PITTSBURGH, April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today reported net income of $1.0 billion, or $1.75 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2015 compared with net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.84 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2014 and net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.82 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2014.

"PNC delivered solid results in the first quarter, continuing the consistent performance that has been characteristic of our strategic execution," said William S. Demchak, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We grew average loans and deposits, controlled expenses and benefited from modestly improved credit quality this quarter. We completed our existing share repurchase program and announced new actions to return more capital to shareholders. Looking ahead, we like how we are positioned to help our customers achieve their financial goals and to perform for our shareholders."

Income Statement Highlights

• First quarter earnings reflected average loan and deposit growth, disciplined expense management, modestly improved credit quality and seasonal client trends. 
• Net interest income of $2.1 billion for the first quarter was relatively stable with the fourth quarter, declining slightly by $25 million, or 1 percent, primarily as a result of two fewer days in the first quarter. 
• Noninterest income of $1.7 billion for the first quarter decreased $191 million, or 10 percent, compared with the fourth quarter due to higher fourth quarter gains on asset dispositions as well as seasonally lower client revenue.
  • Noninterest income increased 5 percent over first quarter 2014 driven by strong fee income growth from success in deepening client relationships and product penetration.
• Noninterest expense of $2.3 billion for the first quarter declined substantially by $190 million, or
  7 percent, compared with the fourth quarter reflecting elevated fourth quarter expenses and continued expense management.
• Provision for credit losses was $54 million for the first quarter compared with $52 million in the fourth quarter as overall credit quality improved modestly.

Balance Sheet Highlights

• Average loans grew $2.3 billion, or 1 percent, compared with the fourth quarter. Total loans of $205 billion at March 31, 2015 decreased $.1 billion compared with December 31, 2014 as loan activity declined from higher fourth quarter levels. 
  • Average commercial lending increased $2.9 billion primarily in PNC's corporate banking and real estate businesses.
  • Average consumer lending decreased $.6 billion.
• Overall credit quality for the first quarter improved modestly compared with the fourth quarter. 
  • Nonperforming assets of $2.8 billion at March 31, 2015 declined $126 million, or 4 percent, compared with December 31, 2014.
  • Net charge-offs decreased to $103 million for the first quarter from $118 million in the fourth quarter.
• Investment securities increased by $5.0 billion, or 9 percent, during the first quarter to
  $61 billion at March 31, 2015, primarily funded by deposit growth. 
• Deposits grew $4.3 billion, or 2 percent, to $237 billion at March 31, 2015 compared with December 31, 2014 reflecting higher retail deposits.  
• PNC's well-positioned balance sheet remained core funded with a loans to deposits ratio of
  87 percent at March 31, 2015.
• PNC maintained a strong liquidity position.
  • New regulatory short-term liquidity standards became effective for PNC as an advanced approaches bank beginning January 1, 2015, with a minimum phased-in Liquidity Coverage Ratio requirement of 80 percent in 2015, calculated as of month end.
  • The estimated Liquidity Coverage Ratio at March 31, 2015 exceeded 100 percent for both PNC and PNC Bank, N.A.
• PNC returned capital to shareholders through repurchases of 4.4 million common shares for
  $.4 billion during the first quarter of 2015.
  • PNC completed its common stock repurchase program for the four quarter period that began in second quarter 2014 with total repurchases of 17.3 million common shares for $1.5 billion.
  • In March 2015 PNC announced new share repurchase programs of up to $2.875 billion for the five quarter period beginning in the second quarter of 2015.
• In April 2015 the board of directors raised the quarterly dividend on common stock to 51 cents per share, an increase of 3 cents per share, or 6 percent, effective with the May dividend.
• PNC maintained a strong capital position.
  • Transitional Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was an estimated 10.4 percent at March 31, 2015 and 10.9 percent at December 31, 2014, calculated using the regulatory capital methodologies applicable to PNC during 2015 and 2014, respectively.
  • Pro forma fully phased-in Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was an estimated 9.9 percent at March 31, 2015 and 10.0 percent at December 31, 2014 based on the standardized approach rules.

