Fifth Third Mortgage Review 2026
Fifth Third Bank, rated 5/5 stars by LendingTree experts, is a good fit for borrowers looking for a competitive selection of loan options and a well-designed digital experience.
Unlike many banks these days, Fifth Third Bank is growing fast, making it an attractive choice for borrowers who are looking for a forward-thinking lender with a competitive selection of loan options and decades of experience. In addition to full-service retail branches in select states, Fifth Third offers digital applicants a traditional customer service experience with a knowledgeable staff and a well-designed digital experience, including an impressive suite of financial calculators.
See how we reached our verdict below.
- A broad menu of competitive loan options
- National bank with experienced advisors
- Excellent digital tools and content
- Branches are concentrated in just 15 states
- Digital service is limited to 45 states
- Doesn’t offer USDA loans
Fifth Third Bank mortgage overview
The federally chartered Ohio-based bank and online lender Fifth Third currently offers loan products in just 45 states and operates retail locations in only 15 states, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
However, unlike many legacy banks these days, this 168-year-old financial institution is growing. After acquiring the Texas-based regional bank Comerica in February 2026, Fifth Third instantly became the ninth-largest U.S. bank by asset size and added hundreds of new brick-and-mortar locations to its network. Fifth Third also announced it would convert Comerica branches in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas into full-service Fifth Third Bank locations and open new retail branches throughout the Sun Belt.
- Areas of service: Digital service is available in 45 states (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Montana, South Dakota and the District of Columbia). In-person banking is currently available in 15 states (including at former Comerica Bank locations): Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia
- Digital service: Online mortgage application; telephone consultations are also available
- Headquarters: Fifth Third Center, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, OH 45263
- Website: 53.com
Fifth Third Bank rates and fees
Rates
Despite offering lower costs overall, Fifth Third charges mortgage borrowers higher rates, on average, than many of its competitors. According to the most recently available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, Fifth Third’s mortgage rates averaged 1.24 percentage points above the average prime offer rate (APOR) in 2024. Several competing lenders, by contrast, typically charged rates that were much closer to the APOR. Among leading mortgage lenders tracked by LendingTree, the peer average was 0.84 percentage points above the APOR.
Fees
Unlike rates, the initial mortgage fees that Fifth Third charges are well below the peer average. In fact, Fifth Third’s origination fees were among the lowest on the market, averaging just $1,213 for a new loan. Many big bank mortgage lenders, by contrast, charged origination fees that were two to three times that amount. Among all lenders tracked by LendingTree, the average origination fee was $3,349 — $2,136 more than Fifth Third charged.
Fifth Third borrowers also spent considerably less up front than the typical U.S. homebuyer. According to HMDA data compiled by LendingTree, for example, national mortgage lenders charged new homebuyers an average of $7,141 in new loan fees in 2024. Fifth Third, by contrast, charged homebuyers an average of just $3,454.
Customers who enroll in automatic payments may qualify for a quarter-point rate discount, alongside other possible discounts. But you’ll have to apply first to see what else is available.
Deposit account customers who open a Fifth Third Preferred Banking account may also gain access to exclusive “relationship-based pricing.” However, Fifth Third customers need a minimum of $100,000 in investable assets to qualify for a Preferred Banking account.
What types of mortgage loans does Fifth Third offer?
Fifth Third offers a variety of home loans, including:
Customers can choose between traditional fixed-rate mortgages with 10- to 30-year loan terms and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
Conventional loan qualification requirements
- 620 minimum credit score
- 3% minimum down payment
Mortgage applicants with lower credit scores or minimal savings may qualify for a low-down-payment loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
FHA loan qualification requirements
- 600 minimum credit score
- 3.5% minimum down payment
Veterans and active-duty military service members can choose from low- and zero-down-payment mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
VA loan qualification requirements
- No specified minimum credit score
- No minimum down payment for eligible borrowers
Borrowers who need a mortgage over $832,750 may qualify for a jumbo loan up to $3.5 million.
