Fifth Third Bancorp Reports First Quarter 2024 Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.70

Grew deposits year-over-year and further strengthened liquidity and capital positions

Reported results included a negative $0.06 impact from certain items on page 2 of the earnings release

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB):

Fifth Third’s financial results once again reflected balance sheet strength, well-managed deposit costs, disciplined credit risk management, and diversified revenue streams. Expenses remain well-controlled and were down slightly year-over-year when excluding certain items.

Our balance sheet positioning and deposit performance provide flexibility in managing through a range of uncertain economic and regulatory environments. Our credit metrics remain below historical levels, with net charge-offs for the quarter in line with our expectations.

We continue to prudently invest in our strategic priorities as highlighted by strong growth in our treasury management fees and wealth and asset management revenue. We also extended our track record of strong organic growth, adding net new households in consumer and new quality relationships in commercial.

While the economic and regulatory environments remain uncertain, we remain well positioned to respond to a range of potential outcomes. We will continue to follow our guiding principles of stability, profitability, and growth – in that order.

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ^®: FITB) today reported first quarter 2024 net income of $520 million compared to net income of $530 million in the prior quarter and $558 million in the year-ago quarter. Net income available to common shareholders in the current quarter was $480 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, compared to $492 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in the prior quarter and $535 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, NII decreased $33 million, or 2%, primarily reflecting lower average commercial loans, the continued impact of the deposit mix shift from demand to interest-bearing accounts, and the impact of lower day count, partially offset by the increased yields on new production of fixed rate consumer loans. Compared to the prior quarter, NIM increased 1 bp, primarily reflecting higher loan yields and the impact of day count, partially offset by the deposit mix shift. NIM results continue to be impacted by the decision to carry elevated liquidity given the environment, with the combination of cash and other short term investments exceeding $25 billion at quarter-end.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, NII decreased $132 million, or 9%, reflecting the impact of higher funding costs and deposit mix shift from demand to interest-bearing accounts, partially offset by higher loan yields. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NIM decreased 43 bps, reflecting the impact of higher market rates and their effects on deposit pricing and the decision to carry additional cash, partially offset by higher loan yields.

Reported noninterest income decreased $34 million, or 5%, from the prior quarter, and increased $14 million, or 2%, from the year-ago quarter. The reported results reflect the impact of certain items in the table below, including securities gains/losses which incorporate mark-to-market impacts from securities associated with non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

Noninterest income excluding certain items decreased $34 million, or 5%, from the prior quarter, and decreased $6 million, or 1%, from the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, service charges on deposits increased $5 million, or 3%, primarily reflecting an increase in commercial treasury management fees as well as consumer deposit fees. Commercial banking revenue decreased $20 million, or 12%, primarily reflecting decreases in institutional brokerage revenue and client financial risk management revenue, partially offset by an increase in loan syndication revenue and corporate bond fees. Mortgage banking net revenue decreased $12 million, or 18%, primarily reflecting decreases in MSR net valuation adjustments and origination fees and gains on loan sales, partially offset by a decrease in MSR asset decay. Wealth and asset management revenue increased $14 million, or 10%, primarily driven by seasonally strong tax-related private client service revenue and an increase in personal asset management revenue. Card and processing revenue decreased $4 million, or 4%, driven by a decrease in interchange revenue. Leasing business revenue decreased $7 million, or 15%, primarily reflecting lower lease remarketing revenue.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, service charges on deposits increased $14 million, or 10%, primarily reflecting an increase in commercial treasury management fees. Commercial banking revenue decreased $18 million, or 11%, primarily reflecting decreases in client financial risk management revenue, M&A advisory revenue, and loan syndication revenue, partially offset by an increase in corporate bond fees. Mortgage banking net revenue decreased $15 million, or 22%, primarily reflecting decreases in MSR net valuation adjustments and origination fees and gains on loan sales. Wealth and asset management revenue increased $15 million, or 10%, primarily reflecting increases in personal asset management revenue and brokerage fees. Card and processing revenue increased $2 million, or 2%, driven by higher interchange revenue. Leasing business revenue decreased $18 million, or 32%, reflecting decreases in operating lease revenue and lease remarketing revenue.

Reported noninterest expense decreased $113 million, or 8%, from the prior quarter, and increased $11 million, or 1%, from the year-ago quarter. The reported results reflect the impact of certain items in the table below.

Compared to the prior quarter, noninterest expense excluding certain items increased $93 million, or 8%, primarily reflecting a seasonal increase in compensation and benefits expense. Noninterest expense in the current quarter included a $15 million expense related to the impact of non-qualified deferred compensation mark-to-market compared to a $17 million expense in the prior quarter, both of which were largely offset in net securities gains through noninterest income.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, noninterest expense excluding certain items decreased $15 million, or 1%, primarily reflecting decreases in leasing business expense and other noninterest expense (excluding the aforementioned certain items), offset by increases in net occupancy expense and marketing expense. The year-ago quarter included a $12 million expense to noninterest expense related to non-qualified deferred compensation mark-to-market (which was largely offset in net securities gains through noninterest income).

