UC News

Could a Cincinnati bank merger create more jobs?

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

headshot of Emily Glass By Emily Glass
2 minute read October 10, 2025

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

Tags

Related Stories

2

Why is there a statue of Stephen Foster in Cincinnati?

June 26, 2026

Even if you don't know American parlor composer Stephen Foster, you’ve probably heard his music. His mid-19th century folk songs, including “Camptown Races” and “Oh Susanna,” make appearances in pop culture to this day. There’s a statue of Foster overlooking the Ohio river in Alms Park that prompted WVXU's Bill Rinehart to feature him in his Cincinnati mysteries segment, OKI Wanna Know. WVXU turned to University of Cincinnati music history expert Kristy Swift for a peek into Foster’s life and impact in the region.