Picking the right bank account can be confusing, especially when looking at big banks like PNC Bank and American Express Bank.
While PNC Bank is a brick-and-mortar bank, American Express Bank's is an online bank. Let's compare their banking products side by side:
Checking Accounts
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Account Types
PNC Bank's Virtual Wallet gives you a complete digital banking experience. It includes Spend (your main checking account), Reserve (for short-term planning), and Growth (for long-term savings).
You can pick from three options – Virtual Wallet, Performance Spend, and Performance Select, each of them sets different tiers of benefits and perks. There is also a foundation checking account for basic needs.
PNC Checking Account | Monthly Fee | Average Day Balance To Waive |
|---|---|---|
Virtual Wallet Performance Select Checking | $25 | $5,000 |
Virtual Wallet Performance Checking | $15 | $2,000 |
Virtual Wallet Standard Checking | $7 | $500 |
Foundation Checking
| $5 | Can't be waived |
Bank Account | Monthly Fee | APY On Balance |
|---|---|---|
Amex Rewards Checking | $0 | 1.00% |
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Features
PNC's Virtual Wallet comes with various features, such as Zelle for simple money transfers, tools to analyze spending, and the option to set savings goals. Account holders can also receive reimbursements for certain non-PNC ATM fees and enjoy higher interest rates with strong banking relationships.
Additionally, PNC's Foundation Checking account provides convenient mobile banking services, waives overdraft fees, and offers complimentary cashier checks.
PNC Checking Account | Main Features |
|---|---|
Virtual Wallet Performance Select | No PNC charges for using other banks' ATMs or domestic wires |
Virtual Wallet Performance | Reimbursements for some non-PNC ATM fees, higher relationship interest rates |
Virtual Wallet Standard | Zelle, spending analysis, savings goals |
Foundation Checking
| Mobile banking, no overdraft fee, free cashier checks, debit card |
Bank Account | Main Features |
|---|---|
Amex Rewards Checking | Interest on balance, mobile check deposits, digital transfers, debit card with purchase protection, rewards your everyday spending
|
Savings Accounts
There's no clear winner in the savings game, as both banks provide highly competitive rates.
PNC offers a high-yield savings account with a great online rate, and there's no minimum deposit required to open it. However, keep in mind that eligibility is limited to specific states, so make sure you meet the requirements before applying.
Additionally, PNC provides a Premiere Money Market account, available to all customers. The interest rates depend on your balance and qualification for special rates, and you can deposit any amount. Plus, you'll get a debit card.
On the flip side, at American Express, customers can earn a competitive APY on their balance. Managing savings is easy with features like simple transfers and auto-deposits, and you'll have access to 24/7 customer service.
PNC Savings | PNC Money Market | Amex Savings Account | |
|---|---|---|---|
Savings Rate | 0.01% – 0.03%
The PNC High Yield Savings℠ account is only available to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
| 0.02% – 0.05% | 4.25% |
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Fees | $0 | $12
Can be waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $5,000
| $0 |
Certificate Of Deposits (CDs)
When comparing CD options, Amex Bank is the winner.
Both Amex and PNC Bank offer high rates only on specific CD terms, but Amex offers more CD terms with high rates.
While it may be okay for most consumers, it isn't the ideal situation for high depositors who want to to leverage CD investing strategies such as CD laddering and other combinations of short and long-term CDs.
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PNC Bank CD Rates
CD Term | APY |
|---|---|
7 Months (Featured) | 0.01% -4.25% |
12 Months | 0.01% – 0.03% |
13 Months (Featured) | 0.01% – 2.00% |
19 Months (Featured) | 0.01% – 1.25% |
24 Months | 0.01% – 0.03% |
25 Months (Featured) | 0.01% – 1.50% |
24 Months | 0.01% – 0.03% |
37 Months (Featured) | 0.01% – 1.75% |
36 Months | 0.01% – 0.03% |
61 Months (Featured) | 0.01% – 2.00% |
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American Express CD Rates
CD Term | APY | Early Withdrawal Penalty |
|---|---|---|
12 Months | 4.10% | 270 days interest |
18 Months | 3.60%
| 270 days interest |
24 Months | 3.75% | 270 days interest |
36 Months | 3.00% | 270 days interest |
48 Months | 3.00% | 365 days interest |
60 Months | 3.00% | 540 days interest |
Top Savings Accounts From Our Partners
Quontic High Yield Savings
- 4.50% APY on savings
- Interest is compounded daily
- No Monthly Service Fees
CIT Savings Connect
- Up to 4.85% APY on savings
- No monthly service fees.
