Fifth Third VS Golden 1 Credit Union

Which bank is better for you?

  • 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
  • Financial Rates: 4.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 4.0 Star Icon
No Rate Information
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Pros:

  • Variety of accounts offered
  • CDs offer competitive interest rates
  • Low opening required amounts
  • Freedom Checking Account for teens

Cons:

  • Must become a member first
  • Cannot open all accounts online
  • Monthly maintenance fees
  • Not competitive rates for most accounts
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.

Golden 1 Credit Union Review

Golden 1 offers a wide variety of accounts. They offer free checking, interest-earning checking, and checking for students. They offer CDs, a money market, and a basic savings account. They also offer savings accounts for youth, the holidays, and big purchases. They also offer credit cards, investment options, insurances, and loans.

Golden 1 CDs offer good interest rates. The rates are higher than typical brick and mortar bank rates. They are slightly lower than other online accounts. A few of the CD terms do offer rates that are competitive with other online CDs.

Most Golden 1 Credit Union accounts have low opening required amounts. The opening amounts range from $1 to $100 depending on the account. Some accounts do not have a required amount. The CDs require $1,000 to open. The money market account does require $2,500 to open.

This checking account is set up specifically for students ages 16 and 17. To have this account, you must maintain a B average in school. Teens can have freedom of their own finances and learn to manage their money. There is no required amount or monthly fee. They offer online and mobile banking, and mobile deposit.

To open an account with Golden 1, you must first become a member. If you live or work in California, you qualify to be a member. Family members of other Golden 1 members also qualify. You can qualify if you belong to certain employee groups. If these options do not work, you can join the Financial Fitness Association to become a member.

Not all Golden 1 accounts can be opened online. Some accounts require visiting a local branch location to open. All the CDs and most of the savings accounts can be opened online.

The premier checking account and the money market account both have monthly fees. The fees are $5 each month. You can waive those fees by having a set amount in each of the accounts. The checking account requires $1,000, and the money market account requires $2,500.

Most accounts with Golden 1 do not offer competitive interest rates. The checking, savings, and money market account rates are not competitive with other online accounts. They are competitive with other brick and mortar rates.

Read the full Golden 1 Credit Union review.

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Savings (Rate as of 3/29/2024)
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