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Banking » Compare Banks » Chase vs. Fifth Third Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Chase vs. Fifth Third Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

We believe Chase is the preferred option in this battle. But, there are significant differences to know. Here's our comparison:
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Chase and Fifth Third Bank are two prominent financial institutions in the United States, each offering a range of banking services. In this article, we will conduct a thorough comparison of their bank accounts to help you make an informed decision.

Checking Accounts

There is no clear winner when it comes to checking accounts. 

Chase and Fifth Third Bank both offer a wide range of checking account options, each with unique features. Usually, Chase surpass other banks with its variety of different account purposes, but not in this case, as Fifth Third has special accounts for disabilities, kids, military, and other special situations.

Chase Bank offers a variety of checking account types to suit the diverse needs of its customers. One notable option is the Total Checking account, which provides access to a widespread network of ATMs and a range of digital banking tools.

For customers with a premium banking preference, Chase presents the Sapphire Checking account and private client checking, renowned for its exclusive benefits like enhanced travel rewards.

Account
Monthly Fee
Average Day Balance To Waive
Chase Total Checking
$12
$1,500
Chase Premier Plus Checking
$25
$15,000
Chase Sapphire Checking
$25
$75,000
Chase College Checking
$12
$1,500
Chase Private Client Checking
$30
$150,000
Chase Business Complete Banking
$15
$2,000
Chase Performance Business Checking
$30
$35,000
Chase Platinum Business Checking
$95
$100,000
Chase compare checking accounts on app
Chase compare checking accounts on app (Screenshot from Chase app)

Fifth Third offers various checking accounts for many purposes, such as accounts for students and kids, military families, and individuals with disabilities.

There is a free checking account but also premium accounts with higher monthly fees and more benefits. The monthly fees can be waived in many ways such as carrying over $100,00 in your total balance.

Fifth Third Bank Account
Monthly Fee
Average Day Balance To Waive
Fifth Third Momentum® Checking
$0
N/A
Fifth Third Preferred Checking
$25
$100,000
Fifth Third Student Checking Account
$0
N/A
Fifth Third Express Banking
$0
N/A
Fifth Third ABLE Checking
$2
$250
Fifth Third Military Checking
$0
N/A

In the following screenshot taken on the Fifth Third app, we can see the different checking options and how easy is to apply for a checking account:

Fifth Third Checking Options
(Screenshot from Fifth Third app)

Chase provides checking accounts that come with a bunch of helpful features to meet different money needs. The Chase Everyday Accounts are easy to get started with since there's no need for a big initial deposit. Plus, with over 15,000 ATMs and 4,700 branches, it's super easy to access your money.

If you go for a Chase Premium Account, you get even more perks for a top-notch banking experience. You won't be charged by Chase for using ATMs outside their network, giving you lots of places to get cash without extra costs.

For those looking to streamline their income, the direct deposit setup is user-friendly. The app generates a direct deposit form with all the necessary details, making it convenient for users to provide their employers with the required information for direct paycheck deposits:

Chase setup direct deposit form
(Screenshot from Chase app)

There's also a special 24/7 banking service line, so you can get help anytime you need it. Premium account holders enjoy higher daily purchase and ATM withdrawal limits for added flexibility.

Chase Bank Account
Main Features
Chase Total Checking
Overdraft assist, chase credit journey, alerts
Chase Premier Plus Checking
Interest on balance, free checks , free counter checks
Chase Sapphire Checking
JPM wealth management, no ATM fees, no wire transfer
Chase College Checking
No monthly fees, free credit score, new account promotion
Chase Private Client Checking
Priority service, preferred rates, J.P. Morgan advisor
Chase Business Complete Banking
Chase QuickAccept, fraud protection, chase business online
Chase Performance Business Checking
No cost wires, unlimited electronic deposits, Chase business
Chase Platinum Business Checking
No fee transactions, cash management support, platinum service

Fifth Third Bank's checking accounts offer a range of benefits designed to cater to various financial needs. The basic accounts provide customers with unlimited check writing, round-the-clock access to mobile and online banking, Early Pay options for quicker access to paycheck and more.

For those opting for premium checking, the advantages extend to better loan rates and the added security of Fifth Third Identity Alert.

Fifth Third Bank Account
Main Features
Fifth Third Momentum Checking
Unlimited check writing, 24/7 mobile and online banking, Early Pay
Fifth Third Preferred Checking
Better loan rates, Fifth Third Identity Alert
Fifth Third Student Checking
Debit card, unlimited check writing, online bill pay
Fifth Third Express Banking
Check cashing and deposits, tools to build credit, Debit Card.
Fifth Third ABLE Checking
Debit card, unlimited check writing, no overdraft or non-sufficient funds fees
Fifth Third Military Checking
Special VA home loan rates, 10 free non-Fifth Third ATM transactions per month
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Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 1/22/2025
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$500 Use Promo Code “RC500” for a $500 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you'll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