The Consolidated Financial Highlights accompanying this news release include additional information regarding reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to reported amounts, including reconciliations of tangible book value to book value per common share and business segment income to net income. Reference to core net interest income is to total net interest income less purchase accounting accretion, which consists of scheduled accretion and excess cash recoveries, as detailed in the Consolidated Financial Highlights. Information in this news release including the financial tables is unaudited. See the notes and other information in the Consolidated Financial Highlights. 

Total revenue for the first quarter of 2015 decreased $216 million compared with the fourth quarter largely driven by lower noninterest income attributable to elevated fourth quarter gains on asset dispositions as well as seasonally lower client revenue. Total revenue declined $46 million compared with first quarter 2014 as a result of lower net interest income partially offset by strong growth in noninterest income. 

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2015 declined $25 million compared with the fourth quarter and $123 million compared with the first quarter of 2014. In the linked quarter comparison, the decrease resulted from lower core net interest income primarily attributable to two fewer days in the first quarter as higher average loan and securities balances were offset by lower yields. Both core net interest income and purchase accounting accretion declined compared with the first quarter of 2014. Core net interest income decreased from first quarter 2014 primarily due to lower loan yields partially offset by commercial and commercial real estate loan growth, as well as the impact of increasing the company's liquidity position and a change in classification to noninterest income of certain commercial facility fees beginning second quarter 2014.

The net interest margin was 2.82 percent for the first quarter of 2015 compared with 2.89 percent for the fourth quarter and 3.26 percent for the first quarter of 2014. The decrease in the margin compared with the fourth quarter primarily resulted from lower yields on loans and securities. In the comparison with first quarter 2014, the decline in the margin was principally due to the impact of balance sheet management activities related to regulatory short-term liquidity standards, lower loan yields and lower benefit from purchase accounting accretion.

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2015 decreased $191 million compared with the fourth quarter primarily due to higher fourth quarter gains on asset dispositions. Asset management revenue was stable with the fourth quarter. Consumer service fees declined $10 million as a result of seasonally lower volumes of customer-initiated transactions. Corporate service fees decreased $53 million reflecting lower merger and acquisition advisory fees. Residential mortgage banking noninterest income increased $29 million principally from higher net hedging gains on mortgage servicing rights. Service charges on deposits declined $27 million largely driven by seasonally lower activity. Other noninterest income for the first quarter of 2015 decreased $130 million primarily due to the impact of higher fourth quarter gains on asset dispositions, including $94 million on the sale of PNC's Washington, D.C. regional headquarters building and $36 million on the sale of Visa Class B common shares, and lower first quarter revenue associated with private equity investments partially offset by first quarter net securities gains of $42 million.

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2015 increased $77 million compared with the first quarter of 2014. Strong client fee income growth was reflected in higher corporate and consumer service fees, asset management revenue and service charges on deposits. The increase in corporate service fees included the change in classification from net interest income of certain commercial facility fees beginning second quarter 2014. Residential mortgage banking noninterest income increased primarily due to higher net hedging gains on mortgage servicing rights substantially offset by a first quarter 2014 benefit from release of reserves for residential mortgage repurchase obligations. Other noninterest income declined as first quarter 2015 net securities gains were more than offset by first quarter 2014 gains of $62 million on the sale of Visa Class B common shares.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2015 decreased $190 million compared with the linked quarter primarily due to the impact of elevated fourth quarter expenses related to a contribution to the PNC Foundation, legal and residential mortgage compliance costs, and fixed asset write-offs. Additionally, expense for third party services declined in the first quarter, and personnel expense decreased as lower incentive compensation primarily associated with seasonally lower business activity was partially offset by higher benefits costs.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2015 increased $85 million compared with the first quarter of 2014 primarily related to PNC's investments in technology and business infrastructure in support of its strategic priorities and higher benefits costs partially offset by lower legal and residential mortgage compliance costs. 

