Fifth Third Bank Opens New Branch

INDEPENDENCE - Fifth Third Bank, Northern Kentucky celebrated the opening of a new banking center at 4110 Richardson Road at Turkeyfoot Road Wednesday morning. This branch marks the opening of the 34th location in Northern Kentucky.

"We are proud to be able to offer the people in this community the services and friendliness of a local bank, knowing that we are backed by one of the strongest financial institutions in the country," remarked Steve Haigis, banking center manager.

Haigis was previously the manager of the Fort Mitchell Bank Mart location. He currently lives in Taylor Mill with his wife and three children.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.