TLDR: PNC, one of the national banks in the US, plans to close over twenty branches this year, following the closure of over 200 locations last year. The list of locations to be closed includes branches in various states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The bank has already closed three branches this year. The closures are part of a strategy to reduce costs and adapt to changing customer needs.
PNC, one of the largest national banks in the United States, has announced plans to close more than twenty locations in the coming months. This decision comes after the bank closed over 200 branches last year, indicating a significant decrease in the bank’s physical footprint. The closure of branches is part of PNC’s strategy to cut costs and adapt to changing customer needs.
Although Chase and Bank of America typically announce the specific dates of their branch closures, PNC does not provide exact closure dates. However, a list of the branches set to close has been released. The bank has already closed three branches this year, located in Alabama, Illinois, and Texas.
The upcoming closures will affect multiple states across the country. Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Wisconsin will each see one branch closure. Alabama and Michigan will see the closure of at least two branches. Pennsylvania will have four branches closed, with three of them located in Pittsburgh. Texas will also see the closure of three locations.
Last year, PNC closed 241 branches and opened only twenty-nine, reflecting a substantial net decrease in the number of branches operated by the bank. The decision to reduce personal and physical presence through branch closures aligns with the bank’s cost-cutting efforts. Furthermore, PNC is anticipating a mild recession starting in mid-2024 and believes that reducing costs through branch closures will help navigate the economic challenges ahead. However, the bank also expects the recession to end by late 2024, with GDP falling by less than one percent and inflation falling below the two percent target set by the Federal Reserve.
As the banking industry continues to evolve, with more customers opting for digital and mobile banking, PNC’s decision to close branches reflects the need to align with changing customer preferences. While physical branches still play a crucial role in serving certain customer segments, more customers are turning to convenient, self-service banking options. By reducing the number of branches, PNC aims to streamline operations, reduce costs, and better serve its customers through a more efficient and agile banking model.