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PNC To Close Some Branch Banks While Considering Charge For Smartphone Deposits

CECIL TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Signs that read "Permanently Closed" could be appearing on a PNC branch near you, PNC's incoming CEO William Demchak told analysts in Boston on Tuesday.

After closing 65 of its 2,900 branches in 2012, three times that many are expected to close this year.

PNC confirms that 200 branches will be closed in the 19 states they operate in, but they will not say where and which branches will be shutting down.

KDKA learned that the branch in Cecil Township is one of those slated to be closed on May 17.

Customers are not happy with closing the only bank in town.

"Well, I'm really disappointed because the next banking facility is not until Bridgeville, so that's a little out of the way," said Kathy Wanat of Cecil.

It's about six miles away, and customers don't buy the argument that branch banking is outdated.

"Online banking is what I do to pay bills. That's not what I do here," added Jeannene Green of Cecil.

She says she banks both online and in-person.

"We have children - so setting up accounts, moving things around, setting up things for their education fund and different funds that we ourselves are invested in. And they have a great staff and team in there that are accessible to us," noted Green.

One-tenth of a mile from another branch, the PNC Bank in Scott Township has already closed and is expected to reopen as an investment center with no tellers.

But even those who never go into a branch may feel the pinch.

PNC is considering charging a fee for making online deposits with a smartphone, which along with closing branch banks prompt this response.

"Going to have to rethink what your priorities are. Why I'm staying with PNC? Might be time to move on to one of the competitors," said Bryan Rodgers of Bethel Park.

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