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Fifth Third Bank Review

You may want to consider Fifth Third Bank if you live in the Southeast or Midwest. It has a strong Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Momentum Checking with several overdraft protection options and a good Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Bank Standard CD. You'll earn the best CD rates at online banks, though.

Fifth Third Momentum Savings Account

Fifth Third Momentum Savings Account
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.5/5
Fees

$5 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$0

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No minimum opening deposit
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Possible to waive monthly service fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Low APY
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $5 monthly service fee
Product Details
  • Over 1,087 branches in 11 states in the Southeast and Midwest
  • Avoid the $5 monthly service fee by having a Fifth Third checking account (excluding Fifth Third Express Banking), OR maintaining at least $500 in your account monthly, OR enrolling in Fifth Third Military Banking
  • Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
  • Member FDIC

The  Fifth Third Momentum Savings Account may be worthwhile if you're able to waive the monthly service fee. You'll need to have a Fifth Third checking account (excluding Fifth Third Express Banking), an account balance of at least $500, or be enrolled in Fifth Third Military Banking.

Otherwise, our best high-yield savings accounts guide has suitable fee-free options.

Fifth Third Momentum Checking

Fifth Third Momentum Checking
Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Momentum Checking
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn a $300 cash bonus when you provide the offer code and make a direct direct deposit of $2,000 or more within 90 days of account opening (offer expires March 31, 2025)

Fees

no monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

None

Minimum Opening Deposit

$0

Bonus

$300

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No monthly service charge
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Early direct deposit
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Unlimited check writing
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free overdraft protection
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Fifth Third Extra Time waives some overdraft fees
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $2.75 out-of-network ATM fee
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $37 overdraft fee
Insider’s Take

You may want to consider Fifth Third Bank if you live in the Southeast or Midwest. It has a strong free checking account with several overdraft protection options and a good range of CDs. You'll earn the best CD rates at online banks, though.

Product Details
  • Earn $300 cash bonus when you make a direct deposit of $2,000 or more within 90 days of account opening (offer expires March 31, 2025)
  • Over 1,087 branches in 11 states in the Southeast and Midwest
  • Over 40,000 free ATMs through the Allpoint, Presto!, and 7-Eleven ATM networks
  • Get free overdraft protection if you link your checking account to a savings account or get a line of credit
  • If you don't have overdraft protection, Fifth Third Extra Time waives overdraft fees if you restore your account balance before midnight the following business day
  • Member FDIC

The Fifth Third Momentum Checking is a great choice if you don't want to deal with monthly bank maintenance fees.

The bank also offers several ways to avoid overdraft fees. You can get free overdraft protection if you link your checking account to a savings account or get a line credit.

If you don't have overdraft protection, Fifth Third Extra Time is still available. Fifth Third Extra Time is a special feature in the Fifth Third Momentum Checking, where the bank waives overdraft fees if you restore your account balance before midnight ET the next business day.

Fifth Third Bank Standard CD

Fifth Third Bank Standard CD
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01% to 4.50%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$500 to $5,000

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Variety of CD terms
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low minimum opening deposit on terms longer than 3 months
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low early withdrawal penalites
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Low interest rate
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High minimum opening deposit on terms shorter than 3 months
Product Details
  • Over 1,087 branches in 11 states in the Southeast and Midwest
  • Terms range from 7 days to years
  • $5,000 minimum opening deposit for terms ranging from 7 days to 89 days
  • $500 minimum opening deposit for terms ranging from 3 months to 7 years
  • Promotional CD term: Earn up to 4.50% APY on a promotional CD if you deposit at least $5,000
  • Earn 0.01% APY on standard CD terms
  • For terms shorter than 1 year, the early withdrawal penalty is 1% of the amount withdrawn
  • For terms between 1 year and 3 years, the early withdrawal penalty is 2% of the amount withdrawn
  • For terms between longer than 3 years, the early withdrawal penalty is 3% of the amount withdrawn
  • Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
  • Member FDIC

You'll find Fifth Third Bank's Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Bank Standard CD appealing if you're looking for a variety of terms. The minimum opening deposit is also low for terms between three months and seven years.

The one downside is rates are pretty low overall, with the exception of a three promotional terms.

