This offer has expired, but you can read about the current PNC bonus by going here.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $300
- Availability: AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, VA, WI and District of Columbia
- Direct deposit required: $500-$5,000 depending on bonus
- Additional requirements: One bill pay
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- Credit card funding: Up to $2,000
- Monthly fees: $7-$25, waive-able
- Early account termination fee: $25 if closed within six months
- Expiration date: February 22nd, 2015
Contents
The Offer
- Receive up to $300 when you open a PNC Virtual Wallet:
- Receive $75: Open a new Virtual Wallet account, make at least one online bill pay and establish a qualifying direct deposit of at least $500
- Receive $200: Open a Virtual Wallet with performance spend checking account, make at least one online bill pay and establish a qualifying direct deposit of at least $2,000
- Receive $300: Open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, make at least one online bill pay and establish a qualifying direct deposit of at least $5,000 NOTE: You can do this same offer and get $400 by going into a PNC branch.
The Fine Print
- Bill payment must be completed within 60 days of account opening
- Bonus will post between 60 and 90 days after completing all of the requirements
- Offer only available to new checking account holders. You will not be eligible if you’ve had or closed an account within the last 90 days or receive a promotional premium in the past 12 months.
- A qualifying Direct Deposit is defined as a recurring Direct Deposit of a paycheck, pension, Social Security or other regular monthly income electronically deposited by an employer or an outside agency. You can see what else triggered this bonus here.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Early Account Termination Fee
- You must pay a $25 early account termination fee if you cancel your account within 6 months of opening (source)
Virtual Wallet $7 Monthly Fee
You can get the the monthly fee waived on this account if you meet any of the following:
- Average monthly balance of $500 or more
- Qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more
- Use only ATMs, online or mobile banking only to make withdrawals or deposits
- Use virtual wallet student
Virtual Wallet With Performance Spend $15 Monthly Fee
You can get this fee waived if you meet any of the following:
- Average monthly balance of $2,000 or more
- Qualifying direct deposit of $2,000 or more
- $15,000 in linked eligible accounts
Virtual Wallet With Performance Select $25 Monthly Fee
You can get this fee waived if you meet any of the following:
- Average monthly balance of $5,000 or more
- Qualifying direct deposits of $5,000 or more
- $25,000 in linked eligible accounts
Click here to view the different accounts side by side.
Our Verdict
If you’re going to complete the Virtual Wallet With Performance Select ($300 bonus) then you might as well do it in branch and request the workplace bonus which has the same requirements but offers $400 instead of $300.
This way the coupon is linked to the e-mail you use in sign up and they aren’t able to claim you didn’t use the coupon to sign up.
We’ve actually talked about this bonus before, but it’s now slightly different and available to more states so we thought it was worth rehashing. I don’t live in the qualifying area, but if I did I’d complete this deal (actually I’d complete the $400 in branch offer). The $200 bonus might be suitable for some people who don’t have a spare $5,000 lying around.
All of these bonuses are in our bank bonus table and it’s also currently our second most recommended bonus, see what’s number one.
Direct link to offer | Screenshot of offer
Anyone know if this is still active? The direct link no longer works. Just finishing up a bonus with another bank, this looks good to be next but not sure if it’s still available?
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/pnc-up-to-400-checking-bonus-available-nationwide/
PNC would not give me the bonus because they said my PayPal deposits did not count as DD. Opened this account on 3/19 and have been waiting out the 180 day deadline to not trigger the early account closure fee. Withdrew balance today and will close account once it clears.
Goodbye PNC.
It’s been 93 days since I met the requirements and still no bonus. Anyone have similar experience? I’d rather not have eyes on my account due to skirting DD.
Hello, I just opened this account online (to get the 300 bonus), I am now in the process of doing a DD through Paypal (one time transfer of 5000 USD).
Once the fund posted on my PNC, how long do I need to wait before I can withdraw my money?
I am planning to close the account (do not mind with the 25 dollar fee). Thanks.
I open 200 reward account, and I did 2000 direct deposit. But, I fail to make a bill pay within 60 days, I made it on around 70 Days. I wonder this is ok to get the reward
Doubtful, but let us know if it posts.
Doc, I opened two virtual wallet with performance select and got $300 bonuses posted on both accounts. The accounts were opened on 4/28. While I am able to do $5K in direct deposits for the past 2 months to avoid the monthly fee, I find it difficult to continue. I really don’t have a need for these two accounts, So, is it OK to eat the $25 per account early termination fee. This way my effective bonus per account will be reduced to $275. Thanks!
Yes, no worries in eating the fee as long as you’re happy to pay it.
I’ve gotten some great information from this site, but you got my hopes up a little on this one. It doesn’t appear that this offer or the branch offer is valid for residents of RI, as mentioned in your post.
Looks like they closed the branch in Warwick. Updating posts now.
That’s too bad. Thanks for being so quick.