Fifth Third's Preferred Checking does not include credit monitoring as a standard account benefit
Fifth Third Bank's Preferred Checking account offers perks like waived monthly fees, ATM fee reimbursement, and higher interest rates on balances, but credit monitoring is not among them. If you want credit monitoring alongside your checking account, you will need to pay for it separately or find it through another source.
Fifth Third does offer credit monitoring and identity theft protection through separate products and partnerships, but these are not automatic with any checking account tier. The bank's website and account materials will be clear about what comes with your specific account — if credit monitoring is not listed, it is not included.
Key Takeaways
- Preferred Checking at Fifth Third does not bundle credit monitoring, even though it includes other premium features like fee waivers and ATM reimbursement.
- Fifth Third offers credit monitoring through standalone products you can purchase separately, not as part of a checking account package.
- Some credit card products from Fifth Third may include credit monitoring, so check your specific card's benefits if you hold one.
- Many banks do not include credit monitoring with checking accounts; it is typically a paid add-on or a feature of premium credit cards.
What Preferred Checking actually includes
Fifth Third's Preferred Checking is designed around fee relief and account perks rather than credit services. The account waives the monthly maintenance fee when you meet a minimum balance or set up direct deposit, reimburses out-of-network ATM fees, and pays interest on your balance. These are the core benefits marketed to customers who want a step above a basic checking account.
The account also typically includes online and mobile banking, bill pay, and access to Fifth Third's branch and ATM network. None of these features touch your credit report or credit monitoring. If you are looking for credit protection specifically, you need to look elsewhere or add it as a separate service.
Where Fifth Third offers credit monitoring
Fifth Third does sell credit monitoring and identity theft protection products, but you purchase them independently of your checking account. These are usually offered as standalone subscriptions or bundled with certain credit card products. The bank's website lists these offerings separately from deposit accounts.
If you hold a Fifth Third credit card, check your card's benefits guide to see whether credit monitoring is included. Some premium credit cards do offer this feature, but it depends on which card you have. A basic credit card from Fifth Third will not automatically include it, so verify your specific product's terms.
Why banks separate credit monitoring from checking accounts
Credit monitoring requires ongoing access to your credit file and constant scanning for changes. This is a service that costs money to provide, so most banks do not bundle it with free or low-cost checking accounts. Instead, they offer it as a paid add-on or reserve it for premium credit products where the higher annual fee can justify the cost.
Fifth Third's approach is standard across the industry. Even banks known for generous checking account benefits rarely include credit monitoring at no extra charge. If you see credit monitoring advertised with a checking account, read the fine print — it is often limited to a trial period or requires you to pay after the first month.
How to get credit monitoring if you need it
You have several routes if you want credit monitoring alongside your Fifth Third checking account. You can purchase a credit monitoring subscription directly from Fifth Third, buy one from a third-party provider like Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, or use a free service like AnnualCreditReport.com to check your credit report once per year at no cost.
If you are concerned about identity theft specifically, some homeowners or renters insurance policies include identity theft protection. Credit card issuers sometimes offer it as a cardholder benefit. Before you pay for a subscription, check what you might already have access to through existing accounts or policies.
What to check before opening Preferred Checking
When you are considering Fifth Third's Preferred Checking, review the account disclosure document or benefits guide on the bank's website. This document lists every feature and fee associated with the account. If credit monitoring is not listed, it is not included — do not rely on a sales representative's verbal promise or an assumption based on the account's premium positioning.
If credit monitoring is important to you, factor that cost into your decision. A checking account with a $0 monthly fee but no credit monitoring is not automatically cheaper than one with a small monthly fee that includes it. Do the math based on what you actually need and use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any Fifth Third checking accounts include credit monitoring?
No. Fifth Third's checking accounts at all tiers — Basic, Preferred, and Premium — do not include credit monitoring as a standard benefit. If you want credit monitoring, you will need to purchase it separately or check whether your Fifth Third credit card includes it.
What credit monitoring products does Fifth Third sell?
Fifth Third offers credit monitoring and identity theft protection through partnerships and its own products, but you buy these separately from your checking account. Visit Fifth Third's website or ask at a branch for current offerings and pricing, as these products and their terms change.
Can I get free credit monitoring anywhere?
You can check your credit report for free once per year from each of the three major bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. This is not continuous monitoring, but it shows you what is on your file. Some employers and insurance policies also include free credit monitoring — check your benefits.
Is credit monitoring worth paying for?
That depends on your risk level and peace of mind. If you have been a victim of identity theft or have sensitive financial information, monitoring may be worth the cost. If your credit is stable and you check your report annually, you may not need it. Weigh the subscription cost against the risk you are trying to protect against.
Will opening Preferred Checking affect my credit score?
Opening a checking account does not affect your credit score. Banks do a soft pull of your credit history to verify identity and check for fraud, but this does not show up on your credit report or lower your score. Only credit applications — for loans, credit cards, or lines of credit — trigger a hard inquiry that affects your score.