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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 27, 2003


                               FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            Ohio                        0-8076                 31-0854434
(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission              (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)               File Number)           Identification No.)

                Fifth Third Center
    38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio                     45263
     (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (513) 579-5300

                                 Not Applicable
             (Former name or address, if changed since last report)

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Item 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure

On March 27, 2003, Fifth Third Bancorp issued a press release regarding an
authorization by the Board of Directors to repurchase shares of its common
stock. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

         Exhibit 99.1 - Fifth Third Announces Share Repurchase Authorization


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                 FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
                                                 (Registrant)



March 27, 2003                                   /s/ Neal E. Arnold
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Neal E. Arnold
                                                 Executive Vice President
                                                 and Chief Financial Officer