American Banker Names Fifth Third Bank’s Chief Administrative Officer Teresa Tanner to the Most Powerful Women in Banking List

Teresa Tanner’s guiding principle is: Lift as you climb.

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Teresa Tanner, Chief Administrative Officer for Fifth Third Bancorp, was named to American Banker's Most Powerful Women in Banking list for 2016. (Photo: Business Wire)

As Fifth Third Bank’s Chief Administrative Officer, she mentored several women. She was passionate that women executives have the responsibility to help other women develop the skills they need to rise, too. And she knew that if more women had the right levels of executive sponsorship, access to development and coaching designed for them, this could change.

So a little more than a year ago Tanner worked with an outside firm and her team to start Women in Leadership, an internal experience-based program that helps female leaders have more impact and accelerate their careers. The women would work together to network, as well as work with coaches and mentors.

The Women in Leadership class is one of the reasons Tanner was named to the Women to Watch List as part of American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking awards for 2016. The award puts her in the company of bank presidents and chief operating officers from both large and regional banks. American Banker highlighted Teresa’s innovation in reinventing the Bank’s benefits offerings, her work within the community, and her role in recruiting and developing talent.

Tanner has a long history of community involvement and impact. Her current commitments include serving as vice-chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and vice-chair of the ArtsWave Board of Trustees. She also serves on the Board of the FreeStore Foodbank and is active with the Women's Leadership Council of the United Way.

“We deeply admire Teresa for many reasons, including not only her passion for banking, her professionalism and deep dedication to the Fifth Third employees, but also her commitment to the communities we serve,” Fifth Third President and CEO Greg Carmichael said.

Tanner believes that Fifth Third executives should lead with courage – encouraging employees to take on strong roles, no matter their jobs.

Jamie Leonard, the Bank’s treasurer, said Tanner has been a significant force in driving Fifth Third to be one of the top performing banks in the industry and a top workplace as proven by the Bank’s third Gallup Great Workplace Award during her tenure.

"Teresa has significant influence and impact on all aspects and levels of the organization," he said.

The women in the first Women in Leadership program were nominated and approved by the Bank’s Enterprise Committee.

“We need diversity at the table, we need different styles and perspectives,” Tanner said. “We also need strong leaders – male and female – who can share their voices effectively and be heard.”

Tanner said the real proof will be in three to four years as these women executives progress through their careers and become sponsors and mentors, too. A new group of women started the program in August.

Tanner began her career with McDonald's Corporation and has a vast background in education, human resources and operations management. She attended Pensacola Christian College and received her MBA from Xavier University.

Women included on this year’s list will be featured in the October issue of American Banker Magazine and celebrated at an awards dinner on Oct. 6 in New York City.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $144 billion in assets and operates 1,191 full-service Banking Centers, including 94 Bank Mart® locations, most open seven days a week, inside select grocery stores and 2,541 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Wealth and Asset Management. Fifth Third also has an 18.3% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2016, had $305 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $26 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender

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