PITTSBURGH, Oct. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today reported:

"PNC delivered another good, consistent quarter. We grew average loans and deposits and continued to add new clients. Net interest income and our margin and fee income increased. We're experiencing success with our national initiative to expand our middle market capabilities in faster growing markets, and we launched our national retail digital strategy with a high yield savings offer to be supported by an ultra-thin retail network. Looking ahead, we're positioned to drive growth and efficiency over the long term."

    Bill Demchak, PNC Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Income Statement Highlights
Third quarter 2018 compared with second quarter 2018

• Net income of $1.4 billion for the third quarter increased $44 million, or 3 percent, compared with the second quarter.
• Total revenue for the third quarter increased $33 million, or 1 percent, to $4.4 billion. 
• Net interest income increased $53 million, or 2 percent, to $2.5 billion due to higher loan yields and securities balances and the benefit of an additional day in the third quarter partially offset by increased funding costs.
• Net interest margin increased 3 basis points to 2.99 percent.
• Noninterest income was $1.9 billion, a decrease of $20 million.
• Fee income grew $13 million, or 1 percent, to $1.6 billion led by higher asset management revenue and consumer activity.
• Other noninterest income decreased $33 million to $301 million primarily due to negative Visa Class B derivative fair value adjustments of $32 million in the third quarter compared with a benefit of $27 million in the second quarter partially offset by higher revenue from private equity investments.
• Noninterest expense increased $24 million, or 1 percent, to $2.6 billion driven by higher business activity.
• Provision for credit losses was $88 million, an increase of $8 million reflecting a higher provision for consumer loans.
• The effective tax rate was 15.7 percent for the third quarter compared with 18.3 percent for the second quarter due to the timing of deductions related to tax planning activities.

Balance Sheet Highlights

• Average loans increased $.7 billion in the third quarter to $223.3 billion compared with the second quarter.
• Average commercial lending balances grew $.2 billion primarily in PNC's equipment finance and business credit businesses. Loan growth was moderated by substantial payoff volumes.
• Average consumer lending balances increased $.5 billion due to growth in auto, residential mortgage, credit card and unsecured installment loans partially offset by lower home equity and education loans.
• Overall credit quality remained strong.
• Nonperforming assets of $1.8 billion at September 30, 2018 decreased $29 million, or 2 percent, compared with June 30, 2018.
• Net charge-offs were $91 million for the third quarter compared with $109 million for the second quarter.
• Average deposits increased $1.5 billion, or 1 percent, to $262.5 billion in the third quarter compared with the second quarter primarily due to seasonal growth in commercial deposits. 
• Average investment securities increased $3.3 billion, or 4 percent, to $80.8 billion in the third quarter compared with the second quarter.
• PNC returned $.9 billion of capital to shareholders in the third quarter through repurchases of 3.3 million common shares for $.5 billion and dividends on common shares of $.4 billion.
• The August quarterly cash dividend on common stock was raised to 95 cents per share, an increase of 20 cents per share, or 27 percent.
• PNC maintained strong capital and liquidity positions.
• The Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was an estimated 9.3 percent at September 30, 2018 and 9.5 percent at June 30, 2018.
• The Liquidity Coverage Ratio at September 30, 2018 for both PNC and PNC Bank, N.A. continued to exceed the regulatory minimum requirement of 100 percent.

The Consolidated Financial Highlights accompanying this news release include additional information regarding reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to reported amounts. Fee income, a non-GAAP financial measure, refers to noninterest income in the following categories: asset management, consumer services, corporate services, residential mortgage and service charges on deposits. Information in this news release including the financial tables is unaudited.

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2018 increased $33 million compared with the second quarter and $232 million compared with the third quarter of 2017. Net interest income grew in both comparisons and noninterest income increased over third quarter 2017.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2018 increased $53 million compared with the second quarter and $121 million compared with the third quarter of 2017. Higher loan and securities yields and balances were partially offset by higher deposit and borrowing costs in both comparisons reflecting the impact of interest rate increases. Third quarter 2018 also benefited from an additional day compared with the second quarter. The net interest margin increased to 2.99 percent for the third quarter of 2018 compared with 2.96 percent for the second quarter and 2.91 percent for the third quarter of 2017.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2018 declined $20 million compared with the second quarter as fee income growth was more than offset by a decrease in other noninterest income. Asset management revenue, including earnings from PNC's equity investment in BlackRock, grew $30 million and reflected higher average equity markets. Corporate service fees declined $22 million primarily due to a lower benefit from commercial mortgage servicing rights valuation, net of economic hedge, and lower loan syndication fees partially offset by higher merger and acquisition advisory fees. Residential mortgage revenue decreased $8 million attributable to a lower benefit from mortgage servicing rights valuation, net of economic hedge. Service charges on deposits grew $17 million reflecting a seasonal increase in consumer spending.

