Howard Marks Warns of 'Cockroaches,' Indicating That Loans and Frauds Frequently Happen in Groups: Credit Problems Are 'Systematic,' Not 'Systemic'
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 07 2025
0mins
Should l Buy FITB?
Source: Benzinga
Howard Marks' Warning: Howard Marks, co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, cautions that recent high-profile bankruptcies and frauds are indicators of potential future problems, though he does not see them as systemic threats to the financial system.
Systematic Issues: Marks describes these financial issues as systematic, arising from a long period of complacency and risk tolerance, rather than indicating a fundamental flaw in the lending system.
Historical Context of Fraud: He notes that the last 16 years of economic growth have created an environment ripe for financial scams, leading to a potential increase in undiscovered frauds, which he refers to as a "bumper crop" of frauds.
Market Prudence: Despite the alarming nature of these frauds, Marks believes they may lead to a heightened level of prudence among lenders and investors, as past errors come to light.
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Analyst Views on FITB
Wall Street analysts forecast FITB stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for FITB is 54.54 USD with a low forecast of 50.00 USD and a high forecast of 61.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
14 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 53.790
Low
50.00
Averages
54.54
High
61.00
Current: 53.790
Low
50.00
Averages
54.54
High
61.00
About FITB
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company and is the indirect holding company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association (the Bank). Its Commercial Banking segment offers credit intermediation, cash management and financial services to large and middle-market businesses and government and professional customers. Its Consumer and Small Business Banking segment provides a full range of deposit and loan products to individuals and small businesses through a network of full-service banking centers and relationships with indirect and correspondent loan originators, in addition to providing products designed to meet the specific needs of small businesses, including cash management services. Its Wealth and Asset Management segment provides a full range of wealth management solutions for individuals, companies and not-for-profit organizations, including wealth planning, investment management, banking, insurance, trust and estate services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Investor Focus: Benzinga's Stock Whisper Index utilizes proprietary data and pattern recognition each week to highlight five undervalued stocks that deserve attention, assisting investors in finding new opportunities amidst information overload.
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- Data Source: Benzinga Pro provides the latest market dynamics and headlines, ensuring investors can access key information that impacts the market, thereby improving the effectiveness of their investment strategies.
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- Economic Threat Analysis: Fifth Third Bancorp CEO Tim Spence highlighted that the long-standing structural deficits pose the greatest threat to both the US economy and the banking sector, particularly as AI may enhance productivity, creating a favorable low-rate environment for banks.
- Impact of Cryptocurrency: Spence noted that the rise of cryptocurrency poses a threat to the banking system, especially with the potential passage of the Clarity Act, which could enhance the role of stablecoins as payment rails, necessitating banks to adapt to this new technology.
- Regulatory Fairness: He emphasized that any entity resembling a bank in function should be regulated as such, ensuring a level playing field to protect the interests of the banking industry.
See More
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- Board Expansion: Fifth Third Bancorp has appointed Derek J. Kerr, Barbara R. Smith, and Michael G. Van de Ven as new directors, increasing the board size to 16 members, aimed at enhancing corporate governance and strategic decision-making capabilities.
- Kerr's Financial Expertise: Derek J. Kerr brings nearly four decades of financial and corporate governance experience, having served as Vice Chair of American Airlines Group, and his extensive industry background is expected to provide crucial support for the bank's financial management and risk control.
- Smith's Leadership Skills: Barbara R. Smith, former CEO of Commercial Metals Company, possesses strong management and financial expertise, and her addition is anticipated to enhance the bank's decision-making in talent management and compensation, further promoting a positive corporate culture.
- Van de Ven's Operational Background: Michael G. Van de Ven has over 30 years of executive experience at Southwest Airlines, with a deep understanding of operations and risk management, and his involvement is expected to improve the bank's compliance and governance structure, ensuring sustainable business growth.
See More
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- Profit Growth: Fifth Third reported a profit increase in Q4, with net interest income rising 6% to $1.53 billion, primarily driven by improved loan demand and economic growth, showcasing its competitiveness in the credit market.
- Fee Income Surge: Wealth and asset management revenue jumped 13% to a record $185 million in Q4, while commercial payments revenue increased by 8%, demonstrating the bank's success in diversifying its income sources.
- EPS Forecast Adjustment: Despite the strong Q4 performance, Truist lowered its FY26 EPS estimate by $0.10 to $4.18, mainly due to the earlier-than-expected closure of the Comerica deal and an increased tax rate, reflecting future uncertainties.
See More
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- Dividend History Analysis: The dividend history chart for Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) suggests that the current 3.2% annualized dividend yield may persist, reflecting the impact of company profitability fluctuations on dividends.
- Trading History Reference: FITB's trailing twelve-month trading history indicates a current stock price of $50.49, and with a historical volatility of 29%, it provides investors with a basis for assessing risk versus reward.
- Options Trading Dynamics: As of Tuesday afternoon, the put volume among S&P 500 components reached 802,997 contracts, while call volume hit 1.61 million contracts, indicating a strong preference for call options among investors, reflecting a positive market sentiment.
- Risk and Reward Assessment: When considering selling covered calls at a $60 strike price for January 2028, investors must weigh the risk of giving up upside potential beyond $60 against the potential rewards, ensuring the rationality of their investment decisions.
See More
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- Customer Service Recognition: Fifth Third Bank received a 5-star rating in USA Today’s inaugural America’s Best Customer Service for Financial Services study, reflecting high customer appreciation for its personalized service and reinforcing its position as a relationship bank.
- Investment in Customer Experience: The bank continues to invest in modern financial center designs and digital banking tools to enhance customer experience, ensuring fast and secure service across all channels, thereby increasing customer loyalty and competitive edge.
- Integration Plans: Later this year, Fifth Third expects to extend its customer experience to Comerica customers, forming the ninth largest U.S. bank post-integration, which will further expand its market share and service capabilities.
- Customer Feedback Foundation: The study is based on a nationwide survey of over 31,000 customers and more than 75,000 company reviews, demonstrating Fifth Third's commitment to consistent customer service excellence and enhancing brand trust.
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