Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	17. Income Taxes The applicable income tax expense was $98 million and $108 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and was $206 million and $232 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were 22.8% and 26.1%, respectively, and were 23.9% and 25.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in the prior year was primarily the result of an $8 million tax benefit related to a change in the estimated deductibility of a prior expense. This benefit was partially offset by a non-cash charge for the write-off of a deferred tax asset related to stock-based awards granted to employees and directors. While it is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefits with respect to certain of the Bancorp’s uncertain tax positions could increase or decrease during the next 12 months, the Bancorp believes it is unlikely that its unrecognized tax benefits will change by a material amount during the next 12 months.

Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

17. Income Taxes

The applicable income tax expense was $98 million and $108 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and was $206 million and $232 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were 22.8% and 26.1%, respectively, and were 23.9% and 25.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in the prior year was primarily the result of an $8 million tax benefit related to a change in the estimated deductibility of a prior expense. This benefit was partially offset by a non-cash charge for the write-off of a deferred tax asset related to stock-based awards granted to employees and directors.

While it is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefits with respect to certain of the Bancorp’s uncertain tax positions could increase or decrease during the next 12 months, the Bancorp believes it is unlikely that its unrecognized tax benefits will change by a material amount during the next 12 months.