PITTSBURGH, July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today reported net income of $1.0 billion, or $1.88 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2015 compared with net income of $1.0 billion, or $1.75 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2015 and net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.85 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2014.

"PNC had a successful second quarter," said William S. Demchak, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We grew fee income on higher client activity, made positive progress on our strategic priorities and managed our expenses well despite low interest rates that continue to pressure net interest income industrywide."

Income Statement Highlights

• Second quarter earnings reflected revenue growth, well-controlled expenses, improved credit quality and higher loans, securities and deposits.
• Net interest income of $2.1 billion for the second quarter decreased $20 million, or 1 percent, compared with the first quarter due to lower purchase accounting accretion, while core net interest income was relatively stable.
• Noninterest income of $1.8 billion for the second quarter increased $155 million, or 9 percent, compared with the first quarter primarily driven by strong fee income growth from higher client activity and seasonality, as well as higher gains on asset sales.
• Noninterest expense of $2.4 billion for the second quarter increased slightly by 1 percent over the first quarter primarily reflecting higher variable compensation costs associated with higher business activity, as PNC continued to focus on disciplined expense management.
  • Second quarter 2015 included a reduction in noninterest expense associated with a change in application of historic tax credits and a related increase in the effective tax rate.
• Provision for credit losses declined to $46 million for the second quarter from $54 million in the first quarter as overall credit quality improved.

Balance Sheet Highlights

• Loans grew $.4 billion to $205.1 billion at June 30, 2015 compared with March 31, 2015.
  • Total commercial lending increased $1.0 billion primarily in PNC's real estate, business credit and corporate banking businesses.
  • Total consumer lending declined $.6 billion, including runoff in the non-strategic portfolio.
• Overall credit quality improved in the second quarter compared with the first quarter.
  • Nonperforming assets of $2.6 billion at June 30, 2015 declined $.2 billion, or 6 percent, compared with March 31, 2015.
  • Net charge-offs decreased to $67 million for the second quarter from $103 million in the first quarter.
• Investment securities increased by $.6 billion, or 1 percent, in the second quarter to $61.4 billion at June 30, 2015, largely funded by deposit growth.
• Deposits grew $3.2 billion, or 1 percent, compared with the first quarter due to higher money market and demand deposits.
• PNC's well-positioned balance sheet remained core funded with a loans to deposits ratio of
  86 percent at June 30, 2015.
• PNC maintained a strong liquidity position.
  • The estimated Liquidity Coverage Ratio at June 30, 2015 exceeded 100 percent for both PNC and PNC Bank, N.A., above the minimum phased-in requirement of 80 percent in 2015, calculated as of month end.
• PNC returned capital to shareholders through repurchases of 5.9 million common shares for
  $.6 billion during the second quarter of 2015.
  • Purchases were made under share repurchase programs of up to $2.875 billion for the five quarter period beginning in the second quarter of 2015.
• PNC maintained a strong capital position.
  • Transitional Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was an estimated 10.6 percent at June 30, 2015 and 10.5 percent at March 31, 2015, calculated using the regulatory capital methodology applicable to PNC during 2015.
  • Pro forma fully phased-in Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was an estimated
    10.0 percent at June 30, 2015 and March 31, 2015 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 second quarter of 2015 increased $135 million compared with the first quarter primarily reflecting strong fee income growth and higher gains on asset sales. Total revenue increased $56 million compared with second quarter 2014 due to higher noninterest income driven by client activity partially offset by lower net interest income. 

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2015 decreased $20 million compared with the first quarter and $77 million compared with the second quarter of 2014. The decline from first quarter was primarily due to lower purchase accounting accretion. In the comparison with second quarter 2014, both core net interest income and purchase accounting accretion declined. The decrease in core net interest income reflected lower loan and securities yields partially offset by loan growth and higher securities balances.

The net interest margin was 2.73 percent for the second quarter of 2015 compared with 2.82 percent for the first quarter of 2015 and 3.12 percent for the second quarter of 2014. The decrease in the margin compared with the first quarter was mainly due to lower benefit from purchase accounting accretion and the impact of increasing the company's liquidity position. In the second quarter 2014 comparison, the margin declined primarily as a result of the impact of increasing the company's liquidity position, lower loan yields and lower benefit from purchase accounting accretion.

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2015 increased $155 million compared with the first quarter due to strong fee income growth and higher gains on asset sales. Asset management revenue increased $40 million primarily as a result of a $30 million trust settlement as well as stronger equity markets and new sales production. Consumer service fees grew $23 million driven by seasonally higher volumes of customer-initiated transactions. Corporate service fees increased $25 million principally due to higher treasury management and capital markets advisory fees. Other noninterest income for the second quarter of 2015 increased $64 million primarily from gains of $79 million on the sale of Visa Class B common shares and higher revenue associated with loan sales partially offset by lower net securities gains.

