 -   
 (2)
 (4)
 27 
 (27)

The  estimated  net  actuarial  loss  for  the  defined  benefit  pension 
plans  that  will  be  amortized  from  AOCI  into  net  periodic  benefit 
cost during 2015 is $10 million. The estimated net prior service cost 

for  the  defined  benefit  pension  plan  that  will  be  amortized  from 
AOCI into net periodic benefit cost during 2015 is immaterial to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.    

The following table summarizes net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI 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 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income: 

Net actuarial loss (gain) 
Net prior service cost 
Amortization of net actuarial loss 
Amortization of prior service cost 
Settlement 

Total recognized in other comprehensive income 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and  

other comprehensive income 

2014

2013 

2012

$

$

$

$

 -
10
(14)
7
 -
5
8

37
 -
(7)
 -
(5)
25

33

 - 
10 
(13)
11 
 - 
5 
13 

(38)
 - 
(11)
 - 
(5)
(54)

(41)

 -
10
(13)
14
-
6
17

7
 -
(14)
-
(6)
(13)

4

139  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets   
The following table summarizes plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31: 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2014 ($ in millions)  
Equity securities:  

Equity securities (Value)  
Equity securities (Blended)(b) 

Total equity securities  

Mutual and exchange traded funds:  
Money market funds  
International funds  
Domestic funds  
Debt funds  
Alternative strategies  

Total mutual and exchange traded funds  

Debt securities:  

U.S. Treasury obligations  
Agency mortgage-backed   
Non-agency mortgage-backed  
Corporate bonds(c) 

Total debt securities  
Total plan assets  

2013 ($ in millions)  
Equity securities:  

Equity securities (Value)  
Equity securities (Blended)(b) 

Total equity securities  

Mutual and exchange traded funds:  
Money market funds  
International funds  
Domestic funds  
Debt funds  
Alternative strategies  
Commodity funds  

Total mutual and exchange traded funds  

Debt securities:  

U.S. Treasury obligations  
Agency mortgage-backed   
Non-agency mortgage-backed  

Total debt securities  
Total plan assets  
(a)
(b)
(c)

For further information on fair value hierarchy levels, refer to Note 1.  
Includes holdings in Bancorp common stock. 
Includes private label asset-backed securities. 

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used 
for  instruments  measured  at  fair  value,  as  well  as  the  general 
classification  of  such 
instruments  pursuant  to  the  valuation 
hierarchy. 

Equity securities 
The  plan  measures  common  stock  using  quoted  prices  which  are 
available in an active market and classifies these investments within 
Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. 

140  Fifth Third Bancorp 

Fair Value Measurements Using(a) 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Total Fair Value 

10   
46   
56   

7   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
7   

3   
 -   
 -   
 -   
3   
66   

8   
40   
48   

7   
-   
-   
-   
-   
6   
13   

3   
 -   
 -   
3   
64   

 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
38   
31   
22   
22   
113   

 -   
11   
2   
3   
16   
129   

 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

Fair Value Measurements Using(a) 
Level 2 

Level 3 

 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 43   
 41   
 20   
 17   
 -   
 121   

 -   
13   
2   
15   
136   

 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

$

$

$

$

10    
46    
56    

7    
38    
31    
22    
22    
120    

3    
11    
2    
3    
19    
195    

Total Fair Value 

8    
40    
48    

7    
43    
41    
20    
17    
6    
134    

3    
13    
2    
18    
200    

Level 1 

$

$

$

$

Mutual and exchange traded funds 
All  of  the  plan’s  mutual  and  exchange  traded  funds  are  publicly 
traded. The plan measures the value of these investments using the 
fund’s  quoted  prices  that  are  available  in  an  active  market  and 
classifies  these  investments  within  Level  1  of  the  valuation 
hierarchy. Where quoted prices are not available, the plan measures 
the fair value of these investments based on the redemption price of 
units  held,  which  is  based  on  the  current  fair  value  of  the  fund’s 
underlying assets. Unit values are determined by dividing the fund’s 
net assets at fair value by its units outstanding at the valuation dates 
to  obtain  the  investment’s  net  asset  value.  Therefore,  these 
investments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. 

 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Debt securities 
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are 
classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities 
include  U.S.  Treasury  obligations  and  federal  agency  securities.  If 
quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated 
using  pricing  models,  quoted  prices  of  securities  with  similar 
characteristics, or DCFs. Examples of such instruments, which are 
classified  within  Level  2  of  the  valuation  hierarchy,  include  agency 
mortgage-backed  securities,  non-agency  mortgage-backed  securities 
and corporate bonds. 

Plan Assumptions 
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. 
In  2014,  the  Bancorp  updated  the  mortality  assumption  which 
resulted  in  an  increase  of  $14  million  to  the  projected  benefit 
obligation. 

The following table summarizes the weighted-average plan assumptions for the years ended December 31: 

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 

2014  

2013  

2012  

 3.82  %  
N/A(a)   
 7.25   

 4.72   
N/A(a)   
 7.25   

 4.72   
 4.00   
 7.50   

 3.83   
 4.00   
 7.50   

 3.83   
 4.00   
 8.00   

 4.27   
 5.00   
 8.00   

(a)

Since the Bancorp’s qualified defined benefit plan’s benefits were frozen in 1998, except for grandfathered employees, the rate of compensation increase is no longer applicable beginning in 2014 since 
minimal grandfathered employees are still accruing benefits. 

Lowering  both  the  expected  rate  of  return  on  the  plan  assets  and 
the discount rate by 0.25% would have increased the 2014 pension 
expense by approximately $1 million. 

Based  on  the  actuarial  assumptions,  the  Bancorp  expects  to 
contribute $4 million to the plan in 2015. Estimated pension benefit 
payments,  which  reflect  expected  future  service,  are  $22  million  in 
2015, $21 million in 2016, $19 million in 2017, $18 million in 2018 
and $16 million in 2019. The total estimated payments for the years 
2020 through 2024 is $80 million. 

Investment Policies and Strategies 
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  (including  federal  agency 
obligations,  corporate  bonds  and  notes),  alternative  strategies 
and 
(including 
commodities) and cash.  

funds,  precious  metals 

traditional  mutual 

The following table provides the Bancorp’s targeted and actual weighted-average asset allocations by asset category for the years ended December
31:
(cid:3)(cid:3) 
  (cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

Targeted range 

2014  

Equity securities  
Bancorp common stock  
Total equity securities(a) 
Total fixed-income securities  
Alternative strategies  
Cash  
Total  
(a)

Includes mutual and exchange traded funds. 

39-78 % 
11-41  
8-18  
0-10  

62  %
2   
64   
20   
12   
4   
100  %

2013  
65
2   
67   
22   
7   
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. There were no 
significant concentrations of risk associated with the investments of 
the  Bancorp’s  benefit  and  retirement  plan  at  December  31,  2014 
and 2013. 

Permitted  asset  classes  of  the  plan  include  cash  and  cash 
equivalents,  fixed-income  (domestic  and  non-U.S.  bonds),  equities 
(U.S.,  non-U.S.,  emerging  markets  and  REITS),  equipment  leasing, 
precious  metals,  commodity  transactions  and  mortgages.  The  plan 
utilizes  derivative  instruments  including  puts,  calls,  straddles  or 

other  option  strategies,  as  approved  by  management.  Per  ERISA, 
the Bancorp’s common stock cannot exceed 10% of the  fair  value 
of plan assets.   

Fifth  Third  Bank,  as  Trustee,  is  expected  to  manage  the  plan 
assets  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  plan  agreement  and  other 
regulatory,  federal  and  state  laws.  The  Fifth  Third  Bank  Pension, 
Profit  Sharing  and  Medical  Plan  Committee  (the  “Committee”)  is 
the  plan  administrator.  The  Trustee  is  required  to  provide  to  the 
Committee  monthly  and  quarterly  reports  covering  a  list  of  plan 
assets, portfolio performance, transactions and asset allocation. The 
Trustee  is  also  required  to  keep  the  Committee  apprised  of  any 

141  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

material  changes  in  the  Trustee’s  outlook  and  recommended 
investment policy. 

Other Information on Retirement and Benefit Plans 
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans was 
$247  million  and  $221  million  at  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  

Amounts relating to the Bancorp’s defined benefit plans with assets exceeding benefit obligations were as follows at December 31:

($ in millions) 
Projected benefit obligation 
Accumulated benefit obligation 
Fair value of plan assets 

2014  

2013  

$

 -     
 -     
 -     

 194   
 194   
 200   

Amounts relating to the Bancorp’s defined benefit plans with benefit obligations exceeding assets were as follows at December 31:  

2014  

2013  

$

247   
247   
 195   

27   
27   
 -   

($ in millions) 
Projected benefit obligation 
Accumulated benefit obligation 
Fair value of plan assets 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $195 million and $200 million, 
respectively,  of  plan  assets  were  managed  by  Fifth  Third  Bank,  a 
subsidiary  of  the  Bancorp.  Plan  assets  included  $4  million  of 
Bancorp  common  stock  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  Plan  assets  are  not  expected  to  be  returned  to  the 
Bancorp during 2015. 

The Bancorp’s profit sharing plan expense was $19 million, $32 
million  and  $46  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014, 
2013  and  2012,  respectively.  Expenses  recognized  for  matching 
contributions  to  the  Bancorp’s  defined  contribution  savings  plans 
were  $44  million,  $43  million  and  $42  million  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.   

142  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

22. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
The tables below present the activity of the components of OCI and AOCI for the years ended December 31:

($ in millions) 
2014  
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities arising  
   during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income 
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 

Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedge derivatives arising 
   during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on cash flow 
   hedge derivatives included in net income 
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivatives 

Net actuarial loss arising during the period 
Reclassification of amounts to net periodic benefit costs 
Defined benefit pension plans, net 
Total 
2013 
Unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities arising  
   during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income 
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 

Unrealized holding losses on cash flow hedge derivatives arising 
   during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on cash flow 
   hedge derivatives included in net income 
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivatives 

Net actuarial gain arising during the period 
Reclassification of amounts to net periodic benefit costs 
Defined benefit pension plans, net 
Total 
2012 
Unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities arising  
   during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income 
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities 

Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedge derivatives arising 
   during period 
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on cash flow 
   hedge derivatives included in net income 
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivatives 

Net actuarial loss arising during the period 
Reclassification of amounts to net periodic benefit costs 
Defined benefit pension plans, net 
Total 

Total Other 
Comprehensive Income 

Total Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Income 

Pretax 
Activity 

Tax 
Effect 

Net 
Activity 

Beginning 
Balance 

Net 
Activity 

Ending 
Balance 

$

$

$

$

$

$

580   
(37)  
543   

60   

(44)  
16   

(37)  
12   
(25)  
534   

(454)  
6   
(448)  

(13)  

(44)  
(57)  

38   
16   
54   
(451)  

(97)  
(15)  
(112)  

37   

(83)  
(46)  

(7)  
20   
13   
(145)  

(202)  
13   
(189)  

(21)  

15   
(6)  

12   
(4)  
8   
(187)  

159   
(2)  
157   

5 

15   
20   

(13)  
(6)  
(19)  
158   

34   
5   
39   

(13)

29   
16   

2   
(7)  
(5)  
50   

378   
(24)  
354   

39   

(29)  
10   

(25)  
8   
(17)  
347   

(295)  
4   
(291)  

(8)  

(29)  
(37)  

25 
10 
35   
(293)  

(63)  
(10)  
(73)  

24   

(54)  
(30)  

(5)
13 
8   
(95)  

121   

354   

475   

13   

10   

23   

(52)  
82   

(17)  
347   

(69)  
429   

412   

(291)  

121   

50   

(37)  

13   

(87)  
375   

35   
(293)  

(52)  
82   

485   

(73)  

412   

80   

(30)  

50   

(95)  
470   

8   
(95)  

(87)  
375   

143  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The table below presents reclassifications out of AOCI for the years ended December 31:

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Components of AOCI: ($ in millions)  

Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:(b) 
   Net gains (losses) included in net income  

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivatives:(b) 

Interest rate contracts related to C&I loans  
Interest rate contracts related to long-term debt  

Net periodic benefit costs:(b) 
   Amortization of net actuarial loss  
   Settlements  

Affected Line Item in the  
Consolidated Statements of Income 

2014  

2013  

   Securities gains, net 
   Income before income taxes 
   Applicable income tax expense 
   Net income 

$ 

   Interest and fees on loans and leases  
   Interest on long-term debt  
   Income before income taxes 
   Applicable income tax expense 
   Net income 

   Employee benefits expense (a) 
   Employee benefits expense (a) 
   Income before income taxes 
   Applicable income tax expense 
   Net income 

 37
 37
 (13)
 24

 44
 -
 44
 (15)
 29

 (7)
 (5)
 (12)
 4
 (8)

   Net income 

$ 

 45

 (6)
 (6)
 2 
 (4)

 45 
 (1)
 44 
 (15)
 29 

 (11)
 (5)
 (16)
 6 
 (10)

 15 

Total reclassifications for the period  
(a)
(b) Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to net income. 

This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. Refer to Note 21 for information on the computation of net periodic benefit cost. 

144  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
     
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

23. COMMON, PREFERRED AND TREASURY STOCK   
The following is a summary of the share activity within common, preferred and treasury stock for the years ended: 

($ in millions, except share data)  
December 31, 2011 
Shares acquired for treasury  
Impact of stock transactions under stock compensation plans, net 
Other  
December 31, 2012 
Shares acquired for treasury  
Issuance of preferred shares, Series I 
Issuance of preferred shares, Series H 
Redemption of preferred shares, Series G 
Impact of stock transactions under stock compensation plans, net 
Other  
December 31, 2013 
Shares acquired for treasury  
Issuance of preferred shares, Series J 
Impact of stock transactions under stock compensation plans, net 
Other  
December 31, 2014 

$

$

$

$

Preferred Stock—Series J 
On June 5, 2014, the Bancorp issued, in a registered public offering, 
300,000  depositary  shares,  representing  12,000  shares  of  4.90% 
fixed-to-floating  rate  non-cumulative  Series  J  perpetual  preferred 
stock, for net proceeds of $297 million. Each preferred share has a 
$25,000 
liquidation  preference.  The  preferred  stock  accrues 
dividends, on a non-cumulative semi-annual basis, at an annual rate 
of 4.90% through but excluding September 30, 2019, at which time 
it  converts  to  a  quarterly  floating  rate  dividend  of  three-month 
LIBOR  plus  3.129%.  Subject  to  any  required  regulatory  approval, 
the Bancorp may redeem the Series J preferred shares at its option, 
in whole or in part, at any time on or after September 30, 2019, or 
any  time  prior  following  a  regulatory  capital  event.  The  Series  J 
preferred  shares  are  not  convertible  into  Bancorp  common  shares 
or any other securities. 

Preferred Stock—Series I 
On  December  9,  2013,  the  Bancorp  issued,  in  a  registered  public 
offering, 18,000,000 depositary shares, representing 18,000 shares of 
6.625%  fixed-to-floating  rate  non-cumulative  Series  I  perpetual 
preferred  stock,  for  net  proceeds  of  $441  million.  Each  preferred 
share  has  a  $25,000  liquidation  preference.  The  preferred  stock 
accrues dividends, on a non-cumulative quarterly basis, at an annual 
rate of 6.625% through but excluding December 31, 2023, at which 
time it converts to a quarterly floating rate dividend of three-month 
LIBOR plus 3.71%. Subject to any required regulatory approval, the 
Bancorp  may  redeem  the  Series  I  preferred  shares  at  its  option  in 
whole  or  in  part,  at  any  time  on  or  after  December  31,  2023  and 
may redeem in whole but not in part, following a regulatory capital 
event  at  any  time  prior  to  December  31,  2023.  The  Series  I 
preferred  shares  are  not  convertible  into  Bancorp  common  shares 
or any other securities. 

Preferred Stock—Series H 
On  May  16,  2013,  the  Bancorp  issued,  in  a  registered  public 
offering,  600,000  depositary  shares,  representing  24,000  shares  of 
5.10%  fixed-to-floating  rate  non-cumulative  Series  H  perpetual 
preferred  stock,  for  net  proceeds  of  $593  million.  Each  preferred 
share  has  a  $25,000  liquidation  preference.  The  preferred  stock 
accrues  dividends,  on  a  non-cumulative  semi-annual  basis,  at  an 
annual rate of 5.10% through but excluding June 30, 2023, at which 

Shares 

 923,892,581  $

 923,892,581  $

Common Stock  
Value 
 2,051 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 2,051 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 2,051 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 2,051 

 923,892,581  $

 923,892,581  $

 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -    
 -    
 -    
 -    

Preferred Stock  
Value 
 398 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 398 
 -   
 441 
 593 
 (398)
 -   
 -   
 1,034 
 -   
 297 
 -   
 -   
 1,331 

Shares  
 16,450 $ 
 -     
 -     
 -     
 16,450 $ 
 -     
 18,000   
 24,000   
 (16,450)  
 -     
 -     
 42,000 $ 
 -     
 12,000   
 -     
 -     
 54,000 $ 

Treasury Stock  

Value 
 (64)
 (627)
 54 
 3 
 (634)
 (1,242)
 -   
 -   
 540 
 38 
 3 
 (1,295)
 (726)
 -   
 47 
 2 
 (1,972)

Shares 
 4,088,145 
 42,424,014 
 (4,654,165)
 (117,470)
 41,740,524 
 65,516,126 
 -   
 -   
 (35,529,018)
 (3,697,042)
 556,246 
 68,586,836 
 34,799,873 
 -   
 (3,493,671)
 (47,409)
 99,845,629 

time it converts to a quarterly floating rate dividend of three-month 
LIBOR  plus  3.033%.  Subject  to  any  required  regulatory  approval, 
the Bancorp may redeem the Series H preferred shares at its option 
in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 30, 2023 and may 
redeem in whole but not in part, following a regulatory capital event 
at any time prior to June 30, 2023. The Series H preferred shares are 
not  convertible  into  Bancorp  common  shares  or  any  other 
securities. 

Preferred Stock—Series G  
In  2008,  the  Bancorp  issued  8.50%  non-cumulative  Series  G 
convertible  preferred  stock.  The  depositary  shares  represented 
1/250th of a share of Series G convertible preferred stock and had a 
liquidation  preference  of  $25,000  per  preferred  share  of  Series  G 
stock. The preferred stock was 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.  

On  June  11,  2013,  pursuant  to  the  Amended  Articles  of 
Incorporation,  the  Bancorp’s  Board  of  Directors  authorized  the 
conversion  into  common  stock,  no  par  value,  of  all  outstanding 
shares  of  the  Bancorp’s  Series  G  perpetual  preferred  stock.  The 
Articles  grant  the  Bancorp  the  right,  at  its  option,  to  convert  all 
outstanding shares of Series G preferred stock if the closing price of 
common  stock  exceeded  130%  of  the  applicable  conversion  price 
for 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days. 
The  closing  price  of  shares  of  common  stock  satisfied  such 
threshold  for  the  30  trading  days  ended  June  10,  2013,  and  the 
Bancorp  gave  the  required  notice  of  its  exercise  of  its  conversion 
right. 

On July 1, 2013, the Bancorp converted the remaining 16,442 
outstanding  shares  of  Series  G  preferred  stock,  which  represented 
4,110,500  depositary  shares,  into  shares  of  Fifth  Third’s  common 
stock.  Each  share  of  Series  G  preferred  stock  was  converted  into 
2,159.8272  shares  of  common  stock,  representing  a  total  of 
35,511,740  issued  shares.  The  common  shares  issued  in  the 
conversion are exempt securities pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as the securities exchanged were 
exclusively  with  the  Bancorp’s  existing  security  holders  where  no 
commission or other remuneration was paid. Upon conversion, the 

145  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
  
  
 
  
  
     
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

depositary  shares  were  delisted  from  the  NASDAQ  Global  Select 
Market and withdrawn from the Exchange. 

Treasury Stock 
On March 13, 2012, the Bancorp announced the results of its capital 
plan  submitted  to  the  FRB  as  part  of  the  2012  CCAR.  The  FRB 
indicated to the Bancorp that it did not object to the repurchase of 
common shares in an amount equal to any after-tax gains realized by 
the Bancorp from the sale of Vantiv, Inc. common shares by either 
the  Bancorp  or  Vantiv,  Inc.  On  August  21,  2012,  the  Bancorp 
announced  that  the  FRB  did  not  object  to  its  capital  plan 
resubmitted  under  the  2012  CCAR  process,  which  included  the 
repurchases  of  common  shares  of  up  to  $600  million  through  the 
first  quarter  of  2013,  in  addition  to  any  incremental  repurchase  of 
common  shares  related  to  any  after-tax  gains  realized  by  the 
Bancorp from the sale of Vantiv, Inc. common shares by either the 
Bancorp  or  Vantiv,  Inc.  As  a  result,  on  August  21,  2012,  Fifth 
Third’s Board of Directors authorized the Bancorp to repurchase up 
to 100 million shares of its outstanding common stock in the open 
market  or  in  privately  negotiated  transactions,  and  to  utilize  any 
derivative  or  similar 
to  affect  share  repurchase 
transactions.  

instrument 

On March 14, 2013, the Bancorp announced the results of its 
capital plan submitted to the FRB as part of the 2013 CCAR. The 
FRB indicated to the Bancorp that it did not object to the potential 
repurchase  of  common  shares  in  an  amount  up  to  $984  million, 
including any shares issued in a Series G preferred stock conversion, 
and  the  repurchase  of  common  shares  in  an  amount  equal  to  any 
after-tax gains realized by the Bancorp from the sale of Vantiv, Inc. 
common  stock.  On  March  19,  2013,  the  Board  of  Directors 
authorized  the  Bancorp  to  repurchase  up  to  100  million  common 
shares  in  the  open  market  or  in  privately  negotiated  transactions, 
and  to  utilize  any  derivative  or  similar  instrument  to  effect  share 
repurchase 
transactions.  This  share  repurchase  authorization 
replaced the Board’s previous authorization from August of 2012. 

On  March  18,  2014,  the  Board  of  Directors  authorized  the 
Bancorp  to  repurchase  up  to  100  million  common  shares  in  the 
open  market  or  in  privately  negotiated  transactions,  and  to  utilize 
any  derivative  or  similar  instrument  to  effect  share  repurchase 
transactions.  This  share  repurchase  authorization  replaced  the 
Board’s previous authorization from March of 2013. 

On March 26, 2014, the Bancorp announced the results of its 
capital plan submitted to the FRB as part of the 2014 CCAR. The 
FRB indicated to the Bancorp that it did not object to the potential 
repurchase  of  $669  million  of  common  shares  with  the  additional 
ability  to  repurchase  common  shares  in  an  amount  equal  to  any 
after-tax gains realized by the Bancorp from the sale of Vantiv, Inc. 
common  stock  for  the  period  beginning  April  1,  2014  and  ending 
March 31, 2015.   

The  Bancorp  entered  into  a  number  of  accelerated  share 
repurchase  transactions  during  2012,  2013  and  2014.  As  part  of 
these  transactions,  the  Bancorp  entered  into  forward  contracts  in 
which the final number of shares delivered at settlement was based 
generally  on  a  discount  to  the  average  daily  volume  weighted 
average  price  of  the  Bancorp’s  common  stock  during  the  term  of 
these  repurchase  agreements.  The  accelerated  share  repurchases 
were  treated  as  two  separate  transactions  (i)  the  acquisition  of 
treasury  shares  on  the  acquisition  date  and  (ii)  a  forward  contract 
indexed to the Bancorp’s stock. 

