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Offer Details
- You can currently earn a variety of new customer bonuses at PNC, across Virtual Wallet, credit card and small business products.
- Even if you don't qualify for any business bonuses, you can still earn $600 by combining the Virtual Wallet with Performance Select and PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card bonuses.
- Offers may vary by zip code.
Any long-time Slickdeals reader knows you usually don't want to open a bank account without a bonus. If you’re on the hunt for a new checking account, savings account or credit card, PNC bank bonuses and promos offer hundreds of dollars in value when you meet minimum new account requirements.
Depending on the accounts, you can earn $600 (or more, if you also have a business account) from PNC Bank bonuses. Here’s a closer look at PNC Bank and what you need to know to get started.
PNC Bank Bonuses and Promos
Not all PNC Bank products come with a bonus, and bonuses can change anytime. Here’s a look at the flagship banking products from PNC Bank and how you can earn a bonus when signing up.
Virtual Wallet Offers: $100-$400 Bonus
Virtual Wallet® is a checking and savings account combo with a sign-up bonus worth up to $400 for new customers. The Virtual Wallet includes the main PNC Bank checking and savings accounts described below.
- Spend: The primary checking account used for income and expenses
- Reserve: A secondary checking account intended for short-term planning
- Growth: The long-term savings account in the Virtual Wallet
The standard Virtual Wallet comes with a $100 bonus. The account requires $500 in monthly direct deposits to the Spend account, an average minimum deposit balance of $500 combined balance in Spend and Reserve accounts, or for the account holder to be at least 62. If you don’t meet direct deposit, balance or age minimums, you’ll be charged a $7 monthly maintenance fee.
Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend is a higher-tier product offering a $200 bonus. To avoid a $15 monthly service fee, the account requires at least $2,000 in monthly direct deposits to the Spend account, a $2,000 or higher balance in Spend and Reserve accounts, or at least $10,000 across all PNC consumer accounts. Performance Spend includes up to $5 in reimbursements for other banks’ ATMs.
Virtual Wallet with Performance Select is the highest tier and offers a $400 bonus for new customers. To avoid a $25 monthly fee, customers must bring in $5,000 or more in monthly direct deposits to the Spend Account, keep at least $5,000 in Spend and Reserve accounts, or hold at least $25,000 across PNC accounts. It includes up to $10 in monthly ATM fee reimbursements.
Regardless of the account tier, customers of Virtual Wallet have access to useful features like overdraft protection, spending tracking and automated savings tools. The checking and savings account features are available individually or through the Virtual Wallet account bundle.
PNC Virtual Wallet Pros and Cons
The Virtual Wallet checking accounts (Spend and Reserve) include the popular online banking features anyone would expect, including access to the Zelle® network. You also get unlimited fee-free withdrawals at PNC ATMs and varying limits for free withdrawals and reimbursements when using an ATM out of the PNC network, including international ATMs.
A unique, standout feature of the Spend account is Low Cash Mode®. This includes no non-sufficient funds fees, a maximum of one $36 overdraft fee per day, custom account alerts and 24 hours to bring your account balance back to zero to avoid overdraft fees. It’s a one-day period to make up for the overdraft fee free.
Zelle offers instant transfers to others at PNC and other participating banks with no fees.
A big drawback with these accounts, however, is the interest rates. Many of the accounts in the Virtual Wallet earn interest, though the APYs tend to be very low. They're even lower than the June 2023 average rates reported by the Federal Reserve (0.07% for interest checking). At the time of this writing, the APY for Spend and Reserve (the checking accounts) is a measly 0.01%. Note that the Spend account in the basic Virtual Wallet does not earn interest.
Virtual Wallet Savings: Growth
If you have a Spend Account, you have the option to add on an interest-bearing Virtual Wallet savings account while still qualifying for the Virtual Wallet account bonuses. Most Growth savings accounts earn 0.01% to 0.04% APY depending on your relationship rate tier and account balance.
The highest rates are around 1.25%-1.80% but are reserved for those with six-figure account balances. And, although that's higher than the national savings account APY average of 0.42%, you can easily beat these with much lower account balances at most online banks.)
Premiere Money Market
Premier Money Market is a checking and savings account hybrid. It offers interest like a savings account along with ATM, debit and check writing features like a checking account. PNC Premier Money Market requires an average monthly balance of at least $5,000 or a link to a PNC checking account to avoid a $12 monthly fee.
