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
Do Regulators Want to Kill Banking-as-a-Service? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:57
Jason Mikula, publisher of Fintech Business Weekly, talks about the ongoing fallout from the failure of fintech Synapse, and banking regulators' efforts to ensure it can't happen again. Are regulators going too far? Is t…
Bill Huizenga on AI, Dangers of Activist Investors & CFPB Overreach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., the chair of the House Financial Services oversight subcommittee, talks about his agenda if selected as GOP leader of the full panel next year, including looking deeper at artificial intellig…
How FHLBs See the Battle Over Reform [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:02
Ryan Donovan, the head of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks, pushes back against criticisms that the government-sponsored enterprises have strayed from their mission. He outlines what the FHLBs want as part of a ref…
Inside the "Summer of Small Cuts" for Banks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:27
Jaret Seiberg, managing director of TD Cowen's Washington Research Group, discusses the many policy changes facing banks this summer, including the FDIC's brokered deposit proposal, the Fed's new FAQ on the discount wind…
Inside the CFPB's Sprint to the Finish Line [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:36
Alex Johnson, founder of Fintech Takes, discusses the CFPB's race to complete as many regulatory initiatives – on earned wage access products, open data, privacy and more – ahead of the November election. And he talks ab…
The Titanic Shift in Banking Policy Ahead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
Claire Williams, Capitol Hill reporter for American Banker, and Brendan Pedersen, who covers financial services for Punchbowl News, discuss the latest on financial policy. Will Christy Romero Goldsmith be confirmed to le…
A Looming Crisis in CRE? What Bankers Need to Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:15
Phil Mobley, national director of office analytics for CoStar, the leading firm when it comes to commercial real estate, talks about how the market has changed in the wake of the pandemic. He discusses the trends right n…