146  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The following table presents a summary of the Bancorp's accelerated share repurchase transactions that were entered into or settled during 2012, 
2013 and 2014. For more information on a subsequent event related to capital actions refer to Note 31 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

Shares Repurchased on 
Repurchase Date

(cid:3) 

Shares Received from Forward 
Contract Settlement 

Total Shares 
Repurchased 

Settlement Date 

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)

(cid:3)(cid:3)
   Amount ($ in millions) 
75 
$
350 
125 
100 
125 
539 
200 
456 
99 
150 
225 
180 

(cid:3)(cid:3)
Repurchase Date(cid:3)
April 26, 2012 
August 28, 2012 
November 9, 2012 
December 19, 2012 
January 31, 2013 
May 24, 2013 
November 18, 2013 
December 13, 2013 
January 31, 2014 
May 1, 2014 
July 24, 2014 
October 23, 2014 
(cid:3)
24. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION 
The  Bancorp  has  historically  emphasized  employee 
stock 
ownership.  The  following  table  provides  detail  of  the  number  of 
shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding stock-based awards 

 4,838,710 
 21,531,100 
 7,710,761 
 6,267,410 
 6,953,028 
 25,035,519 
 8,538,423 
 19,084,195 
 3,950,705 
 6,216,480 
 9,352,078 
 8,337,875 

 631,986 
 1,444,047 
 657,914 
 127,760 
 849,037 
 4,270,250 
 1,132,495 
 2,294,932 
 602,109 
 1,016,514 
 1,896,685 
 794,245 

 5,470,696 
 22,975,147 
 8,368,675 
 6,395,170 
 7,802,065 
 29,305,769 
 9,670,918 
 21,379,127 
 4,552,814 
 7,232,994 
 11,248,763 
 9,132,120 

June 1, 2012
October 24, 2012
February 12, 2013
February 27, 2013
April 5, 2013
October 1, 2013
March 5, 2014
March 31, 2014
March 31, 2014
July 21, 2014
October 14, 2014
January 8, 2015

and  remaining  shares  available  for  future  issuance  under  all  of  the 
Bancorp’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014: 

Plan Category (shares in thousands)  
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders  

SARs  
Restricted stock  
Stock options(c) 
Phantom stock units  
Performance units  
Employee stock purchase plan  

Number of Shares to be 
Issued Upon Exercise    

Weighted-Average 
Exercise Price 

(b)
 7,253   
 7   
(d)
(e)

(b)
N/A
$32.26  
N/A
N/A

Shares Available for 
Future Issuance 
 30,786 (a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 

N/A  

(a) 
 7,431 (f) 
 38,217   

Total shares   
(a) Under the 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan, 36 million shares of stock were authorized for issuance as incentive and nonqualified stock options, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock units, 

 7,260      

(b)
(c)

(d)
(e)
(f)

performance units and performance RSAs. 
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. 
Excludes 0.3 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 plans 
and will make no additional awards under these plans. The weighted-average exercise price of the outstanding options is $13.76 per share.   
Phantom stock units are settled in cash. 
The number of shares to be issued is dependent upon the Bancorp achieving certain predefined performance targets and ranges from zero shares to approximately 2 million shares. 
Represents  remaining  shares  of  Fifth  Third  common  stock  under  the  Bancorp’s  1993  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  as  amended  and  restated,  including  an  additional  1.5  million  shares  approved  by 
shareholders on March 28, 2007 and an additional 12 million shares approved by shareholders on April 21, 2009. 

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,  2014,  and  authorized  the 
issuance of up to 36 million shares, including 16 million shares for 
Full  Value  Awards,  as  equity  compensation  and  provides  for 
incentive and nonqualified stock options, SARs, RSAs and restricted 
stock units, and performance shares. Full Value Awards are defined 
as  awards  with  no  cash  outlay  for  the  employee  to  obtain  the  full 
value.  Based  on  total  stock-based  awards  outstanding  (including 
stock  options,  stock  appreciation  rights,  restricted  stock  and 
performance units) and shares remaining for future grants under the 
2014 Incentive Compensation Plan, the potential dilution to which 
the  Bancorp’s  shareholders  of  common  stock  are  exposed  due  to 
the  potential  that  stock-based  compensation  will  be  awarded  to 
executives,  directors  or  key  employees  of  the  Bancorp  is  10%. 
SARs,  restricted  stock,  stock  options  and  performance  units 
outstanding represent seven percent of the Bancorp’s issued shares 
at December 31, 2014. 

All of the Bancorp’s stock-based awards are to be settled with 
stock.  The  Bancorp  has  historically  used  treasury  stock  to  settle 
stock-based awards, when available. SARs, issued at fair 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 SARs or stock 
options, re-price previously granted SARs or stock options, or grant 
reload  stock  options.  Restricted  stock  award  grants  vest  after  four 
years, or ratably over three or four years of continued employment 
and  include  dividend  and  voting  rights.  Stock  options  were 
previously  issued  at  fair  value  based  on  the  closing  price  of  the 
Bancorp’s common stock on the date of grant, have up to ten-year 
terms  and  vested  and  became  fully  exercisable  ratably  over  a  three 
or  four  year  period  of  continued  employment.  Performance  unit 
awards have three-year cliff vesting terms with market conditions as 
defined  by  the  plan.  All  of  the  Bancorp’s  executive  stock-based 
awards contain an annual performance hurdle of two percent return 
on tangible common equity. If this threshold is not met all awards 

147  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
     
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

that would vest in the next year are forfeited. The Bancorp met this 
threshold as of December 31, 2014.  

Stock-based  compensation  expense  was  $83  million,  $78 
million  and  $69  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014, 
2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in salaries, wages, and 
incentives  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income.  The  total 
related  income  tax  benefit  recognized  was  $30  million,  $28  million 

and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 
2012, respectively.  

Stock Appreciation Rights 
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 December 31:

Expected life (in years)  
Expected volatility  
Expected dividend yield  
Risk-free interest rate 

2014     
6   
35%  
2.4%  
2.0%  

2013     
6   
36% 
3.0%  
1.0%  

2012     
6   
37%  
2.8%  
1.2%  

The  expected  life  is  generally  derived  from  historical  exercise 
patterns  and  represents  the  amount  of  time  that  SARs  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.  Annual  dividends 
are based on projected dividends, estimated using an expected long-
term  dividend  payout  ratio,  over  the  estimated  life  of  the  awards. 
The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of 
the SARs is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the 
time of grant.   

The grant-date fair value of SARs is measured using the Black-
Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average grant-date fair 
value of SARs granted was $6.53, $4.56 and $4.23 per share for the 
years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The total grant-date 
fair value of SARs that vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $34 
million, $29 million, and $22 million, respectively.   

At  December  31,  2014,  there  was  $57  million  of  stock-based 
compensation  expense  related 
to  nonvested  SARs  not  yet 
recognized.  The  expense  is  expected  to  be  recognized  over  a 
remaining weighted-average period of approximately 2.4 years. 

SARs (Number of SARs in thousands) 
Outstanding at January 1 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited or expired 
Outstanding at December 31 
Exercisable at December 31 

2014  
  Weighted- 
Average 
Grant Price 
19.98   
21.63
13.63
34.19
19.79
21.71

Number of 
SARs 
 48,599  $
 4,526 
 (4,408)
 (3,127)
 45,590  $
 27,950  $

2013  

Number of 
SARs 
 44,120 
 10,267 
 (2,904)
 (2,884)
 48,599 
 26,462 

$

$
$

Weighted- 
Average 
Grant Price 
20.41   
16.16 
11.18 
21.78 
19.98 
24.14 

2012  
  Weighted- 
Average 
Grant Price 
22.20   
14.36
6.29
23.33
20.41
26.76

Number of 
SARs 
 36,502  $
 12,179 
 (1,271)
 (3,290)
 44,120  $
 23,248  $

The following table summarizes outstanding and exercisable SARs by grant price at December 31, 2014:

Grant price per share 
Under $10.00 
$10.01-$20.00 
$20.01-$30.00 
$30.01-$40.00 
Over $40.00 
All SARs  

Outstanding SARs  

Exercisable SARs 

Number of 
SARs at  
Year End 
(000s) 

 3,363  $
 29,089 
 4,362 
 6,443 
 2,333 
 45,590  $

Weighted- 
Average 
Grant Price 
 3.98   
 15.36   
 21.64   
 38.67
 42.16
 19.79

Weighted- 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life 
(in years) 
 4.3   
 6.7   
 9.3   
 1.7 
 0.8 
 5.8 

Number of 
SARs at  
Year End 
(000s) 

 3,360  $
 15,783 
 31 
 6,443 
 2,333 
 27,950  $

Weighted- 
Average 
Grant Price 
3.99   
15.54   
22.73   
38.67 
42.16 
21.71 

Weighted- 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Life 
(in years) 
 4.3   
 5.9   
 3.4   
 1.7
 0.8
 4.3

Restricted Stock Awards  
The  total  grant-date  fair  value  of  RSAs  that  vested  during  2014, 
2013  and  2012  was  $32  million,  $40  million  and  $32  million, 
respectively. At December 31, 2014, there was $88 million of stock-

based  compensation  expense  related  to  nonvested  restricted  stock 
not yet recognized. The expense is expected to be recognized over a 
remaining weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years. 

148  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

2014  
  Weighted- 
Average 

Shares 

 6,710  $
 3,264 
 (2,183)
 (538)
 7,253  $

  Grant-Date 
Fair Value 
15.11   
21.61
14.84
16.73
17.98

2013  
  Weighted- 
Average 

  Grant-Date 
Fair Value 
14.32   
16.21 
14.71 
14.97 
15.11 

Shares 
 6,379  $
 3,583 
 (2,720)
 (532)
 6,710  $

RSAs (shares in thousands) 
Nonvested at January 1 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 
Nonvested at December 31 

2012  
  Weighted- 
Average 

Shares 

  Grant-Date 
Fair Value 
15.95   
14.33
18.37
15.35
14.32

 4,764  $
 3,863 
 (1,826)
 (422)
 6,379  $

The following table summarizes unvested RSAs by grant-date fair value at December 31, 2014:

Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share 
Under $5.00 
$5.01-$10.00 
$10.01-$15.00 
$15.01-$20.00 
$20.01-$25.00 
All RSAs 

Nonvested RSAs 

Number of 
RSAs at Year End 
(000s) 

Weighted-Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(in years) 

 - 
 48 
 1,801 
 2,320 
 3,084 
 7,253   

 -   
 0.8   
 0.7   
 1.3   
 1.8   
 1.4

Stock options 
The  grant-date  fair  value  of  stock  options  is  measured  using  the 
Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model.  There  were  no  stock  options 
granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012.  

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $1 million in 
2014,  2013  and  2012,  respectively.  Cash  received  from  options 
exercised  was  $1  million  in  2014  and  $2  million  in  both  2013  and 

2012.  The  tax  benefit  realized  from  exercised  options  was 
immaterial  to  the  Bancorp’s  Consolidated  Financial  Statements 
during  2014,  2013  and  2012.  All  stock  options  were  vested  as  of 
December 31, 2008, therefore, no stock options vested during 2014, 
2013  or  2012.  As  of  December  31,  2014,  the  aggregate  intrinsic 
value  of  both  outstanding  options  and  exercisable  options  was  $2 
million. 

Stock Options (Number of Options in thousands) 
Outstanding at January 1 
Exercised 
Forfeited or expired 
Outstanding at December 31 
Exercisable at December 31 

2014  
  Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise Price

Number of  
Options 

 546  $
 (115)
 (166)
 265  $
 265  $

20.72   
12.84
36.42
14.25
14.25

2013  

Number of  
Options 
 3,877 
 (190)
 (3,141)
 546 
 546 

$

$
$

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise Price 
45.00   
11.88 
51.23 
20.72 
20.72 

The following table summarizes outstanding and exercisable stock options by exercise price at December 31, 2014:

Number of  
Options 

2012  
  Weighted- 
Average 
Grant Price 
53.88   
 10.32
 66.25
45.00
45.00

 7,584  $
 (205)
 (3,502)
 3,877  $
 3,877  $

Exercise price per share 
Under $10.00 
$10.01-$20.00 
$20.01-$30.00 
$30.01-$40.00 
Over $40.00 
All stock options 

Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options 

Number of 
Options at Year 
End (000s) 

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise Price

 1  $

 258 
 1 
 - 
 5 
 265  $

 8.59   
 13.76   
 24.41   
 - 
 40.98 
 14.25 

 Weighted-Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
(in years) 
 4.0   
 1.0   
 3.0   
 -
 2.0
 1.0

149  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

to 

in  reaction 

Other stock-based compensation  
The  Bancorp’s  Board  of  Directors  previously  approved  the  use  of 
phantom  stock  units  as  part  of  its  compensation  for  executives  in 
connection  with  changes  made 
the  TARP 
compensation rules. On February 22, 2011, the Bancorp redeemed 
its  Series  F  preferred  stock  held  by  the  U.S.  Treasury  under  the 
CPP.  As  a  result  of  this  redemption,  the  last  payment  of  phantom 
stock  occurred  in  April  of  2011.  The  phantom  stock  units  were 
issued under the Bancorp’s 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. The 
number of phantom stock units was determined each pay period by 
dividing the amount of salary to be paid in phantom stock units for 
that  pay  period,  by  the  reported  closing  price  of  the  Bancorp’s 
common stock on the pay date for such pay period. The phantom 
stock  units  vested  immediately  on  issuance.  Phantom  stock  was 
expensed  based  on  the  number  of  outstanding  units  multiplied  by 
the closing price of the Bancorp’s stock at period end. The phantom 
stock  units  did  not  include  any  rights  to  receive  dividends  or 
dividend equivalents. Phantom stock units issued on or before June 
12, 2010 were settled in cash upon the earlier to occur of June 15, 
2011 or the executive’s death. Units issued thereafter were settled in 
cash with 50% settled on June 15, 2012 and 50% settled on June 15, 
2013.  The  amount  paid  on  settlement  of  the  phantom  stock  units 
was equal to the total amount of phantom stock units settled at the 
reported  closing  price  of  the  Bancorp’s  common  stock  on  the 
settlement  date.  Under  the  phantom  stock  program,  no  phantom 
stock units were granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 
2013 and 2012. No phantom stock units were settled during the year 
ended December 31, 2014 and 200,130 and 199,813 phantom stock 
units  were  settled  during  the  years  ended  December  31,  2013  and 
2012, respectively.  

Performance  units  are  payable  contingent  upon  the  Bancorp 
achieving certain predefined performance targets over the three-year 
measurement  period.  Awards  granted  during  2014,  2013  and  2012 
will be entirely  settled in stock. The performance targets are based 
on  the  Bancorp’s  performance  relative  to  a  defined  peer  group. 
During  2014,  2013  and  2012,  322,567,  348,595,  and  344,741 
performance units, respectively, were granted by the Bancorp. These 
awards  were  granted  at  a  weighted-average  grant-date  fair  value  of 
$15.61,  $16.15  and  $14.36  per  unit  during  2014,  2013  and  2012, 
respectively.  

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, 
2014,  2013  and  2012,  there  were  599,101,  690,039  and  827,709 
shares,  respectively,  purchased  by  participants  and  the  Bancorp 
recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1 million in each 
of the respective years. 

150  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

25. OTHER NONINTEREST INCOME AND OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE
The following table presents the major components of other noninterest income and other noninterest expense for the years ended December 31:

($ in millions) 
Other noninterest income:  
   Gain on Vantiv, Inc. IPO and sale of Vantiv, Inc. shares 
   Operating lease income 
   Equity method income from interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC 
   Cardholder fees 
   BOLI income 
   Valuation adjustments on the warrant and put options associated with sale of Vantiv Holding, LLC  
   Banking center income 
   Consumer loan and lease fees 
   Insurance income 
   Gain on loan sales 
   Loss on OREO 
   Loss on swap associated with the sale of Visa, Inc. class B shares 
   Other, net 
Total other noninterest income 
Other noninterest expense:  
   Losses and adjustments 
   Impairment on affordable housing investments  
   Loan and lease 
   Marketing 
   FDIC insurance and other taxes 
   Professional services fees 
   Operating lease 
   Travel 
   Postal and courier 
   Data processing 
   Recruitment and education 
   OREO expense 
   Insurance 
   Supplies 
   Intangible asset amortization 
   Loss on debt extinguishment 
   Benefit from the reserve for unfunded commitments  
   Other, net 
Total other noninterest expense 

2014  

2013  

2012  

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

 148 
 84 
 48 
 45 
 44 
 31 
 30 
 25 
 13 
 - 
 (14)
 (38)
 34 
 450 

 188 
 135 
 119 
 98 
 89 
 72 
 67 
 52 
 47 
 41 
 28 
 17 
 16 
 15 
 4 
 - 
 (27)
 178 
 1,139 

 336 
 75 
 77 
 47 
 52 
 206 
 34 
 27 
 25 
 3 
 (26)
 (31)
 54 
 879 

 221 
 108 
 158 
 114 
 127 
 76 
 57 
 54 
 48 
 42 
 26 
 16 
 17 
 16 
 8 
 8 
 (17)
 185 
 1,264 

 272   
 60   
 61   
 46   
 35   
 67   
 32   
 27   
 28   
 20   
 (57)  
 (45)  
 28   
 574   

 187   
 90   
 183   
 128   
 114   
 56   
 43   
 52   
 48   
 40   
 28   
 21   
 18   
 17   
 13   
 169   
 (2)  
 169   
 1,374   

151  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

26.  EARNINGS PER SHARE 
The following table provides the calculation of earnings per share and the reconciliation of earnings per share and earnings per diluted share for 
the years ended December 31:

2014  

2013  

2012  

Average Per Share  
Shares  Amount

Income 

Average Per Share    
Shares  Amount 

   Income 

Average Per Share
Shares  Amount

 1.68  

 1,836   
 37   
 1,799   
 14   
 1,785 

 1,799   

 - 
 18 
 1,817   

 14   

 869 

 2.05   

 8   
 18   

 1,576   
 35   
 1,541   
 10   
 1,531 

 1,541   

 - 
 35 
 1,576   

 10   

 904 

 1.69 

 6   
 36   

1.66  

 1,803 

895 

2.02   

 1,566 

946 

1.66 

 833 

 10   
 -   

 843 

$ 

$ 

$ 

 1,414   

Income 

 1,481   
 67   
 1,414   
 12   
 1,402 

(in millions, except per share data) 
Earnings per share: 
Net income attributable to Bancorp 
Dividends on preferred stock 
Net income available to common shareholders 
Less: Income allocated to participating securities 
Net income allocated to common shareholders 
Earnings per diluted share: 
Net income available to common shareholders 
Effect of dilutive securities: 
    Stock-based awards 
    Series G convertible preferred stock 
Net income available to common shareholders 
    plus assumed conversions 
Less: Income allocated to participating securities 
Net income allocated to common shareholders 
    plus assumed conversions 
(cid:3)
Shares are excluded from the computation of net income per diluted 
share when their inclusion has an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per 
share.  The  diluted  earnings  per  share  computation  for  2014,  2013 
and  2012  excludes  13  million,  24  million,  and  36  million, 
respectively,  of  SARs  and  an  immaterial  amount,  1  million,  and  5 
million, respectively, of stock options because their inclusion would 
have been anti-dilutive.  

 - 
 - 
 1,414   

 1,402 

 12   

$ 

The diluted earnings per share computation for the year ended 
December  31,  2014  excludes  the  impact  of  the  forward  contract 
related  to  the  October  23,  2014  accelerated  share  repurchase 
transaction.  Based  on  the  average  daily  volume-weighted  average 
price of the Bancorp’s common stock during the fourth quarter of 
2014, the counterparty to the transaction would have been required 
to  deliver  additional  shares  for  the  settlement  of  the  forward 
contract  as  of  December  31,  2014,  and  thus  the  impact  of  the 
accelerated  share  repurchase  transaction  would  have  been  anti-
dilutive to earnings per share.  

The diluted earnings per share computation for the year ended 
December 31,  2013  excludes  the  impact  of  the  forward  contracts 
related  to  the  November 18,  2013  and  December 13,  2013 
accelerated  share  repurchase  transactions.  Based  upon  the  average 
daily  volume-weighted  average  price  of  the  Bancorp’s  common 
stock  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2013,  the  counterparty  to  the 
transactions  would  have  been  required  to  deliver  additional  shares 
for  the  settlement  of  the  forward  contracts  as  of  December 31, 
2013,  and  thus  the  impact  of  the  two  accelerated  share  repurchase 
transactions would have been anti-dilutive to earnings per share.  

to 

The diluted earnings per share computation for the year ended 
December 31,  2012  excludes  the  impact  of  the  forward  contracts 
related 
the  November 6,  2012  and  December 14,  2012 
accelerated  share  repurchase  transactions.  Based  upon  the  average 
daily  volume-weighted  average  price  of  the  Bancorp’s  common 
stock  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2012,  the  counterparty  to  the 
transactions  would  have  been  required  to  deliver  additional  shares 
for  the  settlement  of  the  forward  contracts  as  of  December 31, 
2012,  and  thus  the  impact  of  the  two  accelerated  share  repurchase 
transactions would have been anti-dilutive to earnings per share. 

152  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
     
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
     
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
 
  
  
  
     
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

27. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS 
The  Bancorp  measures  certain  financial  assets  and  liabilities  at  fair 
value in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which 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.  U.S.  GAAP  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.  For  more  information  regarding  the  fair  value 
hierarchy and how the Bancorp measures fair value, refer to Note 1.   

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including residential mortgage loans held for sale 
for which the Bancorp has elected the fair value option as of: 

December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)  
Assets:  
   Available-for-sale and other securities:  
     U.S. Treasury and federal agencies  
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
     Mortgage-backed securities  
          Agency residential mortgage-backed securities  
          Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities  
          Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities  
     Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
     Equity securities(a) 
       Available-for-sale and other securities(a) 

   Trading securities:  
     U.S. Treasury and federal agencies  
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
     Mortgage-backed securities  
          Agency residential mortgage-backed securities  
     Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
     Equity securities  
       Trading securities  

   Residential mortgage loans held for sale  
   Residential mortgage loans(b) 
   Derivative assets:  
     Interest rate contracts  
     Foreign exchange contracts  
     Equity contracts  
     Commodity contracts  
       Derivative assets  
Total assets  

Liabilities:  
   Derivative liabilities:  
     Interest rate contracts  
     Foreign exchange contracts  
     Equity contracts  
     Commodity contracts  
       Derivative liabilities  

   Short positions  
Total liabilities  

Fair Value Measurements Using 

Level 1(c) 

Level 2(c) 

Level 3 

Total Fair Value 

$

$

$

$

 25 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 84 
 109 

 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 316 
 316 

 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 68 
 68 
 493 

 6 
 - 
 - 
 58 
 64 

 16 
 80 

 1,607 
 192 

 12,404 
 4,565 
 1,550 
 1,362 
 19 
 21,699 

 14 
 8 

 9 
 13 
 - 
 44 

 561 
 - 

 888 
 417 
 - 
 280 
 1,585 
 23,889 

 276 
 372 
 - 
 280 
 928 

 5 
 933 

 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 108 

 12 
 - 
 415 
 - 
 427 
 535 

 2 
 - 
 49 
 - 
 51 

 - 
 51 

 1,632
 192

 12,404
 4,565
 1,550
 1,362
 103
 21,808

 14
 8

 9
 13
 316
 360

 561
 108

 900
 417
 415
 348
 2,080
 24,917

 284
 372
 49
 338
 1,043

 21
 1,064

153  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Fair Value Measurements Using 

Level 1(c)  

Level 2(c)  

Level 3 

Total Fair Value 

December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)  
Assets:  
   Available-for-sale and other securities:  
     U.S. Treasury and federal agencies  
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
     Mortgage-backed securities:  
          Agency residential mortgage-backed securities  
          Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities  
     Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
     Equity securities(a) 
       Available-for-sale and other securities(a) 

   Trading securities:  
     U.S. Treasury and federal agencies  
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions  
     Mortgage-backed securities:  
          Agency residential mortgage-backed securities  
     Asset-backed securities and other debt securities  
     Equity securities  
       Trading securities  

   Residential mortgage loans held for sale  
   Residential mortgage loans(b) 
   Derivative assets:  
     Interest rate contracts  
     Foreign exchange contracts  
     Equity contracts  
     Commodity contracts  
       Derivative assets  
Total assets  

Liabilities:  
   Derivative liabilities:  
     Interest rate contracts  
     Foreign exchange contracts  
     Equity contracts  
     Commodity contracts  
       Derivative liabilities  

$ 

$ 

$ 

 26 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 89 
 115 

 1 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 315 
 316 

 - 
 - 

 13 
 - 
 - 
 18 
 31 
 462 

 1 
 - 
 - 
 9 
 10 

 1,644 
 192 

 12,284 
 1,395 
 2,187 
 29 
 17,731 

 4 
 12 

 3 
 7 
 - 
 26 

 890 
 - 

 802 
 276 
 - 
 48 
 1,126 
 19,773 

 384 
 252 
 - 
 56 
 692 

 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 1 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 1 

 - 
 92 

 12 
 - 
 384 
 - 
 396 
 489 

 4 
 - 
 48 
 - 
 52 

 1,670
 192

 12,284
 1,395
 2,187
 118
 17,846

 5
 13

 3
 7
 315
 343

 890
 92

 827
 276
 384
 66
 1,553
 20,724

 389
 252
 48
 65
 754

 8
 762

 - 
   Short positions  
Total liabilities  
 52 
(a) Excludes FHLB and FRB restricted stock totaling $248 and $352, respectively, at December 31, 2014 and $402 and $349, respectively, at December 31, 2013. 
(b)
(c) During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no assets or liabilities were transferred between Level 1 and Level 2.  

