PNC Bank offers a wide range of services for different kinds of customers, from individuals and small businesses, to corporations and government entities.
Continue reading our guide to help you on finding the right account for you, which important documents needed to open one, and how to play in person or online!
Steps on Opening an PNC Account
1. Determine Which Account to Open
PNC offers different accounts, so the PNC account you want to open will depend on your current banking needs.
Traditional Checking and Savings Accounts
- Performance Select Checking: Gives customers access to PNC Bank’s highest level of benefits and rewards, along with free ATM transactions.
- Performance Checking: Customers can earn interest on balances of $2,000 or more. Plus, there are no charges at PNC Bank ATMs, and customers can take advantage of unlimited check writing.
- Standard Checking: Customers who only want a basic checking account may find this PNC account to be their best option. It comes with free PNC ATM transactions and cash rewards.
- PNC High Yield Savings: With an online savings account, you can earn a high 2.00% annual percentage yield. And you can open your account with any amount.
- Standard Savings: This account lets customers earn interest with a minimum balance of just $1.
Virtual Wallet Accounts
PNC Bank’s Virtual Wallet helps you manage your money online. You can pay your bills, track your spending, set savings goals and more with its online tools. Virtual Wallet is both checking and savings, made up of three accounts:
- Spend: Your primary, noninterest-bearing checking account
- Reserve: Interest-bearing checking account for short-term savings
- Growth: Savings account that earns interest for long-term savings
Virtual Wallet offers the following benefits:
- Send money with Zelle
- Mobile check deposit
- Free transactions at roughly 9,000 PNC Bank ATMs; certain PNC fees for out-of-network ATM transactions are reimbursed
Customers can earn a 2.15% APY, and those who are eligible can earn an even higher relationship rate. Eligible customers can also earn cash with PNC Purchase Payback, a customized rewards program based on your spending habits. It provides offers at your favorite retailers or suggests similar businesses that you may like.
Several versions of Virtual Wallet are available to choose from. Here’s a look at some of the features of each version:
Virtual Wallet With Performance Select
- Unlimited check writing
- Overdraft protection
- Earn cash with PNC Purchase Payback
- Discount on check orders
- No charge for cashier’s checks and stop payments
- Free identity theft insurance
- $100 discount on annual rental fee for safe deposit box
- Free domestic wire transfers
Virtual Wallet With Performance Spend
- Unlimited check writing
- Overdraft protection
- Earn cash with PNC Purchase Payback
- Free identity theft insurance
- $10 discount on annual rental fee for safe deposit box
Virtual Wallet
- Unlimited check writing
- Overdraft protection
- Earn cash with PNC Purchase Payback
Virtual Wallet Student
- PNC Bank Visa Debit Card
- Unlimited check writing on your Spend account
- Overdraft protection and coverage options
- One free domestic or international incoming wire transfer per statement period
2. Gather Personal Information
If you choose to apply for an account online or in person, PNC will need the following documents and information from you in order to meet their account opening requirements.
- Personal information (name, date of birth)
- Social Security number
- Contact information (phone number, email, address)
- Legal physical address
- Any other information that will allow PNC Bank to verify that you are who you say you are
When applying in person, make sure to bring your driver’s license, state ID or military ID to verify your identity.
3. Apply online or in Person
Once you’ve gathered the important documents and information, you can apply to open an account with PNC either online or in person. You can follow these steps:
- Go to the PNC homepage
- Click on the type of account you want to open
- Select the specific account you would like to open
- Click “Learn more” and then “Get started”
- Fill out the necessary information
You can visit the nearest PNC branch to apply in-person and a representative will help you with the application process. We recommend this for new PNC customers, so they can get the starting guide they need!
PNC Account Fees & Features
Like many other major banks, PNC gives you access to a variety of checking, savings, and CD accounts. Keep reading the tables below to see the main fees and features of their checking and savings accounts.
Checking Account Fees & Features
The table below lists all the different minimums, fees and benefits for each PNC checking account, so you can decide which is right for you.
| PNC Checking Accounts at a Glance | ||||
| Fees and Features | Performance Select Checking | Performance Checking | Standard Checking | |
| Minimum opening deposit | $25 | $25 | $25 | |
| Monthly service charge | $25; eligible customers can waive fee | $15 | $7 | |
| Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fee | $0 at all PNC locations and non-PNC Bank ATMs | $0 at all PNC locations and non-PNC Bank ATMs | $0 at all PNC locations and non-PNC Bank ATMs | |
| Overdraft fee | $36 | $36 | $36 | |
| Early closure fee | $25 | $25 | $25 | |
Savings Account Fees & Features
PNC offers two different type of savings accounts to choose from. Take a quick glance at the difference to help decide which is better for you:
| PNC Savings Accounts at a Glance | |||
| Fees and Features | PNC High Yield Savings | Standard Savings | |
| Minimum opening deposit | $0 | $25 | |
| Monthly service charge | $0 | $5; eligible customers can waive fee | |
| Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fee | $0 at all PNC ATMs; $3 to $5 at all other ATMs | $0 at all PNC ATMs; $3 to $5 at all other ATMs | |
| Overdraft fee | $36 | $36 | |
| Standard APY | 2.00% | 0.01% | |
How to Avoid Unwanted Fees
The best way to avoid any unwanted fees that you might occur during your time with the bank is to keep yourself informed as to what’s happening. With your account opening, you should have access to the full fee schedule for any bank account you may sign up for. This will prevent having to pay $36 for the PNC overdraft fee
Additionally,PNC can also charge a fee when you use an ATM that is not associated with PNC Bank. To avoid this $3-$5 charge, use a PNC Bank ATM if possible.
How to Protect Your Bank Account
In today’s digital age, everything has transferred to the online world, and that includes crimeHere are some precautions to take to avoid fraud:
- Use strong passwords that nobody else could guess.
- Enable two-factor authentication, meaning your account is accessed with a two-step process including a password and fingerprint or face scan.
- Install cybersecurity protection on your computer and phone.
- Monitor your transaction history for suspicious activity.
- Turn on online banking alerts so you’ll be notified with each transaction.
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Bottom Line
PNC is a well known bank with a solid reputation. They offer competitive rates on their online savings account!
If you travel often and want access to your bank account anywhere with little to no ATM fees then consider checking out PNC’s offerings.
However, if you prefer lower balance requirements that earn high interest rates then you might want to look elsewhere.
Learn more about PNC Bank and keep up with the latest PNC Bank Promotions.
To get you started, we have a list of the best bank promotions and you can also read bank reviews to find which bank offers the services you need!
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