Stephanie Green, Regional President, Fifth Third Bank

Invest: spoke with Stephanie Green, regional president of Fifth Third Bank, about the bank’s expansion in Florida, Miami’s momentum as a business hub, and the importance of culture and scale in banking. “Anybody can perform well in benign environments, but when you’re in times of uncertainty, those organizations that are really going to be considered elite are those that can excel in these uncertain times,” Green said.

What changes over the past year have impacted your operations, and in what ways?

At Fifth Third, we often talk about how organizations distinguish themselves not just during times of certainty, but during periods of uncertainty. Our chairman, president and CEO, Tim Spence, emphasizes this often. Anybody can perform well in benign environments, but when you’re in times of uncertainty, those organizations that are really going to be considered elite are those that can excel in these uncertain times.

Over the past year, Fifth Third has achieved some important milestones, both nationally and in South Florida. Across the Southeast, we opened 50 new branches, which is notable at a time when many banks are reducing their physical presence. That growth included the opening of our 200th branch in Florida. If Fifth Third’s Florida operations were a standalone bank, it would rank as the 44th largest branch network in the United States.

We have also maintained the culture and customer experience that define our brand. That commitment was recognized when Fifth Third was named the No. 1 retail bank for customer satisfaction in Florida by J.D. Power, an honor we received two years in a row. Those results reflect the strength of our teams and the consistency of our strategy even in a changing environment.

How has Miami’s role as a gateway for international investment continued to grow?

Miami continues to strengthen its position as a gateway for international investment. Through my involvement as a board member of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, I have a close view of the business development activity that continues to connect Miami with global markets.

We are seeing sustained engagement with countries across Europe and Latin America, among others. These partnerships are creating opportunities for investment and collaboration across multiple sectors. There is also a growing domestic effort to promote Miami as a premier destination for business expansion.

Executives and organizations are investing in initiatives that showcase the advantages of doing business here. While Miami’s quality of life and climate certainly attract attention, the region’s economic fundamentals, connectivity, and entrepreneurial energy are what drive sustained investment.

How has activity in key industries such as real estate and business expansion evolved?

From year to year, our strategy tends to focus on executing our long-term business plan rather than making dramatic shifts. As we continue to strengthen our teams in South Florida, we are able to deepen our presence in several industries that we refer to as our power alleys.

Aviation remains one of the most significant sectors in Miami and across South Florida. Given the region’s role as a global logistics and transportation hub, we continue to see strong opportunities to support businesses operating in that space.

Healthcare is another area where we have seen notable growth. As we have expanded our specialized teams, including dedicated healthcare bankers and government and institutional banking expertise, we have been able to better support organizations within that industry. Increased investment from both state and federal levels has also created more opportunities in the sector.

What key trends are you seeing in the banking industry today?

One of the most visible trends is continued merger and acquisition activity within financial services. Fifth Third recently announced and completed a major milestone through our merger with Comerica Bank. The deal was announced in 2025, and we reached what we call Legal Day 1 in February 2026.

This combination strengthens our ability to serve customers across a much broader footprint. With the addition of Comerica, we expanded our presence into California, Texas, and Arizona, creating the ninth-largest bank in the country. While Fifth Third has long been a leading regional bank in the Midwest and Southeast, this expansion extends our reach across the United States.

Technology is another defining trend. J.D. Power has recognized our mobile banking platform as one of the top mobile banking apps in the industry. By bringing much of our engineering capability in-house, we can innovate more quickly and deliver frequent updates. Over the past year alone, we released more than 400 updates to the platform.

Partnerships with fintech companies are becoming increasingly important. These collaborations allow us to offer innovative services more efficiently, from estate planning tools to enhanced small business banking capabilities. That combination of scale and nimbleness is shaping the future of banking.

How is Fifth Third approaching talent attraction and retention in a competitive market like South Florida?

Our approach to talent is built around three priorities: attracting, developing, and retaining strong employees.

Compensation and benefits are an important part of that. South Florida has a high cost of living, and we want employees to feel valued and supported financially. Fifth Third was among the first organizations in the industry to significantly raise its minimum wage, and we continue to offer competitive compensation, retirement, and healthcare benefits.

Development opportunities are just as important. We encourage employees to build long-term careers within the organization. In fact, we often say that people should be able to have seven or eight careers under the same employer umbrella, and I am a testament to that.

When I started with the bank, we were a $5 billion organization. Today, we are approaching $300 billion in assets. Over that time, I have had the opportunity to take on several roles across the organization. That ability to move across business lines, develop new skills, and contribute in new ways helps keep employees engaged and motivated.

Retention comes from creating a culture where people can grow, feel challenged, and see a future within the organization.

How is Fifth Third engaging with the Miami community, particularly in areas such as financial inclusion and community development?

Community engagement is a core part of who we are. Strong banks help create strong communities, and that requires investing not only financial resources but also time and talent.

Fifth Third has one of the most active employee volunteer networks among major financial institutions. Employees are encouraged to dedicate time to community service, and the bank provides time off to support those efforts. In 2025, our teams contributed more than 5,300 volunteer hours across South Florida.

One organization we are particularly proud to support is Chapman Partnership, which focuses on addressing housing insecurity. Our Miami-based middle-market and private banking teams in Doral have been deeply involved in partnering with Chapman to support individuals and families facing housing instability.

We do not dictate how teams engage in the community. We simply ask that they engage. That approach allows employees to support the causes that matter most locally and build meaningful partnerships that make a real difference.

What are your key priorities for the bank over the next two to three years?

A major focus will be on fully integrating the Comerica merger and realizing the synergies it creates. Mergers of this scale take time to implement, and over the next several years, we will continue identifying opportunities to strengthen our capabilities and expand the services we provide.

Looking ahead to 2030, we anticipate operating approximately 1,750 branches across the country, with roughly half of those located in the Southeast as well as in Texas, Arizona, and California. This expanded footprint will strengthen our franchise, deepen our presence in key markets, and support sustainable long-term growth.

Ultimately, our goal is to combine scale with innovation so we can continue delivering meaningful value to individuals, businesses, and communities across our markets.