Fifth Third Bancorp Announces 2010 Net Income of $753 Million

CINCINNATI, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• 4Q10 net income of $333 million versus 3Q10 net income of $238 million, up 40 percent
  • 4Q10 net income available to common shareholders of $270 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, up 50 percent
  • Return on average assets 1.18 percent; return on average common equity 10.4 percent
  • Pre-provision net revenue (PPNR)* of $583 million; results included $21 million of investment portfolio securities gains and $17 million charge related to early extinguishment of debt
• Overall credit results reflect effects of 3Q credit actions; trends otherwise remained stable or improving
  • Net charge-offs of $356 million (1.86 percent of loans and leases) vs. 3Q10 NCOs of $956 million (3Q10 included $510 million on the sale or transfer of loans to held-for-sale and $446 million of losses on remaining loan portfolio)
  • Total NPAs of $2.5 billion including held-for-sale declined $313 million or 11 percent sequentially to lowest level since 2008  
  • NPA ratio of 2.79 percent down 143 bps, NPL ratio of 2.15 percent down 167 bps from 4Q09; nonperformers increased modestly on a sequential basis due to effect of 3Q10 actions on 4Q10 charge-offs of nonperforming loans (stable inflows but lower outflows)
  • NPL inflows remained stable sequentially at $467 million; down 43% from 4Q09
  • Total delinquencies (includes loans and leases 30-89 days past due and 90 days past due) declined 7 percent sequentially to lowest level since 1Q07
  • Sold (or received payments on) a majority of commercial loans transferred to held-for-sale in 3Q10
• Provision expense of $166 million
  • Loan loss allowance of 3.88 percent of loans, 138 percent of nonperforming assets and 179 percent of nonperforming loans and leases
• Period end loans and leases up $1.5 billion sequentially, or 2 percent; average loans and leases, including loans held-for-sale, up $294 million sequentially with growth in residential mortgage, auto, and C&I
• Strong capital ratios; exceed Basel III proposed standards
  • Tier 1 common ratio 7.50 percent, up 16 bps sequentially; Tier 1 ratio 13.94 percent, up 9 bps; Total capital ratio 18.14 percent, down 14 bps
  • Tangible common equity ratio of 7.04 percent excluding unrealized gains/losses; 7.30 percent including unrealized gains/losses
• Book value per share of $13.06; tangible book value per share of $9.94
• Extended $26 billion of new and renewed credit in the fourth quarter

* Pre-provision net revenue (PPNR): net interest income plus noninterest income minus noninterest expense.

Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) today reported full year 2010 net income of $753 million compared with net income of $737 million in 2009. 2010 net income available to common shareholders was $503 million or $0.63 per diluted share compared with 2009 net income of $511 million or $0.67 per diluted share. 2009 earnings benefited from a $1.1 billion after-tax gain on the processing business sale.

Fourth quarter 2010 net income was $333 million, compared with net income of $238 million in the third quarter and a net loss of $98 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. After preferred dividends, fourth quarter 2010 net income available to common shareholders was $270 million or $0.33 per diluted share, compared with third quarter net income of $175 million or $0.22 per diluted share, and a net loss of $160 million or $0.20 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Fourth quarter 2010 results included a $17 million charge related to the early extinguishment of $1.0 billion in FHLB borrowings and $21 million of investment portfolio securities gains. Third quarter 2010 net income included a pre-tax benefit, net of expenses, of $127 million from the settlement of litigation related to a bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) policy. Third quarter 2010 results also included the effect of actions taken to reduce credit risk. During the third quarter, $228 million of residential mortgage loans, largely nonperforming, were sold for $105 million, generating $123 million of additional net charge-offs. Additionally, $961 million of commercial loans were transferred to held-for-sale, a majority of which were nonperforming, generating $387 million of additional net charge-offs to mark the loans to estimated sales price. These actions resulted in total net charge-offs of $510 million and a reduction in Fifth Third's allowance for loan and lease losses of approximately $337 million. Fourth quarter 2009 results included the benefit of a $20 million pre-tax mark-to-market adjustment on warrants related to the processing business sale, recorded in other noninterest income, and a $22 million pre-tax litigation reserve accrual recorded in other noninterest expense for litigation associated with bank card association membership.

Earnings Highlights

"This quarter's earnings results continued to reflect improvements across the board," said Kevin Kabat, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp. "Net income of $333 million increased 40 percent from last quarter and EPS increased 50 percent. Return on assets (ROA) was 1.18 percent and return on average common equity (ROE) was 10.4 percent. We expect these returns to be lower in the first quarter of 2011 due to seasonality and a higher effective tax rate, but we currently expect ROA to meet or exceed approximately 1 percent next quarter, with second quarter ROA similar to this quarter's levels. We expect returns on assets and equity to improve further in the longer term as a result of balance sheet growth, related efficiencies, lower credit costs, and a more robust economic environment.

Operating performance in the fourth quarter outpaced expectations, with pre-provision net revenue of $583 million. We saw a noticeable pick-up in loan production and loan balances increased $1.5 billion, the strongest organic growth we've seen in nearly three years. Low-cost deposit growth remained strong.

Credit trends continue to reflect underlying improvements. Net charge-offs dropped below 2 percent for the first time since 2Q08. Total nonperforming assets including loans held-for-sale declined 11 percent, as expected. Nonaccrual inflows continue to be at much lower levels than earlier in 2010 and in 2009 and that is expected to continue. Loan loss reserve coverage levels remain very strong, at 3.88 percent of loans, 179 percent of NPLs, and 138 percent of NPAs. We currently expect first quarter net charge-offs to be consistent with the fourth quarter, and for nonperforming assets and nonperforming loans to decline. We also expect provision expense to be lower than charge-offs and for reserve levels to continue to trend down, given our expectation of a stable to improving economic environment and credit trends.

Our capital levels are strong and we expect to readily meet and exceed proposed standards as they come into effect. We will manage our capital and its composition through an appropriate balancing of capital standards and our targets; our expectation that capital will continue to build through profitable results; and the distribution of capital to shareholders given our future capital generation and desired capital levels as well as regulatory expectations.

While the financial landscape and financial regulation continue to evolve, we believe our strengths in traditional lending and deposit-taking activities, and our strong customer service position us very well to compete and succeed in the future."

Income Statement Highlights

Net Interest Income

Net interest income of $919 million on a taxable equivalent basis increased $3 million from the third quarter of 2010. The net interest margin was 3.75 percent, an increase of 5 bps from 3.70 percent in the previous quarter. The increase in net interest income and net interest margin reflected ongoing CD repricing and deposit mix shift out of CDs, as well as higher average loan balances and continued deposit pricing discipline, particularly in savings rates. These positive effects were partially offset by the reduced interest income due to the refinancing of the FTPS, LLC loan, strong commercial loan originations to high quality credits with lower yields, and higher securities premium amortization expense due to increased prepayments as a result of the rate environment.

Compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, net interest income increased $36 million and the net interest margin increased 20 bps, largely the result of the mix shift from higher cost term deposits to lower cost deposit products throughout the year, which more than offset the effect of a $10 million, or 4 bps, reduction in purchase accounting accretion on acquired loans and lower loan balances.

Securities

Average securities and other short-term investments were $18.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with $19.3 billion in the previous quarter and $18.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009. The primary driver of the sequential decline was a $1.0 billion decrease in average short-term investments due to lower cash balances held at the Fed. During the quarter, we prepaid $1.0 billion in FHLB debt. Additionally, a portion of portfolio cash flows was reinvested in retail branch originated mortgages, generally with maturities of 20 years or less.