Includes residential mortgage loans originated as held for sale and subsequently transferred to held for investment. 

 4 
 696 

 4 
 14 

$ 

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 other 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 
similar 
characteristics, or DCFs. Examples of such instruments, which are 
classified  within  Level  2  of  the  valuation  hierarchy,  include  federal 
agencies,  obligations  of  states  and  political  subdivisions,  agency 
residential  mortgage-backed  securities,  agency  and  non-agency 
commercial  mortgage-backed  securities  and  asset-backed  securities 
and  other  debt  securities.  Corporate  bonds  are  included  in  asset-
backed  securities  and  other  debt  securities  in  the  previous  table. 
Federal  agencies,  obligations  of  states  and  political  subdivisions, 

securities  with 

154  Fifth Third Bancorp 

agency  residential  mortgage-backed  securities,  agency  and  non-
agency  commercial  mortgage-backed  securities  and  asset-backed 
securities  and  other  debt  securities  are  generally  valued  using  a 
market  approach  based  on  observable  prices  of  securities  with 
similar characteristics. 

Residential mortgage loans held for sale  
For residential mortgage loans held for sale for which the fair value 
election  has  been  made,  fair  value  is  estimated  based  upon 
mortgage-backed securities prices and spreads to those prices or, for 
certain  ARM 
incorporate  the 
loans,  DCF  models  that  may 
anticipated  portfolio  composition,  credit  spreads  of  asset-backed 
securities  with  similar  collateral  and  market  conditions.  The 
anticipated portfolio composition includes the effect of interest rate 
spreads  and  discount  rates  due  to  loan  characteristics  such  as  the 
state  in  which  the  loan  was  originated,  the  loan  amount  and  the 
ARM  margin.  Residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale  that  are 
valued  based  on  mortgage-backed  securities  prices  are  classified 
within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy as the valuation is based on 

 
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
     
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

external  pricing  for  similar  instruments.  ARM  loans  classified  as 
held  for  sale  are  also  classified  within  Level  2  of  the  valuation 
hierarchy  due  to  the  use  of  observable  inputs  in  the  DCF  model. 
These  observable  inputs  include  interest  rate  spreads  from  agency 
mortgage-backed  securities  market  rates  and  observable  discount 
rates.  

Residential mortgage loans 
Residential mortgage loans held for sale that are reclassified to held 
for  investment  are  transferred  from  Level  2  to  Level  3  of  the  fair 
value  hierarchy.  It  is  the  Bancorp’s  policy  to  value  any  transfers 
between  levels  of  the  fair  value  hierarchy  based  on  end  of  period 
fair values.  

interest  rate  risk  and  an 

For residential mortgage loans reclassified from held for sale to 
held for investment, the fair value estimation is based on mortgage-
backed  securities  prices, 
internally 
developed  credit  component.  Therefore,  these  loans  are  classified 
within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. An adverse change in the 
loss  rate  or  severity  assumption  would  result  in  a  decrease  in  fair 
value  of  the  related  loan.  The  Secondary  Marketing  Department, 
which  reports  to  the  Bancorp’s  Chief  Operating  Officer,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Consumer  Credit  Risk  Department,  which 
reports  to  the  Bancorp’s  Chief  Risk  Officer,  are  responsible  for 
determining  the  valuation  methodology  for  residential  mortgage 
loans  held  for  investment.  The  Secondary  Marketing  Department 
if 
reviews 
adjustments are necessary based on decreases in observable housing 
market  data.  This  group  also  reviews  trades 
in  comparable 
benchmark  securities  and  adjusts  the  values  of  loans  as  necessary. 
Consumer  Credit  Risk  is  responsible  for  the  credit  component  of 
the  fair  value  which  is  based  on  internally  developed  loss  rate 
models that take into account historical loss rates and loss severities 
based on underlying collateral values. 

loss  severity  assumptions  quarterly  to  determine 

Derivatives 
Exchange-traded derivatives valued using quoted prices and certain 
over-the-counter  derivatives  valued  using  active  bids  are  classified 
within  Level  1  of  the  valuation  hierarchy.  Most  of  the  Bancorp’s(cid:3)
derivative  contracts  are  valued  using  DCF  or  other  models  that 
incorporate current market interest rates, credit spreads assigned to 
the  derivative  counterparties  and  other  market  parameters  and, 
therefore,  are  classified  within  Level  2  of  the  valuation  hierarchy. 
Such  derivatives  include  basic  and  structured  interest  rate,  foreign 
exchange  and  commodity  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,  2014  and  2013,  derivatives  classified  as  Level  3, 
which  are  valued  using  models  containing  unobservable  inputs, 
consisted primarily of a warrant associated with the initial sale of the 
Bancorp’s  51%  interest  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  to  Advent 
International and a total return swap associated with the Bancorp’s 
sale  of  Visa,  Inc.  Class  B  shares.  Level  3  derivatives  also  include 
IRLCs,  which  utilize 
loan  closing  rate 
assumptions  as  a  significant  unobservable  input  in  the  valuation 
process.  

internally  generated 

The warrant allows the Bancorp to purchase approximately 20 
million  incremental  nonvoting  units  in  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC  at  an 
exercise  price  of  $15.98  per  unit  and  requires  settlement  under 
certain  defined  conditions  involving  change  of  control.  The  fair 
value of the warrant is calculated in conjunction with a third  party 
valuation  provider  by  applying  Black-Scholes  option  valuation 

models  using  probability  weighted  scenarios  which  contain  the 
following  inputs:  Vantiv,  Inc.  stock  price,  strike  price  per  the 
Warrant  Agreement  and  several  unobservable  inputs,  such  as 
expected term, expected volatility, and expected dividend rate.  

For  the  warrant,  an  increase  in  the  expected  term  (years)  and 
the expected volatility assumptions would result in an increase in the 
fair value; conversely, a decrease in these assumptions would result 
in  a  decrease  in  the  fair  value.  The  Accounting  and  Treasury 
Departments, both of which report to the Bancorp’s Chief Financial 
Officer,  determined  the  valuation  methodology  for  the  warrant. 
Accounting and Treasury review changes in fair value on a quarterly 
basis for reasonableness based on changes in historical and implied 
volatilities,  expected  terms,  probability  weightings  of  the  related 
scenarios, and other assumptions. 

Under  the  terms  of  the  total  return  swap,  the  Bancorp  will 
make  or  receive  payments  based  on  subsequent  changes  in  the 
conversion rate of the Visa, Inc. Class B shares into Class A shares. 
Additionally,  the  Bancorp  will  make  a  quarterly  payment  based  on 
Visa’s stock price and the conversion rate of the Visa, Inc. Class B 
shares  into  Class  A  shares  until  the  date  on  which  the  Covered 
Litigation  is  settled.  The  fair  value  of  the  total  return  swap  was 
calculated  using  a  DCF  model  based  on  unobservable  inputs 
consisting  of  management’s  estimate  of  the  probability  of  certain 
litigation  scenarios,  the  timing  of  the  resolution  of  the  Covered 
Litigation and Visa litigation loss estimates in excess, or shortfall, of 
the Bancorp’s proportional share of escrow funds. 

An increase in the loss estimate or a delay in the resolution of 
the  Covered  Litigation  would  result  in  an  increase  in  fair  value; 
conversely, a decrease in the loss estimate or an acceleration of the 
resolution  of  the  Covered  Litigation  would  result  in  a  decrease  in 
fair  value.  The  Accounting  and  Treasury  Departments  determined 
the  valuation  methodology  for  the  total  return  swap.  Accounting 
and  Treasury  review  the  changes  in  fair  value  on  a  quarterly  basis 
for  reasonableness  based  on  Visa  stock  price  changes,  litigation 
contingencies, and escrow funding. 

The  net  fair  value  asset  of  the  IRLCs  at  December  31,  2014 
was $12 million. Immediate decreases in current interest rates of 25 
bps  and  50  bps  would  result  in  increases  in  the  fair  value  of  the 
IRLCs  of  approximately  $5  million  and  $9  million,  respectively. 
Immediate increases of current interest rates of 25 bps and 50 bps 
would  result  in  decreases  in  the  fair  value  of  the  IRLCs  of 
approximately $5 million and $11 million, respectively. The decrease 
in  fair  value  of  IRLCs  due  to  immediate  10%  and  20%  adverse 
changes  in  the  assumed  loan  closing  rates  would  be  approximately 
$1 million and $2 million, respectively, and the increase in fair value 
due to immediate 10% and 20% favorable changes in the assumed 
loan closing rates would be approximately $1 million and $2 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 Secondary Marketing Department and the Consumer Line 
of  Business  Finance  Department,  which  reports  to  the  Bancorp’s 
Chief  Financial  Officer,  are  responsible  for  determining  the 
valuation  methodology  for  IRLCs.  Secondary  Marketing, 
in 
conjunction  with  a  third  party  valuation  provider,  periodically 
review  loan  closing  rate  assumptions  and  recent  loan  sales  to 
determine  if  adjustments  are  needed  for  current  market  conditions 
not reflected in historical data.  

155  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
The following tables are a reconciliation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs 
(Level 3):

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) 

For the year ended December 31, 2014  
($ in millions)  
Beginning balance  
   Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):  
     Included in earnings  
   Purchases  
   Sales  
   Settlements  
   Transfers into Level 3(b) 
Ending balance  
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period  
  included in earnings attributable to the change in  
  unrealized gains or losses relating to assets  
  still held at December 31, 2014(c) 

For the year ended December 31, 2013  
($ in millions)  
Beginning balance  
   Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):  
     Included in earnings  
   Purchases  
   Settlements  
   Transfers into Level 3(b) 
Ending balance  
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period  
  included in earnings attributable to the change in  
  unrealized gains or losses relating to assets  
  still held at December 31, 2013(c) 

$ 

$

$

$ 

$ 

$ 

 1 

 - 
 - 
 (1)
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 

 1 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 1 

 - 

Trading 
Securities 

Residential 
Mortgage  
Loans 

Interest Rate  
Derivatives,  
Net(a) 

Equity  
Derivatives,  
Net(a) 

 92 

 4 
 - 
 - 
 (17)
 29 
 108 

 8 

 125 
 (1)
 - 
 (122)
 - 
 10 

 336 

 (7)
 - 
 - 
 37 
 - 
 366 

Total 
Fair Value 
 437 
$

 122 
 (1)
 (1)
 (102)
 29 
 484 

$

 4 

 13 

 (7)

$

 10 

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) 

Trading 
Securities 

Residential 
Mortgage  
Loans 

Interest Rate  
Derivatives,  
Net(a) 

Equity  
Derivatives,  
Net(a) 

 76 

(1)
 - 
(17)
 34 
 92 

57 

 59 
(2)
(106)
 - 
 8 

 144 

175 
 - 
 17 
 - 
336 

Total 
  Fair Value
278 
$ 

233 
(2)
(106)
34 
437 

$ 

(1)

 11 

175 

$ 

185 

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) 

Residential 
Mortgage  
Loans 

Interest Rate  
Derivatives,   
Net(a) 

Equity   
Derivatives,  
Net(a) 

 65 

  Trading 
  Securities
 1 
$ 

For the year ended December 31, 2012  
($ in millions)  
Beginning balance  
   Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):  
     Included in earnings  
   Settlements  
   Transfers into Level 3(b) 
Ending balance  
The amount of total gains for the period  
  included in earnings attributable to the change in  
  unrealized gains or losses relating to assets  
  still held at December 31, 2012(c) 
255 
(a) Net interest rate derivatives include derivative assets and liabilities of $12 and $2, respectively, as of December 31, 2014, $12 and $4, respectively as of December 31, 2013 and $60 and $3, 
respectively, as of December 31, 2012. Net equity derivatives include derivative assets and liabilities of $415 and $49, respectively, as of December 31, 2014, $384 and $48, respectively, as of 
December 31, 2013, and $177 and $33, respectively, as of December 31, 2012. 
Includes residential mortgage loans held for sale that were transferred to held for investment. 
Includes interest income and expense. 

Total 
  Fair Value
 130 
$ 

418 
(393)
 - 
 57 

 440 
(318)
 26 
 278 

22 
90 
 - 
 144 

 - 
(15)
 26 
 76 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 1 

(b)
(c)

233 

32 

32 

22 

 - 

 - 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

156  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The total gains and losses included in earnings 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)
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Corporate banking revenue 
Other noninterest income 

Total gains 

2014  
 127 
 2 
 (7)

 122 

$

$

2013  
 57 
 1 
 175 

 233 

2012  
 418 
 1 
 21 

 440 

The total gains and losses included in earnings attributable to changes in unrealized gains and losses related to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held
at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:

($ in millions)
Mortgage banking net revenue 
Corporate banking revenue 
Other noninterest income 

Total gains 

2014  
 16 
 1 
 (7)

 10 

$

$

2013  
 10 
 - 
 175 

 185 

2012  
 233 
 1 
 21 

 255 

The  following  tables  present  information  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013  about  significant  unobservable  inputs  related  to  the  Bancorp’s
material categories of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions)   

Financial Instrument   

Residential mortgage loans   

   Fair Value  
$  108  

Valuation Technique 

Loss rate model  

IRLCs, net   
   12  
Stock warrant associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC     415  

Discounted cash flow  
Black-Scholes option 
valuation model  

Swap associated with the sale of Visa, Inc.   
Class B shares  

   (49) 

Discounted cash flow  

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)   

Financial Instrument   

Residential mortgage loans   

   Fair Value  
$  92  

Valuation Technique 

Loss rate model  

IRLCs, net   
   11  
Stock warrant associated with Vantiv Holding, LLC     384  

Discounted cash flow  
Black-Scholes option 
valuation model  

Swap associated with the sale of Visa, Inc.   
Class B shares  
(a)

Based on historical and implied volatilities of comparable companies assuming similar expected terms. 

   (48) 

Discounted cash flow  

Significant Unobservable 
Inputs   

Interest rate risk factor   
Credit risk factor   
Loan closing rates   
Expected term (years)   
Expected volatility(a) 
Expected dividend rate   
Timing of the resolution   
    of the Covered Litigation   

Significant Unobservable 
Inputs   

Interest rate risk factor   
Credit risk factor   
Loan closing rates   
Expected term (years)   
Expected volatility(a) 
Expected dividend rate   
Timing of the resolution   
    of the Covered Litigation  

Ranges of 
Inputs  

(7.2) - 17.7%
0 - 46.6%
8.8 - 86.7%
2.0 - 14.5
22.9 - 32.2%
-
12/31/2015 -
6/30/2020

Ranges of 
Inputs  
(23.7) - 16.5%
0 - 63.4%
14.9 - 98.7%
2.0 - 15.5
18.5 - 33.2%
-
12/31/2014 -
12/31/2019

Weighted-Average
5.0%
1.8%
65.2%
6.0 
26.5%
-
NM

Weighted-Average
2.3%
2.6%
68.5%
5.1 
25.4%
-
NM

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.  

157  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The following tables provide the fair value hierarchy and carrying amount of all assets that were held as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for 
which a nonrecurring fair value adjustment was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related gains and losses 
from fair value adjustments on assets sold during the period as well as assets still held as of the end of the period.

As of December 31, 2014  ($ in millions)  
Commercial loans held for sale(a) 
Residential mortgage loans held for sale  
Commercial and industrial loans  
Commercial mortgage loans  
Commercial construction loans  
MSRs  
OREO  
Bank premises  

Total   

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions)  
Commercial loans held for sale(a) 
Commercial and industrial loans  
Commercial mortgage loans  
Commercial construction loans  
MSRs  
OREO  
Bank premises  
Private equity investment funds  
Total   
(a)

Includes commercial nonaccrual loans held for sale. 

$

Fair Value Measurements Using 
Level 2 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

Level 1 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

Level 3 
 33 
 554 
 456 
 110 
 23 
 856 
 90 
 22 

$

 - 

 - 

 2,144 

Fair Value Measurements Using 
Level 2 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

Level 3 
 3 
 443 
 61 
 16 
 967 
 87 
 8 
 181 
 1,766 

Level 1 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

$ 

$ 

Total 
 33 
 554 
 456 
 110 
 23 
 856 
 90 
 22 

 2,144 

Total 
 3 
 443 
 61 
 16 
 967 
 87 
 8 
 181 
 1,766 

Total Losses 
2014  

 (12)
 (87)
 (382)
 (36)
(1) 
 (65)
 (26)
 (20)

 (629)

Total Losses 
2013  

 (7)
 (281)
 (41)
 (10)
 192 
 (45)
 (6)
 (4)
 (202)

The  following  tables  present  information  as  of  December  31,  2014  and  2013  about  significant  unobservable  inputs  related  to  the  Bancorp’s 
material categories of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis:

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 

Financial Instrument  

Commercial loans held for sale  

   Fair Value   Valuation Technique 
$  33  

Appraised value 

Significant Unobservable 
Inputs  

Ranges of 
Inputs  

Weighted-Average 

Appraised value  
Cost to sell  

Residential mortgage loans held for sale  

   554  

Comparable transactions  Estimated sales proceeds from 

Commercial and industrial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans  
Commercial construction loans  

   456  
   110  
   23  

Appraised value 
Appraised value 
Appraised value 

comparable transactions 
Collateral value  
Collateral value  
Collateral value  

MSRs 

   856  

Discounted cash flow 

Prepayment speed  

0 - 100%

Discount rates 

9.6 - 13.2%

NM
NM
NM

NM
NM
NM

NM 
10.0%
15.0%

NM 
NM 
NM 

(Fixed) 12.0%
(Adjustable) 26.2%

(Fixed) 9.9% 
(Adjustable) 11.8%

OREO 
Bank Premises 

   90  
   22  

Appraised value 
Appraised value 

Appraised value  
Appraised value  

NM
NM

NM 
NM 

158  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
  
     
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

NM 
10.0%
NM 
NM 
NM 

(Fixed) 10.3%
(Adjustable) 25.6%

(Fixed) 10.4% 
(Adjustable) 11.6%
NM 
NM 

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 

Financial Instrument  

Commercial loans held for sale  

   Fair Value    Valuation Technique 
$  3   

Appraised value 

Commercial and industrial loans 
Commercial mortgage loans  
Commercial construction loans  

   443   
   61   
   16   

Appraised value 
Appraised value 
Appraised value 

Significant Unobservable 
Inputs 

Ranges of 
Inputs 

Weighted-Average 

Appraised value  
Cost to sell  
Collateral value  
Collateral value  
Collateral value  

NM
NM
NM
NM
NM

MSRs 

   967   

Discounted cash flow 

Prepayment speed  

0 - 100%

OREO 
Bank premises 
Private equity investment funds 

   87   
   8   
   44(a)  

Appraised value 
Appraised value 
Liquidity discount applied 
to fund's net asset value 

(a)

3.0%
Includes funds the Bancorp will be prohibited from retaining after the July 21, 2016 end of the conformance period for the final rules, adopted under the BHCA, that implemented the provision of the 
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, commonly referred to as the Volcker Rule.  

Liquidity discount 

0-18.0%

Discount rates 
Appraised value  
Appraised value  

9.4 - 18.0%
NM
NM

Commercial loans held for sale 
During 2014 and 2013, the Bancorp transferred $28 million and $5 
million,  respectively,  of  commercial  loans  from  the  portfolio  to 
loans  held  for  sale  that  upon  transfer  were  measured  at  lower  of 
cost  or  fair  value.  These  loans  had  fair  value  adjustments  in  2014 
and 2013 totaling $10 million and $4 million, respectively, and were 
generally  based  on  appraisals  of  the  underlying  collateral  and  were 
therefore,  classified  within  Level  3  of  the  valuation  hierarchy. 
Additionally,  during  2014  and  2013 
there  were  fair  value 
adjustments on existing commercial loans held for sale of $2 million 
and  $3  million,  respectively.  The  fair  value  adjustments  were  also 
based on appraisals of the underlying collateral  and were therefore 
classified  within  Level  3  of  the  valuation  hierarchy. An  adverse 
change in the fair value of the underlying collateral would result in a 
decrease in the fair value measurement.  
        The  Accounting  Department  determines  the  procedures  for 
valuation  of  commercial  HFS 
include  a 
comparison  to  recently  executed  transactions  of  similar  type  loans. 
A monthly review of the portfolio is performed for reasonableness. 
Quarterly,  appraisals  approaching  a  year  old  are  updated  and  the 
Real  Estate  Valuation  group,  which  reports  to  the  Chief  Risk 
Officer,  in  conjunction  with  the  Commercial  Line  of  Business 
review  the  third  party  appraisals  for  reasonableness.  Additionally, 
the  Commercial  Line  of  Business  Finance  Department,  which 
reports to the Bancorp Chief Financial Officer, in conjunction with 
Accounting  review  all  loan  appraisal  values,  carrying  values  and 
vintages. 

loans  which  may 

Residential mortgage loans held for sale 
During  2014,  the  Bancorp  transferred  $720  million  of  restructured 
residential mortgage loans from the portfolio to loans held for sale 
that upon transfer were measured at lower of cost or fair value using 
loans  had  fair  value 
inputs.  These 
significant  unobservable 
adjustments in 2014 totaling $87 million. The fair value adjustments 
were based on estimated third-party valuations utilizing recent sales 
data from similar transactions. Broker opinion statements were also 
obtained  as  additional  evidence 
third-party 
valuations.  The  Treasury  Department  worked  with  the  third-party 
advisor to estimate the fair value adjustments. The discounts taken 
were intended to represent the perspective of a market participant, 
considering  among  other  things,  required  investor  returns  which 
include liquidity discounts reflected in similar bulk transactions. An 
adverse  change  in  the  fair  value  of  the  underlying  collateral  would 
result in a decrease in the fair value measurement. 

to  support 

the 

Commercial loans held for investment  
During  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp  recorded  nonrecurring 
impairment  adjustments  to  certain  commercial  and  industrial, 
commercial  mortgage  and  commercial  construction  loans  held  for 
investment.  Larger  commercial  loans  included  within  aggregate 
borrower  relationship  balances  exceeding  $1  million  that  exhibit 
probable  or  observed  credit  weaknesses  are  subject  to  individual 
review for impairment. The Bancorp considers the current value of 
collateral,  credit  quality  of  any  guarantees,  the  guarantor’s  liquidity 
and  willingness  to  cooperate,  the  loan  structure  and  other  factors 
when  evaluating  whether  an  individual  loan  is  impaired.  When  the 
loan  is  collateral  dependent,  the  fair  value  of  the  loan  is  generally 
based  on  the  fair  value  of  the  underlying  collateral  supporting  the 
loan and therefore these loans were classified within Level 3 of the 
valuation  hierarchy.  In  cases  where  the  carrying  value  exceeds  the 
fair value, an impairment loss is recognized.  

