Opening a PNC Bank account can be done online or in person at one of its brick-and-mortar branches. It's generally super easy to do, but comes with a few tricky parts that prospective account holders should be aware of. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at how you can open a PNC Bank account today.
Ratings Methodology
Rates asof May 31, 2024
PNC Virtual Wallet
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Member FDIC.
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APY
0.01%-0.03%
Min. To Earn APY
N/A
- New account bonus
- Multiple accounts in one
- Full-feature mobile app
- Zelle compatible
- Monthly service fees
- Very low interest rates
If you're looking for an all-in-one budgeting and savings solution, PNC Virtual Wallet might work for you. The multiple accounts and digital tools offer a lot of options for managing your money. However, account types vary by location and not everyone will get competitive APYs.
What you'll need to open a PNC Bank account
To open a PNC Bank account online, you'll need a few items, including:
- Government-issued photo ID, such as a valid U.S. driver's license, state-issued ID, or Military ID.
- Personal information, such as your Social Security number, residential address, and date of birth.
How much does it cost to open a PNC Bank account?
Some of PNC's bank accounts have monthly service fees, but many of them can be waived. For example, its Standard Savings Account has a $5 monthly service fee that's waived if you maintain a $300 monthly balance or link a PNC checking account. Meanwhile, its PNC Virtual Wallet comes with a waivable fee that varies from $7 to $25.
That said, PNC doesn't offer the same bank accounts in all areas of the U.S. For example, in some ZIP codes, you can open a Virtual Wallet Checking Pro, which has no monthly service fee. You might also be able to open the PNC High Yield Savings, which has a competitive APY and no monthly service fee. Double-check the fee schedule before you open your account to see if your PNC Bank account has any other operating costs.
Compare savings rates
Make sure you're getting the best account for you by comparing savings rates and promotions. Here are some of our favorite high-yield savings accounts to consider.
| Account | APY | Promotion | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | up to 4.60% Rate infoYou can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.Min. to earn: $0 | New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits! | Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings |
Open Account for Citizens Access® Savings Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 4.50% Min. to earn: $0.01 | N/A | Open Account for Citizens Access® Savings |
Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 5.00% APY for balances of $5,000 or more Rate info5.00% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APYMin. to earn: $100 to open account, $5,000 for max APY | N/A | Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings |
How to open a PNC Bank account
Opening a PNC Bank account is a little different than opening an account online at other banks. To help you prepare, here's what you can expect.
1. Provide your personal information
You'll need to give your name, date of birth, email address, primary address, phone number, Social Security number, and ID information. You'll also need to give employment information, such as your occupation and employer. At the end of this step, you'll review and submit your application, and you might also need to verify your identity through text or phone call.
2. Sign the terms and conditions
Once your application has been approved, you'll review the Terms & Conditions for your account, which might include an eConsent disclosure, rate sheet, fee schedule, and overdraft notification sheet. As tedious as this step may seem, don't skip over it.
At the very least, look closely at the fee schedule and understand what services and activities may result in a charge. When you're done, check the box near the bottom saying you've read and agree to the terms. You'll also need to check the box to certify your tax status.
3. State the purpose of your account
Next, you'll answer a few questions to help PNC understand how you expect to use your new account. Don't worry: These aren't trick questions. PNC is just complying with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) policies, which aim to prevent illicit activities and money laundering. You'll answer a few simple questions around your account usage, cash transactions, domestic wires, and international transactions.
4. Open your account
If your account has a debit card, you'll create a unique PIN. PNC will also give you your bank account numbers. You'll want to save these numbers in a safe, secure place, as PNC doesn't let you see them within your account. And that's it -- your PNC Bank account is now open.
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FAQs
Yes. As long as you're 18 years or older, you can open a PNC Bank account online.
Yes, you can open joint accounts at PNC Bank.
Our Banking Experts
By:Steven Porrello
Writer
Steven is a personal finance writer covering topics from mortgages to credit cards to market news. He has written for The Motley Fool Canada, Ramsey Solutions, Nerdwallet, Clever Real Estate, and other major outlets. Steven launched his writing career at the age of four with his first book, "Revenge of the Bad Guys." He currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
Fact CheckedAshley Maready
Writer and Editor
Ashley Maready is a former history museum professional who made the leap to digital content writing and editing in 2021. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from Hood College and an MA in Applied History from Shippensburg University. Ashley loves creating content for the public and learning new things so she can teach others, whether it's information about salt mining, canal mules, or personal finance.