Loans

Average portfolio loan and lease balances were flat sequentially and declined 2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2010, FTPS, LLC refinanced its $1.25 billion loan related to the processing joint venture into a larger syndicated loan structure in connection with an acquisition. The impact of this refinancing reduced quarterly average portfolio loan and lease balances by $552 million. Period end loan and lease balances increased $1.5 billion, despite the effect of an $842 million reduction in the balances of our loans with FTPS, LLC.

Average commercial portfolio loan and lease balances declined 2 percent sequentially and 6 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. Commercial and industrial (C&I) average loans were flat sequentially, with strong originations during the quarter offset by the impact of the FTPS, LLC loan refinancing and the transfer of loans to held-for-sale at the end of the third quarter 2010. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, C&I average loans increased 2 percent. Year-over-year comparisons were affected by the addition of $724 million in C&I balances that were consolidated on January 1, 2010 due to an accounting change in U.S. GAAP. Average commercial mortgage and commercial construction loan balances declined by a combined 8 percent sequentially and 18 percent from the same period the previous year, reflecting low customer demand and tighter underwriting standards as well as the transfer of loans to loans held-for-sale at the end of the third quarter 2010. Commercial line usage, on an end of period basis for the fourth quarter, remained stable at 32.7 percent of committed lines versus 32.4 percent in the third quarter of 2010 and 32.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Commercial portfolio period end loan balances were up $522 million, or 1 percent, driven by growth in C&I balances, which increased $889 million, or 3 percent, despite the approximate $850 million effect of the refinancing of the FTPS, LLC loan. This increase was partially offset by lower commercial construction and commercial mortgage loans as those portfolios continue to experience run-off.

Average consumer portfolio loan and lease balances were up 2 percent sequentially and increased 4 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. Sequential comparisons were affected by the sale of $228 million of nonperforming residential mortgage loans at the end of the third quarter, but otherwise reflected growth in residential mortgage loans driven by increased originations and retention of loans in the portfolio. This growth was partially offset by lower home equity balances. Year-over-year growth in auto loans more than offset declines in home equity loans, consumer leases, and credit card balances. Mortgage growth included the effect of retaining approximately $890 million of mortgages, the majority of which were retail branch originated, initiated in the third quarter. Year-over-year comparisons were affected by $1.2 billion of securitized auto loans and $263 million of securitized home equity loans that were consolidated on January 1, 2010 due to the previously discussed accounting change.

Deposits

Average core deposits increased 2 percent sequentially and 6 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. Growth across all transaction deposit account categories offset sequential and year-over-year declines in consumer CDs. Average transaction deposits, excluding consumer time deposits, increased 5 percent from the third quarter of 2010 and 16 percent over the prior year quarter. Sequential growth was primarily driven by seasonally strong demand deposit account (DDA) and savings balances. Year-over-year performance was also due to growth in savings and DDA balances.

Retail average transaction deposits increased 4 percent sequentially and 14 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009 and reflected growth in DDA, savings, and checking account balances. Consumer CDs included in core deposits declined 17 percent sequentially and 35 percent year-over-year, reflecting maturities of higher priced CDs as well as current pricing strategies given our robust liquidity position.

Commercial average transaction deposits increased 5 percent sequentially and 18 percent from the previous year. Excluding public funds balances, commercial average transaction deposits increased 6 percent sequentially and 33 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009 driven by interest checking and DDA balances, reflecting excess customer liquidity. Average public funds balances were $5.1 billion, relatively flat sequentially and down $1.1 billion from the fourth quarter of 2009 due to ongoing pricing adjustments, which continue to reflect our excess liquidity position.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income of $656 million decreased $171 million, or 21 percent, sequentially and was consistent with results a year ago. The sequential decline was driven by the $152 million benefit in the prior quarter from the settlement of litigation associated with one of the Bancorp's BOLI policies as well as lower mortgage banking revenue, partially offset by growth in corporate banking revenue and securities gains. The year-over-year comparison reflected securities gains in the fourth quarter of 2010 as well as higher mortgage banking revenue, corporate banking revenue, investment advisory revenue, and card and processing revenue, which was largely offset by lower other noninterest income, described in detail below, and lower deposit services charges driven by the effect of Regulation E.

