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Fifth Third personal loans: 2025 review

Written by
Rebecca Betterton
Edited by
Kellye Guinan
Updated on June 23, 2025

At a glance

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4.3
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
Bankrate Score
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Availability
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Affordability
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Customer Experience
Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
3.9
Transparency
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
3.5

About Bankrate Score

Full methodology

Bankrate's take: Fifth Third offers competitive personal loans for current and future bank members. It stands out for its flexible payments and low minimum loan amount.

Lender Details

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Loan amount

$2,000-$50,000

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APR from

8.44%-21.74%

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Term lengths

12-60 months

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Funds available in

Next business day

Fifth Third Bank is best for flexible payments

Unlike many lenders, Fifth Third allows you to pick your first repayment day — up to 45 days after you receive your loan funds. You also have a grace period of 10 days before a payment is considered late, which gives you the ability to match your payments to your own schedule. Additionally, its 12-month loan term option is unusually short. Combined with a relatively low starting APR and a decent range of loan amounts, Fifth Third is a competitive option for borrowers who qualify. 

Fifth Third personal loan purposes

Fifth Third’s website doesn’t lay out any restrictions on how you use your loan funds. However, most lenders don't allow borrowers to use personal loans for secondary education, gambling, investing or illegal activities. 

Check with Fifth Third to confirm that your loan purpose is allowed before you submit an application.

Where Fifth Third personal loans stand out

  • No origination fee: Fifth Third doesn't charge an origination fee. If your loan is funded, 100 percent of the loan will go into your bank account.
  • Flexible first payment date: You can choose your due date up to 45 days after you receive your loan funds. Interest will still accrue during this time, but it gives you more say in when you will pay each month.
  • Additional loan products: Besides its unsecured “Signature Loans,” Fifth Third offers personal loans secured by your Fifth Third savings, CD or Investment account.

Where Fifth Third personal loans fall short

  • Fifth Third account required to apply online: If you want the convenience of an online application, you will need a Fifth Third account. Otherwise, you will be stuck visiting a branch. 
  • Only available in 34 states: Fifth Third loans are not nationally available. Only residents of the states where it offers loans are eligible to apply.
  • In-person application may be required: While most online lenders — and quite a few banks — have their applications entirely online, Fifth Third requires an in-person visit for loans over $25,000.

Fifth Third customer resources

Customer support 

You can contact Fifth Third by visiting a branch or messaging them through your Fifth Third account. You can also call its customer service line at 1-800-972-3030. Its call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Branch hours vary by location.

Digital experience 

The personal loan application and management are part of the same ecosystem as Fifth Third’s banking products. Non-members must register in the online banking system to apply. 

How this lender compares

logo
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Bankrate Score
APR from
8.44%-21.74%
Loan Amount
$2,000-$50,000
Term Length
12-60 months
Min Credit Score
Not disclosed
Compare ratesArrow Right Icon
on Bankrate
logo
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Bankrate Score
APR from
7.74% to 35.99%*with autopay
Loan Amount
$1,000-$50,000
Term Length
24 to 84 months
Min Credit Score
600
Read our reviewArrow Right Icon
on Bankrate
logo
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Bankrate Score
APR from
8.99%-23.25% (with autopay)
Loan Amount
$5,000-$45,000
Term Length
36-60 months
Min Credit Score
Not disclosed
Read our reviewArrow Right Icon
on Bankrate

Fifth Third vs. Upgrade

Fifth Third beats Upgrade in terms of APR — its maximum rate is lower, and it doesn’t charge an origination fee like Upgrade. That said, Upgrade is a good option if you want quick funding on small loans. You can borrow up to $50,000 through an entirely online process. Upgrade also lets you repay your loan over 24 to 84 months, while Fifth Third limits you to a maximum loan term of 60 months.

Fifth Third vs. Laurel Road 

Fifth Third offers a slightly lower minimum and maximum APR than Laurel Road. However, Laurel Road stands out by offering personal loans for specific purposes — including some that many lenders don’t allow. For example, you can borrow up to $35,000 to fund business expenses. The platform also offers special lower rates and higher maximum loan amounts for healthcare professionals.

Do you qualify for a Fifth Third personal loan?

Fifth Third does not state a minimum income and requires a minimum credit score of at least 660. Other common criteria include: 

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • At least 18 years old.
  • Verifiable bank account and sufficient credit history.
In addition, you will need to live in one of the 34 states where Fifth Third offers loans. Check its list of branch locations online to see if you're eligible.
 

How to apply for a personal loan with Fifth Third

Fifth Third allows you to apply online if you have an open account and need a loan of $25,000 or less. To complete the application, you will need to submit information about your finances as well as your identity. While Fifth Third does not specify what documents you will need to provide, most require proof of income and a few basic details.

You must visit a branch to apply if you want to borrow more than $25,000. You will also need to visit a branch if you do not have an account — although you can open one when you apply online.

How Bankrate rates Fifth Third

Overall Score 4.3 Explanation
Availability 4.8 Fifth Third has a minimum loan amount and speedy approval but slower funding.
Affordability 4.7 Borrowers can secure competitive APRs and discounts.
Customer Experience 3.9 The bank has comprehensive support and online access but was penalized for recent legal actions from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Transparency 3.5 Fifth Third’s website clearly lays out its rates but does not explain credit requirements.

Methodology

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

Read our full methodology

48

years in business

45

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

900

data points collected

Bankrate considers 20 factors when reviewing lenders. Credit requirements, APR ranges, fees, loan amounts and flexibility are all taken into account so that ratings are representative of how competitive lenders are for a wide range of credit profiles and budgets. The Bankrate Score for personal loans consists of four categories:

  • Availability: What the minimum loan amounts are, its eligibility requirements and loan turnaround are considered in this category.
  • Affordability: The interest rates, penalties and fees are measured in this section of the score. Lower rates and fees and fewer potential penalties result in a higher score.
  • Customer experience: This category covers customer service hours, if online applications are available, online account access and mobile apps.
  • Transparency: This category is measured by how accessible credit requirements, rates and fees are on the lender's page. We also considered whether prequalification was available, as all these factors are key for consumers to make an informed decision.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.