NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Jan. 17, 2013--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said its ratings on Fifth Third Bancorp (BBB/Positive/A-2) are not affected by the company's fourth-quarter earnings, which we view as good and consistent with our expectations. Fifth Third reported Standard&Poor's-adjusted net income of $393 million, up from $383 million in the third quarter and $314 million in fourth-quarter 2011. (We adjusted fourth-quarter earnings for the gain from the sale of Vantiv shares, valuation adjustments associated with Vantiv warrants, and charges associated with debt extinguishment.) In the first half of 2013, we expect declining credit provisions, steady loan growth (particularly in commercial and industrial and certain consumer loan categories, such as auto and credit card), and
