CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB):

Fifth Third delivered another year of strong and consistent performance in 2024. In the fourth quarter, we achieved growth in loans, deposits, and fees, while also expanding our net interest margin and maintaining expense discipline.

The consistent investment and execution of our strategic growth priorities continues to yield strong results. In the fourth quarter, our total consumer households surpassed 2.5 million, and we opened 21 new branches in high-growth markets. Both wealth and asset management and capital markets experienced double digit revenue growth compared to the year-ago quarter. Additionally, commercial payments revenue grew 7% and continues to add new payments-led relationships.

During 2024, our strong profitability allowed us to return $1.6 billion of capital to our shareholders while increasing our capital ratios.

The risks we face are well-understood and well-contained. Our balance sheet was resilient in 2024 and is positioned to continue this strong performance in 2025 through a range of interest rate outcomes. We remain proactive in managing our credit risk. As we navigate these risks, we are committed to generating long-term, sustainable value for our shareholders as we adhere to our guiding principles of stability, profitability, and growth - in that order.

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ^®: FITB) today reported fourth quarter 2024 net income available to common shareholders of $582 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, compared to $532 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the prior quarter and $492 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Full year 2024 net income available to common shareholders was $2.2 billion, or $3.14 per diluted share, compared to 2023 full year net income available to common shareholders of $2.2 billion, or $3.22 per diluted share.

Compared to the prior quarter, NII increased $16 million, or 1%, primarily reflecting higher loan balances and decreased cost of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by lower loan yields due to the impact of market rates on floating rate loans. These same factors drove the 7 bps increase in NIM. NIM continues to be impacted by the decision to carry elevated liquidity given the environment, with average other short-term investments (including interest-bearing cash) of $18 billion in the current quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, NII increased $20 million, or 1%, and NIM increased 12 bps. This year-over-year improvement was due to the benefits from proactive deposit and wholesale funding management decreasing interest-bearing liabilities costs by 34 bps, which more than offset the combined impact of the 10 bps decrease in interest-earning assets yield and the $4.7 billion reduction in interest-earning assets.

Reported noninterest income increased $21 million, or 3%, from the prior quarter, and decreased $12 million, or 2%, from the year-ago quarter. The reported results reflect the impact of certain items in the table below, including the mark-to-market on the valuation of Visa total return swap and securities gains/losses which incorporate mark-to-market impacts from securities associated with non-qualified deferred compensation plans that are more than offset in noninterest expense.

Noninterest income excluding certain items increased $43 million, or 6%, compared to the prior quarter, and increased $41 million, or 5%, from the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, wealth and asset management revenue was flat, due to a decrease in brokerage fee revenue, offset by an increase in personal asset management revenue. Commercial payments revenue increased $1 million, or 1%, primarily driven by an increase in commercial deposit fees. Capital markets fees increased $12 million, or 11%, reflecting increases in syndication fees and M&A advisory fees. Commercial banking revenue increased $16 million, or 17%, primarily reflecting increases in lease syndication and remarketing. Mortgage banking net revenue increased $7 million, or 14%, primarily due to the negative MSR net valuation adjustments in the prior quarter not repeating in the fourth quarter. Other noninterest income results were driven by the recognition of tax receivable agreement revenue of $11 million in the current quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, wealth and asset management revenue increased $16 million, or 11%, primarily reflecting an increase in personal asset management revenue. Commercial payments revenue increased $10 million, or 7%, primarily driven by new customer acquisition, partially offset by a decrease in commercial card revenue. Consumer banking revenue increased $2 million, or 1%, primarily driven by an increase in card and processing revenue. Capital markets fees increased $17 million, or 16%, reflecting an increase in syndication fees, partially offset by a decrease in institutional brokerage revenue. Commercial banking revenue increased $8 million, or 8%, primarily reflecting an increase in lease syndication and remarketing, partially offset by the continued decrease in operating lease revenue. Mortgage banking net revenue decreased $9 million, or 14%, primarily reflecting decreases in servicing fees and origination fees and gains on loan sales. The decrease in other noninterest income was primarily attributable to lower tax receivable agreement revenue.

Reported noninterest expense decreased $18 million, or 1%, from the prior quarter, and decreased $229 million, or 16%, 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 decreased $7 million, or 1%, primarily reflecting a decrease in compensation and benefits expense, offset by an increase in net occupancy expense. Noninterest expense in the current quarter included a $7 million benefit related to the mark-to-market impact of non-qualified deferred compensation compared to a $10 million expense in the prior quarter, both of which were largely offset in net securities gains/losses through noninterest income.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, noninterest expense excluding certain items increased $7 million, or 1%, primarily reflecting increases in compensation and benefits expense as well as technology and communications expense, partially offset by a decrease in marketing expense. The year-ago quarter included a $13 million expense related to the mark-to-market impact of non-qualified deferred compensation, which was largely offset in net securities gains through noninterest income.

