(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 17 apr - Fifth Third Bancorp said its net profit available to common shareholders in the first quarter was 128 million dollars, or 0.15 dollars per share, compared to 478 million, or 0.71 per share, in the same period last year.

One-off charges, including expenses tied to the acquisition of Comerica, accounted for 0.68 dollars per share, the bank said. Analysts expected a loss of 0.10 dollars per share.

"We closed the acquisition of Comerica on February 1st, and early financial benefits are already showing up, including strong net interest margin expansion and tangible book value per share growth," CEO and president Tim Spence said.

Net interest income in the period increased to 1.939 billion.

dollars from 1.442 billion a year ago.

(RADIOCOR) 17-04-26 14:59:22 (0442) 5 NNNN