2021 ESG Report SOCIAL Financial and Economic Inclusion Financial and economic inclusion drives the Bank’s Corporate Responsibility Ofce. The team collaborates across business lines to ensure that Fifth Third is doing all it can to help people reach their full potential. Adopting a One Bank approach, the CRO team is leading the efort to reverse negative cycles among low- and moderate- income Americans to help build strong foundations for the future. By delivering comprehensive and innovative solutions, Fifth Third is tackling low homeownership rates in underserved communities, diminished access to capital for small businesses seeking to start or expand, and addressing the gap in fnancial education and workforce development. Small Businesses Small businesses are paramount to a vibrant, sustainable economy. Fifth Third supports small businesses both directly and indirectly to be a bridge to the services—including lending, lines of credit and other prducts—business owners most need to start and maintain their businesses and see them grow. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM In 2020 and through June 2021, Fifth Third bankers and relationship managers worked tirelessly to support our business customers by working with them to originate 66,000 PPP loans with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The total value of those loans was $7.4 billion and supported over 835,000 jobs. Of our PPP loans, 96% went to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, and 87% of the loans were for less than $150,000. As the pandemic continued, the Bank’s support shifted from PPP loan origination to PPP loan forgiveness. As of January 2022, our bankers had helped our business customers with forgiveness of 48,000 PPP loans worth $6 billion. Fifth Third bankers and relationship managers originated 66,000 PPP loans valuing $7.4 billion . Contents COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS We know there are times when small businesses require additional assistance and guidance, and a key provider is community development fnancial institutions. These private institutions provide responsible, afordable capital to those who are unable to use traditional banking products or resources, and Fifth Third is committed to supporting them. In 2021, Fifth Third partnered with the Community Reinvestment Fund to leverage Connect2Capital , a digital collaboration platform that matches businesses with CDFIs in their communities in order for them to take the next step forward. Connect2Capital pairs small businesses with mission-driven lending partners that bridge the gap between where a business is and where it wants to go. We also provide capital directly to CDFIs. This money not only provides loans but invaluable coaching and technical assistance, too. We have strong working relationships with CDFIs in most of our markets. Among these is the Black Business Capital Financing Corp. in Florida, whose Construction Contractor’s Assistance Program we support. It provides Black contractors with BBCFC’s industry-specifc business advisory services, which include access to loan and bond capital and procurement advocacy. Introduction Economic Environment Social Governance We also have been a long-term supporter of the Columbus, Ohio-based Economic Community Development Institute , one of the top SBA intermediary microlenders. The Fifth Third Foundation has provided funding to support its Microenterprise program, which ofers capital, training and assistance to underserved and underbanked idea- and growth-stage business owners. In Cincinnati, Fifth Third supports the Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative and its program to start a loan pool to support minority businesses in the startup and growth phases of their business. U.S. SBA Preferred Lender SBA PROGRAM LENDING As a U.S. SBA Preferred Lender, we continue to invest in the SBA program and in our ability to ofer several types of SBA loans, including 7(a), Express and 504 loans. We are investing in technology and in our loan originators through focused SBA product training to help more customers gain access to the fexibility and versatility of SBA loan products. CONTINUED 71