The effective tax rate was 24.4 percent for the first quarter of 2015, 22.1 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014 reflecting the tax favorability of the PNC Foundation contribution, and 25.3 percent for the first quarter of 2014. 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

Total assets were $351.0 billion at March 31, 2015 compared with $345.1 billion at December 31, 2014 and $323.4 billion at March 31, 2014. The increase from year end was due to higher investment securities balances and an increase in other assets partially offset by lower deposit balances maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank. Balance sheet growth compared with March 31, 2014 was attributable to higher deposit balances maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank in part due to regulatory short-term liquidity requirements, loan growth, an increase in other assets and higher investment securities balances.

Average loans grew $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the fourth quarter. Average commercial lending increased $2.9 billion primarily from growth in PNC's corporate banking and real estate businesses, and average consumer and residential real estate loans decreased $.6 billion. Total loans at March 31, 2015 declined slightly by $.1 billion compared with December 31, 2014. Commercial lending balances grew $1.3 billion, or 1 percent, over year end. Consumer lending decreased $1.4 billion, or 2 percent, primarily due to lower home equity, automobile, education and credit card loans. Runoff in the non-strategic portfolio of residential mortgage and brokered home equity loans contributed to the decrease in consumer lending. First quarter 2015 period end and average loans increased $6.5 billion and $8.6 billion, respectively, compared with first quarter 2014 due to commercial and commercial real estate loan growth partially offset by lower consumer and residential real estate loans.

Investment securities balances at March 31, 2015 increased $5.0 billion compared with December 31, 2014, principally funded by deposit growth. Average balances increased $3.0 billion for the first quarter compared with the fourth quarter. Portfolio purchases were primarily agency residential mortgage-backed securities. First quarter period end investment securities balances increased $2.2 billion compared with March 31, 2014, while average investment securities balances declined $1.2 billion compared with first quarter 2014. The available for sale investment securities balance included a net unrealized pretax gain of $1.1 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 compared with $.9 billion at March 31, 2014, representing the difference between fair value and amortized cost.

Interest-earning deposits with banks of $31.2 billion at March 31, 2015 declined $.6 billion compared with December 31, 2014, and increased $16.3 billion compared with March 31, 2014 reflecting higher balances maintained on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank in part due to regulatory short-term liquidity standards phased in starting January 1, 2015.

Other assets of $25.5 billion at March 31, 2015 increased $2.1 billion, or 9 percent, over December 31, 2014 primarily due to trade date securities sales. Trade date securities purchases were reflected in a $1.4 billion, or 30 percent, increase in other liabilities at March 31, 2015 compared with year end.

Total deposits at March 31, 2015 grew $4.3 billion compared with December 31, 2014 and average deposits increased $3.7 billion in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the fourth quarter driven by growth in consumer interest-bearing demand and money market deposits. First quarter 2015 period end and average deposits increased $14.1 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively, compared with first quarter 2014 from overall strong growth in demand and money market deposits. 

Borrowed funds at March 31, 2015 were stable with December 31, 2014. Average borrowed funds increased $4.0 billion in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the fourth quarter primarily reflecting the timing of bank borrowings in the fourth quarter in part to enhance PNC's liquidity position. First quarter 2015 period end and average borrowed funds increased $10.0 billion compared with the first quarter of 2014 due to higher bank borrowings and senior and subordinated debt.

PNC maintained a strong capital position. Common shareholders' equity increased compared with year end due to growth in retained earnings substantially offset by share repurchases. The transitional Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratios were calculated using the regulatory capital methodologies, including related phase-ins, applicable to PNC during 2015 and 2014. The Basel III standardized approach took effect on January 1, 2015. For 2014 PNC followed the methodology that became effective on January 1, 2014 as an advanced approaches bank. The pro forma ratios were calculated based on the standardized approach. See Capital Ratios in the Consolidated Financial Highlights.

