PNC Bank offers two very different CD products: standard Fixed Rate CDs paying roughly 0.01%–0.03% APY, and occasional Special/Promo CDs that have recently reached roughly 3.50%–4.00% APY on short terms. 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 September 2026 and change frequently — the specific terms and rates for PNC’s Special/Promo CDs in particular can shift within weeks. On September 16, 2026, the Federal Reserve raised its target rate 0.25 points to 3.75%–4.00%, its first hike since 2023, reversing a period of rate cuts and holds. Deposit rates industry-wide are more likely to stabilize or rise from here than continue falling — verify current rates directly with PNC before opening an account.
PNC Standard CD Rates (September 2026)
| Term | Standard Rate (Approximate APY) |
|---|---|
| 7 days | 0.01% |
| 1 month | 0.01% |
| 3 months | 0.01%–0.02% |
| 6 months | 0.01%–0.02% |
| 12 months | 0.02%–0.03% |
| 2 years | 0.02%–0.03% |
| 5 years | 0.02%–0.03% |
These rates vary by balance tier and market — PNC has published slightly different rates for balances above and below $25,000 on some terms (for example, 0.03% APY above $25,000 vs. 0.02% below, on certain terms). Rates above this range are not typical of PNC’s standard CDs; if you see a materially higher standard rate quoted, confirm it directly since it likely reflects a Special/Promo offer instead.
PNC Special/Promo CD Rates
PNC periodically offers Special or Promo CDs with significantly better rates — recently in the roughly 3.50%–4.00% APY range — to attract customers, on shorter, non-standard terms than its regular CD lineup.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recent terms observed | 4, 7, and 13 months (non-standard; specific terms rotate) |
| Rate | Roughly 3.50%–4.00% APY when available (confirm current) |
| Minimum deposit | Typically $1,000 |
| New money requirement | Has varied by offer — confirm current terms |
| Auto-renewal rate | Standard rate (very low) |
| Grace period | 10 calendar days |
Special/Promo CDs are not always available, and the specific terms and rates change often — the figures above reflect rates reported in the weeks before mid-September 2026 and should be treated as a reference point, not a current quote. When available, they’re posted on PNC’s website under “Featured Rates,” “Special CDs,” or “Promo 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/Promo CD | Online Bank CD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illustrative APY | 0.03% | 4.00% | 4.00% |
| Interest after 12 months | $3 | $400 | $400 |
| FDIC insured | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The difference between a standard PNC CD and an online bank CD on $10,000 is roughly $397 per year in interest at these illustrative rates. Unless PNC has a special/promo CD available with a competitive rate, the standard CDs are difficult to justify for interest-focused savers. Confirm current rates at pnc.com before using these figures to plan.
The Renewal Trap at PNC
The most common mistake PNC CD customers make: opening a Special/Promo CD at a competitive rate, then missing the 10-day grace period at maturity and having the CD auto-renew at the standard rate of roughly 0.02%-0.03%.
Illustrative example on a $10,000 CD, if this happens over 12 months:
- Year 1 at an illustrative 4.00% APY: ~$400 earned
- Year 2 at 0.03% APY (missed grace period): ~$3 earned
- Two-year average effective yield: ~2.02% — about half what a consistently competitive online bank rate would have paid
Prevention: Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your PNC Special/Promo 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/Promo CD offer that matches online bank rates, these alternatives have historically paid more — confirm current rates before comparing, since all CD rates move independently and are especially likely to shift following the Federal Reserve’s September 16, 2026 rate hike:
| Alternative | Rate as of September 19, 2026 (confirm current) | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Ally Bank (12-month High Yield CD) | 4.00% APY | $0 |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs (12-month CD) | 3.90% APY | $500 |
| Discover Bank CDs — no longer independent | See note below | — |
Ally’s and Marcus’s rates were verified directly against ally.com and cross-checked via CD Valet (a rate-tracking aggregator) on September 19, 2026; both are FDIC-insured online banks and you can open an account in 10–15 minutes with a bank transfer. Rates change frequently — confirm the current figure before opening.
Discover CDs are no longer offered by an independent Discover Bank. Discover’s consumer banking business, including its CD products, was acquired by and merged into Capital One in 2025. If you already hold a Discover CD, it is now serviced under Capital One. New CD shoppers should compare Capital One 360 CD rates directly rather than looking for a standalone Discover CD rate.
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- What to Do When Your CD Matures
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