When people think of investment banks, names like Goldman Sachs or JPMorgan often come to mind. But for middle-market businesses, these giants may not always be the right fit. That’s where Fifth Third Bank investment banking steps in.
This review dives into what makes Fifth Third investment banking services unique and whether it might be the right fit for your business.
What Is Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking?
Fifth Third Bank is one of the oldest and most respected regional banks in the United States. It was founded back in 1858 and has its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the years, it has grown into a major financial institution, now serving customers across 11 states in the Midwest and Southeast. With more than 1,100 branch locations and over 2,400 ATMs, the bank plays a significant role in the everyday financial lives of individuals, families, and businesses.
But beyond traditional banking services like checking accounts and home loans, Fifth Third also has a powerful presence in the world of investment banking. This specialized area operates through its Capital Markets division, which provides services through Fifth Third Securities, Inc. This subsidiary is a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, regulated by both the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) and FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). This means the firm is held to high standards of transparency, fiduciary responsibility, and compliance, giving clients added peace of mind when pursuing complex financial strategies.
Fifth Third Bank investment banking division is particularly well-suited for middle-market businesses looking to grow, restructure, or raise capital. The bank combines the personal attention of a regional firm with the financial tools and advisory depth of a larger national player.
Core Services Offered by Fifth Third Investment Banking
5th 3rd Bank provides a comprehensive lineup of investment banking and capital markets services. These Fifth Third Bank investment options are designed to help companies manage growth, prepare for ownership changes, or raise money to fund new projects. Here’s a closer look at what Fifth Third Bank investment banking division provides:
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory
Whether a company is looking to sell, acquire another business, or explore joint ventures, Fifth Third’s M&A team can help guide the process from start to finish. They assist with:
- Sell-side advisory: Helping business owners sell their company or divest specific assets.
- Buy-side advisory: Helping firms identify and acquire target companies.
- Carve-outs: Structuring spin-offs or sales of business units.
- Joint ventures and partnerships: Facilitating strategic collaborations.
- Real estate monetization: Helping clients unlock value from owned properties.
These Fifth Third Bank investment banking services are ideal for business owners thinking about succession planning, expanding into new markets, or maximizing the value of a sale.
Capital Raising Solutions
Access to capital is critical for growing companies. Fifth Third helps businesses raise funds through various financing channels, including:
- Private equity placements: Connecting clients with institutional or private investors.
- Acquisition financing: Structuring funding to support business purchases.
- Liquidity planning: Helping owners access cash tied up in their business.
- Management buyouts (MBOs): Guiding management teams through the process of buying out a company’s current owners.
- Structured finance advisory: Providing tailored strategies for complex transactions.
Their capital raising services are particularly useful for firms preparing for expansion, leadership transitions, or equity restructuring.
Strategic Advisory
Fifth Third investment banking service goes beyond just transactions. Their bankers provide long-term strategic guidance to help companies make informed financial decisions. This includes:
- Alternative strategy reviews: Evaluating different options for business growth or change.
- Corporate finance consulting: Offering insight on valuation, balance sheet optimization, and shareholder value.
- Joint venture structuring: Creating deals that align incentives and protect interests.
- Fairness opinions: Issuing independent evaluations to ensure a deal is financially fair to stakeholders.
- Valuation analysis: Providing objective insights into the worth of a company or asset.
This service is perfect for companies navigating big changes or considering multiple paths forward.
Capital Markets & Trading
Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking also offers tools and access to financial markets to help businesses manage risks and raise funds. Their capital markets services include:
- Debt markets access: Helping companies issue bonds or obtain loans.
- Equity capital raising: Assisting with public offerings or private placements.
- Fixed income sales and trading: Offering institutional clients access to government and corporate bonds.
- Interest rate and currency risk management: Designing strategies to hedge financial risks.
- Public finance solutions: Working with municipalities and nonprofits to raise funds through tax-exempt bonds.
- Sponsor coverage: Supporting private equity firms through deal sourcing and execution.
These offerings give clients access to both domestic and global markets while providing the financial tools to manage volatility and uncertainty.
How to Open an Investment Account at Fifth Third Bank
Starting to invest with Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking is a smooth and easy process. Whether you’re saving for retirement or planning to grow your money over time, here’s how you can open a Fifth Third Bank investment account step by step:
- Decide What You Want to Achieve: First, think about your financial goals. Knowing your goals will help you and your advisor pick the right account and investment strategy.
- Choose the Right Type of Account: Fifth Third offers several kinds of investment accounts:
- Brokerage Accounts for buying and selling stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and more.
