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Parties
15. The Bureau is an independent agency of the United States created by the
CFPA and charged with regulating the offering and providing of consumer-financial
products and services under “Federal consumer financial laws.” 12 U.S.C. § 5491(a).
The Bureau is authorized to initiate civil actions in federal district court, by its own
attorneys, to address violations of “Federal consumer financial law.” 12 U.S.C.
§ 5564(a)-(b).
16. Fifth Third operates, among other things, a branch-banking business
that offers and provides an array of financial products and services primarily used by
consumers for personal, family, or household purposes. Fifth Third is therefore a
“covered person” under the CFPA. 12 U.S.C. § 5481(5), (6), (15)(A).
Factual Background
17. Fifth Third has more than $200 billion in total assets and, through its
branch-banking business, operates more than 1,000 full-service branches in Florida,
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina,
Tennessee, and West Virginia.
18. Among the products or services (hereinafter referred to as products)
Fifth Third offers through its branch-banking business are checking accounts, savings
accounts, credit cards, online banking, overdraft protection, and lines of credit.
Case: 1:21-cv-00262-DRC Doc #: 73 Filed: 06/16/21 Page: 4 of 43 PAGEID #: 61