PNC Review
7.4
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PNC Reviews

7.4
Lauren Le-Hair

WRITTEN BY

Lauren Le-Hair

Traditional Banking with an Innovative Twist
Traditional Banking with an Innovative Twist
About PNC

PNC bank, or Provident National Corporation, was established in 1852 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over the years, PNC has built a solid reputation for itself as a reputable lender with top-notch customer support and competitive financial services and products. It offers personal banking services, credit cards, mortgage loans, and auto loans.

Today, PNC strives to embrace a diverse work culture while strengthening their connection with their customers. This, combined with its myriad of financial services, sets PNC apart from their competitors.

PNC continues to innovate and modernize its services to make them competitive – and relevant – in the industry. They have a number of convenient technologies for customers, such as an intuitive mobile app, easy-to-access services, and more. Whether you’re a new or returning customer, PNC is there to guide you along the way.

7.5

LS SCORE

9.0

CREDIBILITY

5.0

SUPPORT

8.0

ACCESSIBILITY

PNC Online Banking Review

When it comes to online banking, PNC offers many services, including checking, savings, and CD accounts, for personal and business purposes. PNC Bank has Certificates of Deposit (CDs), a line of credit, and a Money Market Deposit Account (MMDA). Along with this, PNC has something called a Virtual Wallet. This includes several digital tools for money organization and lets customers connect their different accounts together in one convenient place.

PNC Online Banking Highlights

DEPOSIT AMOUNT

min $25

APY SAVINGS

0.01% - 4%

ATM NETWORK

60,000+

MAINTENANCE FEE

5

OTHER FEES

Yes

Pros & Cons

  • Details regarding the different accounts – ex. fees – are easy to find online
  • Variety of online banking options, including personal and business bank accounts and CDs
  • Has an intuitive Virtual Wallet that combines a checking and savings account and helps you build up your savings
  • Some accounts have additional fees that aren’t disclosed until later during the process
  • Certificate of Deposit yields are lower than at other banks
  • Overdraft fees may occur daily – up to 4 times a day – and are $36 each

Account Type

  • Checking
  • Savings
  • Certificates of Deposit (CD)
  • Money Market Deposit Account (MMDA)
  • Business

PNC Checking Highlights

DEPOSIT AMOUNT

min $25

PNC Savings Highlights

DEPOSIT AMOUNT

min $25

APY

0.01% to 4%

PNC Checking business Highlights

DEPOSIT AMOUNT

min $500

MIN BALANCE

$500

APYs

Account  1 Year
Premiere Money Market 0.04% APY
Business Checking Account None
Savings Account 2.20% APY (may depend on zip code)
Virtual Wallet Checking Pro 1.30% APY (depends on zip code)

Features Benefits & Rewards

  • Rewards: One-time monetary reward for setting up a Virtual Wallet account (either $50, $200, or $400)
  • PNC points (these can be used on gift cards, merchandise, or cash back)

Account Types

Virtual Wallet

The Virtual Wallet is a separate online account that can contain your savings and checking account, or only your checking account. It requires a minimum deposit of $25 unless you create the account online.

There are a couple of options here, such as:

  • Reserve – this lets you set aside money for an upcoming purchase
  • Growth – this lets you put money in savings to earn interest over time

It’s possible to earn extra cash when setting up this account – up to $400.

Account Type  Key Features Bonuses 
Virtual Deposit
  • Earn $50, 200, or $400 when setting up an account
  • Low Cash Mode sends alerts when the  balance is low
  • Ability to earn different APY depending on where you place your money

Foundation Checking Account

A Foundation Checking Account comes with a PNC Bank Visa Debit Card and works like any standard checking account. With one, you can move money around in linked PNC accounts, schedule payments, and so forth. It costs $25 to open and has a $5 monthly maintenance fee.

Account Type Key Features Bonuses
Foundation Checking Account
  • No overdraft fee
  • Access to mobile and online banking
  • No monthly service charge for those who are 62 or older

Certificate of Deposit

Like PNC’s checking and savings accounts, its CDs are insured by the FDIC. They have a fixed rate and have terms lasting up to 10 years. Customers can choose either a Fixed Rate CD or a Fixed Rate IRA CD, both with the option of automatic renewal.

Account Type  Key Features Bonuses (if available)
Certificate of Deposit
  • $250 to open a Fixed Rate IRA CD
  • $1,000 to open a Fixed Rate CD
  • Can earn interest over time (unspecified amount)
  • Flexible terms

Premiere Money Market Account

This account has higher interest rates than PNC’s other accounts, which can help the account owner add to their savings. Similar to PNC’s checking account, there are no in-network ATM fees. There is a $12 monthly maintenance fee, though it’s waived with a $5,000+ monthly balance.

Account Type  Key Features Bonuses (if available)
Premiere Money Market Account
  • Auto Savings lets you automatically transfer money between PNC accounts
  • No limit on deposits
  • There’s no minimum deposit to open this account online

Business Checking Accounts

There are two business checking accounts available – Business Checking and Business Checking Plus. Each one is tailored to a different type of business, so confirm the requirements before applying. Both accounts come with free online and mobile banking.

