Comerica (NYSE: CMA) plans merger with Fifth Third Bancorp unit

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Comerica Incorporated has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Fifth Third Bancorp. Comerica will merge with Fifth Third Financial Corporation, a wholly owned Fifth Third subsidiary, with Fifth Third Financial Corporation surviving. Immediately afterward, Comerica Holdings Incorporated will also merge into Fifth Third Financial Corporation, which will remain the surviving corporation.

Fifth Third plans to file a Form S-4 registration statement to register shares of its common stock that will be issued to Comerica stockholders, and a joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to Comerica stockholders and Fifth Third shareholders for voting on the transaction. The filing highlights numerous risks, including the possibility that expected cost savings and synergies are not fully realized, required regulatory and stockholder approvals or other closing conditions are not obtained, integration proves more difficult or costly than expected, reputational impacts, and dilution from Fifth Third issuing additional common shares in connection with the merger.

Insights

Bank M&A analyst

Comerica agrees to merge into a Fifth Third subsidiary, pending approvals and S-4 registration.

The filing describes a definitive agreement under which Comerica Incorporated will merge with Fifth Third Financial Corporation, a wholly owned unit of Fifth Third Bancorp, with that entity surviving. Immediately afterward, Comerica Holdings Incorporated will also merge into the same surviving corporation. This structure effectively places Comerica under Fifth Third’s corporate umbrella, subject to the terms and conditions in the merger agreement.

The document notes that Fifth Third plans to file a Form S-4 to register the Fifth Third common shares to be issued to Comerica stockholders, and that a joint proxy statement/prospectus will go to both Comerica stockholders and Fifth Third shareholders for their votes. Completion depends on regulatory, stockholder and other approvals, and the filing lists extensive risk factors, including the chance that cost savings and synergies are delayed or not realized, that integration is more difficult or costly than expected, and that dilution results from Fifth Third issuing additional common shares for the transaction.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

COMERICA INC false 0000028412 0000028412 2025-10-06 2025-10-06 0000028412 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2025-10-06 2025-10-06 0000028412 us-gaap:SeriesBPreferredStockMember 2025-10-06 2025-10-06

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 6, 2025

COMERICA INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		1-10706		38-1998421
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

Comerica Bank Tower

1717 Main Street, MC 6404

Dallas, Texas 75201

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

(833) 571-0486

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☒ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $5 par value		CMA		New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 6.875% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B		CMA PrB		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

On October 6, 2025, Comerica Incorporated and Fifth Third Bancorp issued a joint press release announcing the execution of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) Comerica Incorporated will merge with Fifth Third Financial Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp, with Fifth Third Financial Corporation as the surviving corporation in the merger and (ii) immediately thereafter, Comerica Holdings Incorporated will merge with and into Fifth Third Financial Corporation, with Fifth Third Financial Corporation as the surviving corporation in the merger.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(d) Exhibits

99.1		Joint Press Release of Comerica Incorporated and Fifth Third Bancorp, dated October 6, 2025.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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 U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “could,” “deliver,” “drive,” “enhance,” “estimate,” “expect,” “focus,” “future,” “goal,” “grow,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “position,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “trajectory,” “trend,” “will,” “would,” and other similar words and expressions or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our business strategy, goals and objectives, projected financial and operating results, including outlook for future growth, and future common share dividends, common share repurchases and other uses of capital. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent our beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): (1) the risk that the cost savings and synergies from the merger of Comerica with Fifth Third (the “Transaction”) may not be fully realized or may take longer than anticipated to be realized; (2) the failure of the closing conditions in the merger

