How Fifth Third Thinks About Scale and Risk

How Fifth Third Thinks About Scale and Risk

Author: IntraFi February 11, 2026 Duration: 44:35

Ben Hoffman, chief strategy officer and head of consumer products at Fifth Third Bank, joins the show to discuss the bank's acquisition of Comerica and what it signals about the future of super-regional banking. He explains why size alone isn't a strategy, why 2023 was less a "regional bank crisis" than a lesson in concentration risk, and how diversification and discipline shape long-term resilience. Hoffman also weighs in on deposit competition, fraud and scams, regulatory and political uncertainty, and the growing role of AI in banking decisions.


Behind every financial headline and regulatory shift, there's a deeper story about how banks operate and adapt. Banking with Interest, produced by IntraFi, digs into that story. Hosted by Rob Blackwell, an award-winning former journalist with over twenty years of expertise, this podcast goes beyond surface-level news to explore the intricate policy changes actively reshaping the banking landscape. Each episode provides a clear-eyed analysis of what new regulations, legislative proposals, and economic trends actually mean for the industry. You'll hear thoughtful conversations with key figures and experts, offering a forward-looking perspective on pending challenges that haven't yet made the front page. It’s designed for professionals within financial services, from executives to analysts, who need context as much as they need information. The discussions are substantive yet accessible, turning complex topics into understandable insights. If you're looking for a reliable source to navigate the intersection of finance, business, and politics, this podcast serves as an essential guide. Tune in for a nuanced take on the forces defining the future of banking.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Banking with Interest
Podcast Episodes
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Sam Sutton, the primary author of Politico's Morning Money newsletter, goes behind the scenes on why President-elect Trump chose Scott Bessent to lead the Treasury Department. Sutton discusses Bessent's experience and ag…
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Rep. French Hill, a top contender to lead the House Financial Services Committee, details his plan to help banks, including revamping regulators' approach to M&A, ending Operation Choke Point, and encouraging more de nov…
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With Republicans set to control the White House, Senate, and House next year, Victoria Guida of Politico and Brendan Pedersen of Punchbowl News dive into the implications for financial services companies. That includes w…
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The rise of generative AI agents have promised consumers a better, safer future. But what happens if those agents act in ways that destabilize the system, causing bank runs or better enable bad actors to commit fraud or…
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Kate Berry, a reporter for American Banker, and Christopher Williston, the CEO of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, go in-depth to discuss the CFPB's final Section 1033 rule, which implements open banking. Th…
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Duration: 45:16
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Duration: 41:42
Cam Fine, former CEO and president of ICBA, and Ed Yingling, former CEO and president of ABA, discuss and debate the possible outcomes of the election—Presidential, House and Senate—and what they could mean for banking p…