Fifth Third for Business Helps Small Businesses Get Paid Faster, Manage Cash Flow, and Access Capital
New banking experience combines digital lending, faster payments, and local banker support to help business owners reduce friction and grow with confidence
CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Fifth Third (NASDAQ: FITB) today introduced Fifth Third for Business, a small business banking experience designed to help owners manage cash flow, get paid faster, and access capital with greater speed and confidence. The experience is rolling out to more than 240,000 small business customers.
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Fifth Third for Business helps small businesses get paid faster, manage cash flow, and access capital.
“Running a small business today requires speed, simplicity, and confidence in your financial tools,” said Ben Mendelsohn, senior vice president and director of Consumer and Small Business Products at Fifth Third. “With Fifth Third for Business, we’re giving owners a more efficient way to move money, lower costs, and secure capital quickly, while pairing modern digital capabilities with the support of local bankers who understand their businesses.”
The launch reflects Fifth Third’s broader strategy to scale modern banking capabilities across its consumer and small business franchise, combining the speed and simplicity of digital tools with the strength, stability, and expertise of an established bank.
Introducing Fifth Third for Business
Fifth Third for Business integrates banking, payments, and lending capabilities into one small business experience to help entrepreneurs spend less time managing financial tasks and more time serving their customers. Delivered digitally and supported by a growing network of local branch bankers, benefits include:
- Early Pay1: Access eligible deposits up to two days early—such as merchant processing deposits and payments from local, state, and federal governments—and tax refunds up to five days early, at no cost.
- Extra Time2: Get until midnight ET the next business day to make a deposit and help avoid overdraft fees.
- Digital Lending: Apply for financing for working capital, inventory, or equipment needs in as little as one hour. The capability is built on Fifth Third’s homegrown business‑lending platform—the same modern technology stack that powers Provide.
- Zelle®: With Zelle, used by 7.7 million enrolled small businesses, enrolled small business owners can get paid typically in minutes by enrolled customers, shortening the payment cycle and simplifying day-to-day money management. Small businesses are the fastest growing segment on the Zelle network, accounting for nearly 30% of the more than $1.2 trillion in Zelle payments last year.
- Tap-to-Pay: Fifth Third now enables merchants to accept tap‑to‑pay transactions directly on a smartphone—anytime, anywhere. Via the Worldpay Commerce360 app, businesses can accept contactless debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other leading digital wallets, on compatible iPhone and Android devices.
Fifth Third offers three business checking tiers: Business Checking, Premium Business Checking, and Elite Business Checking. Early Pay and Extra Time benefits are available with Fifth Third Premium and Elite Business Checking accounts.
Fifth Third acquired Provide in 2021, adding a digital lending platform with deep experience in healthcare practice finance. In 2024, Fifth Third expanded Provide’s proprietary technology beyond healthcare to power SBA 7(a) loan origination. Now, with the launch of Fifth Third for Business, that same platform supports streamlined digital lending for small business customers across the Bank’s footprint, with approvals for up to $100,000 in financing in as little as one hour.
“Small business owners need capital that moves at the speed of their business,” said Andrew Bennett, head of Small Business at Fifth Third. “By bringing Provide’s digital lending platform to more Fifth Third customers, we’re reducing paperwork, accelerating decisions, and giving owners more certainty when they need to invest in inventory, equipment, or growth.”
Built for Small Businesses—and Backed by a 168‑Year‑Old Bank
Fifth Third combines the speed and simplicity business owners expect from modern financial technology with the strength, stability, and local expertise of a national bank embedded in its communities. The Bank continues to expand its branch network in high‑growth markets, with branch teams and spaces designed to support deeper financial conversations with business owners.
Fifth Third also invests directly in small business growth through the Fifth Third Small Business Catalyst Fund. In 2025, the Bank awarded $5,300 grants to nearly 50 small businesses across the U.S., the first awards from a $7.85 million fund launched in partnership with Community Reinvestment Fund, USA—broadening financial access, fueling job creation, and supporting a more equitable small business ecosystem.
“Managing cash flow is a leading concern for small business owners—and we meet that need head-on with multiple solutions to get paid quickly. Whether you’re a farmer using Zelle to sell produce at a local farmer’s market, a cafe getting your card payments deposited with Early Pay, or a machine tool shop that needs to finance a large order, we’re designing for real-world moments,” Mendelsohn added. “That’s how owners save time and help build confidence to focus on customers and growth.”
What’s Next
Fifth Third will continue to modernize the small business experience with enhanced digital origination, more seamless online and mobile banking connections between personal and business profiles, and a modern authentication and login experience—laying the groundwork for deeper product integrations throughout 2028.
Visit 53.com/business or speak with a Fifth Third small business banker to get started.
About Fifth Third
Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.
Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
Fifth Third Bank, National Association may refer customers to Worldpay for merchant services. Compensation for such referrals may be paid by Worldpay to Fifth Third if the referral results in new business for Worldpay. The amount of any referral fee paid for received services will not affect the fees paid or payable by you.
1 Early Pay: Early Pay is a fee-free feature available for Fifth Third Business Premium Checking and Fifth Third Business Elite Checking. Early Pay grants you access to your eligible ACH payments up to two days prior to the scheduled payment date. Federal tax refunds may be received from the Internal Revenue Service up to five days before the scheduled payment date. Early access to funds is dependent on submission of direct deposit by payer and standard fraud prevention restrictions.
2 Extra Time: Fifth Third Extra Time® is a fee-free feature available for Fifth Third Business Premium Checking and Fifth Third Business Elite Checking. Fifth Third Extra Time® gives you longer—anytime before midnight ET on the business day after your account is overdrawn—to make a deposit that brings your available balance to at least $0. You must deposit enough to cover all items that caused your overdraft plus any outstanding checks, automatic payments, or pending debit card purchases that may be presented that business day. Extra Time does not apply to items that are returned unpaid.
Category: Other
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260604864014/en/
Sophie Isherwood (Media Relations)
[email protected]
Matt Curoe (Investor Relations)
[email protected] | 513-534-2345
KEYWORDS: Ohio United States North America
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Small Business Banking Professional Services Finance
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