Fifth Third Bank eBus Featured at Avondale Empowerment Day in Cincinnati

The Fifth Third Bank Financial Empowerment Mobile (eBus) continued its tour in Southwest Ohio in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Avondale, one of its nine Empowering Black Futures neighborhoods on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 3-7 p.m. The eBus was part of the Avondale Empowerment Day in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, Avondale Development Corporation, The Community Builders and other community partners.

Fifth Third’s eBus is a mobile financial classroom on wheels and is free for the community. Equipped with desktops and Wi-Fi, the bus is staffed by Fifth Third bankers who are on board to offer assistance with reviewing credit reports, one-on-one financial counseling, financial and homebuyer education, job search assistance and help accessing Fifth Third products and services.

“We are committed to improving the lives of our customers and financially empowering the communities we serve,” said Kala Gibson, executive vice president and chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third Bank. “The eBus allows us to meet people at every age and stage of life where they live and work to provide the knowledge and tools to help them take control of their financial futures.”

“The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio was pleased to host Avondale Empowerment Day in collaboration with Fifth Third Bank, the Avondale Development Corporation, The Community Builders, and our community partner agencies,” said Christie Bryant Kuhns, President and CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. “All are united by our mutual commitment to empower underserved communities with education, information and the resources necessary to help them thrive.”

“Our neighborhood residents need to be empowered financially in order to benefit from Avondale’s revitalization. We appreciate the partnership of Fifth Third Bank, The Community Builders and the Urban League in helping to make this happen,” said Russell Hairston, Executive Director, Avondale Development Corporation.

"We are making a powerful impact on families in Cincinnati through community outreach and engagement such as the Avondale Empowerment Day,” said Jillian Olinger, Great Lakes director of Community Life at The Community Builders. “This initiative is an innovative way for TCB to help connect families, particularly Black families, to financial coaching, and help increase economic mobility and housing stability. We’re helping residents reach financial goals and create pathways to homeownership.” 

As long-time supporters of University of Cincinnati athletics and the Fifth Third Arena, home of the Bearcats, the Avondale Empowerment Day included special visits from UC Men’s Basketball players, including 6-foot-6 freshman Dan Skillings and 6-foot guard David Dejulius.