Premier Money Market offers interest rates ranging from 0.02% to 1.25% depending on your zip code and account balance—and if you have a qualifying checking account linked. However, it's worth noting that rates over 1.00% are reserved for very high balances, with most rates hovering around 0.02% to 0.04%. There is currently no bank bonus for this account, but the linked checking accounts may qualify for a bonus of up to $400. When paired together, you’ll earn a better interest rate than with Virtual Wallet alone.
Certificate of Deposit
Certificate of Deposit (CD) accounts are timed savings accounts that typically offer a higher interest rate in exchange for locking your funds away for a specified period. PNC certificates of deposit require a $1,000 minimum opening balance and come with terms of seven days to 10 years.
CD rates vary by term. As with all other rates here, CD rates can change at any time without notice. However, the rate you earn is locked in for the duration of your CD term.
While it’s not exactly a bonus, some CD accounts do come with promotional rates if you choose specific terms. Be sure to check all the rates if you're considering a CD so you don't miss out on a promotion. If you know you won’t need the money for a while, a PNC Bank promo rate for a CD could make sense.
Recommended Bank Bonuses
| Account | Intro Bonus | Min. Dep. Required to Open Account | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
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$50-$250Expires December 31, 2024
New customers can earn a $250 bonus for opening a new SoFi Checking and Savings account and receiving a total of $5,000+ in qualifying direct deposits within the specified evaluation period; receive $1,000 - $4,999 in qualifying direct deposits to earn a $50 bonus. |
N/A | Open Account |
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Up to $450Expires December 30, 2024
Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through December 30, 2024. Member FDIC. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint. |
$25 | Open Account |
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$300Expires February 3, 2025
$300 Cash Bonus when you have $4,000 in direct deposits within 90 days of opening between 11/1/24 – 2/3/25. Conditions Apply. BMO Bank N.A. Member FDIC |
$25 | Open Account |
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$300Expires February 3, 2025
$300 Cash Bonus when you have $4,000 in direct deposits within 90 days of opening between 11/1/24 – 2/3/25. Conditions Apply. BMO Bank N.A. Member FDIC |
$25 | Open Account |
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$300Expires May 16, 2025
Earn $300 after qualified activities until 05.16.25 with the no-monthly-maintenance-fee Key Smart Checking®. |
$10 | Open Account |
Credit Cards Offers: Up to $300 Value
PNC Bank Credit Cards come with varying features. Some cards currently offer a sign-up bonus for a new account.
PNC Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card
The PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card currently features a $200 cash back bonus after spending at least $1,000 in the first three billing statement periods. That’s an easily achievable bonus for most households, even if the card is only used for groceries, gas and other common expenses you would incur anyway.
From the first purchase and beyond, the card offers 1% to 4% cash back. You can earn 4% back on gas station purchases, 3% at restaurants and 2% at grocery stores. These bonus rates are valid for up to $8,000 in combined annual purchases. Once you hit that level, you’ll earn the standard 1% cash back rate on all further purchases.
PNC Bank PNC points Visa
A Visa credit card, the PNC points® Visa® Credit Card comes with 50,000 bonus points after $750 or more in purchases in the first three billing cycles. Points are redeemable for cash back, gift cards, travel and merchandise. This program is PNC’s version of a general points rewards card.
It includes 4x points per dollar for all purchases. It’s possible to earn a 25%, 50% or 75% bonus when meeting certain minimum activity and hold a qualifying Virtual Wallet account. PNC points are worth about a quarter of a cent each, so 10,000 points are worth about $25. The 50,000-point sign-up bonus is worth about $125 in redemptions.
Points have an expiration date, so you want to use them within the time limit before they vanish from your account.
PNC Bank Core Visa
The PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card is a low-rate credit card that offers no additional cash back, points or travel rewards. Unfortunately, there is no bonus right now, but the $0 annual fee is nice for someone who wants a simple credit card or is looking to take advantage of the lengthy 15-month 0% APR introductory period.
PNC Bank Small Business Bonuses: Up to $500
If you own a small business, it should have its own dedicated bank account. PNC currently offers a $200 bonus on a new Business Checking or Business Checking Plus account. To qualify, businesses must maintain an average $5,000 minimum ledger balance and make at least 20 debit card transactions within the first three statement cycles.