- Managed Investment Accounts, where professionals manage your investments for you.
- Talk to a Fifth Third Investment Advisor: You can visit a local Fifth Third branch, call 1‑800‑416‑8714, or go online to schedule a meeting by clicking the “Find a Banker” button on the Fifth Third Bank official website. A licensed investment advisor will help you understand your options and set up the right plan for you.
- Fill Out the Application: During the meeting, you’ll fill out a form with your personal and financial details. You’ll also answer a few questions to help your advisor understand how comfortable you are with risk.
- Add Money to Your Account: You can fund your account by linking your bank account, writing a check, or transferring money from another retirement or investment account.
- Start Investing: Once your account is open and funded, you can begin investing. Your advisor will help you choose the right mix of investments based on your goals, whether that’s stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or a managed portfolio.
- Review Regularly: Your advisor will meet with you regularly to check how your investments are doing and make changes if needed. This helps keep your plan on track as your goals change.
Fifth Third Bank Investment Fees
Before you invest, it’s essential to understand the associated costs. Fifth Third Bank investment banking services have different fees depending on the kind of account and service you use.
Fees for Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts
If you choose to manage your own investments (like buying and selling stocks or funds), here’s what you’ll pay:
- Online Stock Trades: $14.95 per trade, plus $1 for processing.
- Trades by Phone with a Representative: Starts at $45 and may increase based on trade size.
- Options Trading: $45 per trade, plus $1.50 per contract and $1 handling.
- No-Load Mutual Funds: $25 per purchase.
- Loaded Mutual Funds: No transaction fee, but a sales charge may apply from the fund company.
Fees for Managed Accounts
Fifth Third charges fees that are in line with industry standards for capital markets and investment banking services. Fees can vary depending on the size and complexity of the transaction, but they are generally competitive with other middle-market advisory firms.
If you use one of Fifth Third’s managed investment programs, you’ll pay a “wrap fee.” This is a single percentage of the total money you invest. It includes all trading costs, advice, and account services. The more money you invest, the lower your percentage fee may be.
IRA Account Fees
- For IRAs (like Traditional, Roth, or Rollover), Fifth Third Investment Banking:
- Does not charge a yearly fee for most accounts.
- Does not charge if you keep a CD IRA until it matures.
- May waive some fees for managed accounts.
Other Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking Fees to Know
Here are a few more fees of Fifth Third Bank investment banking services that could apply:
- Account Transfer (to another bank): Around $95.
- Paper Statements or Document Copies: Small additional charges.
- Custody Fees: Some accounts may have a $50 annual fee (waived for certain managed plans).
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online Stock Trade | $14.95 + $1 handling |
| Phone/Agent Stock Trade | Starting at $45 |
| Options Trade | $45 + $1.50 per contract + $1 |
| Mutual Fund (No-Load) | $25 per trade |
| Mutual Fund (Load) | Sales charge from fund company |
| Managed Account (Passageway) | Wrap fee (based on your balance) |
| Annual IRA Custody Fee | $0 or $50 (often waived) |
| Account Transfer Out | ~$95 |
Institutional Strength & Reach of Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking
More than just Fifth Third Bank investment services, the bank brings scale, reach, and a depth of expertise to be a trusted partner for mid-sized businesses across the United States.
Deep Industry Expertise
One of the biggest advantages of working with the Fifth Third Bank investment banking team is their focus on specific industries. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the bank has built dedicated teams around six core sectors:
- Consumer and Retail
- Energy Transition
- Healthcare
- Industrials
- Real Estate
- Tech-Enabled Services
This means that when a business owner comes to Fifth Third for advice, they’re speaking with professionals who truly understand their field, not just the financial side, but also the market trends, regulatory challenges, and strategic opportunities unique to that industry. This specialized insight helps clients make better, faster, and more informed decisions.
National & Regional Coverage
Though it started as a regional bank, Fifth Third now operates with national-level capabilities. With more than 125 Fifth Third Bank investment banking professionals spread across eight offices nationwide, the bank is well-equipped to handle deals from coast to coast. Whether your company is in Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, or another market, there’s likely a Fifth Third investment banking team nearby that knows your local business environment, while still having the tools to execute nationally.
This combination of regional presence and national scope makes them especially effective for middle-market transactions, where understanding both local context and broader market dynamics is key.
Strong Sponsor Networks
Fifth Third has also built a powerful network of relationships within the private equity space. Its Financial Sponsors Group works with more than 200 middle-market private equity firms and family offices across the country. These connections give clients access to a broader pool of capital and strategic partners when considering a sale, recapitalization, or management buyout.
