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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000035527-03-000001.txt : 20030506
<SEC-HEADER>0000035527-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030506
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030506100858
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000035527-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030502
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030506

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000035527
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				310854434
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		38 FOUNTAIN SQ PLZ
		STREET 2:		FIFTH THIRD CENTER
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45263
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5135795300

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POSTON DANIEL T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001195809

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-08076
		FILM NUMBER:		03683301

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
		STREET 2:		38 FOUNTAIN SQ.
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45263
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-02</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000035527</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIFTH THIRD BANCORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FITB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195809</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>POSTON DANIEL T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP &amp; Auditor</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F3"/>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-02</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>10.2238</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>48.97</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>1988-08-08</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>10.2238</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>438.7631</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Acquired pursuant to The Fifth Third Bancorp Non Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The units are to be settled in Fifth Third Bancorp common stock after termination of employment.  Pursuant to guidance given by the SEC in using the new Section 16 reporting system the date of 08/08/1988 is used as a place filler only and bears no relation to the units or their exercise or expiration dates.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The units are to be settled for Fifth Third Bancorp Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Paul L. Reynolds, Attorney-in-Fact for Daniel T. Poston</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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