Company: FITBI
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000035527-25-000079
Chunk: 408

Company: FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 408
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 for rapid and widespread dissemination of inaccurate, misleading or false information or other negative information that could damage Fifth Third’s reputation. Negative public perception can adversely affect Fifth Third’s ability to attract and keep customers and can increase the risk that it will be a target of litigation and regulatory action or experience an accelerated deposits withdrawal event.

Fifth Third is subject to environmental, social and governance risks that could adversely affect its reputation, the trading price of its common stock and/or its business, operations and earnings.

There is continued focus, including from governmental organizations, regulators, investors, customers and other stakeholders, on environmental, social, governance and sustainability issues. Laws and regulations related to these issues continue to evolve. These laws and regulations may impose additional compliance or disclosure obligations on us. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or stakeholder expectations and standards could negatively impact Fifth Third’s reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, access to capital and its stock price. Organizations that provide information to investors and shareholders on corporate governance and related matters have developed scores and ratings to evaluate companies on their approach to these matters, and unfavorable ratings of Fifth Third may lead to negative investor sentiment and negative publicity in traditional and social media, including based on the identity of those Fifth Third chooses to do business with and the public’s view of those customers. 

While Fifth Third has sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives, there can be no assurance that regulators, customers, investors and employees will determine that these programs are sufficiently robust. Actual or perceived shortcomings with respect to these initiatives and reporting can impact Fifth Third’s ability to hire and retain employees, increase its customer base or attract and retain certain types of investors. Collecting, measuring, and reporting on this information and metrics can be costly, difficult and time consuming, is subject to evolving reporting standards and can present numerous operational, reputational, financial, legal and other risks, any of which could have a material impact, including on Fifth Third’s reputation and stock price. Inadequate processes to collect and review this information prior to disclosure could be subject to potential liability related to such information.

Activists have historically targeted financial firms with public criticism for their relationships with clients that are engaged in certain industries (such as those which are carbon intensive), including businesses whose products are or are perceived to be harmful to health, the environment, the global climate or the social good. Activist criticism of Fifth Third’s relationships or due diligence practices with clients in sensitive industries could potentially engender dissatisfaction among stakeholders with how Fifth Third addresses environmental or social concerns through business activities