Fifth Third CIO Jude Schramm named to Most Innovative People in Finance list
Fifth Third Bank CIO Jude Schramm has been named to American Banker's inaugural Most Innovative People in Finance list. Schramm is recognized for his work in scaling AI and modernizing the bank's digital capabilities. Under his leadership, annual mobile app upgrades increased from two in 2021 to over 500 in 2025.

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Fifth Third Bank Chief Information Officer Jude Schramm has been named to American Banker's inaugural Most Innovative People in Finance list for his role in advancing enterprise AI and next-generation customer experiences. The list recognizes executives driving transformation across banking, payments, technology, and digital financial services. Schramm, who joined the bank in 2018, has been instrumental in accelerating Fifth Third's modernization efforts and expanding its digital capabilities.
Scaling AI and Digital Capabilities
Schramm's work focuses on scaling artificial intelligence across the enterprise while improving customer interactions through faster and more personalized digital experiences. His leadership reflects a broader industry shift toward operationalizing AI to deliver measurable impact for both customers and employees. Under his direction, the bank has significantly increased the pace of technology delivery.
Technology Delivery Milestones
The bank's technology delivery has grown substantially since 2021. The following table highlights the increase in major mobile app technology upgrades:
| Year | Major Mobile App Upgrades |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2025 | 500 |
This rapid increase enables faster innovation and more seamless experiences for customers and employees.
Leadership and Future Focus
"Jude has helped lead how Fifth Third is putting technology and AI to work in ways that improve the customer experience and make us a better, more effective bank," said Tim Spence, chairman, CEO and president of Fifth Third. Spence highlighted Schramm's discipline and focus on scaling critical capabilities. Looking ahead, Schramm aims to complete the integration of Comerica's systems, further advance AI usage, and strengthen the bank's scalable technology infrastructure to support future growth.
All honorees will be recognized at American Banker's Digital Banking Conference and the Most Innovative People in Finance and Innovation of the Year awards dinner on June 16.
What specific metrics will Fifth Third use to measure the ROI of its scaled AI initiatives over the next fiscal year?
How will the integration of Comerica's systems impact the bank's digital capabilities and customer experience timeline?
What risks does the bank face in maintaining software quality and security given the drastic increase in mobile app deployment frequency?

























