10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2001

PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2001

Filed May 10, 2001For Securities:PNC

Summary

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. reported net income of $300 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2001. This represents a slight decrease from the $308 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, reported in the same period of the prior year. The company's strategic shift towards higher-valued businesses like asset management and processing continues, with noninterest income comprising approximately 60% of total revenue. This quarter also saw the sale of the residential mortgage banking business, contributing $40 million in gains and operations. However, the company also incurred charges related to exiting certain lending portfolios and severance costs. While total revenue saw a modest decline to $1.26 billion from $1.288 billion year-over-year, the underlying performance shows strength in asset management and processing segments, which grew significantly. The company's efficiency ratio remained stable, indicating effective cost management. PNC's balance sheet has been strengthened through downsizing initiatives, leading to a slightly lower return on average common shareholders' equity (18.82% vs. 21.71%). Key credit quality metrics showed some deterioration, with nonperforming assets increasing slightly and net charge-offs rising, primarily due to specific portfolio exits.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for Q1 2001 was $300 million, down slightly from $308 million in Q1 2000.
  • 2Diluted earnings per share were $1.01, down from $1.03 in the prior year's quarter.
  • 3Total revenue decreased to $1.26 billion from $1.288 billion year-over-year.
  • 4The company completed the sale of its residential mortgage banking business on January 31, 2001, contributing $40 million to income.
  • 5Noninterest income represented approximately 60% of total revenue, reflecting a strategic shift towards fee-based businesses.
  • 6Return on average common shareholders' equity decreased to 18.82% from 21.71% in the prior year's quarter.
  • 7Nonperforming assets increased to 0.81% of total loans from 0.71% at year-end 2000 and 0.65% at March 31, 2000.

Frequently Asked Questions

The decrease in net income is primarily attributable to a $27 million net loss from venture capital activities and a $32 million charge related to loans designated for exit or downsizing and severance costs, which offset gains from the sale of the residential mortgage banking business and other operational improvements.

PNC is strategically shifting towards a more diversified business mix, increasing the contribution from higher-valued businesses such as asset management, processing, and treasury management, while decreasing reliance on traditional lending-based businesses. The sale of the residential mortgage banking business and downsizing of certain institutional lending portfolios are key initiatives in this strategy.

Asset quality has shown some signs of deterioration. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans increased to 0.81% at March 31, 2001, compared to 0.71% at December 31, 2000, and 0.65% at March 31, 2000. Net charge-offs also increased to 0.65% of average loans from 0.32% in the prior year, largely due to charge-offs in communications and energy/metals/mining portfolios designated for exit.

PNC adopted SFAS No. 133, 'Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,' effective January 1, 2001. This required them to recognize all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. The adoption resulted in a $5 million after-tax loss from the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle recognized in the first quarter of 2001, and an after-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss of $4 million.