- Zelle, Samsung & Apple Pay
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The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
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Credit Cards
Amex wins when it comes to credit cards. It is one of the top credit card issuers in the US, with many cards and different types of cards, co-branded cards, and various redemption options.
For everyday use, there are simple cards like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. If you're a more advanced user, Amex has fancier cards such as the American Express Gold® Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Amex also has travel co-branded cards with different levels and perks. If you love Delta Air Lines, their cards give you Delta SkyMiles and cool benefits like boarding early and free checked bags. And if you're a fan of Marriott or Hilton hotels, their cards offer free nights, elite status, and bonus points when you stay at their hotels.
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 1-6%
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit
and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
| $250
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
| $95 ($0 intro for the first year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express® Gold Card | 1X – 4X
4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
| 60,000 points
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
| $325 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 1X – 5X
5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
| 80,000 points
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
| $695 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | 1X – 2X
2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases
| 40,000 Miles
40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
| $150, $0 intro first year |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 3X – 7X
7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
| 70,000 points
70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership
| $0 |
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee |
| PNC Cash Unlimited Visa Signature Credit Card | 2%
unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase | 0% Intro APR: 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | $0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNC Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card | 1% – 4%
4% on Gas station purchases, 3% on Restaurant and 2% on Grocery store (for the first $8,000 in combined purchases in these three categories) and 1% cash back on all other purchases | $200
$200 cash back after you make $1,000 or more in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening | $0 |
| PNC points Visa Credit Card | 4x – 7x
4 points per $1 on purchases + 25% / 50% /75% bonus on all base points for PNC customers | 100,000 bonus points
100,000 bonus points after you make $1,000 in purchases during the first 3 billing cycles following account opening | $0 |
| PNC Core Visa Credit Card | N/A | 0% Intro APR: 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | $0 |
| PNC Secured Visa credit card | N/A | N/A | $0 |
Mortgage And Loans
PNC Bank is our winner when it comes to lending options, as it offers more options for borrowers than American Express.
PNC Bank provides mortgages for homebuyers, mortgage refinancing for improved terms, and home equity loans or lines of credit and auto loans, all of which are not available through American Express.
PNC Bank also offers personal loans and student loans.
Which Bank Is Our Winner?
PNC Bank is our winner as it offers a full banking package, which is better than American Express, especially if you need a personal service or have specific lending or checking requirements. Amex is great for advanced deposit and credit card needs or having a preference for online-only banking.
That being said, it is crucial to assess various factors, primarily focusing on those that are significant for your specific needs. This could include banking services, overdraft assistance, frequent ATM usage, proximity to bank locations, and other elements that vary from person to person.
Compare PNC With Other Banks
Chase has some great features including a massive selection of credit card options. Both banks also offer some great mortgage packages. PNC also has some innovative credit card options, and you can also access personal loans.
Read Full Comparison: Chase vs PNC Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?
The Wells Fargo service is even more extensive. Checking accounts, various savings accounts, mortgages, loans, and investment options such as IRAs, 401ks, and wealth management solutions are all available.
PNC offers checking and savings accounts, home loans, mortgages, investments, student loan refinancing, and a variety of credit cards.
Read full comparison: Wells Fargo vs PNC: Which Bank Account Wins?
Bank of America and PNC Bank offer various banking products, but which is a better fit for you? Let's compare and see our winner: PNC Bank vs. Bank Of America
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PNC Bank and Fifth Third Bank are two big players when it comes to brick-and-mortar banking. Let's compare them and see which is our winner: PNC Bank vs. Fifth Third Bank
We prefer PNC Bank over M&T, mainly due to higher savings and money market account rates and better credit cards. Here's our comparison: PNC Bank vs. M&T Bank
Our winner is PNC Bank as it offers more options for checking and higher savings rates than Truist bank. Here's our comparison: Truist Bank vs. PNC Bank
Both KeyBank and PNC Bank are active in various states, such as Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, and more. Let's compare their banking products.
While the differences are insignificant, our winner is PNC Bank, which has better options than BMO Bank. Here's our complete comparison: PNC Bank vs. BMO Bank
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While PNC Bank is a brick-and-mortar bank, Capital One's presence is mainly online. Let's compare them and see which is our winner: Capital One vs. PNC Bank
PNC Bank is our winner with a complete package of banking services. SoFi is best for savings rates, online experience, and lending options.
Top Offers From Our Partners
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Compare American Express Bank
Discover Bank is a full-service online bank as well as a provider of payment services. Discover can be used for banking and retirement planning by individuals. Discover is best known for its credit cards with rewards, but it also provides personal, student, and home equity loans.
