Fifth Third Bank eBus to bring free financial help to four cities in western North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifth Third Bank today announced it will be bringing its "eBus" to Asheville, Shelby, Hickory and Lincolnton from April 23-27, 2013 to provide free financial and mortgage counseling and free credit reports.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130422/CL99396-a )  
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130422/CL99396LOGO-b )

The Fifth Third Bank eBus is a 40-foot long transit bus that has been retrofitted into a mobile financial classroom to help meet the financial challenges facing low and moderate income communities. The eBus provides free financial help, credit reports and credit counseling directly to underserved neighborhoods across Fifth Third's 12 state foot print.

Fifth Third Bank has teamed up with Alliance Credit Counseling to provide the credit reports and local community non-profit organizations in each city to host the bus at the following locations:

Here's what you can do at the Fifth Third Bank eBus:

• View your credit report and credit score
• Receive money management tips and budgeting help
• Get information on affordable home loans and refinancing
• Learn how to prevent foreclosure on your home
• Open a checking or savings account, or apply for a home mortgage, auto loan or credit card
• One-on-one evaluation of your personal finances
• Speak with credit counselors from non-profit agencies
• Learn about identity theft prevention tactics
• Enjoy free hot dogs and snacks
• See the No. 17 car of Sprint Cup driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Hickory, Shelby and Asheville)

The events are free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to get help and stay on track financially.

"The Fifth Third Bank eBus helps strengthen communities by providing convenient access to financial services and financial education," said Jada Grandy, Fifth Third Bank's North Carolina Community Development Executive. "Providing access to financial services outside of our traditional offices makes it not only convenient, but also less intimidating for residents in the underserved communities in and around Asheville."

Fifth Third has 56 banking locations in North Carolina. The North Carolina headquarters is located at 201 North Tryon St. in Charlotte.

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $121 billion in assets and operates 18 affiliates with 1,320 full-service Banking Centers, including 104 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,426 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 33% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of March 31, 2013, had $318 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $27 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB."  Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858.  Member FDIC.   

SOURCE Fifth Third Bank North Carolina