💪 South Chicago's next chapter
A message from: Fifth Third Neighborhood Program
Fifth Third Bank's Neighborhood Program has brought $57.7 million of financial impact to South Chicago since 2021 — supporting small businesses, homeowners and neighborhood revitalization.
Why it's important: South Chicago's history includes decades of disinvestment and discriminatory planning, leaving persistent gaps in housing access, business growth and income mobility.
🏘️ The Fifth Third Neighborhood Program is reimagining how banks show up for local communities by investing deeply, listening first and helping neighborhoods shape their own future.
The background: The program launched in 2021 with a $180 million commitment in nine historically disinvested and economically disadvantaged communities across Fifth Third's national footprint, including South Chicago.
It builds on the bank's 2019 pilot in a Detroit neighborhood, where concentrated, people-first investments attracted new partners and sparked lasting neighborhood change.
- The Fifth Third Neighborhood Program to date has delivered $270 million in direct investments around the country, catalyzing an additional $200 million in leveraged investments.
🤝 How it's done: Fifth Third partners with the national nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners for technical assistance.
In South Chicago, the bank works with Claretian Associates for local guidance and leadership.
- Together, they've made $6.6 million in direct investments in Chicago and catalyzed an additional $51.1 million since 2021.
The strategy: The Fifth Third Neighborhood Program partners directly with local residents to deliver what the neighborhood needs — from business corridor revitalization to affordable housing expansion — to help shape economic mobility that lasts for generations.
🌟 The impact: This $57.7 million investment in South Chicago has supported:
- Nearly 80 small businesses through training, capital and opportunity.
- The development or preservation of 57 affordable housing units.
- A 2% increase in subsidized housing.
- A Getting to Home Program with Claretian Associates to create ownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents.
The takeaway: The Fifth Third Neighborhood Program proves that lasting change is possible when leaders across the community join together to keep things moving forward.
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