Fifth Third Bank is a regional bank with 1,100+ branches across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. Its Momentum Checking is a genuinely fee-free account with no conditions. Early Pay direct deposit and a 50,000+ ATM network are notable advantages. Savings rates are not competitive — pair Fifth Third checking with an external HYSA.
Fifth Third is best for: Midwest and Southeast customers who want no-fee branch banking with early direct deposit access.
Fifth Third Bank at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, OH |
| Assets | ~$215 billion |
| Branches | 1,100+ in 11 states |
| ATMs | 50,000+ (Fifth Third + Allpoint) |
| FDIC insured | Yes |
| Routing number | 042000314 |
| Savings APY | 0.01% |
| Early Pay | Up to 2 days early |
Checking Accounts
Momentum Checking (Flagship — No Fee)
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum balance: $0
- Direct deposit required: No
- Early Pay: Up to 2 days early at no cost
- ATMs: 50,000+ fee-free
- Best for: Most customers
Essential Checking
- Monthly fee: $11/month
- Fee waiver: $500 in monthly direct deposits OR $1,500 average daily balance
- Overdraft protection: More comprehensive options than Momentum
- Best for: Customers who want additional overdraft protection features
Preferred Checking
- Monthly fee: $25/month
- Fee waiver: $10,000 in combined Fifth Third balances
- Benefits: Interest on checking, enhanced ATM access, relationship benefits
- Best for: High-balance customers wanting premium features
Savings Rates
Fifth Third Momentum Savings: 0.01% APY — not competitive. Like most major regional banks, Fifth Third’s standard savings rates are well below online HYSA levels. Customers seeking growth should open an external HYSA.
See Fifth Third savings account guide for strategy.
Early Pay: A Key Differentiator
Fifth Third’s Early Pay makes direct deposits available up to 2 business days before the official pay date:
- How it works: When your employer sends the ACH payroll file, Fifth Third makes the funds available immediately — rather than waiting for the official settlement date
- Fee: $0 — included on all checking accounts
- Coverage: Works with employer payroll, government benefits, and other recurring ACH deposits
- Typical benefit: Payday is Friday → funds available Wednesday morning
This is comparable to features offered by Chime, SoFi, and Capital One 360 — unusual for a traditional regional bank.
ATM Network
Fifth Third has one of the largest ATM networks among regional banks: 50,000+ fee-free ATMs via Fifth Third’s own machines and the Allpoint network. Out-of-network ATM fee: $3 per transaction.
Fifth Third vs. Huntington Bank
| Feature | Fifth Third Momentum | Huntington Asterisk-Free |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
| Min balance | $0 | $0 |
| Early deposit | Up to 2 days | Up to 1 day |
| Savings interest | 0.01% | 0.01%–0.02% |
| ATMs | 50,000+ | 1,600+ |
| Branches | 1,100 (11 states) | ~1,000 (9 states) |
| Overdraft grace | Standard | 24-Hour Grace |
Fifth Third wins on ATM network size and early pay window. Huntington wins on overdraft grace period (24 hours to fix overdrafts before fees apply) and Standby Cash line of credit.
Who Fifth Third Is Best For
- Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and other Midwest/Southeast residents needing branch access
- Customers who value early direct deposit access
- Those who want no-fee checking without any conditions
- Anyone happy to pair Fifth Third checking with an external HYSA for savings
See also: Fifth Third checking account | Fifth Third savings account | Fifth Third routing number | Fifth Third vs. Huntington
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