How to open an account with PNC Bank: Guide for US residents & expats

Evidence tier: A1 Evidence type: Auto-discovered official publication Source: Wise Blog Official publication date: 2026-08-25 Captured: 2026-08-30T12:34:25.857Z

PNC Bank is a national bank that offers everyday banking, borrowing, and wealth management to customers across the US.

Opening an account with PNC Bank is fairly simple if you're a US resident with a Social Security number. It takes more paperwork if you're an expat or a non-US citizen, but it's still possible.

This guide is for anyone planning to bank with PNC, whether you live in the US or you're heading abroad and want to keep a US account open.

We'll cover what PNC offers, the checking accounts you can choose from, how to apply, and the international fees to keep in mind.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

Learn more 🔎

What is PNC Bank and what does it offer?

PNC Bank is one of the largest banks in the US, with a full range of personal banking products including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgage and auto loans, and wealth management.

It's best known for its Virtual Wallet, which brings a Spend checking account, an optional Reserve checking account, and a Growth savings account together in one place.

In addition to these accounts, banking with PNC gives you access to:

• Online and mobile banking through the PNC Mobile app
• A PNC Visa debit card for everyday spending
• Approximately 60,000 PNC and partner ATMs, plus more than 2,000 branches across the US¹
• PNC TotalRewards, a program offering interest rate boosts, bonuses, and more as you bank

Overall, opening an account with PNC Bank can be a good option for people who want a full-service US bank, with in-person branches, a wide ATM network, and mobile tools to manage their money day to day.

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PNC Checking Account types & bonuses

PNC offers three checking accounts with slightly different features.

PNC Simple Checking¹

This is the most basic option for people who want banking without extra features.

It has a 5 USD monthly service charge that drops to 0 USD with any qualifying direct deposit, or if the account owner is under 25 or 62 and older. It comes with no overdraft fees and full access to the PNC Mobile app and online banking.

Virtual Wallet¹

This is the account PNC is best known for.

It combines a Spend checking account with an optional Reserve checking account and a Growth savings account, along with budgeting tools to track your spending and upcoming bills. The monthly service charge is 7 USD, or 0 USD when you meet the requirements to have it waived.

Virtual Wallet with Performance Select¹

This top-tier account includes everything in Virtual Wallet, plus the highest interest rate on the Growth savings account and the most reimbursements for using non-PNC ATMs.

The monthly service charge is 25 USD, or 0 USD if you qualify.

How to skip the monthly service charge

Qualifying direct deposits can waive the monthly service charge, but the required amount varies by account: any qualifying direct deposit for PNC Simple Checking, 500 USD per month for Virtual Wallet, and 5,000 USD per month for Virtual Wallet with Performance Select.

PNC defines a qualifying direct deposit as a recurring deposit of a paycheck, pension, Social Security, or other regular income sent electronically by an employer or an outside agency.¹

Transfers between your own accounts, wire transfers, person-to-person payments, and deposits made at a branch or ATM don't count toward it.¹

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How to open a PNC Bank Checking Account

You can open a PNC checking account online or in person.

For US residents

If you're a US citizen or permanent resident, the online application is usually the fastest way to open a PNC account.

You'll need a Social Security number or ITIN, a US government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport, proof of a US residential address, and a minimum opening deposit. PNC currently lists a 0 USD minimum opening deposit online for Premiere Money Market, Standard Savings, and S is for Savings accounts and a 25 USD minimum for all other accounts.²³

The process usually includes the following steps:

1. Choose the account that you want to open and start the online form
2. Enter your personal details and let PNC verify your identity against your documents
3. Fund the account with your opening deposit, which you can send by electronic transfer

If anything needs a closer look, PNC may ask for extra documentation or have you finish your application at a branch.

For expats and non-US citizens

If you’re a non-US person without a US Social Security Number, you must visit a PNC branch to apply in person for PNC Simple Checking. However, you must still provide a replacement such as ITIN or passport.²

Generally speaking, you can't apply online.

You'll need to bring the documents that let PNC verify your identity and your status in the US. These typically include:²

• A passport
• A visa or other immigration documents
• Proof of a US residential address, such as a utility bill
• A Social Security number or ITIN

If you have neither an SSN nor an ITIN, PNC notes you may be able to complete IRS Form W-8BEN, which certifies that you aren't a US taxpayer for federal withholding and reporting purposes.²

Confirm with your nearest branch what to bring, since requirements can vary by situation.

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](https://wise.com/register?redirectUrl=%2Fonboarding%3Fintent%3DUNIFIED_ONBOARDING#/email)

PNC Bank international fees & exchange rates

If you plan to use your PNC account while traveling or living abroad, or to move money across borders, you'll need to think about transfer fees and currency exchange rate markups.

Here's what to expect:

<table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Fee</strong></td><td><strong>Cost³</strong></td></tr><tr><td>International debit card purchases and cash advances</td><td>3%</td></tr><tr><td>Cash withdrawal at a non-PNC ATM outside the US</td><td>5 USD per transaction (no charge on Virtual Wallet with Performance Select)</td></tr><tr><td>Incoming international wire transfer</td><td>15 USD</td></tr><tr><td>Outgoing international wire transfer, sent online in USD</td><td>40 USD</td></tr><tr><td>Outgoing international wire transfer, sent with an agent</td><td>50 USD</td></tr><tr><td>Outgoing international wire transfer, sent online in a foreign currency</td><td>5 USD</td></tr></tbody></table>

On top of any transfer fee, PNC converts your money using its own exchange rate instead of the mid-market rate you'll see on Google. PNC applies its current exchange rate, so make sure to compare the quoted exchange rate and total cost before sending.

A low-cost alternative for international transfers

If you regularly move money between the US and another country, using Wise can be an alternative to a bank wire for international transfers.

Wise gives you the mid-market exchange rate, the same rate you'll find on Google, with transparent fees shown upfront. There's no added exchange rate markup.

With a Wise account, you can hold and manage money in multiple currencies and get local account details to receive payments in major currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP.

It's easy to open a Wise account online, without visiting a branch.

<table><thead><tr><th><a href="https://wise.com/us/send-money/">Send money internationally with Wise</a> to 140+ countries and 40+ currencies – all at the fair <a href="https://wise.com/us/mid-market-rate">mid-market exchange rate</a> with low, transparent fees.</th></tr></thead><tbody></tbody></table>

Learn more about Wise

Sources

1. PNC - Checking accounts
2. PNC - What do you need to open a bank account?
3. PNC - Consumer schedule of service charges and fees

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