Other noninterest income for the third quarter of 2018 decreased $33 million primarily due to negative derivative fair value adjustments of $32 million related to Visa Class B common shares in the third quarter compared with a benefit of $27 million in the second quarter partially offset by higher revenue from private equity investments.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2018 increased $111 million compared with the third quarter of 2017. Asset management revenue increased $65 million and included the benefit of the lower federal statutory income tax rate on BlackRock earnings and higher equity markets. Consumer service fees grew $20 million driven by increased customer activity reflected in debit card, brokerage and credit card fees. Corporate service fees grew $61 million primarily due to higher merger and acquisition advisory fees and treasury management revenue. Residential mortgage revenue decreased $28 million as a result of lower loan sales and servicing revenue and a lower benefit from mortgage servicing rights valuation, net of economic hedge.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2018 increased $24 million compared with the second quarter. Personnel expense increased $57 million primarily due to higher variable compensation associated with increased business activity and an additional day in the third quarter. This increase was partially offset by declines in all other expense categories.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2018 increased $152 million compared with the third quarter of 2017. Ongoing business investments were primarily reflected in personnel expense, which increased $127 million and included higher variable compensation related to revenue growth, increased staffing levels and enhanced retail banking compensation, as well as higher marketing expense supporting business growth.

The effective tax rate was 15.7 percent for the third quarter of 2018 compared with 18.3 percent for the second quarter due to the timing of deductions related to tax planning activities. The federal statutory tax rate was lowered to 21.0 percent effective January 1, 2018. The effective tax rate was 26.8 percent for the third quarter of 2017.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET REVIEW
Average total assets were $377.9 billion in the third quarter of 2018 and increased 1 percent compared with $375.6 billion in the second quarter and $373.4 billion in the third quarter of 2017. Higher investment securities and loans were partially offset by lower interest-earning deposits with banks in both comparisons. Total assets were $380.1 billion at September 30, 2018, $380.7 billion at June 30, 2018 and $375.2 billion at September 30, 2017.

Average loans for the third quarter of 2018 increased $.7 billion compared with the second quarter. Average commercial lending balances grew $.2 billion primarily in PNC's equipment finance and business credit businesses. Loan growth was moderated by substantial payoff volumes. Average consumer lending balances increased $.5 billion due to growth in auto, residential mortgage, credit card and unsecured installment loans partially offset by lower home equity and education loans. Total loans at September 30, 2018 grew $.2 billion compared with June 30, 2018. Consumer lending balances increased $.4 billion and commercial lending balances decreased $.2 billion.

Third quarter 2018 average and period end loans increased $4.1 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, compared with third quarter 2017 as a result of higher commercial loans and growth in consumer lending balances.

Investment securities average balances for the third quarter of 2018 increased $3.3 billion and period end balances increased $.7 billion compared with the second quarter due to net purchase activity, primarily in agency residential mortgage-backed and US Treasury securities. Third quarter 2018 average and period end investment securities increased $6.4 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, compared with the third quarter of 2017. Net unrealized losses on available for sale securities were $.7 billion at September 30, 2018, reflecting the impact of higher interest rates, compared with net unrealized losses of $.4 billion at June 30, 2018 and net unrealized gains of $.7 billion at September 30, 2017.

Average balances held with the Federal Reserve Bank decreased to $18.8 billion for the third quarter of 2018 from $20.7 billion in the second quarter and $23.4 billion in the third quarter of 2017 as investment of liquidity continued.

Average deposits for the third quarter of 2018 increased $1.5 billion compared with the second quarter as seasonal growth in commercial deposits was partially offset by lower consumer demand deposits attributable in part to seasonal consumer spending. Deposit growth was in interest-bearing balances, including certificates of deposit, and reflected rising deposit rates. Deposits at September 30, 2018 were stable with June 30, 2018 and reflected a shift of commercial deposits to interest-bearing from noninterest-bearing. Third quarter 2018 average and period end deposits increased $3.0 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively, compared with third quarter 2017 driven by overall deposit and customer growth.