Jumbo loan qualification requirements
- 680 minimum credit score
- 10% minimum down payment
Fifth Third also offers loans to existing homeowners, including home equity loans and HELOCs.
Home equity loan qualification requirements
- No specified minimum credit score
- No specified minimum down payment
Fifth Third mortgage qualifications
| Credit score minimum | 600 to 680 |
| DTI ratio
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your monthly gross income to your monthly debt payments.
| Conventional: 45% to 50%FHA: 50%VA: 41% |
| Down payment minimum | Conventional: 3%FHA: 3.5%VA: 0%Jumbo: 10% |
Don’t know your credit score? Get your free score on LendingTree Spring today.
According to HMDA data, the bank approved just 67.3% of all home loan applications in 2024, including for alternative loan products like home equity loans and cash-out refinances. However, Fifth Third’s acceptance rate for purchase loans was higher, with 85% of new home purchases getting approved.
You’ll have the best chance of getting approved for a Fifth Third loan if you cultivate good credit and build up your savings. The average Fifth Third home loan borrower contributed a down payment above 18% in 2024. But even buyers with less cash and more debt have decent odds.
In 2024, 78.1% of home loan applicants with down payments of 5% or less were approved by Fifth Third. A similar share of mortgage applicants (79.1%) with DTI ratios above 40% were also approved. Compared to other big banks, Fifth Third is especially lenient toward borrowers with DTI ratios over 45%. In 2024, the bank approved 67.5% of home purchase applicants with DTI ratios above 45% and 27.9% of applicants with DTI ratios above 50%.
How does Fifth Third Bank compare to other lenders?
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| LendingTree’s rating |
Expert review from LendingTree.
Back to our Fifth Third summary |
Expert review from LendingTree.
Read our Fifth Third vs. Guild comparison |
Expert review from LendingTree.
Read our Fifth Third vs. Wells Fargo comparison |
| Minimum credit score | 600 to 680 | 540 to 620 | 620 to 740 |
| Minimum down payment | 0% to 10% | 0% to 3.5% | 0% to 10.01% |
| Rate spread
Rate spread is the difference between the average prime offer rate (APOR) — the lowest APR a bank is likely to offer any private customer — and the average annual percentage rate (APR) the lender offered to mortgage customers in 2024. The higher the number, the more expensive the loan.
| 1.24% | 0.29% | 0.05% |
| Loan products and programs |
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| Better for: | First-time homebuyers looking for lower upfront costs, as well as longtime Fifth Third retail customers who have both great credit and enough savings to qualify for the bank’s relationship-based pricing discounts. | Rural homebuyers who are interested in a USDA loan, as well as first-time homebuyers and lower-income borrowers who want to browse a wider range of specialty loans and financial assistance programs. | Homebuyers across all 50 states and the District of Columbia who are looking for exceptional rates, competitive fees and traditional retail banking services from a major bank with a big branch network. |
Fifth Third vs. Guild
Operating independently since 1960, the San Diego-based lender Guild is one of the most active mortgage originators in the country and serves homebuyers in every state except New York, as well as borrowers in the District of Columbia. Unlike Fifth Third, Guild focuses exclusively on property loans, including unconventional financing options for nontraditional borrowers. Additionally, Guild offers lower-income and rural homebuyers access to a wider range of financial assistance and specialty loans. In fact, Guild is the leading originator of USDA loans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fifth Third, by contrast, has stopped offering them.
Read more in our full Guild mortgage review.
Fifth Third vs. Wells Fargo
Unlike Fifth Third Bank and Guild, the San Francisco-based mega bank Wells Fargo offers loans in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Wells Fargo also has a larger branch network, including in regions that Fifth Third doesn’t serve, like Montana, South Dakota, Mississippi, the District of Columbia and Alaska.
In addition to a bigger physical footprint and a wide digital reach, Wells Fargo also stands out for its ultra-competitive mortgage rates. According to HMDA data, the average APR on a Wells Fargo mortgage was just 0.05 percentage points above 2024’s APOR. Wells Fargo’s upfront fees, on the other hand, are much higher than the fees Fifth Third charges.
