Nearly 500 babies have received startup funds since program’s
inception
Fifth Third Bank, National Association, surprised 94 newborns
and their families for being born on a special day: 5/3. Babies
born across 17 hospitals in the Charlotte and Louisville areas on
“Fifth Third Day” received a $1,053 Gift of College® gift card to
be used toward a 529 college savings account.
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the full release here:
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The Louisville newborns received a horse
stuffed animal, since it is Derby Week. Charlotte newborns received
a matchbox version of the No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang.
(Photo: Business Wire)
“One of the greatest gifts is knowledge and we hope these
contributions toward a college savings account will make a
difference in the lives of babies born on Fifth Third Day,” said
Lee Fite, regional president of the Carolinas for Fifth Third Bank.
“We are proud to celebrate North Carolina Fifth Third Babies and
hope this small gesture will kickstart a lifetime of learning and
wonderment.”
The new parents also received care packages with a DoorDash gift
card, and gifts for the baby including a onesie, milestone blanket
and diapers. The 44 Louisville newborns also received a horse
stuffed animal, since it is Derby Week. And 50 Charlotte newborns
also received a matchbox version of the NASCAR No. 17 Fifth Third
Bank Ford Mustang.
“It was an honor to welcome the newest members of our community
on a day that is near and dear to Fifth Third,” said Kim Halbauer,
regional president of Kentucky for Fifth Third Bank. “Finding ways
to strengthen families and communities is core to what we do, and I
can’t think of a better way to support parents and children than
helping them start saving for a college education.”
Celebrating new parents, babies and college
educations
Between Fifth Third Days in 2017 and 2022, the Bank has gifted
399 babies with $1,053 to go toward a 529 college savings account,
in partnership with Gift of College. The Bank has hosted Fifth
Third Day Babies in Cincinnati, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Grand
Rapids, Mich., and Indianapolis. This year brought that total to
493.
“This means everything. To have a baby is a blessing but being
able to start his future is definitely a blessing, too,” said Todd
Wingate, father to Fifth Third Baby, Tee Wingate, who was born at
Baptist Health Louisville. Tee’s parents are the recipient of one
of the $1,053 Gift of College gift cards.
Tee’s mother Katia Colin added: “It is very exciting. It doesn’t
seem real!”
Mother to Fifth Third Baby Prestyn, Danielle “DJ” Johnson had
similar sentiments to the gifts and head start for college
savings.
“We were so shocked and thrilled,” she said. “To get all of
those gifts, we were just so elated.”
Baby Prestyn was born at Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord,
North Carolina.
529s: Investing in your child’s future
Opening a 529 account early in a child's life can lead to
endless educational and career possibilities. And once a 529
account is opened, friends, extended family, and even employers can
contribute as well – creating a circle of support for parents in
preparing for their child’s future.
“Starting the investing process when a child is brand new
provides plenty of time for additional contributions to be made and
to compound and grow in value,” said Patricia Roberts, chief
operating officer of Gift of College and mother of a recent
debt-free college graduate. “A gift like this is an investment in a
child's future and one of the very best gifts new parents and their
child can receive.
“As a mom who’s been there, I know the value of starting the
savings process early and the many doors educational savings can
open down the line. I immediately began sleeping better at night
once I knew we had a plan in place for our child’s future. Looking
back, opening a 529 account when our child was an infant was one of
the best decisions we made. “
Children with college savings are more likely to pursue and
complete higher education. No matter what path a child chooses to
pursue, savings will help make them easier to achieve. And
post-secondary education is linked to higher pay, upward mobility,
improved health and other valuable benefits.
Sweepstakes for all
You don't have to be born on 5/3 to start saving for a sunny
future! This year, Fifth Third is extending its Fifth Third Babies
gift of $1,053 to open a 529 college savings plan to all our
communities with the 5/3 Babies Sweepstakes1. Parents can enter to
win $1,053 by following and commenting on Fifth Third Bank's
TikTok, Facebook and Instagram sweepstakes posts between May 10 and
29. Five winners will receive a head start on their college savings
fund.
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 offered by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member
FDIC.
1 No purchase necessary to enter or win sweepstakes. Odds of
winning depends on number of eligible entries received. Sweepstakes
begins May 10, 2023, at 12:00 AM EST and ends May 29, 2023, at
11:59 PM EST. Must be a U.S. resident at least 18 years old to
enter. Sweepstakes is only open to residents of Michigan, Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230428005503/en/
Beth Oates (Media Relations) Beth.Oates@53.com |
313-230-9002
Chris Doll (Investor Relations) Christopher.Doll@53.com |
513-534-2345
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