PITTSBURGH, Oct. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today reported net income of $925 million, or $1.64 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2012 compared with $546 million, or $.98 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2012 and $834 million, or $1.55 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2011. For the first nine months of 2012 the company earned net income of $2.3 billion, or $4.06 per diluted common share, compared with $2.6 billion, or $4.79 per diluted common share, for the first nine months of 2011.

"PNC reported excellent results for the third quarter with 2012 shaping up to be another good year," said James E. Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer. "On the strength of our products, brand and execution we continued to increase the number of customers we serve resulting in revenue and loan growth. We also remained focused on controlling costs while investing for the future and managing risk and capital. As a result, PNC is well positioned to continue to create shareholder value."

Income Statement Highlights

• Strong earnings for the third quarter were driven by customer growth, higher revenue and disciplined credit and expense management.
• PNC continued to grow and deepen customer relationships across businesses and geographies through new client acquisition and cross sales.
  • Retail Banking net checking relationships grew 230,000 organically in the first nine months of 2012, or 4 percent on an annualized basis.

  • Corporate & Institutional Banking continued to execute on strategic initiatives, including in the Southeast, by organically growing and deepening client relationships that meet appropriate risk/return measures. Approximately 775 new corporate banking primary clients were added in the first nine months of 2012.

  • Asset management new primary client acquisitions were nearly 25 percent higher in the first nine months of 2012 compared with the same period of 2011.

• Net interest income of $2.4 billion for the third quarter decreased $.1 billion compared with the second quarter primarily due to the impact of lower purchase accounting accretion.
• Noninterest income increased to $1.7 billion for the third quarter compared with $1.1 billion for the second quarter. Client fee income remained strong. Third quarter included a $137 million pretax gain on the sale of a portion of PNC's investment in Visa shares. Second quarter noninterest income was reduced by a $438 million provision for residential mortgage repurchase obligations.
• Provision for credit losses declined to $228 million for the third quarter compared with $256 million for the second quarter.
• Noninterest expense was stable at $2.65 billion for both the third and second quarters reflecting effective cost management while investing in products and markets.

Balance Sheet Highlights

• Loans grew $1.5 billion, or 1 percent, during the third quarter to $182 billion at September 30, 2012 compared with June 30, 2012 reflecting continued growth but at a slower pace.
  • Total commercial lending increased $1.1 billion, or 1 percent, over the second quarter.
  • Consumer lending increased $.4 billion as an increase in automobile loans was partially offset by runoff in residential real estate loans and lower education loans.
• Overall credit quality improved during the third quarter of 2012 compared with the second quarter.
  • Nonperforming assets of $4.0 billion at September 30, 2012 declined $.2 billion, or 4 percent.
  • Accruing loans past due decreased 1 percent.
• Total deposits were $206 billion at September 30, 2012 compared with $207 billion at June 30, 2012. 
  • Transaction deposits grew $2.3 billion, or 1 percent, during the third quarter to $168 billion, or 82 percent of deposits, at September 30, 2012.
  • Retail certificates of deposit declined $1.2 billion due to runoff of maturing accounts.
  • Time deposits decreased $1.7 billion reflecting lower Eurodollar deposits.
• PNC's balance sheet remained core funded with a loans to deposits ratio of 88 percent at September 30, 2012 and retained a strong bank holding company liquidity position.
• PNC issued $480 million of 5.375 percent preferred stock in late September and early October 2012.  In total, approximately $2 billion of preferred stock was issued in the first nine months of 2012 with a weighted average rate of 5.9 percent. Trust preferred securities redeemed in the first nine months of 2012 totaled $1.8 billion with a weighted average rate of 7.2 percent, effectively lowering funding costs.
• PNC strengthened its strong capital levels. The Tier 1 common capital ratio increased to an estimated 9.5 percent at September 30, 2012 from 9.3 percent at June 30, 2012.  

Third quarter 2012 net income included an after tax gain on the sale of 5 million Visa Class B common shares of $89 million, or $.17 per diluted common share, noncash charges for unamortized discounts related to redemption of trust preferred securities of $61 million after tax, or $.12 per diluted common share, and integration costs of $23 million after tax, or $.04 per diluted common share. Second quarter 2012 net income was reduced by $284 million after tax, or $.54 per diluted common share, for provision for residential mortgage repurchase obligations, which was significantly higher than the third quarter provision, noncash charges for unamortized discounts related to redemption of trust preferred securities of $85 million after tax, or $.16 per diluted common share, and integration costs of $34 million after tax, or $.06 per diluted common share. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was reduced by $538 million after tax, or $1.02 per diluted common share, for these four items compared with $52 million after tax, or $.10 per diluted common share, for the first nine months of 2011.

