Fifth Third Bank Announces Paying Off the Existing Mortgage for the Gilliam Family Selected by 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

Fifth Third Bank Announces Paying Off the Existing Mortgage for the Gilliam Family Selected by 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The hit ABC-TV series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is in Armada Twp., located in Macomb County, this week. Fifth Third Bank, long-time financial partner of the builders on the project -- American Heartland Homebuilder and Lombardo Homes -- will be working together on this program.

Monday morning on August 7, Ty Pennington, design team leader and carpenter, surprised the Gilliam family of Armada Twp., Mich. when he informed them that their home has been chosen to receive a makeover. The builders, American Heartland Homebuilder and Lombardo Homes, will build the Gilliams' new home along with Ty Pennington, the show's design team, and workers, subcontractors, trades and volunteers. To help the Gilliam family, Fifth Third Bank is accepting donations at its 86 banking centers in Southeastern Michigan until December 31, 2006. A special fund has been created, which donations will be used to assist in the long-term care of the family and their home.

Fifth Third Bank has stepped up to ensure the Gilliam family will be able to live in their new home debt free. As the banking partner of American Heartland Homebuilder and Lombardo Homes, Fifth Third Bank will pay off the existing mortgage on the Gilliam family property, paving the way for the family to truly enjoy a brand new start.

"We are proud to make a difference in the lives of the Gilliam family," said Greg Kosch, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Eastern Michigan). "This donation illustrates the overarching commitment the bank has for making the dream of homeownership a reality for everyone."

About Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank, Eastern Michigan, is based in Southfield, Mich. and led by President Greg Kosch. Fifth Third Bank is metropolitan Detroit's sixth largest bank and has $7.1 billion in assets, $4.4 billion in deposits, $1.1 billion in custody assets and actively manages $600 million for its personal, corporate, and not-for-profit clients.

Fifth Third Bank serves customers in eight southeastern Michigan counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Shiawassee, Livingston, Genesee and Washtenaw. Fifth Third Bank currently operates 86 banking centers, and more than 117 ATMs throughout eastern Michigan.

The Fifth Third name has stood for high performance and great service for almost 100 years. Fifth Third's roots go back to 1858, when the Bank of the Ohio Valley was formed in Cincinnati. That bank became the Third National Bank in 1871 and merged with the Fifth National Bank in 1908 creating the Fifth Third name.

Source: Fifth Third Bank

CONTACT: Jack Riley, +1-248-603-0304, Cell: +1-734-516-9689, or Sheri
Miles, +1-248-603-0520, Cell: +1-734-765-2697, both of Fifth Third Bank

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