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Fifth Third Gives Northeast Ohio Families a College Savings Head Start

48 ‘Fifth Third Babies’ born on May 3 in select Northeast Ohio hospitals received $1,053 to go toward a 529 savings account

Fifth Third Gives Northeast Ohio Families a College Savings Head Start

48 ‘Fifth Third Babies’ born on May 3 in select Northeast Ohio hospitals received $1,053 to go toward a 529 savings account

Published 05-07-24

Submitted by Fifth Third Bancorp

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Fifth Third regional presidents and local celebrities greeted new moms and dads in select Tampa and Cleveland area hospitals, and presented the college savings gift, along with a care package that includes gift cards, a onesie, beanie and bib.

CLEVELAND, May 7, 2024 /CSRwire/ - Fifth Third recognizes the burden that the cost of education can put on parents – whether it is a college program, vocational or trade school – and has once again provided a savings boost for future education. Parents in Northeast Ohio who had babies born on “Fifth Third Day” (5/3 on the calendar) received a gift of $1,053 to be put toward a 529 savings account.

“It was an exciting day to welcome newborns and provide their families with an opportunity to impact their child’s future,” said Tom Partridge, Fifth Third’s Northern Ohio regional president. “We know these contributions will make a big difference and give them a head start on saving.”

Partridge and Northeast Ohio native and TNT Sports sideline reporter Allie LaForce greeted the new moms and dads and presented the college savings gift, along with a care package that includes gift cards, a onesie, beanie and bib.

“Fifth Third Day is a special day. It’s my birthday and now my child’s birthday, too,” said a new father, Rob, whose baby was born at MetroHealth in Cleveland, Ohio. “Receiving this gift is a great start for the future.”

Fifth Third partnered with 22 hospitals across Northeast Ohio and Tampa to present the 529 plan gifts to parents. Participating birthing centers include University Hospitals (UH) MacDonald Women’s Hospital and UH Ahuja, Geauga, TriPoint and St. John medical centers; Aultman Birth Center, Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital Veard Family Birthing Center, MetroHealth, Southwest General, and Summa Health. Fifth Third also provided goodie bags to the nurses at these hospitals to show appreciation for all they do for the moms and babies.

Since Fifth Third Day in 2017, the Bank has gifted more than 600 babies with $1,053 to go toward any 529 college savings account, in partnership with the Gift of College.

The average total cost for a year of college at a four-year school — including tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, books, supplies, and other expenses — is more than $36,436; or roughly $146,000 over the course of four years1. And the cost of trade school can be up to $22,000 annually.2

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Nurses from University Hospital Ahuja Medical Center in Northeast Ohio received gift bags and goodies from Fifth Third as a thank you for all the support they provide to new moms and their babies. Fifth Third provided gift bags to all of the nurses at the participating hospitals on Fifth Third Day.

Three tips for getting started with a college savings account

Patricia Roberts is the chief operating officer of Gift of College and author of Route 529: A Parent’s Guide to Saving for College and Career Training with 529 Plans.

When it comes to starting a savings account for your child, Roberts offers the following tips to new parents:

  1. Explore your state’s 529 plan options and open an account as soon as possible.
  2. Set up automatic contributions from your paycheck or bank account.
  3. Invite friends and family to contribute for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.

Sweepstakes for all

You don't have to be born on 5/3 to start saving for a sunny future! Fifth Third is extending its Fifth Third Babies gift of $1,053 to go toward a 529 college savings plan to all communities with the Fifth Third Babies Sweepstakes3. Parents can enter to win $1,053 by following Fifth Third Bank and commenting on a sweepstakes post on Facebook and Instagram between May 13 and 29. Five winners will receive a head start on their college savings fund.

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Fifth Third Regional President Tom Partridge and TNT Sports sideline reporter Allie LaForce welcomed baby Ayani to the world and provided gifts to her mom Taylor.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association, is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.

1According to BestColleges.com, based on 2021-2022 data. 
2According to BestColleges.com 2023 data
3NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be at least 18 years old to enter. Sweepstakes only open to residents of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins May 13, 2024, and ends 11:59 PM ET May 29, 2024. For complete sweepstakes rules please see a Fifth Third Bank representative or visit 53.com/babies.

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Fifth Third Bancorp

Fifth Third Bancorp

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered institution. As of Dec. 31, 2021, Fifth Third had $211 billion in assets and operated 1,117 full-service banking centers and 2,322 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 54,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

Fifth Third’s Purpose is to improve lives and the well-being of its communities by being the One Bank people most value and trust. The Company believes in doing well by doing good and delivering long-term sustainable value to all its stakeholders. Fifth Third is focused on five environmental, social and governance priorities: keeping the customer at the center, demonstrating its commitment to employees, strengthening its communities, promoting inclusion and diversity, and addressing climate change.

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