In-depth Review of Fifth Third Bank
Aug 30, 2022 By Triston Martin

Fifth Third Bank offers a huge range of products, including specialized checking and savings options. If you live in Fifth Third's service region and are looking for a single bank to meet all of your needs, you should take a look. You can manage all your accounts—checking, savings, college fund, retirement, and investment—in one place.

You can use the following in-depth review to determine if this sizeable regional bank is the best option for your financial requirements.

Fifth Third Bank

The Fifth National Bank and the Third National Bank merged to form Fifth Third Bank, which has its company headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company has a significant brick-and-mortar presence in 11 states in the Midwest and Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia, serving both individual and business clients.

In addition to ranking third in the annual Best Regional Banks rankings, Fifth Third Bank is a GOBankingRates Top 100 Bank for its comprehensive banking services, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, loans, investment accounts, and even insurance. Customers with their bank and investment accounts in Fifth Third Bank are eligible for improved interest rates on loans and savings accounts.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The bank offers access to an extensive network of more than 5,000 free-free ATMs nationwide
  • There is no minimum deposit to open a checking or savings account
  • Variety of CD terms
  • Better interest rates when you have numerous accounts

Cons

  • A high balance is required to waive monthly fees
  • Low APY for accounts that pay interest
  • A regional bank with just 1,300 branches in selected states
  • Low savings rates
  • High maintenance fees each month
  • Money Market Account includes no debit card

What services does the Fifth Third Bank offer?

Fifth Third Bank offers nearly the full array of deposit accounts and services to fulfill customer needs. The following Fifth Third Bank review covers the top-performing services.

  • Checking accounts
  • Savings accounts
  • Money market account
  • Certificates of Deposits (CDs)
  • Credit cards

Checking Accounts

Fifth Third Bank offers various checking accounts to choose from.

Fifth Third Momentum Bank Checking Accounts

Momentum Checking is a non-interest bearing basic checking account which has the following qualities:

  • A contactless debit card from Fifth Third Bank with cashback incentives
  • Mobile banking features such as account alerts and mobile deposit
  • Mobile banking features such as account alerts and mobile deposit
  • Access to pay bills online
  • No minimum deposit to open the account, nor is there a monthly maintenance fee.

Fifth Third Express Banking

While not a checking account, Fifth Third Express Banking offers consumers a no-fee account with many of the same advantages as a checking account: You can cash checks, make deposits at Fifth Third Bank locations, and deposit checks using the mobile app. The account does not, however, support check writing or ATM deposits.

The services you use, such as in-person check cashing/deposits and mobile deposits, have an associated price even though this account has no monthly maintenance fees. However, these costs are decreased depending on how many transactions you complete each month.

Fifth Third Preferred Checking

This account is a high-yield checking option offered by Fifth Third Bank. If your deposit and investment accounts have a combined total balance of $100,000 at any time throughout the month, the $25 monthly maintenance fee will be waived.

Furthermore, you should be aware that this checking account's APY is lower than those offered by other banks, especially online banks.

Savings account

Fifth Third Banking Momentum Saving account

This savings account has a lot to offer as an introductory saving vehicle.

The Fifth Third Momentum Savings Account has a lot to offer as a starter savings account and there is no deposit requirement to open the account, but you must fund it within 45 days. This account offers a low APY of just 0.01% on all balances. There is a $5 monthly service fee, but there are numerous alternatives to paying it:

  • Having a Money Market Account or Fifth Third Checking Account
  • Maintain a balance of $500 or more monthly.
  • Must be an account holder under 18 years of age
  • Become a member of Fifth Third Military Banking
  • By pairing both, you can automatically move funds from your checking account to your Fifth Third Relationship Savings Account.

Money Market Account

Fifth Third Bank Relationship Money Market Account

The Relationship Money Market Savings Account is designed to encourage clients to hold numerous accounts with the bank, much as Fifth Third's Relationship Savings. Depending on whether you merely have a Fifth Third Money Market account or a relationship with that bank, such as a checking or savings account, there are two distinct APYs.

Even though it is referred to be a money market savings account, you may use it to create checks, pay bills, and conduct business via mobile banking. This account has a $5 monthly maintenance fee.

Certificates of Deposits (CDs)

Fifth Third Bank offers a large variety of Certificates of Deposits (CDs). These certificates include a promotional 12-month CD with a higher APY and regular CDs with maturities ranging from seven days to 84 months, one of the broadest term ranges offered by a bank,

Fifth Third's current offers for all terms only pay out 0.01% APY unless you intend to lock in the promotional 12-month period. Before investing money in a CD, shop around for better CD rates.

Fifth Third Bank Customer Service

If you need to contact Fifth Third Bank, call 1-800-972-3030 for assistance. The hours of operation for customer support are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.Moreover, you can log into your account online at any time to chat with a virtual assistant or a live agent who is available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on business days and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

You can set up a meeting on the bank's website if you prefer to talk to someone in person.

How to Bank with Fifth Third Banking

Customers in 11 states where Fifth Third Bank serves can easily open an account online or in person at one of the 1,100 open locations. Once you've opened an account, you can deposit money using wire transfers, mobile check deposits, wire transfers from external accounts, check deposits by mail, ATMs (apart from Express Banking users), or in person at a Fifth Third Bank location.

Final Thoughts

If you want to merge all of your accounts with one bank and get rewarded with better rates for it, Fifth Third Bank is a wise choice. If you are in the bank's service area or don't mind doing your banking online or through a mobile app, you can get everything you may need from the Fifth Third Bank.