MG
MARIA GUADALUPE
Jul 8, 2025
PNC Bank: A Tale of Two Branches and Disappointing Service
My experience with PNC Bank has been a frustrating journey, marked by miscommunication, lack of accountability, and ultimately, the unceremonious closure of my accounts. While the tellers at both the Peoria and Thomas branches were consistently friendly and helpful, the overarching service quality and internal communication at PNC Bank fall far short of expectations.
The Peoria Branch and a Concerning Call
We initially chose PNC Bank to manage both our business and personal finances, opening a personal account at the Peoria branch. A few weeks later, I received a call from someone claiming to be from PNC, requesting my social security number and date of birth over the phone. This immediately raised a red flag. Providing such sensitive information over the phone felt unprofessional and highly insecure. I refused, explaining I would visit a branch in person or go to another location. The caller assured me either option was acceptable, and the conversation ended there.
The Thomas Branch and Missing Information
Following that unsettling call, I visited the PNC branch on Thomas. I spoke with a banker, explaining the situation and the unusual request for my personal information. To my surprise, he found no record of any such request or notes on my account. He assured me everything was fine. Trusting his word, we proceeded to add my husband to the account and began the process of transferring a significant sum of money from our Chase account to PNC. Our intention was to eventually consolidate our banking with PNC.
Account Closure and a Lack of Apology
Today, as I attempted to transfer another substantial amount, I discovered my PNC account had been canceled. The reason? An incorrect date of birth on file. This was particularly galling, as I had presented my ID multiple times at both branches, and at no point was this discrepancy brought to my attention or rectified. This highlights a severe lack of attention to detail and internal communication. The fact that the initial phone call about my personal information, which prompted my visit to the Thomas branch, had no corresponding notes, further emphasizes the systemic issues within PNC's record-keeping and personnel training. It appears there's a significant disconnect in how information is handled and communicated internally.
The most disappointing aspect of this entire ordeal was the interaction with the bank manager at the Thomas branch. Her demeanor was incredibly generic and she offered no apology whatsoever for the inconvenience or the company's egregious error in canceling my accounts. When I requested to submit a complaint, she simply agreed without any further initiative. I even overheard her being prompted by someone else on the phone about offering to open another account, and she merely mentioned, "If she does want to open another account, what can she do for this not to happen again?"—but she never actually offered to help me reopen an account herself. Her complete lack of empathy or accountability for the company she represents was astounding.
The Good and the Bad
While the tellers at both branches were truly sweethearts – friendly, polite, and genuinely helpful – their positive interactions were unfortunately overshadowed by the systemic failures. We had over $11,000 in our account, with another $5,000 about to be deposited, and the cavalier way our account was canceled, and the subsequent lack of information regarding our funds (I had to ask about the cashier's check), was unacceptable.
Final Thoughts
Given this experience, I will definitely not be opening another account with PNC Bank. The combination of questionable security practices, internal communication breakdowns, and a complete lack of accountability from management has made it clear that PNC is not the right fit for our banking needs.