New York, February 2, 2026, 07:41 EST — Premarket
- Shares of Fifth Third Bancorp rose 0.8% in pre-market trading following the bank’s announcement that it has completed its acquisition of Comerica.
- The company reported that the merged bank holds roughly $294 billion in assets, with a systems conversion slated for later this year.
- Traders are focused on how well the integration is executed, when the combined financials get disclosed, and the date of the next earnings report.
Shares of Fifth Third Bancorp edged up 0.8% in premarket trading Monday, reaching $50.22, following the announcement that its merger with Comerica had been finalized.
The company announced it has finalized the Comerica deal, making it the ninth-largest U.S. bank with roughly $294 billion in assets. CEO Tim Spence described the acquisition as “a pivotal moment” as the bank targets faster-growing markets. Fifth Third expects full system and brand conversions in the third quarter. (SEC)
The close changes the conversation, turning focus from deal risk to execution. Investors want to see how fast Fifth Third can integrate systems, funding, and client coverage—without shedding deposits or hiking costs.
Fifth Third disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that each Comerica common share was converted into the right to receive 1.8663 shares of Fifth Third common stock, with cash paid for any fractional shares. The filing also noted that Fifth Third plans to submit acquired-business financial statements and “pro forma” figures — showing combined results as if the merger had occurred earlier — in an amended Form 8-K within the required deadline. (SEC)
Fifth Third appointed three former Comerica directors — Derek J. Kerr, Barbara R. Smith, and Michael G. Van de Ven — to its board, effective February 1. Spence described their experience as “an invaluable asset” for the merged bank. (SEC)
Comerica informed the New York Stock Exchange that it requested a halt on trading of its common and preferred shares and asked for the securities to be delisted ahead of the open on Feb. 2, according to a separate filing. (SEC)
The all-stock transaction, pegged at $10.9 billion when unveiled in October, aimed to wrap up by the close of Q1 2026. (Reuters)
Bank mergers can still backfire. Integration expenses often overshoot budgets, system changes may trigger a spike in customer attrition, and cost-saving benefits frequently take longer than anticipated to materialize—particularly if economic growth stalls and credit losses increase.
Traders will zero in on any early updates about integration milestones and management’s strategy for handling the combined balance sheet in the next session. Until clear combined metrics emerge, the stock may swing with headline risk.
Fifth Third’s first-quarter 2026 results are due April 17. Investors will be watching closely for updates on integration progress and any signs of near-term expense challenges. (53)