Larger businesses can earn a $500 bonus with a new Treasury Enterprise Plan or Analysis Business Checking account. To qualify, these require a significant $30,000 average ledger balance for the first three statement cycles.
This offer expires on September 30, 2023.
Small Business Credit Card Offers: Up to $750 Value
PNC is also offering a couple of bonuses for their business credit cards.
When you open a PNC Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Business Credit Card, you could earn a $400 statement credit bonus. To qualify, you'll need to make at least $3,000 in qualifying net purchases with the card during the first three billing cycles following account opening. Once you've met requirements, the bank will put the $400 statement credit on your account within 90 days.
The second offer is a bit harder to attain, but could be a good fit for those with bigger business expenses. Opening a PNC BusinessOptions® Visa Signature® Credit Card could net you a $750 statement credit, but you'll need to make at least $25,000 in qualifying purchases with your new card during the first three billing cycles following account opening.
Mix and Match to Maximize Your PNC Bonus
If you want to go all-in on PNC Bank, savvy spenders with enough direct deposit income and savings can maximize cash rewards with this setup:
- Virtual Wallet with Performance Select: $400
- PNC Cash Rewards Visa Card: $200
This includes a new checking account, savings account and credit card. If you own a business, you may be able to increase your take if you’re interested in bringing that business to PNC as well.
Who Is PNC Bank?
PNC is a super-regional bank based in Pennsylvania. Tracing its roots back to 1852, PNC has grown through a series of acquisitions. In 2021, PNC notably acquired BBVA USA. The company operates in around 30 states with more than 2,600 branches and about 60,000 ATMs (that includes PNC and partner ATMs). Even if you don’t live near a branch, you may be able to bank with PNC as an online-only customer.
According to 2023 Federal Reserve data, PNC ranked as the seventh-largest bank in the United States, with around $554 billion in customer assets.
Personal banking products include checking, savings, credit card, mortgage loans, auto loans, personal loans, student loans and PNC investment management. PNC also offers a suite of products for small businesses and corporate customers.
For bonuses and promos, you can earn a cash bonus when signing up for several products and meeting minimum program requirements.
Pros and Cons of PNC Bank
Pros
- Many banking products under one roof
- No-fee ATMs
- Convenient branches if you live nearby
Cons
- Low interest rates
- Requirements to waive monthly fees
- Not available everywhere
The big appeal of PNC Bank would be to enjoy the convenience of all banking under one roof. If you live near a PNC location, the added convenience of a branch and no-fee ATMs could have you wanting to stick with the bank for years to come.
The big drawbacks include low interest rates and requirements to avoid monthly recurring fees. Many online-only banks offer much higher interest rates on savings accounts and don’t require any debit card, direct deposit or minimum balance activity to avoid a monthly maintenance fee. However, those don’t offer any branches, which may not work for some individuals.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if these features make PNC the right choice for your long-term banking. If you sign up and earn these bonuses to test the water, PNC hopes you’ll stick around. But there’s no rule saying you can’t earn the bonus and move on if you’re willing to jump through the hoops.
Are Bank Bonuses and Promos Worth It?
If you’re looking to open a new bank account or credit card anyway, it’s always worth shopping around to find a bonus for bringing over your cash. In the old days, you might walk away from a new bank account with a toaster, clock, gym bag or other home goods. These days, banks have upgraded their rewards to include cash back bonuses you can use any way you see fit.
PNC Bank comes with a strong offering when going head-to-head with other large, traditional banks. If you’re considering moving over, take advantage of these bonuses when getting started.
FAQs
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Yes, PNC offers bank bonuses for opening select accounts with them, giving you the ability to earn up to $600 in new account bonuses when you complete the qualifying activities.
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Yes, to qualify for a PNC bank bonus, you must be a new customer who does not have an existing account or have not recently closed an account with the bank.
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Yes, if you qualify to open multiple accounts with PNC, you are able to earn a bonus for each new account you open.
Eric Rosenberg
Eric Rosenberg is a finance, travel, and technology writer in Ventura, California. He is a former bank manager and corporate finance and accounting professional who left his day job in 2016 to take his online side hustle full-time. He has in depth experience writing about banking, credit cards, investing, business, and other financial topics. When away from the keyboard, Eric enjoys exploring the world and spending time with his wife and little girls. You can connect with him at Personal Profitability or EricRosenberg.com.
