History of Fifth Third Bank in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 26, 2026

Fifth Third Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the parent company of Fifth Third Bank. Operating over a thousand branches and numerous ATMs across twelve states, it ranks among the largest banks in the U.S. and is listed on the Fortune 500. The bank's name originates from the merger of Fifth National Bank and Third National Bank in 1908.

June 1, 1908: Third National Bank and Fifth National Bank Merger

On June 1, 1908, Third National Bank and Fifth National Bank officially merged to form the Fifth-Third National Bank of Cincinnati.

1908: Fifth National Bank and Third National Bank Merged

In 1908, Fifth National Bank and Third National Bank merged, leading to the creation of Fifth Third Bank.

March 24, 1969: Name Change to Fifth Third Bank

On March 24, 1969, the bank's name was changed to Fifth Third Bank.

1999: Acquisition of Emerald Financial

In 1999, Fifth Third Bank acquired Emerald Financial for $204 million.

November 2008: Treasury Investment via TARP

In November 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury invested $3.4 billion in Fifth Third as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

2009: Spin-off of Fifth Third Processing Solutions

In 2009, Fifth Third completed the corporate spin-off of Fifth Third Processing Solutions.

February 2011: Repurchase of Treasury Investment

In February 2011, Fifth Third repurchased the $3.4 billion investment from the U.S. Treasury.

2012: Acquisition by Worldpay, Inc.

In 2012, Fifth Third Processing Solutions, which was previously spun-off by Fifth Third, was acquired by Worldpay, Inc.

September 2015: $18 Million Settlement for Lending Discrimination

In September 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced an $18 million settlement to resolve allegations that Fifth Third Bank discriminated against African–American and Hispanic borrowers in its indirect auto lending business.

December 2016: Lawsuit for Telemarketing Law Violations

In December 2016, small business owners sued Fifth Third, along with Vantiv and National Processing Company, for violating telemarketing laws.

May 2018: Acquisition of MB Financial

In May 2018, Fifth Third acquired MB Financial in a transaction valued at $4.7 billion.

March 9, 2020: CFPB Charges for Illegal Cross-Selling

On March 9, 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) charged Fifth Third with illegal cross-selling practices.

August 2020: Partnership with Trust & Will

In August 2020, Fifth Third Bank partnered with Trust & Will.

May 2022: Acquisition of Dividend Finance

In May 2022, Fifth Third acquired Dividend Finance, a San Francisco–based residential solar power lender.

August 4, 2022: $50 Million Settlement Finalized

On August 4, 2022, a $50 million settlement was finalized in the telemarketing lawsuit against Fifth Third, Vantiv, and National Processing Company.

April 27, 2023: Jury Ruling on Early Access Loan Program

On April 27, 2023, a jury ruled that Fifth Third breached its Early Access loan program, but customers were not awarded damages.

May 2023: Acquisition of Rize Money and Big Data Healthcare

In May 2023, Fifth Third acquired both Rize Money and Big Data Healthcare.

September 14, 2023: Settlement with MB Financial Shareholders

On September 14, 2023, Fifth Third settled a class action suit with former MB Financial shareholders for $5.5 million.

March 8, 2024: Lawsuit Filed Against Dividend Finance

On March 8, 2024, the Minnesota Attorney General filed suit against Fifth Third subsidiary Dividend Finance and other lending companies for allegedly charging Minnesotans $35 million in hidden fees on loans for residential solar panels.

2024: Resolution of Cross-Selling Suit

In 2024, the cross-selling suit with the CFPB was resolved, with Fifth Third paying $20 million and taking remedial actions.

October 6, 2025: Agreement to Acquire Comerica Bank

On October 6, 2025, Fifth Third announced a definitive agreement to acquire Comerica Bank for $10.9 billion in an all-stock deal.

October 2025: Agreement to Purchase Comerica Bank

In October 2025, Fifth Third announced an agreement to purchase Comerica Bank for $10.9 billion, a deal that would make it the largest U.S. bank deal of the year.

December 2025: Expected Branch Closures Following Acquisition

In December 2025, it was reported that 30 Fifth Third locations, primarily in Michigan, are expected to close in 2026 if the Comerica acquisition is completed.