Fifth Third Bank Personal Loans Review: Rates, Fees and Who It's For

Fifth Third Bank offers traditional unsecured personal loans for people with good credit, typically a FICO score of 670 or higher, who want a fixed-rate installment loan from an established regional bank rather than an app-based cash advance.

Rates run 7.99% to 19.74% APR with an autopay discount, loan amounts reach $50,000, and approval standards run higher than most online lenders.

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Key Takeaways

• Fixed rates, no origination fee or prepayment penalty. Fifth Third's personal loans run 7.99% to 19.74% APR, which already includes a 0.25-percentage-point discount for automatic payments from an eligible Fifth Third account.

• Loan amounts reach $50,000 in person, $25,000 online. Applying for more than $25,000 requires an in-branch visit.

• Good credit is expected, not just helpful. Fifth Third doesn't publish a minimum score, but it points to 670 as the general threshold for "good" credit, and the lowest advertised rate likely requires a score closer to 800.

• Fifth Third just got a lot bigger. The bank completed its merger with Comerica Bank on Feb. 2, 2026, creating the ninth-largest U.S. bank with about $294 billion in combined assets, up from roughly $213 billion and a 20th-place ranking a year earlier.

• Fifth Third has a documented regulatory history worth knowing about. In July 2024, the bank paid $20 million total to settle CFPB findings on unauthorized accounts and force-placed auto insurance, with about 35,000 consumers compensated.

• Availability is regional, and growing. Full-service branches sit in 12 confirmed Midwestern and Southeastern states, and Fifth Third's Southeast and Texas expansion means that footprint is likely to widen before 2030, so confirm your ZIP code directly with the bank.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

By the Numbers: Fifth Third Bank at a Glance

• 1858: the year Fifth Third Bank was founded in Cincinnati.

• $294 billion: Fifth Third's approximate combined assets after closing its merger with Comerica Bank on Feb. 2, 2026, making it the ninth-largest U.S. bank.

• $20 million: total CFPB penalties paid in July 2024 ($15 million for unauthorized accounts, $5 million tied to force-placed auto insurance).

• About 35,000: consumers the CFPB ordered Fifth Third to compensate, including about 1,000 whose vehicles were repossessed.

• 37,000+: instances of unnecessary, duplicative auto insurance the CFPB found Fifth Third force-placed on borrowers between 2011 and 2019.

• 7.99% to 19.74%: Fifth Third's current fixed APR range on unsecured personal loans with the autopay discount.

• 45 days: how far out you can schedule your first loan payment.

What Is Fifth Third Bank and How Do Its Loans Work?

Founded in 1858 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Fifth Third Bank is a U.S. regional bank offering checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages and personal loans through a mix of branches and digital banking.

After completing its merger with Comerica Bank on Feb. 2, 2026, Fifth Third became the ninth-largest U.S. bank, with about $294 billion in combined assets, and now operates in 17 of the 20 fastest-growing large U.S. markets, including new footholds in Texas, Arizona and the broader Southeast.

Here's how the personal loans work:

• Qualify based on income and credit; no collateral is needed for the unsecured personal loan.

• Borrow up to $50,000 (up to $25,000 if you apply online).

• Get a fixed APR of 7.99% to 19.74%, which already reflects a 0.25-percentage-point discount for scheduling automatic payments from an eligible Fifth Third checking or savings account; skipping autopay raises the rate by 0.25 points.

• Repay in equal installments over 12 to 60 months.

If Fifth Third's Midwest-and-Southeast footprint doesn't cover your ZIP code, a few other regional banks fill similar niches: Regions Bank personal loans serves the South, Midwest and Texas, M&T Bank personal loans covers the Northeast, and Old National Bank personal loans focuses on nine Midwestern states.

Fifth Third Bank Pros and Cons

Here's a breakdown to help you decide if Fifth Third Bank is the right fit:

What Rates, Fees and Terms Does Fifth Third Offer?

Here are the key features of Fifth Third Bank personal loans:

• Loan amounts: $2,000 to $50,000 ($2,000 to $25,000 for online applicants).

• APR: Fixed rates from 7.99% to 19.74%, including the 0.25-percentage-point autopay discount.

• Payment flexibility: Choose your first payment due date up to 45 days out, and move your due date up to three times during the loan term.

• Loan terms: 12 to 60 months.

• Fees: No origination fee. A returned-payment fee and a late-payment fee may apply after a 10-day grace period; check your specific loan agreement for the exact amount.

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Fifth Third Personal Loan?

Fifth Third doesn't publish a minimum credit score for personal loans, but its own website points to 670 as the general threshold most lenders consider "good," so applicants at or above that mark have a better shot at approval.

Landing the lowest advertised rate, 7.99% APR with autopay (8.24% without), likely requires a score closer to 800.

If your score falls short, a bank like Old National Bank personal loans generally looks for scores around 700, while a lender built for a wider credit range, like Mariner Finance personal loans, may still work with borrowers who have fair or poor credit, typically at a higher APR.

MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers. Based on the information you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $100,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

Does Fifth Third Offer Secured Loans and Lines of Credit?

Yes. Fifth Third offers a secured personal loan and both secured and unsecured lines of credit alongside its standard unsecured personal loan.

Published APRs reflect the 0.25-percentage-point discount for automatic payments from an eligible Fifth Third checking or savings account.

How Do You Apply for a Fifth Third Personal Loan?

• Visit the Fifth Third website or a local branch. You don't need to be an existing customer to apply, but non-customers generally need to apply in person rather than online.

• If you don't already have a Fifth Third checking, savings or investment account, open one before applying online.

• Submit a personal loan application; remember the $25,000 cap if you're applying online.

