A Mobile Classroom

A self-contained mobile classroom on wheels, the "eBus" is Internet-equipped with twelve computer terminals for instructor-led or self-directed homeownership and credit counseling programs, and access to comprehensive financial services information, including the free Fifth Third Homeownership Guide. Fifth Third community development officers, mortgage professionals and retail staff will be on board the "eBus" along with neighborhood nonprofit organizations to promote financial literacy and homeownership in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. On the bus, visitors will be able to:

• Receive personalized evaluation of an individual’s finances and qualification for mortgages.
• Browse free multi-lingual, self-directed programs such as "Route to Homeownership" and Credit SmartÒ on Freddie Mac’s website.
• Obtain a free credit report.
• Access to other Fifth Third products, including Totally Free Checking, savings accounts and credit cards.
• Receive a FREE copy of the highly praised book, "Money Made Simple: Easy Answers to Tough Money Questions," by nationally recognized financial expert Angie Hollerich.
• Apply for employment at Fifth Third Bank.

The "eBus" is the result of an exciting alliance between Fifth Third and Freddie Mac, one of the nation’s largest investors in residential mortgages, who shares Fifth Third’s commitment to increasing opportunities for affordable homeownership to low-income, minority and new immigrant families. Technical support is being provided through The Community College Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California.

"We encourage all Akron residents to experience the Homeownership Mobile," said Todd Clossin, President & CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Northeastern Ohio). "We believe we are making an important investment in the Akron community by providing one-on-one financial counseling and solutions to the challenges of meeting conventional mortgage requirements."

"Our theme is ‘bring the dream home’ because we truly want to help homebuyers realize their dream of owning a home," said Louise J. Gissendaner, Fifth Third Bank Senior Vice President and Director of Community Development.

"Misconceptions and misinformation block the way to the American Dream of homeownership for too many families," said Craig Nickerson, Vice President of Expanding Markets for Freddie Mac. "Homeownership is the most prominent means for families in America to build lasting wealth, and it’s a long-term investment in the community. Freddie Mac worked with Fifth Third to design the Homeownership Mobile to help people get the information, guidance and access to low cost mortgage financing they need to achieve successful homeownership."

Community Partners

Among the many groups that Fifth Third Bank is partnering with in Akron are: ACME Supermarket Store #2; Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; Akron Urban League; the city of Akron; Dave’s Supermarket Store #10; Henry’s ACME Supermarket; Summit County and several nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

About the Partners

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $103.2 billion in assets, operates 17 affiliates with 1,099 full-service Banking Centers, including 127 Bank Mart^® locations open seven-days-a-week inside select grocery stores and 2,005 Jeanie^® ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The financial strength of Fifth Third’s Ohio and Michigan banks continues to be recognized by rating agencies with deposit ratings of AA- and Aa1 from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively. Additionally, Fifth Third Bancorp continues to maintain among the highest short-term ratings available at A-1+ and Prime-1 and is recognized by Moody’s with one of the highest senior debt ratings for any U.S. bank holding company of Aa2.

Freddie Mac is a stockholder-owned corporation established by Congress in 1970 to support homeownership and rental housing. Freddie fulfills its mission by purchasing residential mortgages and mortgage-related securities, which it finances primarily by issuing mortgage-related securities and debt instruments in the capital markets. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made homeownership possible for one in six homebuyers in America and nearly four million renters in America. www.freddiemac.com.

The Community College Foundation is a 501(c)3 public-benefit corporation. Since 1983, The Community College Foundation has been committed to excellence in education and dedicated to providing opportunities for improving lives and strengthening communities. The Foundation manages a diverse portfolio of programs, fulfilling its mission through technology outreach and training, youth services programs, student internships, and database support systems. By working with local organizations and forming strong neighborhood and business alliances, The Foundation promotes community self-reliance through an on-going process of lifelong learning.