Exhibit 5

                       PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP
                              41 South High Street
                            Columbus, Ohio 43215-6194
                             Telephone: 614/227-2000
                             Facsimile: 614/227-2100
                                  May 16, 2001

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Huntington Center
41 S. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43287


         Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-8
                  Huntington Bancshares Incorporated 2001 Stock and Long-Term
                  Incentive Plan (the "Plan")

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, a
Maryland corporation ("Huntington"), in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), filed by Huntington with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the registration of 12,400,000 shares of Huntington
common stock, without par value (the "Shares"), to be issued under the Plan.

         In connection with this opinion, we have examined such corporate
records, documents, and other instruments of the registrant as we have deemed
necessary.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares will,
when issued and paid for in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, be
legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and entitled to the benefits of
the Plan.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR LLP

                                    PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR  LLP