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2015 increased $133 million compared with the second quarter of 2014. Strong fee income growth from higher customer activity was reflected in higher corporate service fees, asset management revenue and consumer service fees. Asset management revenue also increased from a second quarter 2015 trust settlement. Residential mortgage banking noninterest income decreased primarily due to lower loan sales revenue partially offset by higher net hedging gains on mortgage servicing rights. Other noninterest income increased mainly as a result of higher gains on sales of Visa Class B common shares, which were $54 million in second quarter 2014, and higher net securities gains.

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2015 increased $17 million compared with the first quarter as PNC continued to focus on disciplined expense management. Increases were primarily driven by variable compensation costs associated with higher business activity, as well as higher technology expense and related costs for third party services. Partially offsetting these increases were lower asset impairment charges of $54 million related to historic tax credits recorded as reductions to the associated investment asset balances. In prior periods, these credits were recorded as a reduction of income tax expense. This change in application of historic tax credits was not material to PNC's financial results.

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2015 increased $38 million compared with the second quarter of 2014 driven by investments in technology and business infrastructure as well as higher compensation costs associated with higher business activity. These increases were partially offset by reduced asset impairment charges.

The effective tax rate was 28.2 percent for the second quarter of 2015, 24.4 percent for the first quarter of 2015 and 25.4 percent for the second quarter of 2014. The higher effective tax rate for second quarter 2015 was primarily related to historic tax credits recorded as reductions to the associated investment asset balances, while in prior periods these credits were recorded as a reduction of income tax expense.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

Total assets were $353.9 billion at June 30, 2015 compared with $351.0 billion at March 31, 2015 and $327.1 billion at June 30, 2014. The increase from first quarter end was due to higher deposit balances maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank, higher investment securities balances and loan growth partially offset by a decline in other assets from lower trade date securities sales. Asset growth compared with June 30, 2014 was attributable to higher deposit balances maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank, higher investment securities and loan growth.

Total loans grew $.4 billion as of June 30, 2015 compared with March 31, 2015. Commercial lending balances increased $1.0 billion during the second quarter primarily in PNC's real estate, business credit and corporate banking businesses. Consumer lending declined $.6 billion reflecting lower home equity and education loans. Runoff in the non-strategic portfolio of residential mortgage and brokered home equity loans contributed to the decrease in consumer lending. Average loans grew $.2 billion in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the first quarter as average commercial real estate and commercial loans increased $1.4 billion and average consumer loans decreased $1.2 billion driven by lower home equity, automobile and education loans. Second quarter 2015 period end and average loans increased $4.1 billion and $6.2 billion, respectively, compared with second quarter 2014 due to commercial and commercial real estate loan growth partially offset by lower consumer loans.

Investment securities balances at June 30, 2015 increased $.6 billion compared with March 31, 2015, substantially funded by deposit growth. Average balances increased $2.3 billion for the second quarter compared with the first quarter. Portfolio purchases were primarily agency residential mortgage-backed securities. Second quarter 2015 period end and average investment securities increased $4.8 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively, compared with second quarter 2014. The available for sale investment securities balance included a net unrealized pretax gain of $.8 billion at June 30, 2015 compared with $1.1 billion at March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014, representing the difference between fair value and amortized cost. The decline in the unrealized pretax gain in both comparisons was primarily related to higher market interest rates.

Interest-earning deposits with banks of $34.0 billion at June 30, 2015 increased $2.8 billion compared with March 31, 2015 and $17.1 billion compared with June 30, 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 and to deposit growth.

Total deposits at June 30, 2015 grew $3.2 billion compared with March 31, 2015 and average deposits increased $4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2015 compared with the first quarter. Growth was largely driven by money market and demand deposits. Second quarter 2015 period end and average deposits increased $17.1 billion and $17.8 billion, respectively, compared with second quarter 2014 from overall strong growth in demand and money market deposits. 

Borrowed funds at June 30, 2015 increased $1.5 billion compared with March 31, 2015 and average borrowed funds increased $.8 billion in second quarter 2015 compared with the first quarter. PNC issued senior bank notes in the second quarter, bank borrowings increased, and commercial paper declined, in part reflecting actions to enhance PNC's funding structure in light of regulatory liquidity standards and a rating agency methodology change. Second quarter 2015 period end and average borrowed funds increased $9.2 billion and $10.1 billion, respectively, compared with second quarter 2014 due to higher bank borrowings and senior and subordinated debt partially offset by lower commercial paper.

