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PNC High Yield Savings account review

Earn a strong 4.00% APY and extra overdraft protection, but only if you're in an eligible state.

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By

Steven Dashiell

Updated

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Our verdict

The PNC High Yield Savings account offers a high 4.5% APY with no monthly maintenance fees. Plus, its Low Cash Mode tool alerts you if you're close to overdrawing your account. The PNC Virtual Wallet is especially handy, as it offers several saving, spending and budgeting features that can help make managing your finances easier. Unfortunately, this account is only available if you live in a state that lacks a physical PNC location. At this time, that's just 32 states potentially eligible.

Best for: Eligible consumers looking for a high-yield savings account with money management features.

Pros
  • Competitive 4.5% APY
  • No minimum opening deposit or maintenance fees
  • Overdraft protection
  • Virtual wallet with savings features
Cons
  • Only available in 32 states
  • Many service fees
4.4

★★★★★

Finder rating

Learn more

APY

4.50%

Fee

$0

Minimum deposit to open

$0

Who is PNC High Yield Savings account best for?

The PNC High Yield Savings account is best for those who live in a state that qualifies for the account and want one of the higher interest rates on the market. The account is only offered in states without a PNC branch:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Hawaii
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • Rhode Island
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

What we like about the PNC High Yield Savings account

PNC’s biggest strengths are its competitive 4.5% APY, its lack of minimum opening deposit, as well as its lack of monthly fees. This makes the account relatively simple to set up and maintain as it delivers great value. It also offers overdraft protection in the form of Low Cash Mode within the PNC app. This mode alerts users when funds are low and offers up to 24 hours to bring an account’s balance back up.

Where PNC High Yield Savings account falls short

PNC’s High Yield Savings account is only available in states that don’t have physical branches. You’ll need to live in one of the 32 eligible states to be eligible to apply.

PNC also carries a rather large array of additional service fees compared to the competition, including several ATM fees and stop payment fees. If you prefer a high-interest account that’s available in your region, compare other options when choosing a savings account.

PNC High Yield Savings account fees and access

Type of feeFee details
Monthly serviceN/A
Opening deposit$0
ATMs
  • Domestic non-PNC: $3 each
  • International non-PNC: $5 each
Debit card fees
  • Card replacement: $7.50 each
  • Expedited card delivery: $25 each
  • Transaction limit fee: $3 each
Overdraft or nonsufficient funds
  • $36 per item, max 4 per day
  • Overdraft threshold: $5 or more
Wire transfers
  • Incoming
    • International: $15 each
  • Outgoing
    • Domestic: $30 for agent assisted, $25 for self-service
    • International: $45 for agent assisted, $40 for self-service
Other fees
  • ATM statements: $1.50 at PNC Bank ATMs, $2.50 at non-PNC Bank ATMs
  • International money transfer: $5 each
  • Collection items: $25 each
  • Legal process charge: Up to $100.00
  • Check cashing fee: $0 for $25 or less, 2% of check amount for amounts greater than $25
  • PNC express funds: 2% of the check amount over $100
  • Returned item: $12 each
  • Stop payment: $33 each
  • Staff assisted statement request: $5 per statement

Compare PNC Savings with other high-yield savings accounts

Compare other savings accounts to find one that best suits your financial needs. Select Compare on up to four accounts and to view their features side by side.

$
Name Product Account type Annual Percentage Yield (APY) FDIC or NCUA insured amount Minimum balance to earn interest Minimum deposit to open Offer Estimated total balance
UFB High Yield Savings
Finder Rating: 5 / 5: ★★★★★
UFB High Yield Savings
Traditional savings

5.25%

Up to $250,000
$0
$0
$1,052.50
Go to site
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Pacific Western Bank MMDA through Raisin
Finder Rating: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★
Pacific Western Bank MMDA through Raisin
Money market

5.25%

Up to $250,000
$0
$1
$1,052.50
Go to site
View details
SoFi Checking and Savings
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
Bonus
SoFi Checking and Savings
Traditional savings,Checking

4.50%

0.50%

1.20%

Up to $250,000
$0
$0
Earn up to $250 with a qualifying direct deposit, terms apply. This offer is available until December 31, 2023.
$1,045
Go to site
View details
Upgrade - Premier Savings
Finder Rating: 4.3 / 5: ★★★★★
Upgrade - Premier Savings
Traditional savings

5.07%

Up to $250,000
$1,000
$0
$1,050.70
Go to site
View details
Barclays Online Savings
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
Barclays Online Savings
Traditional savings

4.35%

Up to $250,000
$0
$0
$1,043.50
Go to site
View details
CIT Bank Platinum Savings
Finder Rating: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
CIT Bank Platinum Savings
Traditional savings

5.05%

0.25%

Up to $250,000
$0
$100
$1,050.50
Go to site
View details
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Customer experience

Customers that qualify for the PNC High Yield Savings account vouch for the quality of the product, but are careful to note that only certain states and zip codes qualify for the maximum APY.

Customers can reach support in three ways:

  1. Phone. Call 888-762-2265 on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
  2. Forms. From your online account on PNC’s website, fill out a secure online form for an email reply from customer service.
  3. Social media. Reach out with a question on PNC’s Twitter account for a response from the customer support team.

Savings account ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent

★★★★★ — Good

★★★★★ — Average

★★★★★ — Subpar

★★★★★ — Poor

We analyze top savings accounts and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: interest rates, monthly fees, minimum deposits, customer service and account features.

Read the full methodology of how we rate savings accounts.

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