PNC Checking Account Fee Comparison and Reviews

PNC checking accounts come with a variety of fees, but some accounts are more fee-friendly than others. The PNC Virtual Wallet has no monthly maintenance fee if you have a direct deposit of at least $2,000.

To avoid the monthly fee on the PNC Bank Checking account, you'll need to maintain a minimum balance of $1,500. This fee is waived if you're under 24 years old.

PNC offers a range of checking accounts, each with its own fee structure. The PNC Student Checking account has no monthly maintenance fee for students under 24 years old.

PNC checking account fees can add up quickly if you're not aware of what you're paying for. The good news is that some fees can be avoided or waived.

If your account is overdrawn by $5 or less at the end of the day, overdraft fees are refunded. This is a great incentive to keep your account balance above that threshold.

Here are some common PNC checking account fees to watch out for:

The monthly service charge is a fee that PNC Bank charges for its checking accounts, and it varies depending on the type of account you have.

For PNC checking accounts, the monthly service charge ranges from $5 to $25. The exact fee depends on the type of account you have, such as S is for Savings, Standard Savings, PNC High Yield Savings, or Premiere Money Market.

The PNC High Yield Savings account is a great option if you want to avoid the monthly service charge altogether, as it comes with a $0 fee.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of PNC bank accounts and the fees they come with:

If you're looking to avoid the monthly service charge, it's essential to read your account details carefully to avoid surprise fees.

Wells Fargo has a monthly maintenance fee of up to $35. This is higher than PNC Bank's fee, which is up to $25.

If you use an out-of-network ATM to withdraw cash, you'll pay a fee of $3 in the US and $5 outside the US, just like PNC Bank.

Wells Fargo charges $35 for overdrafts due to nonsufficient funds, which is the same as PNC Bank's fee of $36.

Wire transfer fees at Wells Fargo vary based on multiple factors, whereas PNC Bank charges a fixed fee of $15-$50.

International debit purchases with Wells Fargo also come with a 3% transaction fee, the same as PNC Bank.

Chase offers a range of checking accounts, but it's essential to understand the associated fees.

The monthly maintenance fee for Chase checking accounts is up to $25, which is the same as PNC Bank's fee.

You'll be charged $3 for an out-of-network ATM withdrawal within the US and $5 for withdrawals outside the US, similar to PNC Bank.

Be aware that Chase charges $34 for an overdraft (nonsufficient funds) fee, which is $2 less than PNC Bank's fee.

Chase also charges a wire transfer fee of $15-$50, the same as PNC Bank.

International debit purchases will incur a 3% transaction fee, just like PNC Bank.

Citi fees can be quite complex, but let's break it down.

Citi has a monthly maintenance fee, but the cost is not explicitly stated in the article. You'll need to check their website for details.

If you need to make an out-of-network ATM withdrawal, you'll pay $2.50.

Citi is one of the few banks that doesn't charge an overdraft fee for nonsufficient funds. That's a big plus if you're prone to overspending.

Wire transfer fees can range from $0 to $45, depending on the specifics.

International debit purchases can cost up to 3% of the transaction amount.

Avoiding Extra Charges can be a challenge, but PNC offers some helpful features to avoid the monthly service charge. You can avoid the monthly service charge by maintaining a minimum balance or making a certain number of transactions per month.

PNC also offers Extra Time, which gives you 24 hours to bring your account balance up to $0 after an overdraft, and you won't pay a fee. This feature is available with Low Cash Mode, which can be linked to other PNC accounts for overdraft protection.

To avoid overdraft fees, you can also set up overdraft protection accounts, which will transfer funds from another account if your balance is too low. Additionally, PNC offers payment control, which allows you to choose which checks to pay and which to return to avoid overdrafts.

Here are some ways to avoid extra charges with PNC:

If you're looking to avoid maintenance fees, there are several ways to do so. You can take advantage of PNC's age-based waiver if you're at least 62 years old.

To qualify for this waiver, you'll need to meet the age requirement. Some accounts may also come with low or no monthly fees, but be sure to check out the fees for transactions you make regularly.

Having a PNC credit card or personal line of credit linked to your account can also provide backup funds in case of overdrafts. PNC doesn't charge a fee for overdraft protection transfers, but the amount transferred is subject to interest.

To avoid maintenance fees, you can also use PNC ATMs, of which there are approximately 60,000 across the country. This way, you can avoid ATM fees altogether.

Here are some options to consider:

PNC allows a $5 margin of error. If you're overdrawn by $5 or less, PNC will refund any overdraft fees.

This means you can make a few extra purchases or write a few extra checks without worrying about getting charged an overdraft fee. It's a nice safety net to have.

If you overdraw your account but then deposit enough money to be within the $5 margin by the end of the business day, you won't be penalized. PNC will automatically refund any overdraft fees.

This is a great feature to be aware of, especially if you're someone who likes to keep a small buffer in your account.

Here are the details of PNC's $5 safety buffer:

You'll get a PNC Bank Visa debit card with your PNC checking account, which is great for making purchases and getting cash. The card is linked to your checking account, so you can easily keep track of your spending.

With PNC checking, you'll have access to thousands of surcharge-free ATMs, making it convenient to withdraw cash when you need it. You can also use the PNC mobile app to find nearby ATMs.

Here are some benefits of having a PNC checking account:

You can also earn cash back from participating merchants with PNC Purchase Payback, which is a great way to save money on your everyday purchases.

To avoid maintenance fees on your PNC checking account, you need to maintain a minimum balance. The minimum balance requirements vary depending on the type of account you have.

For Virtual Wallet, you can qualify for free checking with a minimum balance of $500 in direct deposits to your Spend account, or the equivalent balance amount in all combined checking accounts. This is a great option for those who receive regular direct deposits.

Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend requires a minimum balance of $2,000 in direct deposit transactions to your Spend account, or the equivalent balance amount in all combined checking accounts. This is a bit higher than the standard Virtual Wallet, but still achievable for many people.

Virtual Wallet with Performance Select has an even higher minimum balance requirement of $5,000 in direct deposit transactions to your Spend account, or the equivalent balance amount in all combined checking accounts. This is likely only feasible for those with very high incomes or large direct deposits.

Foundation Checking, on the other hand, has a minimum balance requirement of $0, making it a great option for those who don't have a lot of money in their account. Interest Checking requires a minimum balance of $2,000.

Here's a quick summary of the minimum balance requirements for each type of account:

Virtual Wallet with Performance is a premium checking account tier offered by PNC that comes with a range of benefits. You can have up to eight additional linked PNC checking or savings accounts with this tier.

The Spend account for Performance Select earns 0.01 percent APY if you have a balance of at least $2,000. This means you'll earn a small interest rate on your balance if you meet this requirement.

The monthly fee for Performance Select is $25, but it's waived if you meet one of three criteria: monthly direct deposits of $5,000, a combined $5,000 average monthly balance in the Spend account and up to seven linked PNC consumer checking accounts, or a $25,000 combined average monthly balance in linked PNC deposit and investment accounts.

With Performance Select, you'll get reimbursement for up to two non-PNC ATM fees per month and up to $5 in other banks' ATM surcharges. This can save you money if you frequently use ATMs outside of the PNC network.

Here are the ways to waive the monthly fee for Performance Select:

PNC checking account fees can vary by state, so it's essential to check the specific fees and features for your area.

PNC Bank's Virtual Wallet is their most popular checking account option.

You can add additional accounts to Virtual Wallet to save and grow your money, but this might not be available in all states.

Information in this article is based on a California-based account, and it's worth noting that fees and interest rates may differ in your state.

PNC Bank fees can be a bit steep, especially compared to other major banks. For example, PNC Bank's overdraft fee is $36, which is higher than Bank of America's $35 overdraft fee.

PNC Bank's monthly maintenance fee for basic checking accounts is $14, which is lower than Chase Bank's $15 fee. However, PNC Bank's monthly maintenance fee for premium checking accounts is $35, which is higher than Wells Fargo's $25 fee.

PNC Bank's ATM fee is $3 per withdrawal for out-of-network ATMs, which is lower than Bank of America's $5 fee. However, PNC Bank charges a $20 monthly maintenance fee for non-PNC ATM users, which is higher than Chase Bank's $10 fee.

Reviews are a crucial part of choosing the right checking account for your needs. PNC Bank's Virtual Wallet is a popular choice, and it's worth considering.

PNC Bank's Virtual Wallet has a student-friendly alternative, which is a great option for those in school. This account is designed to help students manage their finances effectively.

PNC Bank offers several features to help you avoid overdraft fees, including Extra Time, which gives you 24 hours to bring your account balance up to $0 without incurring a fee.

You can also opt in to Overdraft Coverage, which allows PNC to pay overdrafts on ATM and debit card transactions on a case-by-case basis. To sign up for this service, call 1-877-588-3605, go to pnc.com/overdraftsolutions, or change your overdraft settings in your online account.

PNC automatically declines ATM and one-time debit card transactions if your balance is too low, avoiding standard overdraft fees.

If you want to link an account for overdraft protection, you can link up to two other PNC accounts for overdraft protection, and PNC will automatically transfer funds to your checking account from the linked account if your balance is too low.

Here's a summary of PNC's overdraft policies:

PNC also offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to another PNC account, transferring funds to cover overdrafts. This service doesn't charge a fee for overdraft protection transfers.

PNC offers a range of business checking accounts with varying fees and requirements.

PNC's business checking accounts typically require a minimum balance, with fees assessed if the balance falls below the threshold.

Businesses can opt for a PNC Business Checking account with no monthly maintenance fee if they meet specific requirements, such as maintaining a minimum daily balance of $5,000.

Having a solid business foundation is crucial for any entrepreneur or business owner. PNC offers four main business checking accounts to cater to different-sized businesses.

The value of a separate business account is that it lets you keep your personal finances separate from those of your business. This makes it easier to know exactly how much money your business has.

PNC's business checking accounts provide an easier time when it comes to tax forms. You can easily track your everyday accounts and cash flow.

Here are the four main business checking accounts offered by PNC:

Cloud services can be a game-changer for businesses, especially small ones. You can access your account online and manage your finances from anywhere.

PNC business accounts offer free online banking, allowing you to track your transactions, pay bills, and transfer funds easily. This feature is especially useful for small businesses with limited staff.

The Business Checking account from PNC includes 150 free transactions per month, which can be a significant cost savings for businesses with moderate transaction volumes. This can help you save money on fees and focus on growing your business.

Here's a breakdown of the included monthly transactions and cash deposits for PNC business accounts:

To avoid monthly maintenance fees, you'll need to maintain a minimum average monthly balance. For the Business Checking account, this balance is $500, while for other PNC business accounts, it's $500 to $30,000.

Choosing the right bank account can be a daunting task, but it's essential to find one that fits your needs. Consider your financial goals and preferences when selecting a provider.

The type of fees you'll encounter is crucial to consider. Fixed fees like monthly service charges can quickly add up.

Before making a decision, research different options and compare their fees. This will help you find the best balance between convenience, cost, and service.

Some banks may charge out-of-network ATM fees, which can be a significant expense if you frequently use ATMs outside of your network. Others may have low fees for transactions like sending and receiving wires and international transfers.

Look for banks that clearly display their fees upfront, so you can make an informed decision.