Average borrowed funds for the third quarter of 2018 increased $.9 billion compared with the  second quarter due to higher repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings and subordinated debt partially offset by a decrease in bank notes and senior debt. Borrowed funds at September 30, 2018 decreased $1.3 billion compared with June 30, 2018 driven by lower Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings reflecting the maturity of short-term second quarter issuances. Third quarter 2018 average and period end borrowed funds increased $2.8 billion and $.4 billion, respectively, compared with third quarter 2017.

PNC maintained a strong capital position. Common shareholders' equity at September 30, 2018 increased compared with June 30, 2018 due to third quarter net income partially offset by share repurchases, dividends and lower accumulated other comprehensive income reflecting the impact of higher rates on net unrealized securities losses.

PNC returned $.9 billion of capital to shareholders in the third quarter of 2018 through repurchases of 3.3 million common shares for $.5 billion and dividends on common shares of $.4 billion. Repurchases were made under share repurchase programs of up to $2.0 billion for the four-quarter period beginning in the third quarter of 2018. These programs include repurchases of up to $.3 billion related to stock issuances under employee benefit plans.

On October 4, 2018, the PNC board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on common stock of 95 cents per share effective with the November 5, 2018 dividend payment date.

The Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, which includes the full phase-in of all Basel III adjustments, became effective for PNC as of January 1, 2018. The ratio for September 30, 2017 was calculated on the same basis. These ratios were calculated based on the standardized approach for the risk-weighting of assets. See Capital Ratios in the Consolidated Financial Highlights.

Overall credit quality for the third quarter of 2018 remained strong. Provision for credit losses for the third quarter increased $8 million compared with the second quarter. The provision for consumer loans increased primarily attributable to credit card and auto loans while the provision for commercial loans was a net benefit in the third quarter reflecting lower specific loan reserves.

Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2018 decreased $29 million compared with June 30, 2018 due to lower nonperforming commercial loans and residential mortgage loans partially offset by higher nonperforming auto and home equity loans. Nonperforming assets decreased $242 million compared with September 30, 2017 as a result of lower nonperforming commercial loans, lower other real estate owned and foreclosed and other assets, and lower nonperforming commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans partially offset by higher nonperforming auto and home equity loans. Nonperforming assets to total assets were .48 percent at September 30, 2018, .49 percent at June 30, 2018, and .55 percent at September 30, 2017.

Overall delinquencies at September 30, 2018 increased $67 million, or 5 percent, compared with June 30, 2018. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more increased $33 million primarily in government insured education loans and commercial loans. Accruing loans 30 to 59 days past due increased $32 million and included higher auto loan delinquencies related to Hurricane Florence.

Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2018 decreased $18 million compared with the second quarter with half of the decline attributable to lower home equity loan net charge-offs, and decreased $15 million compared with the third quarter of 2017 due to lower commercial loan net charge-offs. Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2018 were .16 percent of average loans on an annualized basis compared with .20 percent for the second quarter and .19 percent for the third quarter of 2017.

The allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans was 1.16 percent at both September 30, 2018 and June 30, 2018 and 1.18 percent at September 30, 2017. The allowance to nonperforming loans was 153 percent at September 30, 2018, 150 percent at June 30, 2018 and 139 percent at September 30, 2017.

Retail Banking earnings for the third quarter of 2018 decreased compared with the second quarter and increased compared with the third quarter of 2017. Earnings benefited from the lower federal statutory income tax rate compared with third quarter 2017. Noninterest income decreased in both comparisons as a result of negative derivative fair value adjustments related to Visa Class B common shares and a lower benefit from residential mortgage servicing rights valuation, net of economic hedge partially offset by higher service charges on deposits. Additionally, consumer service fees grew in the comparison to third quarter 2017, including debit card, brokerage and credit card fees. Provision for credit losses increased in both comparisons due to credit card loan portfolio growth and, in the second quarter comparison, auto loan portfolio growth. Noninterest expense decreased compared with the second quarter reflecting lower occupancy costs and increased in the comparison to third quarter 2017 as a result of higher personnel costs, marketing activity and continued investments in technology.