Fifth Third Bank Relationship Money Market Account

Fifth Third Bank Relationship Money Market Account
Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third Bank Relationship Money Market Account
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.5/5
Fees

$5 monthly service fee

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

0.01%

Minimum Opening Deposit

$0

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No minimum opening deposit
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Check writing included
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Possible to waive monthly service fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Low interest rate
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No debit or ATM card included
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. $5 monthly service fee
Product Details
  • Over 1,087 branches in 11 states in the Southeast and Midwest
  • Avoid the $5 monthly service fee by having a Fifth Third checking account (excluding Fifth Third Express Banking), OR maintaining at least $500 in your account monthly, OR enrolling in Fifth Third Military Banking
  • Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
  • Member FDIC

The Fifth Third Bank Relationship Money Market Account is a decent money market account if you don't want a high minimum opening deposit and qualify to waive the $5 monthly service fee. It doesn't come with a debit card and pays a low interest rate, though.

How Fifth Third Bank Works

Fifth Third Bank has over 1,087 branches in 11 states in the Southeast and Midwest. You'll find a nearby branch if you live in the following states:

  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Michigan
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • West Virginia

Customer service is available over the phone or through live chat Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

The bank's mobile app has 4.4 out of 5 stars in the Apple Store and 4.1 out of 5 stars in the Google Play Store. 

Fifth Third Bank is FDIC insured. Individual bank accounts are secure up to $250,000. 

Fifth Third Bank: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Free Fifth Third Momentum® checking account with Fifth Third Extra Time®
  • Free overdraft protection
  • Possible to waive monthly service fees
  • Variety of CD terms

Cons

  • Only available in select states in the Midwest and Southeast
  • Low savings rates
  • Monthly service fees on savings accounts
  • No debit card included in money market account

Fifth Third Bank Trustworthiness and BBB Rating

Fifth Third Bank as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. The BBB determines ratings by looking at how a business responds to customer issues, advertises, and handles transparency.

Fifth Third Bank has been involved in one recent public controversy. In 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit that said the bank opened products for customers without their authorization. The CFPB filed an amended complaint in June 2021 that stated by opening these accounts and misleading customers, Fifth Third Bank had violated several federal regulations. The case is still ongoing.

Fifth Third Bank Alternatives 

Fifth Third Bank vs. Regions Bank 

If you'd like to have a robust branch network, Regions Bank may be more appealing than Fifth Third Bank. Fifth Third Bank has 1,087 branches in 10 states, while Regions Bank has over 1,300 branches in 15 states.

Fifth Third Bank may stand out to you if you want to open bank accounts with $0. Fifth Third Momentum Checking and the Fifth Third Momentum Savings Account do not require a minimum opening deposit. 

You might also like Fifth Third Bank if you want a free checking Account. The Regions Bank LifeGreen® Checking Account has a $8 or $11 monthly service fee and you'll need to meet certain requirements to waive the fee. 

Regions Bank Review

Fifth Third Bank vs. PNC Bank

Fifth Third Bank might be a stronger contender than PNC Bank if you want to open a checking account without monthly service fees. Its savings account isn't as strong, though. It pays a low rate and has a $5 monthly service fee However, if you already have a Fifth Third Bank checking account, it may be worth exploring.

If you live in the Midwest or Northeast, you likely won't be eligible for the PNC Bank High-Yield Savings Account, the most appealing account. PNC's other savings accounts have monthly maintenance fees if you don't have a certain amount in your account. Ultimately, you might prefer one of the best high-yield savings accounts if you're priority is obtaining a high savings rate and avoiding monthly service fees. 

PNC Bank Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Fifth Third Bank

We rate bank accounts on a scale from one to five stars. For Fifth Third Bank's checking, savings, and money market accounts, we used Personal Finance Insider's bank account ratings methodology. The exact factors we evaluate vary depending on the type of account — for example, we look at overdraft fees for checking accounts and interest rates for savings and money market accounts.

For Fifth Third Banks CDs, we used our CD rating methodology which looks at interest rates, minimum opening deposits, early withdrawal penalties, CD variety, customer support availability, mobile app ratings, miscellaneous features, and the security and ethics of the company.

We use a weighted average to get our star rating, which means we weigh certain features, like interest rates and fees, at a higher weight percentage than others. We understand that these areas can more heavily impact a person's overall banking experience.

Business Insider's Fifth Third Bank Overall Rating

FeatureRating (out of 5)
Checking4
Savings3.5
CD4
Money market3.5
Trustworthiness4
Total3.75

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