NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 17, 2013--Fifth Third Bancorp reported adequate results in third-quarter 2013 despite sharply lower mortgage banking revenue. Based on these results, which are in line with our expectations, our ratings on Fifth Third (BBB+/Stable/A-2) are unchanged. We expect Fifth Third's earnings for full-year 2013 to be generally stable with 2012 levels as a result of a higher earnings asset base, continued decline in mortgage banking revenues in the fourth quarter, our expectations for modest loan growth as economic conditions remain sluggish, stable operating costs, and continued loan reserve releases. Fifth Third's third-quarter core net income of $362 million (adjusted for gains from the valuation of Vantiv warrants and sale of Vantiv shares) is down from