An adverse change in the fair value of the underlying collateral 
would result in a decrease in the fair value measurement.   The fair 
values  and  recognized  impairment  losses  are  reflected  in  the 
previous table. Commercial Credit Risk, which reports to the Chief 
Risk  Officer,  is  responsible  for  preparing  and  reviewing  the  fair 
value estimates for commercial loans held  for investment. 

MSRs 
Mortgage interest rates decreased during the year ended December 
31,  2014  and  the  Bancorp  recognized  temporary  impairment  in 
certain  classes  of  the  MSR  portfolio  and  the  carrying  value  was 
adjusted  to  the  fair  value.  The  Bancorp  recognized  a  recovery  of 
temporary  impairment  on  servicing  rights  during  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2013.  MSRs  do  not  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 
internal  DCF  models  with  certain  unobservable  inputs,  primarily 
prepayment speed assumptions, discount rates and weighted average 
lives,  resulting  in  a  classification  within  Level  3  of  the  valuation 
hierarchy.  Refer  to  Note  11  for  further  information  on  the 
assumptions  used  in  the  valuation  of  the  Bancorp’s  MSRs.  The 
Secondary  Marketing  Department  and  Treasury  Department  are 
responsible  for  determining  the  valuation  methodology  for  MSRs. 
Representatives  from  Secondary  Marketing,  Treasury,  Accounting 
reviewing  key 
and  Risk  Management  are 
assumptions  used  in  the  internal  DCF  model.  Two  external 

responsible 

for 

159  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
      
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
      
  
  
      
  
  
  
      
 
 
           
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Private equity investment funds 
The Volcker Rule, was approved by the respective federal agencies 
on December 10, 2013 and prohibits the Bancorp from retaining an 
interest in certain of its private equity fund investments. Therefore, 
while the Bancorp has not approved a formal plan to sell any of the 
private  equity  funds,  the  Bancorp  has  determined  that  it  may  be 
forced  to  sell  certain  of  these  funds  prior  to  their  scheduled 
redemption  dates  to  comply  with  the  Volcker  Rule  conformance 
period.  As  a  result,  the  Bancorp  has  performed  nonrecurring  fair 
value measurements on a fund by fund basis to determine whether 
OTTI  exists.  The  Bancorp  estimated  the  fair  value  of  a  fund  by 
using the net asset value reported by the fund manager, and in some 
cases,  applying  an  estimated  market  discount  to  the  reported  net 
asset  value  of  the  fund.  Because  the  length  of  time  until  the 
investment  will  become  redeemable  is  generally  not  certain,  these 
funds were classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The 
Bancorp  recognized  $4  million  of  OTTI  on  its  investments  in 
private equity funds during 2013. The Bancorp recognized no OTTI 
on its investments in private equity funds during 2014. An adverse 
change  in  the  reported  net  asset  values  or  estimated  market 
discounts  where  applicable,  would  result  in  a  decrease  in  the  fair 
value  estimate.  In  cases  where  the  carrying  value  exceeds  the  fair 
value,  an  impairment  loss  is  recognized.  The  Bancorp’s  private 
equity department, which reports to the Chief Operating Officer, in 
conjunction  with  Accounting,  is  responsible  for  preparing  and 
reviewing the fair value estimates.  

Fair Value Option 
The  Bancorp  elected  to  measure  certain  residential  mortgage  loans 
held  for  sale  under  the  fair  value  option  as  allowed  under  U.S. 
GAAP. Electing to measure residential mortgage loans held for sale 
at  fair  value  reduces  certain  timing  differences  and  better  matches 
changes  in  the  value  of  these  assets  with  changes  in  the  value  of 
derivatives used as economic hedges for these assets. 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  specific  to  certain 
loans held for sale. 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.  

Fair value changes recognized in earnings for instruments held 
at December 31, 2014 and 2013 for which the fair value option was 
elected as well as the changes in fair value of the underlying IRLCs, 
included  gains  of  $26  million  and  $20  million,  respectively.  These 
gains  are  reported  in  mortgage  banking  net  revenue  in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income.  

Valuation adjustments related to instrument-specific credit risk 
for  residential  mortgage  loans  measured  at  fair  value  negatively 
impacted  the  fair  value  of  those  loans  by  $2  million  at  both 
December 31, 2014 and 2013. Interest on residential mortgage loans 
measured  at  fair  value  is  accrued  as  it  is  earned  using  the  effective 
interest  method  and 
in  the 
Consolidated Statements of Income. 

is  reported  as 

interest 

income 

valuations of the MSR portfolio are obtained from third parties that 
use  valuation  models  in  order  to  assess  the  reasonableness  of  the 
internal DCF model. Additionally, the Bancorp participates in peer 
surveys  that  provide  additional  confirmation  of  the  reasonableness 
of  key  assumptions  utilized  in  the  MSR  valuation  process  and  the 
resulting MSR prices. 

OREO 
During  2014  and  2013,  the  Bancorp  recorded  nonrecurring 
adjustments  to  certain  commercial  and  residential  real  estate 
properties  classified  as  OREO  and  measured  at  the  lower  of 
carrying  amount  or  fair  value.  These  nonrecurring  losses  are 
primarily  due  to  declines  in  real  estate  values  of  the  properties 
recorded  in  OREO.  For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2014  and 
2013, these losses include $12 million and $19 million, respectively, 
recorded as charge-offs, on new OREO properties transferred from 
loans during the respective periods and $14 million and $26 million, 
respectively, recorded as negative fair value adjustments on OREO 
in other noninterest income subsequent to their transfer from loans. 
As discussed in the following paragraphs, the fair value amounts are 
generally  based  on  appraisals  of  the  property  values,  resulting  in  a 
classification  within  Level  3  of  the  valuation  hierarchy.  In  cases 
where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, 
an impairment loss is recognized. The previous tables reflect the fair 
value  measurements  of  the  properties  before  deducting  the 
estimated costs to sell. 

The  Real  Estate  Valuation  department,  which  reports  to  the 
Chief Risk Officer, is solely responsible for managing the appraisal 
process  and  evaluating  the  appraisal  for  all  commercial  properties 
transferred  to  OREO.  All  appraisals  on  commercial  OREO 
properties are updated on at least an annual basis. 

The  Real  Estate  Valuation  department  reviews  the  BPO  data 
and  internal  market  information  to  determine  the  initial  charge-off 
on  residential  real  estate  loans  transferred  to  OREO.  Once  the 
foreclosure process is completed, the Bancorp performs an interior 
inspection  to  update  the  initial  fair  value  of  the  property.  These 
properties are reviewed at least every 30 days after the initial interior 
inspections  are  completed.  The  Asset  Manager  receives  a  monthly 
status  report  for  each  property  which  includes  the  number  of 
showings,  recently  sold  properties,  current  comparable  listings  and 
overall market conditions. 

Bank Premises 
The  Bancorp  monitors  consumer  preferences 
for  banking 
interactions  and  related  customer  behavior  patterns  in  an  effort  to 
ensure that its retail distribution network is both responsive to such 
trends  and  efficient.  As  part  of  this  ongoing  assessment,  the 
Bancorp determined that certain components of its Bank Premises 
would no longer be held for or used for their intended purposes and 
therefore these properties were written down to their lower of cost 
or market value. At least annually thereafter, the Bancorp will review 
these  properties  for  market  fluctuations.  The  fair  value  amounts 
were generally based on appraisals of the property values, resulting 
in  a  classification  within  Level  3  of  the  valuation  hierarchy.  For 
further information, refer to Note 7.  

160  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  difference  between  the  fair  value  and  the  principal  balance  for  residential  mortgage  loans  measured  at  fair 
value as of:

($ in millions) 
December 31, 2014 
Residential mortgage loans measured at fair value 
Past due loans of 90 days or more 
Nonaccrual loans 

December 31, 2013 
Residential mortgage loans measured at fair value 
Past due loans of 90 days or more 
Nonaccrual loans 
A

Aggregate 
Fair Value 

Aggregate Unpaid 
Principal Balance 

Difference 

$

$

 669 
 2 
 3 

 982 
 1 
 2 

 643 
 2 
 3 

 962 
 2 
 2 

 26 
 - 
 - 

 20 
 (1)
 - 

161  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
  
  
     
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Fair Value of Certain Financial Instruments   
The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and estimated fair values for certain financial instruments, excluding financial instruments 
measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

As of December 31, 2014 ($ in millions) 
Financial assets: 
   Cash and due from banks 
   Other securities 
   Held-to-maturity securities 
   Other short-term investments 
   Loans held for sale 
   Portfolio loans and leases: 
      Commercial and industrial loans 
      Commercial mortgage loans 
      Commercial construction loans 
      Commercial leases 
      Residential mortgage loans 
      Home equity 
      Automobile loans 
      Credit card 
      Other consumer loans and leases 
      Unallocated allowance for loan and lease losses 
   Total portfolio loans and leases, net 
Financial liabilities: 
   Deposits 
   Federal funds purchased 
   Other short-term borrowings 
   Long-term debt 

As of December 31, 2013 ($ in millions) 
Financial assets: 
   Cash and due from banks 
   Other securities 
   Held-to-maturity securities 
   Other short-term investments 
   Loans held for sale 
   Portfolio loans and leases: 
      Commercial and industrial loans 
      Commercial mortgage loans 
      Commercial construction loans 
      Commercial leases 
      Residential mortgage loans 
      Home equity 
      Automobile loans 
      Credit card 
      Other consumer loans and leases 
      Unallocated allowance for loan and lease losses 
   Total portfolio loans and leases, net 
Financial liabilities: 
   Deposits 
   Federal funds purchased 
   Other short-term borrowings 
   Long-term debt 

  Net Carrying 

Fair Value Measurements Using  

Total  

Amount 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Fair Value 

$

 3,091
 600
 187
 7,914
 700

 40,092
 7,259
 2,052
 3,675
 12,177
 8,799
 12,004
 2,297
 405
 (106)
 88,654

 101,712
 144
 1,556
 14,967

 3,091 
 - 
 - 
 7,914 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 600 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 144 
 - 
 14,993 

 101,715 
 - 
 1,561 
 655 

 - 
 - 
 187 
 - 
 700 

 40,781 
 6,878 
 1,735 
 3,426 
 12,249 
 9,224 
 11,748 
 2,586 
 414 
 - 
 89,041 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

  Net Carrying 

Amount 

Fair Value Measurements Using 
Level 2 

Level 3 

Level 1 

$

 3,178
 751
 208
 5,116
 54

 38,549
 7,854
 1,013
 3,572
 12,399
 9,152
 11,961
 2,202
 348
 (110)
 86,940

 99,275
 284
 1,380
 9,633

 3,178 
 - 
 - 
 5,116 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 751 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 284 
 - 
 9,645 

 99,288 
 - 
 1,380 
 577 

 - 
 - 
 208 
 - 
 54 

 39,804 
 7,430 
 856 
 3,261 
 11,541 
 9,181 
 11,748 
 2,380 
 361 
 - 
 86,562 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 3,091
 600
 187
 7,914
 700

 40,781
 6,878
 1,735
 3,426
 12,249
 9,224
 11,748
 2,586
 414
 -
 89,041

 101,715
 144
 1,561
 15,648

Total 
Fair Value 

 3,178
 751
 208
 5,116
 54

 39,804
 7,430
 856
 3,261
 11,541
 9,181
 11,748
 2,380
 361
 -
 86,562

 99,288
 284
 1,380
 10,222

Cash  and  due  from  banks,  other  securities,  other  short-term  investments, 
deposits, federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings 
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 
investments,  certain  deposits  (demand,  interest  checking,  savings, 
money market and foreign office deposits), federal funds purchased, 

162  Fifth Third Bancorp 

and other short-term borrowings excluding FHLB borrowings. Fair 
values for other time deposits, certificates of deposit $100,000 and 
over and FHLB borrowings were estimated using a DCF calculation 
that applies prevailing LIBOR/swap interest rates and a spread for 
new issuances with similar terms. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

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. 

Loans held for sale 
Fair values for commercial loans held for sale were valued based on 
executable  bids  when  available,  or  on  DCF  models  incorporating 
appraisals of the underlying collateral, as well as assumptions about 
investor  return  requirements  and  amounts  and  timing  of  expected 
cash  flows.  Fair  values  for  residential  mortgage  loans  held  for  sale 
were  valued  based  on  estimated  third-party  valuations  utilizing 
recent  sales  data  from  similar  transactions.  Broker  opinion 
statements were also obtained as additional evidence to support the 
third-party valuations. Fair values for other consumer loans held for 
sale were based on contractual values upon which the loans may be 
sold to a third party, and approximate their carrying value. 

Portfolio loans and leases, net 
Fair  values  were  estimated  by  discounting  future  cash  flows  using 
the  current  market  rates  of  loans  to  borrowers  with  similar  credit 
characteristics, similar remaining maturities, prepayment speeds and 
loss severities. 

Long-term debt 
Fair  value  of  long-term  debt  was  based  on  quoted  market  prices, 
when  available,  or  a  DCF  calculation  using  LIBOR/swap  interest 
rates and, in some cases, Fifth Third credit and/or debt instrument 
spreads for new issuances with similar terms. 

163  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

28. CERTAIN REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND CAPITAL RATIOS 
The principal source of income and funds for the Bancorp (parent 
company) are dividends from its subsidiaries. The dividends paid by 
the  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  are  subject  to  regulations  and 
limitations  prescribed  by 
the  appropriate  state  and  federal 
supervisory authorities. The Bancorp’s nonbank subsidiaries are also 
limited  by  certain  federal  and  state  statutory  provisions  and 
regulations  covering  the  amount  of  dividends  that  may  be  paid  in 
any given year. 

The  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  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 balances on deposit with the FRB. In 2014 and 
2013, the banking subsidiary was required to maintain average cash 
reserve balances of $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. 

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued 
capital  adequacy  guidelines  pursuant  to  which  it  assesses  the 
adequacy  of  capital  in  examining  and  supervising  a  BHC  and  in 
analyzing applications to it under the BHCA 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 Tier I capital (core capital) of at 
least  four  percent  of  risk-weighted  assets  (Tier  I  risk-based  capital 
ratio),  total  capital  (Tier  I  plus  Tier  II  capital)  of  at  least  eight 
percent  of  risk-weighted  assets  (Total  risk-based  capital  ratio),  and 
Tier I capital of at least three percent 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  TruPS.  It  excludes  unrealized  gains  and 
losses  on  available-for-sale  securities  and  unrecognized  pension 
actuarial  gains  and  losses  and  prior  service  cost,  goodwill,  certain 
other  intangibles  and  unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  cash  flow 
hedges. The revised regulatory capital rules known as Basel III will 
phase out the inclusion of certain TruPS as a component of Tier I 
capital when the rules become effective for the Bancorp beginning 

January 1, 2015. Under these provisions, these TruPS would qualify 
as  a  component  of  Tier  II  capital.  At  December  31,  2014,  the 
Bancorp’s Tier I capital included $60 million of TruPS representing 
approximately 5 bps of risk-weighted assets. Tier II capital consists 
principally  of  term  subordinated  debt  and,  subject  to  limitations, 
allowances for credit losses.  

Assets  and  credit  equivalent  amounts  of  off-balance  sheet 
items are assigned to one of several broad risk categories, according 
to the obligor, guarantor or nature of collateral. The aggregate dollar 
value of the amount of each category is multiplied by the associated 
risk weighting of that category. The resulting weighted values from 
each  of  the  risk  categories  in  sum  is  the  total  risk-weighted  assets. 
Quarterly  average  assets  for  this  purpose  do  not  include  goodwill 
and any other intangible assets and other investments that the FRB 
determines should be deducted from Tier I capital.   

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System issued 
capital  adequacy  guidelines  for  banking  subsidiaries  substantially 
similar to those adopted for bank holding companies, as described 
previously.  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 FDIA. 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 risk-
based capital ratio of six percent or more, a Tier I leverage ratio of 
five percent 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 FDIA.  

The Bancorp and its banking subsidiary, Fifth Third Bank, had 
Tier I risk-based capital, Total risk-based capital and Tier I leverage 
ratios  above  the  well-capitalized  levels  at  December  31,  2014  and 
2013. As of December 31, 2014, the most recent notification from 
the FRB categorized the Bancorp and its banking subsidiary 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 
banking  subsidiary  must,  among  other  things,  maintain  “well-
capitalized” capital ratios. 

The following table presents capital and risk-based capital and leverage ratios for the Bancorp and its banking subsidiary at December 31:

2014  

2013  

  Amount   Ratio 

  Amount

Ratio 

$

12,764  
13,760  

10.83%  $
11.85  

12,094  
13,245  

10.43% 
11.59  

16,895  
15,213  

14.33  
13.10  

16,431  
14,785  

14.17  
12.94  

12,764  
13,760  

9.66  
10.58  

12,094  
13,245  

9.73  
10.83  

 ($ in millions) 
Tier I risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets): 
     Fifth Third Bancorp (Consolidated) 
     Fifth Third Bank 
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets): 
     Fifth Third Bancorp (Consolidated) 
     Fifth Third Bank 
Tier I leverage (to average assets): 
     Fifth Third Bancorp (Consolidated) 
     Fifth Third Bank 

164  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
29. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Condensed Statements of Income (Parent Company Only) 
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions)  
Income  
Dividends from subsidiaries:  
   Consolidated bank subsidiaries(a) 
   Consolidated nonbank subsidiary  
Interest on loans to subsidiaries  
Total income  

Expenses  
Interest  
Other  
Total expenses  

Income Before Income Taxes and Change in Undistributed  
   Earnings of Subsidiaries  
Applicable income tax benefit  
Income Before Change in Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries  
Change in undistributed earnings  
Net Income  
(a)

2014  

2013  

2012  

$

$

 -   
1,094   
14   
1,108   

163   
17   
180   

928   
62   
990   
491   
1,481   

 -   
859   
14   
873   

178   
36   
214   

659   
74   
733   
1,103   
1,836   

 -   
1,959   
17   
1,976   

215   
61   
276   

1,700   
96   
1,796   
(220)  
1,576   

 The  Bancorp’s  indirect  banking  subsidiary  paid  dividends  to  the  Bancorp’s  direct  nonbank  subsidiary  holding  company  of $1.1 billion,  $859  million  and  $2.0  billion  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parent Company Only)
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Net income 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: 
   Unrealized gains on cash flow hedge derivatives 
Other comprehensive income 
Comprehensive income attributable to Parent 

2014 
1,481   

 -   
 -   
1,481   

$

$

2013 
1,836   

 -   
 -   
1,836   

2012 
1,576   

3   
3   
1,579   

165  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parent Company Only)
As of December 31 ($ in millions) 
Assets 
Cash 
Short-term investments 
Loans to subsidiaries: 
   Bank subsidiaries 
   Nonbank subsidiaries 
Total loans to subsidiaries 
Investment in subsidiaries 
   Nonbank subsidiaries 
Total investment in subsidiaries 
Goodwill 
Other assets 
Total Assets 
Liabilities 
Other short-term borrowings 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
Long-term debt (external) 
Total Liabilities 
Shareholders' Equity 
Common stock 
Preferred stock 
Capital surplus 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 
Treasury stock 
Noncontrolling interests 
Total Equity 
Total Liabilities and Equity 

2014  

2013  

$

$

$

 -   
3,189   

 -   
984   
984   

17,186   
17,186   
80   
451   
21,890   

426   
405   
5,394   
6,225   

2,051   
1,331   
2,646   
11,141   
429   
(1,972)  
39   
15,665   
21,890   

 -   
2,505   

 -   
974   
974   

16,254   
16,254   
80   
323   
20,136   

311   
442   
4,757   
5,510   

2,051   
1,034   
2,561   
10,156   
82   
(1,295)  
37   
14,626   
20,136   

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Parent Company Only)
For the years ended December 31 ($ in millions) 
Operating Activities 
Net income 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 

2014  

2013  

2012  

$

1,481   

1,836   

1,576   

(Benefit from) provision for deferred income taxes 

   Net change in undistributed earnings 
Net change in: 
   Other assets 
   Accrued expenses and other liabilities 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 
Investing Activities 
Net change in: 
   Short-term investments 
   Loans to subsidiaries 
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities 
Financing Activities 
Net change in other short-term borrowings 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 
Repayment of long-term debt 
Dividends paid on common shares 
Dividends paid on preferred shares 
Issuance of preferred stock 
Repurchases of treasury shares and related forward contracts 
Other, net 
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities 
Net Decrease in Cash 
Cash at Beginning of Year 
Cash at End of Year 

166  Fifth Third Bancorp 

(1)  
(491)  

8   
(40)  
957   

(684)  
(10)  
(694)  

115   
499   
-   
(423)  
(67)  
297   
(654)  
(30)  
(263)  
-   
-   
-   

$

(1)  
(1,103)  

13   
(28)  
717   

976   
47   
1,023   

(255)  
750   
(1,500)  
(393)  
(37)  
1,034   
(1,320)  
(19)  
(1,740)  
-   
-   
-   

2   
220   

57   
18   
1,873   

107   
11   
118   

(89)  
500   
(1,440)  
(309)  
(35)  
-   
(650)  
(18)  
(2,041)  
(50)  
50   
-   

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

30. BUSINESS SEGMENTS 
The  Bancorp  reports  on  four  business  segments:  Commercial 
Banking,  Branch  Banking,  Consumer  Lending  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 
its 
methodologies  from  time  to  time  as  management’s  accounting 
practices and businesses change. 

institutions.  The  Bancorp 

financial 

refines 

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  U.S.  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  Bancorp  adjusts  the  FTP  charge  and  credit  rates  as 
dictated  by  changes  in  interest  rates  for  various  interest-earning 
assets  and  interest-bearing  liabilities  and  by  the  review  of  the 
estimated durations for the indeterminate-lived deposits. The credit 
rate  provided  for  demand  deposit  accounts  is  reviewed  annually 
based  upon  the  account  type,  its  estimated  duration  and  the 
corresponding fed funds, U.S. swap curve or swap rate. The credit 
rates  for  several  deposit  products  were  reset  January  1,  2014  to 
reflect  the  current  market  rates  and  updated  market  assumptions. 
These  rates  were  generally  higher  than  those  in  place  during  2013, 
thus  net  interest  income  for  deposit  providing  businesses  was 
positively impacted during 2014.  

The business segments are charged provision expense based on 
the  actual  net  charge-offs  experienced  by  the  loans  and  leases 
owned by each segment. Provision expense attributable to loan and 
lease growth and changes in ALLL factors are captured in General 
Corporate and Other. The financial results of the business segments 
include  allocations  for  shared  services  and  headquarters  expenses. 
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.  