agreement between Comerica and Fifth Third providing for the Transaction to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the Transaction or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances, including the impact and timing of any government shutdown, that could delay the Transaction or could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (3) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings or governmental inquiries or investigations that may be currently pending or later instituted against Comerica, Fifth Third or the combined company; (4) the possibility that the Transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, stockholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed Transaction); (5) the risk that the benefits from the Transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Comerica and Fifth Third operate; (6) disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; (7) the costs associated with the anticipated length of time of the pendency of the Transaction, including the restrictions contained in the definitive merger agreement on the ability of Comerica or Fifth Third to operate its business outside the ordinary course during the pendency of the Transaction; (8) risks related to management and oversight of the expanded business and operations of the combined company following the closing of the proposed Transaction; (9) the risk that the integration of each party’s operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party’s businesses into the other’s businesses; (10) the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (11) reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of Comerica or Fifth Third customers, employees, vendors, contractors or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; (12) the dilution caused by Fifth Third’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the Transaction; (13) a material adverse change in the condition of Comerica or Fifth Third; (14) the extent to which Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s businesses perform consistent with management’s expectations; (15) Comerica’s and Fifth Third’s ability to take advantage of growth opportunities and implement targeted initiatives in the timeframe and on the terms currently expected; (16) the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; (17) the execution and efficacy of recent strategic investments; (18) the timing and impact of Comerica’s Direct Express transition; (19) the impact of macroeconomic factors, such as changes in general economic conditions and monetary and fiscal policy, particularly on interest rates; (20) changes in customer behavior; (21) unfavorable developments concerning credit quality; (22) declines in the businesses or industries of Comerica’s or Fifth Third’s customers; (23) the possibility that the combined company is subject to additional regulatory requirements as a result of the proposed Transaction of expansion of the combined company’s business operations following the proposed Transaction; (24) general competitive, political and market conditions and other factors that may affect future results of Comerica and Fifth Third including changes in asset quality and credit risk; (25) security risks, including cybersecurity and data privacy risks, and capital markets; (26) inflation; (27) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (28) capital management activities; (29) competitive product and pricing pressures; (30) the outcomes of legal and regulatory proceedings and

related financial services industry matters; and (31) compliance with regulatory requirements. Any forward-looking statement made in this communication is based solely on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Comerica’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at: https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000028412/000002841225000108/cma-20241231.htm), and in Fifth Third’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at:

https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000035527/000003552725000079/fitb-20241231.htm), as well as Comerica’s and Fifth Third’s subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Comerica and Fifth Third disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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

Dallas, TX 75201		Cincinnati, OH 45263
Attention: Investor Relations		Attention: Investor Relations
InvestorRelations@comerica.com (833) 571-0486		IR@53.com (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.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

				COMERICA INCORPORATED
Date: October 6, 2025						/s/ Von E. Hays
						Von E. Hays
						Senior Executive Vice President and
						Chief Legal Officer

FAQ

What did Comerica (CMA) announce in this Form 8-K?

Comerica disclosed that it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Fifth Third Bancorp under which Comerica will merge with Fifth Third Financial Corporation, a wholly owned Fifth Third subsidiary, followed by a merger of Comerica Holdings Incorporated into the same surviving corporation.

How is the Comerica and Fifth Third merger structured?

First, Comerica Incorporated will merge with Fifth Third Financial Corporation, which will be the surviving corporation. Immediately afterward, Comerica Holdings Incorporated will merge with and into Fifth Third Financial Corporation, which will continue as the surviving entity.

What will Comerica stockholders receive in the merger with Fifth Third?

Fifth Third intends to file a Form S-4 to register shares of its common stock that will be issued to Comerica stockholders in connection with the transaction, with full terms to be described in the joint proxy statement/prospectus included in that filing.

What approvals are required for the Comerica–Fifth Third transaction?

The transaction is subject to various closing conditions, including required regulatory, stockholder and other approvals, and the filing notes that failure to obtain or satisfy these approvals and conditions could prevent or delay closing.

What key risks does Comerica highlight regarding the Fifth Third merger?

The filing cites risks such as cost savings and synergies not being fully realized or taking longer than expected, potential delays or failure to close if conditions are not met, integration challenges and higher-than-expected costs, possible reputational impacts, and dilution from Fifth Third’s issuance of additional common shares in connection with the transaction.

What documents should Comerica and Fifth Third investors read about this merger?

Investors are urged to read the Form S-4 registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus when they become available, as well as other documents filed with the SEC by Comerica and Fifth Third, because they will contain important information about the companies and the transaction.