1

Isac Karn, Derek Rose, Nathan Lord, Han Cheng

Ms. Lyon
Business Pathways
12 October 2016

PACE Project: PNC Bank

PNC Bank is an American financial service system whose headquarters are in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. PNC Bank has been serving Americans since January of 1852. It is the fifth largest
Bank in America, based on the number of branches and offices. PNC Bank displays attributes of
PACE in many different ways. The characteristics of this acronym are: professionalism,
academics, character, and engagement. Each member of the group researched a different
characteristic. Han researched professionalism, Nathan analyzed academics, Derek reviewed
character, and Isaac looked into engagement. With the help of each group member, we will
explain how PNC Bank demonstrates the characteristics of PACE.
PNC Bank demonstrates professionalism in multiple different ways. First off, PNC Bank
is a formal dress company, which means they always wear a suit to serve as a uniform. PNC
Bank has a lot of ways to encourage professional development in an employee. This includes
self-directed and business-sponsored courses for professional development, as well as a
mentoring program. These different ways can help an employee move up in the company. PNC
Bank is always looking to hire, attract, and recruit people who are talented and professional, in
order to be a strong and successful team. As stated on their website, We hire a dedicated and
diverse workforce to meet customers financial needs. As far as their hiring structure, PNC
Bank attracts highly qualified entry-level talent into each line of business through full-time
development programs and summer internships, which can lead to full-time employment with

2
the company. The other option is the traditional application and interview process. PNC is very
professional and helpful with all customers. For individuals, they provide more than just
banking; they also have borrowing, investment and retirement, and wealth management. But they
work with more than just people. Small businesses and corporations and institutions can also
work with PNC. These types of customers have a different relationship to satisfy the different
needs. PNC has also won many award for: performance, diversity and inclusion, employer of
choice, integrity, and serving communities. Perhaps their best awards that show professionalism
are being a fortune 200 company and being one of the most desired companies.
Academics is nearly always viewed as an important subject for people, and its no
different for to companies. PNC has created multiple learning aids for employees and forms of
aid for students. PNC employees have the opportunity to participate in a development program,
which typically lasts between 12 and 24 months. There are 10 different categories within the
program, each having subcategories within itself. During this time period, an employee will take
part in hands-on experiences while rotating within the selected category. The idea here is to
offer an excellent opportunity to begin exploring your career goals, while growing your skills in
key business areas throughout the company (Development Programs). These same 10 categories
offer 10-week internships during the summer. Interns are given online and personal training,
business exposure, a personal mentor, evaluations and coaching, and multiple opportunities to
attend speaking events from executives (Internships).
While PNC obviously holds academics in high regards internally, it does the same
externally. PNC has partnered with the University of Cincinnati and many other schools for
student banking. By working with universities for banking, PNC shows its care for students and
academics. It is providing a simpler, more convenient banking experience for all students who

3
choose to open an account. There is a great appeal to these accounts for students because of the
many benefits, such as no fees, linkage to student ID, and even on-campus branches (University
of Cincinnati). Perhaps the most obvious and self-explanatory example of academics are student
loans. PNC offers multiple different student loan options. These loans allow many students
across the nation the ability to pursue a higher education, because without these loans, many
individuals would not have the funds to afford the costs of a higher education (Education Loan
Center).
PNC Bank also demonstrates character. They show this through philanthropic efforts and
events. One cause they are a part of is Grow Up Great. This was inspired by studies that show
the importance and impact on kids and the world of quality early childhood education. To help
this, PNC incorporates grants, volunteerism, awareness and advocacy for early childhood
education. Because of this help from PNC, preschool teachers are able to learn and develop more
professional skills to help the students engagement and development to have better futures. PNC
also goes to the community and tries to raise awareness and increase the feeling of importance
surrounding the equality of early childhood education.
The fourth and final characteristic that PNC Bank demonstrates is engagement.
Engagement is a very important characteristic in a companys success because its how the
company communicates and gets involved with its customers or clients. Here at the University of
Cincinnati, PNC is very involved. They have paired with the university for student banking to
make it easier for students to manage their money. UC is not the only university, many colleges
around our area have teamed up with PNC Bank for students financial services. PNC Bank is
also one of the University of Cincinnati's biggest sponsors as well. Without PNC Bank, the
University of Cincinnati wouldnt be what it is today.

4
PNC also does many things to give back to the community and is very engaged in
Cincinnatis community. Annually PNC gives 50 million dollars back to recipients in the fields
of health, social services, education, religion, and arts. In Cincinnati they are teamed with the
organization Greater Cincinnati to help in the community and to give back. The PNC
Foundation's priority is to form partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations
within the markets PNC serves in order to enhance educational opportunities for children,
particularly underserved pre-K children through our signature, PNC Grow Up Great program,
and to promote the growth of targeted communities through economic development initiatives.
This is stated on PNCs site as their mission for giving back to the community. With all of
these examples, we can see that PNC is very engaged with their customers and are very serious
about giving back to the community.
After extensive research on how PNC bank demonstrates the characteristics of PACE, it
is certain that PNC is a great, well-rounded company. Each characteristic is represented in
multiple strong ways. PNC is a formal company that connects with its clients very well, even
though there are a ton of them. They also provide many opportunities for new employees, hoping
these new co workers will succeed. From the information obtained, PNC Bank appears as a
admirable, desirable company that many recent graduates and current students would love to get
the opportunity to work for.

5
Works Cited Page
"Awards and Recognition." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"Benefits." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"Development Programs." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"Education Loan Center." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"Internship Programs." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"University of Cincinnati." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"PNC Foundation Overview." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
"Talent Acquisition." PNC. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.