Word of the Decade at PNC: ‘Technology’
By Ted Schmidt, Youngstown Regional President
If there’s one word that sums up the immense changes in banking over the last decade – and most likely those coming in the new decade – it is likely “technology.”
Over the past 10 years, technology has enabled PNC customers to change the way they do banking and handle financial transactions. It is common today for people to pay bills online and manage their bank accounts on the internet or their mobile phones, and many apply for and complete loans digitally.
At PNC, this has been done through significant investments in technology. For example, PNC has enhanced mobile and online banking by enabling customers to digitally shop for and buy a car or a house.
In 2020, PNC will continue to expand its digital capabilities by launching new products that will make banking easier for customers. Among the expected upgrades this year is a dramatic advancement in the way customers apply for and are approved for mortgages, either online or through a smartphone.
Local Connection
What won’t change is PNC’s focus on personal relationships with its customers. As a “main street bank,” PNC has the services of a large bank with the personalization of a locally owned business.
While we financially support many local efforts such as the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.’s redevelopment of existing houses and the centennial celebration of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, our employees are also directly involved in our community.
Our leadership team serves on 35 nonprofit boards, such as the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and Sight for All. PNC employees can be seen volunteering in pre-K classrooms reading, working directly with children and assisting teachers, as well as doing volunteer landscaping at the YWCA of the Mahoning Valley during its Day of Caring.
The company also supports our region through PNC Grow Up Great, a $500 million bilingual initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
In 2019, PNC partnered with Youngstown State University to create the Early Learning Academy, Powered by PNC Grow Up Great.
This exciting program, which will continue through 2021, will offer more than 120 preschool teachers in the Mahoning Valley a series of professional-development seminars and resources for their classrooms to become even more engaging and effective teachers.
In addition, we partner with organizations such as the Oh Wow! Children’s Center for Science and Technology, Millcreek Children’s Center and Trumbull County Head Start to enrich education for children in pre-K.
It is such philanthropic efforts and our local focus that enable PNC to attract and retain the Mahoning Valley’s top talent. While our area provides a rich culture, low cost of living and close proximity to Cleveland and Pittsburgh, PNC offers skilled jobs with growth potential.
Through these efforts and our commitment to equip our customers with the latest banking tools, PNC is helping the region advance and to lay a solid foundation for the future of our Valley.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