PNC maintained a strong capital position. Common shareholders' equity was stable with first quarter end as an increase in retained earnings was 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 for advanced approaches banks. The pro forma ratios were calculated based on the standardized approach. See Capital Ratios in the Consolidated Financial Highlights.

PNC repurchased 5.9 million common shares for $.6 billion during the second quarter of 2015 under 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.

On July 2, 2015, the PNC board of directors declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of 51 cents per share payable on August 5, 2015. During the second quarter, the quarterly cash dividend on common stock was increased by 3 cents per share, or 6 percent, to 51 cents per share effective with the May 5, 2015 dividend payment.

On May 4, 2015, PNC redeemed $500 million of fixed-to-floating rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, Series K, as well as all depositary shares representing interests therein. 

Overall credit quality for the second quarter of 2015 improved compared with the first quarter. Nonperforming assets at June 30, 2015 declined $176 million compared with March 31, 2015 primarily driven by decreases in commercial real estate nonperforming loans of $51 million, home equity nonperforming loans of $44 million and residential mortgage nonperforming loans of $30 million. Nonperforming assets declined $590 million from second quarter 2014 due to improvements in the commercial real estate, residential mortgage and commercial nonperforming loan portfolios. Nonperforming assets to total assets were .73 percent at June 30, 2015, down from .78 percent at March 31, 2015 and .97 percent at June 30, 2014.

Overall delinquencies decreased $109 million, or 6 percent, as of June 30, 2015 compared with March 31, 2015. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more declined $74 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 $8 million, or 3 percent, and the 30 to 59 day category decreased $27 million, or 5 percent.

Net charge-offs for the second quarter of 2015 declined $36 million compared with the first quarter primarily due to net recoveries on commercial and commercial real estate loans. In the comparison with second quarter 2014, net charge-offs decreased $78 million principally in the commercial loan portfolio. Net charge-offs for the second quarter of 2015 were .13 percent of average loans on an annualized basis compared with .20 percent for the first quarter and .29 percent for the second quarter of 2014.

Provision for credit losses for second quarter 2015 declined $8 million compared with the first quarter and $26 million from second quarter 2014 reflecting overall credit quality improvement.

The allowance for loan and lease losses at June 30, 2015 decreased $34 million compared with March 31, 2015 and $181 million compared with June 30, 2014. The allowance to total loans was 1.59 percent at June 30, 2015, 1.61 percent at March 31, 2015 and 1.72 percent at June 30, 2014. The allowance to nonperforming loans was 145 percent at June 30, 2015 compared with 137 percent at March 31, 2015 and 123 percent at June 30, 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. Enhancements were made to PNC's funds transfer pricing methodology in the first quarter of 2015 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 liquidity rules. These adjustments apply to business segment results prospectively beginning with the first quarter of 2015, primarily impacting two business segments with a benefit to Retail Banking earnings and a decrease in Corporate & Institutional Banking earnings.

Retail Banking earnings for the second quarter of 2015 increased in both comparisons. Net interest income increased compared with the second quarter of 2014 as a result of the benefit from enhancements to PNC's funds transfer pricing methodology in first quarter 2015. Noninterest income included gains on sales of Visa Class B common shares of $79 million in the second quarter of 2015 and $54 million in the second quarter of 2014. Noninterest income, excluding the Visa gains, increased $23 million and $24 million over first quarter 2015 and second quarter 2014, respectively. Strong fee income growth resulted from higher consumer service fees, including brokerage. Seasonally higher volumes contributed to the linked quarter increase, and changes to product offerings had a positive impact on the prior year quarter comparison. Provision for credit losses increased compared with second quarter 2014 as the relative pace of credit quality improvement slowed. Noninterest expense increased in both comparisons due to higher compensation expense and processing costs driven by sales growth and higher customer activity and, in the comparison with second quarter 2014, increased investments in technology.

