Fifth Third Announces Fourth Quarter 2019 Results

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB):

Key Highlights

• Record full year net income of $2.5 billion
• Generated $345 million pre-tax gain in 4Q19 from Worldpay tax receivable agreement (TRA) transaction with FIS
• 4Q19 net interest income, NIM, noninterest income, and expense performance in-line with or better than prior guidance
• Effectively managed interest-bearing core deposit costs better than prior guidance (down 19 bps vs. 3Q19), while continuing to grow core deposits (up 1% vs. 3Q19)
• Generated record capital markets revenue in 4Q19; full year revenue up 12%
• Several credit metrics impacted by conversion to national charter; excluding conversion, total NCO ratio up 1 bp from 3Q19 with consumer NCO ratio flat from 3Q19
• Remain on-track to achieve MB expense savings by the end of 1Q20 ($255 million pre-tax)
• Continue to realize desired MB employee and client outcomes

CEO Commentary

“Our fourth quarter and full year results were strong, reflecting the strength of our diversified revenue streams, our continued expense discipline, and our ability to achieve our targeted financial outcomes from the MB Financial acquisition. Net interest income, noninterest income, and noninterest expense were in-line with or better than our previous guidance. We generated very strong fee revenue, including a new record in capital markets. Additionally, our net interest income results continue to reflect our ability to successfully manage the balance sheet despite the lower rate environment, which led to better than expected NIM performance for the quarter. Also, we continued to diligently manage our expenses, reflecting our ongoing focus on generating efficiencies throughout the Bank while still investing in high priority areas to support revenue growth.”

“We also successfully completed a transaction with FIS that has addressed the future payments related to our TRA. Similar to all the strategic decisions over the past ten years related to this relationship, this agreement has created significant value for our shareholders. We have successfully recognized over $7 billion on a pre-tax basis for shareholders from all sources since the spin-off of our legacy processing business, with another $195 million in TRA cash flows beyond this quarter’s transaction yet to be monetized.”

“From a balance sheet perspective, our loan growth was consistent with our prior guidance, reflective of the generally subdued macroeconomic environment. Also, we again generated strong core deposit growth while also proactively reducing deposit costs more than our previous guidance.”

“We remain on-track to achieve the previously-stated expense and revenue synergy targets related to the MB Financial acquisition. We continue to be pleased with the low client and employee attrition levels.”

“Our clearly defined strategic growth priorities, proactive balance sheet management, and ongoing discipline throughout the Bank position us well for the future. We expect to build on our strong fourth quarter NIM performance and maintain our expense discipline in order to generate positive operating leverage this year while continuing to invest for long-term outperformance.”

-Greg D. Carmichael, Chairman, President and CEO

Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) today reported fourth quarter 2019 net income of $734 million compared to net income of $455 million in the year-ago quarter. Net income available to common shareholders was $701 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, compared to $432 million, or $0.64 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. Prior quarter net income was $549 million and net income available to common shareholders was $530 million, or $0.71 per diluted share.

Reported full year 2019 net income was $2.5 billion compared to full year 2018 net income of $2.2 billion. Full year 2019 net income available to common shareholders was $2.4 billion, or $3.33 per diluted share, compared to 2018 full year net income available to common shareholders of $2.1 billion, or $3.06 per diluted share.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, reported NII increased $147 million, or 14%. Excluding purchase accounting accretion of $18 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, adjusted NII increased $129 million, or 12%, reflecting an increase in interest-earning assets, including the impact from the MB Financial acquisition, partially offset by the declining rate environment. Compared to the year-ago quarter, reported NIM decreased 2 bps, or 7 bps excluding purchase accounting accretion.

Compared to the prior quarter, reported NII decreased $14 million, or 1%. Excluding purchase accounting accretion, adjusted NII decreased $4 million primarily reflecting lower short-term market rates, partially offset by growth in the indirect secured consumer portfolio (predominantly indirect automobile), as well as the favorable impact of previously executed cash flow hedges. Compared to the prior quarter, reported NIM decreased 5 bps. Excluding purchase accounting accretion, adjusted NIM decreased 3 bps, primarily reflecting lower short-term market rates, partially offset by the favorable impact of previously executed hedges, proactive management of deposit rates, and a decrease in other short-term investments.

Reported noninterest income increased $460 million, or 80%, from the year-ago quarter, and increased $295 million, or 40%, from the prior quarter. The reported results reflect the impact of certain items in the table below, in both the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, noninterest income excluding the items in the preceding table increased $124 million, or 21%. Compared to the prior quarter, noninterest income excluding the items in the preceding table decreased $22 million, or 3%.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, service charges on deposits increased $14 million, or 10%, driven by higher commercial deposit fees, partially offset by lower consumer deposit fees. Corporate banking revenue increased $23 million, or 18%, primarily driven by leasing business revenue resulting from the MB Financial acquisition, as well as an increase in corporate bond fees. Mortgage banking net revenue increased $19 million, or 35%, primarily driven by higher mortgage originations of $3.8 billion, an increase of 144%. Wealth and asset management revenue increased $20 million, or 18%, primarily driven by higher personal asset management revenue.

