A solid earnings platform, demonstrating financial strength Strong market position as a major Midwestern bank Adequate capital, with proven ability to access the capital markets Historically weak but stabilizing asset quality Exposure to troubled real estate markets in the Southeast and Midwest The positive outlook on Fifth Third Bancorp (Fifth Third) reflects Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' expectation that asset quality will continue to improve as the bank reduces its exposure to troubled real estate markets in the Southeast and Midwest. It also reflects our expectation that Fifth Third will sustain a Standard&Poor's Risk Adjusted Capital (RAC) ratio of approximately 8%-8.5% over the next 18-24 months, comfortably within the "adequate" category (7%-10%) (as our criteria describe the term).
