RICH SQUARE – The Rich Square Branch of PNC Bank will close its doors permanently at 3 p.m. next Friday, Oct. 21.

Fred Solomon, the spokesman for PNC Bank, said four other branches in the region (Lake Boone, Pinetops, Pinehurst, and Carthage) are also closing and that this is a broad trend in the banking sector now.

Not only is it a way to save money with fewer branches to take care of, but it reflects the changing, modern era of banking with more people relying on ATM transactions and computerized banking, Solomon said.

Rich Square’s PNC Bank staff has offered the public one Community Financial Seminar for online banking and mobile deposits and will offer another Oct. 19 to customers.

At this seminar, customers will learn how to keep the services they could formerly get at the branch. Some customers will learn to use debit or credit cards rather than checks, and they’ll learn to manage their accounts on-line.

There are also PNC branch offices located in Ahoskie and Murfreesboro, both within reasonable driving distance of Rich Square. The Ahoskie and Murfreesboro branch offices are not impacted by PNC’s downsizing effort.

Solomon said financial institutions are now away from full-service banking and making a transition towards bank branches that offer investing and/or mortgage services.

PNC customers in Rich Square need to register for the Oct. 19 seminar no later than Oct. 18.

To register or to receive additional information about the closing of the PNC branch office in Rich Square, call 252-539-3000.