PNC repurchased 4.4 million common shares for $.4 billion during the first quarter of 2015 and completed its common stock repurchase program for the four quarter period that began in second quarter 2014 with total repurchases of 17.3 million common shares for $1.5 billion. In March 2015 PNC announced new share repurchase programs of up to $2.875 billion for the five quarter period beginning in the second quarter of 2015. These programs include repurchases of up to $375 million related to stock issuances under employee benefit-related programs. Repurchases will be made under a new 100 million share repurchase authorization which replaced the former 25 million share repurchase program effective April 1, 2015.

On April 2, 2015, the PNC board of directors raised the quarterly cash dividend on common stock to 51 cents per share, an increase of 3 cents per share, or 6 percent, effective with the May 5, 2015 dividend payment. These capital actions are consistent with PNC's capital plan which was accepted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in March 2015.

Overall credit quality for the first quarter of 2015 improved modestly compared with the fourth quarter. Nonperforming assets at March 31, 2015 declined $126 million compared with December 31, 2014 primarily driven by decreases in commercial real estate nonperforming loans of $41 million, residential mortgage nonperforming loans of $41 million and other real estate owned of $20 million. Nonperforming assets declined $550 million from first quarter 2014 due to improvements in the commercial real estate, residential mortgage and commercial nonperforming loan portfolios. Nonperforming assets to total assets were .78 percent at March 31, 2015, down from .83 percent at December 31, 2014 and 1.02 percent at March 31, 2014.

Overall delinquencies decreased $196 million, or 10 percent, as of March 31, 2015 compared with December 31, 2014. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more declined $117 million primarily from lower past due government insured loans, including residential real estate and consumer loans. Accruing loans past due 60 to 89 days decreased $16 million, or 6 percent, and the 30 to 59 day category decreased $63 million, or 11 percent.

Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2015 declined $15 million compared with the fourth quarter primarily due to lower residential real estate and home equity net charge-offs partially offset by higher commercial loan net charge-offs. In the comparison with first quarter 2014, net charge-offs decreased $83 million mainly in the home equity and commercial loan portfolios. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2015 were .20 percent of average loans on an annualized basis compared with .23 percent for the fourth quarter and .38 percent for the first quarter of 2014.

Provision for credit losses for first quarter 2015 was stable with the fourth quarter and declined $40 million compared with first quarter 2014 reflecting overall credit quality improvement.

The allowance for loan and lease losses at March 31, 2015 decreased $25 million compared with December 31, 2014 and decreased $224 million compared with March 31, 2014 reflecting overall improvement in credit quality. The allowance to total loans was 1.61 percent at March 31, 2015, 1.63 percent at December 31, 2014 and 1.78 percent at March 31, 2014. The allowance to nonperforming loans was 137 percent at March 31, 2015 compared with 133 percent at December 31, 2014 and 120 percent at March 31, 2014.

Net interest income in business segment results reflects PNC's internal funds transfer pricing methodology. Assets receive a funding charge and liabilities and capital receive a funding credit based on a transfer pricing methodology that incorporates product repricing characteristics, tenor and other factors. In the first quarter of 2015, enhancements were made to PNC's funds transfer pricing methodology primarily for costs related to new regulatory short-term liquidity standards. The enhancements incorporate an additional charge assigned to assets, including for unfunded loan commitments. Conversely, a higher transfer pricing credit has been assigned to those deposits that are accorded higher value under the regulatory rules for liquidity purposes. These adjustments apply to business segment results prospectively beginning with the first quarter of 2015. The enhancements to funds transfer pricing methodology primarily impacted two business segments with a benefit to Retail Banking earnings and a decrease in Corporate & Institutional Banking earnings for the first quarter of 2015.