The Consolidated Financial Highlights accompanying this news release include additional information regarding provisions for residential mortgage repurchase obligations, trust preferred redemption charges, integration costs and gain on sale of Visa shares and include reconciliations of reported amounts to non-GAAP financial measures, including a reconciliation of business segment income to net income. Reference to core net interest income is to total net interest income less purchase accounting accretion. Information in this news release including the financial tables is unaudited. See the notes in the Consolidated Financial Highlights. 

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2012 grew compared with both the second quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2011. Third quarter 2012 total revenue continued to reflect strong client fee income and included a gain on sale of a portion of PNC's investment in Visa shares.

Net interest income decreased compared with the second quarter primarily due to lower purchase accounting accretion. Core net interest income was relatively stable in the comparison as the impact of lower yields on interest earning assets was largely offset by loan growth. Net interest income increased compared with third quarter 2011 as a result of higher core net interest income somewhat offset by lower purchase accounting accretion. Growth in core net interest income was driven by the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition, organic loan growth and lower funding costs. The net interest margin decreased to 3.82 percent for the third quarter of 2012 compared with 4.08 percent for the second quarter of 2012 and 3.89 percent for the third quarter of 2011. The linked quarter decrease in the net interest margin was 26 basis points, with 16 basis points of the decline due to lower purchase accounting accretion. 

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2012 grew in comparison with both second quarter 2012 and third quarter 2011. The increase in noninterest income of $592 million compared with the second quarter included a lower provision for residential mortgage repurchase obligations and a gain on sale of a portion of PNC's investment in Visa shares.

Asset management fees grew $27 million compared with the second quarter driven by stronger equity markets and growth in fees and customers. Consumer services, corporate services and residential mortgage banking revenue remained stable with second quarter levels. Residential mortgage banking revenue included growth in loan sales revenue driven by higher loan origination volume offset by lower net hedging gains on mortgage servicing rights. Service charges on deposits grew $8 million compared with the second quarter due to customer growth and increased customer activity. Other noninterest income increased $166 million compared with the linked quarter primarily as a result of a $137 million pretax gain on the sale of 5 million Visa Class B common shares and an increase in value of hedges on deferred compensation obligations driven by higher stock market prices. At September 30, 2012, PNC's remaining investment in Visa Class B common shares was approximately 18 million shares with a fair value of approximately $1 billion.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2012 increased $320 million compared with the third quarter of 2011. Stronger equity markets and growth in fees and customers drove the $18 million increase in asset management fees. Consumer service fees decreased $42 million reflecting the regulatory impact of lower interchange fees on debit card transactions partially offset by customer growth. Corporate service fees increased $108 million resulting from strong customer growth and the impact of lower commercial mortgage servicing rights values in third quarter 2011. Residential mortgage banking revenue grew $35 million due to higher loan sales revenue driven by higher loan origination volume partially offset by lower net hedging gains on mortgage servicing rights. Service charges on deposits increased $12 million reflecting continued success in growing customers including the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition. Other noninterest income increased $212 million compared with third quarter 2011 primarily attributable to the gain on sale of a portion of PNC's investment in Visa shares and an increase in value of hedges on deferred compensation obligations.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2012 was stable with the second quarter reflecting effective cost management. Decreases in noncash charges for unamortized discounts related to redemption of trust preferred securities and lower integration costs were offset by an increase in personnel costs including an increase in expense for deferred compensation obligations driven by higher stock market prices.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2012 increased $510 million compared with third quarter 2011 primarily driven by operating expense for the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition, noncash charges related to redemption of trust preferred securities, higher integration costs, and higher personnel expense including an increase in the cost of deferred compensation obligations driven by higher stock market prices.

The effective tax rate was 23.6 percent for the third quarter of 2012 compared with 24.1 percent for the second quarter of 2012 and 27.0 percent for the third quarter of 2011.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET REVIEW
Total assets were $301 billion at September 30, 2012 compared with $300 billion at June 30, 2012 and $269 billion at September 30, 2011. Loan growth drove the linked quarter increase. In the comparison with the prior year third quarter, higher assets were primarily due to the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition and organic loan growth.