Fourth quarter 2010 results included $11 million in revenue associated with the transition service agreement (TSA) entered into as part of our processing business sale, under which the Bancorp provides services to the processing business to support its operations during the deconversion period. TSA revenue was $13 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $39 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter results also included a $3 million positive valuation adjustment on warrants and puts related to the processing business sale, compared with $5 million in negative valuation adjustments on these instruments in the third quarter of 2010 and $20 million in positive valuation adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2009. Third quarter 2010 results included a benefit of $152 million from the settlement of litigation associated with one of the Bancorp's BOLI policies. Excluding these items, as well as investment securities gains in all periods, noninterest income decreased $42 million, or 6 percent, from the previous quarter, driven by lower mortgage banking net revenue. On a year-over-year basis, noninterest income excluding the items mentioned above increased $31 million, or 5 percent, due to higher mortgage banking net revenue and investment advisory fees partially offset by lower service charges on deposits.

Service charges on deposits of $140 million decreased 3 percent sequentially and 12 percent compared with the same quarter last year. Retail service charges declined 9 percent from the previous quarter and declined 26 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, largely due to the implementation of new overdraft regulations and overdraft policies. Commercial service charges increased 3 percent sequentially and increased 2 percent compared with last year.

Corporate banking revenue of $103 million increased 21 percent from the third quarter of 2010 and increased 16 percent from the same period last year. Sequential results were primarily driven by increased loan syndication fee revenue and lease remarketing fees, as well as growth in business lending fees and foreign exchange revenue due to higher loan volumes and seasonality. On a year-over-year basis, loan syndication fee revenue, lease remarketing fees, and revenue from interest rate derivative sales and business lending fees more than offset declines in institutional sales.

Investment advisory revenue of $93 million increased 4 percent sequentially and 8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. The sequential growth was driven by higher private client services revenue, institutional trust revenue, and brokerage fees due to market value increases as well as improved sales production resulting in strong net asset and account growth. On a year-over-year basis, improvement also reflected an overall increase in equity and bond market values.

Card and processing revenue was $81 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, up 5 percent sequentially and 7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. The sequential increase reflected positive seasonality and both sequential and year-over-year comparison periods were driven by higher transaction volumes.

Mortgage banking net revenue was $149 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of $83 million from the very strong third quarter of 2010 and an increase of $17 million from the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter 2010 originations were $7.4 billion, an increase from $5.6 billion in the previous quarter and $4.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter 2010 originations resulted in gains of $158 million on mortgages sold compared with gains of $173 million during the previous quarter and $97 million during the same period in 2009. Gain on sale margins declined in the fourth quarter from record levels in the third quarter due to rising mortgage rates in the quarter and the closing of a higher than expected percentage of applications during the quarter. Mortgage servicing fees this quarter were $59 million, compared with $56 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Mortgage banking revenue is also affected by net servicing asset value adjustments, which include mortgage servicing rights (MSR) amortization and MSR valuation adjustments (including mark-to-market adjustments on free-standing derivatives used to economically hedge the MSR portfolio). These net servicing asset valuation adjustments were negative $67 million in the fourth quarter (reflecting MSR amortization of $47 million and MSR valuation adjustments of negative $20 million); positive $3 million in the third quarter of 2010 (MSR amortization of $43 million and MSR valuation adjustments of positive $46 million); and negative $18 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 ($27 million in MSR amortization and positive $9 million in MSR valuation adjustments). The mortgage-servicing asset, net of the valuation reserve, was $822 million at quarter end on a servicing portfolio of $54 billion.

