Another three Ohio locations are affected as the region’s biggest hometown bank trims its footprint.
August 25 will mark the last day of service for Fifth Third Bank customers who rely on the in‑store branch inside the Kroger on Dixie Highway in Fort Mitchell, just south of Cincinnati. The move, confirmed to federal regulators and echoed by bank spokesperson Sophie Isherwood, is part of a broader downsizing by the nation’s 11th‑largest consumer bank, which operates roughly 2,400 ATMs across the country.
The Fort Mitchell location is Cincinnati’s largest locally based bank branch, so its closing may feel personal for many long‑time account holders. Still, management says the decision reflects hard numbers: foot traffic keeps slipping as mobile deposits and online bill pay rise.
Fifth Third’s Fort Mitchell Kroger branch shuttering underscores wider multistate downsizing push
The Kentucky closure is only one piece of a multistate plan already in motion this year. Since January, Fifth Third has pulled back in four states:
| State | City (or area) | 2025 status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Jacksonville, Saint Petersburg, Winter Park | Closed | All three shut earlier this year |
| Indiana | Indianapolis (E 71st St), Merrillville | Closing | Indy site sat near a busy retail hub |
| Michigan | Grand Rapids area | Closed | Only MI site affected so far |
| Ohio | Columbus, Garfield Heights, Fort Mitchell (KY branch serving Cincinnati market) | Two closed; KY branch closing 8/25 | Cincinnati metro loses three locations |
Is your neighborhood next? The bank has hinted that additional “overlapping” branches are under review, especially in markets where two offices sit within a mile of each other. Fifth Third says all Fort Mitchell accounts will automatically transfer to nearby full‑service branches, but regulars may prefer to take proactive steps. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Confirm your new “home” branch—log in to online banking or call customer care.
- Order new checks or update bill‑pay details if your routing number will change.
- Empty safe‑deposit boxes before the final business day.
- Ask about fee waivers tied to in‑person services, such as coin counting or cashier’s checks.
Online banking boom and branch overlap drive Fifth Third’s consolidation strategy across states
Industry analysts point to two overlapping trends: a pandemic‑accelerated shift to digital channels and a cost‑cutting push across regional banks. Fifth Third is far from alone—TD Bank, for instance, axed 38 offices in June. “Consolidation is our way of staying competitive while still investing in technology,” a Fifth Third executive noted during last quarter’s earnings call.
Nevertheless, in‑person service remains vital for seniors, small‑business owners, and anyone handling cash‑heavy transactions. If that’s you, consider setting up appointments at the remaining Cincinnati‑area branches to avoid long lobby lines once Fort Mitchell goes dark.