Commercial lending increased $1.1 billion during the third quarter of 2012 as a result of continued strong loan growth primarily in corporate banking and asset-based lending. Consumer lending increased $.4 billion compared with June 30, 2012 as higher automobile loans were offset by runoff in residential real estate loans and lower education loans. Total loan originations and new commitments and renewals were $40 billion for the third quarter of 2012, including $1.2 billion of small business loans, compared with $41 billion for the second quarter of 2012 and $39 billion for the third quarter of 2011. Average loans of $180.7 billion in the third quarter of 2012 increased $2.8 billion, or 2 percent, compared with the second quarter, and $28.9 billion, or 19 percent, compared with third quarter 2011 reflecting organic loan growth and, in the comparison with third quarter 2011, loans added in the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition.

Investment securities were $62.8 billion at September 30, 2012 compared with $61.9 billion at June 30, 2012 and $62.1 billion at September 30, 2011. Average investment securities were $60.9 billion for the third quarter of 2012 compared with $61.4 billion for the second quarter and $57.7 billion for the third quarter of 2011. At September 30, 2012, the available for sale investment securities balance included a net unrealized pretax gain of $1.6 billion representing the difference between fair value and amortized cost compared with net unrealized pretax gains of $.7 billion at June 30, 2012 and $.1 billion at September 30, 2011. The increase compared with the previous quarters was primarily due to improvement in non-agency residential mortgage backed-securities and lower market interest rates.

Interest-earning deposits with banks of $2.3 billion at September 30, 2012 decreased $1.7 billion compared with June 30, 2012 primarily due to lower funds on deposit with the Federal Reserve. Loans held for sale of $2.7 billion at September 30, 2012 decreased $.6 billion compared with June 30, 2012 attributable to net sales of residential mortgages held for sale.

Total deposits at September 30, 2012 decreased $.6 billion compared with June 30, 2012 and increased $18.6 billion compared with September 30, 2011. In the linked quarter comparison, growth in transaction deposits of $2.3 billion was more than offset by a decline of $1.2 billion in retail certificates of deposit due to runoff of maturing accounts and a decrease of $1.7 billion in time deposits, primarily Eurodollar deposits. In the comparison with third quarter 2011, the increase was attributable to deposits added in the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition and organic transaction deposit growth. Average deposits were $203.8 billion for the third quarter of 2012, an increase of $1.1 billion over the second quarter and $19.8 billion over third quarter 2011. Average deposits increased in the linked quarter comparison primarily due to growth in noninterest-bearing transaction deposits.

Borrowed funds decreased to $43.1 billion at September 30, 2012 compared with $43.7 billion at June 30, 2012 and increased compared with $35.1 billion at September 30, 2011. In the linked quarter comparison decreases in subordinated debt and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings were partially offset by an increase in commercial paper. The decline in subordinated debt reflected the redemption of trust preferred securities. On July 30, 2012, PNC redeemed $450 million of 7.750 percent trust preferred securities issued by PNC Capital Trust E and $517.5 million of 8.000 percent trust preferred securities issued by National City Capital Trust IV. The redemptions resulted in third quarter 2012 noncash charges for unamortized discounts of $95 million. Trust preferred securities redeemed in the first nine months of 2012 totaled $1.8 billion with a weighted average rate of 7.2 percent, effectively lowering funding costs. Borrowed funds increased compared with September 30, 2011 primarily due to higher commercial paper and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. Average borrowed funds were $43.7 billion for the third quarter of 2012, $43.1 billion for the second quarter of 2012 and $33.9 billion for third quarter 2011.

PNC strengthened its strong capital levels and ratios. The increase in common shareholders' equity was primarily attributable to the retention of earnings. The Tier 1 common capital ratio increased compared with the second quarter as growth in retained earnings was partially offset by an increase in risk-weighted assets from loan growth. PNC's goal is to be within a Basel III Tier 1 common capital ratio range of between 8.0 to 8.5 percent by year end 2013 without benefit of phase-ins, based on current understanding of Basel III proposed rules, estimates of Basel II (with proposed modifications) risk-weighted assets, and application of Basel II.5 rules.

PNC issued $450 million of 5.375 percent preferred stock on September 21, 2012 which was reflected in the increase in the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio. An additional $30 million of this preferred stock was issued on October 9, 2012. The decline in the Tier 1 common and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios compared with September 30, 2011 primarily reflected the impact of the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition.

The PNC board of directors recently declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of 40 cents per share with a payment date of November 5, 2012. PNC plans to purchase up to $250 million of common stock under its existing 25 million share repurchase program in open market or privately negotiated transactions during 2012. Such purchases were initiated in the second quarter with approximately $50 million repurchased as of June 30, 2012 and an additional $85 million repurchased in the third quarter of 2012.