Gains on securities held as non-qualifying hedges for the MSR were $14 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Other noninterest income totaled $55 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared with $195 million in the previous quarter and $107 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter 2010 results included net losses of $14 million on commercial loans held-for-sale, as outlined more fully below. This quarter's results also reflected $11 million of TSA revenue, $8 million of revenue from our equity interest in the processing business, and a $3 million positive valuation adjustment of warrants and puts related to the processing business sale. Third quarter 2010 results included the $152 million gain from the settlement of litigation related to a BOLI policy, $10 million of net losses on commercial loans held-for-sale, $13 million of TSA revenue, $7 million of revenue from our equity interest in the processing business, and a negative valuation adjustment of $5 million on warrants and puts related to the processing business sale. Fourth quarter 2009 results included $9 million of net losses on commercial loans held-for-sale, $39 million of TSA revenue, $8 million of revenue from our processing business equity interest, and a $20 million positive valuation adjustment of warrants and puts related to the processing business sale. Excluding these items, other noninterest income increased $9 million from the previous quarter, primarily due to the effects of lower credit-related costs, and decreased $2 million from the fourth quarter of 2009.

Net credit-related costs recognized in noninterest income were $34 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 versus $42 million last quarter and $31 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. This quarter we realized $21 million of net gains on sales of commercial loans held-for-sale and recorded $35 million of fair value charges on commercial loans held-for-sale. We also recorded $19 million of losses on other real estate owned (OREO). Third quarter 2010 results included net losses of $1 million on the sale of commercial loans held-for-sale, $9 million of fair value charges on commercial loans held-for-sale, and $29 million of losses on OREO. Fourth quarter 2009 results included net gains of $8 million on the sale of commercial loans held-for-sale, $17 million of fair value charges on commercial loans held-for-sale, and $21 million of losses on OREO.

Net gains on investment securities were $21 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with investment securities gains of $4 million in the previous quarter and $2 million in the same period the previous year.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense of $987 million increased $8 million sequentially and $20 million from a year ago. Fourth quarter 2010 results included $17 million of expenses related to the termination of $1 billion in FHLB funding. Third quarter 2010 results included $25 million in legal expenses associated with the previously described BOLI settlement. Fourth quarter 2009 results included a $22 million reserve established for litigation associated with bank card association memberships. Excluding these items, noninterest expense was $970 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with $954 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $945 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. This sequential and year-over-year increase was driven by higher compensation expense primarily due to revenue-based incentives, as well as investment in sales force expansion, partially offset by lower credit-related expenses. Each period included operating expenses related to the processing business that were largely offset by revenue under the TSA reported in other noninterest income.

Noninterest expenses incurred related to problem assets totaled $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with $67 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $73 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter credit-related expenses included mortgage repurchase expense of $20 million, compared with $45 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $17 million a year ago. (Realized mortgage repurchase losses were $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with $29 million last quarter and $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.) Provision expense for unfunded commitments was a $4 million reduction in the allowance for unfunded commitments in the current quarter, compared with a $23 million reduction last quarter and $11 million of expense to increase this allowance a year ago. Derivative valuation adjustments related to customer credit risk were positive $1 million this quarter versus $8 million of expense last quarter and $2 million in gains a year ago. OREO expense was $11 million this quarter, compared with $9 million last quarter and $9 million a year ago. Other work out-related expenses were $27 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $28 million the previous quarter and $37 million in the same period last year.

Credit Quality

Net charge-offs were $356 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, or 186 bps of average loans on an annualized basis. Third quarter 2010 net charge-offs were $956 million, or 495 bps of average loans on an annualized basis and included net losses of $510 million realized on the sale or transfer of loans to held-for-sale. Excluding these losses, fourth quarter 2010 portfolio net-charge offs declined $90 million from third quarter 2010 portfolio net charge-offs of $446 million. Fourth quarter 2009 net charge-offs were $708 million. The decreases in net charge-offs from the prior quarters reflected continued improvement in the credit quality of loans in our portfolio as well as the benefit from the credit actions taken during the third quarter of 2010.

