Banking » Reviews » Fifth Third Bank Review 2023
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Fifth Third Bank Review 2023

Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: September 20, 2023
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: September 20, 2023

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank logo
Fifth Third Bank logo

Fifth Third Bank

Checking Fees

$0 – $25

Savings APY

0.01%

Minimum Deposit

$0

CDs APY Range

0.01% – 5.00%

Fifth Third Bank functions as a regional financial institution, serving customers in 12 states through a network of almost 1,100 branches.

It presents a variety of checking and savings accounts, all of which require no minimum opening deposits. Additionally, the bank provides a money market account and a diverse selection of CD terms. Its primary branch presence can be found in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, and Indiana.

Customers of Fifth Third Bank benefit from accounts with low minimum deposit requirements, and they can access a vast network of fee-free ATMs.

However, those in search of highly competitive interest rates may need to explore alternative options. Although the bank's customer service representatives are not available 24/7, they remain accessible even on weekends. Fifth Third Bank has been selected as one of our top banks in Illinois, Ohio, and Florida.

Variety Of Checking Options

Fifth Third Bank offers four different checking account options with varying features and fees:

Momentum Checking
Preferred Checking
Express Checking
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
$25
$0
Balance to waive fee
/
$100,000 across your deposit and investment accounts
/
Check writing
Yes
Yes
/
fee-free partner ATMs Access
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dedicated banker
No
Yes
No

The Fifth Third Momentum® Checking account is the bank's featured and most popular checking option. It offers all the benefits of a checking account with no monthly service charge, making it a free checking account.

There is no minimum balance or deposit required to open the account. With Fifth Third Extra Time®, customers have additional time to make a deposit and avoid overdraft fees until midnight ET the next business day.

The account also provides unlimited check writing, 24/7 mobile and online banking, the option to receive paychecks up to two days early with Early Pay, and the ability to get a cash advance on qualified deposits with MyAdvance®.

Fifth Third Preferred Checking® offers exclusive benefits, including higher interest rates on checking accounts, preferred discounts, and services. Avoid $25 monthly service charges by maintaining a combined total balance of $100,000 across deposit and investment accounts once a month.

Enjoy unlimited check writing, a secondary checking account, improved loan rates, complimentary Fifth Third Identity Alert®, and online bill pay.

Fifth Third Student Banking is a checking account designed for students aged 13 and above, with no minimum deposit or balance requirements. It offers a Fifth Third Debit Card, unlimited check writing, and online bill pay convenience.

Fifth Third Express Banking® offers a secure and accessible bank account with no monthly service fee or balance requirement.

It provides check cashing and deposits, immediate access to funds, 24/7 mobile and online banking, a Fifth Third Debit Card, and tools for credit building. Note that check writing and check deposits are not available at ATMs.

For military families, including active duty, retired, reserve/guard and veterans. Also includes commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Savings Accounts: Rates Are Not Competitive

The Fifth Third Momentum Savings account has no minimum deposit but APY is low – only 0.01%, far from the what you can get with other savings accounts.

You can avoid the $5 monthly service charge by meeting specific criteria: having a Fifth Third Checking Account, maintaining an average monthly balance of $500 or more, having someone under 18 as an account owner, or being enrolled in Fifth Third Military Banking.

Fifth Third Bank Savings
Savings APY
0.01%
Savings Fees
$5 The monthly service charge for Fifth Third savings accounts is waived if you meet any of the following criteria: having a Fifth Third checking account, having all savings account owners listed on the Fifth Third checking account, maintaining an average monthly balance of $500 or more, having an account owner under 18 years old, or being enrolled in Fifth Third Military Banking.
Minimum Deposit
$0

This account offers the convenience of automatic checking-to-savings transfers to reach your savings goals faster and combines savings and checking statements for added ease.

CDs: Competitive Rates But High Minimum

Fifth Third Bank offers a variety of CD terms from 7 days to 7 years, but the standard rates are relatively low, ranging from 0.05% to 0.10% APY, which might not be highly competitive.

To remedy this, they provide promotional rate CDs with terms of 5, 9, and 12 months, featuring significantly higher APYs that are competitive compared to other banks and credit unions. A minimum deposit of $5,000 is required to open a CD account. Here you can compare CD rates with other banks

Fifth Third Bank CDs
5 Month
5.00%
9 Month
4.00%
12 Month
4.00%
Minimum Deposit
$5,000

Early withdrawal from the CD account results in penalties based on the term:

  • For CD terms of 7 days up to 364 days, a 1% penalty of the withdrawn principal applies.
  • For CD terms of 365 days up to 36 months, a 2% penalty of the withdrawn principal applies.
  • For CD terms of 36 months or greater, a 3% penalty of the withdrawn principal applies.

The penalty amount cannot exceed the interest earned, except during the first 6 days where a minimum 7-day interest penalty may be deducted from the principal.

Money Market: Nice Features, Low Rates

The Fifth Third Relationship Money Market Savings Account provides additional benefits such as the ability to write checks and the convenience of combined savings and checking statements.  Monthly service fee is $5 per month.

You can meet certain criteria to avoid a monthly service charge on Fifth Third savings accounts. This includes having a Fifth Third checking account, maintaining an average monthly balance of $500 or more, having an account owner who is under 18, or being enrolled in Fifth Third Military Banking will also waive the service charge.

Fifth Third Bank Savings
Money Market APY
0.01%

Fifth Bank Credit Cards

Fifth Third Bank offers three credit cards for different purposes:

  • The Preferred Cash/Back Card: it offers Fifth Third Preferred Banking Clients unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. It comes with no annual fees, no international transaction fees, and allows cash back redemption with no minimum requirement.

  • The 1.67% Cash/Back Card: this card offers 1.67% cashback and key perks: no annual fee, no international transaction fees, touch-free payments, cell phone protection, digital wallet support, and the ability to temporarily lock and unlock the card for added security.

  • The 1% Cash Back Card: this card offers a low intro rate with a long 0% APR. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases with no annual or international transaction fees. Cashback can be redeemed anytime with no minimum requirement

  • Secured Card: Fifth Third also offer a secured card that can help customers build credit and report activity to 3 credit bureaus. However, this card has an annual fee.
Fifth Third preferred cash back
Fifth Third cash back card
Fifth Third intro APR card
Fifth Third secured

FAQs

Fifth Third Momentum® Savings simplifies saving by offering visual goal tracking and automatic savings. By linking your Fifth Third Momentum® Checking account, you can put your savings on autopilot.

To open an online savings account, you'll require your social security number, driver's license or state ID, a mobile phone with camera access for ID scanning, and your existing bank account number if you plan to make a transfer.

For CDs with the automatic renewal feature, there is a one-day grace period (for terms under 32 days) or a ten-day grace period (for terms of 32 days or more) after the maturity date to redeem it without penalty.

Consider M&T if you're seeking checking accounts, planning to deposit money in CDs, or require access to branches. However, be aware that the savings account rates are relatively low. Fifth Third Bank has been selected as one of our top banks in Florida, Ohio, and Illinois.

 

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann's areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
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