Nationwide VS Fifth Third

Which bank is better for you?

  • Financial Rates: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 3.0 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 4.0 Star Icon
No Rate Information
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Pros:

  • Chief Customer Advocates on your side
  • Free ATM transactions
  • Earn cash back on debit transactions
  • Low minimum opening account amount

Cons:

  • Popmoney has fees and isn't instant
  • High deposit needed to open CDs
  • No credit cards or prepaid cards offered
  • Fee for dormant accounts
  • 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
Nationwide Review

If you have a question, the Chief Customer Advocate is there to help. This person works with the CEO of Nationwide to ensure the customer's needs are being met. If you have a policy problem or a question about a statement, call the Chief Customer Advocate.

Nationwide customers can make eight transactions at any ATMs each billing cycle. Nationwide will not charge you a fee, but the ATM owner might. If you are a premier member, you get unlimited ATM transactions without fees. To be a premier member, you must have another bank account, loan, credit card, or an insurance policy with Nationwide. There are over 77,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

As a premier member, you earn cash back on your debit card purchases. If you use your debit card for at least $1,200 in purchases each month, you will earn 0.25% on those purchases. The reward cap is $20 per month. This reward will not start until your account is active for 180 days.

Opening a savings or checking account with Nationwide only requires $25. You start earning competitive interest rates with the $25 you deposit to open the account.

Nationwide uses Popmoney to transfer money between people. Money transferred with Popmoney is not instant. The delivery takes three business days. If you want the money sent instantly, it will cost $0.25 per transaction. Each transfer must be at least $5.

To open a CD, you must have at least $500. Once you open an account, you can choose from three month to five-year CDs.

Nationwide does not offer credit cards or prepaid cards anymore. If you already have a prepaid card, you can use it until the money is gone, but you cannot reload money onto it. If you currently have a credit card with Nationwide, you can use it as normal, but Nationwide is no longer taking credit card applications.

There is a fee if you do not use your checking account for 365 consecutive days. On the 366th day, a $5 fee will be charged. Each month the account is not active will have a $5 fee. To avoid the fee, sign up for direct deposit.

Read the full Nationwide 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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