American Express is one of the world's most well-known credit card brand names. Customers can get a personal banking solution from American Express National Bank, which offers online savings and CD options. Personal savings accounts have a high potential yield. They do not, however, provide as many products as Discover Bank does.
Read Full Comparison: Discover vs American Express: Which Bank Account Is Better?
Capital One is a premium online banking service that offers convenient, dependable service and physical locations to anyone looking for them. Capitol One 360, in addition to providing a trustworthy and dependable service, has no hidden fees or minimums, allowing you to continue earning interest on your daily money. There are over 38,000 fee-free ATMs and over 2,000 Capital One ATMs to meet your money access needs.
American Express is one of the world's most well-known credit card brand names. Customers can get a personal banking solution from American Express National Bank, which offers online savings and CD options. Personal savings accounts have a high potential yield. American Express National Bank is a respectable, secure banking option that does not offer any extra features but does offer the most important one.
Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Capital One: Which Bank Is Better For You?
Although Chase Bank has a modern, trendy image, it is one of the oldest banks in the United States. JP Morgan Chase's consumer division, Chase Bank, is one of the largest banks in the United States. Even though its interest rates aren't particularly competitive when compared to online banks and credit unions, loyal Chase customers who keep a significant amount of money with the bank can earn slightly better rates.
American Express is best known for its credit card business. The financial services firm, on the other hand, has a banking subsidiary that offers high-yield savings and CD accounts. For those looking to save money with a well-known financial institution, the American Express High Yield Savings Account is a popular option.
Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Chase Bank
The Citi checking account is a fairly standard product. The account does have a $12 monthly fee, but it is waived if you make a qualifying deposit or make a qualifying bill payment. Overdraft protection is also available, which automatically transfers funds from your savings account to avoid overdraft fees.
Because the American Express savings account has a high yield, the number of withdrawals or transfers you can make each month is limited to nine. It's also a nice touch that American Express allows you to choose paper statements if you prefer the old-fashioned way.
Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Citi: Where to Save Your Money?
While CIT Bank lacks a credit card option, it does have a decent eChecking account, mortgages, and home loans. However, American Express has personal loans and an impressive choice of credit card options.
CIT Bank vs American Express: Which Bank Account Is Better For You?
While Amex has a decent checking account and better credit card options, Ally's CD and lending options are superior. Here's our comparison: American Express Bank vs. Ally Bank
For most consumers, Bank of America may be a better option. American Express is a solid option for customers with higher wealth. Here's why.
American Express Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Bank Account Is Better?
Chase Bank is our winner, while Amex and Chase offer great banking services and credit card portfolios. Here's our side-by-side comparison: American Express Bank vs. Chase Bank
U.S. Bank is one of the largest brick-and-mortar banks in the US, while Amex Bank is among the best online banks. Let's compare them: U.S. Bank vs. American Express Bank
Our preferred choice is American Express, which provides a comprehensive banking package that outshines Truist Bank. Here's how they compare: Truist Bank vs. American Express Bank
While TD offers a better selection of checking accounts and lending options, Amex is a great option for online banking. How do they compare? American Express Bank vs. TD Bank
American Express and HSBC focus on serving wealthier customers by providing services and features beyond the standard. How do they compare? American Express Bank vs. HSBC Bank (USA)
Amex comes out on top with a solid checking option (which Barclays doesn't have), an excellent savings account, and great credit cards.
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American Express is our winner with a decent checking account, an impressive savings account, and a great selection of credit cards.
Synchrony Bank vs. American Express Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?
Our Methodology: Breaking Down Bank Comparisons
In our thorough banking comparison, The Smart Investor team carefully reviewed and compared banks across five key categories:
Checking Accounts (30%): We examined features like direct deposit, debit card availability, monthly fees, ATM and branch access, check deposit, bill pay options, and account alerts. We also considered any special offers available to customers.
Savings Accounts and CDs (20%): Our focus was on important factors such as the Annual Percentage Yield (APY), minimum deposit requirements, account flexibility, FDIC insurance coverage, special savings offers, variety of CDs, automatic renewal options, and early withdrawal penalties.
Credit Cards (15%): We analyzed rewards programs, annual fees, introductory bonuses, travel benefits, APR, and balance transfer options offered by each bank's credit cards to provide a comprehensive comparison of available features.
Lending Options (15%): We assessed the variety of loan options provided, including personal loans, student loans, mortgages, secured loans, HELOCs, and Home Equity Loans, offering insights into the banks' lending capabilities.
Customer Experience and Bank Reputation (20%): Our evaluation included an analysis of online banking and mobile app usability and ratings, accessibility of customer support, online reviews, JD Power research, Trustpilot ratings, and overall financial stability, providing a holistic view of customer experience and reputation.
