BankDirect VS Fifth Third

Which bank is better for you?

  • Financial Rates: 3.5 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 2.5 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 3.0 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 4.5 Star Icon
No Rate Information
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Pros:

  • Low required opening amounts
  • Reimbursement of ATM fees
  • Variety of personal deposit accounts
  • Money market account earns good rates

Cons:

  • Highest MMA rate requires large amount
  • High required amount to open CDs
  • Checking accounts have a monthly fee
  • Must mail in application to open account
  • Financial Rates: 3.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 3.0 Star Icon
No Rate Information
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Pros:

  • Student checking account
  • No required amount to open accounts
  • Interest bonus when savings goals met
  • Business accounts available

Cons:

  • Accounts have a monthly fee
  • Hard to waive checking account fees
  • Accounts not offered everywhere
  • Low-interest rates
BankDirect Review

Most of the BankDirect accounts have a low amount required to open the account. BankDirect checking accounts only require $500 to open. Both BankDirect money market accounts require $500 to open. The basic savings account only requires $100 to open.

BankDirect does not own any ATMs; they reimburse their customers the ATM fees. The first four ATM withdrawals per statement cycle are refunded. The refunds are up to $2.50 per transaction. There is a withdrawal limit of $500 from an ATM each day.

BankDirect offers a variety of personal deposit accounts. There are three different checking accounts and two different money market accounts. There are a variety of different CD terms available. BankDirect offers one savings account. There are no business accounts available.

The BankDirect Money Market Plus account offers a competitive interest rate. BankDirect also offers a mileage money market account. This account earns American Airline miles. Both MMA require $500 to open. The mileage money market account earns much lower interest rates. You earn miles instead of interest. There is no monthly fee for either account.

To earn the high rates offered on the BankDirect Money Market Plus account you must have $10,000 in the account. Amounts under $10,000 do not earn any interest. Only $500 is required to open this account, but to earn any interest requires $10,000.

BankDirect offers a variety of different CD terms. The required amount to open any of the CDs is $10,000. There is no monthly fee. The interest rates for CDs are competitive. The 12-month, 18-months, 24-months and 36-month CDs offer the most competitive rates. To open a mileage CD also requires $10,000.

Two of the BankDirect checking accounts have monthly fees. The interest and mileage checking accounts both have a monthly fee. The fee is waived for the interest checking account if you have at least $2,500 in the account. The mileage checking does not list a way to waive that monthly fee.

Opening an account with BankDirect is not entirely online. To open an account, you must fill out the application online, then print off part and mail it in. You will then receive a welcome kit within one to two weeks. Once you get your kit, you can finish setting up your account.

Read the full BankDirect review.

Fifth Third Review

The Fifth Third Student Banking account does not have a monthly fee if the student is 16 years or older. There is no amount required to keep in the account. Five ATM transactions at non-Fifth Third ATMs are free each month.

There is not a set amount required to open a Fifth Third checking account or savings account.

The Fifth Third Goal Setter Savings account offers a one-time interest bonus when you reach your savings goal. The amount you receive is equal to the amount of interest you have earned while the account is open. The account must be open for at least 185 days. The savings goals can range from $500 to $25,000. Interest is only paid on balances under $50,000.

Fifth Third offers a variety of accounts for small or commercial businesses. Various checking accounts are available. These accounts vary to fit how much money your business deals with monthly. Savings accounts, CDs, loans, and credit cards are also available.

Most all Fifth Third accounts have a monthly maintenance fee. The savings accounts have a fee of $5 per month. The checking account fees range from $8 to $25 each month depending on the account. There are ways to have the fees waived, but those vary by account.

Not only do Fifth Third checking accounts have fees, but the requirements to waive the fee are tough. Having a direct deposit into the account lowers the fee but does not waive it. You must have at least $1,500 to $100,000 in Fifth Third accounts depending on the account. Spending $500 on a Fifth Third credit card waives the fees. Having a mortgage, loan, or line of credit with a balance also waives the fee.

Accounts are not offered everywhere. Fifth Third currently offers accounts in ten states. If you do not live in one of those ten states, you are not eligible to open a deposit account with Fifth Third.

The interest rates on accounts are low. Fifth Third rates are typical of other banks. They are not competitive with online-only bank accounts. The more money you invest, the better interest rates you will earn.

Read the full Fifth Third review.

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