Commercial net charge-offs were $173 million, or 159 bps, compared with $627 million, or 566 bps, in the third quarter of 2010, which included $387 million in net charge-offs on the transfer of loans held-for-sale. Excluding these losses, commercial net charge-offs decreased $67 million from the $240 million of net portfolio losses in the previous quarter. C&I net losses in the portfolio were $85 million, compared with net portfolio losses of $129 million in the previous quarter and $108 million in net losses realized on loans transferred to held-for-sale. The sequential decrease in net portfolio losses was primarily driven by $32 million of improvement in losses on loans to companies in real-estate related industries. Commercial mortgage net losses in the portfolio totaled $80 million compared with net portfolio losses of $66 million in the third quarter and $202 million in net losses realized on loans transferred to held-for-sale. Commercial construction net losses in the portfolio were $11 million, compared with net portfolio losses of $44 million in the prior quarter and $77 million in net losses realized on loans transferred to held-for-sale. Net losses on residential builder and developer portfolio loans across the C&I and commercial real estate categories totaled $19 million, the lowest level experienced in several years. Originations of homebuilder/developer loans were suspended in 2007 and the remaining portfolio balance is $699 million, down from a peak of $3.3 billion in the second quarter of 2008.

Consumer net charge-offs were $183 million, or 220 bps, in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with $329 million, or 400 bps, in the third quarter, which included $123 million in net charge-offs on the sale of residential mortgage loans during the third quarter.  Excluding these losses, consumer net charge-offs decreased $23 million from $206 million in the third quarter. Net charge-offs on residential mortgage loans in the portfolio were $62 million, compared with portfolio losses of $81 million in the previous quarter and $123 million in net charge-offs on loans sold during the third quarter. Home equity net charge-offs were $65 million, consistent with last quarter. Net losses on brokered home equity loans represented 38 percent of fourth quarter home equity losses and 15 percent of the total home equity portfolio. The home equity portfolio included $1.7 billion of brokered loans, down from a peak of $2.6 billion in 2007; originations of these loans were discontinued in 2007. Net charge-offs in the auto portfolio of $19 million increased $2 million from the third quarter, primarily due to seasonality, and net losses on consumer credit card loans were $33 million, down $3 million from the previous quarter.

Provision for loan and lease losses totaled $166 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of $291 million from the third quarter and down $610 million from the fourth quarter of 2009. The allowance for loan and lease losses represented 3.88 percent of total loans and leases outstanding as of quarter end, compared with 4.20 percent last quarter, and represented 179 percent of nonperforming loans and leases and 138 percent of nonperforming assets.

Total nonperforming assets, including loans held-for-sale, were $2.5 billion, a decline of $313 million, or 11 percent, from the previous quarter and reflected sales of commercial nonperforming loans moved to held-for-sale in the third quarter of 2010. Nonperforming assets held-for-investment (NPAs) at quarter end were $2.2 billion or 2.79 percent of total loans, leases and OREO, and increased $92 million, or 4 percent, from the previous quarter. Nonperforming loans held-for-investment (NPLs) at quarter end were $1.7 billion or 2.15 percent of total loans and leases, and increased $96 million, or 6 percent, from the third quarter. The increases in NPAs and NPLs were driven primarily by lower outflows from NPAs as a result of the transfer of and charge offs on the nonperforming loans transferred to held-for-sale in the third quarter of 2010.

Commercial portfolio NPAs at quarter-end were $1.7 billion, or 3.79 percent of commercial loans, leases and OREO, and increased $57 million, or 4 percent, from the third quarter. Commercial portfolio NPLs were $1.3 billion, or 2.99 percent of commercial loans and leases. Commercial construction portfolio NPAs were $259 million, a decline of $32 million from the previous quarter. Commercial mortgage portfolio NPAs were $679 million, which was consistent with the prior quarter. Commercial real estate loans in Michigan and Florida represented 50 percent of commercial real estate NPAs and 37 percent of our total commercial real estate portfolio. C&I portfolio NPAs of $696 million increased $102 million from the previous quarter. Within the overall commercial loan portfolio, residential real estate builder and developer portfolio NPAs declined $21 million from the third quarter to $259 million, of which $86 million were commercial construction assets, $161 million were commercial mortgage assets and $12 million were C&I assets. Commercial portfolio NPAs included $141 million of nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings (TDRs), compared with $32 million last quarter, due to higher restructuring activity during the quarter.