Read more in our full Wells Fargo mortgage review.
How to apply for a Fifth Third mortgage
1. Choose your loan type
To get personalized recommendations, navigate to “Home Loan Center” under the “Borrow” tab on Fifth Third’s Personal Banking website. Then scroll to where it says “Let’s find the best loan options for you!” Click “Get Started” and answer some basic questions about the loan you need. Alternatively, navigate to Fifth Third’s main mortgages page to browse available products.
2. Get prequalified
Fill out Fifth Third’s contact form, and a loan specialist will reach out to share the latest mortgage rates in your area and help you get prequalified.
3. Submit a loan application
You can submit a loan application digitally by navigating to Fifth Third’s mortgage page and clicking “Apply Online.” Or ask a home loan specialist to help you get a mortgage rate lock.
Learn more about how to apply for a home loan.
- Identification
- Tax documents
- Bank statement
- Pay stubs
- Debt and asset statements
- Gift letters (if you’re using gifted funds)
Is it safe to get prequalified with Fifth Third?
Yes, Fifth Third is an established lender with a 168-year history. Getting prequalified can be a great first step while you consider your options. However, you’ll need to speak with a mortgage specialist if you aren’t ready to fill out an online application and agree to a hard credit inquiry.
Fifth Third’s customer service experience
Fifth Third makes it relatively easy to connect with an experienced loan officer, even if you live miles away from a local bank branch. Enter your information online to get a call back from a licensed loan specialist. Or use Fifth Third’s mortgage loan officer locator to find one near you.
- Phone: 866-351-5353
- Email: Login to your Fifth Third account to send a secure message.
How LendingTree experts rated Fifth Third
LendingTree’s mortgage lender rating is based on a five-point scoring system that factors in several features, including digital application processes, available loan products and the accessibility of product and lending information.
LendingTree’s editorial team calculates each rating based on a review of information available on the lender’s website. Lenders receive a half-point on the “offers standard mortgage products” criterion if they offer only two of the three standard loan programs (conventional, FHA and VA). In some cases, additional information was provided by a lender representative.
Fifth Third’s scorecard:
- Publishes rates online
- Offers standard mortgage products
- Includes detailed product info online
- Shares resources about mortgage lending
- Provides an online application
Frequently asked questions
The financial education and loan-browsing experience that Fifth Third offers is unique. In addition to a conventional list of product options, Fifth Third’s Home Loan Center offers website visitors an interactive, quiz-like browsing experience where prospective borrowers can quickly answer basic questions about their loan needs and get personalized recommendations.
Fifth Third’s digital education tools also stand out. In addition to thoughtful financial content, the website offers a huge collection of well-designed custom calculators. Structured around common personal finance questions like “Should I refinance?” and “Am I better off renting?” Fifth Third’s financial planning calculators make it easy for users to think through and visualize their financial choices. Homebuyers, for example, can use them to estimate how much money they would save if they purchased mortgage discount points or increased their down payment.
Yes, “Fifth Third Bank, National” is a federally chartered financial institution owned by Fifth Third Bankcorp, a publicly traded company. You can view more info about Fifth Third’s state licenses and registrations through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) website. You can also read and watch videos about Fifth Third’s 168-year history on the bank’s Fifth Third Museum page.
Any new mortgage will temporarily impact your credit score. Newly opened mortgages often caused homebuyers’ credit scores to dip by 20 points, on average, according to LendingTree research. However, the scores typically recovered within months.
Depending on your credit history and mortgage needs, a Fifth Third home loan can be very competitive –– especially if you qualify for the bank’s best discounts and mortgage rates.
Fifth Third has a strong review score on TrustPilot, where many online reviewers praised the staff’s product expertise and general knowledge, as well as their friendly and efficient customer service. However, some Fifth Third customers have complained to the Better Business Bureau that it can be a headache to deal with customer service when mistakes occur.