Overall credit quality improved during the third quarter of 2012 compared with the second quarter. The decline in nonperforming assets at September 30, 2012 compared with June 30, 2012 was primarily attributable to decreases in commercial real estate nonperforming loans and other real estate owned partially offset by increases in home equity and residential mortgage nonperforming loans. Total consumer lending nonperforming loans, primarily home equity and residential mortgage, increased $112 million for additional troubled debt restructurings, net of charge-offs, resulting from bankruptcy where a concession has been granted to a borrower based upon discharge from personal liability, in accordance with regulatory guidance. A substantial portion of this increase in nonperforming loans, or 90 percent, was current on payments at September 30, 2012. The decline in nonperforming assets from third quarter 2011 resulted from lower commercial real estate and commercial nonperforming loans partially offset by higher nonperforming consumer loans including those added in the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition. Higher nonperforming consumer loans included an increase in nonperforming home equity loans resulting from a first quarter 2012 policy change which placed home equity loans on nonaccrual status when past due 90 days or more compared with 180 days under the prior policy. Nonperforming assets to total assets were 1.34 percent at September 30, 2012 compared with 1.39 percent at June 30, 2012 and 1.59 percent at September 30, 2011.

Overall delinquencies decreased by $29 million, or 1 percent, as of September 30, 2012 compared with June 30, 2012 with accruing loans past due 90 days or more declining $27 million.

Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2012 were .73 percent of average loans on an annualized basis compared with .71 percent for the second quarter of 2012 and .95 percent for the third quarter of 2011. Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2012 included $83 million related to the additional consumer loan troubled debt restructurings resulting from bankruptcy.

The allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans was 2.22 percent at September 30, 2012, 2.30 percent at June 30, 2012 and 2.92 percent at September 30, 2011. The decrease in the allowance in both comparisons resulted from improved overall credit quality. The allowance to nonperforming loans was 118 percent at September 30, 2012 compared with 120 percent at June 30, 2012 and 122 percent at September 30, 2011.

Retail Banking's earnings for the third quarter of 2012 increased compared with both the second quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2011. Net interest income declined in the linked quarter comparison as a result of lower purchase accounting accretion related to second quarter maturities of the final wave of higher rate acquired certificate of deposit accounts. In the comparison with third quarter 2011, the increase in net interest income was attributable to the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition, improvements in deposit spreads and growth in indirect auto loans. Noninterest income increased in both comparisons due to the pretax gain of $137 million on the sale of 5 million Visa Class B common shares. Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2012 declined in the linked quarter comparison as a result of higher additions to legal reserves in the second quarter and increased over third quarter 2011 due to operating expense for the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition. 

• Retail Banking continued to successfully execute its core strategy to grow consumer and small business checking households. Checking relationships totaled 6,451,000 at September 30, 2012, up 230,000 in organic growth in the first nine months of 2012, or 4 percent on an annualized basis. Active online banking and active online bill payment customers increased organically 12 percent and 7 percent, respectively, since the beginning of 2012.
• Average transaction deposits for the third quarter of 2012 increased $.8 billion over the second quarter of 2012. Average certificates of deposit declined $1.7 billion due to runoff of maturing accounts. In the comparison with third quarter 2011, average transaction deposits increased $15.1 billion, or 18 percent, attributable to the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition and organic growth. Average certificates of deposit decreased $7.9 billion, or 24 percent.
• Average loans were stable with second quarter 2012 and increased 11 percent compared with the third quarter of 2011 primarily as a result of home equity and commercial loans from the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition and growth in indirect auto loans. An indirect auto loan portfolio of approximately $.5 billion was purchased in September 2012.  
• Net charge-offs increased to $219 million for the third quarter of 2012 compared with $187 million in the second quarter of 2012 and $182 million in the third quarter of 2011. Higher net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2012 related to the consumer loan troubled debt restructurings resulting from bankruptcy. Nonperforming assets were $1.1 billion at September 30, 2012, an increase of $105 million compared with June 30, 2012.
• PNC's expansive branch footprint covers nearly half of the U.S. population in 17 states and Washington, D.C. with a network of 2,887 branches and 7,261 ATMs at September 30, 2012.

Earnings for Corporate & Institutional Banking for the third quarter of 2012 increased compared with both the second quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2011 reflecting improvement in the provision for credit losses, which was a benefit in third quarter 2012. Net interest income declined in the linked quarter comparison due to lower purchase accounting accretion. Compared with third quarter 2011, net interest income increased primarily as a result of higher average loans from organic growth and the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition. Corporate service fees increased compared with the third quarter of 2011 largely due to the impact of lower commercial mortgage servicing rights values in third quarter 2011. Noninterest expense increased in both comparisons primarily due to higher compensation-related costs driven by improved performance and higher staffing and, in the prior year quarter comparison, operating expense for the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition.