• Retail Banking continued to focus on the strategic priority of transforming the customer experience through transaction migration, branch network transformation and multi-channel sales strategies.
  • Approximately 52 percent of consumer customers used non-teller channels for the majority of their transactions during the second quarter of 2015 compared with 50 percent for the first quarter and 45 percent for the second quarter of 2014.
  • Deposit transactions via ATM and mobile channels increased to 42 percent of total deposit transactions in second quarter 2015 compared with 40 percent for the first quarter and 33 percent for the second quarter of 2014.
  • Integral to PNC's retail branch transformation strategy, more than 300 branches operate under the universal model designed to drive higher ATM and mobile deposits and enhance sales opportunities for branch personnel. During the second quarter of 2015, the total branch network was reduced by 16 branches and the ATM network was increased by 126. PNC had a network of 2,644 branches and 8,880 ATMs at June 30, 2015.
  • As part of Retail Banking's transformation and multi-channel sales strategy, PNC's proactive customer appointment setting model was rolled out to all markets. 
• Average transaction deposits grew $3.6 billion, or 3 percent, over the first quarter and $8.6 billion, or 8 percent, over the second quarter of 2014 reflecting growth in consumer money market and demand deposits. Average savings deposits increased $.7 billion over the first quarter and $1.8 billion over second 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 from the first quarter primarily driven by declines in home equity and education loans. Average loans decreased 3 percent compared with the second quarter of 2014 as growth in automobile and credit card loans was more than offset by lower home equity, education and commercial loans.
• Net charge-offs for the second quarter of 2015 were $86 million compared with $99 million in the first quarter and $116 million in the second quarter of 2014. The decrease from first quarter reflected improved credit quality across consumer portfolios. In the comparison with second quarter 2014, credit quality improved primarily in the home equity and commercial loan portfolios.

Corporate & Institutional Banking earnings for the second quarter of 2015 increased in both comparisons. Net interest income decreased compared with the second quarter of 2014 reflecting enhancements to PNC's funds transfer pricing methodology in the first quarter of 2015. Corporate service fees increased in both comparisons primarily attributable to higher treasury management and capital markets advisory fees. Other noninterest income increased in both comparisons principally as a result of higher revenue associated with multifamily loans originated for sale to agencies and higher revenue associated with credit valuations for customer-related derivatives activities. Provision for credit losses decreased from the second quarter of 2014 largely reflecting improved credit quality. Noninterest expense increased in both comparisons due to asset writedowns, investments in technology and infrastructure, and higher variable compensation costs associated with business activity.

• Average loans increased 1 percent over the first quarter and 8 percent over the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to growth in commercial lending in PNC's corporate banking, real estate and business credit businesses.
• Average deposits increased 12 percent over the second quarter of 2014 driven by business growth and inflows into demand and money market deposits.
• Charge-offs in the second quarter of 2015 were in a net recovery position of $19 million, primarily related to large commercial credit recoveries, compared with a net recovery position of $1 million in the first quarter and net charge-offs of $15 million in the second quarter of 2014.

Asset Management Group earnings for the second quarter of 2015 increased compared with the first quarter and the second quarter of 2014. Noninterest income increased in both comparisons primarily as a result of a $30 million trust settlement as well as stronger equity markets and new sales production. Noninterest expense increased in both comparisons principally due to higher compensation costs related to driving business growth, and investments in technology. 

• 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.
• Client assets under administration at June 30, 2015 included discretionary client assets under management of $134 billion and nondiscretionary client assets under administration of $128 billion.
  • Discretionary client assets under management decreased $2 billion compared with March 31, 2015 primarily attributable to short-term seasonal outflows, and increased $3 billion compared with June 30, 2014 driven by stronger equity markets and new sales production.

Residential Mortgage Banking earnings for the second quarter of 2015 declined compared with the first quarter of 2015 and second quarter of 2014. Noninterest income in both comparisons reflected higher net hedging gains on residential mortgage servicing rights offset by lower loan sales revenue and lower servicing revenue. Noninterest expense increased in both comparisons driven by higher legal accruals and increased production expense on higher origination volume.

• 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.
• Loan origination volume in the second quarter of 2015 was $2.9 billion, an increase of 12 percent compared with the first quarter and 14 percent compared with the second quarter of 2014. Approximately 50 percent of second quarter 2015 origination volume was for home purchase transactions compared with 31 percent in the first quarter and 50 percent in the second quarter of 2014.
• Loan servicing acquisitions were $6.2 billion in the second quarter of 2015, $8.1 billion in the first quarter and none in the second quarter of 2014.

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 liquidation 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 for the second quarter of 2015 were in a net recovery position of $7 million, primarily related to commercial real estate loan recoveries, compared with a small net recovery position for the first quarter and net charge-offs of $10 million for the second quarter of 2014.

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) 786-5706 or (212) 231-2938 (international) and Internet access to the live audio listen-only webcast of the call is available at www.pnc.com/investorevents. PNC's second 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 21770125 and a replay of the audio webcast will be available on PNC's website for 30 days.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of 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. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

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