Nov 7 (Reuters) - U.S. lender PNC said on Friday

it will be opening more than 300 new branches by 2030, adding

about 100 locations to its earlier plan as it looks to expand

its in-person banking footprint.

Even as digital banking and online payments have lowered the

need for frequent branch visits, several U.S. lenders are still

expanding their physical networks to strengthen their deposit

base.

Banking executives say having branches in local communities

remains important for building customer trust, holding on to

deposits, meeting regulatory expectations and bringing in small

business clients.

The new announcement takes PNC's total investment to roughly

$2 billion and brings the expansion plans to nearly 20 markets

including Nashville, Chicago and Sarasota across the United

States.

Last November, the lender had announced it will increase

investment in branch expansion by an additional $500 million to

open over 100 new locations and renovate 200 existing ones.

PNC reaffirmed its plan to complete the renovation of its

entire branch network by 2029. It also said it plans to hire

more than 2,000 new employees to support the retail expansion.