(Indianapolis, IN) – The Fifth Third Bank Homeownership Mobile (aka the “eBus”) will be rolling into Indianapolis this June. The Homeownership Mobile is a 40-foot bus that doubles as a mobile classroom to provide credit counseling, financial literacy, homeownership assistance and foreclosure prevention directly to where people live and work.
Fifth Third Bank has several community partners throughout the state that will help make the eBus program a success including: Community Alliance of the Far Eastside, Inc. (CAFÉ), Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, Pathway Resource Center, Inc., Wishard Health Services, Inc., WFYI Public Broadcasting, Amber Woods Co-op, Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Inc., Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, West Indianapolis Development Corporation, The Community College Foundation, Bank on Indy, Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness.
This is the sixth year the eBus has visited Indianapolis. In 2009, 1,075 Indianapolis residents stepped aboard the Homeownership Mobile; 115 received free credit reports and 80 received one-on-one counseling sessions. This year, we are hoping to do much more by offering free credit reports with scores, foreclosure prevention counseling and classes on basic banking, repairing damaged credit and preparing for homeownership.
A Mobile Classroom
A self-contained mobile classroom on wheels, the eBus is Internet-equipped with 14 computer terminals for instructor-led or self-directed homeownership and credit counseling programs, and access to comprehensive financial services information, including the free Fifth Third Homeownership Guide and Dream Guard life planning materials. Fifth Third community development officers, mortgage professionals and retail banking staff will be on board the Homeownership Mobile along with community partners to promote financial literacy, homeownership assistance and foreclosure prevention in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. On the bus, visitors will be able to:
• Request a free credit report with a credit score and review it onboard; and have it mailed to them.
• Attend classes on “Basic Banking”, “How to Repair Your Credit Report” and “Preparing for Homeownership”.
• Receive a free consultation on loss mitigation and foreclosure prevention.
• Receive a free personalized evaluation of finances.
• Speak with non-profit organizations that provide housing, money management and business advice.
• Browse free multi-lingual, self-directed programs on homeownership and credit counseling.
“The housing market and banking industry have suffered through a tumultuous year and there have been many changes,” said Sandra Sandifer, Assistant Vice President of Community Development and eBus manager for Fifth Third Bank, Central Indiana. “The eBus arrives at an opportune time to help people who have questions and for them to realize they have options even in this challenging market. Fifth Third believes that in order to build a better tomorrow we must meet the community’s needs today.”
Indianapolis eBus Schedule
Tuesday, June 1st
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
CAFÉ
8902 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, June 5th
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center
1920 W. Morris Street, Indianapolis, IN
Wednesday, June 9th
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Amber Woods Co-op
10119 John Marshall Drive, Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, June 12th
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Military Park – PBS KIDS “Let’s Meet in the Park”
100 N. West Street, Indianapolis, IN
Tuesday, June 15th
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wishard Health Services
1001 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN
About Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $113 billion in assets, operates 16 affiliates with 1,309 full-service Banking Centers, including 103 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,364 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 49% interest in Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of March 31, 2010, had $190 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $25 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.”
