Key insight: The OCC's approval is the first of three regulatory signoffs that Fifth Third needs to acquire Comerica.What's at stake: The acquisition is the largest bank transaction announced in 2025, and comes during a frothy period for bank dealmaking.Forward look: The deal is being challenged by an activist investor in a Delaware court. The plaintiffs argue that Comerica will be able to strike a better deal if the Fifth Third merger gets rejected.Fifth Third Bancorp has cleared another hurdle in its miss ...

Who will have the most impact on the banking, fintech and payments world in 2026? American Banker's reporters and editors compiled this alphabetical list of the 26 people we expect to make a difference — positive or negative — for bankers in the coming year. Processing Content John AllisonChairman and CEO, Home BancSharesHome BancShares in Conway, Arkansas, has returned to the bank merger-and-acquisition arena, and from all appearances John Allison, the company's longtime chairman and CEO, couldn't be mo ...

HoldCo Asset Management is urging Comerica (CMA) shareholders to vote against a planned sale to Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB). HoldCo, which has a 1.6% stake in Comerica, argues that shareholders should insist on a higher price or a superior alternative transaction, the investor said ...

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This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Activist investor HoldCo Asset Management urged Comerica shareholders to vote against the proposed acquisition of the bank by Fifth Third, according to a presentation issued Monday. “Voting the deal down does not terminate the merger – and Fifth Third is constrained from walking away,” HoldCo wrote Monday. “It is contractually obligated to try to re-cut and resubmit ...

Core Viewpoint - Activist investor HoldCo Asset Management plans to vote against Comerica's proposed sale to Fifth Third Bancorp, believing that Comerica could secure a better offer elsewhere [1][9]. Group 1: Activist Investor's Position - HoldCo Asset Management has launched activist campaigns against Comerica and other banks, asserting that there is "significant upside and limited downside" in opposing the transaction [2]. - The firm criticizes the negotiation process as "unacceptable" and has initiated a lawsuit against Comerica and Fifth Third in Delaware [3]. - HoldCo holds approximately $200 million in Comerica stock, representing about 1.8% of the outstanding shares [4]. Group 2: Transaction Details - The proposed sale is valued at nearly $11 billion, marking it as the largest bank deal announced in 2025 [5]. - The negotiation timeline of 17 days is noted as the fastest among major acquisitions [5]. - Fifth Third's CEO Tim Spence expressed confidence in the deal's approval and highlighted potential revenue opportunities of $500 million over the next three to five years [7][8]. Group 3: Legal and Regulatory Context - Shareholder votes for both Comerica and Fifth Third are scheduled for January 6, with ongoing legal proceedings that may influence the outcome [12]. - A Delaware judge will hold a hearing on January 2 to address HoldCo's claims regarding inadequate disclosures about the deal [14]. - The deal could close as early as February 2, depending on the outcome of the shareholder votes and legal proceedings [16]. Group 4: Market Reactions and Opinions - Analysts from TD Securities have expressed disagreement with HoldCo's assertion that Comerica could find a better offer, suggesting that the deal is favorable for both banks [16]. - An anonymous group, the Comerica 175 Coalition, has also opposed the deal, raising concerns about the negotiation process and requesting a public hearing [17].

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Core Insights - Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) is recognized as one of the best low-priced dividend stocks to buy according to analysts [1] - Piper Sandler raised its price target for Fifth Third Bancorp to $50 from $48, maintaining an Overweight rating, following the bank's presentation ahead of an upcoming industry conference [2] - The bank is acquiring Comerica, which will position it as the ninth-largest bank in the U.S. with approximately $288 billion in assets [4] Financial Performance - For Q4, Fifth Third's management slightly lowered fee guidance but improved its expense outlook, indicating a potential shift of some capital markets deals into early Q1 [2] Strategic Partnerships - Fifth Third announced a partnership with Brex to provide commercial cards and expense management tools for business clients, utilizing Brex's embedded payments platform [3]

Core Insights - Fifth Third Bancorp is confident that its nearly $11 billion acquisition of Comerica will close on schedule despite a lawsuit from activist investor HoldCo Asset Management challenging the deal [1][6][9] - The merger is expected to generate $850 million in savings primarily through personnel cuts, with 70% to 90% of Comerica's non-frontline employees facing layoffs [3][4][12] Regulatory and Approval Process - The banks anticipate receiving regulatory approval "around the new year" and plan to close the transaction in the first quarter of the following year, with a shareholder vote scheduled for January 6 [2][6] - The merger requires approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Texas Department of Banking [2] Financial Implications - The deal is projected to create a combined company with assets totaling $288 billion [9] - Fifth Third expects to realize expense synergies by 2027, with 70% to 80% of the $850 million savings coming from personnel reductions [4][12] Job Impact and Organizational Changes - Significant layoffs are expected, particularly in non-customer-facing roles, with the first round of layoffs scheduled for January [4][5] - Fifth Third has paused recruitment for open roles to retain positions for new employees post-merger [5] Strategic Benefits - The acquisition is expected to provide Fifth Third with $500 million in revenue opportunities over the next three to five years and enhance its presence in Texas [12] - The merger is seen as a way to improve Comerica's access to low-cost funding, which has been a longstanding issue for the bank [12] Legal Challenges - The lawsuit from HoldCo Asset Management alleges a flawed negotiation process, and the judge has ordered Comerica to provide additional information regarding the deal [6][7][11] - An anonymous group, the Comerica 175 Coalition, has requested the Federal Reserve to extend the public comment period and hold a public hearing on the merger [10][11] Future Plans - Fifth Third plans to convert Comerica's branches and systems in early Q4 of the following year [6] - The bank aims to handle the integration sensitively, drawing from its experience with previous acquisitions [13]

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifth Third Bank, National Association (Nasdaq: FITB) today announced it will decrease its prime lending rate to 6.75%, effective immediately. The rate was last changed on October 29, 2025, when Fifth Third decreased its prime lending rate from 7.25% to 7.00%. 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. ...