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PNC unveils digital check deposits
By Karl Henkel
PITTSBURGH
PNC Bank customers who find it difficult to get to one of the 2,500-plus branches to deposit checks suddenly have a new option: digital deposits.
The Pittsburgh-based bank today officially launches its newest addition to its free smartphone application, “PNC Mobile,” which allows customers to digitally photograph and deposit checks within minutes.
Tom Trebilcock, vice president of e-business and payments at PNC, said the new technology has been in the works for a few months, and the reception during its private launch to PNC’s Virtual Wallet customers “exceeded internal expectations.”
“We’re really trying to meet our customers’ expectations,” he said. “This alternative allows us to move beyond our traditional footprint.”
Much like regular deposits, customers need to fill out a deposit slip — digitally — with their account number and check amount, and then photograph the front and back of their signed check with their iPhone or iPad camera.
If the pictures are blurry, don’t include the entire check in the frame or the check amount doesn’t match the total on the digital deposit, the customer will be prompted to retake the picture or enter the correct check total.
If the deposit is successful, PNC urges customers to keep the check for two weeks before shredding it or keep it in a safe location.
The technology boost aligns PNC with other banks including United States Automobile Association and JPMorgan Chase and Co. that have incorporated digital smartphone deposits.
It’s not a game-changer for the banking industry, Trebilcock said, as the service is geared toward person-to-person and ad hoc checks, and not meant as a replacement for all needs normally fulfilled at banking branches.
Both PNC and Chase limit customers to a maximum of $1,000 per digital deposit and $3,000 in a calendar month. Those who attempt to exceed those totals will see a prompt before submitting the check.