Consumer portfolio NPAs of $513 million, or 1.50 percent of consumer loans, leases and OREO, increased $35 million from the third quarter. Consumer portfolio NPLs were $382 million, or 1.12 percent of consumer loans and leases, and increased $60 million from last quarter. Of consumer NPAs, $440 million were in residential real estate portfolios. Residential real estate loans in Michigan and Florida represented 37 percent of residential real estate NPAs and 34 percent of total residential real estate loans. Residential mortgage NPAs were $368 million, up $40 million from the previous quarter, due to lower outflows from NPAs as a result of last quarter's portfolio sale. Home equity NPAs decreased $1 million from last quarter to $72 million. Credit card NPAs declined $2 million from the previous quarter to $56 million. Consumer nonaccrual TDRs were $206 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with $175 million in the third quarter.

Fourth quarter OREO balances included in portfolio NPA balances described above were $467 million compared with $469 million in the third quarter of 2010, and included $312 million in commercial real estate assets, $100 million in residential mortgage assets, $41 million in C&I assets, and $16 million in home equity assets. Repossessed personal property of $27 million largely consisted of autos.

Loans still accruing over 90 days past due were $274 million, down $43 million, or 14 percent, from the third quarter of 2010. Commercial balances 90 days past due of $30 million decreased $34 million sequentially. Consumer balances 90 days past due of $244 million declined $9 million from the previous quarter. Loans 30-89 days past due of $636 million decreased $31 million, or 5 percent, from the previous quarter. Commercial balances 30-89 days past due of $207 million declined $45 million, or 18 percent, sequentially and consumer balances 30-89 days past due of $428 million were up $14 million from the third quarter, largely due to seasonality.

At quarter-end, we held $294 million of commercial nonaccrual loans for sale, compared with $699 million at the end of the third quarter. During the quarter, we transferred approximately $18 million of loans from loans held-for-sale to OREO. We recorded negative valuation adjustments of $35 million on held-for-sale loans and we recorded net gains of $20 million on loans that were sold or settled during the quarter.

Capital Position

Capital ratios remained strong during the quarter. Compared with the prior quarter, the Tier 1 common equity ratio increased 16 bps to 7.50 percent, the Tier 1 capital ratio increased 9 bps to 13.94 percent and the Total capital ratio decreased 14 bps to 18.14 percent. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio increased 34 bps to 7.04 percent excluding unrealized gains/losses, and increased 24 bps to 7.30 percent including unrealized gains/losses.

Book value per share at December 31, 2010 was $13.06 and tangible book value per share was $9.94, compared with September 30, 2010 book value per share of $12.86 and tangible book value per share of $9.74.

Average diluted common shares of 836 million shares increased 39 million shares from the third quarter of 2010. Due to the level of the fourth quarter 2010 earnings, the reporting of results under the "if converted" method resulted in an increase in our diluted share count for the quarter, due to the inclusion of all shares underlying the Series G convertible preferred shares. In prior quarters, these shares were excluded from the diluted EPS calculation, as their impact would have been anti-dilutive to EPS. These shares are not included in the diluted shares count for the full year ended 2010 because they are anti-dilutive to the full year earnings per share computation. Additionally, this had no impact on end of period common shares outstanding, which were 796 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2010.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) recently proposed new capital rules for Internationally Active banks, known as "Basel III." Fifth Third is subject to U.S. bank regulations for capital, which have not yet been issued in response to the Basel proposals. Fifth Third's capital levels exceed current U.S. "well-capitalized" standards and proposed Basel III standards, and we expect Fifth Third's capital levels to continue to exceed U.S. "well-capitalized" standards including the adoption of U.S. rules that incorporate changes contemplated under Basel III.  

