Fifth Third Bancorp has appointed Tom Partridge the lead of the bank’s Equipment Finance Services as part of a slew of personnel moves in the Kentucky region.

Before taking over in Louisville as the president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Kentucky), Partridge served as market president in northeastern Ohio, where he was also the executive and manager of Commercial Banking. Prior to that, he managed the Middle Market and Commercial Real Estate Group for Fifth Third Bank (Cincinnati).

“Tom’s extensive background in commercial credit, as well as his experience in leadership roles in three different markets with Fifth Third, make him the perfect candidate to significantly accelerate the growth of our leasing business,” said Greg L. Kosch, vice president and head of the Wholesale Bank.

In addition to Partridge’s appointment, Micahel Ash was tabbed as president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Kentucky), which was Partridge’s former role, and Mark Boison will replace Ash as market president in Lexington.

Ash has been in the banking industry for 24 years, half of which he has spent with Fifth Third. He spent seven years as a business banking executive for Fifth Third in central Indiana prior to taking the role of market president in Lexington.

Boison joined Fifth Third in 2011 and has more than 35 years of banking experience, including stops with Forcht Bank and JPMorgan Chase.

“All three of these appointments reflect the significant bench strength at Fifth Third,” said Greg D. Carmichael, president and chief operating officer of Fifth Third Bancorp. “Our talent development discipline gives us confidence to make management changes, both in our lines of business and within our marketplaces, that will produce successful business results.”

In related news, a source from Fifth Third Bancorp said that David Merrill, the president of Fifth Third Equipment Finance Company, is with the bank today but will be leaving to pursue other opportunities.