Compared to the prior quarter, service charges on deposits increased $6 million, or 4%, driven by higher consumer and commercial deposit fees. Corporate banking revenue decreased $15 million, or 9%, primarily driven by a decrease in leasing business revenue, partially offset by an increase in loan syndications revenue. Mortgage banking net revenue decreased $22 million, or 23%, primarily driven by a seasonally lower gain on sale margin partially offset by a 13% increase in origination volumes. Wealth and asset management revenue increased $5 million, or 4%, primarily driven by higher personal asset management revenue and brokerage fees.

Other noninterest income results on a reported basis in the current quarter were impacted by the gain recognized from the Worldpay TRA transaction. Current and previous quarters were also impacted by the Visa total return swap valuation adjustments. Excluding these items, other noninterest income of $126 million increased $40 million, or 47%, compared to the year-ago quarter, primarily driven by operating lease revenue from MB Financial. Compared to the prior quarter, other noninterest income excluding these item increased $4 million, or 3%, reflecting higher private equity investment income.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, reported noninterest expense increased $185 million, or 19%, impacted by the expenses associated with the MB Financial acquisition. Excluding the merger-related expenses, intangible amortization expense, and a $20 million contribution to the Fifth Third Foundation (included in other noninterest expense) in the current quarter, noninterest expense increased $170 million, or 18%, reflecting the operating expenses resulting from the MB Financial acquisition as well as continued technology investments.

Compared to the prior quarter, reported noninterest expense increased $1 million. Excluding the aforementioned merger-related expenses, intangible amortization expense, and contribution to the Fifth Third Foundation, noninterest expense was flat driven by investments in technology and offset by the continued benefits from the MB Financial expense synergies.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases increased 16%, reflecting the impact of the MB Financial acquisition. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases increased 19%, reflecting the impact of MB Financial as well as higher commercial mortgage and commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, partially offset by a decline in commercial leases. Average consumer portfolio loans increased 11%, reflecting the impact of MB Financial as well as growth in indirect secured consumer loans and other consumer loans.

Compared to the prior quarter, total average portfolio loans and leases were flat, as higher indirect secured consumer loans were partially offset by lower C&I loans and commercial leases. Average commercial portfolio loans and leases were flat, as higher commercial mortgage and construction loans were offset by lower C&I loans. Average consumer portfolio loans increased 1%, reflecting growth in indirect secured consumer loans (predominantly automobile) and other consumer loans, partially offset by a decline in home equity loans.

Period end commercial line utilization was 36%, consistent with both the year-ago quarter and prior quarter.

Average securities and other short-term investments were $38.3 billion compared to $35.7 billion in the year-ago quarter and $38.2 billion in the prior quarter. Average available-for-sale debt and other securities of $35.4 billion increased 6% compared to the year-ago quarter and increased 2% compared to the prior quarter.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, average core deposits increased 17%, reflecting the impact of the MB Financial acquisition. Average core deposit growth was primarily driven by an increase in interest checking, money market, and demand deposits. Average commercial transaction deposits increased 22% and average consumer transaction deposits increased 12%.

Compared to the prior quarter, average core deposits increased 1%, primarily driven by higher interest checking, demand, and money market deposits. Average demand deposits represented 29% of total core deposits in both the current and prior quarter. Average commercial transaction deposits increased 2%, and average consumer transaction deposits increased 1%.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, average wholesale funding increased 4% driven by growth in jumbo CD balances associated with the acquisition of MB Financial, as well as increased other short-term borrowings, partially offset by a decrease in federal funds borrowings. Compared to the prior quarter, average wholesale funding decreased 4%, reflecting the ability to fund the balance sheet through strong core deposit growth.

⁽¹⁾ Upon conversion of Fifth Third Bank to a national charter in the fourth quarter of 2019, Fifth Third changed its accounting policy to conform to Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) guidance regarding non-reaffirmed loans included in Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings to be accounted for as nonperforming troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and collateral dependent loans regardless of payment history and capacity to pay in the future. As a result of the change in accounting policy, TDRs increased $105 million, of which $83 million were transferred to NPL status. Due to the fact that the collateral dependent loans require the carrying value to be less than or equal to the appraised value less the cost to sell, Fifth Third also incurred a $10 million increase in charge-offs during the quarter, which resulted in a $9 million impact to provision for loan and lease losses. In addition, Fifth Third changed its accounting policy to conform to OCC guidance associated with branch-related real estate no longer intended to be used for banking purposes, which resulted in an increase in OREO of $30 million, with an offsetting reduction to bank premises and equipment.

Nonperforming portfolio loans and leases were $618 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPL ratio of 0.56%. NPLs included an $83 million unfavorable impact due to the aforementioned accounting policy change, or 7 bps to the NPL ratio. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NPLs increased $270 million with the NPL ratio increasing 19 bps. Compared to the prior quarter, NPLs increased $136 million with the NPL ratio increasing 12 bps.