Compared to the prior quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases decreased 1%, primarily reflecting a decrease in commercial and industrial (C&I) balances driven by lower demand from corporate borrowers, partially offset by an increase in solar energy installation loans. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases decreased 2%, reflecting a decrease in C&I loan balances. Average consumer portfolio loans were flat, primarily reflecting an increase in solar energy installation loan balances, offset by a decrease in residential mortgage loan balances.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases decreased 4%, reflecting decreases in both the commercial and consumer portfolios. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases decreased 6%, primarily reflecting a decrease in C&I loan balances, partially offset by increases in commercial construction loan balances and commercial mortgage loan balances. Average consumer portfolio loans decreased 2%, primarily reflecting decreases in indirect secured consumer loan balances and residential mortgage loan balances, partially offset by an increase in solar energy installation loan balances.

Average securities (taxable and tax-exempt; amortized cost) of $56 billion in the current quarter decreased 2% compared to the prior quarter and decreased 4% compared to the year-ago quarter. Average other short-term investments (including interest-bearing cash) of $21 billion in the current quarter decreased 1% compared to the prior quarter and increased 302% compared to the year-ago quarter.

On January 3, 2024, Fifth Third transferred $12.6 billion (amortized cost) of securities, with an unrealized loss of $994 million, from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. This transfer was in response to Fifth Third's decision to hold these securities to maturity in order to reduce potential capital volatility associated with investment security market price fluctuations.

Total period-end commercial portfolio loans and leases of $72 billion decreased 1% compared to the prior quarter, primarily reflecting a decrease in C&I loan balances, partially offset by an increase in commercial construction loan balances. Compared to the year-ago quarter, total period-end commercial portfolio loans decreased 7%, primarily reflecting a decrease in C&I loan balances, partially offset by an increase in commercial construction loan balances. Period-end commercial revolving line utilization was 36%, compared to 35% in the prior quarter and 37% in the year-ago quarter.

Period-end consumer portfolio loans of $45 billion were flat compared to the prior quarter, reflecting increases in indirect secured consumer loan balances and solar energy installation loan balances, partially offset by decreases in other consumer loan balances and credit card balances. Compared to the year-ago quarter, total period-end consumer portfolio loans decreased 2%, reflecting decreases in indirect secured consumer loan balances and other loan balances, partially offset by an increase in solar energy installation loan balances.

Total period-end securities (taxable and tax-exempt; amortized cost) of $56 billion in the current quarter decreased 2% compared to the prior quarter and decreased 2% compared to the year-ago quarter. Period-end other short-term investments of approximately $23 billion increased 3% compared to the prior quarter, and increased 133% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, total average deposits decreased 1%, primarily driven by a decline in demand account balances from commercial customer seasonal impacts, partially offset by increases in interest checking and money market balances. Average demand deposits represented 25% of total core deposits in the current quarter, compared to 26% in the prior quarter. Compared to the prior quarter, average consumer segment deposits decreased 1%, average commercial segment deposits were flat, and average wealth & asset management segment deposits were flat. Period-end total deposits were flat compared to the prior quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, total average deposits increased 5%, primarily reflecting increases in interest checking and money market balances, partially offset by decreases in demand account balances and savings balances. Period-end total deposits increased 4% compared to the year-ago quarter.

The period-end portfolio loan-to-core deposit ratio was 71% in the current quarter, compared to 72% in the prior quarter and 78% in the year-ago quarter. Estimated uninsured deposits were approximately $70 billion, or 41% of total deposits, as of quarter end.

Compared to the prior quarter, average wholesale funding decreased 5%, primarily reflecting decreases in long-term debt and FHLB advances. Compared to the year-ago quarter, average wholesale funding increased 4%, primarily reflecting an increase in long-term debt and CDs over $250,000, partially offset by a decrease in FHLB advances.

Nonperforming portfolio loans and leases were $708 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPL ratio of 0.61%. Compared to the prior quarter, NPLs increased $59 million with the NPL ratio increasing 6 bps. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NPLs increased $115 million with the NPL ratio increasing 13 bps.

Nonperforming portfolio assets were $743 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPA ratio of 0.64%. Compared to the prior quarter, NPAs increased $55 million with the NPA ratio increasing 5 bps. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NPAs increased $120 million with the NPA ratio increasing 13 bps.