• Average loans increased 1 percent compared with the second quarter and 2 percent compared with third quarter 2017 due to growth in auto, residential mortgage, credit card and unsecured installment loans partially offset by lower home equity, commercial and education loans.
• Average deposits declined compared with the second quarter primarily due to lower demand deposits attributable in part to seasonal consumer spending. Certificates of deposit increased in the comparison. Average deposits grew 1 percent compared with third quarter 2017 as higher demand and savings deposits were partially offset by lower money market deposits reflecting a shift to relationship-based savings products and by a decline in certificates of deposit.
• Net charge-offs were $96 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $112 million in the second quarter and $85 million in the third quarter of 2017.
• Residential mortgage loan origination volume was $2.1 billion for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $2.0 billion for the second quarter and $2.5 billion for the third quarter of 2017. Approximately 72 percent of third quarter 2018 volume was for home purchase transactions compared with 71 percent for the second quarter and 57 percent for the third quarter of 2017.
• The residential mortgage servicing portfolio was $127 billion at September 30, 2018 compared with $124 billion at June 30, 2018 and $129 billion at September 30, 2017. Residential mortgage loan servicing acquisitions were $6 billion in the third quarter of 2018 compared with $3 billion in the second quarter and $2 billion in the third quarter of 2017.
• Approximately 66 percent of consumer customers used non-teller channels for the majority of their transactions during the third quarter of 2018 compared with 65 percent in the second quarter and 62 percent in the third quarter of 2017.
• Deposit transactions via ATM and mobile channels were 55 percent of total deposit transactions in the third quarter of 2018 compared with 54 percent in both the second quarter of 2018 and third quarter of 2017.

Corporate & Institutional Banking earnings for the third quarter of 2018 decreased compared with the second quarter of 2018 and increased compared with the third quarter of 2017. Earnings benefited from the lower federal statutory income tax rate compared with third quarter 2017. Noninterest income declined from the second quarter primarily due to lower revenue from commercial mortgage banking activities, including a lower benefit from commercial mortgage servicing rights valuation, net of economic hedge, and lower net gains on commercial mortgage loans held for sale. Capital markets-related revenue also declined from the second quarter driven by lower customer-related derivative sales and lower loan syndication fees partially offset by higher merger and acquisition advisory fees. Noninterest income increased compared with the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to higher merger and acquisition advisory fees and growth in treasury management product revenue partially offset by lower gains on asset sales. Provision for credit losses was a benefit in the third quarter of 2018 reflecting lower specific loan reserves combined with overall strong portfolio credit quality. Noninterest expense increased in both comparisons due to continued investments in strategic initiatives and variable costs associated with increased business activity.

• Average loans increased modestly compared with the second quarter primarily in PNC's equipment finance and business credit businesses. Loan growth was moderated by substantial payoff volumes. Average loans increased 2 percent compared with the third quarter of 2017 driven by growth in PNC's corporate banking, business credit and equipment finance businesses.
• Average deposits increased 3 percent over the second quarter reflecting seasonal growth, and increased 1 percent compared with the third quarter of 2017 due to growth in interest-bearing deposits partially offset by a decrease in noninterest-bearing demand deposits.
• Net charge-offs were $1 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared with a net recovery position of $2 million in the second quarter of 2018 and net charge-offs of $22 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Asset Management Group earnings for the third quarter of 2018 increased in both comparisons. Earnings benefited from the lower federal statutory income tax rate compared with third quarter 2017. Noninterest income increased in both comparisons primarily due to increases in the average equity markets. Provision for credit losses declined from the second quarter reflecting higher second quarter reserves on home equity loans. Noninterest expense decreased compared with the second quarter primarily due to lower legal reserves and increased over third quarter 2017 driven by higher personnel related expenses.

• Client assets under administration at September 30, 2018 include discretionary client assets under management of $159 billion and nondiscretionary client assets under administration of $134 billion.
• Discretionary client assets under management increased $10 billion compared with June 30, 2018 primarily due to equity market increases and net business activities, and increased $13 billion compared with September 30, 2017 primarily attributable to equity market increases.

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 investment in BlackRock, and residual activities that do not meet the criteria for disclosure as a separate reportable business, such as asset and liability management activities including net securities gains or losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities and certain trading activities, discontinued consumer loan portfolios, private equity investments, intercompany eliminations, most corporate overhead, tax adjustments that are not allocated to business segments, exited businesses, integration costs, 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 9:30 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 (877) 402-9103 and (312) 281-1206 (international) and Internet access to the live audio listen-only webcast of the call is available at www.pnc.com/investorevents. PNC's third quarter 2018 earnings release, 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 and (402) 977-9140 (international), conference ID 21894303 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 including a full range of lending products; 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.

[TABULAR MATERIAL FOLLOWS]