The  results  of  operations  and  financial  position  for  the  years 
ended  December  31,  2013  and  2012  were  adjusted  to  reflect  the 
transfer of certain customers and Bancorp employees from Branch 
Banking  to  Commercial  Banking,  effective  January  1,  2014.  In 
addition,  the  2013  and  2012  balances  were  adjusted  to  reflect  a 
change in internal allocation methodology. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  each  of  the  Bancorp’s 
business  segments,  and  the  products  and  services  they  provide  to 
their respective client bases. 

Commercial  Banking  offers  credit 

intermediation,  cash 
management  and  financial  services  to  large  and  middle-market 
businesses and government and professional customers. In addition 
to  the  traditional  lending  and  depository  offerings,  Commercial 
Banking  products  and  services  include  global  cash  management, 
foreign  exchange  and  international  trade  finance,  derivatives  and 

capital  markets  services,  asset-based  lending,  real  estate  finance, 
public finance, commercial leasing and syndicated finance.  

Branch Banking provides a full range of deposit and loan and 
lease  products  to  individuals  and  small  businesses  through  1,302 
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 automobiles and 
other personal financing needs, as well as products designed to meet 
the  specific  needs  of  small  businesses,  including  cash  management 
services.  

Consumer  Lending  includes  the  Bancorp’s  mortgage,  home 
equity,  automobile  and  other  indirect  lending  activities.  Direct 
lending activities include the origination, retention and servicing of 
mortgage  and  home  equity  loans  or  lines  of  credit,  sales  and 
securitizations of those loans, pools of loans or lines of credit, and 
all  associated  hedging  activities.  Indirect  lending  activities  include 
extending  loans  to  consumers  through  correspondent  lenders  and 
automobile dealers.  

for 

companies 

individuals, 

Investment  Advisors  provides  a  full  range  of  investment 
and  not-for-profit 
alternatives 
organizations.  Investment  Advisors  is  made  up  of  four  main 
businesses:  FTS,  an  indirect  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the 
Bancorp;  ClearArc  Capital,  Inc.,  an 
indirect  wholly-owned 
subsidiary of the Bancorp; Fifth Third Private Bank; and Fifth Third 
Institutional  Services.  FTS  offers  full  service  retail  brokerage 
services  to  individual  clients  and  broker  dealer  services  to  the 
institutional  marketplace.  ClearArc  Capital,  Inc.  provides  asset 
management  services  and  previously  advised 
the  Bancorp’s 
proprietary family of mutual funds. Fifth Third Private Bank offers 
holistic  strategies  to  affluent  clients  in  wealth  planning,  investing, 
insurance  and  wealth  protection.  Fifth  Third  Institutional  Services 
provides  advisory  services  for  institutional  clients  including  states 
and municipalities. 

167  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Results of operations and assets by segment for each of the three years ended December 31 are:

General 

   Consumer 
Lending 

Investment   Corporate 
Advisors 

and Other  Eliminations
 - 
 - 

 3 
 (260)

Total 

 3,579
 315

2014 ($ in millions) 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net interest income after provision for loan  
    and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 
    Service charges on deposits 
    Corporate banking revenue 
    Investment advisory revenue 
    Mortgage banking net revenue 
    Card and processing revenue 
    Other noninterest income 
    Securities gains, 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 
    Technology and communications 
    Card and processing expense 
    Equipment expense 
    Other noninterest expense 
Total noninterest expense 
Income (loss) before income taxes  
Applicable income tax expense (benefit) 
Net income (loss) 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to Bancorp 
Dividends on preferred stock  
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders  
Total goodwill 
Total assets 
(a)
(b)

Banking 

   Commercial  Branch 
Banking 
 1,546 
 181 

 1,652 
 235 

$ 

 1,417 

 1,365 

 286 
 429 
 3 
 - 
 64 
 105 
 - 

 - 
 887 

 259 
 47 
 26 
 10 
 8 
 10 
 959 
 1,319 
 985 
 166 
 819 
 - 
 819 
 - 
 819 
 613 
 56,871 

 272 
 4 
 152 
 5 
 226 
 61 a
 - 

(b)

 - 
 720 

 421 
 116 
 187 
 4 
 133 
 59 
 631 
 1,551 
 534 
 188 
 346 
 - 
 346 
 - 
 346 
 1,655 
 50,920 

$ 
$ 
$ 

 257 
 156 

 101 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 304 
 - 
 42 
 - 

 - 
 346 

 95 
 27 
 8 
 2 
 - 
 - 
 420 
 552 
 (105)
 (37)
 (68)
 - 
 (68)
 - 
 (68)
 - 
 22,554 

 121 
 3 

 118 

 2 
 2 
 397 
 1 
 5 
 3 
 - 

 - 
 410 

 136 
 26 
 9 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 274 
 445 
 83 
 29 
 54 
 - 
 54 
 - 
 54 
 148 
 10,443 

Revenue sharing agreements between Investment Advisors and Branch Banking are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
Includes an impairment charge of $20 for branches and land. For more information refer to Note 7 and Note 27 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

 263 

 - 
 (5)
 1 
 - 
 - 
 239 
 21 

 - 
 256 

 538 
 118 
 83 
 196 
 - 
 52 
 (999)
 (12)
 531 
 199 
 332 
 2 
 330 
 67 
 263 
 - 
 (2,082)

 - 

 3,264

(a)

 - 
 - 
 (146)a
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 (146)

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 (146)
 (146)
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 560
 430
 407
 310
 295
 450
 21

 -
 2,473

 1,449
 334
 313
 212
 141
 121
 1,139
 3,709
 2,028
 545
 1,483
 2
 1,481
 67
 1,414
 2,416
 138,706

168  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
  
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

General 

Banking 

   Commercial  Branch 
Banking 
 1,356 
 210 

 1,592 
 194 

$ 

   Consumer 
Lending 

Investment   Corporate 
Advisors 

and Other  Eliminations
 - 
 - 

 147 
 (269)

Total 

 3,561 
 229 

2013 ($ in millions) 
Net interest income  
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net interest income after provision for loan  
    and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 
    Service charges on deposits 
    Corporate banking revenue 
    Investment advisory revenue 
    Mortgage banking net revenue 
    Card and processing revenue 
    Other noninterest income 
    Securities gains, 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 
    Technology and communications 
    Card and processing expense 
    Equipment expense 
    Other noninterest expense 
Total noninterest expense 
Income before income taxes  
Applicable income tax expense  
Net income 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Net income attributable to Bancorp 
Dividends on preferred stock  
Net income available to common shareholders  
Total goodwill 
Total assets 
(a)
(b)
(cid:3)

(cid:3)

$ 
$ 
$ 

 312 
 92 

 220 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 687 
 - 
 45 
 3 

 13 
 748 

 154 
 2 

 152 

 3 
 3 
 384 
 1 
 5 
 10 
 - 

 - 
 406 

 175 
 40 
 8 
 1 
 - 
 1 
 460 
 685 
 283 
 100 
 183 
 - 
 183 
 - 
 183 
 - 
 22,610 

 134 
 25 
 10 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 284 
 453 
 105 
 37 
 68 
 - 
 68 
 - 
 68 
 148 
 10,711 

 1,398 

 1,146 

 267 
 392 
 5 
 - 
 60 
 94 
 - 

 - 
 818 

 279 
 7 
 148 
 12 
 207 
 87 a
 - 

 - 
 740 

(b)

 261 
 49 
 25 
 11 
 8 
 4 
 877 
 1,235 
 981 
 167 
 814 
 - 
 814 
 - 
 814 
 613 
 55,081 

 429 
 118 
 183 
 4 
 125 
 58 
 656 
 1,573 
 313 
 109 
 204 
 - 
 204 
 - 
 204 
 1,655 
 47,221 

Revenue sharing agreements between Investment Advisors and Branch Banking are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income.(cid:3)
Includes an impairment charge of $6 for branches and land.(cid:3)

 416 

 - 
 (2)
 - 
 - 
 - 
 643 
 18 

 - 
 659 

 582 
 125 
 81 
 188 
 1 
 51 
 (869)
 159 
 916 
 359 
 557 
 (10)
 567 
 37 
 530 
 - 
 (5,180)

 - 

 3,332 

(a)

 - 
 - 
 (144)a
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 - 
 (144)

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 (144)
 (144)
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 

 549 
 400 
 393 
 700 
 272 
 879 
 21 

 13 
 3,227 

 1,581 
 357 
 307 
 204 
 134 
 114 
 1,264 
 3,961 
 2,598 
 772 
 1,826 
 (10)
 1,836 
 37 
 1,799 
 2,416 
 130,443 

169  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

General 

2012 ($ in millions) 
Net interest income 
Provision for loan and lease losses 
Net interest income after provision for loan  
    and lease losses 
Noninterest income: 
    Service charges on deposits 
    Corporate banking revenue 
    Investment advisory revenue 
    Mortgage banking net revenue 
    Card and processing revenue 
    Other noninterest income 
    Securities gains, 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 
    Technology and communications 
    Card and processing expense 
    Equipment expense 
    Other noninterest expense 
Total noninterest expense 
Income before income taxes  
Applicable income tax expense 
Net income 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Net income attributable to Bancorp 
Dividends on preferred stock  
Net income available to common shareholders  
Total goodwill 
Total assets 
(a)
(b)

   Commercial 

Banking 

Branch  
Banking 

   Consumer 
Lending 

$ 

 1,533 
 249 

 1,261 
 268 

 1,284 

 993 

 251 
 402 
 6 
 - 
 54 
 61 
 - 

 - 
 774 

 257 
 47 
 24 
 10 
 5 
 2 
 842 
 1,187 
 871 
 157 
 714 
 - 
 714 
 - 
 714 
 613 
 51,392 

 268 
 8 
 129 
 14 
 195 
 85 a
 - 

 - 
 699 

(b)

 420 
 117 
 184 
 3 
 115 
 54 
 576 
 1,469 
 223 
 79 
 144 
 - 
 144 
 - 
 144 
 1,655 
 46,157 

$ 
$ 
$ 

 314 
 176 

 138 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 830 
 - 
 42 
 1 

 3 
 876 

 192 
 39 
 8 
 1 
 - 
 1 
 429 
 670 
 344 
 121 
 223 
 - 
 223 
 - 
 223 
 - 
 24,657 

Investment   Corporate 
Advisors 

and Other  Eliminations
 -
 -

 370 
 (400)

Total 

 3,595 
 303 

 117 
 10 

 107 

 3 
 3 
 366 
 1 
 4 
 19 
 - 

 - 
 396 

 136 
 25 
 11 
 - 
 - 
 1 
 264 
 437 
 66 
 23 
 43 
 - 
 43 
 - 
 43 
 148 
 9,212 

 770 

 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 - 
 367 
 14 

 - 
 381 

 602 
 143 
 75 
 182 
 1 
 52 
 (610)
 445 
 706 
 256 
 450 
 (2)
 452 
 35 
 417 
 - 
 (9,524)

 -

 3,292 

(a)

 -
 -
 (127)a
 -
 -
 -
 -

 -
 (127)

 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 (127)
 (127)
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -

 522 
 413 
 374 
 845 
 253 
 574 
 15 

 3 
 2,999 

 1,607 
 371 
 302 
 196 
 121 
 110 
 1,374 
 4,081 
 2,210 
 636 
 1,574 
 (2)
 1,576 
 35 
 1,541 
 2,416 
 121,894 

Revenue sharing agreements between Investment Advisors and Branch Banking are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
Includes an impairment charge of $21 for branches and land. 

31. SUBSEQUENT EVENT 
On January 22, 2015, the Bancorp entered into an accelerated share 
repurchase  transaction  with  a  counterparty  pursuant  to  which  the 
Bancorp purchased 8,542,713 shares, or approximately $180 million, 
of its outstanding common stock on January 27, 2015. The Bancorp 
repurchased  the  shares  of  its  common  stock  as  part  of  its  Board 
approved  100  million  share  repurchase  program  previously 
announced on March 18, 2014. The Bancorp expects the settlement 
of the transaction to occur on or before April 23, 2015. 

170  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
 
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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, 2014

Commission file number 001-33653

Incorporated in the State of Ohio 
I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 31-0854434 
Address: 38 Fountain Square Plaza 
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263 
Telephone: (800) 972-3030  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Name of each exchange 
on which registered: 
The NASDAQ Stock Market 
LLC 
The NASDAQ Stock Market 
LLC 

Title of each class: 
Common Stock, Without Par 
Value 
Depositary Shares Representing a 
1/1000th Ownership Interest in a 
Share of 6.625% Fixed-to-
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative 
Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series 
I 

Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned 
issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  

Yes: (cid:95) No: (cid:133)

Indicate  by  check  mark  if  the  registrant  is  not  required  to  file 
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes: (cid:133)
No: (cid:95)

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: (cid:95) No: (cid:133)

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  Registrant  has  submitted 
electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant 
to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during 
the  preceding  12  months  (or  for  such  shorter  period  that  the 
registrant  was  required  to  submit  and  post  such  files).  Yes:  (cid:95)
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, 
information 
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K 
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (cid:95)

in  definitive  proxy  or 

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  (cid:95)  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: (cid:95)

There were 814,765,191 shares of the Bancorp’s Common Stock, 
without  par  value,  outstanding  as  of  January 31,  2015.  The 
Aggregate  Market  Value  of  the  Voting  Stock  held  by  non-
affiliates  of  the  Bancorp  was  $17,964,278,097  as  of  June 30, 
2014.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 
This report incorporates into a single document the 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  2015 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference into 
Part III of this report.  

Only those sections of this 2014 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, 
2014. No other information contained in this 2014 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.  

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 
 Mine Safety Disclosures   
 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 

Risk 
 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

Item 8.
Item 9. 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 

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services 
PART IV

  16-20, 172-179  
41  
  43-49, 167-170 
37  

36-38  
  53-54, 101-102  
  52-53, 103-104  
57-73  
54-56  
15  
56, 127  
27-35  
None  
180  
134-135  
N/A  
180  

181  
15  

15-82  

73-76  
85-170  

None  
83  
None  

183  
183  

   147-150, 183  

183  
183  

171  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
`(cid:3)

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 
SIGNATURES

183-185  
186  

AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Fifth  Third  Bancorp  (the  “Bancorp”)  files  reports  with  the  SEC. 
Those reports include the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly 
reports  on  Form  10-Q,  current  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.  

172  Fifth Third Bancorp 

PART I 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS 
General Information 
The  Bancorp,  an  Ohio  corporation  organized  in  1975,  is  a  bank 
holding  company  (“BHC”)  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  (the  “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. Fifth Third Bank has deposit insurance provided 
by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (the  “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 
subsidiaries of the Bancorp as of December 31, 2014.  

The  Bancorp  derives  the  majority  of  its  revenues  from  the 
U.S.  Revenue  from  foreign  countries  and  external  customers 
domiciled  in  foreign  countries  is  immaterial  to  the  Bancorp’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.  

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  securities 
dealers,  brokers,  mortgage  bankers,  investment  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, 
the  accelerating  pace  of 
product  delivery  systems  and 
consolidation 
service  providers.  These 
financial 
among 
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  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.  

Regulation and Supervision 
In  addition  to  the  generally  applicable  state  and  federal  laws 
governing businesses and employers, the Bancorp and its banking 
subsidiary are subject to extensive regulation by federal and state 
laws and regulations applicable to financial institutions and their 
parent  companies.  Virtually  all  aspects  of  the  business  of  the 

 
    
    
Bancorp  and  its  banking  subsidiary  are  subject  to  specific 
requirements or restrictions and general regulatory oversight. The 
principal  objectives  of  state  and  federal  banking  laws  and 
regulations  and  the  supervision,  regulation  and  examination  of 
banks and their parent companies (such as the Bancorp) by bank 
regulatory  agencies  are  the  maintenance  of  the  safety  and 
soundness  of  financial  institutions,  maintenance  of  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.  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.  

Regulators
The  Bancorp  and/or  its  banking  subsidiary  are  subject  to 
regulation  and  supervision  primarily  by  the  FRB,  the  Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) and the Ohio Division 
of  Financial  Institutions  (the  “Division”)  and  additionally  by 
certain 
self-regulatory 
organizations.   The Bancorp is also subject to regulation by the 
SEC  by  virtue  of  its  status  as  a  public  company  and  due  to  the 
nature  of  some  of  its  businesses.    The  Bancorp’s  banking 
subsidiary is subject to regulation by the FDIC, which insures the 
bank’s deposits as permitted by law.   

functional 

regulators 

other 

and 

The federal and state laws and regulations that are applicable 
to banks and to BHCs regulate, among other matters, the scope of 
their  business,  their  activities,  their  investments,  capital  and 
liquidity  levels,  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 as applicable. Various federal and state consumer laws and 
regulations also affect the services provided to consumers.  

The Bancorp and/or its subsidiary are required to file various 
reports  with,  and  is  subject  to  examination  by  regulators, 
including the FRB and the Division. The FRB, Division and the 
CFPB  have  the  authority  to  issue  orders  BHCs  and/or  banks  to 
cease and desist from certain banking practices and violations of 
conditions  imposed  by,  or  violations  of  agreements  with,  the 
FRB,  Division  and  CFPB.  Certain  of  the  Bancorp’s  and/or  its 
banking subsidiary regulators are also empowered to assess civil 
money  penalties  against  companies  or  individuals  in  certain 
situations, such as when there is a violation of a law or regulation. 
Applicable state and federal laws also grant certain regulators the 
authority  to  impose  additional  requirements  and  restrictions  on 
the activities of the Bancorp and or its banking subsidiary and, in 
some  situations,  the  imposition  of  such  additional  requirements 
and restrictions will not be publicly available information.  

Acquisitions 
The BHCA requires the prior approval of the FRB for a BHC to 
acquire substantially all the assets of a bank or to acquire direct or 
indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of the 
voting  shares  of  any  bank,  BHC  or  savings  association,  or  to 
increase any such non-majority ownership or control of any bank, 
BHC or savings association, or to merge or consolidate with any 
BHC.  

The  BHCA  prohibits  a  BHC  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 BHC and from 
engaging  directly  or  indirectly  in  activities  other  than  those  of 
banking, managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to 
its  banking  subsidiaries,  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. 

Financial Holding Companies  
The  Gramm-Leach-Bliley  Act  of  1999  (“GLBA”)  permits  a 
qualifying BHC to become a financial holding company (“FHC”) 
and thereby to engage directly or indirectly in a broader range of 
activities  than  those  permitted  for  a  BHC  under  the  BHCA. 
Permitted activities for a FHC include securities underwriting and 
dealing, insurance 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 BHC may elect to become a FHC if each of 
its  banking  subsidiaries  is  well  capitalized,  is  well  managed  and 
has  at  least  a  “Satisfactory”  rating  under  the  Community 
Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform 
and Consumer Protection Act (the “DFA”) also extended the well 
capitalized  and  well  managed  requirement  to  the  BHC.  In  2000, 
the  Bancorp  elected  and  qualified  for  FHC  status  under  the 
GLBA.  To  maintain  FHC  status,  a  holding  company  must 
continue  to  meet  certain  requirements.  The  failure  to  meet  such 
requirements could result in material restrictions on the activities 
of  the  FHC  and  may  also  adversely  affect  the  FHC’s  ability  to 
enter  into  certain  transactions  or  obtain  necessary  approvals  in 
connection therewith, as well as loss of FHC status. If restrictions 
are  imposed  on  the  activities  of  an  FHC,  such  information  may 
not necessarily be available to the public.  

Dividends 
The  Bancorp  depends  in  part  upon  dividends  received  from  its 
direct  and  indirect  subsidiaries,  including  its  indirect  banking 
subsidiary,  to  fund  its  activities,  including  the  payment  of 
dividends. The Bancorp and its banking subsidiary are subject to 
various  federal  and  state  restrictions  on  their  ability  to  pay 
dividends. The FRB has authority to prohibit BHCs 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  BHCs  to  pay  dividends  unless  a 
BHC’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 ability to pay dividends may be further limited by 
provisions  of 
(see 
“Regulatory Reform”).   

the  DFA  and 

regulations 

implanting 

Source of Strength 
Under long-standing FRB policy and now as codified in the DFA, 
a BHC is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial 
strength  to  each  of  its  banking  subsidiaries  and  to  commit 
resources to their support.  This support may be required at times 
when the BHC may not have the resources to provide it.   

FDIC Assessments  
As  contemplated  by  the  DFA  the  FDIC  has  revised  the 
framework  by  which  insured  depository  institutions  with  more 
than $10 billion in assets (“large IDIs”) are assessed for purposes 
of payments to the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”). The final 
rule implementing revisions to the assessment system took effect 
for the quarter beginning April 1, 2011.  

173  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
`(cid:3)

Prior to the passage of the DFA, a large IDI’s DIF premiums 
principally  were  based  on  the  size  of  an  IDI’s  domestic  deposit 
base.  The  DFA  changed  the  assessment  base  from  a  large  IDI’s 
domestic  deposit  base  to  its  total  assets  less  tangible  equity.  In 
addition to potentially greatly increasing the size of a large IDI’s 
assessment base, the expansion of the assessment base affords the 
FDIC much greater flexibility to vary its assessment system based 
upon the different asset  classes that large IDIs normally hold on 
their balance sheets.  
implement 

the  FDIC  created  an 
assessment  scheme  vastly  different  from  the  deposit-based 
system.  Under  the  new  system,  large  IDIs  are  assessed  under  a 
complex “scorecard” methodology that seeks to capture both the 
probability  that  an  individual  large  IDI  will  fail  and  the 
magnitude of the impact on the DIF if such a failure occurs.  

this  provision, 

To 

Transactions with Affiliates 
Sections  23A  and  23B  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Act,  restrict 
transactions  between  a  bank  and  its  affiliates  (as  defined  in 
Sections  23A  and  23B  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Act),  including  a 
parent  BHC.  The  Bancorp’s  banking  subsidiary  is  subject  to 
certain  restrictions,  including  but  not  limited  to  restrictions  on 
loans  to  its  affiliates,  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  comparable 
transactions with non-affiliates. Generally, the Bancorp’s banking 
subsidiary  is  limited  in  its  extension  of  credit  to  any  affiliate  to 
10% of the banking subsidiary’s capital stock and surplus and its 
extension  of  credit  to  all  affiliates  to  20%  of  the  banking 
subsidiary’s capital stock and surplus.  

Community Reinvestment Act
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 
those  communities.  Furthermore,  the  CRA  requires  the  FRB  to 
evaluate the performance of the Bancorp’s banking subsidiary in 
helping to meet the credit needs of its communities. As a part of 
the  CRA  program,  the  banking  subsidiary  is  subject  to  periodic 
examinations  by  the  FRB,  and  must  maintain  comprehensive 
records  of  their  CRA  activities  for  this  purpose.  During  these 
examinations,  the  FRB  rates  such  institutions’  compliance  with 
the 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  acquiring  other  financial  institutions.  The 
FRB must take into account the record of performance of banks in 
meeting  the  credit  needs  of  the  entire  community  served, 
including  low-  and  moderate-income  neighborhoods.  Fifth  Third 
Bank  received  a  “Satisfactory”  CRA  rating  in  its  most  recent 
CRA examination.  

