Fifth Third Bank is a regional bank with roughly 1,500 branches as of September 2026. Its original footprint covered Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia; after completing its merger with Comerica (closed February 1, 2026; final conversion completed Labor Day weekend, September 2026), Fifth Third expanded into new markets including Texas, Arizona, and California, becoming the ninth-largest bank in the US with more than $300 billion in assets. Its Momentum Checking is a genuinely fee-free account with no conditions. Early Pay direct deposit and a growing ATM network are notable advantages. Savings rates are not competitive — pair Fifth Third checking with an external HYSA.
Fifth Third is best for: customers in its expanded footprint who want no-fee branch banking with early direct deposit access.
Fifth Third Bank at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, OH |
| Assets | 300+ billion (post-Comerica merger, 2026) |
| Branches | ~1,500, expanded footprint post-merger |
| ATMs | ~2,100 owned + 40,000+ Allpoint (US) |
| FDIC insured | Yes |
| Routing number | 042000314 |
| Savings APY | ~0.01% (confirm current rate) |
| 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: ~2,100 owned + 40,000+ Allpoint (US), fee-free
- Best for: Customers who want a genuinely free, no-conditions checking account
Essential Checking
- Monthly fee: $11/month
- Fee waiver: $500 in monthly direct deposits OR $1,500 minimum 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: $100,000 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 pays around 0.01% APY — not competitive. Like most major regional banks, Fifth Third’s standard savings rates are well below online HYSA levels. Confirm the exact current rate before opening, since even near-zero rates can shift. 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
Several banks and fintechs now offer similar early-deposit features — unusual for a traditional regional bank of Fifth Third’s size.
ATM Network
Fifth Third’s fee-free ATM access includes its own ~2,100 branded ATMs plus the Allpoint network (40,000+ ATMs in the US). Out-of-network ATM fee: $3.50 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 (fee-free network, US) | ~2,100 + 40,000+ Allpoint | 1,600+ + Allpoint |
| Branches | ~1,500 (expanded, post-Comerica) | ~1,000 |
| Overdraft grace | Standard | 24-Hour Grace |
Confirm current figures for Huntington directly, as fee and network details can change. Fifth Third wins on early pay window and expanding footprint. 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
- Residents of Fifth Third’s expanded footprint — Midwest, Southeast, Texas, Arizona, and California — 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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