The provision for credit losses totaled $94 million in the current quarter. The allowance for credit loss ratio represented 2.12% of total portfolio loans and leases at quarter end, compared with 2.12% for the prior quarter end and 1.99% for the year-ago quarter end. In the current quarter, the allowance for credit losses represented 349% of nonperforming portfolio loans and leases and 333% of nonperforming portfolio assets.

Net charge-offs were $110 million in the current quarter, resulting in an NCO ratio of 0.38%. Compared to the prior quarter, net charge-offs increased $14 million and the NCO ratio increased 6 bps. Commercial net charge-offs were $35 million, resulting in a commercial NCO ratio of 0.19%, which increased 6 bps compared to the prior quarter. Consumer net charge-offs were $75 million, resulting in a consumer NCO ratio of 0.67%, which increased 3 bps compared to the prior quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, net charge-offs increased $32 million and the NCO ratio increased 12 bps, reflecting a continued normalization from near-historically low net charge-offs in the year-ago quarter. The commercial NCO ratio increased 2 bps compared to the prior year, and the consumer NCO ratio increased 25 bps compared to the prior year.

The CET1 capital ratio was 10.44%, the Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.77% excluding AOCI, and 5.67% including AOCI. The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.75%, the Total risk-based capital ratio was 13.78%, and the Leverage ratio was 8.94%. Fifth Third did not execute share repurchases in the first quarter of 2024.

Tax Rate

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 21.1% compared with 18.4% in the prior quarter and 22.3% in the year-ago quarter.

Conference Call

Fifth Third will host a conference call to discuss these financial results at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. This conference call will be webcast live and may be accessed through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at www.53.com (click on “About Us” then “Investor Relations”). Those unable to listen to the live webcast may access a webcast replay through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at the same web address, which will be available for 30 days.

Corporate Profile

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

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.

Earnings Release End Notes

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, capital actions or business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “will likely result,” “may,” “are expected to,” “is anticipated,” “potential,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “projected,” “intends to,” or may include other similar words or phrases such as “believes,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” “remain,” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” or similar verbs. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risk factors set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as updated by our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (1) deteriorating credit quality; (2) loan concentration by location or industry of borrowers or collateral; (3) problems encountered by other financial institutions; (4) inadequate sources of funding or liquidity; (5) unfavorable actions of rating agencies; (6) inability to maintain or grow deposits; (7) limitations on the ability to receive dividends from subsidiaries; (8) cyber-security risks; (9) Fifth Third’s ability to secure confidential information and deliver products and services through the use of computer systems and telecommunications networks; (10) failures by third-party service providers; (11) inability to manage strategic initiatives and/or organizational changes; (12) inability to implement technology system enhancements; (13) failure of internal controls and other risk management programs; (14) losses related to fraud, theft, misappropriation or violence; (15) inability to attract and retain skilled personnel; (16) adverse impacts of government regulation; (17) governmental or regulatory changes or other actions; (18) failures to meet applicable capital requirements; (19) regulatory objections to Fifth Third’s capital plan; (20) regulation of Fifth Third’s derivatives activities; (21) deposit insurance premiums; (22) assessments for the orderly liquidation fund; (23) weakness in the national or local economies; (24) global political and economic uncertainty or negative actions; (25) changes in interest rates and the effects of inflation; (26) changes and trends in capital markets; (27) fluctuation of Fifth Third’s stock price; (28) volatility in mortgage banking revenue; (29) litigation, investigations, and enforcement proceedings by governmental authorities; (30) breaches of contractual covenants, representations and warranties; (31) competition and changes in the financial services industry; (32) potential impacts of the adoption of real-time payment networks; (33) changing retail distribution strategies, customer preferences and behavior; (34) difficulties in identifying, acquiring or integrating suitable strategic partnerships, investments or acquisitions; (35) potential dilution from future acquisitions; (36) loss of income and/or difficulties encountered in the sale and separation of businesses, investments or other assets; (37) results of investments or acquired entities; (38) changes in accounting standards or interpretation or declines in the value of Fifth Third’s goodwill or other intangible assets; (39) inaccuracies or other failures from the use of models; (40) effects of critical accounting policies and judgments or the use of inaccurate estimates; (41) weather-related events, other natural disasters, or health emergencies (including pandemics); (42) the impact of reputational risk created by these or other developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity; (43) changes in law or requirements imposed by Fifth Third’s regulators impacting our capital actions, including dividend payments and stock repurchases; and (44) Fifth Third's ability to meet its environmental and/or social targets, goals and commitments.

You should refer to our periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” for further information on other factors, which could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to us. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as may be required by law, and we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The information contained herein is intended to be reviewed in its totality, and any stipulations, conditions or provisos that apply to a given piece of information in one part of this press release should be read as applying mutatis mutandis to every other instance of such information appearing herein.

Category: Earnings

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