PNC Bank Personal Loans: 2023 Review

Written by
Rebecca Betterton
Edited by
Aylea Wilkins
Updated on Jan 1, 2023
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At a glance

5.0
Bankrate Score
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Availability
5.0
Affordability
4.8
Customer Experience
5.0

About Bankrate Score

You may not expect a traditional brick-and-mortar bank to offer competitive personal loans with low rates and fees, but PNC Bank is doing just that. With more than 2,600 branches nationwide, PNC provides unsecured personal installment loans with fixed rates that vary by location. While borrowers don’t need an existing relationship with PNC to get a loan, those with a PNC checking account who opt for automatic loan payments receive a discount on their interest rate.

Moneybag
Loan amount $1,000 – $20,000
Rates
APR from Varies by zip
Clock Wait
Term lengths 36 months
This lender is best for borrowers who want to bank in person.

Best for borrowers who want to bank in person

This lender is best for borrowers who prefer an in-person application and customer service. The bank boasts over 2,6000 U.S. locations and approximately 60,000 PNC and partner-affiliated ATMs across the nation, making it the ideal option for those who want the option of an in-person experience. 

PNC pros and cons

There are many advantages to taking out a PNC personal loan, especially for people who have an existing banking relationship with the lender. However, there are drawbacks to be aware of. Here's what to be aware of before signing on the dotted line.

PROS

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    Minimal fees

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    Perks for PNC Bank customers

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    Co-borrowers allowed

CONS

  • Close X

    Products vary by location

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    May have to visit a branch to receive funds

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    No preapproval process

Do you qualify?

PNC doesn't disclose many of its eligibility requirements, but borrowers in good credit and financial health have the highest rates of approval and receive the most competitive loan terms. In general, those who have credit scores in the mid-to-high 600s (at a minimum) and a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) under 36 percent are most likely to get approved. 

On top of meeting the financial requirements, applicants must be 18 years old to apply, show proof of income and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify.

What PNC doesn't allow loan funds to be used for

PNC doesn't allow its personal loans to be used for post-secondary education expenses or to refinance student loan debt. Like most banks, credit unions or lenders, personal loans can be used for any legal expense except investing and certain business-related expenses.
 

PNC versus TD Bank

PNC and TD Bank's personal loans carry similar repayment terms and loan maximums,  but TD Bank's minimum amount is a higher $2,000, while PNC's is $600. The term and rate you receive with PNC is based on your state of residence, as well as your ability to prequalify. If you can only apply with PNC, you'll want to consider prequalifying with TD Bank to see your predicted rates and eligibility odds.

PNC versus Wells Fargo

Borrowers with a higher credit score or longer history may want to look at Wells Fargo's options when comparing the two banks. For one, Wells Fargo offers a higher borrowing amount of $100,000 and a minimum APR of 6.99 percent for the most creditworthy applicants. PNC offers a much lower maximum of $35,000 and it doesn't offer an interest rate range, as it depends on your state of residence. 

PNC: in the details

Loan Amount
$1,000 – $20,000
APR from
Varies by zip
Term lengths
36 months

What we like and what we don’t like

Like with every bank that offers personal loans, there are factors that we like about PNC and certain aspects about it that we aren't the biggest fan of.
 

What we like

  • Minimal fees: Borrowers aren’t assessed application or origination fees on PNC personal loans. Additionally, unlike some lenders, PNC Bank gives you the freedom to pay off your loan early without a fee.
  • Perks for PNC Bank customers: If you already have a PNC checking account, you can earn a 0.25 percent discount on your loan APR by setting up automatic payments.
  • Co-borrowers allowed: Unlike some traditional banks, PNC permits co-applicants on personal installment loans.

What we don't like

  • Products vary by location: Your location determines which APRs and repayment terms you’re eligible for. For some ZIP codes, this information is hard to come by on the PNC website.
  • May have to visit a branch to receive funds: Depending on your location, you may need to visit a branch in order to sign your loan documents, an inconvenience that many online-only lenders have eliminated
  • Smaller loan maximum: PNC offers personal loan maximums of up to $35,000; paling in comparison to a majority of the banks and lenders that offer personal loan products, some of which offer maximums of over $100,000.

How to contact PNC

There are multiple ways to get in contact with PNC, either by phone or through an in-person appointment. Its customer care phone number is 1-800-762-2265. Hours of service aren't listed on its website.

How to apply for a personal loan with PNC

You can apply for an unsecured personal loan from PNC through its website, by phone or in person at a branch. The fastest way to start the process is by using the online application.

In order to apply online, you’ll need to provide:

  • Your full name, Social Security number and date of birth.
  • Your driver’s license, state-issued photo ID or U.S. passport.
  • Your current address (and previous address if you’ve lived at your current address for fewer than two years).
  • Your annual income (and any additional income you’d like PNC to consider).
  • The amount you’d like to borrow.

If you’re already an account holder, PNC will pre-fill the application for you. Those applying with a co-applicant will need to provide their co-applicant’s information as well. There’s limited information available online about the approval process. However, borrowers in some states may need to visit a branch to sign loan closing documents before receiving funding.

If you have questions about your loan options, customer care consultants are available at 888-762-2265 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday. PNC also offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices so you can manage your account while on the go.

Features and additional perks

PNC offers additional perks to its existing customers, like a 0.25 percent interest reduction for those who set up autopay and a fully online application process. However, there are perks for those who haven't banked with the company, like its financial hardship program. 

If you find yourself unexpectedly unable to make your loan payments due to life changing events like a sudden loss of income or employment, PNC offers financial assistance to help you get back on track. If you qualify, a representative will work with you to find the best repayment solution for your financial situation.

 

Fees and penalties

PNC keeps fees to a minimum. It has no origination fee and no prepayment penalty for its unsecured loans. But those who don’t have a checking account at PNC or decide not to enroll in automatic payments pay 0.25 percent more in interest. Late fees vary by location.

PNC frequently asked questions

How Bankrate rates PNC

Overall Score 5.0 Explanation
Availability 5.0 This lender offers very fast funding and approval.
Affordability 4.8 The starting APR is lower than average and there are few fees.
Customer Experience 5.0 The app and accessible customer service hours make it easy to manage your loan.

Methodology

To select the top personal loan lenders, Bankrate considers 15 factors. These factors include credit requirements, APR ranges, fees, loan amounts and flexibility to account for a wide range of credit profiles and budgets. Bankrate reviewed 41 lenders and gave each a Bankrate rating, which consists of three categories:

  • Affordability: The interest rates, penalties and fees are measured in this section of the score. Lower rates and fees and fewer potential penalties result in a higher score.
  • Availability: What the minimum loan amounts are, its eligibility requirements and loan turnaround are considered in this category.
  • Customer experience: This category covers customer service hours, if online applications are available, online account access and mobile apps.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.