Both KeyBank and PNC Bank are active in a variety of states, such as Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, and more. Let's compare their banking products side by side:
Checking Accounts
There is no clear winner here, as both KeyBank and PNC Bank don't offer comprehensive checking account options but still offer enough options for most customers.
KeyBank offers a free checking account, which is not available through PNC Bank, but PNC's Virtual Wallet fees offer great banking features, and its monthly fee can be waived easily.
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Account Types
KeyBank offers four main types of checking accounts, such as the Key Smart Checking and Key Select Checking, each catering to different needs:
KeyBank Account | Monthly Fee | Average Day Balance To Waive |
|---|---|---|
Key Smart Checking | $0 | N/A |
Key Select Checking | $25 | $15,000 |
KeyBank Hassle-Free Account | $0 | N/A |
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 |
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Features
The KeyBank Smart Checking account provides convenient access to KeyBank and Allpoint ATMs, a Debit Mastercard, and the added benefit of Overdraft Protection.
The Key Select Checking account is an interest-bearing option that allows customers to earn $100 each year with qualified direct deposits.
KeyBank Bank Account | Main Features |
|---|---|
Key Smart Checking | Key and Allpoint ATMs, debit Mastercard, overdraft protection |
Key Select Checking | Interest bearing, $100 year after year with qualified direct deposits |
KeyBank Hassle-Free Account | Mobile banking, account alerts, EasyUp automatic savings |
PNC's Virtual Wallet offers a range of features, including Zelle for easy money transfers, spending analysis tools, and the ability to set savings goals. Account holders may also enjoy reimbursements for select non-PNC ATM fees and benefit from higher relationship interest rates.
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 |
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Top Offers From Our Partners
Savings Accounts
PNC Bank is our winner when it comes to savings.
PNC offers a high yield savings account. It offers a good rate online, and you don't need to deposit a specific amount to open it. However, it's available just for certain customers in specific states, so make sure you can join.
PNC also has a Premiere Money Market account, available to everyone. The interest rates are competitive and depend on how much money you have and if you qualify for special rates. You can put in as much money as you want, and they even give you a debit card.
PNC Savings | PNC Money Market | |
|---|---|---|
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% |
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Fees | $0 | $12
Can be waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $5,000
|
The interest rates provided by the Key Active Saver account are comparatively modest, falling below the rates available with other savings accounts.However, KeyBank offers money market savings accounts with higher rates.
KeyBank Active Saver | KeyBank Select MMA | |
|---|---|---|
Savings Rate | N/A | 2.64% |
Minimum Deposit | $10 | $5,000 |
Fees | $4
Can be waived if you are an owner on a KeyBank consumer checking account
| $20
Can be waived if you have $25,000 minimum daily balance OR a relationship package checking account
|
Certificate Of Deposits (CDs)
Both PNC Bank and KeyBank offer high CD rates only on specific terms. There is no winner here as both banks offer very limited terms with competitive rates.
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KeyBank CD Rates
KeyBank CDs | |
|---|---|
8 Month | 0.05% |
11 Month | 0.05% |
Minimum Deposit | $2,500 |
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PNC 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% |
Top Offers From Our Partners
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
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners
Credit Cards
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 |
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee |
| Key Cashback Credit Card
| 2%
2% on every purchase—no categories, no limits | 0% Intro APR: 12 billing cycles on balance transfers | $0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KeyBank Latitude Credit Card | N/A | 0% Intro APR: 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | $0 |
| Key2More Rewards Credit Card | 5x
5 points for every $1 spent on eligible credit card purchases, no caps | 0% Intro APR: 6 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers | $0 |
| Key Secured Credit Card | N/A | N/A | $0 |
Mortgage And Loans
Both Keybank and PNC Bank offer full suite of lending products and many options for borrowers.
They've got mortgages if you're buying a home or want to refinance your current mortgage to get better terms. If you own a home, you can tap into its equity with home equity loans or lines of credit. They're also into personal loans and can help you finance a new or used car.
Plus, they're there to help with student loans too. If you need to, they can refinance your student loans to maybe get you a lower interest rate or change up how you pay it back.
Which Bank Is Our Winner?
While the differences are not significant, our winner is PNC Bank, as it offers more options for checking, higher savings rates, and better credit cards options.
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.
Compare KeyBank Versus Other Banks
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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?
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