Retail Banking earnings for the first quarter of 2015 increased in both comparisons. Net interest income increased in both comparisons as a result of the benefit from the enhancements to funds transfer pricing methodology in the first quarter of 2015. Noninterest income declined in both comparisons due to gains on sales of Visa Class B common shares of $36 million in the fourth quarter and $62 million in the first quarter of 2014. In the fourth quarter comparison, noninterest income also decreased as a result of lower customer-initiated transactions reflecting seasonality. In the comparison with first quarter 2014, fee income growth was strong driven by customer-initiated transaction volumes and changes in product offerings. Provision for credit losses declined compared with first quarter 2014 primarily from improved credit metrics. Noninterest expense decreased from the fourth quarter as a result of lower branch occupancy costs, noncredit losses and marketing expense. Noninterest expense increased over first quarter 2014 due to investments in technology and higher compensation, marketing, and customer transaction related costs.

• Retail Banking continued to focus on serving more customers through cost effective channels that meet their evolving preferences for convenience.
  • Approximately 50 percent of consumer customers used non-teller channels for the majority of their transactions during the first quarter of 2015 compared with 49 percent for the fourth quarter and 43 percent for the first quarter of 2014.
  • Deposit transactions via ATM and mobile channels increased to 40 percent of total deposit transactions in first quarter 2015 compared with 38 percent for the fourth quarter and 31 percent for the first quarter of 2014.
  • As part of PNC's retail branch transformation strategy, 127 branches were converted to the new universal branch format and 40 branches were closed or consolidated in the first quarter of 2015. PNC had a network of 2,660 branches and 8,754 ATMs at March 31, 2015.
• Average transaction deposits grew $3.0 billion, or 3 percent, over the fourth quarter and $7.0 billion, or 7 percent, over the first quarter of 2014 reflecting growth in personal demand and money market deposits. Average savings deposits increased $.6 billion over the fourth quarter and $1.6 billion over first quarter 2014, while average certificates of deposit decreased $.6 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, due to net runoff of maturing accounts.
• Average loans decreased 3 percent compared with the first quarter of 2014 as growth in automobile and credit card loans was more than offset by declines in home equity, education and commercial loans.
• Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2015 were $99 million compared with $104 million in the fourth quarter and $145 million in the first quarter of 2014. The decrease compared with first quarter 2014 resulted from improved credit quality in both consumer and commercial portfolios.

Corporate & Institutional Banking earnings for the first quarter of 2015 decreased compared with the fourth quarter and the first quarter of 2014. Net interest income declined in the comparisons reflecting the enhancements to funds transfer pricing methodology in the first quarter of 2015. Corporate service fees decreased compared with the fourth quarter primarily due to lower merger and acquisition advisory fees as well as lower syndication activity. In the comparison with first quarter 2014, the increase was mainly attributable to the change in classification from net interest income of certain commercial facility fees beginning second quarter 2014. Other noninterest income increased over first quarter 2014 primarily driven by increased securities underwriting activity and higher revenue associated with credit valuations for customer-related derivatives activities. Provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2015 increased over the benefit recognized in first quarter 2014 due to portfolio growth and slower credit quality improvement. Noninterest expense decreased compared with the fourth quarter principally due to incentive compensation costs associated with business activity, and increased compared with the first quarter of 2014 as a result of investments in technology and infrastructure.

• Average loans increased 3 percent over the fourth quarter and 11 percent over first quarter 2014 primarily due to loan growth in PNC's corporate banking, real estate and business credit businesses.
• Average deposits increased 11 percent over the first quarter of 2014 driven by business growth and inflows into demand and money market deposits.
• Charge-offs were in a net recovery position of $1 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared with a net recovery position of $2 million in the fourth quarter and net charge-offs of $2 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Asset Management Group earnings for the first quarter of 2015 decreased compared with the fourth quarter and were consistent with the first quarter of 2014. Noninterest income increased in both comparisons as a result of stronger equity markets and new sales production. Noninterest expense increased over first quarter 2014 largely reflecting higher compensation costs from strategic growth and higher technology expenses.

