FUTURISTIC BANKING

Category: Chronicle Archives Published on Monday, 10 August 2009 20:00 Written by Michigan Chronicle

By Mark Gates

A new trend in checking accounts is starting to take shape in what we are calling “package checking accounts” here at Fifth Third Bank. Based on extensive studies, we have packaged together products and services that will fit most customers’ needs for a total banking relationship in several product offerings. One of the more popular so far has been our Secure Checking package account.

In this package you get the same type of checking account you have experienced in the past whereby you can write checks and use your debit card to access your money. The new additional features and enhancements are enrollment to the Fifth Third Identity Alert program to help you in combating fraud by linking you in with your credit report, an emergency savings account and a deep discount on our safe deposit boxes.

Secured checking is designed with financial security and protection
in mind. We have all read the many articles and horror stories of identity theft and fraud and this account is specifically positioned to put you in better control of your finances to help keep you from becoming a victim. This is what really sets this type of packaging apart from having a simple checking account. Having some extra protection could be the difference between catching someone trying to use your information to open a new account for them as it is happening, to finding out months down the road when you are declined for credit because someone else has ruined yours.

In that case it could take you months just to get things cleaned up so your credit is repaired enough to start using it to buy a car or house. The significant discount on the safe deposit box should not be overlooked either and can be just as important. You can use a safe deposit box to store important documents such as auto or home titles, valuables such as jewelry, data backup and video of all of the items in your home for insurance purposes. You really do not think about the risk in having all of these things under the same roof but just imagine what would happen in the event of a fire completely destroyed your entire home. Just having a videotape safely stored away in your safe deposit box of all of your belongings would be invaluable in working with your insurance company
to submit your claims.

You have access to whatever you want to keep safe in your box by coming to open it with your key during our normal hours of business. Another aspect of this package that is equally important is a way to save for the future. Through the Relationship Savings account that is part of this package, you can earn double your interest by simply setting up an automatic transfer from your checking account. This to encourage you to have a savings plan in place and to stick to it so you are able to achieve your dreams.

Stop by any of the 90 Fifth Third branch locations in the Metro Detroit area and one of our bankers can complete a free financial assessment for you to help recommend what package best suits your specific situation. To find the closest Fifth Third location just log onto 53.com and click on the Branch & ATM Locator link at the top of the page.