Robust earnings (despite margin pressures) Historically stable asset quality Well-developed, performance-focused culture Solid deposit funding base Exposure to slower growth Midwestern markets, which could affect asset quality Increased financial leverage The ratings reflect Fifth Third Bancorp.'s strong position as a large regional bank. Despite its presence in the industrialized and slower growing Midwest, Fifth Third's aggregate asset quality remains a source of strength. The bank's finance assets are well diversified between commercial and consumer loans, and its consumer loans are largely secured by residential real estate. Although residential mortgage lending is typically a low-risk portfolio, a significant component of Fifth Third's residential mortgage portfolio is in the form of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans, which
