PNC Merchant Services® Is Here When You Need Us Most

Overview

We recognize the tremendous impact that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on many aspects of our lives, and in particular, the significant challenge it is creating for small businesses across America. As a firm, our #1 focus is the safety and well-being of our clients and teammates, and we are leveraging all of the resources of PNC Merchant Services to support our clients through this challenging period.

In 2018, Visa® announced that the capture and validation of a cardholder’s signature would be optional for all EMV®- enabled merchants. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective May 14, 2020, Visa is extending the same policy change to all merchants, even if they have not deployed EMV chip capabilities, to reduce the need for customers to interact physically with POS terminals.

Employee & Customer Safety

Help protect your employees and customers
through regular cleaning.

  • Encourage employees to wash hands well and regularly.
  • Clean and sanitize your point of sale equipment, particularly screens and keypads.
  • Provide hand sanitizer at the point of sale.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces and high traffic and touch areas throughout the day.
  • Maintain a safe space between employees and customers – at least six feet.
  • Recommend sick employees stay home, and prepare for absenteeism.

Minimize Card Handling Risk

Best practices to help accept card payments safely.

  • Reduce Cardholder Interaction - Check out these practices[1] that can help you reduce unnecessary interaction with your customers.
  • Encourage Contactless payments – Clover devices and many terminals accept tap-to-pay, or mobile wallet payment. Guide to Clover Contactless Payments may help you get started.
  • Offer customers the flexibility to pay from their checking account – the Clover Check Acceptance App allows you to digitally accept and remotely deposit checks, while minimizing your risk.
  • Modify your signature and tip settings on your Clover® devices so customers don't have a need to touch the device.
  • Skip the receipt – ask your customers if they’d like a receipt to minimize contact.
  • Consider using email and social media to communicate with your customers and update them on hours, specials and actions you are taking to help keep them and your employees safe.

Doing Business Online

Storefront closed? There are a number of ways
to keep your virtual doors open.

  • Most devices allow hand-keyed transactions, or offer an online virtual terminal, to accept orders over the phone.
  • Main Street Insights transforms your payments data into valuable insights, such as identifying customers in delivery range, or understanding if peak times have changed.
  • In particular, we would highlight potential third-party apps and solutions that may help you establish or bolster your e-commerce capabilities and online ordering.[2]
  • Ecwid can help to setup an online store and website, or to add payments to an existing website.[3]
  • Clover Online Ordering can integrate with your restaurant's POS system and allow customers to place their order and pay you directly online.
  • Digital gift cards allow customers to support your business today, and send a gift to a friend (or maybe just treat themselves) to takeout or delivery today, or a visit in the future.

* Please note that PNCMS is not endorsing any third-party apps, including the apps noted above. It is important that you conduct your own review and due diligence of all apps that you consider using with your business, including apps that are compatible with your Clover devices. 

Stay Informed

Resources for business owners.

Visit the Small Business Clients section of PNC's COVID-19 Resource page for information on the CARES Act including Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program, as well as information regarding PNC's lending programs and deposit account assistance. Included on those pages are the direct contact numbers for each area, ensuring you receive the fastest response time for your particular need.

Contact Us

Call Us

If you have questions or experience a disruption related to your PNC Merchant Services account:

Call Us

If you would like to talk to a specialist regarding different ways your business can accept payments online: