Fifth Third to Acquire Comerica
Merger Delivers Compelling Value to Shareholders
This transaction brings together two long-tenured banking franchises to create the 9th largest
The acquisition is a strategic acceleration of Fifth Third’s long-term growth plan, enhancing scale, profitability, and geographic reach. The combination of Fifth Third’s award-winning retail banking and digital capabilities with Comerica’s strong middle market banking franchise and attractive footprint further strengthens Fifth Third’s position in high-growth markets. The combined entity will operate in 17 of the 20 fastest-growing markets in the country, including key regions in the Southeast,
“This combination marks a pivotal moment for Fifth Third as we accelerate our strategy to build density in high-growth markets and deepen our commercial capabilities,” said Tim Spence, Chairman, CEO and President of Fifth Third Bank. “Comerica’s strong middle market franchise and complementary footprint make this a natural fit. Together, we are creating a stronger, more diversified bank that is well-positioned to deliver value for our shareholders, customers, and communities – starting today, and over the long-term.”
“Our unique approach to relationship banking has served our customers for nearly two centuries,” said Curt Farmer, Chairman, President and CEO of Comerica. “Joining with Fifth Third – with its strengths in retail, payments and digital – allows us to build on our leading commercial franchise and further serve our customers with enhanced capabilities across more markets, while staying true to our core values. I am confident that we will be better together, and our customers, shareholders and communities will benefit.”
To ensure business and client continuity, leadership will include representation from both organizations. Farmer will assume the role of Vice Chair and Peter Sefzik, Comerica’s chief banking officer, will lead Fifth Third’s Wealth & Asset Management business. Three members of Comerica’s Board will join Fifth Third’s Board of Directors following the transaction close. Farmer will also join Fifth Third’s Board of Directors upon retirement. The transaction is anticipated to close at the end of the first quarter of 2026. The transaction is subject to shareholder approvals for both Fifth Third and Comerica, customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
“Our disciplined approach to M&A is grounded in the belief that anything we do must be strategic, make financial sense, and expand the reach of our industry-leading products and services – and this combination checks every box,” Spence continued. “We’re thrilled to build our future with a franchise we have long admired.”
Investor Call
Fifth Third will hold a live investor presentation call on October 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM ET. The conference call will be accessible through live webcast via Fifth Third’s Investor Relations website at www.53.com (click on “About Us” and 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.
Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Fifth Third and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as legal advisor.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as lead financial advisor to Comerica and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company, also served as financial advisor to Comerica.
About Fifth Third
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
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. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.
About Comerica
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the
Comerica Incorporated’s (“Comerica”) and Fifth Third Bancorp’s (“Fifth Third”) actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause Comerica’s and Fifth Third’s actual results, financial condition and predictions to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include, in addition to those set forth in our and Fifth Third’s filings with the
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
Fifth Third intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of Fifth Third common stock that will be issued to Comerica stockholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. The registration statement will include a joint proxy statement of Comerica and Fifth Third that also constitutes a prospectus of Fifth Third. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of Comerica and shareholders of Fifth Third in connection with the proposed Transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COMERICA, FIFTH THIRD, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Comerica or Fifth Third through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov or by contacting the investor relations department of Comerica or Fifth Third at:
Comerica Inc. |
Fifth Third Bancorp |
Comerica Bank Tower 1717 Main Street, MC 6404 |
38 Fountain Square Plaza MD 1090FV |
|
|
Attention: Investor Relations |
Attention: Investor Relations |
(833) 571-0486 |
(866) 670-0468 |
Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of Comerica and Fifth Third are urged to read carefully the entire registration statement and joint proxy statement/prospectus when they become available, including any amendments thereto, because they will contain important information about the proposed Transaction. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
Comerica, Fifth Third and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Comerica and shareholders of Fifth Third in connection with the Transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of each of Comerica and Fifth Third is set forth in (i) Comerica’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including under the headings entitled “Information about Nominees and Other Directors”, “Director Independence”, “Transactions with Related Persons”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, “Compensation of Directors”, “Proposal 3 Submitted for your Vote – Non-Binding, Advisory Proposal Approving Executive Compensation”, “Pay Versus Performance”, “Pay Ratio Disclosure” and “Security Ownership of Management”, which was filed with the SEC on March 17, 2025 and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000028412/000002841225000135/cma-20250313.htm, and (ii) Fifth Third’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including under the headings entitled “Board of Directors Compensation”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Human Capital and Compensation Committee Report”, “Compensation of Named Executive Officers”, “CEO Pay Ratio”, “Pay vs Performance”, “Company Proposal No. 2: Advisory Vote on Compensation of Named Executive Officers (Item 3 on Proxy Card)” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, which was filed with the SEC on March 4, 2025 and is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000035527/000119312525045653/d901598ddef14a.htm. To the extent holdings of each of Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s securities by its directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC, which are available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=35527&owner=exclude, and at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=28412&owner=exclude.
Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov.
NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Category: Other
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Fifth Third
Jennifer Hendricks Sullivan (Media Relations) - jennifer.hendricks.sullivan@53.com
Matt Curoe (Investor Relations) - matt.curoe@53.com | 513-534-2345
Comerica
Nicole Hogan (Media Relations) - nihogan@comerica.com | 214-425-6342
Kelly Gage (Investor Relations) - kgage@comerica.com | 469-827-3322
Source: Fifth Third Bancorp