• Average loans increased in both comparisons due to strong organic growth in corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending. Loans added in the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition contributed to the increase in the comparison to third quarter 2011.
• Average deposits increased from the third quarter of 2011 due to deposits added in the RBC Bank (USA) acquisition and inflows into noninterest-bearing demand deposits.
• Net charge-offs were $35 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared with $30 million in the second quarter of 2012 and $94 million in the third quarter of 2011. The decrease from third quarter 2011 reflected declines across all loan portfolios. Nonperforming assets declined for the tenth consecutive quarter.
• The commercial mortgage servicing portfolio was $265 billion at September 30, 2012, $264 billion at June 30, 2012 and $267 billion at September 30, 2011.

Asset Management Group earnings for the third quarter of 2012 were relatively stable with the second quarter of 2012. Higher noninterest income resulted from stronger equity markets and continued focus on client acquisition. Net interest income decreased due to cyclical declines in deposit balances compared with the second quarter. Earnings declined compared with the third quarter of 2011 as growth in revenue was offset by a provision for credit losses compared with a benefit in third quarter 2011 and higher expenses from strategic investments in the business.

• New primary client acquisitions were nearly 25 percent higher in the first nine months of 2012 compared with the first nine months of 2011.
• Assets under administration at September 30, 2012 included discretionary assets under management of $112 billion and nondiscretionary assets under administration of $110 billion. Discretionary assets under management at September 30, 2012 increased $9 billion compared with September 30, 2011 driven by stronger equity markets and net positive flows.
• Average loans increased compared with the second quarter of 2012 as new client originations, primarily home equity installment loans, benefited from an attractive interest rate environment and loan referrals from other lines of business. Average deposits decreased due to cyclical declines in deposits between the second and third quarters of 2012. 

Residential Mortgage Banking earnings increased compared with the second quarter of 2012 driven by a lower provision for residential mortgage repurchase obligations. In both comparisons, other noninterest income reflected growth in loan sales revenue driven by higher loan origination volume substantially offset by lower net hedging gains on mortgage servicing rights. Noninterest expense increased compared with third quarter 2011 resulting from higher residential mortgage origination volume and servicing costs, partially offset by lower residential mortgage foreclosure-related expenses.

Loan origination volume was strong in the third quarter of 2012. Approximately 30 percent of originations were under the revised Home Affordable Refinance Program. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights was $.6 billion at both September 30, 2012 and June 30, 2012 and $.7 billion at September 30, 2011. The decline in fair value from the prior year was primarily due to lower mortgage interest rates.

Non-Strategic Assets Portfolio segment earnings decreased in the third quarter of 2012 compared with both the second quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2011. The decline in both comparisons was due to a decrease in net interest income driven by lower purchase accounting accretion and lower loan balances and an increase in noninterest expense primarily related to taxes and insurance on delinquent mortgage loans. The comparison to the prior year quarter was also impacted by higher other real estate owned expense in third quarter 2012. 

• The Non-Strategic Assets Portfolio primarily consists of non-strategic assets obtained through acquisitions of other companies. The decrease in average loans in both comparisons reflected customer payment activity and portfolio management activities to reduce underperforming assets. Certain assets in this segment continue to require special servicing and management oversight.
• Net charge-offs were $65 million for the third quarter of 2012 compared with $83 million for the second quarter of 2012 and $74 million for the third quarter of 2011. The linked quarter decrease was primarily due to a decline in net charge-offs on construction loans. The decline from third quarter 2011 was attributable to lower net charge-offs on residential development loans.

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, alternative investments including private equity, 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.

PNC recorded income of $13 million in "Other, including BlackRock" for the third quarter of 2012 compared with a loss of $59 million for the second quarter of 2012 and earnings of $120 million for the third quarter of 2011. The increase in earnings in the linked quarter comparison included lower noncash charges related to redemption of trust preferred securities and lower integration costs. In the comparison with third quarter 2011, the decline in earnings was primarily due to noncash charges related to redemption of trust preferred securities and higher integration costs.

CONFERENCE CALL AND SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PNC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James E. Rohr and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Richard J. Johnson will hold a conference call for investors today at 9:00 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) 272-3515 or (303) 223-2681 (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 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 21605083 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 nation's 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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