THE BANK’S DISTRIBUTION department in 1914.

One hundred and fifty years ago, on June 17, 1858, The Bank of the Ohio Valley was organized and became the first unit in what ultimately was to become Fifth Third Bank. Banking in those days was quite different than it is today. Back then, transactions were slowly and laboriously recorded by hand in large, heavy ledgers with beautiful entries of flourishing penmanship. All copies of letters were hand-pressed. Oil lamps were used for light since incandescent electric lighting was not even invented until about twenty years later. Typewriters were unheard of and adding machines weren’t patented until four years later, in 1872. There were no auditors or accountants, only bookkeepers and tellers. Customers lined up at one window for a deposit and another window for withdrawals.

In 1871, the Third National Bank purchased the assets of the Bank of the Ohio Valley. In 1882, The Queen City National Bank of Cincinnati was organized. That bank, which was located at 53 West Third Street, eventually changed its name to The Fifth National Bank.

As you might be expecting, The Third National Bank then merged with the Fifth National Bank in 1908. The new, merged bank name became The Fifth Third National Bank of Cincinnati with Charles A. Hinsch as president, $2,500,000 in capital and $12.1 million in deposits.

Other acquisitions occurred and the bank grew from its early beginnings. In 1919, national banks such as Fifth Third were not permitted to have branches, so the bank began an affiliation with the state-chartered Union Savings Bank, which allowed it to establish a branch banking system.

During the Great Depression and the ensuing public panic, many banks were forced to close. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared bank holidays which shut down all banks in the country, March 3-9.

Following this “holiday,” only the stronger banks were permitted to open their doors. When Fifth Third Bank reopened, depositors returned with a stronger confidence in the institution. In fact, the bank’s growth was accelerated as a result of this financial crisis. During the next decade, Fifth Third continued to purchase additional, smaller banks.

In 1948, the Fifth Third Foundation was established, the first corporate foundation established by a financial institution in the United States. Fifth Third is proud to be continuing this tradition of giving foundation grants. Grants support the arts, culture, community development, education and health and human services.

During the 1960s, Fifth Third Bank expanded its branch system and began advertising via the mass media. In 1969, the bank developed the 5/3 shield as its logo. In 1977, Fifth Third introduced an online automated teller system — JEANIE. The technology was popular with 30 percent of Fifth Third customers using JEANIE in its first year. JEANIE also was one of the first shared ATM networks in the United States.

In 1991, Fifth Third celebrated its first “Fifth Third Day,” a day that recognizes customers and employees on the third day of the fifth month (May 3) of each year. This year, Fifth Third donated more than $200,000 to charitable organizations throughout Southeast Michigan.

In 1999, Fifth Third first gained inclusion on the Fortune 500 list of the nation’s largest companies, debuting at No. 436. Since then, Fifth Third has added numerous accolades including Top 10 inclusion in the Superregional Bank category of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies since 2001.

Fifth Third, which now boasts assets of $111 million, continued expansion of its footprint during the past 10 years and now with 18 affiliates has a presence in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, North Carolina and Georgia.

Throughout its history, Fifth Third Bank has expanded, developed and redeveloped products, services — even its brand — to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers.

One thing has remained steadfast throughout the bank’s history is its commitment to customers. That commitment will remain the focus of Fifth Third Bank as we celebrate our next 150 years.