Sep. 19--PNC Bank will consolidate 15 area branches into others nearby in early November when it converts about 100 offices of National City Bank to PNC, the bank said.

PNC acquired National City Corp. in December and will convert branches over the Nov. 7-8 weekend. Each of the 15 offices -- about half PNC and half National City -- will close and move to an adjacent PNC, or former National City, branch location. Meaning, where branches overlap, some of the "keepers" are PNC branches, while others are National City branches that will change to PNC.

The farthest branch relocation is a 1.93-mile move in Harmar, but most are consolidating to offices within a mile of each other. For instance, a National City branch in Carnegie will be folded into a PNC branch that is practically next door.

"PNC sought to create the most efficient local network of branch banking locations, while continuing to deliver a high level of customer service and minimizing the impact on our employees," said spokesman Fred Solomon.

Almost all of the nearly 150 or so workers at the 15 branches being closed are expected to be retained by PNC, he said.

Of the 15 branches being closed, PNC owns some and leases others. Solomon said two PNC Bank properties, in Butler and in Connellsville, are on the market to be sold.

Closing will be National City branches at Fifth Avenue and Grant Street, Downtown; Carnegie; Eastgate Plaza, Greensburg; Monroeville; McKeesport; Richland Mall, Gibsonia; and Seven Fields.

PNC branches to close are in Butler; Connellsville; Wexford Plaza; West Mifflin; Cheswick; Virginia Manor, Mt. Lebanon; Century III Mall; and Rostraver.

PNC acquired a total of 158 National City branches in the Pittsburgh region, but sold 57 of them to First Niagara Bank. The Buffalo-area bank converted the National City branches to its brand over the Labor Day weekend.

The deal made First Niagara the fourth-largest bank here by deposits -- between No. 3 Citizens Bank and No. 5 Dollar Bank.

Thomas Olson can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7854.

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