Headquartered in Pennsylvania, PNC Bank is a regional bank that's been in business for over 160 years. It offers a lineup of financial services for corporations, government entities, smaller institutions, and consumers. As an individual customer, you can find everything from bank accounts and credit cards to mortgages and personal loans.
In this review, we're going to take a closer look at PNC Bank's personal loans. In short, they're small to medium-sized loans that come with competitive annual percentage rates (APRs) and no origination fees. However, they're only available in 26 states and can take several days to fund. Read on to learn the specifics of the loans and when they might be a good fit.
PNC Bank personal loan features
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Who are PNC Bank's personal loans best for?
While these loans won't be best for everyone, they can be good fits in the following situations.
Best for low interest rates
PNC has some of the lowest interest rates in the industry. We track the rates of 32 lenders, and only five others have lower starting APRs than PNC Bank. In other words, you could pay less to borrow the same amount of money with PNC relative to other lenders. Plus, PNC doesn't charge origination fees. An origination fee is an underwriting or administrative fee included in personal loan APRs and typically deducted upfront from the loan amount.
Great for in-person support
With over 2,200 branches across 26 states and the District of Columbia, PNC Bank can be a good choice if you want both online and in-person customer support. If you have a concern, you can call in or visit a branch near you. The bank requires you to open a checking account and enroll in online banking before you can apply for a personal loan online, making it a good choice if you already have a checking account with PNC Bank.
Good to know
States served include: AL, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV.
Pros and cons of PNC Bank personal loans
PNC Bank's loans have many advantages but also several drawbacks. Here's what you should consider.
Pros
- Low maximum APR
- No origination fees
- Small loans available
- Flexible use cases
- Autopay discount
- Joint applications allowed
Cons
- Limited availability
- Relatively low loan maximum
- Slower funding process
- Online applications aren’t available to everyone
Pros
- Low maximum APR: The maximum APR is relatively low — many competitors have APR ranges up to around 36%.
- No origination fees: There are no origination fees, which can help to keep your borrowing costs down.
- Small loans available: If you need to borrow just $1,000, PNC can help. Many lenders require that you borrow at least $2,000 or more to qualify for a personal loan.
- Flexible use cases: The loan proceeds can be used for most lawful personal uses, from covering personal purchases to consolidating debt.
- Autopay discount: You can shave 0.25% off your APR by setting up autopay before your loan closes.
- Joint applications allowed: If you prefer to apply with a co-borrower, PNC accepts joint applications for personal loans.
Cons
- Limited availability: PNC Bank loans are available in only 26 states and Washington, D.C.
- Relatively low loan maximum: The maximum loan amount of $35,000 is relatively low. Several competitors offer loans up to $50,000 or more.
- Slower funding process: The bank may take several days to make approval decisions, which can be problematic if you need the money fast.
- Online applications aren't available to everyone: To apply online, you'll need to have a PNC checking account and be enrolled in online banking.
- Mixed reputation: PNC Bank's online reviews tend to be more negative than positive, though it has an A+ rating with the BBB.
How to qualify for a PNC Bank personal loan
Before you can apply for a personal loan online, you'll need to open a PNC Bank checking account and enroll in online banking. While the base Virtual Wallet checking account costs $7 per month, it's free with a direct deposit of at least $500 per month or if you keep an average $500 balance between your checking and savings accounts. If you don't have an account with PNC Bank, you'll need to schedule an appointment at a local branch or call to proceed with an application.
During the application process, you'll need to share your Social Security number, total annual income, a photo ID, and additional information, such as how long you've been employed. PNC Bank doesn't mention specific credit, income, or employment requirements, but considers all three when deciding if you're approved or not.
Once you complete the application, you'll get a decision within a few days. Upon approval, you'll either sign the loan documents at a branch or electronically and get your funds.
PNC Bank personal loan purposes
PNC Bank allows you to use the loan proceeds for pretty much any lawful personal expense, such as moving, home improvements, weddings, and debt consolidation. However, there are a few restrictions. You aren't allowed to use the money for post-secondary educational expenses or to refinance student loan debt.
PNC Bank personal loan fees and penalties
When it comes to cost, PNC Bank's personal loans are more affordable than most of its competitors. Here's what to expect in terms of fees and penalties.
Loan origination fees
PNC Bank doesn't charge origination or application fees, so you won't have to worry about having a fee deducted from your loan proceeds before you receive them. When shopping other lenders, you might see origination fees ranging from less than 1% to as much as 12% of the loan amount.
Early repayment penalties
Like most lenders, PNC Bank doesn't charge prepayment penalties for repaying a personal loan ahead of schedule.
Other fees
PNC Bank does charge fees for late and returned payments. Any applicable fees will be outlined in your loan paperwork. If you foresee missing a payment, it's best to contact PNC Bank as soon as possible. You may qualify for a hardship program that allows you to extend the due date on one monthly payment or reduce the amount due on three payments. Either option results in an extension of your loan's term.
How PNC Bank compares to other lenders
Here's how PNC Bank compares to two popular online lenders: LightStream and Upgrade.
PNC Bank's loan amounts, repayment terms, and APRs top out lower than those of the competitors. While that's a good thing when it comes to APRs, it can be limiting if you're looking for a loan amount larger than $35,000 or the option to stretch your payments beyond five years.
Another point to note is that PNC Bank doesn't promise fast funding. While you could get approved quickly, it could take several days. Further, the loans aren't available nationwide. You can only get them in 26 states and Washington, D.C.
See how PNC Bank compares to more lenders: The best personal loans
How to contact PNC Bank
PNC Bank has multiple support channels. You can contact the bank about personal loans and lines of credit by phone at (888) 762-2265. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Once you've applied, you can call a client loan advisor for status updates at (855) 619-6608 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. Additionally, you can stop by a PNC branch to talk with a representative in person or schedule an appointment to have someone from the bank reach out to you.
About PNC Bank personal loans
PNC Bank offers personal loans to its online banking customers. If you live in PNC Bank's service area, have good credit, and want to borrow less than $35,000, it could be a good fit. You may also find these loans appealing if you want a brick-and-mortar bank and personal loan provider in one.
However, the institution's online reputation is a bit concerning. It's not BBB-accredited and has reviews that skew negative across Yelp, the BBB, and Trustpilot. Collecting quotes from multiple lenders, including PNC Bank, can help you understand your options and find the best overall value.
FAQ
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