8-KSecurities & ListingCorporate ChangesOther Events+1

PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. 8-K Report, Unregistered Securities Sale (Feb 19, 2008)

Filed February 19, 2008For Securities:PNC

Summary

This 8-K filing from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) on February 19, 2008, details a significant capital-raising transaction and an amendment to its corporate charter. PNC Preferred Funding LLC, an indirect subsidiary, successfully sold $375 million of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Exchangeable Perpetual Trust Securities through PNC Preferred Funding Trust III. These securities were offered to "qualified institutional buyers" and "qualified purchasers" under Rule 144A. The transaction aims to bolster PNC's capital base, with the minority interest associated with these securities expected to qualify as Tier 1 bank regulatory capital for PNC Bank, subject to OCC guidelines and quantitative limits. In parallel, PNC's Board of Directors approved an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation to authorize Series J Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock. This Series J Preferred Stock is designed to be issued in exchange for the Trust Securities only if directed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) under specific "Conditional Exchange Event" conditions, such as PNC Bank becoming undercapitalized or facing conservatorship. This strategic move allows PNC to issue innovative capital instruments while providing regulatory flexibility and potential capital enhancement.

Key Highlights

  • 1PNC raised $375 million through the sale of Trust Securities issued by an indirect subsidiary, PNC Preferred Funding LLC.
  • 2The Trust Securities were offered to qualified institutional buyers and qualified purchasers under Rule 144A.
  • 3The capital raised is expected to qualify as Tier 1 bank regulatory capital for PNC Bank, subject to regulatory approvals and limits.
  • 4PNC amended its Articles of Incorporation to authorize 3,750 shares of Series J Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock.
  • 5The Series J Preferred Stock will only be issued upon a 'Conditional Exchange Event' and at the direction of the OCC.
  • 6Conditional Exchange Events include PNC Bank becoming undercapitalized, entering conservatorship/receivership, or OCC anticipation of such conditions.
  • 7PNC entered into an Exchange Agreement to restrict dividends on other equity securities if the Trust Securities' dividends are not paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose was to report on the unregistered sale of equity securities by an indirect subsidiary, PNC Preferred Funding LLC, which raised $375 million, and to announce the amendment of PNC's Articles of Incorporation to authorize a new series of preferred stock (Series J).

PNC expects the minority interest associated with the Series 2008-A Company Preferred Securities (which underlie the Trust Securities) to qualify as Tier 1 bank regulatory capital for PNC Bank. However, it is subject to OCC approval, quantitative limits on innovative capital instruments, and may initially be treated as Tier 2 capital due to the amount of existing innovative capital.

The Series J Preferred Stock is authorized but not issued. It will only be issued if the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) directs PNC to do so in connection with a 'Conditional Exchange Event.' These events include PNC Bank becoming 'undercapitalized,' being placed into conservatorship or receivership, or the OCC anticipating such issues and taking supervisory action that limits dividend payments.

The Series J Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share and will rank pari passu with most other preferred stock series. Dividends are non-cumulative, initially at 8.700% annually until March 15, 2013, and thereafter at 3-month USD LIBOR plus 5.226%. It has limited voting rights, only gaining significant board representation if dividends are missed for six consecutive periods. Redemption is at PNC's option, subject to OCC approval and make-whole provisions.