From the 2021 Fifth Third Bancorp ESG Report: Supplier Diversity

We know a diverse supply chain is better business. It’s about offering excellent financial solutions and driving innovation for the benefit of our customers, shareholders, employees and communities. We consider our supplier diversity program a strategic imperative. It was formally established in 2015 to encourage certified minority-, women-, veteran-, persons with disabilities-, and LGBT+-owned small businesses to compete for contracting opportunities and to drive innovation.

Our One Bank approach promotes collaboration across our internal departments to ensure diverse suppliers are used throughout our organization. In addition to ensuring access to business opportunities, we support diverse suppliers through myriad methods, from certification support to scholarships providing education and training on how to conduct business with us, that exemplify our commitment to diverse business owners and to having a more robust and competitive supply chain.

TIER 1

Tier 1 spending includes suppliers who provide products and services directly to Fifth Third and receive payment directly from Fifth Third. In 2021, the Bank’s Tier 1 spending increased 17% from $75.4M in 2020 to $88.4M.

TIER 2

Tier 2 spending includes suppliers who provide products and services to Fifth Third and receive payment from a Tier 1 supplier. As an industry best practice, influencing diverse spending through all levels of our supply chain positions us to deliver measurable economic benefits to both Fifth Third and diverse communities. Actively working with Fifth Third’s Tier 1 suppliers to increase engagement and spending with diverse suppliers boosts supplier diversity success. The strategic focus on increasing diverse Tier 2 spending had a significant impact as the Bank’s Tier 2 diverse spending in 2021 increased 254% from $7.3M in 2020 to $25.8 million. This resulted in $109 million combined Tier 1 and Tier 2 spending with diverse suppliers in 2021.

Through the years, Fifth Third has developed numerous partnerships with organizations that focus on enhancing supplier diversity efforts. In addition to business opportunities, part of our journey includes partnerships with organizations that are established to promote the development of a strong supplier base in the communities we serve. Those include the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity. Several Fifth Third leaders serve on boards or as members of committees with these organizations.

Supporting and Developing Supplier Diversity Leaders

Fifth Third’s Supplier Diversity and facilities teams partnered in the inaugural Diversity Inclusion Support and Connection Opportunities for Vendor Empowerment Roundtable, or DISCOVER event. The event improved awareness of business opportunities for certified minority businesses in the construction, design, repair and maintenance fields. Sessions provided insight and tips about how to bid for work on upcoming Fifth Third projects and introduced diverse suppliers to key decision-makers.

During the pandemic, Fifth Third turned to innovative ways to connect with diverse suppliers, including a virtual program in partnership with the Business Development Program for Ohio and Kentucky members of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley. The eight-month program developed female entrepreneurs, challenged business owners to explore new leadership concepts and focused on long-term economic growth opportunities that also benefit communities. The highly selective program was guided by certified program directors, Kaufman FastTrac Growth Venture Program facilitators and Fifth Third subject matter experts.

For more information about the Bank’s efforts in Supplier Diversity, read the Bank’s 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report.