Letter from the president

Category: Chronicle Archives Published on Tuesday, 08 August 2006 20:00 Written by Michigan Chronicle

For starters, the Fifth Third Homeownership Mobile is back in Detroit. In what is becoming an annual excursion, the E-Bus, as we refer to it, is back in town. The bus offers the community the opportunity to come on board and receive counseling on how to obtain a mortgage. The services include free credit reports, mortgage application instruction, home listings, an evaluation of financial readiness for home ownership, and much more. There are even programs for small business owners on board. The bus is wired for Internet and is completely free for all people who come to the designated stops. Check into the schedule that is published in this Community Connection and make an appointment to stop and see us. I have always believed that homeownership is one of the most important financial steps you can take toward securing your future. From a business perspective, nothing stabilizes a community more than a solid record of homeownership. These are neighborhoods that make excellent locations for new banking centers, which in turn, breeds more small business and community investment. 

           
The Fifth Third Homeownership Mobile represents the way we operate at Fifth Third Bank. We proactively reach out to the community to bring financial services to people in need. We form partnerships. The bus is not only a partnership with Freddie Mac and the Community College Foundation, but with social services agencies here locally like the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC). Taking it to the streets, as we say, is the best way to be part of the community. And banks are definitely part of the community.

           
I have always been a big believer that, unlike any other business, banks affect most every aspect of the community. Whether it is a new home or new business or a change in life stage, banks play a big role in making that happen. It is your relationship with your bank that determines how involved they get, but the bank is part of the equation in one way, shape, or form. The way is how the bank treats you. The shape is the products and services that a bank has that is designed to meet your individual needs. The form is how the bank reaches you. Sometimes it is through traditional banking centers like the Fifth Third Bank on East Jefferson Street. Other times it is through programs like our E-Bus. Or it might be that one of our loan officers meets you at your business. These days it could just as easily be true that you meet with Fifth Third on line. Whatever the “form,” I can tell the “way” we treat you is with a warm smile and a helpful attitude and the “shape” of our relationship will be products and services that you need; not ones we need to sell.

           
While we are talking about August and everything that is going on, don’t forget to make plans to attend this years’ Detroit Football Classic. Fifth Third is once again hosting the halftime Battle of the Bands. I think it is the most exciting part of the game. Of course, I do have a bias here. This is a marquee event for the city of Detroit and I am proud we are associated with it. Along with everything else we do in the city, it is just one more way Fifth Third stays connected to the community.