Fifth Third Bank to move state headquarters uptown

Fifth Third Bank is moving its North Carolina headquarters from the university area to uptown Charlotte. The bank will be moving 250 employees to a 30-story office tower on Fifth and Tryon in June and will rename it Fifth Third Center. Bob James, the CEO of the bank's North Carolina operations, says Fifth Third has been eyeing the Center City for several years. "The move of our North Carolina headquarters to uptown really reflects Fifth Third's commitment to be one of the major banks in the Charlotte region and North Carolina," says James. "We believe this move uptown will give us increased visibility and presence and will allow us to take advantage of all of the things that come with being in the central business district." James says as part of that commitment Fifth Third plans to open about thirty branches in North Carolina over the next three years. During that time he says the bank will hire about 250 people. Most of the branches would be located in the Charlotte and Raleigh area. Fifth Third will be leasing the uptown space from Bank of America. Swedish appliance maker Electrolux will be moving to Fifth Third's University location.