A solid earnings platform, demonstrating financial strength Solid deposit funding from its strong market position as a major Midwest bank Proven access to capital and wholesale funding in difficult markets Weak but stabilizing loan portfolio quality Exposure to troubled Midwest and Florida markets Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' ratings on Fifth Third Bancorp reflect an earnings platform that continues to demonstrate fundamental strength, solid deposit funding based on a strong market position as a major Midwest bank, and proven access to capital and wholesale funding in difficult markets. Somewhat offsetting these strengths are the bank's weak but stabilizing loan portfolio quality and exposure to troubled Midwest and Florida markets. Fifth Third's pretax, preprovision margins compare favorably with those of similarly
