Regional banking gets a new leader as Fifth Third Bank appoints the former CFO of M&T Bank.
Fifth Third Bank Expands Southeast Presence with Darren King at the Helm
Fifth Third Bank, a leading financial institution, is set to strengthen its presence in the Southeast region with the appointment of Darren King as head of regional banking. King brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent 24 years at M&T Bank, including as Chief Financial Officer from 2016 to 2023.
Before joining Fifth Third, King spent a significant amount of time running retail at a similarly sized competitor's bank, giving him a unique perspective that is expected to drive strategy, cultivate talent, and pursue growth for the bank.
Darren King is not new to Fifth Third. He left M&T Bank last August for personal reasons, and his arrival at Fifth Third was announced in 2023. Kris Garrett, who served as Fifth Third's wealth and asset management chief and regional president, welcomed King's appointment, expressing enthusiasm about his leadership.
Garrett, who has been with Fifth Third since 2017, has also played a significant role in the bank's growth. Prior to her current position, she served as president of U.S. private wealth for CIBC. Her initial focus at Fifth Third was private banking, but her responsibilities expanded to include wealth and asset management in 2019.
In a move that signals her retirement, Garrett has announced that she will stay on until June to ensure a smooth transition. She became regional president at Fifth Third in 2022, and her tenure has been marked by a focus on private banking.
Fifth Third's strategy for growth in the Southeast region is centered on disciplined, data-driven expansion. The bank is opening branches selectively to ensure quality locations, with plans for around 65 new branches annually without compromising on location quality. By the end of 2028, Fifth Third aims to have a 50/50 balance between its Midwest and Southeast regions, and to open 200 branches across the Southeast.
The bank's geospatial heat mapping tool, a patent-pending technology, will help identify the right location for new branches. This tool, coupled with a blend of relationship banking and technology-enabled services, aims to build long-term customer trust and deposit base expansion valued at $15–20 billion over seven years.
King's relatability and credibility to frontline employees, gained from his experience as a former teller, is expected to enhance employee engagement and coaching effectiveness, critical for delivering the customer service central to Fifth Third’s growth model. His leadership style, grounded in firsthand branch experience, will help ensure a customer-first culture, directly supporting the bank’s focus on community-centric banking and high-quality customer relationships.
This leadership alignment reinforces Fifth Third’s balance between innovation and deep local community involvement in the Southeast expansion. The bank's strategic expansion is a testament to its commitment to growth and customer service in the region.
[1] Fifth Third Bank Press Release, 2023 [2] Darren King Biography, Fifth Third Bank, 2023 [3] Kris Garrett Biography, Fifth Third Bank, 2023 [4] M&T Bank Press Release, 2022 [5] Fifth Third Bank Annual Report, 2022
Finance and industry continue to intertwine as Darren King, with his extensive background in banking and finance, joins Fifth Third Bank. King, previously the Chief Financial Officer at M&T Bank, will lead regional banking efforts in the bank's strategic expansion in the Southeast, bringing growth-focused business strategies to the table. His arrival underscores Fifth Third Bank's commitment to banking and insurance, as well as its dedication to fostering a customer-first culture in the region.
