trac ts in 2021: • Southeast Cobb in Georgia. • Cary Park in North Carolina. • Midtown East in North Carolina. • Bayshore Gardens in Florida. • Eastway Crossing serving North Carolina and South Carolina. • Capitol Boulevard in North Carolina. • Duluth in Georgia. • South Square in North Carolina. Gulfgate Plaza in Florida. • Fifth Third opened nine fnancial centers in LMI or high minority 2021 ESG Report SOCIAL Economic Inclusion/Banking Deserts Fifth Third’s Decision Sciences team spent signifcant time identifying banking deserts within our footprint. To address the gaps in the availability of quality fnancial services, we have sought opportunities to open branches in those communities. The Bank’s fnancial empowerment mobile strategy—our eBus and Banking to Go kiosk—help us to provide even greater coverage by taking fnancial services directly into underserved communities. In 2021, we opened nine new, or de novo, branches in low- and moderate-income or high minority population census tracts, representing 30% of our de novo branches we opened last year. As part of Fifth Third’s expansion in the Southeast, we expect about 25% of new branches in that region to be located in those communities. We also are planning to open or update fnancial centers in areas chosen for the Fifth Third Empowering Black Futures neighborhood program. Four de novo branches are planned, four branches will be refreshed to refect our newest design, and one is under consideration and development in conjunction with First Liberty Bank and Trust. For more information about branches in these nine neighborhoods, see page 30 . C ontents Workforce Development A strong workforce is key to healthy, sustainable communities. Fifth Third desires to develop a strong workforce, which is why we collaborate with NextJob, a national reemployment company. Since 2012, we have partnered with NextJob to provide personalized job coaching and training to out-of-work individuals or those looking to advance their careers. We also have ofered the Job Seeker’s Toolkit, a series of online training modules, at no cost to Fifth Third customers. In 2021, Fifth Third and NextJob helped more than 2,000 job seekers. Our Bank also collaborates with Steady , a leading technology platform, to connect our customers to part-time jobs in their communities. We formed this collaboration during the pandemic to facilitate extra income opportunities for our customers. Dorresa is a single mother who was living in a shelter when she was referred to Fifth Third’s NextJob program. Doressa ultimately got two job ofers and accepted a position that is meeting her family’s needs. “I’m overjoyed to be able to provide for my children, to have our own roof...to be free, to be us, to laugh and giggle, and not wonder ‘is the shelter going to kick us out?’. I have fnancial stability now. I have so much gratitude for Fifth Third.” Introduction Economic Environment Social Governance Inclusive Products and Services In 2021, Fifth Third Express Banking® , which has no monthly service charge, balance requirements or overdraft fees, received Bank On certifcation from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. Bank On National Account Standards were developed to ensure expanded access to safe and appropriate fnancial products and services to the nearly 36 million people in the United States outside of the mainstream fnancial system. In addition to the certifcation, Fifth Third supports regional Bank On coalitions to create awareness of Bank On certifed accounts. In 2022, Fifth Third donated to fve regional Bank On coalitions in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Louisville and Tampa. Together, the organizations provided free volunteer tax preparation to community members. Credit, when used responsibly, can make a real diference. It can enhance a consumer’s chances of acquiring a future loan, including a mortgage to achieve homeownership. The Fifth Third Secured Card * is a credit card designed to help customers build or rebuild their credit. It is a secured card, meaning it is secured by the customer placing a minimum $300 deposit into a new Fifth Third Momentum® account. This deposit funds the account and is used to determine the borrower’s credit limit to help prevent spending beyond the customer’s means. Fifth Third’s Southeast Cobb Financial Center opened in 2021. 78