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
Inside a Reg Split on Basel and the Battle for FDIC Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:19
Pete Schroeder, who covers financial regulation and policy for Reuters, breaks down why federal banking agencies are split on how to finalize new capital rules and explains how policymakers are reacting to a nominee for…
Catch Check Fraud If You Can: The Growing Issue for Banks, Consumers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
Frank Abagnale Jr., an expert on check forgery and the subject and inspiration for Steven Spielberg's film "Catch Me If You Can," talks about why check fraud is so much worse in recent years despite the overall decline o…
The Coming Battle Over Zelle Fraud [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:10
Penny Crosman, executive editor of technology at American Banker, goes behind the scenes on a case of Zelle fraud that cost a consumer thousands of dollars—and what it means for a coming policy fight between the big bank…
The Massive Impacts of a Whirlwind Week for Banking Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:17
Andrew Ackerman, a financial services reporter for the Wall Street Journal, discusses what happens next after FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg's surprise announcement that he will resign upon confirmation of a successor. Acke…
Rep. Lucas on HFSC Chair Bid, Bank Consolidation, Fed Independence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:49
Rep. Frank Lucas, the longest serving Republican on the House Financial Services Committee, makes his case for why he should be the next chair, offering his views on community bank consolidation, whether the Fed should b…
The Populist Threat to Banks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:28
John Heltman and Claire Williams, two journalists with American Banker, discuss the outlet's recent series on populism and how it impacts banks. They tackle why the banking industry is so often the target of populist pol…
Klein vs. Calabria Round 2: How to Solve the Housing Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:44
Aaron Klein, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Mark Calabria, former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, debate the best way to address the housing crisis, as well as the dangers of politicizing…