I've been using First Commonwealth for years and was happy to see the branch in the Southside. I rarely go inside, mostly use the ATM, but when it was time to refinance my mortgage the manager on staff at the time (I think she has since left) was very helpful and was able to get me a great rate!
Downfall of using First Commonwealth in the city is the number of branches / ATMs. PNC certainly has the sharehold here, so you have to be strategic when banking... as you aren't going to find a branch in every neighborhood.