Capital
The FRB has established capital guidelines for BHCs and FHCs. 
The FRB, the Division and the FDIC have also issued regulations 
establishing  capital  requirements  for  banks.  Failure  to  meet 

174  Fifth Third Bancorp 

capital  requirements  could  subject  the  Bancorp  and  its  banking 
subsidiary to a variety of restrictions and enforcement actions. In 
addition,  as  discussed  previously,  the  Bancorp  and  its  banking 
subsidiary must remain well capitalized and well managed for the 
Bancorp  to  retain  its  status  as  a  FHC.  See  the  “Regulatory 
Reform” 
information  on  capital 
for  additional 
requirements impacting the Bancorp. 

section 

Privacy
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  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  GLBA  requires  financial  institutions  to  implement 
policies  and  procedures  regarding  the  disclosure  of  nonpublic 
personal  information  about  consumers  to  non-affiliated  third 
parties. In general, the statute requires explanations to consumers 
on  policies  and  procedures  regarding  the  disclosure  of  such 
nonpublic personal information, and, except as otherwise required 
by law, prohibits disclosing such information except as provided 
in 
the  banking  subsidiary’s  policies  and  procedures.  The 
Bancorp’s banking subsidiary has implemented a privacy policy.  

Anti-Money Laundering 
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 
respect 
laundering, 
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 federal banking agencies) to evaluate 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.

to,  among  other  matters,  anti-money 

Exempt Brokerage Activities 
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 
riskless  principal 
conducting  a  de  minimis  number  of 
transactions,  certain  asset-backed 
transactions  and  certain 
securities  lending  transactions.  The  Bancorp  only  conducts  non-
exempt  brokerage  activities  through  its  affiliated  registered 
broker-dealer.

for 

laws, 

responsible 

Regulatory Reform 
On  July 21,  2010,  President  Obama  signed  into  law  the  DFA, 
which is aimed, in part, at accountability and transparency in the 
financial  system  and  includes  numerous  provisions  that  apply  to 
and/or could impact the Bancorp and its banking subsidiary. The 
DFA  implements  changes  that,  among  other  things,  affect  the 
oversight  and  supervision  of  financial  institutions,  provide  for  a 
new  resolution  procedure  for  large  financial  companies,  create  a 
implementing  and  enforcing 
new  agency 
compliance  with  consumer  financial 
introduce  more 
stringent  regulatory  capital  requirements,  effect  significant 
changes in the regulation of over-the-counter derivatives, reform 
the  regulation  of  credit  rating  agencies,  implement  changes  to 
corporate  governance  and  executive  compensation  practices, 
incorporate  requirements  on  proprietary  trading  and  investing  in 
certain  funds  by  financial  institutions  (known  as  the  “Volcker 
Rule”),  require  registration  of  advisers  to  certain  private  funds, 
and  effect  significant  changes  in  the  securitization  market.    Not 
all  the  rules  required  or  expected  to  be  implemented  under  the 
DFA  have been proposed or adopted, and certain of the rules that 
have  been  proposed  or  adopted  under  the  DFA  are  subject  to 
phase-in  or  transitional  periods.  The  implication  of  the  DFA  for 
the  Bancorp  and  its  banking  subsidiary  continue  to  depend  in 
large part upon the implementation of the legislation by the FRB 
and other agencies. Set forth below is a discussion of some of the 
major  sections  of  the  DFA  and  implementing  regulations  that 
have  or  could  have  a  substantial  impact  on  the  Bancorp  and  its 
banking subsidiary. Due to the volume of regulations required by 
the  DFA,  not  all  proposed  or  final  regulations  that  may  have  an 
impact  on  the  Bancorp  or  its  banking  subsidiary  are  necessarily 
discussed.  

Financial Stability Oversight Council  
The  DFA  created  the  Financial  Stability  Oversight  Council 
(“FSOC”), which is chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and 
composed of expertise from various financial services regulators. 
The FSOC has responsibility for identifying risks and responding 
to emerging threats to financial stability. On March 15, 2012, the 
Department  of  Treasury  issued  an  interim  final  rule  to  establish 
an assessment schedule for the collection of fees from BHCs and 
foreign  banks  with  at  least  $50  billion  in  assets  to  cover  the 
expenses of the Office of Financial Research and FSOC. The fees 
would  also  cover  certain  expenses  incurred  by  the  FDIC.  The 
Bancorp  paid  approximately  $1  million  for  the  assessment 
periods from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2015.  

On  August  16,  2013,  the  FRB  also  adopted  a  final  rule  to 
implement  an  assessment  provision  under  the  DFA  equal  to  the 
expense  and  the  FRB  estimates  are  necessary  or  appropriate  to 
supervise  and regulate BHCs  with $50 billion or  more in  assets. 

The Bancorp paid approximately $3  million  for the 2014 annual 
assessment period under the FRB’s rule.  

Executive Compensation 
The DFA provides for a say on pay for shareholders of all public 
companies.  Under  the  DFA,  each  company  must  give  its 
shareholders  the  opportunity  to  vote  on  the  compensation  of  its 
executives  at  least  once  every  three  years.  The  DFA  also  adds 
disclosure  and  voting 
for  golden  parachute 
requirements 
compensation  that  is  payable  to  named  executive  officers  in 
connection  with  sale  transactions.  The  SEC  adopted  rules 
finalizing these say on pay provisions in January 2011. 

Pursuant to the DFA, in June 2012, the SEC adopted a final 
rule  directing  the  stock  exchanges  to  prohibit  listing  classes  of 
equity  securities 
if  a  company’s  compensation  committee 
members  are  not  independent.  The  rule  also  provides  that  a 
company’s  compensation  committee  may  only  select  a 
compensation  consultant,  legal  counsel  or  other  advisor  after 
taking into consideration factors to be identified by the SEC that 
affect  the  independence  of  a  compensation  consultant,  legal 
counsel or other advisor.

The SEC is required under the DFA to issue rules obligating 
companies  to  disclose  in  proxy  materials  for  annual  meetings  of 
shareholders  information  that  shows  the  relationship  between 
executive  compensation  actually  paid  to  their  named  executive 
officers and their financial performance, taking into account  any 
change  in  the  value  of  the  shares  of  a  company’s  stock  and 
dividends  or  distributions.  The  DFA  also  requires  the  SEC  to 
propose  rules  requiring  companies  to  disclose  the  ratio  of  the 
compensation  of  its  chief  executive  officer  to  the  median 
its  employees.  The  SEC  proposed  rules 
compensation  of 
implementing the pay ratio provisions in September 2013. 

The  DFA  provides  that  the  SEC  must  issue  rules  directing 
the stock exchanges to prohibit listing any security of a company 
unless the company develops and implements a policy providing 
for  disclosure  of  the  policy  of  the  company  on  incentive-based 
compensation that is based on financial information required to be 
reported  under  the  securities  laws  and  that,  in  the  event  the 
company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to 
the  material  noncompliance  of  the  company  with  any  financial 
reporting requirement under the securities laws, the company will 
recover  from  any  current  or  former  executive  officer  of  the 
company who received incentive-based compensation during the 
three-year  period  preceding  the  date  on  which  the  company  is 
required  to  prepare  the  restatement  based  on  the  erroneous  data, 
any exceptional compensation above what would have been paid 
under the restatement.  

The  DFA  requires  the  SEC  to  adopt  a  rule  to  require  that 
each  company  disclose  in  the  proxy  materials  for  its  annual 
meetings  whether  an  employee  or  board  member  is  permitted  to 
purchase  financial  instruments  designed  to  hedge  or  offset 
decreases  in  the  market  value  of  equity  securities  granted  as 
compensation  or  otherwise  held  by  the  employee  or  board 
member.  

Corporate Governance 
The  DFA  clarifies  that  the  SEC  may,  but  is  not  required  to 
promulgate  rules  that  would  require  that  a  company’s  proxy 
materials include a nominee for the board of directors submitted 
by  a  shareholder.  Although  the  SEC  promulgated  rules  to 
accomplish this, these rules were invalidated by a federal appeals 
court decision.  The SEC has said that they will not challenge the 
ruling, but has not ruled out the possibility that new rules could be 
proposed. 

175  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
`(cid:3)

The DFA requires stock exchanges to have rules prohibiting 
their members from voting securities that they do not beneficially 
own  (unless  they  have  received  voting  instructions  from  the 
beneficial owner) with respect to the election of a member of the 
board of directors (other than an uncontested election of directors 
of  an  investment  company  registered  under  the  Investment 
Company  Act  of  1940),  executive  compensation  or  any  other 
significant matter, as determined by the SEC by rule.  

Credit Ratings  
The  DFA  includes  a  number  of  provisions  that  are  targeted  at 
improving the reliability of credit ratings. In August of 2014 the 
SEC  adopted  new  requirements  for  credit  rating  agencies  to 
enhance  governance,  protect  against  conflicts  of  interest,  and 
increase  transparency  to  improve  the  quality  of  credit  rating 
agency accountability.  

Consumer Issues 
The  DFA  created  a  new  bureau,  the  CFPB,  which  has  the 
authority 
to  numerous 
implement  regulations  pursuant 
to 
laws  and  has  supervisory  authority, 
consumer  protection 
including the power to conduct examination and take enforcement 
actions, with respect to depository institutions with more than $10 
billion in consolidated assets. The CFPB also has authority, with 
respect  to  consumer  financial  services  to,  among  other  things, 
restrict unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices, enforce laws 
that  prohibit  discrimination  and  unfair  treatment  and  to  require 
certain consumer disclosures.  

to 

the  DFA, 

Debit Card Interchange Fees 
The  DFA  provides  for  a  set  of  new  rules  requiring  that 
interchange  transaction  fees  for  electric  debit  transactions  be 
“reasonable”  and  proportional  to  certain  costs  associated  with 
processing  the  transactions.  The  FRB  was  given  authority  to, 
among  other  things,  establish  standards  for  assessing  whether 
interchange  fees  are  reasonable  and  proportional.  In  June  2011, 
the  FRB  issued  a  final  rule  establishing  certain  standards  and 
prohibitions  pursuant 
including  establishing 
standards  for  debit  card  interchange  fees  and  allowing  for  an 
upward adjustment if the issuer develops and implements policies 
and  procedures  reasonably  designed  to  prevent  fraud.    The 
provisions  regarding  debit  card  interchange  fees  and  the  fraud 
adjustment  became  effective  October  1,  2011.  The  rules  impose 
requirements on the Bancorp and its banking subsidiary and may 
negatively impact our revenues and results of operations. On July 
31,  2013,  the  U.S.  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Columbia 
issued an order granting summary judgment to the plaintiffs in a 
case challenging certain provisions of the FRB’s rule concerning 
electronic  debit  card  transaction  fees  and  network  exclusivity 
arrangements  (the  “Current  Rule”) 
to 
implement  Section  1075  of  the  DFA,  known  as  the  Durbin 
Amendment.  The  Court  held  that,  in  adopting  the  Current  Rule, 
the FRB violated the Durbin Amendment’s provisions concerning 
which costs are allowed to be taken into account for purposes of 
setting  fees  that  are  reasonable  and  proportional  to  the  costs 
incurred by the issuer and therefore the Current Rule’s maximum 
permissible fees were too high. In addition, the Court held that the 
Current  Rule’s  network  non-exclusivity  provisions  concerning 
unaffiliated  payment  networks  for  debit  cards  also  violated  the 
Durbin  Amendment.  The  Court  vacated  the  Current  Rule,  but 
stayed its ruling to provide the FRB an opportunity to replace the 
invalidated  portions.  The  FRB  appealed  this  decision  and  on 
March  21,  2014,  the  D.C.  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  reversed  the 

that  were  adopted 

176  Fifth Third Bancorp 

District  Court’s  grant  of  summary  judgment  and  remanded  the 
case  for  further  proceedings  in  accordance  with  its  opinion.  The 
merchants  have  filed  a  petition  for  writ  of  certiorari  to  the  U.S. 
Supreme Court. However, on January 20, 2015, the U.S. Supreme 
Court  declined  to  hear  an  appeal  of  the  Circuit  Court  reversal, 
thereby  largely  upholding  the  Current  Rule  and  substantially 
reducing  uncertainty  surrounding  debit  card  interchange  fees  the 
Bancorp is permitted to charge.  Refer to the Noninterest Income 
subsection  of  the  Statements  of  Income  Analysis  section  of 
MD&A  for  further  information  regarding  the  Bancorp’s  debit 
card interchange revenue. 

FDIC Matters and Resolution Planning
Title II of the DFA creates an orderly liquidation process that the 
FDIC  can  employ  for  failing  systemically  important  financial 
companies.  Additionally,  the  DFA  also  codifies  many  of  the 
temporary  changes  that  had  already  been  implemented,  such  as 
permanently  increasing  the  amount  of  deposit  insurance  to 
$250,000.

In January 2012, the FDIC issued a final rule that requires an 
insured  depository  institution  with  $50  billion  or  more  in  total 
assets  to  submit  periodic  contingency  plans  to  the  FDIC  for 
resolution  in  the  event  of  the  institution’s  failure.    The  rule 
became effective in January 2012; however, submission of plans 
are  staggered  over  a  period  of  time.    The  Bancorp’s  banking 
subsidiary  is  subject  to  this  rule  and  submitted  its  most  recent 
resolution plan pursuant to this rule as of December 31, 2014.  

In  October  2011,  the  FRB  and  FDIC  issued  a  final  rule 
implementing  the  resolution  planning  requirements  of  Section 
165(d) of the DFA.  The final rule requires BHCs with assets of 
$50  billion  or  more  and  nonbank  financial  firms  designated  by 
FSOC  for  supervision  by  the  FRB  to  annually  submit  resolution 
plans  to  the  FDIC  and  FRB.    Each  plan  shall  describe  the 
company’s strategy for rapid and orderly resolution in bankruptcy 
during  times  of  financial  distress.      Under  the  final  rule, 
companies  must  submit  their  initial  resolution  plans  on  a 
staggered  basis. 
  The  Bancorp  submitted  its  most  recent 
resolution plan pursuant to this rule as of December 31, 2014. 

Proprietary Trading and Investing in Certain Funds 
The  DFA  sets  forth  new  restrictions  on  banking  organizations’ 
ability to engage in proprietary trading and sponsors of or invest 
in private equity and hedge funds (the “Volcker Rule”). The final 
regulations implementing the Volcker Rule (“Final Rules”) were 
adopted  on  December  10,  2013.  The  Volcker  Rule  generally 
prohibits  any  banking  entity  from  (i)  engaging  in  short-term 
proprietary  trading  for  its  own  account  and  (ii)  sponsoring  or 
acquiring  any  ownership  interest  in  a  private  equity  or  hedge 
fund.  The  Volcker  Rule  and  Final  Rules  contain  a  number  of 
exceptions.  The  Volcker  Rule  permits  transactions  in  the 
securities  of  the  U.S.  government  and  its  agencies,  certain 
government-sponsored  enterprises  and  states  and  their  political 
subdivisions,  as  well  as  certain  investments  in  small  business 
investment companies.  Transactions on behalf of customers and 
in  connection  with  certain  underwriting  and  market  making 
activities, as well as risk-mitigating hedging activities and certain 
foreign  banking  activities  are  also  permitted.  The  Final  Rules 
exclude certain funds from the prohibition on fund ownership and 
sponsorship including wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures, 
and  acquisitions  vehicles,  as  well  as  SEC  registered  investment 
companies.  De  minimis  ownership  of  private  equity  or  hedge 
funds  is  also  permitted  under  the  Final  Rules.  In  addition  to  the 
general  prohibition  on  sponsorship  and  investment,  the  Volcker 

 
rule  contains  additional  requirements  applicable  to  any  private 
equity or hedge fund that is sponsored by the banking entity or for 
which  it  serves  as  investment  manager  or  investment  advisor.  
The Bancorp is required under the Final Rules to demonstrate that 
it has a Volcker Rule compliance program. In connection with the 
issuance  of  the  Final  Rules,  the  Federal  Reserve  extended  the 
conformance  period  generally  until  July  21,  2015.  The  Final 
Rules  became  effective  April  2014  and  in  December  2014,  the 
FRB  extended  the  compliance  period  through  July  2016  for 
investments  in  and  relationships  with  such  covered  funds  that 
were in place prior to December 31, 2013,  and  indicated that it 
intends  to  further  extend  the  compliance  period  for  such 
investments through July 2017.  Further, with respect to covered 
funds that are “illiquid funds”, the FRB has the authority to grant 
up  to  five  more  years  for  the  Bancorp  to  conform  to  the  final 
Volcker Rule with respect to such illiquid funds.   

Derivatives  
Title VII of the DFA includes  measures to broaden the  scope of 
derivative instruments subject to regulation by requiring clearing 
and exchange trading of certain derivatives, imposing new capital 
and  margin  requirements  for  certain  market  participants  and 
imposing  position  limits  on  certain  over-the-counter  derivatives. 
In  2014,  Fifth  Third  Bank  registered  as  a  swap  dealer  with  the 
CFTC  and  became  subject  to  new  substantive  requirements, 
including  real  time  trade  reporting  and  robust  record  keeping 
requirements,  business  conduct  requirements  (including  daily 
valuations, disclosure of material risks associated with swaps and 
disclosure  of  material  incentives  and  conflicts  of  interest),  and 
mandatory  clearing  and  exchange  trading  of  all  standardized 
swaps designated by the relevant regulatory agencies as required 
to  be  cleared.  As  with  the  Volcker  Rule,  Fifth  Third  Bank  is 
required  to  demonstrate  that  it  has  a  satisfactory  compliance 
program to monitor the activities of the swap dealer and comply 
with  the  applicable  regulations.  Although  the  ultimate  impact  of 
the  regulatory  changes  will  depend  on  the  promulgation  of  all 
final  regulations,  Fifth  Third  Bank’s  derivatives  business  will 
likely  be  further  subject  to  additional  substantive  requirements 
including  margin  requirements  in  excess  of  current  market 
practice  and  certain  capital  requirements.  These  requirements 
may  impose  additional  operational  and  compliance  costs  on  us 
and  may  require  us  to  restructure  certain  businesses  and 
negatively impact our revenues and results of operations. 

Interstate Bank Branching 
The  DFA  includes  provisions  permitting  national  and  insured 
state banks to engage in de novo interstate branching if, under the 
laws of the state where the new branch is to be established, a state 
bank  chartered  in  that  state  would  be  permitted  to  establish  a 
branch.

Systemically Significant Companies and Capital
Title  I  of  the  DFA  creates  a  new  regulatory  regime  for  large 
BHCs. U.S. BHCs with $50 billion or more in total consolidated 
assets,  including  Fifth  Third,  are  subject  to  enhanced  prudential 
standards and early remediation requirements under Title I. Title I 
of  the  DFA  establishes  a  broad  framework  for  identifying, 
applying  heightened  supervision  and  regulation  to,  and  (as 
necessary)  limiting  the  size  and  activities  of  systemically 
significant financial companies.  

The  DFA  requires  the  FRB  to  impose  enhanced  capital  and 
risk-management standards on these firms and mandates the FRB 
to  conduct  annual  stress  tests  on  all  BHCs  with  $50  billion  or 
more  in  assets  to  determine  whether  they  have  adequate  capital 
available to absorb losses in baseline, adverse, or severely adverse 

economic conditions.  In November 2011, the FRB adopted final 
rules  requiring  BHCs  with  $50  billion  or  more  in  consolidated 
assets  to  submit  capital  plans  to  the  FRB  on  an  annual  basis.  
Under  the  final  rules,  the  FRB  annually  will  evaluate  an 
institution’s  capital  adequacy, 
internal  capital  adequacy, 
assessment  processes  and  capital  distribution  plans  such  as 
dividend payments and stock repurchases. Banks are also required 
to report certain data to the FRB on a quarterly basis to allow the 
FRB to monitor progress against the approved capital plans.   

The  CCAR  process  is  intended  to  help  ensure  that  BHCs 
have  robust,  forward-looking  capital  planning  processes  that 
account  for  each  company’s  unique  risks  and  that  permit 
continued  operations  during  times  of  economic  and  financial 
stress.  The  2015  CCAR  required  BHCs  with  consolidated  assets 
of  $50  billion  or  more  to  submit  a  capital  plan  to  the  FRB  by 
January 5, 2015. The mandatory elements of the capital plan are 
an assessment of the expected uses and sources of capital over a 
nine-quarter planning horizon, a description of all planned capital 
actions  over  the  planning  horizon,  a  discussion  of  any  expected 
changes  to  the  Bancorp’s  business  plan  that  are  likely  to  have  a 
material  impact  on  its  capital  adequacy  or  liquidity,  a  detailed 
description  of  the  Bancorp’s  process  for  assessing  capital 
adequacy  and  the  Bancorp’s  capital  policy.  The  stress  tests 
require  increased  involvement  by  boards  of  directors  in  stress 
testing  and  public  disclosure  of  the  results  of  both  the  FRB’s 
annual  stress  tests  and  a  BHC’s  annual  supervisory  stress  tests, 
and  semi-annual  internal  stress  tests.  The  Bancorp  submitted  its 
capital  plan,  along  with  all  supporting  materials,  to  the  FRB  on 
January  5,  2015.  The  FRB  will  release  the  results  of  the 
supervisory stress tests on  March 5, 2015  and the related results 
from the 2015 CCAR on March 11, 2015.   

The  FRB  recently  amended  its  capital  planning  and  stress 
testing  rules  to,  among  other  things,  generally  limit  a  BHC’s 
ability to make quarterly capital distributions – that is, dividends 
and share repurchases – commencing April 1, 2015 if the amount 
of  the  bank’s  actual  cumulative  quarterly  capital  issuances  of 
instruments  that  qualify  as  regulatory  capital  are  less  than  the 
bank  had  indicated  in  its  submitted  capital  plan  as  to  which  it 
received a non-objection from the FRB. For example, if the BHC  
issued a  smaller amount of additional common stock than it  had 
stated in its capital plan, it would be required to reduce common 
dividends and/or the amount of common stock repurchases so that 
the dollar amount of capital distributions, net of the dollar amount 
of  additional  common  stock  issued  (“net  distributions”),  is  no 
greater  than  the  dollar  amount  of  net  distributions  relating  to  its 
common  stock  included  in  its  capital  plan,  as  measured  on  an 
aggregate basis beginning in the third quarter of the nine-quarter 
planning  horizon  through  the  end  of  the  then  current  quarter. 
However,  not  raising  sufficient  amounts  of  common  stock  as 
planned would not affect distributions related to Additional Tier I 
Capital instruments and/ or Tier II Capital. These limitations also 
contain several important qualifications and exceptions, including 
that scheduled dividend payments on (as opposed to repurchases 
of)  a  BHC’s  Additional  Tier  I  Capital  and  Tier  II  Capital 
instruments are not restricted if the BHC fails to issue a sufficient 
amount of such instruments as planned, as well as provisions for 
certain de minimis excess distributions.   

In December of 2010 and revised in June of 2011, the Basel 
Committee  on  Banking  Supervision  (the  “Basel  Committee”) 
issued  Basel  III,  a  global  regulatory  framework,  to  enhance 
international capital standards. Basel III is designed to materially 
improve  the  quality  of  regulatory  capital  and  introduces  a  new 
minimum  common  equity  requirement.  Basel  III  also  raises  the 
capital 
minimum 

requirements 

introduces 

capital 

and 

177  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
`(cid:3)

conservation  and  countercyclical  buffers  to  induce  banking 
organizations  to  hold  capital  in  excess  of  regulatory  minimums. 
In  addition,  Basel  III  establishes  an  international  leverage 
standard for internationally active banks.  

In  July  of  2013,  U.S.  banking  regulators  approved  the  final 
enhanced  regulatory  capital  rules  (“Final  Capital  Rules”),  which 
included  modifications  to  the  proposed  rules.  The  Final  Capital 
Rules  substantially  revise  the  risk-based  capital  requirements 
applicable to BHCs and their depository institution subsidiaries as 
compared  to  the  previous  U.S.  risk-based  capital  and  leverage 
ratio rules, and thereby implement certain provisions of the DFA.  
The Final Capital Rules, among other things, (i) introduce a 
new  capital  measure  “Common  Equity  Tier  I”  (“CET1”),  (ii) 
specify that Tier I capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier I 
capital”  instruments  meeting  specified  requirements,  (iii)  define 
CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatory 
capital  measures  be  made  to  CET1  and  not  to  the  other 
components  of  capital  and  (iv)  expand  the  scope  of  the 
adjustments  as  compared  to  existing  regulations.  CET1  capital 
consists  of  common  stock  instruments  that  meet  the  eligibility 
criteria  in  the  final  rules,  including;  common  stock  and  related 
surplus,  net  of  treasury  stock  and  retained  earnings,  certain 
minority  interests  and  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income 
(“AOCI”), if elected. 

