PNC Bank deploys mobile branch to underserved areas in Chicago area
PNC Bank recently expanded its presence in the Chicago area and two surrounding counties with the debut of a new mobile banking unit. This 30-foot "branch on wheels" will help make banking easier and more accessible beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar bank branch. The Chicagoland market is the first to launch the custom-designed mobile branch.
The mobile banking unit allows customers or prospective customers to: meet with a personal banker; open a checking account; apply for a personal loan, credit card or mortgage; receive or replace a PNC debit card; conduct a variety of other banking needs; or receive digital customer assistance, including notary services. The unit includes a workstation for personal discussions and a self-service, deposit-taking ATM for convenient, contact-free transactions.
"Data shows us that consumers are opting more for online, mobile and ATM transactions, but we understand that many still prefer the in-person experience," said Scott Swanson, PNC regional president of Illinois. "The pandemic has presented unique challenges, particularly with mobility and safety concerns in many neighborhoods. Working closely with organizations that have strong roots in our region, our goal is to provide secure, alternative options to banking for themselves, their families and businesses."
In conjunction with the availability of the mobile branch and as part of PNC's commitment to positively impact the communities in which it operates, PNC's Community Development Banking group will help coordinate financial wellness initiatives for residents and members associated with community centers, medical facilities, housing developments and neighborhood organizations in Cook, Lake and Kane counties. These initiatives will include educational seminars and tools to help individuals make informed financial decisions such as understanding credit reports and credit history, affordable homeownership options, tactics to raise money-smart kids, wealth-building strategies and other crucial foundations of money management. On-site assistance will be available in English, Spanish and Polish.
Access to the branch will be by appointment only and limited to one individual or family at a time. In compliance with COVID-19 safety standards, PNC team members will be furnished with a supply of gloves, face masks and cleaning supplies. Employees will wipe down surfaces after each customer interaction and follow social distancing best practices to protect visitors and themselves. For customers hesitant to enter the unit, bankers have the option to assist them remotely through encrypted tablet technology.
The mobile branch is expected to have a presence in Chicago through 2021. Initially created to support communities in crisis and branch renovations, the unit allows PNC to offer broad banking services in communities where they are needed the most.
The deployment of this mobile branch is part of PNC's commitment to build strong communities and boost the quality of life through financial empowerment, community development lending and investing, educational support and employee volunteerism. With guidance from local leadership in Chicago, PNC and the PNC Foundation have distributed more than $13 million to enhance early education for tens of thousands of young learners and invested $250 million in capital and strategic investments for economic development, affordable housing and other community services in underserved neighborhoods throughout the region. In addition, more than $5.5 million has been distributed to local non-profit organizations in Chicago metropolitan area to help with COVID-19 relief efforts.
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.