Fifth Third Bank has entered into an agreement to sell its retail operation, including its retail accounts, certain private banking deposits and related loan relationships in the St. Louis MSA to Great Southern Bank. The purpose of this transaction is in line with Fifth Third’s broader branch consolidation plans announced in June. The transaction is expected to close in early 2016, subject to regulatory review and approval.

Fifth Third remains committed to its commercial coverage in St. Louis, as well as its institutional services in the market after the completion of the sale. Fifth Third operates commercial banking activities in a number of markets where it does not have a retail branch network.

Deutsche Bank Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP served as legal counsel to Fifth Third Bank. Sandler O’Neill acted as exclusive financial advisor and Silver, Freedman, Taff and Tiernan LLP served as legal counsel to Great Southern.

About Great Southern

With total assets of $4.1 billion, Great Southern offers banking and investment services. Headquartered in Springfield, Mo., the Company operates 110 retail banking centers and more than 200 ATMs in Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska, and loan production offices in Tulsa, Okla., and Dallas, Texas. Great Southern Bancorp's common stock (ticker: GSBC) is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

About Fifth Third Bancorp

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $142 billion in assets and operates 1,299 full-service Banking Centers, including 101 Bank Mart® locations, most open seven days a week, inside select grocery stores and 2,630 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 22.8 percent interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2015, had $304 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $27 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Member FDIC.

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