When  fully  phased-in  on  January  1,  2019,  the  Final  Capital 
Rules  require  banking  organizations  to  maintain  (i)  a  minimum 
ratio  of  CET1  to  risk-weighted  assets  of  at  least  4.5%,  plus  a 
2.5%  “capital  conservation  buffer”  (which  is  added  to  the  4.5% 
CET1  ratio  as  that  buffer  is  phased-in,  effectively  resulting  in  a 
minimum ratio  of CET1 to risk-weighted assets  of at least 7.0% 
upon full implementation), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier I capital 
to  risk-weighted  assets  of  at  least  6.0%,  plus  the  capital 
conservation  buffer  (which  is  added  to  the  6.0%  Tier  I  capital 
ratio  as  that  buffer  is  phased-in,  effectively  resulting  in  a 
minimum Tier I capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation), 
(iii)  a  minimum  ratio  of  total  capital  (that  is,  Tier  I  plus  Tier  2 
capital)  to  risk-weighted  assets  of  at  least  8.0%,  plus  the  capital 
conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio 
as  that  buffer  is  phased-in,  effectively  resulting  in  a  minimum 
total  capital  ratio  of  10.5%  upon  full  implementation)  and  (iv)  a 
minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier I 
capital to adjusted average consolidated assets. 

Banking  institutions  with  a  ratio  of  CET1  to  risk-weighted 
assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will 
face  limitations  on  the  payment  of  dividends,  common  stock 
repurchases and discretionary cash payments to executive officers 
based on the amount of the shortfall. 

The Final Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions 
from  and  adjustments  to  CET1.  These  include,  for  example,  the 
requirement  that  mortgage  servicing  rights,  deferred  tax  assets 
dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments 
in  non-consolidated  financial  entities  be  deducted  from  CET1  to 
the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all 
such  categories  in  the  aggregate  exceed  15%  of  CET1.  Under 
current  capital  standards,  the  effects  of  AOCI  items  included  in 
capital  are  excluded  for  the  purposes  of  determining  regulatory 
capital ratios. Under the Final Capital Rules, Bancorp has a one-
time  election  (the  “Opt-out  Election”)  to  filter  certain  AOCI 
components,  comparable  to  the  treatment  under  the  current 
general risk-based capital rule.

The  Final  Capital  Rules  were  effective  for  the  Bancorp  on 
January  1,  2015,  subject  to  phase-in  periods  for  certain  of  their 
components  and  other  provisions.  Although  not  currently 

178  Fifth Third Bancorp 

required, Fifth Third Bancorp believes the aforementioned capital 
ratios  under  the  revised  Final  Capital  Rules  meet  or  exceed  the 
ratios on a fully phased in basis. Refer to the Non-GAAP section 
of  MD&A  for  an  estimate  of  the  Basel  III  CET1  ratio  as  of 
December 31, 2014.  

In  February  2014, 

the  FRB  approved  a  final  rule 
requirements. 
several  heightened  prudential 
implementing 
Beginning  in  2015,  the  rules  require  BHCs  with  $10  billion  or 
more  in  consolidated  assets  to  establish  risk  committees  and 
require BHCs with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets 
to  comply  with  enhanced  liquidity  and  overall  risk  management 
standards,  including  company-run  liquidity  stress  testing  and  a 
buffer  of  highly  liquid  assets  based  on  projected  funding  needs 
for  various  time  horizons,  including  30,  60,  and  90  days.  These 
liquidity-related  provisions  are  designed  to  be  complementary, 
and  in  addition  to  the  Final  LCR  Rule  applicable  to  BHCs  (as 
discussed  below).  Rules  to  implement  two  other  components  of 
the  DFA’s  enhanced  prudential  standards  –single-counterparty 
credit  limits  and  early  remediation  requirements–  are  still  under 
consideration  by  the  FRB.  Fifth  Third  has  conducted  a  self 
evaluation of all the requirements within the enhanced prudential 
standards,  and  believe  the  necessary  steps  have  been  taken  to 
ensure compliance with all requirements regarding liquidity, risk 
exposures, and early remediation. 

Liquidity Regulation  
Liquidity  risk  management  and  supervision  have  become 
increasingly important since the financial crisis. On September 3, 
2014,  the  FRB  and  other  banking  regulators  adopted  final  rules 
(“Final  LCR  Rule”)  implementing  a  U.S.  version  of  the  Basel 
Committee’s  Liquidity  Coverage  Ratio  requirement  (“LCR”), 
which is designed to ensure that the banking entity maintains an 
adequate  level  of  unencumbered  high-quality  liquid  assets 
(“HQLA”)  equal  to  the  entity’s  expected  net  cash  outflow  for  a 
30-day time horizon (or, if greater, 25% of its expected total cash 
outflow) under an acute liquidity stress scenario. The rules apply 
in modified form to banking organizations, such as the Bancorp, 
having  $50  billion  or  more  in  total  consolidated  assets  but  less 
than $250 billion. The LCR is the ratio of an institution’s stock of 
HQLA (the numerator) over projected net cash out-flows over the 
30-day  horizon  (the  denominator),  in  each  case,  as  calculated 
pursuant  to  the  Final  LCR  Rule.  Once  fully  phased-in,  a  subject 
institution must maintain an LCR equal to at least 100% in order 
to  satisfy  this  regulatory  requirement.  Only  specific  classes  of 
assets, 
including  U.S.  Treasuries,  other  U.S.  government 
obligations  and  agency  mortgaged-backed  securities,  qualify 
under the rule as HQLA, with classes of assets deemed relatively 
less liquid and/or subject to greater degree of credit risk subject to 
certain  haircuts  and  caps  for  purposes  of  calculating  the 
numerator under the Final LCR Rule. The total net cash outflows 
amount  is  determined  under  the  rule  by  applying  certain 
hypothetical  outflow  and  inflow  rates,  which  reflect  certain 
standardized  stressed  assumptions,  against  the  balances  of  the 
banking  organization’s  funding  sources,  obligations,  transactions 
and  assets  over  the  30-day  stress  period.  Inflows  that  can  be 
included to offset outflows are limited to 75% of outflows (which 
effectively  means  that  banking  organizations  must  hold  high-
quality  liquid  assets  equal  to  25%  of  outflows  even  if  outflows 
perfectly match inflows over the stress period). The total net cash 
outflow amount for the modified LCR applicable to the Bancorp 
is capped at 70% of the outflow rate that applies to the full LCR.  
The  initial  compliance  date  for  the  modified  LCR  will  be 
January  2016,  with  the  requirement  fully  phased-in  by  January 

 
2017.  The  LCR  is  a  minimum  requirement,  and  the  FRB  can 
impose additional liquidity requirements as a supervisory matter.  
In  addition,  the  Bancorp  is  also  subject  to  the  liquidity-related 
requirements  of 
the  enhanced  prudential  supervision  rules 
adopted by the FRB under Section 165 of the DFA, as described 
above.  As  of  December  31,  2014  the  Bancorp’s  internally 
calculated  LCR  would  have  complied  with  the  fully  phased  in 
LCR  requirements  which  will  become  effective  in  2016  as 
outlined in the final rule.

In  addition  to  the  LCR,  the  Basel  III  framework  also 
included  a  second  standard,  referred  to  as  the  net  stable  funding 
ratio (“NSFR”), which is designed to promote more medium-and 
long-term funding of the assets and activities of banks over a one-
year  time  horizon.    Although  the  Basel  Committee  finalized  its 
formulation of the NSFR in 2014, the U.S. banking agencies have 
not  yet  proposed  an  NSFR  for  application  to  U.S.  banking 
organizations or addressed the scope of banking organizations to 
which  it  will  apply.    The  Basel  Committee’s  final  NSFR 
document  states  that  the  NSFR  applies  to  internationally  active 
banks, as did its final LCR document as to that ratio. 

179  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
`(cid:3)

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. The Bank owns 100% of these buildings.  

At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp, through its banking and non-
banking  subsidiaries,  operated  1,302  banking  centers,  of  which  931 
were  owned,  259  were  leased  and  112  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.  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE BANCORP 
Officers  are  appointed  annually  by  the  Board  of  Directors  at  the 
meeting  of  Directors  immediately  following  the  Annual  Meeting  of 
Shareholders.  The  names,  ages  and  positions  of  the  Executive 
Officers  of  the  Bancorp  as  of  February  25,  are  listed  below  along 
with their business experience during the past 5 years:  

Kevin T. Kabat, 58. Vice Chairman of the Bancorp since September 
2012  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  April  2007. 
Previously, Mr. Kabat was President of the Bancorp from June 2006 
to September 2012 and Chairman from June 2008 to June 2010. Prior 
to that, Mr. Kabat was Executive Vice President of the Bancorp since 
December 2003.  

Chad M. Borton, 44. Executive Vice President of the Bancorp since 
April 2014. Previously, Mr. Borton was Head of Retail Banking for 
Fifth  Third  Bank  from  July  2012  to  April  2014.   Prior  to  that,  Mr. 
Borton served in multiple positions at JP Morgan Chase including the 
Head  of  Branch  Administration  from  August  2011  to  July  2012; 
Senior  Vice  President  and  Market  Manager  from  August  2010  to 
August  2011;  Head  of  Retail  Distribution  from  2008  to  2010  and 
Consumer Bank Chief Financial Officer from 2006 to 2008. 

Greg D. Carmichael, 53. President of the Bancorp since September 
2012  and  Chief  Operating  Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  June  2006. 
Previously,  Mr. Carmichael  was  the  Executive  Vice  President  and 
Chief Information Officer of the Bancorp since June 2003.  

Frank  R.  Forrest,  60.    Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Risk 
Officer of the Bancorp since April 2014.  Previously, Mr. Forrest was 
Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Risk  and  Credit  Officer  of  the 
Bancorp since September 2013. Prior to that, Mr. Forrest served with 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch. From March 2012 until June 2013, 
Mr.  Forrest  served  as  Managing  Director  and  Quality  Control 
Executive for Legacy Asset Services, a division of Bank of America. 
From September 2008 until March 2012, Mr. Forrest was Managing 
Director  and  Global  Debt  Products  Executive  for  Global  Corporate 
and Investment Banking. Formerly from January 2007 to September 
2008, Mr. Forrest was Risk Management Executive for Commercial 
Banking.   

Mark  D.  Hazel,  49.  Senior  Vice  President  and  Controller  of  the 
Bancorp  since  February  2010.  Prior  to  that,  Mr. Hazel  was  the 
Assistant  Bancorp  Controller  since  2006  and  was  the  Controller  of 
Nonbank entities since 2003.  

Gregory  L.  Kosch,  55.  Executive  Vice  President  of  the  Bancorp 
since  June  2005.  Previously,  Mr. Kosch  was  Senior  Vice  President 

180  Fifth Third Bancorp 

and  head  of  the  Bancorp’s  Commercial  Division  in  the  Chicago 
affiliate since June 2002.

James  C.  Leonard,  45. Senior  Vice  President  and  Treasurer  of  the 
Bancorp  since  October  2013.  Previously,  Mr.  Leonard  was  the 
Director  of  Business  Planning and  Analysis  since  2006 and  was  the 
Chief  Financial  Officer  of  the  Commercial  Banking  Division  since 
2001.

Philip  R.  McHugh,  50,  Executive  Vice  President  of  the  Bancorp 
since December 2014.  Previously, Mr. McHugh was Executive Vice 
President of Fifth Third Bank since June 2011 and was Senior Vice 
President  of  Fifth  Third  Bank  from  June  2010  through  June  2011.  
Prior  to  that,  Mr.  McHugh  was  the  President  and  CEO  of  the 
Louisville  Affiliate  of  Fifth  Third  Bank  from  January  2005  through 
June 2010. 

Daniel T. Poston, 56. Executive Vice President of the Bancorp since 
June  2003,  and  Chief  Strategy  and  Administrative  Officer  of  the 
Bancorp  since  October  2013.  Previously,  Mr.  Poston  was  the  Chief 
Financial  Officer  of  the  Bancorp  from  September  2009  to  October 
2013. Previously, Mr. Poston was the Controller of the Bancorp from 
July 2007 to May 2008 and from November 2008 to September 2009. 
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.

Joseph  R.  Robinson,  47.  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief 
Information  Officer  and  Director  of  Information  Technology  and 
Operations  of  the  Bancorp  since  September  2009.  Previously, 
Mr. Robinson  was  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Information 
Officer of the Bancorp since April 2008. Prior to that, he was Senior 
Vice  President  and  Director  of  Central  Operations  since  November 
2006  and  Senior  Vice  President  of  IT  Enterprise  Solutions  since 
March 2004.  

Robert  A.  Sullivan,  60.  Senior  Executive  Vice  President  of  the 
Bancorp since December 2002.  

Teresa  J.  Tanner,  46.  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Human 
Resources  Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  February  2010.  Previously, 
Ms. Tanner  was  Senior  Vice  President  and  Director  of  Enterprise 
Learning  since  September  2008.  Prior  to  that,  she  was  Human 
Resources Senior Vice President and Senior Business Partner for the 
Information Technology and Central Operations divisions since July 
2006.  Previously,  she  was  Vice  President  and  Senior  Business 
Partner for Operations since September 2004.  

Mary E. Tuuk, 50. Executive Vice President of Corporate Services 
&  Board  Secretary  of  the  Bancorp  since  July  2013.  Previously,  Ms. 
Tuuk  served  as  Affiliate  President  of  Fifth  Third  Bank  (Western 
Michigan)  from  November  2011  to  June  2013.  Prior  to  that,  Ms. 
Tuuk was the Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of the 
Bancorp  from  June  2007  to  October  2011  and  from  July  2013 
through  September  2013.  Ms.  Tuuk  was  Senior  Vice  President  of 
Fifth Third Bancorp since 2003.  

Tayfun  Tuzun,  50.    Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Financial 
Officer  of  the  Bancorp  since  October  2013.  Previously,  Mr.  Tuzun 
was  the  Senior  Vice  President  and  Treasurer  of  the  Bancorp  from 
December  2011  to  October  2013.  Prior  to  that,  Mr.  Tuzun  was  the 
Assistant  Treasurer  and  Balance  Sheet  Manager  of  Fifth  Third 
Bancorp. Previously, Mr. Tuzun was the Structured Finance Manager 
since 2007.   

 
PART II 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER 
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 
The Bancorp’s common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and is listed under the symbol “FITB” on the NASDAQ® Global
Select Market System.  

High and Low Stock Prices and Dividends Paid Per Share

2014

Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 

2013
Fourth Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Second Quarter 
First Quarter 

High

$20.82 
$21.79 
$23.41 
$23.90 

High
$21.14 
$19.79 
$18.74 
$16.77 

  Low

$17.65 
$19.45 
$19.82 
$20.37 

  Low
$17.49 
$17.80 
$15.62 
$15.19 

Dividends Paid
     Per Share

$0.13 
$0.13 
$0.13 
$0.12 

Dividends Paid
     Per Share
$0.12 
$0.12 
$0.12 
$0.11 

See  a  discussion  of  dividend  limitations  that  the  subsidiaries  can  pay  to  the  Bancorp  discussed  in  Note  3  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial Statements. Additionally, as of December 31, 2014, the Bancorp had 46,876 shareholders of record. 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 

Period
October 2014 
November 2014 
December 2014 
Total
(a) The Bancorp repurchased 117,961, 34,182 and 46,119 shares during October, November and December of 2014 in connection with various employee 

$18.15 
 -   
 -   
$18.15 

Shares
Purchased(a)
 10,234,560 
 -   
 -   
 10,234,560 

Average Price 
Paid Per 
Share

Maximum
Shares that 
May Be 
Purchased
Under the 
Plans or 
Programs

Shares
Purchased as 
Part of 
Publicly
Announced 
Plans or 
Programs
 10,234,560  73,180,368
 -    73,180,368
 -    73,180,368
 10,234,560  73,180,368

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. 

See 

further  discussion  of  stock-based  compensation 

in  Note  24  of 

the  Notes 

to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.

181  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
`(cid:3)

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 2009 through 2014, and 2004 
through 2014, respectively, compared to the S&P 500 Stock and the S&P Banks indices.   

(cid:3)

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP VS. MARKET INDICES 

(cid:3)

182  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
III 

ITEM  10.  DIRECTORS,  EXECUTIVE 

PART 
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.”  

PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
SCHEDULES 

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  2015  Annual  Meeting  of 
Shareholders.  

Public Accounting Firm 

Fifth Third Bancorp and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial 

Statements 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Pages
84

85-89

90-
170

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  2015 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  

reference  under 

and 

the 

The information required by this item concerning Section 16 
(a)  Beneficial  Ownership  Reporting  Compliance  is  incorporated 
herein  by  reference  under  the  caption  “SECTION  16  (a) 
BENEFICIAL  OWNERSHIP  REPORTING  COMPLIANCE”  of 
the  Bancorp’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the  2015  Annual  Meeting  of 
Shareholders.  

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 
The  information  required  by  this  item  is  incorporated  herein  by 
reference  under  the  captions  “COMPENSATION  DISCUSSION 
“COMPENSATION  OF  NAMED 
AND  ANALYSIS,” 
DIRECTORS,” 
EXECUTIVE 
“COMPENSATION 
and 
“COMPENSATION  COMMITTEE 
INTERLOCKS  AND 
INSIDER PARTICIPATION” of the Bancorp’s Proxy Statement 
for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

COMMITTEE 

OFFICERS 

REPORT” 

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,”    “COMPENSATION  DISCUSSION  AND 
ANALYSIS” 
“COMPENSATION  OF  NAMED 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS” of the Bancorp’s 
Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  

and 

The  information  required  by  this  item  concerning  Equity 
Compensation  Plan  information  is  included  in  Note  24  of  the 
Notes to 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  2015  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 
EXTERNAL  AUDIT  FIRM  FEES”  of  the  Bancorp’s  Proxy 
Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The  schedules  for  the  Bancorp  and  its  subsidiaries  are  omitted 
because  of  the  absence  of  conditions  under  which  they  are 
required,  or  because 
the 
Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.  

is  set  forth 

information 

the 

in 

The following lists the Exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K.(cid:3)(cid:3)

2.1 

3.1 

3.2 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

4.5 

4.6 

4.7 

4.8 

4.9 

Master  Investment  Agreement  (excluding  exhibits  and  schedules) 
dated as of March 27, 2009 and amended as of June 30, 2009, among 
Fifth  Third  Bank,  Fifth  Third  Financial  Corporation,  Advent-Kong 
Blocker  Corp.,  FTPS  Holding,  LLC  and  Fifth  Third  Processing 
Solutions, LLC. Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 2, 2009.  
Amended  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  Fifth  Third  Bancorp,  as 
amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 
2014. 
Code  of  Regulations  of  Fifth  Third  Bancorp,  as  Amended  as  of 
September  15,  2014.  Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  3.1  to  the 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission 
on September 17, 2014.     
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. 
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.  
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.  
First  Supplemental  Indenture,  dated  as  of  December  20,  2006, 
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.  
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.  
Global  security  dated  as  of  March  4,  2008  representing  Fifth  Third 
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)  
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.  

183  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
`(cid:3)

4.10 

Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 25, 2011 between Fifth 
Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, to the 
Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated as of April 30, 2008 
between Fifth Third and the Trustee. Incorporated by reference to the 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on January 25, 2011. 

4.23 

4.24 

4.11  Global Security dated as of January 25, 2011 representing Fifth Third 

4.12 

Bancorp’s $500,000,000 3.625% Senior Notes due 2016. 
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 
25, 2011. (2)  
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 7, 2012 between 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, to 
the Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated as of April 30, 2008 
between Fifth Third and the Trustee. Incorporated by reference to the 
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on March 7, 2012. 

4.13  Global Security dated as of March 7, 2012 representing Fifth Third 
Bancorp’s $500,000,000 3.500% Senior Notes due 2022. 
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 
8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
March 7, 2012. 

to 

4.15 

issued 

receipts 

time  of 

the  depositary 

4.14  Deposit  Agreement  dated  May  16,  2013,  between  Fifth  Third 
Bancorp,  as  issuer,  Wilmington  Trust,  National  Association,  as 
depositary  and  calculation  agent,  American  Stock  Transfer  &  Trust 
Company, LLC, as transfer agent and registrar, and the holders from 
time 
thereunder.  
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 May 16, 2013.  
Form  of  Certificate  Representing  the  5.10%  Fixed-to-Floating  Rate 
Non-Cumulative  Perpetual  Preferred  Stock,  Series  H,  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 May 16, 2013.  
Form of Depositary Receipt for the 5.10% Fixed-to-Floating Rate 
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series H, 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 May 16, 2013. 

4.16 

4.17  Global Security dated as of November 20, 2013 representing Fifth 

Third Bancorp’s $500,000,000 4.30% Subordinated Notes due 2024. 
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 November 20, 2013. 

to 

4.19 

issued 

receipts 

time  of 

the  depositary 

4.18  Deposit  Agreement  dated  December  9,  2013,  between  Fifth  Third 
Bancorp,  as  issuer,  Wilmington  Trust,  National  Association,  as 
depositary  and  calculation  agent,  American  Stock  Transfer  &  Trust 
Company, LLC as transfer agent and registrar, and the holders from 
time 
thereunder.  
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 December 9, 2013.  
Form of Certificate Representing the 6.625% Fixed-to-Floating Rate 
Non-Cumulative  Perpetual  Preferred  Stock,  Series  I,  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 December 9, 2013.  
Form of Depositary Receipt for the 6.625% Fixed-to-Floating Rate 
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series I, 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 December 9, 2013. 

4.20 

Form of Depositary Receipt for the 4.90% Fixed-to-Floating Rate 
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J, 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 5, 2014. 
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 28, 2014 between 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, to 
the Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated as of April 30, 2008 
between Fifth Third Bancorp and the Trustee. Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed with the Commission on February 28, 2014. 

4.25  Global Security dated as of February 28, 2014, representing Fifth 

Third Bancorp’s $500,000,000 in principal amount of its 2.30% 
Senior Notes due 2019. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of 
the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 
Commission on February 28, 2014. 

10.2 

10.1 

4.28 

4.27 

4.26  Deposit Agreement dated June 5, 2014, among Fifth Third Bancorp, 
as issuer, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as depositary and 
calculation agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC 
as transfer agent and registrar, and the holders from time to time of 
the depositary receipts issued thereunder. 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 5, 2014. 
Form of Certificate Representing the 4.90% Fixed-to-Floating Rate 
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J, 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 5, 2014. 
Form of Depositary Receipt for the 4.90% Fixed-to-Floating Rate 
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J, 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 5, 2014. 
Fifth Third Bancorp Unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-
Employee Directors, as Amended and Restated. Incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. * 
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. 
Fifth  Third  Bancorp  Master  Profit  Sharing  Plan,  as  Amended  and 
Restated. Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.* 
First Amendment to Fifth Third Bancorp Master Profit Sharing Plan, 
as  Amended  and  Restated.  Incorporated  by  reference  to  the 
Registrant’s  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2011.*  
Second  Amendment  to  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  Master  Profit  Sharing 
Plan, as Amended and Restated. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.7  of  the  Registrant’s  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year 
ended December 31, 2012.*  
Third Amendment to Fifth Third Bancorp Master Profit Sharing Plan, 
as Amended and Restated. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 
of  the  Registrant’s  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter 
ended June 30, 2013.*  
Fifth Third Bancorp 401(k) Savings Plan, as Amended and Restated.* 
The  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  Master  Retirement  Plan,  as  Amended  and 
Restated.*
Fifth  Third  Bancorp  Incentive  Compensation  Plan.  Incorporated  by 
reference to Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated February 19, 2004.* 

10.7 
10.8 

10.9 

10.6 

10.5 

10.4 

10.3 

4.21  Deposit Agreement dated June 5, 2014, among Fifth Third Bancorp, 
as issuer, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as depositary and 
calculation agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC 
as transfer agent and registrar, and the holders from time to time of 
the depositary receipts issued thereunder. 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 5, 2014. 
Form of Certificate Representing the 4.90% Fixed-to-Floating Rate 
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J, 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 5, 2014. 