Nonperforming portfolio assets were $680 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NPA ratio of 0.62%. NPAs included a $113 million unfavorable impact due to the aforementioned accounting policy changes, or 10 bps to the NPA ratio. Compared to the year-ago quarter, NPAs increased $285 million with the NPA ratio increasing 21 bps. Compared to the prior quarter, NPAs increased $161 million, or with the NPA ratio increasing 15 bps.

The provision for loan and lease losses totaled $172 million in the current quarter, which included a $9 million unfavorable impact due to the aforementioned accounting policy change. The provision for loan and lease losses increased $77 million compared to the year-ago quarter, and $45 million compared to the prior quarter. The allowance for loan and lease losses ratio represented 1.10% of total portfolio loans and leases outstanding in the current quarter, compared with 1.16% in the year-ago quarter and 1.04% in the prior quarter. The allowance for loan and lease losses represented 194% of nonperforming portfolio loans and leases in the current quarter. The allowance for loan and lease losses represented 177% of nonperforming portfolio assets in the current quarter.

Net charge-offs were $113 million in the current quarter, with the resulting NCO ratio of 0.41%. NCOs included a $10 million unfavorable impact due to the aforementioned accounting policy changes, or 4 bps to the NCO ratio. Compared to the year-ago quarter, net charge-offs increased $30 million and the NCO ratio increased 6 bps. Compared to the prior quarter, net charge-offs increased $14 million and the NCO ratio increased 5 bps.

Capital ratios remained strong during the quarter. The CET1 capital ratio was 9.75%, the tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 8.44% excluding AOCI, and 9.08% including AOCI. The Tier I risk-based capital ratio was 10.99%, the Total risk-based capital ratio was 13.84%, and the Tier I leverage ratio was 9.54%.

On October 25, 2019, Fifth Third initially settled a share repurchase agreement whereby Fifth Third would purchase $300 million of its outstanding stock. The initial settlement reduced third quarter common shares outstanding by 9.0 million shares. On December 17, 2019, Fifth Third settled the forward contract, which resulted in an additional 1.1 million shares repurchased in connection with the completion of this agreement.

Tax Rate

The effective tax rate was 22.0% compared with 22.4% in the year-ago quarter and 20.2% in the prior quarter.

Other

On December 27, 2019, Fifth Third Bancorp entered into a transaction with FIS and Worldpay which grants each of Fifth Third Bancorp and Worldpay the ability to terminate and settle certain cash flows payable under Fifth Third Bancorp’s Tax Receivable Agreement with Worldpay. Under the TRA transaction, Worldpay may be obligated to pay up to a total of approximately $366 million to Fifth Third Bancorp to terminate and settle certain remaining cash flows Fifth Third Bancorp expected to receive under the TRA in the years 2021 to 2035, totaling an estimated $720 million. If exercised, certain of the obligations would be settled with four quarterly payments beginning in April 2020, a second set of the obligations would be settled with four quarterly payments beginning in April 2022, and a third set of the obligations would be settled with four quarterly payments beginning in April 2023. Fifth Third Bancorp recognized a pre-tax gain and corresponding receivable of $345 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 associated with these options.

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 www.53.com (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. Additionally, a telephone replay of the conference call will be available after the conference call until approximately February 5, 2020 by dialing 800-585-8367 for domestic access or 404-537-3406 for international access (passcode 3389028#).

Corporate Profile

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered institution. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $169 billion in assets and operates 1,149 full-service Banking Centers, and 2,481 Fifth Third branded ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 53,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of December 31, 2019, had $413 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $49 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.”

Earnings Release End Notes

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. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance 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 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements we may make. 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 undertake no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.

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 systems; (14) losses related to fraud, theft 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) replacement of LIBOR; (24) weakness in the national or local economies; (25) global political and economic uncertainty or negative actions; (26) changes in interest rates; (27) changes and trends in capital markets; (28) fluctuation of Fifth Third’s stock price; (29) volatility in mortgage banking revenue; (30) litigation, investigations, and enforcement proceedings by governmental authorities; (31) breaches of contractual covenants, representations and warranties; (32) competition and changes in the financial services industry; (33) changing retail distribution strategies, customer preferences and behavior; (34) risks relating to Fifth Third’s ability to realize anticipated benefits of the merger with MB Financial, Inc.; (35) difficulties in identifying, acquiring or integrating suitable strategic partnerships, investments or acquisitions; (36) potential dilution from future acquisitions; (37) loss of income and/or difficulties encountered in the sale and separation of businesses, investments or other assets; (38) results of investments or acquired entities; (39) changes in accounting standards or interpretation or declines in the value of Fifth Third’s goodwill or other intangible assets; (40) inaccuracies or other failures from the use of models; (41) effects of critical accounting policies and judgments or the use of inaccurate estimates; (42) weather-related events or other natural disasters; and (43) the impact of reputational risk created by these or other developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity.

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.

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