185 National City Bank offices changing to PNC
National City Bank, which has operated the most branches in the Pittsburgh area since 1995, will vanish from the streets on Nov. 7 and 8 when those offices are converted to the PNC Bank name.
In all, 185 branches and their banking business in 10 Southwestern Pennsylvania counties will switch from National City, which PNC acquired in December. The offices will reopen Nov. 9 under the PNC flag.
Most account numbers will change, but PIN (personal identification) numbers for using automated teller machines will remain the same, said Jim Balouris, PNC's Southwestern Pennsylvania regional retail banking market manager.
He said National City customers can use their existing ATM cards until Nov. 9, unless they start using new PNC ATM cards, which activate as early as Nov. 6.
"We're trying to make this as easy as possible," said Balouris on Monday.
National City customers should get their new ATM cards in the mail from PNC this Friday and Saturday, when the cash machines convert to PNC, said Balouris.
Most people should have received new checking and savings accounts numbers, he said. They should continue using National City checks, but should contact PNC about new ones after Nov. 9 when existing supplies run out.
Mortgage loan numbers and the payment address do not change. Beginning Nov. 7, checks should be made to "PNC Mortgage." Those using coupon books will get new ones from PNC.
Online banking through National City will be suspended at 3 p.m. Nov. 6, then restart at 8 a.m. Nov. 9. Customers should follow the instructions outlined in account transfer confirmation packets sent by PNC, said the bank.
"There's probably going to be some customer turnover. Some people will switch," said Bert Ely, a veteran banking consultant in Alexandria, Va. Customers who leave often do so because their nearby branch is closing, he said.
A dozen branches -- seven National City and five PNC branches -- will close by Nov. 7 but consolidate into ones 500 yards away or closer, said Balouris. Three PNC offices previously slated to close a month ago will remain open -- in Mt. Lebanon, West Mifflin and Belle Vernon.
If customers get stuck in a conversion glitch, PNC has about 1,000 call-center employees working in U.S. Steel Tower to take those calls. PNC will have workers stationed outside National City branches between 4 and 6 p.m. Nov. 6 to field questions.
"There will be (ATM) cards that don't work and questions on things people don't understand," said Balouris. "That's what we're here for. We'll have all hands on deck to take care of customers' concerns."
In the seven-county Pittsburgh region, PNC's share of the market's bank deposits will jump to nearly 46 percent with the addition of National City's share.
PNC held nearly $25.8 billion in bank deposits, or a 36 percent share of the region's total, at 97 area branches. National City held about $11 billion, at 151 branches. Then, in early September, PNC spun off 57, local National City branches and $4 billion in deposits to First Niagara Bank, Buffalo.
Additional Information:
Changing banks:
• National City branches converting to PNC Banks in Southwestern Pennsylvania: 185
• 10 counties where branches convert: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland.
• Conversion plan: Sat. & Sun., Nov. 7 & 8
• Problems/questions during conversion⢠Call PNC at 877-762-9119
