8-KMaterial AgreementsExhibits & Filings

PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. 8-K Report, Material Agreement (Jun 14, 2007)

Filed June 14, 2007For Securities:PNC

Summary

This 8-K filing by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) on June 14, 2007, details a material amendment to a prior Share Surrender Agreement with BlackRock, Inc. and PNC Bancorp, Inc. The amendment, specifically the Second Amendment, pertains to the funding of BlackRock's long-term incentive plans (LTIPs) using PNC's BlackRock common stock. The core of this amendment clarifies funding limits and mechanisms for future incentive awards following significant transactions involving BlackRock and Merrill Lynch Investment Management in 2006, which altered PNC's ownership stake in BlackRock to approximately 34% as of March 31, 2007. Investors should note that while PNC's total commitment to fund up to 4 million shares for incentive programs remains unchanged, the Second Amendment establishes a "Second Period Funding Cap" of approximately $271 million for awards granted from January 2007 through September 2011. This cap, subject to performance criteria and vesting, and accounting for forfeitures, refines the process by which PNC will continue to facilitate BlackRock's talent retention efforts. This filing primarily addresses the mechanics of this ongoing relationship rather than announcing new strategic initiatives or financial performance updates.

Key Highlights

  • 1PNC entered into a Second Amendment to a Share Surrender Agreement related to BlackRock's incentive programs.
  • 2The amendment clarifies the funding mechanism and caps for BlackRock's future incentive awards.
  • 3PNC's overall commitment to provide up to 4 million shares for BlackRock's incentive plans remains unchanged.
  • 4A new "Second Period Funding Cap" of approximately $271 million is established for awards granted between January 2007 and September 2011.
  • 5The amendment addresses funding in light of the BlackRock/Merrill Lynch investment management business combination.
  • 6PNC's ownership in BlackRock was approximately 34% as of March 31, 2007, down from a majority stake prior to BlackRock's IPO and the Merrill Lynch transaction.
  • 7The Second Amendment details how BlackRock awards are valued and how forfeitures affect the funding cap.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this filing is to announce and detail the Second Amendment to a Share Surrender Agreement between PNC, BlackRock, and PNC Bancorp. This amendment primarily clarifies the terms and funding limits for BlackRock's long-term incentive plans, particularly regarding the use of PNC's BlackRock stock to fund these programs.

The total commitment for PNC to provide up to 4 million shares of BlackRock common stock for incentive programs remains the same. However, the Second Amendment introduces a specific funding cap of approximately $271 million for awards granted during a defined "Second Award Period" (January 2007 to September 2011). This provides a clearer financial limit for these future grants.

As of March 31, 2007, PNC held approximately a 34% ownership interest in BlackRock. BlackRock was formerly a majority-owned subsidiary of PNC, but its ownership structure changed significantly following the combination of its investment management business with Merrill Lynch's in September 2006.

This filing primarily details an amendment to an existing agreement concerning the mechanics of future stock-based compensation funding. It does not appear to announce an immediate material financial transaction or a change in PNC's reported earnings. The financial impact is spread over time as BlackRock's incentive awards are granted and vested, subject to the established funding cap.