NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Jan. 26, 2001--Standard&Poor's today removed the ratings of Fifth Third Bancorp ("Fifth Third") and its preferred stock subsidiaries, from CreditWatch with negative implications, where they were placed on Nov. 21, 2000. The ratings on the companies are affirmed, with a stable outlook (see list). The ratings on Old Kent Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries remain on CreditWatch with positive implications, where they were placed on Nov. 21, 2000. The CreditWatch action followed Fifth Third's announcement that it would acquire Old Kent Financial Corp ("Old Kent"), based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Today's rating action reflects the opinion that the acquisition of Old Kent will temporarily pressure consolidated financial ratios because of the transaction's
