02-07-2025
Fifth Third Bank review (2025): A regional bank with extensive checking account options
Summary: Fifth Third Bank has a lengthy history that dates back to the founding of the Bank of the Ohio Valley in 1858. Following mergers and acquisitions, the bank became Fifth Third National Bank around the turn of the century. The bank's headquarters are in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it operates over 1,100 branches in 10 states. Fifth Third ranked among our top 10 best national and super regional banks of 2025.
Momentum Checking: This checking account has no monthly fees and doesn't require a minimum opening deposit. It also has no minimum balance, and you won't be charged a fee if your balance falls below a certain amount. It provides access to over 2,400 fee-free ATMs and more than 1,100 branch locations across 10 states. It also includes access to a nationwide network of partner ATMs.
Preferred Checking: With the Preferred Checking account, you gain access to certain perks, such as unlimited check writing, better loan rates, and complimentary Fifth Third Identity Alert. There is a $25 monthly fee, which can be waived if you achieve a combined total balance of at least $100,000 across your deposit and investment accounts one time per month.
Student Checking: This account is available to kids or students age 13 and up. There is no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance required.
Military Checking: Military families (including active duty, retired, reserve/guard, and veterans) receive special benefits with checking accounts, such as special VA home loan rates, 10 free non-Fifth Third ATM transactions per month, and more. There is no monthly service charge when you open a Fifth Third Momentum Checking account, or a $5 discount on the monthly service charge if you open a Fifth Third Preferred Checking account.
Express Banking: This account provides the advantages of a secure, easy-to-access bank account, with built-in safeguards to help you manage your money better. Though it has a $5 monthly fee, there is no balance requirement. This account also does not charge overdraft fees. Account holders also get benefits such as early direct deposit, 24/7 mobile and online banking, and credit-building tools.
ABLE Checking: This account allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save for future qualified expenses without losing access to federal benefits. It's available through participating state plans. There is a $2 monthly service fee, which can be waived if you have an average monthly balance of $250 or more during your statement cycle, or if you sign up for paperless statements.
The Momentum Savings account is a basic savings account that can be paired with the Momentum Checking account. It earns very little interest with a 0.01% APY, and a $5 monthly fee applies if you don't maintain a $500 minimum balance. On the plus side, there is no minimum opening balance, and overdraft protection is fee-free with a linked Momentum Checking account.
With the Relationship Money Market account, your standard savings account is elevated to a high-interest savings account. There is a $5 monthly service fee, which can be waived if you meet one of the following requirements:
You have a Fifth Third checking account (not including Fifth Third Express Banking).
You maintain an average monthly balance of $500 or more.
Someone under age 18 is an owner of the account.
You are enrolled in Fifth Third Military Banking.
Fifth Third offers various CD terms. Promotional CDs range from three to 24 months, while standard CDs range from seven days to 84 months. While the standard CDs offer more term choices, they all have an APY of 0.01%.
Promotional CDs offer competitive interest rates, with the top rate exceeding 4%. However, the promotional rates require a $5,000 minimum deposit, while the standard CDs only require a $500 deposit.
In addition to monthly fees associated with certain accounts, Fifth Third Bank charges fees for specific transactions or services.
Here are some of the pros and cons to consider before opening an account with Fifth Third.
Pros
Fee-free checking account: The Momentum Checking account has no monthly fee, regardless of your account balance.
Early direct deposit: Customers can get early access to direct deposits, including paychecks, government benefits, and more, up to two days before the scheduled date. For federal tax refunds, you may receive funds up to five days early.
Extensive ATM network: Over 2,400 in-network ATMs are available, and Fifth Third has partner ATMs nationwide.
Cons
Low APY on savings: The standard savings account has just a 0.01% APY. The same applies to non-promotional CDs.
Limited branch locations: Although it has many branches in certain states, none exist outside the 10 states where Fifth Third Bank operates.
High overdraft fee: Incurring an overdraft costs $37 per transaction, which is on the high end for the industry.
Fifth Third Bank has an online chat that is available 24/7 for customers. Phone support is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Phone support is not available on Sundays.
Fifth Third's mobile app is highly rated, with a 4.6-star rating on Google Play store and a 4.8-star rating on the Apple App Store. The app has several useful features, such as checking your account balance and transactions, transferring money, paying bills, and depositing checks.
Fifth Third has taken several steps to advance social and environmental causes. For example, its Empowering Black Futures program committed $180 million in investment through the program, a goal which it has already exceeded. It has extended the original timeframe for the program through 2025 to continue providing assistance.
It also pledged $180 million toward environmental causes, a goal it had already exceeded as of 2023. In 2023, the bank provided $1.3 billion in lending for renewable energy projects. It also financed $19.6 billion in social projects as part of its $100 billion environmental and social target.
Read more: What is sustainable banking?
Fifth Third's customer service number is 800-972-3030. Phone support is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
Yes, Fifth Third Bank is backed by the FDIC and deposits are guaranteed up to $250,000 per account holder, per ownership category.
Fifth Third has several different routing numbers for different cities and regions. You can find your routing number on the bank's website.
Although some of Firth Third's accounts have good features, its standard savings account earns very little interest. It also charges high overdraft fees, and much of the country doesn't have a branch nearby.
Fifth Third can be a good bank if you prefer a brick-and-mortar bank that offers a checking account with no monthly fees. However, other banks offer better interest rates or make it easier to avoid fees.
Fifth Third is a very stable bank. It celebrated its 165th anniversary in 2023.
