8-KMaterial AgreementsCorporate ChangesExhibits & Filings

PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. 8-K Report, Material Agreement (Aug 30, 2005)

Filed August 30, 2005For Securities:PNC

Summary

This 8-K filing by PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. announces significant changes to its corporate governance structure and capital composition, effective in late 2005. A key development is the authorization of a new series of preferred stock, the 7.00% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series H. This series is designed for conditional exchange and is linked to the creation of a real estate investment trust (REIT) subsidiary intended to optimize the corporation's cost of capital. The REIT preferred stock, totaling $750 million, is expected to be treated as Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital for PNC Bank, impacting its capital surplus and total capital. The Series H Preferred Stock itself has specific conditions for issuance, primarily tied to regulatory actions concerning PNC Bank's capital adequacy. Furthermore, PNC is implementing a revised Board committee structure, including the formation of a new Risk Committee. This restructuring aims to enhance board oversight of enterprise-wide risk management and is expected to improve efficiency and reduce costs as part of the broader "One PNC" initiative. The Audit Committee's charter is also being amended to reallocate certain responsibilities to the new Risk Committee. These governance changes will be effective from December 14, 2005.

Key Highlights

  • 1Authorization of 7.00% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series H, to support a new REIT subsidiary's capital structure.
  • 2Creation of a REIT subsidiary aimed at lowering the corporation's overall cost of capital, with $750 million in preferred stock expected.
  • 3PNC Bank to recognize approximately $575 million as Tier 1 capital and $175 million as Tier 2 capital from the REIT preferred stock.
  • 4Formation of a new Board Risk Committee, effective December 14, 2005, to enhance enterprise-wide risk management oversight.
  • 5Dissolution of the Credit, Finance, and Operations and Technology Committees, with their responsibilities absorbed by the new Risk Committee.
  • 6Annual retainer of $20,000 established for the chairman of the new Risk Committee.
  • 7Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws approved to facilitate these corporate and governance changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary goal is to lower PNC's overall cost of capital. The REIT subsidiary will hold mortgage loan assets and issue stock, with the associated preferred stock designed to be recognized as regulatory capital for PNC Bank, enhancing its capital structure.

The Series H Preferred Stock is intended for conditional exchange and will only be issued at the direction of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This typically occurs under specific adverse conditions for PNC Bank, such as becoming undercapitalized, being placed into conservatorship or receivership, or if the OCC anticipates near-term undercapitalization or supervisory actions limiting dividend payments.

PNC is forming a new Risk Committee, which will absorb responsibilities from the Credit, Finance, and Operations and Technology Committees. This initiative aims to strengthen the Board's oversight of risk management and is part of the broader 'One PNC' strategy to improve efficiency and reduce costs. These changes become effective on December 14, 2005.

The REIT preferred stock is expected to contribute approximately $575 million to PNC Bank's Tier 1 capital and $175 million to its Tier 2 capital. While this will reduce PNC Bank's capital surplus by about $575 million, resulting in no material impact on Tier 1 capital, the total capital of PNC Bank is expected to increase by approximately $175 million.