PNC Bank

I’ve had a pretty solid experience with the PNC branch on Broadway in Manhattan. The staff was patient, professional, and actually took time to answer my questions instead of rushing me out. Opening my account and handling deposits was smoother than I expected, and they explained everything clearly. The branch is usually clean, organized, and the tellers have always been respectful whenever I’ve gone in. Definitely one of the better banking experiences I’ve had in the city.

via Google

This branch in the Fulton Building has fantastic customer service! Their handling of cash has to be through the ATM vs teller so take note, but for all in person services it's my go-to branch.

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Staff genuinely doesn’t care. They don’t greet guest. If you have a question they will have you wait for them to finish their conversation amongst themselves. They don’t care if they lose customers. All the atm locations say 24 hours I went to 4 different locations in Manhattan all say open all were closed. Called was told to go to 7 Eleven which was false information. It’s absurd that a major corporation like this has such poor management.

via Google

I entered the branch on Broadway last Friday to use the cash machine. I noticed a female security guard hanging out in the corner of the vestibule as I stepped up to the machine. I did my business, but as I was finishing became aware of someone standing quite close behind me, and he even whispered to me where the money would come out. As I turned to go, he was in fact, right there, standing with a large wad of cash in his hand. And he had a companion behind him. I was startled how close he was standing—NEVER having had that experience before. He immediately held out five $20 bills and asked if I would exchange them for a $100. I told him I did not have one, then he said “what about two $50’s”. I was caught off guard and extremely uncomfortable about the whole thing—his attire was all black and scruffy, he was way too close. I should have been immediately suspicious, but it was my birthday, I was feeling kind, so I gave him the $50’s and took the $20’s. I then exited the bank building, and turned south, stopping at the light. Then the other man came up to me and did the same thing. I huge light went on for me, and I started quizzing him why he was doing this. He said his mother needed the $100 bill. I immediately went back into the branch and confronted the security guard: “Why had she note protected me from the inappropriate behavior of these two men whose behavior was very odd?? What was she doing just standing there?” By this time my shouting at her raised the attention of several employees, and I believe it was the branch manager who came to talk to me. It had of course occurred to my by this time that the bills I had been given were likely counterfeit. He checked them and indeed that was the case. I pressed him on why their guard had been so lax.

After that the story takes another turn. He asked for my name and phone number, which he enters into a screen to file a claim, then he asked for my cash card. Immediately upon seeing it was not a PNC card he said he cannot file a claim because I am not a PNC customer (how is paying $3.50 to withdraw funds from the bank not being a customer?). He said I would have to file a police report so the security tape could be subpoenaed (why do you need a subpoena to look at your own video recording???). At that point I was so aggravated and late for an appointment so I left, but vowed to spread the word about what a rotten branch this is: ineffective security, stupid rules about helping a customer defrauded in their own space due to that inadequate security.

via Google

Jevon and Omar have been excellent in supporting my visits to the branch. As a new US resident they’ve helped with setting up a new account, international wire transfers and even when I lost my initial card, the process to get a new one was immediate. Thank you PNC and Jevon + Omar!

via Google