Could a Cincinnati bank merger create more jobs?

UC economics professor weighs in on Fifth Third’s bid to buy Comerica

WLWT reported that Fifth Third Bank plans to acquire Comerica, a Dallas-based regional bank, in a $10.9 billion deal.

Pending regulatory approval, it would make Fifth Third the ninth largest bank in the country. 

David Brasington, economics professor at the University of Cincinnati's Carl H. Lindner College of Business, spoke to WLWT on what the potential merger could mean for the queen city.

"My initial impression is that it's great for the city because Fifth Third is a thriving institution and this will probably just make it stronger," he told WLWT. 

Brasington explained that Fifth Third’s acquisition could lead to more regulatory stress tests, and in turn, more work. He said it could create more jobs in the city and draw in more people, including college students.

"To be able to have a big institution in the city that's gaining jobs instead of losing jobs would be really attractive for college students," Brasington said. 

See the full story on WLWT

Featured image at top of $100 bills. Photo/Adobe Stock

Related Stories

1

High Court offers protections for therapy speech

April 5, 2026

Jennifer Bard, a professor in the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law and the UC Department of Internal Medicine, spoke with journalists about the US Supreme Court ruling granting first amendment protections for speech offered during therapy sessions.

3

UC design student works with sports greats in co-op

April 2, 2026

Spectrum News profiles UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning communication design student Jayden Balwally, who had an internship with the Oklahoma City Thunder and worked with the Heisman Trophy Trust and the College Football Playoff.