• Client assets under administration at March 31, 2015 included discretionary client assets under management of $136 billion and nondiscretionary client assets under administration of $129 billion.
  • Discretionary client assets under management increased $1 billion compared with December 31, 2014 and $6 billion compared with March 31, 2014 driven by stronger equity markets.
• Asset Management Group continued to focus on driving growth through sales sourced from other PNC lines of business, maximizing front line productivity and optimizing market presence including additions to staff in high opportunity markets. Its business strategies primarily focus on growing client assets under management, building retirement capabilities and expanding product solutions for all customers. 

Residential Mortgage Banking recorded earnings for the first quarter of 2015 compared with losses in the fourth quarter and first quarter of 2014. Noninterest income increased in both comparisons as higher net hedging gains on residential mortgage servicing rights and loans sales revenue were partially offset by lower servicing revenue driven by increased loan payoff activity. First quarter 2014 noninterest income included a benefit from release of reserves for residential mortgage repurchase obligations. Noninterest expense decreased compared with the fourth quarter due to lower servicing costs and residential mortgage foreclosure-related expenses. Noninterest expense declined compared with the first quarter of 2014 reflecting lower legal accruals.

• Loan origination volume in the first quarter of 2015 was $2.6 billion, an increase of 5 percent compared with the fourth quarter and 32 percent compared with the first quarter of 2014. Approximately 31 percent of first quarter 2015 origination volume was for home purchase transactions compared with 42 percent in the fourth quarter and 37 percent in the first quarter of 2014.
• The strategic focus of Residential Mortgage Banking is the acquisition of new customers through a retail loan officer sales force with an emphasis on home purchase transactions, competing on the basis of superior service, and leveraging cross-sell opportunities, especially in the bank footprint markets.

The Non-Strategic Assets Portfolio consists of non-strategic assets primarily obtained through acquisitions of other companies and includes a consumer portfolio of mainly residential mortgage and brokered home equity loans and lines of credit, and a small commercial/commercial real estate loan and lease portfolio. The business activity of this segment is to manage the wind-down of the portfolios while maximizing the value and mitigating risk.

• Provision for credit losses was a benefit in each of the three quarters reflecting improving credit metrics. 
• Charge-offs were in a small net recovery position for the first quarter of 2015 compared with net charge-offs of $12 million for the fourth quarter and net charge-offs of $31 million for the first quarter of 2014. The decrease in both comparisons reflected lower charge-offs across all Non-Strategic Asset portfolios in the first quarter of 2015. 

Other, including BlackRock

The "Other, including BlackRock" category, for the purposes of this release, includes earnings and gains or losses related to PNC's equity interest in BlackRock, and residual activities that do not meet the criteria for disclosure as a separate reportable business, such as integration costs, asset and liability management activities including net securities gains or losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities and certain trading activities, exited businesses, private equity investments, intercompany eliminations, most corporate overhead, tax adjustments that are not allocated to business segments, and differences between business segment performance reporting and financial statement reporting under generally accepted accounting principles.

CONFERENCE CALL AND SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PNC Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer William S. Demchak and Chief Financial Officer Robert Q. Reilly will hold a conference call for investors today at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time regarding the topics addressed in this news release and the related financial supplement. Dial-in numbers for the conference call are (800) 708-3128 or (303) 223-4396 (international) and Internet access to the live audio listen-only webcast of the call is available at www.pnc.com/investorevents. PNC's first quarter 2015 earnings release, the related financial supplement, and presentation slides to accompany the conference call remarks will be available at www.pnc.com/investorevents prior to the beginning of the call. A telephone replay of the call will be available for one week at (800) 633-8284 or (402) 977-9140 (international), conference ID 21763222 and a replay of the audio webcast will be available on PNC's website for 30 days.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the United States' largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.

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