Get in the Know with a Financial Needs Assessment [Michigan Chronicle (MI)]

Ask yourself a question, "When was the last time I analyzed my finances? Do I have a budget in place to track my spending in relation to my income? Do I assess the amount of money I pay in fees and interest on a monthly basis? Have I looked at my statements to see how much I am earning in interest? Let me guess. You often say, "I'm going to do it tomorrow." But tomorrow comes and there are other priorities that you have to address. Let's make tomorrow today!

In the current economic environment, it's important for all of us to keep a finger on the pulse of our finances. Understanding how to manage our money gets us closer to our dreams. For some it may be early retirement, others may need to save for school, some wish to travel, purchase a home or even eliminate debt. Gaining a clearer understanding of where we are financially can offer greater peace of mind.

So how do you get there? At Fifth Third Bank, we encourage our existing and potential customers to sit with a banker for a Financial Needs Assessment. We ask questions about your goals and assist you in developing a plan to achieve those goals. We'll discuss what your financial priorities are - lowering your current interest rate, earning more interest on your deposits, minimizing service fees, etc. We also want to know more about you the person and not just you the customer. We want you to talk and we'll listen to better understand your needs.

We may ask you to bring in some information to help us better understand your current financial situation:

* Mortgage information

* Credit card statements

* Bank Statements