What are PNC Bank's current CD rates?

As of May 2026, PNC Bank's standard Fixed Rate CDs pay approximately 0.01%–0.50% APY depending on term and balance. PNC also offers 'Special CDs' — promotional rate certificates with non-standard terms — that can reach 4.00%–4.50%+ APY with 'new money' from outside PNC. These special rates are not always available and change frequently. Check PNC's website or visit a branch for current special CD offers.

What is a PNC Special CD?

A PNC Special CD is a promotional certificate of deposit offered for a limited time at a rate significantly higher than PNC's standard CD rates. Special CDs typically have non-standard terms (such as 7, 9, or 13 months), require a minimum deposit (often $1,000), and require 'new money' — funds transferred from an account at a different bank. They auto-renew at the standard rate if you don't act at maturity.

Does PNC have a minimum deposit for CDs?

PNC's standard Fixed Rate CDs require a minimum deposit of $1,000. PNC Special CDs may have different minimums — check the specific offer terms. This minimum is higher than online banks like Ally (no minimum) but comparable to many traditional banks.

What happens when a PNC CD matures?

PNC CDs automatically renew at maturity into the same term at PNC's current standard rate — which is typically far lower than the special or promotional rate you may have opened with. The grace period is 10 calendar days. Always act during the grace period to withdraw or move funds, especially after a special rate CD matures.

Should I open a CD at PNC or an online bank?

For most savers, an online bank like Ally, Marcus, or Discover will offer consistently higher CD rates (4.50–4.75% APY) than PNC's standard rates (0.01–0.50% APY). PNC Special CDs can be competitive when available, but they require monitoring and action at maturity. Unless convenience at a PNC branch is important to you, online banks are generally the better choice for CD rates.

PNC Bank CD Rates 2026 — Standard Rates vs. Special CDs Explained

PNC Bank offers two very different CD products: standard Fixed Rate CDs paying as low as 0.01%–0.50% APY, and occasional Special CDs that can reach 4.00%–4.50%+ APY. The gap between these two products is what most PNC customers don’t know about — and it’s the most important thing to understand before opening a CD at PNC.

Rates shown are as of May 2026 and change frequently. Verify current rates directly with PNC before opening an account.

PNC Standard CD Rates (May 2026)

Term	Standard Rate (Approximate APY)
7 days	0.01%
1 month	0.01%
3 months	0.01%–0.05%
6 months	0.05%–0.25%
12 months	0.05%–0.50%
2 years	0.05%–0.50%
5 years	0.05%–0.50%

These rates vary by balance tier and market. Rates above 0.25% typically require larger deposits and may only be available in certain PNC markets. In most branches and online, standard CDs pay toward the low end of this range.

PNC Special CD Rates

PNC periodically offers Special CDs with significantly better rates — typically 4.00%–4.50%+ APY — to attract new money from customers at other banks.

Feature	Detail
Typical terms	7, 9, 13, or 25 months (non-standard)
Rate	4.00%–4.50%+ APY when available
Minimum deposit	$1,000 (new money from another bank)
New money required	Yes — funds must come from outside PNC
Auto-renewal rate	Standard rate (very low)
Grace period	10 calendar days

Special CDs are not always available. When they are, they’re posted on PNC’s website under “Featured Rates” or “Special CDs.” They can also be found by visiting a branch, where relationship bankers sometimes have access to current offers.

What $10,000 Earns at PNC vs. an Online Bank

	PNC Standard CD	PNC Special CD	Online Bank CD
Approximate APY	0.25%	4.25%	4.65%
Interest after 12 months	$25	$425	$465
FDIC insured	Yes	Yes	Yes

The difference between a standard PNC CD and an online bank CD on $10,000 is roughly $440 per year in interest. Unless PNC has a special CD available with a competitive rate, the standard CDs are difficult to justify for interest-focused savers.

The Renewal Trap at PNC

The most common mistake PNC CD customers make: opening a Special CD at 4.25% APY, then missing the 10-day grace period at maturity and having the CD auto-renew at the standard rate of 0.05%.

If this happens on a $10,000 CD over 12 months:

Year 1 at 4.25% APY: ~$425 earned
Year 2 at 0.05% APY (missed grace period): ~$5 earned
Two-year average effective yield: ~2.15% — half what an online bank would have paid consistently

Prevention: Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your PNC Special CD matures. If you can’t find a better special rate at PNC, transfer to an online bank before the grace period closes.

Better Alternatives to PNC Standard CDs

If PNC doesn’t currently have a Special CD offer that matches online bank rates, these alternatives consistently pay more:

Alternative	Typical Rate	Minimum Deposit
Ally Bank (12-month)	~4.65% APY	$0
Marcus by Goldman Sachs	~4.60% APY	$500
Discover Bank (12-month)	~4.70% APY	$2,500

All are FDIC-insured online banks. You can open one in 10–15 minutes with a bank transfer.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy