How To Open a PNC Bank Account

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With over a century of banking experience, PNC Bank offers a range of account options to suit various needs. Its blend of traditional and digital solutions makes it a dependable choice for modern banking.

Requirements To Open a PNC Bank Account

Only U.S. citizens over 18 can open a PNC Bank account online. Other new customers will be required to visit their local branch. A valid address in the U.S. is required, as well as two forms of identification. Online applications only accept three types of ID:

• U.S. driver’s licenses
• State-issued IDs
• Military-issued IDs

To complete the application, this information must be verified.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Open a PNC Account

To set up an account, new customers can follow these steps:

Online Account Opening Process

• Choose an account on the PNC website
• Enter personal details, including your full name, proper identification, an email and phone number
• Transfer funds into your account
• Use PNC’s Quick Switch to close old accounts or switch direct deposits and ACH debits to PNC.

In-Branch Account Opening Process

You can also visit one of PNC’s branches to open an account. It’s best to make an appointment online to avoid waiting for a personal banker when you arrive. Make sure to bring your ID, cash or check for an initial deposit. Alternatively, you can bring your wire transfer or ACH information to start a transfer into your new account.  

If you qualify for a promotion, visit the PNC website and click “request a coupon” here. That will set you up for any sign-up bonuses with qualifying direct deposits to your Virtual Wallet account.

Documents Required to Open an Account

PNC requires a valid U.S. driver’s license, state-issued ID or military ID to open an account. You also need your Social Security number, date of birth, and your U.S. address — not a P.O. Box.

PNC Bank’s Checking Accounts and Fee Structure

Personal Checking Accounts

PNC calls its personal accounts “Virtual Wallets,” and combines a checking, or a “spend” account, and two savings options into one account. You can choose to open a Spend account alone, but it’s better to combine the options even if you don’t use your savings account immediately. One of the perks is Low Cash Mode®, which sends alerts and provides customers increased flexibility with overdrafts.

PNC offers three tiers of Virtual Wallets: Standard, Performance Spend and Performance Select. Fees and benefits vary with each. PNC also offers a Student Virtual Wallet.

PNC also offers a Foundation Checking account, a certified Bank On program designed to help those who don’t aren’t able to for a traditional bank account gain access to low-fee banking. It can only be opened in a PNC branch.

Virtual Wallet

The standard Virtual Wallet with PNC Bank reimburses customers for two non-PNC ATM charges as well as up to $5 worth of surcharge fees charged from other ATMs each statement cycle. This account has a $7 monthly fee, which can be waived if customers meet at least one of the following requirements:

• At least $500 in monthly direct deposits
• At least $500 in a monthly balance between primary and secondary checking accounts with PNC
• Being over the age of 62.

Virtual Wallet With Performance Spend

The Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend reimburses the first two non-PNC ATM charges and up to $5 for surcharges each statement cycle. The standard monthly fee is $15, but it will be waived if one of the following applies:

• At least $2,000 in monthly direct deposits
• At least a $2,000 monthly balance between checking accounts with PNC
• At least $10,000 in all PNC deposit accounts.

Virtual Wallet With Performance Select

The Virtual Wallet with Performance Select does not charge for the use of non-PNC ATMs. It also includes up to $10 worth of reimbursement for surcharges from other banks. The standard monthly fee is $25. It can be waived for satisfying one of these conditions:

• At least $5,000 in monthly direct deposits
• At least a $5,000 monthly balance between checking accounts with PNC
• At least $25,000 in all PNC consumer or investing accounts.

Savings Accounts

Within your Virtual Wallet, you’ll have two savings accounts: Reserve, which is a secondary checking account to shuttle money for short-term planning and Growth, an interest-earning, long-term savings account. The bank also has a Premiere Money Market account and a Standard savings account with no minimum deposit.

Certificates of Deposit

PNC offers CDs with terms from seven days to 10 years.

Business Accounts

PNC supports small businesses with under $5 million in revenue, mid-size commercial organizations, and corporations and institutions with revenue exceeding $50 million. It also offers credit card processing, business credit cards, loans and more. PNC’s WorkPlace Banking initiative is a financial wellness program with free education for employees.

PNC Account Fees and Minimum Balance Requirements

PNC Virtual Wallet accounts offer low monthly fees that are easily waived. A standard account has a $7 monthly service charge, reduced to $0 with $500 in direct deposits or a $500 combined balance in Spend and Reserve. A Performance Spend account costs $15 per month but can be waived with a $2,000 account balance or $2,000 in direct deposits. The Performance Select $26 monthly fee can be waived with $5,000 in direct deposits or a combined account balance.

A Foundation account has a $5 monthly service charge, waived for account holders ages 62 and up. The account has no overdraft fees and includes many of the same benefits as a Virtual Wallet account.

A Premiere Money Market account carries a $12 monthly fee, waived with a $5,000 average monthly balance or when it’s linked to a select PNC checking account.

There is no minimum deposit on Virtual Wallet, Premiere Money Market or Standard savings accounts. Minimum deposits for CDs vary.

PNC accounts have overdraft fees of $36 if an account is overdrawn by more than $5 at the end of the business day. If you set up Low Cash Mode in your Virtual Wallet, you may have extra time to bring your account to zero.

PNC Bank has other fees to be aware of. Some examples relate to ATM surcharges, paper statements and wire transfers. Anyone considering opening an account should read the terms carefully before signing up.

How To Fund Your New PNC Account

You can fund your PNC bank account in minutes by initiating an ACH or wire transfer from another bank, or making a deposit via check or cash at a PNC branch or via an ATM. You can also set up a direct deposit for your new PNC account.

Benefits of Opening a PNC Account

PNC offers a variety of accounts, including three tiers of linked checking and savings accounts, to meet most consumer needs.

You’ll gain access to PNC’s online banking platform and a top-rated mobile app, which garnered 4.5 stars on Google Play and 4.9 stars in the App Store.

PNC customers have access to more than 2,600 branches and roughly 60,000 ATMs for fee-free, in-person banking.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your PNC Account

PNC has generous welcome bonuses of up to $400 when you open a Virtual Wallet and meet the direct deposit requirements. Meet the requirements, including minimum direct deposits or at least five or more PIN or signature point-of-sale debit card transactions to earn Relationship rates on your Growth savings or Money Market account. Relationship rates are double or triple the standard savings rate of 0.01%.

Set up automatic savings transfers to help your money grow faster. If you have money in your Reserve account that you haven’t spent at the end of the month, transfer it to Growth savings for interest. Once you reach an account balance of $2,500 and meet Relationship requirements, you’ll earn interest. You can find higher interest rates in a high-yield savings account, but for short-term goals, use your PNC Growth or Money Market savings wisely.

Take advantage of online tools, including mobile deposits, online bill pay, and a virtual wallet to manage your money more easily. Protect yourself from overdraft charges with Low Cash Mode, which gives you options to avoid overdraft fees through transfers or declining transactions that would put you into overdraft.

More About PNC Bank

• PNC Bank Review
• PNC Bank CD Rates
• PNC Bank Hours
• PNC Bank Routing Numbers

David Granahan contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of March 28, 2025.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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