Promotion:
Up to $2,500 You could earn $1,500 or $2,500 if you open a new, eligible HSBC Premier checking account from July 1, 2024 through November 22, 2024, and complete qualifying activities: • Get a $1,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $100,000 to $249,999 in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. • Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $250,000+ in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. – Cash Bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 8 weeks of meeting all the offer requirements
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fifth-third-bank-logo

Promotion:
$250 $250 cash bonus if you make direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
No Minimum Deposit
Free checking account, no minimum balance, check writing, two days early paycheck
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

PNC bank logo

Promotion:
Up to $400 Open a new, select Virtual Wallet product and receive $500/$2,000/$5,000 or more in qualifying monthly direct deposits within 60 days to earn a $100/$200/$400 bonus.
Subject to state availability
PNC Virtual Wallet ® is available in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NM, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WI, and WV. Virtual Wallet ® is offered in the state of MO with the exception of the Greater Kansas City area. Product availability may vary based on where you open your account and the Zip code of your primary address.

Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 1/22/2025
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$500 Use Promo Code “RC500” for a $500 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you'll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

Promotion:
Up to $2,500 You could earn $1,500 or $2,500 if you open a new, eligible HSBC Premier checking account from July 1, 2024 through November 22, 2024, and complete qualifying activities: • Get a $1,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $100,000 to $249,999 in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. • Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $250,000+ in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. – Cash Bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 8 weeks of meeting all the offer requirements
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc

fifth-third-bank-logo

Promotion:
$250 $250 cash bonus if you make direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
No Minimum Deposit
Free checking account, no minimum balance, check writing, two days early paycheck
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Savings Accounts

There is no clear winner when it comes to savings accounts, as both banks offer similar rates. and anyway, the rates are, falling below the rates available with other savings accounts.

Fifth Third Bank also offers money market which is not available through Chase, but the rates are quite low on those product as well.

Fifth Third Savings
Chase Premier Savings
Savings Rate
0.01%
0.01%
Minimum Deposit
$0
$25
Fees
$5 The monthly service charge for Fifth Third savings accounts is waived if you meet any of the following criteria: having a Fifth Third checking account, having all savings account owners listed on the Fifth Third checking account, maintaining an average monthly balance of $500 or more, having an account owner under 18 years old, or being enrolled in Fifth Third Military Banking.
$25 per month Can be waived if you carry $300 account balance at the start of the month, $25+ autosave or linking a Chase checking account

Certificate Of Deposits (CDs)

When it comes to CDs, Fifth Third Bank is our winner due to its better CD rates.  Both Chase and Fifth Third Bank offer higher rates only on specific CD terms, so customers have no options to combine short and long-term CD options or use strategies such as CD laddering.

Chase offers two primary CD categories: Standard and Relationship. Individuals without a Chase checking account can opt for the Standard CD. On the other hand, those with an existing Chase checking account can link it to their CD account to unlock slightly higher APYs through Relationship CDs.

CD Term
APY
Early Withdrawal Penalty
3 Months
3.50% – 4.00%
90 days of interest
6 Months
1.50%
180 days of interest
9 Months
2.00%
180 days of interest
12 Months
3.00% – 3.25%
180 days of interest
18 Months
2.00%
180 days of interest
24 Months
2.00%
365 days interest
30 Months
2.00%
365 days interest
36 Months
2.00%
365 days interest
48 Months
2.00%
365 days interest
60 Months
2.00%
365 days interest
120 Months
2.00%
365 days interest

Chase also offers featured CDs with higher rates for specific terms.

Chase CD details
Chase CD details (Screenshot from Chase app ,rates are not updated)

Fifth Third Bank offers a variety of terms of up to 10 years, but only special CDs with specific terms earn a competitive rate, while the rest of the terms present a low rate.

The rate on special CDs is higher than what you can get with Chase. However, the minimum deposit of $5,000 for the higher rates is larger than other banks.

Fifth Third Bank CDs
5 Month
5.20%
7 Month
4.40%
12 Month
4.20%
Minimum Deposit
$5,000
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Savings Rate: 4.41% APY
CIT-Bank-Logo
Savings Rate: Up to 4.55% APY

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Savings Rate: 4.20% APY
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Savings Rate: 4.00% APY

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Savings Rate: 4.80% APY APY
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We get compensated for these product offers

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Chime Banking App

  • 2.00% APY on Chime Savings 
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Quontic High Yield Savings

  • 4.00% APY on savings
  • Interest is compounded daily
  • No Monthly Service Fees

CIT Savings Connect 

  • Up to 4.55% APY on savings
  • No monthly service fees.
  • Zelle, Samsung & Apple Pay

Advertiser Disclosure

The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. 

Top Offers From Our Partners

UpgradeLogo

Savings Rate: 4.41% APY
CIT-Bank-Logo
Savings Rate: Up to 4.55% APY
Quontic bank logo
Savings Rate: 4.00% APY

valley direct logo

Savings Rate: 4.80% APY