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Fifth Third Named Editors’ Choice: Best Lender for Buying Now and Refinancing Later by U.S. News & World Report
CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fifth Third (Nasdaq: FITB) today was named Editors’ Choice: Best Lender for Buying Now and Refinancing Later in U.S. News &
About this update from Fifth Third Bancorp
[{"type":"text","content":" CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nFifth Third (Nasdaq: FITB) today was named Editors’ Choice: Best Lender for Buying Now and Refinancing Later in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Lending Awards. The honor reflects the Bank’s leadership in delivering mortgage solutions that support customers navigating today’s dynamic housing market.\n\n\nThe recognition also underscores Fifth Third’s innovative approach to helping homebuyers move confidently in a high-rate environment, offering tools and programs that make it easier to purchase a home now while maintaining the flexibility to benefit from future market improvements.\n\n\n“This recognition reflects our belief that a mortgage is more than a financial transaction—it’s a life decision,” said Jay Plum, Head of Consumer Lending at Fifth Third. “Our teams take the time to understand each customer’s story and help them move forward with confidence, whether they’re buying now, planning to sell later, or looking for stability in a changing market.”\n\n\nU.S. News determined the winning institutions for each category using comprehensive, data-driven methodologies, evaluating affordability, eligibility requirements, customer service for lenders and more.\n\n\nThis U.S. News’ Editors’ Choice distinction follows strong consumer adoption and industry response to Fifth Third’s Rate Drop Protector, introduced in 2023. The program allows homebuyers to purchase with today’s rate and refinance later with no lender closing costs if interest rates drop—removing a significant barrier for customers who want to buy now but are monitoring the rate outlook. Since launch, Fifth Third’s Rate Drop Protector has empowered thousands of Fifth Third mortgage customers to move forward with greater financial confidence, supporting both first time homebuyers and experienced borrowers seeking long-term value and flexibility.\n\n\nFifth Third is recognized as an industry leading mortgage lender that approaches every loan with a deep understanding of each borrower’s goals, never as a routine transaction. In 2025, the Bank originated more than $7.4 billion in mortgages, placing it among the nation’s top 45 mortgage lenders and one of the top 10 banks in overall mortgage volume. Its portfolio includes more than 35 mortgage products designed to support a wide range of income levels, credit backgrounds, and geographic needs. ...