Corporate Social Responsibility
Fifth Third Bank's Purpose is to improve lives and the well-being of the communities it serves. The Bank accomplishes this by making corporate social responsibility (CSR) a way of life at the Company. The Bank's leadership thoughtfully considers how every operational and business decision affects the community at-large.
Each year, Fifth Third reports its progress in a Corporate Social Responsibility Report. The 2014 CSR Report, titled "Curiosity First," is a 24-page comprehensive report of the Bank's efforts to be a good corporate citizen and a force for positive change in the last calendar year.
The Bank's commitment to CSR is centered around its signature programs, including Reemployment, the Bank's industry-first initiative to help customers find jobs; L.I.F.E. (Lives Improved through Financial EmpowermentSM) programs; Fifth Third’s alliance with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C®); outreach to Veterans; fighting hunger in the communities the Bank serves; and Project SEARCH ®, a school-to-work transition program for individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities.
Fifth Third Bank and United Way
At Fifth Third, we believe that building a stronger community helps build a better bank. That's why, each year, our employees engage in local United Way campaigns with outstanding success. United Way is a natural fit for us. In 2014, the Bank and our employees contributed more than $7 million to United Way across our 12-state footprint, and employees participated in hundreds of volunteer events to improve the well-being of local communities.
In addition, the Bank’s CSR initiatives encompass five major and inter-related areas of emphasis:
Consumers
Fifth Third Bank is committed to improving lives. This is illustrated through its industry-first reemployment initiative to help customers find jobs and its L.I.F.E. (Lives Improved through Financial Empowerment) programs, including the Young Bankers Club®, Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal Finance®, Empower U® and the Financial Empowerment Mobiles.
Communities
The Bank is collaborative in helping to create and sustain vibrant communities. Local teams allow Fifth Third to stay close to the issues facing its neighbors, helping to guide investments and activities. Efforts include Bank-wide support of the U.S. military and veterans, the 5-3 Impact Initiative, the Fifth Third Community Development Corporation and philanthropic gifts through the Fifth Third Foundation.
Businesses
Fifth Third Bank actively supports businesses of all sizes with smart financial solutions. These products and services ultimately impact individual families and communities, as businesses fuel the economy and provide employment opportunities. Fifth Third also has a special emphasis on assisting small businesses.
Employees
Employees are the ambassadors and embodiment of Fifth Third. The Company cares a great deal about how engaged its employees are in its Purpose and how employees work together to fulfill Fifth Third's Vision. The Bank is committed to engagement and inclusion and operates three Project SEARCH campuses in its footprint. The Bank’s employees also work together on May 3 each year to provide meals to feed the hungry.
Environment
Fifth Third continues to do its part to operate its business in a more environmentally sustainable way. Progress in Sustainability in 2014 included the formal adoption of an environmental sustainability policy, a reduction in energy consumption and the expansion of recycling to 90 percent of the Company’s retail locations.
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