Fifth Third's Tier 1 and Total capital levels at 12/31/10 included $3.4 billion of preferred stock, or approximately 3.4 percent of risk weighted assets, issued under the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program. Tier 1 and Total capital levels also included $2.8 billion of Trust Preferred securities, or 2.8 percent of risk weighted assets. Under the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation recently passed, these Trust Preferred securities are intended to be phased out of Tier 1 capital over three years beginning in 2013. The BIS also issued proposals that would include a phase-out of these securities, although over a longer period. To the extent these securities remain outstanding during and after the phase-in period, they would be expected to continue to be included in Total capital, subject to prevailing U.S. capital standards. The BIS has also proposed adjustments to definitions of capital, including what is to be included in its definition of common equity, and to risk weightings applied to certain types of assets. We do not currently expect these proposed adjustments to negatively affect Fifth Third's common equity capital levels and for any positive effect to be modest.

We expect to manage our capital structure – including the components represented by common equity and non-common equity – over time to adapt to the effect of legislation, changes in U.S. bank capital regulations reflecting changes to BIS capital rules, and our goals for capital levels and capital composition as appropriate given any changes in rules.

Conference Call

Fifth Third will host a conference call to discuss these financial results at 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) today. This conference call will be webcast live by Thomson Financial and may be accessed through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at www.53.com (click on "About Fifth Third" then "Investor Relations"). The webcast also is being distributed over Thomson Financial's Investor Distribution Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call through Thomson Financial's individual investor center at www.earnings.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in Thomson Financial's Individual Investor Network. Institutional investors can access the call via Thomson Financial's password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com).

Those unable to listen to the live webcast may access a webcast replay or podcast through the Fifth Third Investor Relations website at the same web address. Additionally, a telephone replay of the conference call will be available beginning approximately two hours after the conference call until Wednesday, February 2nd by dialing 800-642-1687 for domestic access and 706-645-9291 for international access (passcode 38327453#).

Corporate Profile

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $111 billion in assets and operated 15 affiliates with 1,312 full-service Banking Centers, including 103 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,445 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 49% interest in Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of December 31, 2010, had $266 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $25 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB."

Forward-Looking Statements

This news 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," "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. 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.

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) general economic conditions and weakening in the economy, specifically the real estate market, either nationally or in the states in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company do business, are less favorable than expected; (2) deteriorating credit quality; (3) political developments, wars or other hostilities may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (4) changes in the interest rate environment reduce interest margins; (5) prepayment speeds, loan origination and sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (6) Fifth Third's ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity; (7) maintaining capital requirements may limit Fifth Third's operations and potential growth; (8) changes and trends in capital markets; (9) problems encountered by larger or similar financial institutions may adversely affect the banking industry and/or Fifth Third (10) competitive pressures among depository institutions increase significantly; (11) effects of critical accounting policies and judgments; (12) changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other regulatory agencies; (13) legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affect Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company or the businesses in which Fifth Third, one or more acquired entities and/or the combined company are engaged, including the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; (14) ability to maintain favorable ratings from rating agencies; (15) fluctuation of Fifth Third's stock price; (16) ability to attract and retain key personnel; (17) ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries; (18) potentially dilutive effect of future acquisitions on current shareholders' ownership of Fifth Third; (19) effects of accounting or financial results of one or more acquired entities; (20) difficulties in separating Fifth Third Processing Solutions from Fifth Third; (21) loss of income from any sale or potential sale of businesses that could have an adverse effect on Fifth Third's earnings and future growth;(22) ability to secure confidential information through the use of computer systems and telecommunications networks; and (23) the impact of reputational risk created by these 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.

SOURCE Fifth Third Bancorp

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