Fifth Third Bancorp Reports Record Results Driven by Branch Expansion and Digital innovation
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Cincinnati,OH – Fifth Third Bancorp delivered record net interest income and positive operating leverage in the fourth quarter,fueled by strategic investments in both physical branches and digital tools,company executives announced Tuesday. The bank’s performance underscores a accomplished strategy of balancing traditional banking with cutting-edge technology.
The positive results reflect the bank’s commitment to key growth priorities, according to a statement from Fifth Third Chairman, CEO, and President tim Spence. The bank achieved 230 basis points of positive operating leverage,a key indicator of efficiency gains.
Expanding Footprint in High-Growth Markets
Fifth Third aggressively expanded its physical presence in 2025, adding 50 branches across high-growth markets in the Southeast. A critically important portion of this expansion occurred in the fourth quarter alone, with 27 new branches opening during that period, according to Fifth Third bancorp chief financial Officer Bryan Preston.
the expansion included notable milestones: the opening of the bank’s 200th branch in Florida and its 100th branch in the Carolinas. These de novo branches – newly established locations – are proving notably successful, delivering deposit growth 45% higher than comparable branches opened by peer institutions, Spence noted.
Digital Transformation drives Engagement
Alongside physical expansion, Fifth Third has prioritized digital transformation, resulting in increased customer engagement and streamlined services. Throughout 2025, the bank released over 400 updates to its mobile banking app, introducing features like direct deposit switching, a comprehensive financial wellness hub, and even free estate planning capabilities.
These investments translated into tangible gains in digital adoption. The number of average active digital users increased from 3.09 million to 3.19 million,while average active mobile users rose from 2.37 million to 2.49 million. Digital channels also played an increasing role in key processes: the share of digital-assisted mortgage applications climbed from 97% to 98%, and digital originations accounted for 31% of new consumer deposit accounts, up from 28% the previous year.
Merger with Comerica Poised to Accelerate Growth
Fifth Third anticipates continued momentum with the impending merger with Comerica. Having secured both regulatory and shareholder approvals, the bank expects the transaction to close on February 1.
The merger is expected to unlock significant synergies, including the opportunity to leverage fifth Third’s “Playbook” to expand Comerica’s retail banking business, particularly with the addition of 150 new branches in Texas. Furthermore, the combination of Comerica’s expertise in the technology and life sciences sectors with Fifth Third’s embedded finance platform, Newline, is projected to create “a differentiated innovation banking business,” Spence explained.
“Looking ahead, I am even more confident in our ability to realize the benefits of the combination, which will support continued peer-leading returns and efficiency in 2027 and beyond,” Spence stated, signaling a positive outlook for the combined entity.
Why: Fifth Third Bancorp reported record results due to a dual strategy of expanding its physical branch network and investing heavily in digital transformation.The impending merger with Comerica is expected to further accelerate growth and efficiency.
Who: Fifth Third Bancorp, led by Chairman, CEO, and President Tim Spence, and Chief Financial Officer Bryan Preston, are the key players. Comerica is the merging partner.
What: The bank achieved record net interest income and positive operating leverage in Q4 2025. They added 50 branches, primarily in the Southeast, and significantly enhanced their digital
