CONTACT:  Joseph F. Hutchison                 FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
                                              March 13, 1997

     SUBURBAN BANCORPORATION INC. AND FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
                     ANNOUNCE MERGER PACT

     Suburban Bancorporation and Fifth Third Bancorp, both based
in Cincinnati, Ohio, announced today the execution of a
definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Suburban will be
merged into Fifth Third Bancorp.  The merger agreement provides
that each outstanding share of Suburban will be converted into
 .24357 shares of Fifth Third common stock in a tax free exchange. 
Based on the closing price of Fifth Third common stock, the
transaction has a value of approximately $32.0 million or $20.64
per share to Suburban stockholders.

     The stock exchange ratio is subject to possible adjustment,
and the actual value to be realized by the Suburban stockholders
will be dependent upon the trading value of Fifth Third's common
stock at the date of completion of the merger.  The merger is
subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and satisfaction
of other conditions.  The merger is expected to be completed in
the third quarter of 1997.  The offices of Suburban Federal
Savings Bank, the operating subsidiary of Suburban, will be
merged into The Fifth Third Bank.

     "Fifth Third Bancorp is continually strengthening its
commitment to the residents of Greater Cincinnati," said George
A. Schaefer, Jr., President & CEO, Fifth Third Bancorp.  "The
increased number of locations will increase our ability to
provide convenient financial services and we're looking forward
to offering our full range of products and services to Suburban
customers.  This acquisition will also continue to expand Fifth
Third's position as the leading financial institution in the
Greater Cincinnati area in both assets and deposits."


     Joseph F. Hutchison, President & CEO of Suburban Bancorpora-
tion, stated that "the merger with Fifth Third is the culmination
of the process initiated by our Board of Directors to enhance
shareholder value.  We are excited about joining forces with
Fifth Third.  Our customers will clearly benefit from the broader
service lines that Fifth Third can offer.  Together we can more
effectively serve the financial service needs of our local
economy."

     Founded in 1858, The Fifth Third Bank is headquartered in
Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Bank is one of 11 affiliates of Fifth
Third Bancorp which has $20.5 billion in assets, 412 full-service
Banking Centers, including 96 Bank Mart locations open seven days
a week inside select grocery stores and 764 Jeanie ATMs in Ohio,
Kentucky, Indiana and Naples, Florida.  Fifth Third operates four
main businesses; Retail, Commercial, Fifth Third Investment
Advisors and Midwest Payment Systems.  Fifth Third investor
information can be accessed on the internet at www.53.com.  The
company's common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under
the symbol: "FITB".

     Suburban is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and had $219
million in assets, $129 million in deposits and $26 million in
equity as of December 31, 1996.  It operates seven offices in
Hamilton County.  Suburban's common stock trades on The Nasdaq
Stock Market under the symbol "SBCN".