PNC Bank Overview

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., commonly known as PNC Bank or simply PNC, is among the nation's top 10 largest banks. Its Virtual Wallet online account combines 3 accounts in 1. There’s a Spend checking account, a Reserve checking account for short-term savings, and a Growth savings account for long-term financial goals. No minimum deposit is required to open one.

Additionally, PNC provides tailored services for students, military members, and non-native English speakers. A significant perk of PNC's checking accounts is the access to big bank services, including in-branch assistance.

PNC Bank at a Glance

Suitable For?

PNC is ideal if you want the convenience of mobile and online banking combined with traditional banking services such as paper checks, bank branches, and business account services. However, you’ll also have to be comfortable with paying higher transaction costs than those charged by most online-only fintech platforms.

It’s also great if you’re studying in the U.S. since you’ll qualify for the Student Virtual Wallet account. This features reduced fees and no monthly fees for up to six years (as long as school enrollment continues).

PNC also has several perks for military veterans and active service members. These include lower account fees, access to VA home loans, and military-themed debit cards.

Advantages Over Traditional Banks

PNC’s Virtual Wallet accounts integrate 2 checking accounts and a long-term savings account in 1. They include Spend, your primary checking account, which comes with a contactless debit card, and Reserve, a checking account that’s handy for paying bills and short-term budgeting. Finally, the Growth savings account for long-term savings at a higher interest rate.

There are no minimum balance requirements, and you pay only 1 monthly fee for your combined Virtual Wallet account. In some cases, the monthly fees can even be waived.

You can also choose from 3 different types of Virtual Wallet accounts, depending on your needs. For example, you can opt for lower fees, fee-free non-PNC ATM use, or higher interest rates on savings—up to 4.00% APY.

Cutting-Edge Banking Services

All Virtual Wallet accounts give you access to features such as spending categories, which let you see where your money is going, and access to Zelle® so you can send and receive money. You can also create savings goals online and track your progress through the app or online banking.

The Low Cash Mode® feature mitigates overdraft costs. When you’re close to using up all the money in your account, you receive a personalized alert about it. You then have a 24-hour window to transfer or deposit cash if your balance dips below zero. A maximum of one $36 overdraft item fee is applicable daily.

Another noteworthy feature is PNC Express Funds, which provides instant access to deposited checks. For added convenience, PNC Card Free Access allows you to use ATMs without your physical card. Just sign into the app to get a code you can use if your card is lost.

Traditional Banking Services

PNC is a comprehensive, full-service bank, offering products such as credit cards, mortgages, children’s savings accounts, certificates of deposit, loans, IRAs, investments, and refinancing. You can also access 60,000 PNC and partner ATMs nationwide for fee-free transactions and over 2,600 branch locations.

Interest Rates and Fees

Rates and fees for PNC checking accounts and other banking services vary by region. In Southern California, for example, you can expect interest of up to 4.00% APY in a Growth account when you have Virtual Wallet with Performance Select. Only the Virtual Wallet with Performance Select and Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend accounts offer interest rates (of 0.01%) on checking balances.

Fees vary depending on the account:

There are five account options in total. In addition to the two listed above, you can also select from the Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend, Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, or Virtual Wallet Student account types. See the PNC Bank website for full details.

Customer Service and Online Experience

PNC provides phone support, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, and on weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Additionally, you can reach the support team through X (formerly known as Twitter) Monday to Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to midnight ET.

PNC prioritizes accessibility with features such as drive-through banking and talking ATMs. Interpreter services are available in over 240 languages, and select ATMs offer menus in 11 languages.

On Trustpilot, PNC holds a 1.3 rating based on nearly 1,000 reviews. While negative reviews vary, many express frustration with the customer support system and dissatisfaction with transaction fees.

PNC is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but holds an A+ rating. However, it receives a 1.11 rating on the BBB website. Complaints on the BBB site detail difficulties with accessing accounts and challenges in resolving issues through customer service.

Mobile App

The PNC mobile app is available for both Android and iOS. It lets you:

• Pay bills
• Review balances and transactions
• Transfer or send money
• Use voice banking
• Deposit checks
• Create savings goals and track your progress
• Make an appointment at a branch

The menu and design of the app are intuitive and easy to navigate. The mobile app gets a 4.5 review on the Google Play store, based on over 340,000 reviews, and a 4.8 score at the Apple Store, based on over 1.4 million ratings.

Security

The PNC Bank website uses Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates to encrypt a website’s connection and authenticate it. This provides an additional layer of security to standard SSL encryption.

The app also allows you to sign in with 2-factor authentication as well as face and fingerprint ID. In addition, you are asked security questions when you log into your account to verify your identity.

PNC has a dedicated security team that you can reach by phone. In addition, there is a PNC Victims Assistance Program, which offers tips to help you prevent identity theft and what to do if you’re the victim of identity theft.

Application Process

You can visit a PNC branch to open an account in person. You can also set up your account online with these steps:

• Visit the signup page.
• Fill out your information, including your name, contact information, social security number, date of birth, and employment information.
• Provide a copy of your ID.
• Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
• Fill out information about how you’ll be using the account and the services you need.
• Wait for your application to be approved.

PNC Bank Summary

PNC provides a combination checking and savings account known as Virtual Wallet, available in different variations. The bank offers a student version and extends special discounts if you’re a current or former member of the military.

The monthly fees can be waived, and there's no mandatory opening deposit. With tens of thousands of ATMs and branches nationwide, PNC ensures widespread accessibility, including services in multiple languages.

Physical Address

The Tower at PNC Plaza

300 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Disclaimer

PNC, PNC HomeHQ, PNC Home Insight, and Home Insight are registered service marks of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. ("PNC"). PNC has pending patent applications directed at various features and functions of Home Insight Planner and Home Insight Tracker. All loans are provided by PNC Bank, National Association, a subsidiary of PNC, and are subject to credit approval and property appraisal.

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.

Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value.

©2023 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

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