News Release

Job Search Help Now Available on Fifth Third Bank Financial Empowerment Mobiles; 40-foot eBuses now feature job search training in addition to financial education

08/06/2013

Cincinnati – Fifth Third Bank today announced that job search help in the form of the Job Seeker's Toolkit is now available on its two Financial Empowerment Mobiles, commonly known as eBuses. 

Fifth Third Bank's eBuses are 40-foot retrofitted city buses that feature Internet connectivity powered by satellite technology. Fifth Third's eBus I and eBus II travel throughout Fifth Third's markets to reach individuals and neighborhoods in low- and moderate-income areas that have been traditionally underserved by banks. eBuses provide community members access to professional financial advice and guidance. 

Now, in addition to one-on-one credit counseling and financial education, the eBuses offer free access to NextJob's proprietary job search and training software to all eBus event guests. The Bank and NextJob have previously worked together to offer the homeowner reemployment program to troubled mortgage borrowers, and the Job Seeker's Toolkit to all Fifth Third customers who bank online and who desire to find a job and or take the next step in their career path. 

"The mission of our Financial Empowerment Mobiles is to take quality financial services directly to people and empower them to take control of their financial future," said Camino Smith, vice president and director of Community and Economic Development, Fifth Third Bank. "Certainly helping people find jobs is foundational to that. Offering the Job Seeker's Toolkit onboard our buses is a special access pass for people in underserved neighborhoods—frankly, for those who may benefit most."

Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobiles tour year-long through the Bank's geographic footprint, often in partnership with government and community development and non-profit organizations that help the bank coordinate events in which people can gain assistance—from basic needs events to job fairs to financial education seminars. Tour schedules for both buses are available at the Bank's financial empowerment website, www.53.com/financial-empowerment. 

The Job Seeker's Toolkit is NextJob's exclusive and proprietary online job search software.  It is a web-based, multi-media program that teaches how to:

• Create an effective resume, compelling cover letters and a detailed marketing plan
• Network and find the hidden job market
• Train and prepare for interviews
• Assess career direction and transferable skills
• Develop a personal brand
• Learn latest techniques to use social media effectively

Once accessed on the eBus, an individual can continue to use the toolkit wherever he/she has access to a computer and the Internet, including at their homes, local libraries or other free Wi-Fi retail locations.
The first eBus began its tour in 2004. Since that time, the number of cities it visited has increased year after year and more than 100,000 people have boarded the bus to gain access to financial education and services. In 2011, Fifth Third Bank facilitated the retrofit of a second eBus to reach an even greater number of individuals. eBus II enables the Bank to more deeply penetrate and serve low- and moderate-income communities.

Fifth Third Bank's commitment to financial empowerment spans multiple generations, with programming designed to help people at every stage of life make smart financial decisions. Signature programming includes Young Bankers Club as well as sponsorship of the American Bankers Association's Teach Children to Save program and Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal Finance high school curriculum. Fifth Third Bank also offers multiple programs for adult financial empowerment, including the NextJob reemployment program for mortgage borrowers and the Job Seeker's Toolkit for online customers, and its Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobiles. For more information, visit www.53.com/financial-empowerment.

Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, NextJob is a nationwide firm focused on full employment in America. Founded on the Golden Rule, its mission is to provide creative reemployment solutions for employers, lenders, government and others to help job seekers land jobs and avoid the many impacts of unemployment. NextJob's service provides high quality, one-on-one job coaching and multimedia online learning that is highly effective, affordable and accountable. To learn more, visit www.nextjob.com.

About Fifth Third:
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $123 billion in assets and operates 18 affiliates with 1,326 full-service Banking Centers, including 104 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,428 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 28% interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2013, had $313 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $27 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender .