Investor Spotlight: Fifth Third Bank
September 28, 2021
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $205 billion in assets and operates 1,096 full-service Banking Centers, and 2,369 Fifth Third branded ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 53,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2021, had $483 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $61 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. The Tampa Bay affiliate operates 48 banking centers throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties.
Jim Weiss, Regional President
Jim Weiss is regional president of Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (South Florida). He is responsible for the growth and strategic alignment of Fifth Third’s Business, Commercial, Wealth & Asset Management and Consumer businesses to deliver distinctive value to our customers and community impact in the region.
Jim has a decade’s experience in Florida banking with Fifth Third, most recently as credit risk executive, with oversight for Middle Market, Business Banking, Wealth & Asset Management, Treasury Management, Dealer Floorplan and Asset Based lending.
Jim serves as chair of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, on the board of the Tampa Bay Chamber, and on the executive board of directors for the Florida Aquarium.
Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the Tampa Bay EDC was still able to make significant progress on its strategic plan. What are you most proud of during your year as chair?
I am most proud of our continued efforts to attract companies to the Tampa Bay community while providing much needed support to the existing businesses in Tampa. A significant public announcement like the media spectacle associated with welcoming FAST to the region was an exciting thing to be a part of. It’s important to note however that none of this happens without the work, commitment and strive for excellence that the staff of the Tampa Bay EDC demonstrates on a daily basis. Throughout the entire pandemic our staff has worked tirelessly to continue to promote Tampa Bay while continuing to support the Back to Business Hillsborough Toolkit to give our local businesses the resources they needed to be successful during a difficult time.
What community issues are you most looking forward to the EDC tackling over the next couple of years?
The most important community issue that the Tampa Bay EDC will continue to be focused on as part of our Placemaking component of our strategic plan will be racial equality and inclusion. We all know that for our community to thrive we need to make sure that the success and economic expansion that we are experiencing in Tampa Bay includes all corners of our community. With the efforts underway by our Economic Prosperity Foundation, I am confident that the EDC will continue to be the catalyst for economic growth in all parts of our community.
Why is it important for the local business community to continue to support economic development efforts?
It has become sort of cliché but it is true that a “rising tide lifts all boats.” Your support of the efforts of the Tampa Bay EDC are critical to the continued economic success of the community. The public/private partnership developed by the Tampa Bay EDC drives continued economic development through the attraction of new business to our community while at the same time assisting our local business in growth and expansion. This type of partnership is the best way to bring together the City and County along with our major educational institutions and our business community to drive growth. I have heard repeatedly over the last year the stories of how the EDC has helped businesses get the resources they need from the City and County and then been able to connect them with USF, University of Tampa and HCC to drive educational programs to create work ready talent. The Tampa Bay EDC is the absolute best way for the private sector to make an investment that is multiplied exponentially to drive proven results and growth for our community.
