A Third of Nothin' is Nothin'
Written: Jan 31 '01 (Updated Jan 31 '01)
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Pros: As they gradually take over there will be a lot of branches
Cons: ATM=Debit=Mastercard
The Bottom Line: A bank that wants to be the next Citibank of the MidWest. Local customer service has been fine, 1-800/web customer service another story. Avoid the ATM.
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| Eldersveld's Full Review: Fifth Third Bank |
I loved my bank. I really did. It was a nice neighborhood bank, present only in a thirty mile radius of my hometown. Sure, it was no Citibank and when I told friends where I bank it didn't inspire "oohs and ahhhs". Yet, it was one of the few remaining things in my life that felt like Smalltown, USA.
Then this big hairy beast came in from the south (I live in Michigan, so for the most part things must come from the south unless they want to venture through the UP...I digress...). This beast came into town and before I knew it, my bank was gone. Swallowed by the behemouth called Fifth Third.
But, hey, I'm a progressive kind of person so I'm not going to make any judgments solely on the fact that this is the most ridiculous name for a bank I think I've ever heard. I must admit that the transition to Fifth Third was relatively pain free. I went for one Saturday with my branch closed and by Monday there were new signs, new ATM machine, and even new tellers (which only furthered my thoughts of Invasion of the Body Snatchers).
So I've been officially a Fifth Third customer for two months now. I've gone through two checking statements relatively pleased and all of my money stayed right where it was. In addition, any automatic deposits or payments I had set up remained in tact and fully functional. No paperwork needed.
In addition, in that short time period I have also begun refinancing my residence through my new bank and the process has also been pain free. Customer service has been just fine and interest rates on the refinance are the best in the area. Granted, I'm not sure who to thank: my bank or Mr. Greenspan.
But, of course, I do have some concerns:
~ My ATM is gone...once a plain ol' ATM card, they replaced this with an ATM/Debit/Credit card. Sure, sounds handy, but that's not what I wanted! For one it's too tempting for me, for another I lose this and I'm up a creek. If I lost my old ATM, it would take a lucky guess on behalf of my thief to use it. Why give this to customers who only wanted an ATM?!
~ CD rates have dropped...along with financing rates. Sure, another affect of the economy, yet it happened the instant Fifth Third took over. I'm told this is simply because their deposit rates are lower. Not liking that...when my CD comes due it will be moved.
~ Temporary checks...should this bank move into your neighborhood be forewarned: They will give you all of twelve temporary checks to get you by. Twelve! Am I truly the only bank customer who sees this as completely idiotic? And to top it off, when I received this vast number of temporary checks it came with a form letter in which they congratulated themselves for being so customer-oriented that they gave me checks.
So there you have it, my experience going from Smalltown, USA bank to Fifth Third customer. This ain't Mayberry anymore...
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
Eldersveld
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Location: Born & Bred In Illinois
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
"Ho for dirt-track America, land that restores us when great thoughts bore us!"
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