4.22 

184  Fifth Third Bancorp 

10.10  Fifth Third Bancorp 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. Incorporated 
by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Proxy  Statement  dated  March  6, 
2008.* 

10.11   Fifth Third Bancorp 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan. Incorporated 
by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Proxy  Statement  dated  March  6, 
2014.* 

10.12  Amended  and  Restated  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  1993  Stock  Purchase 
Plan.    Incorporated  by  reference  to  Registrant’s  Annual  Report  on 
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.* 

10.13  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  Non-qualified  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,  as 
Amended and Restated.  Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s 

 
 
 
Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2013.* 

10.14  Amendment  to  the  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  Non-qualified  Deferred 

Compensation Plan, as Amended and Restated.* 

10.15  Fifth Third Bancorp Stock Option Gain Deferral Plan.  Incorporated 
by  reference  to  Registrant’s  Proxy  Statement  dated  February  9, 
2001.*  

10.16  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. *  

10.17  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. *   

10.18  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  Executive  Change  in  Control  Severance  Plan, 
effective  January  1,  2015.  Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1 
to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2014.* 

10.19  Form  of  Executive  Agreement  effective  February  3,  2014,  between 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Tayfun Tuzun.  Incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit  10.1  to  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed  with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2014.* 
10.20  Form  of  Executive  Agreement  effective  February  3,  2014,  between 
Fifth Third Bancorp and Frank R. Forrest.  Incorporated by reference 
to  Exhibit  10.2  to    Registrant’s  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2014.* 
10.21  Executive Agreement effective August 19, 2014, between Fifth Third 
Bancorp  and  Chad  M.  Borton.  Incorporated  by  reference  to 
Registrant’s  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended 
September 30, 2014.* 

10.22    Form of Amended Executive Agreement effective January 19, 2012, 
between  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  and  Daniel  T.  Poston.  Incorporated  by 
reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 2012. * 
10.23  Warrant dated June 30, 2009 issued by Vantiv Holding, LLC to Fifth 
Third  Bank.  Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Schedule 
13D filed with the Commission on April 2, 2012.  

10.24  Second Amended & Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement 
(excluding certain exhibits) dated as of March 21, 2012 by and among 
Vantiv, Inc., Fifth Third Bank, FTPS Partners, LLC, Vantiv Holding, 
LLC and each person who becomes a member after March 21, 2012. 
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Schedule 13D filed with 
the Commission on April 2, 2012.  

10.25  Amendment  and  Restatement  Agreement  and  Reaffirmation 
(excluding certain schedules) dated as of June 30, 2009 among Fifth 
Third  Processing  Solutions,  LLC,  FTPS  Holding,  LLC,  Card 
Management  Company,  LLC,  Fifth  Third  Holdings,  LLC  and  Fifth 
Third  Bank.  Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 2, 2009. 
10.26  Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  21,  2012  by  and 
among  Vantiv,  Inc.,  Fifth  Third  Bank,  FTPS  Partners,  LLC,  JPDN 
Inc. 
Enterprises,  LLC  and  certain  stockholders  of  Vantiv, 
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Schedule 13D filed with 
the Commission on April 2, 2012. 

10.27  Exchange  Agreement  dated  as  of  March 21,  2012  by  and  among 
Vantiv, Inc., Vantiv Holding, LLC, Fifth Third Bank, FTPS Partners, 
LLC and such other holders of Class B Units and Class C Non-Voting 
Units that are from time to time parties of the Exchange Agreement. 
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Schedule 13D filed with 
the Commission on April 2, 2012. 

10.28  Recapitalization  Agreement  dated  as  of  March 21,  2012  by  and 
among  Vantiv,  Inc.,  Vantiv  Holding,  LLC,  Fifth  Third  Bank,  FTPS 
Partners,  LLC,  JPDN  Enterprises,  LLC  and  certain  stockholders  of 
Vantiv,  Inc.  Incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Registrant’s  Schedule 
13D filed with the Commission on April 2, 2012. 

10.29  Description  of  Vantiv,  Inc.  Director  Compensation  for  Greg  D. 
Carmichael.  Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.8  of  the 
Registrant’s  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended 
March 31, 2012. On May 10, 2012, Daniel T. Poston was elected as a 
Class  B  Director  of  Vantiv,  Inc.  Mr. Poston  is  subject  to  a 
substantially  similar  compensation  arrangement  as  described  in 
Exhibit  10.8  of  the  Registrant’s  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for 
the quarter ended March 31, 2012.* 

10.30  Stock  Appreciation  Right  Award  Agreement.  Incorporated  by 
reference  to  Exhibit  10.2  of  the  Registrant’s  Quarterly  Report  on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.* 

10.31  Performance  Share  Award  Agreement.  Incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit  10.3  of  the  Registrant’s  Quarterly  Report  on  Form  10-Q  for 
the quarter ended June 30, 2013.* 

10.32  Restricted  Stock  Award  Agreement  (for  Directors).  Incorporated  by 
reference  to  Exhibit  10.4  of  the  Registrant’s  Quarterly  Report  on 
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.* 

10.33  Restricted  Stock  Award  Agreement  (for  Executive  Officers). 
Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  of  the  Registrant’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.* 

10.34  Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.* 
10.35  Performance Share Award Agreement.* 
10.36  Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (for Directors).* 
10.37  Restricted Stock Award Agreement (for Executive Officers).* 
10.38  Master  Confirmation,  as 

supplemented  by  a  Supplemental 
Confirmation,  for  accelerated  share  repurchase  transaction  dated 
October  20,  2014  between  Fifth  Third  Bancorp  and  Deutsche  Bank 
AG, London Branch** 
Computations of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.  
Computations of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed 
Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements.  
Fifth Third Bancorp Subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2014.  
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-Deloitte 
& Touche LLP.  

12.1 
12.2 

21 
23 

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.  

101 

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.  
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets,  (ii)  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
(iv)  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Changes  in  Equity,  (v)  the 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows,  and  (vi)  the  Notes  to 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  tagged  as  blocks  of  text  and  in 
detail.  

(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 January 25, 
2011 representing an additional $500,000,000 of its 3.625% Senior Notes 
due 2016. 

*    Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. 
** An application for confidential treatment for selected portions of this 
exhibit has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

185  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
`(cid:3)

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 

/s/ Kevin T. Kabat 
Kevin T. Kabat 
Vice Chairman and CEO 
Principal Executive Officer 
February 25, 2015 

Pursuant to requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
this  report  has  been  signed  on  February  25,  2015  by  the 
following  persons  on  behalf  of  the  Registrant  and  in  the 
capacities indicated. 

OFFICERS:

/s/ Kevin T. Kabat 
Kevin T. Kabat 
Vice Chairman and CEO 
Principal Executive Officer 

/s/ Tayfun Tuzun 
Tayfun Tuzun 
Executive Vice President and CFO 
Principal Financial Officer 

/s/ Mark D. Hazel 
Mark D. Hazel  
Senior Vice President and Controller 
Principal Accounting Officer 

DIRECTORS: 

/s/ James P. Hackett 
James P. Hackett 
Chairman  

/s/ Marsha C. Williams 
Marsha C. Williams 
Lead Director 

/s/ Nicholas K. Akins 
Nicholas K. Akins 

/s/ B. Evan Bayh III 
B. Evan Bayh III 

/s/ Katherine B. Blackburn 
Katherine B. Blackburn 

/s/ Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr. 
Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr. 

/s/ Emerson L. Brumback 
Emerson L. Brumback 

/s/ Gary R. Heminger 
Gary R. Heminger 

/s/ Jewell D. Hoover 
Jewell D. Hoover 

/s/ Kevin T. Kabat 
Kevin T. Kabat 

/s/ Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D. 
Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D. 

/s/ Michael B. McCallister 
Michael B. McCallister 

/s/ Hendrik G. Meijer 
Hendrik G. Meijer 

186  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
AVERAGE ASSETS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 ($ IN MILLIONS) 

CONSOLIDATED TEN YEAR COMPARISON 

Interest-Earning Assets  
Interest-
Bearing 
Deposits in 
Banks(a) 

Federal Funds 
Sold (a) 

 -     
 1   
 2   
 1   
 11   
 12   
 438   
 257   
 252   
 88   

 3,043   
 2,416   
 1,493   
 2,030   
 3,317   
 1,023   
 183   
 147   
 144   
 113   

Year  
2014  $
2013   
2012   
2011   
2010   
2009   
2008   
2007   
2006   
2005   

Loans and 
Leases 
 91,127   
 89,093   
 84,822   
 80,214   
 79,232   
 83,391   
 85,835   
 78,348   
 73,493   
 67,737   

Securities  

 21,823    $
 16,444   
 15,319   
 15,437   
 16,371   
 17,100   
 13,424   
 11,630   
 20,910   
 24,806   

Total  
 115,993   
 107,954   
 101,636   
 97,682   
 98,931   
 101,526   
 99,880   
 90,382   
 94,799   
 92,744   

Cash and Due 
from Banks  
 2,892   
 2,482   
 2,355   
 2,352   
 2,245   
 2,329   
 2,490   
 2,275   
 2,477   
 2,750   

Other 
Assets  
 14,539 $
 15,053  
 15,695  
 15,335  
 14,841  
 14,266  
 13,411  
 10,613  
 8,713  
 8,102  

Total Average 
Assets  
 131,943   
 123,732   
 117,614   
 112,666   
 112,434   
 114,856   
 114,296   
 102,477   
 105,238   
 102,876   

AVERAGE DEPOSITS AND SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 ($ IN MILLIONS) 

Year 
2014   
2013   
2012   
2011   
2010   
2009   
2008   
2007   
2006   
2005   

   Demand 
 31,755   
$
 29,925   
 27,196   
 23,389   
 19,669   
 16,862   
 14,017   
 13,261   
 13,741   
 13,868   

Interest 
Checking  
 25,382   
 23,582   
 23,096   
 18,707   
 18,218   
 15,070   
 14,191   
 14,820   
 16,650   
 18,884   

Savings  
 16,080   
 18,440   
 21,393   
 21,652   
 19,612   
 16,875   
 16,192   
 14,836   
 12,189   
 10,007   

Deposits  

Money 
Market 
 14,670  
 9,467  
 4,903  
 5,154  
 4,808  
 4,320  
 6,127  
 6,308  
 6,366  
 5,170  

Other 
Time  
 3,762  
 3,760  
 4,306  
 6,260  
 10,526  
 14,103  
 11,135  
 10,778  
 10,500  
 8,491  

Certificates 
$100,000 and 
Over 
 3,929   
 6,339   
 3,102   
 3,656   
 6,083   
 10,367   
 9,531   
 6,466   
 5,795   
 4,001   

Foreign 
Office  
 1,828   
 1,518   
 1,555   
 3,497   
 3,361   
 2,265   
 4,220   
 3,155   
 3,711   
 3,967   

$

Total  
 97,406   
 93,031   
 85,551   
 82,315   
 82,277   
 79,862   
 75,413   
 69,624   
 68,952   
 64,388   

$

Short-Term 
Borrowings
 2,331   
 3,527   
 4,806   
 3,122   
 1,926   
 6,980   
 10,760   
 6,890   
 8,670   
 9,511   

Total  
 99,737   
 96,558   
 90,357   
 85,437   
 84,203   
 86,842   
 86,173   
 76,514   
 77,622   
 73,899   

INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 ($ IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 

Year  
2014   
2013   
2012   
2011   
2010   
2009   
2008   
2007   
2006   
2005   

$

Interest 
Income  
 4,030   
 3,973   
 4,107   
 4,218   
 4,489   
 4,668   
 5,608   
 6,027   
 5,955   
 4,995   

Interest 
Expense  
 451   
 412   
 512   
 661   
 885   
 1,314   
 2,094   
 3,018   
 3,082   
 2,030   

Noninterest 
Income  
 2,473   
 3,227   
 2,999   
 2,455   
 2,729   
 4,782   
 2,946   
 2,467   
 2,012   
 2,374   

Noninterest 
Expense 
 3,709   
 3,961   
 4,081   
 3,758   
 3,855   
 3,826   
 4,564   
 3,311   
 2,915   
 2,801   

Net Income (Loss) 
Available to 
Common 
Shareholders  
 1,414   
 1,799   
 1,541   
 1,094   
 503   
 511   
 (2,180)  
 1,075   
 1,188   
 1,548   

Earnings 
 1.68   
 2.05   
 1.69   
 1.20   
 0.63   
 0.73   
 (3.91)  
 1.99   
 2.13   
 2.79   

MISCELLANEOUS AT DECEMBER 31 ($ IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Bancorp Shareholders' Equity  

Per Share(b)    

Originally Reported 

Diluted 
Earnings  
 1.66   
 2.02   
 1.66   
 1.18   
 0.63   
 0.67   
 (3.91)  
 1.98   
 2.12   
 2.77   

Dividends 
Declared   Earnings 
 1.68   
 2.05   
 1.69   
 1.20   
 0.63   
 0.73   
 (3.94)  
 2.00   
 2.14   
 2.79   

 0.51 
 0.47 
 0.36 
 0.28 
 0.04 
 0.04 
 0.75 
 1.70 
 1.58 
 1.46 

Diluted 
Earnings 

$  1.66   
 2.02   
 1.66   
 1.18   
 0.63   
 0.67   
 (3.94)  
 1.99   
 2.13   
 2.77   

Common 
Shares 

Outstanding     
 824,046,952    $
 855,305,745     
 882,152,057   
 919,804,436     
 796,272,522     
 795,068,164     
 577,386,612     
 532,671,925     
 556,252,674     
 555,623,430     

Common 
Stock  
 2,051   
 2,051   
 2,051   
 2,051   
 1,779   
 1,779   
 1,295   
 1,295   
 1,295   
 1,295   

Preferred 
Stock  
 1,331   
 1,034   
 398   
 398   
 3,654   
 3,609   
 4,241   
 9   
 9   
 9   

Capital 
Surplus  
 2,646   
 2,561   
 2,758   
 2,792   
 1,715   
 1,743   
 848   
 1,779   
 1,812   
 1,827   

Retained 
Earnings 
 11,141  
 10,156  
 8,768  
 7,554  
 6,719  
 6,326  
 5,824  
 8,413  
 8,317  
 8,007  

Year 
2014   
2013   
2012   
2011   
2010   
2009   
2008   
2007   
2006   
2005   

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income  
 429   
 82   
 375   
 470   
 314   
 241   
 98   
 (126)  
 (179)  
 (413)  

$

Treasury 
Stock  
 (1,972)  
 (1,295)  
 (634)  
 (64)  
 (130)  
 (201)  
 (229)  
 (2,209)  
 (1,232)  
 (1,279)  

Total  
 15,626   
 14,589   
 13,716   
 13,201   
 14,051   
 13,497   
 12,077   
 9,161   
 10,022   
 9,446   

$

Book Value 
Per Share 
 17.35   
 15.85   
 15.10   
 13.92   
 13.06   
 12.44   
 13.57   
 17.18   
 18.00   
 16.98   

Allowance for 
Loan and 
Lease Losses 

 1,322  
 1,582  
 1,854  
 2,255  
 3,004  
 3,749  
 2,787  
 937  
 771  
 744  

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks are combined in other short-term investments in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

(a)
(b) Adjusted for accounting guidance related to the calculation of earnings per share, which was adopted retroactively on January 1, 2009.  

187  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
     
    
    
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
     
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
    
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 

Michael B. McCallister 
Retired Chairman & CEO 
Humana Inc.  

Hendrik G. Meijer 
Co-Chairman, Director 
& CEO 
Meijer, Inc. 

DIRECTORS EMERITI(cid:3)(cid:3)
Darryl F. Allen 
John F. Barrett 
J. Kenneth Blackwell 
Milton C. Boesel, Jr. 
Douglas G. Cowan 
Thomas L. Dahl 
Ronald A. Dauwe 
Gerald V. Dirvin 
Thomas B. Donnell 
Richard T. Farmer 
John D. Geary 
Ivan W. Gorr 
Joseph H. Head, Jr. 
Allen M. Hill 
William M. Isaac 
William J. Keating 
Jerry L. Kirby 
Robert L. Koch II 
Kenneth W. Lowe 
Robert B. Morgan 
Michael H. Norris 
David E. Reese 
James E. Rogers 
George A. Schaefer, Jr. 
John J. Schiff, Jr. 
Donald B. Shackelford 
David B. Sharrock 
Stephen Stranahan 
Dudley S. Taft 
Alton C. Wendzel 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
OFFICERS
Kevin T. Kabat 
Vice Chairman & CEO 

Greg D. Carmichael 
President &  
Chief Operating Officer 

Chad M. Borton 
Executive Vice President  

Frank R. Forrest 
Executive Vice President &  
Chief Risk Officer 

Mark D. Hazel
Senior Vice President & 
Controller 

Gregory L. Kosch
Executive Vice President 

James C. Leonard 
Senior Vice President & 
Treasurer 

Philip R. McHugh 
Executive Vice President 

Daniel T. Poston 
Executive Vice President &  
Chief Strategy and 
Administrative Officer 

Joseph R. Robinson 
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Information Officer  

Robert A. Sullivan 
Senior Executive(cid:3)Vice(cid:3)
President(cid:3)

Teresa J. Tanner 
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Human Resources 
Officer 

Mary E. Tuuk 
Executive Vice President of 
Corporate Services &  
Board Secretary 

Tayfun Tuzun 
Executive Vice President & 
Chief Financial Officer 

AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS  
Donald Abel, Jr. 
Steven Alonso 
David A. Call 
Hal Clemmer 

David Girodat 
Shawn Hagan 
Thomas Heiks 
Jerry Kelsheimer 
Robert W. LaClair 
Brian Lamb 
Ralph S. Michael III  
Jordan A. Miller, Jr. 
Thomas Partridge 
Robert A. Sullivan 
Thomas G. Welch, Jr. 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
BOARD COMMITTEES 
Finance Committee 
Gary R. Heminger, Chair   
Emerson L. Brumback 
James P. Hackett 
Kevin T. Kabat 
Marsha C. Williams  

Audit Committee 
Emerson L. Brumback, Chair 
Nicholas K. Akins 
Jewell D. Hoover 
Michael B. McCallister 

Human Capital and 
Compensation Committee 
Marsha C. Williams, Chair 
Nicholas K. Akins 
Gary R. Heminger 
Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph. D. 
Hendrik G. Meijer 

Nominating and Corporate 
Governance Committee 
Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr.,  
Chair 
B. Evan Bayh III 
Gary R. Heminger 
Hendrik G. Meijer 

Risk and Compliance 
Committee
Jewell D. Hoover, Chair 
B. Evan Bayh III 
Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph. D. 
Hendrik G. Meijer 
Marsha C. Williams  

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP 
DIRECTORS
James P. Hackett, Chairman 
Vice Chair, Board of 
Directors 
Steelcase, Inc. 

Marsha C. Williams, Lead 
Director 
Retired Senior Vice President 
& Chief Financial Officer  
Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. 

Nicholas K. Akins 
President & CEO 
American Electric Power 
Company

B. Evan Bayh III 
Partner 
McGuireWoods LLP  

Katherine B. Blackburn 
Executive Vice President 
Cincinnati Bengals 

Ulysses L. Bridgeman, Jr. 
President 
B.F. Companies 

Emerson L. Brumback 
Retired President & COO 
M&T Bank 

Gary R. Heminger 
President, CEO & Director 
Marathon Petroleum 
Corporation

Jewell D. Hoover 
Principal & Bank Consultant 
Hoover and Associates, LLC 

Kevin T. Kabat 
Vice Chairman & CEO 
Fifth Third Bancorp 

Mitchel D. Livingston, Ph.D. 
Retired Vice President for 
Student Affairs 
& Chief Diversity Officer  
University of Cincinnati 

(cid:3)

188  Fifth Third Bancorp 

 
 
Financial Highlights 2014

 For the years ended December 31

$ in millions, except per share data 

2014 

2013 

2012 

EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS 

Net income attributable to Bancorp 

$ 

 1,481  

$ 

 1,836  

$ 

 1,576  

Common dividends declared 

Preferred dividends declared 

PER COMMON SHARE

Earnings 

$ 

Diluted earnings 

Cash dividends 

Book value per share 

AT YEAR-END 

 427  

 67  

 1.68  

 1.66  

 0.51  

 17.35  

 407  

 37  

$ 

 2.05  

$ 

 2.02  

 0.47  

 15.85  

 325  

 35  

 1.69 

 1.66 

 0.36 

 15.10 

Total Assets 

$   138,706  

$  130,443  

$   121,894 

Total Loans and Leases (incl. held-for-sale) 

Bancorp Shareholders’ Equity 

Deposits 

KEY RATIOS

Net Interest Margin (FTE) 

Efficiency Ratio (FTE) 
Tier 1 Common Ratio* 

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio 

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 

ACTUALS 

 91,345  

 101,712  

 15,626  

3.10% 

61.1% 

9.65% 

10.83% 

14.33% 

 89,558  

 99,275  

 14,589  

3.32% 

58.2% 

9.45% 

10.43% 

14.17% 

 88,721 

 89,517

 13,716

3.55% 

61.7% 

9.54% 

10.69% 

14.47% 

Common Shares Outstanding (000’s) 

   824,047  

   855,306  

  882,152 

Banking Centers 

ATMs 

Full-Time Equivalent Employees 

 1,302  

 2,638  

 18,351  

 1,320  

 2,586  

 19,446  

1,325 

2,415 

20,798 

* Non-GAAP measure. For further information, see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of MD&A.

2014 

Stock Performance 

Fourth Quarter 

Third Quarter 

Second Quarter 

High 

$20.82  

$21.79  

$23.41  

Low 

$17.65  

$19.45  

$19.82  

First Quarter 

$23.90  

$20.37  

Dividends 
Declared 
Per Share 

$0.13 

$0.13 

$0.13 

$0.12 

2013 

Low 

$17.49 

$17.80 

$15.62 

$15.19 

Dividends 
Declared 
Per Share

$0.12

$0.12

$0.12

$0.11

 High 

$21.14  

$19.79  

$18.74  

$16.77  

Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.”

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

TRANSFER AGENT

Corporate Address

Investor Relations  

American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC. 

38 Fountain Square Plaza 
Cincinnati, OH 45263

Website: www.53.com 

(For Inquiries of Shareholders Only)

For Correspondence: 

38 Fountain Square Plaza, MD 1090QC 

Cincinnati, OH 45263

6201 15th Ave 

Website: www.amstock.com 

Brooklyn, NY 11219 

Telephone: 1-888-294-8285

Telephone: 1-800-972-3030

e-mail: ir@53.com 

For Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock 

Telephone: 1-866-670-0468

Purchase Plan Transaction Processing: 

P.O. Box 922 

Wall Street Station 

New York, NY 10269-0560

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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