• Agree to a hard credit inquiry and income verification.

• Review your loan terms and accept the offer if approved.

• Receive funds, typically within a few business days.

Availability may be limited outside Fifth Third's regional footprint, and terms can vary by location and borrower profile. If you'd rather skip branch visits entirely, Axos Bank personal loans is a fully digital alternative for borrowers with very good to excellent credit (730 or higher).

Is Fifth Third Bank Legit and Safe?

Yes. Fifth Third Bank has operated for more than 165 years, and after completing its merger with Comerica Bank on Feb. 2, 2026, it now ranks as the ninth-largest U.S. bank, with about $294 billion in combined assets.

Fifth Third is a Better Business Bureau-accredited business, though the BBB hasn't issued it a letter grade rating. The BBB profile notes that in July 2024, the CFPB found Fifth Third had opened unauthorized accounts in customers' names and force-placed unnecessary auto insurance on borrowers, some of whom already had their own coverage, leading to wrongful repossessions.

The bank paid $15 million to settle the unauthorized-accounts allegations and $5 million for the auto insurance practices, for $20 million total, and was ordered to compensate roughly 35,000 harmed consumers, including about 1,000 whose vehicles were repossessed. Fifth Third settled without admitting wrongdoing and agreed to stop the sales-goal practices tied to the unauthorized accounts.

Fifth Third customers give the bank an average of 3.27 out of 5 stars on the BBB website and 3.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Neither rating is specific to personal loans.

How Does Fifth Third Compare to Other Lenders?

With so many lenders to choose from, it's worth comparing before you commit. Here's how Fifth Third stacks up against two popular unsecured-loan alternatives:

SoFi may be the better fit if you want a larger loan and a longer repayment term. Discover might work better for borrowers with exceptional credit chasing the lowest APR among the three. If speed matters more than a branch relationship, Rocket personal loans offers same-day funding for borrowers who sign by 4 p.m. ET, and LightStream personal loans is worth a look for excellent-credit borrowers chasing a lower rate on a larger loan.

Worth noting: Citizens Bank, once a common regional-bank comparison, no longer offers new personal loans to consumers.

Who Should Get a Fifth Third Personal Loan?

Fifth Third Bank personal loans offer a stable, traditional option for borrowers who value predictable payments and an established banking relationship. They may not match the speed or flexibility of online lenders, but they can be a solid choice for qualified borrowers consolidating debt or covering a major expense.

Fifth Third personal loans may be a good fit if you:

• Prefer working with a traditional bank.

• Have good to excellent credit.

• Want fixed payments and a structured repayment schedule.

• Don't need same-day funding.

Look elsewhere if your credit sits below the "good" range; Universal Credit personal loans serves fair-to-bad-credit borrowers, though typically at a higher APR than Fifth Third.

Bottom Line

Fifth Third Bank is worth considering if you have good-to-excellent credit, live in its regional footprint and want a straightforward, fee-light installment loan from a bank that just became one of the 10 largest in the country.

The tradeoffs are real: higher approval standards, slower funding than most online lenders, and a documented 2024 regulatory settlement worth factoring into how much you trust the institution.

If speed, flexible credit requirements or a fully online process matter more to you, compare offers from SoFi, Discover or another online lender before deciding.

Key Terms

• Annual percentage rate (APR): The yearly cost of borrowing, including interest, expressed as a percentage. Fifth Third's published APRs already reflect its autopay discount.

• Origination fee: A one-time charge some lenders deduct from loan proceeds; Fifth Third does not charge one on its personal loans.

• Unsecured loan: A loan approved based on creditworthiness and income, without requiring collateral.

• Secured loan: A loan backed by collateral, such as a Fifth Third savings account, CD or investment account, which can unlock a different rate structure.

• FICO score: A credit score ranging from 300 to 850; Fifth Third points to 670 as the general "good" threshold for personal loan approval.

• Force-placed insurance: Insurance a lender adds to a loan, at the borrower's cost, when it believes the borrower lacks required coverage; the CFPB found Fifth Third misused this practice on auto loans for years.

• Hard credit inquiry: A credit check tied to a formal loan application that can cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Sources

• Fifth Third Bank: Personal Loans, Rates and Terms

• Fifth Third Bank: Regions We Serve

• Fifth Third Bancorp: Fifth Third Completes Merger With Comerica

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: CFPB Takes Action Against Fifth Third for Wrongfully Triggering Auto Repossessions and Opening Fake Bank Accounts

• Better Business Bureau: Fifth Third Bank Profile

• myFICO: Credit Score Ranges

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

FAQ

Here are quick answers to common questions about Fifth Third personal loans:

Does Fifth Third Bank offer personal loans?

Yes, Fifth Third offers secured and unsecured personal loans with fixed interest rates and set repayment terms, along with variable-rate secured and unsecured lines of credit.

What credit score do you need for a Fifth Third personal loan?

Fifth Third doesn't disclose a minimum credit score, but it points to 670 as the general threshold for good credit, giving applicants at or above that score a better chance of approval.

Do Fifth Third personal loans have any fees?

Fifth Third typically doesn't charge origination fees or prepayment penalties, but late fees and returned-payment fees may apply after a 10-day grace period, so check your specific loan agreement.

What states offer Fifth Third personal loans?

Fifth Third confirms 12 full-service states on its own website: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Following its February 2026 merger with Comerica, Fifth Third is expanding into Texas, Arizona and additional Southeast markets, so confirm your ZIP code directly with the bank before applying.

How fast is funding with Fifth Third personal loans?

Funding usually happens within a few business days after approval, slower than several online lenders that can fund the same day or the next business day.