Account Type  Key Features Bonuses (if available)
Business Checking Accounts
  • Receive $200 if you open and use a business account by 12/31/22
  • They only require $100 to open the account
  • Business Checking allows for 150 free transactions a month
  • Business Checking Plus allows for 500 free transactions a month

Opening an Account With PNC

Those who are interested in opening an online bank account with PNC can do so online or at an in-person location. New customers may only create an account at a storefront location.

To open an account online, visit the website and choose which account type you want to open – ex. business account, personal checking account, or Virtual Wallet. Then, input the required personal details, such as:

  • Full name
  • Contact information
  • 2 forms of identity – ex. state-issued ID and passport

Depending on the account type, it may be necessary to also put in an opening deposit or pay a fee. For example, the Checking account requires a $25 minimum deposit.

PNC Step 1: Enter your zipcode
Step 1

Enter your zipcode

State Availability

Available - Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Not Available - Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming.

Privacy & Security

PNC is a member of the FDIC, meaning any deposits are insured up to a certain amount (generally $250,000).

When it comes to protecting their customers’ online privacy, PNC also has multiple layers of security. The bank is transparent about what type of data they collect, as well as how they use those data. Depending on the financial service or product – ex. auto loans –, PNC may collect the individual’s SSN, income, account balances, and credit history information. As a customer, it’s possible to limit the sharing of certain information, but not all. For more details, check out PNC’s document on data privacy.

As for security, PNC uses security questions and a two-step verification process to protect customer data. They also have EV SSL certificates, which clearly display the organization’s name at the top of the page to show the site is legitimate.

PNC does not assume responsibility for potential damages, such as lost data. However, it has a good reputation for keeping information secure.

Customer Support

PNC bank has a dedicated customer service page that makes it easy to find answers to most commonly asked questions. This page is organized by products, such as auto loans or personal banking, as well as by PNC Banking Services (ex. remote deposit and PNC Easy Lock). PNC also has a separate FAQ section and a How-To section.

The institute’s hours of operation are organized by category. This includes personal product and service specific support, small business product and service specific support, calling from outside the US, and special support. Each section has a corresponding phone number you can call.

PNC’s main customer care team is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm (EST), and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. The phone number is 888-762-2265. If you call during business hours, you may have to wait anywhere from a few minutes to around half an hour.

Online, PNC has an A+ rating on BBB, but only 1.12 out of 5 stars. On Trustpilot, they have 1.3 stars out of 5. Most negative reviews are concerning the mobile app and slow or difficult customer service.

Phone Support
(888) 762-2265
Mon - Fri
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM EST
Sat - Sun
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST

In Conclusion

Overall, PNC bank is a good financial institution for those who want an online banking experience with in-person locations. They also offer various financial products, such as auto loans, mortgage loans, and credit cards. This is convenient for those who want to conduct all their finances in one place.

Although PNC focuses on diversity and tries to make its services and products accessible, its customer service is somewhat lacking. If you prefer not to speak with representatives, however, this may not be an issue.

FAQ

Can you pay PNC loans online?
Yes. PNC lets customers make payments for loans and credit cards online or via the app. It’s also possible to set up automatic payments or schedule payments ahead of time.
How do I go about disputing an incorrect transaction?
For debit card transactions, log into your PNC Online Banking account and proceed to the Customer Service tab. Then select “Dispute a Transaction,” select the appropriate account, confirm your information, and click “Next.” From there, select the transaction to dispute and follow the prompts. The process is almost the same for credit cards, but there’s a section specifically for “Credit Cards.”
How else can I contact PNC Bank?
If you don’t want to call their Customer Care Center, you can either use the mobile app or online banking platform to contact them. To do this, simply go through “Message PNC” and follow the prompts.

PNC Disclaimer

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) uses the marketing names PNC Private Bank℠ and PNC Private Bank Hawthorn℠ to provide investment consulting and wealth management, fiduciary services, FDIC-insured banking products and services, and lending of funds to individual clients through PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), which is a Member FDIC, and to provide specific fiduciary and agency services through its subsidiary, PNC Delaware Trust Company or PNC Ohio Trust Company. PNC uses the marketing name PNC Institutional Asset Management® for the various discretionary and non-discretionary institutional investment, trustee, custody and related services provided by PNC Bank, and investment management activities conducted by PNC Capital Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank (“PNC Capital Advisors”). PNC uses the marketing name PNC Institutional Advisory Solutions® for discretionary investment management, trustee, and related services conducted by PNC Bank. PNC uses the marketing name PNC Retirement Solutions® for investment, consulting, trustee, and custody services for employer-sponsored retirement plans provided by PNC Bank. PNC does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice unless, with respect to tax advice, PNC Bank has entered into a written tax services agreement. PNC Bank is not registered as a municipal advisor under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Act”). Investment management and related products and services provided to a “municipal entity” or “obligated person” regarding “proceeds of municipal securities” (as such terms are defined in the Act) will be provided by PNC Capital Advisors.

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WRITTEN BY

Lauren Le-Hair

As an experienced content writer, Lauren’s passion for the finance sector is only exceeded by her love of writing. Lauren specializes in the financial industry, drawing on her knowledge and experience to deliver top-quality, specialized content with an expert tone of voice and a unique flair. She also holds a First Class (Hons) Batchelor’s degree from Staffordshire University.