PNC Bank personal loans: 2025 review

PNC is best for small, short-term personal loans

If you’re a little short on cash but want to pay off the money you borrow in less than a year, PNC’s six-month term option may help. Low starting APRs and no origination fees could make a PNC loan cheaper than many competitors. You can even add a co-applicant if you don’t qualify for the amount you need on your own. 

For a lower payment, you can choose a term as long as 60 months. And if you prefer to do all your banking under one roof, PNC also offers standard bank products like checking and savings accounts.

But PNC Bank personal loans are only available in 26 states, so confirm that you live in an eligible state before setting your sights on this lender.

PNC personal loan purposes

Like most loans, you can use a personal loan from PNC Bank for nearly any (legal) purpose. Common ways to use a personal loan include debt consolidation, home improvement, large purchases and emergency expenses.

But PNC Bank doesn't allow its funds to be used to pay for higher education expenses or to refinance student loan debt.

Where PNC stands out

• Short repayment term options: If your goal is to pay your debt off quickly, PNC Bank offers terms as short as six months. In comparison, most personal loan lenders require a term of at least two years. If you can afford the higher monthly payment that comes with a shorter repayment term, PNC is a great option.
• Co-applicants allowed: PNC is one of a handful of lenders that allow you to apply with a creditworthy co-borrower to improve your eligibility. While you may snag a lower rate on a joint loan than you could qualify for alone, remember that your co-borrower is equally responsible for the debt. If you fall behind in repayment, their credit will be damaged.
• Competitive APRs: With a starting APR of just 7.89 percent, PNC's loans are an affordable option for borrowers with good credit. And if you have fair credit, your rate may be closer to 25 percent, which is still significantly lower than the 35.99 percent cap found at many fair credit lenders.

Where PNC falls short

• Rates and requirements not easily found online: You need to use the rate tool to get a quote based on your ZIP Code, and the approval requirements aren’t disclosed on PNC’s website.
• Not available in all states: PNC personal loans are only available in 26 states and Washington, D.C. Enter your ZIP Code in the rate tool to determine whether PNC offers personal loans where you live. 
• Prequalification is not offered: You’ll need to agree to a hard credit pull to check your eligibility and rates, which could negatively impact your credit.

PNC customer resources

Customer support

PNC Bank customer service representatives are available by phone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, or Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you prefer in-person service, you can also visit a branch in your area. 

Digital experience

PNC offers a highly rated mobile app, scoring 4.9 stars out of 5 with over 1.7 million ratings on the App Store. All types of accounts can be checked through the app, including checking, savings, credit cards and loans. For additional security, PNC customers can set up ID using touch or facial recognition on their mobile devices.

How this lender compares

PNC vs. TD Bank

PNC Bank offers a much wider variety of repayment terms to choose from than TD Bank, which limits repayment to 36, 48 or 60 months. If you need a co-applicant to qualify, you’ll also be out of luck at TD Bank since it only allows individual applications. 

But TD Bank has an edge over PNC when it comes to borrowing power, giving you access to up to $50,000, compared to PNC’s $35,000 limit. It also beats PNC's funding times, with access to funds within one business day instead of the two or more days it takes to receive money from a PNC personal loan.

PNC vs. Wells Fargo

PNC Bank beats Wells Fargo for small personal loans: You need to borrow at least $3,000 at Wells Fargo, compared to PNC’s $1,000 minimum loan amount.  Wells Fargo also doesn’t allow co-applicants, which means that PNC Bank may better meet your needs if you need someone else’s income to help you qualify for a higher loan amount or lower rate. 

But Wells Fargo is the clear winner for large loan amounts, giving qualified borrowers access to up to $100,000. If you need a longer term to keep your payment low, Wells Fargo offers terms of up to 84 months, compared to PNC's 60-month maximum.

How Bankrate rates PNC