Key Takeaways
- • Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB) and Eldridge announced a strategic partnership to offer private credit arrangements to Fifth Third's Commercial Bank clients.
- • The program is designed to give both parties a more reliable way to meet evolving client financing needs through flexible, forward-looking solutions.
- • The partnership builds on an existing relationship that began at Eldridge affiliate Stonebriar Commercial Finance, where Fifth Third supported asset-based credit growth and a large-ticket equipment finance origination platform.
- • Eldridge manages over $70 billion in assets across diversified credit, GP solutions, real estate credit, and sports and entertainment strategies.
Summary
Fifth Third Bancorp and Eldridge, the asset management and insurance holding company, announced a strategic partnership to offer private credit arrangements to clients of Fifth Third's Commercial Bank, according to a Business Wire release dated July 29, 2025. The companies describe the program as a means to enhance their ability to meet emerging and evolving client needs and to provide reliable private credit solutions.
Kevin Khanna, head of Commercial Banking at Fifth Third, said the arrangement marks a significant moment in providing a private credit solution for clients, adding that the companies can deliver flexible, forward-looking financing that empowers clients to pursue strategic opportunities with confidence. The release does not disclose deal size, program capacity, or pricing terms.
Nicholas Sandler, Co-President of Eldridge Capital Management, said the partnership extends a relationship that began at Eldridge affiliate Stonebriar Commercial Finance, where Fifth Third supported the growth of Eldridge's asset-based credit business by helping build a market-leading large-ticket equipment finance origination platform. He characterized the private credit partnership as a natural evolution of that engagement across diverse forms of credit.
The announcement emphasizes alignment of vision and capabilities and a shared commitment to innovation, strategic growth, and long-term value creation. Fifth Third, which has been operating since 1858 and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, is a federally chartered bank holding company's subsidiary structure as described in the release. Eldridge, with more than $70 billion in assets under management, is wholly owned by Eldridge Industries and operates insurance platform Security Benefit and Everly Life through its Eldridge Wealth Solutions division.
Kevin Khanna, head of Commercial Banking at Fifth Third, said the arrangement marks a significant moment in providing a private credit solution for clients, adding that the companies can deliver flexible, forward-looking financing that empowers clients to pursue strategic opportunities with confidence. The release does not disclose deal size, program capacity, or pricing terms.
Nicholas Sandler, Co-President of Eldridge Capital Management, said the partnership extends a relationship that began at Eldridge affiliate Stonebriar Commercial Finance, where Fifth Third supported the growth of Eldridge's asset-based credit business by helping build a market-leading large-ticket equipment finance origination platform. He characterized the private credit partnership as a natural evolution of that engagement across diverse forms of credit.
The announcement emphasizes alignment of vision and capabilities and a shared commitment to innovation, strategic growth, and long-term value creation. Fifth Third, which has been operating since 1858 and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, is a federally chartered bank holding company's subsidiary structure as described in the release. Eldridge, with more than $70 billion in assets under management, is wholly owned by Eldridge Industries and operates insurance platform Security Benefit and Everly Life through its Eldridge Wealth Solutions division.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.