Francisco Alvarado, CEO of Marand Builders, Inc. Joins Fifth Third Bank's North Carolina Affiliate Board

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifth Third Bank today announced the appointment of Francisco Alvarado to the Board of Directors of its North Carolina Affiliate. Alvarado is the owner and chief executive officer of Marand Builders, Inc. headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"We are extremely pleased to have Francisco Alvarado join our Board of Directors here in North Carolina. His business insight and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow our franchise in the Carolinas," said Tom Heiks, Market President of Fifth Third's North Carolina Affiliate.

Mr. Alvarado established Marand Builders, Inc., a full service General Contractor, in 1999 and the company currently focuses on commercial, retail, healthcare and institutional construction projects in the Carolinas, the Mid-Atlantic and other markets across the Southeast.

Alvarado has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and serves on the Board of Directors of the Charlotte Chamber, the Charlotte Symphony and the Community Building Initiative (CBI).

"Fifth Third Bank is a well respected company that is establishing itself as a leader in the financial services sector across the Carolinas. I am delighted to join the North Carolina board and look forward to using my business experience and relationships in the community to help the company continue to grow," said Alvarado.

About Fifth Third Bancorp
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $117 billion in assets and operates 15 affiliates with 1,316 full-service Banking Centers, including 56 banking centers in North Carolina, and 2,419 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 49% interest in Vantiv, LLC, formerly Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of December 31, 2011, had $282 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $24 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Fifth Third Bank Member FDIC

SOURCE Fifth Third Bank