For immediate release

The Federal Reserve Board today announced its approval of the applications and notices of Fifth Third Bancorp, ("Fifth Third") and Fifth Third Financial Corporation ("FTFC"), both in Cincinnati, Ohio, to acquire Old Kent Financial Corporation, Grand Rapids ("Old Kent"), and thereby acquire Old Kent's subsidiary banks, including Old Kent Bank, Grand Rapids, and Old Kent Bank, N.A., Jonesville, and its nonbanking subsidiaries, all in Michigan. The Board also announced that FTFC's election to become a financial holding company would become effective upon the consummation of Fifth Third's acquisition of Old Kent. Attached is the Board�s Order relating to this action. Attachment (85 KB PDF)

2001 Orders on banking applications