Compared to the prior quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases increased 1%. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases were stable, primarily reflecting increases in commercial mortgage loans and commercial leases, offset by a decrease in commercial construction loans. Average consumer portfolio loans increased 2%, primarily reflecting increases in indirect secured consumer loans, residential mortgage loans, and solar energy installation loans, partially offset by a decrease in other consumer loans.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases decreased 1%. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases decreased 3%, primarily reflecting a decrease in C&I loans. Average consumer portfolio loans increased 3%, primarily reflecting increases in indirect secured consumer loans, solar energy installation loans, and home equity balances, partially offset by decreases in other consumer loans and credit card balances.

Average securities (taxable and tax-exempt; amortized cost) of $57 billion in the current quarter were stable compared to the prior quarter and decreased 1% compared to the year-ago quarter. Average other short-term investments (including interest-bearing cash) of $18 billion in the current quarter decreased 16% compared to the prior quarter and decreased 15% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Period-end commercial portfolio loans and leases of $73 billion increased 3% compared to the prior quarter, primarily reflecting increases in C&I loans and commercial mortgage loans, partially offset by a decrease in commercial construction loans. Compared to the year-ago quarter, period-end commercial portfolio loans and leases increased 1%, primarily due to increases in commercial mortgage loans and commercial leases, partially offset by a decrease in C&I loans.

Period-end consumer portfolio loans of $46 billion increased 2% compared to the prior quarter, primarily reflecting increases in residential mortgage loans and indirect secured consumer loans. Compared to the year-ago quarter, period-end consumer portfolio loans increased 5%, primarily driven by increases in indirect secured consumer loans, residential mortgage loans, and solar energy installation loans, partially offset by a decrease in other consumer loans.

Total period-end securities (taxable and tax-exempt; amortized cost) of $57 billion in the current quarter were stable compared to the prior quarter and decreased 1% compared to the year-ago quarter. Period-end other short-term investments of approximately $17 billion decreased 21% compared to the prior quarter, and decreased 22% compared to the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, total average deposits were stable, primarily reflecting increases in interest checking balances and demand deposits, offset by a decline in CDs over $250,000 which consists primarily of retail brokered deposits. Average demand deposits represented 24% of total core deposits in the current quarter. Period-end total deposits decreased 1%.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, total average deposits decreased 1%, primarily due to decreases in demand deposits, the aforementioned decrease in retail brokered deposits, and savings balances, partially offset by increases in money market deposits and interest checking balances. Period-end total deposits decreased 1%.

The period-end portfolio loan-to-core deposit ratio was 73% in the current quarter, compared to 71% in the prior quarter and 72% in the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the prior quarter, average wholesale funding decreased 14%, primarily driven by decreases in long-term debt, FHLB advances, and CDs over $250,000. The decrease in CDs over $250,000 was primarily driven by a decrease in retail brokered deposits. The same items drove the 23% decrease from the year-ago quarter.

The provision for credit losses totaled $179 million in the current quarter. The ACL ratio was 2.08% of total portfolio loans and leases at quarter end, compared with 2.09% for the prior quarter end and 2.12% for the year-ago quarter end. In the current quarter, the ACL was 302% of nonperforming portfolio loans and leases and 291% of nonperforming portfolio assets.

Net charge-offs were $136 million in the current quarter, resulting in an NCO ratio of 0.46%. Compared to the prior quarter, net charge-offs decreased $6 million and the NCO ratio decreased 2 bps. Commercial net charge-offs were $57 million, resulting in a commercial NCO ratio of 0.32%, which decreased 8 bps compared to the prior quarter. Consumer net charge-offs were $79 million, resulting in a consumer NCO ratio of 0.68%, which increased 6 bps compared to the prior quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, net charge-offs increased $40 million and the NCO ratio increased 14 bps. The commercial NCO ratio increased 19 bps compared to the prior year, and the consumer NCO ratio increased 4 bps compared to the prior year.

Nonperforming portfolio loans and leases were $823 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPL ratio of 0.69%. Compared to the prior quarter, NPLs increased $137 million with the NPL ratio increasing 10 bps. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NPLs increased $174 million with the NPL ratio increasing 14 bps.

Nonperforming portfolio assets were $853 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPA ratio of 0.71%. Compared to the prior quarter, NPAs increased $128 million with the NPA ratio increasing 9 bps. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NPAs increased $165 million with the NPA ratio increasing 12 bps.

CET1 capital ratio of 10.51% decreased 24 bps sequentially due to loan growth during the quarter driving an increase in risk-weighted assets. During the fourth quarter of 2024, Fifth Third repurchased $300 million of its common stock, which reduced shares outstanding by approximately 6.7 million at quarter end.

Tax Rate

The effective tax rate for the quarter was 18.8% compared with 21.3% in the prior quarter and 18.4% in the year-ago quarter. The tax rate in the fourth quarter reflects a favorable adjustment of $15 million associated with statutes of limitations expiration.

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 (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 .

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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