Because they know both sides of the table, private equity, and business owners, Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking can often act as a valuable bridge, helping to structure and negotiate deals that align with both parties’ goals.
Senior-Level Attention
At many large investment banks, clients often get passed off to junior staff after the initial meeting. Fifth Third takes a different approach. They emphasize senior banker involvement at every stage of the process, from the first conversation to the final closing. This hands-on model ensures that clients receive high-level thinking, experienced judgment, and consistent execution throughout the entire engagement.
This focus on senior attention is especially valuable in complex or sensitive transactions, where nuance, confidentiality, and speed can make or break a deal.
Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking Trust Matters
When working with an investment bank, trust and transparency are critical. Here’s what clients should know about Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking in these areas:
Regulatory Oversight
Fifth Third Securities, the firm’s broker-dealer arm, operates under the regulation of the SEC and FINRA, two of the most respected financial regulators in the U.S. This adds a layer of accountability and protects clients from conflicts of interest or non-compliant practices.
That said, like many large institutions, Fifth Third has faced regulatory scrutiny in the past. In 2018, they were fined $4 million over disclosure issues related to annuity exchanges. Since then, they have taken steps to improve internal processes and compliance systems. Today, they continue to operate under the strict oversight of both regulators.
Third-Party Backing & Accountability
As a registered investment advisor (RIA) and broker-dealer, Fifth Third is held to a fiduciary standard in many advisory engagements. This means they are legally obligated to act in the best interests of their clients, a level of protection that’s essential when navigating high-stakes financial decisions.
Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking Pros and Cons
There are many banks offering investment banking services, but Fifth Third stands out for several reasons:
- Mid-Market Focus: Fifth Third knows the mid-market better than most. Their deal sizes, advisory style, and pace match the unique needs of businesses in the $20M–$500M revenue range.
- Client-Centric Approach: Fifth Third Bank investment banking team doesn’t push prepackaged solutions. Instead, they take the time to understand each client’s long-term business goals, personal objectives, and financial constraints. From there, they build a customized strategy.
- Integrated Model: The bank offers commercial lending, treasury management, investment banking, and capital markets all in-house. Clients don’t need to juggle multiple banks or advisors.
- Sector-Specific Insight: Because Fifth Third’s bankers are deeply embedded in their industries, they can offer more than just financial modeling or deal mechanics. They bring real-world insight into competitor behavior, valuation drivers, M&A trends, and strategic shifts, all of which can help clients gain an edge in negotiations and planning.
- Track Record of Results: Recent notable transactions include:
- The sale of National Fitness Partners to a major PE firm
- Capital raise for Rea Magnet Wire, one of North America’s largest wire producers
- These deals showcase not only scale but also cross-sector experience.
However, no bank is perfect, and it’s important to understand where Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking may have limitations.
- Not a Bulge Bracket: If your company is seeking an IPO, access to global syndicates, or a $1B+ transaction, Fifth Third may not be the best fit.
- Narrower Global Footprint: Their international reach is limited compared to global players like Citi or Barclays. This can be a hurdle for cross-border deals.
- Sector Scope: While deep in six industries, they don’t serve all verticals. Companies in highly specialized sectors (e.g., aerospace, biotech R&D) may find better matches elsewhere.
FAQs About Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking
What is the typical minimum deal size Fifth Third Bank handles?
- Fifth Third Bank investment banking team primarily focuses on the middle market, typically handling transactions ranging from $20 million to $500 million in enterprise value. This aligns with their industry-focused and regional-to-national reach.
Does Fifth Third Bank offer international deal support?
- Yes, while headquartered in the U.S., Fifth Third supports cross-border M&A and capital transactions. Their regional offices are backed by a national capital markets platform, and they collaborate with international partners when needed.
Can Fifth Third support public sector or municipal financing?
- Yes, Fifth Third offers Public Finance Advisory, assisting municipalities and public agencies in accessing tax-exempt debt, structuring bond offerings, and navigating complex public finance markets.
How can I contact their Investment Banking team?
- You can email Fifth Third Capital Markets or connect via the “Find a Banker” feature on their website.
Are there fees for advisory services?
- Fees vary by service and transaction size. Fifth Third Bank investment banking fees are competitive and typically structured as success-based, though you’ll need to discuss terms directly with your banker.
Fifth Third Bank Investment Banking offers a robust, mid-market proposition. They excel for companies that need strategic advisory, capital support, and tactical execution, especially within their core industries. While they aren’t bulge bracket, their personalized, senior-led service, and full capital markets access make them a top choice for many growing businesses.
