8-KLeadership ChangesMaterial AgreementsShareholder Matters

PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. 8-K Report, Material Agreement (Apr 29, 2013)

Filed April 29, 2013For Securities:PNC

Summary

This 8-K filing by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) reports on significant corporate governance and executive changes that occurred on April 23, 2013. The primary focus is on the annual review and adjustment of non-employee director compensation, including increases to retainers and the introduction of deferred stock unit grants. Additionally, the report details a planned leadership transition where William S. Demchak officially assumed the roles of President and CEO, while James E. Rohr transitioned to Executive Chairman. This leadership change was accompanied by a compensation update for Mr. Demchak. The filing also summarizes the outcomes of PNC's Annual Shareholder Meeting held on the same date. Key resolutions included the election of directors, ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor, an advisory vote on executive compensation, and the rejection of a shareholder proposal concerning greenhouse gas emissions reporting. The overwhelming approval for director elections and auditor ratification indicates shareholder confidence, while the advisory vote on executive pay received strong support.

Key Highlights

  • 1William S. Demchak appointed President and CEO, with James E. Rohr becoming Executive Chairman.
  • 2Non-employee director compensation was adjusted, including increased annual retainers and a new grant of deferred stock units.
  • 3The Nominating and Governance Committee reviewed director compensation with assistance from Towers Watson.
  • 4William S. Demchak's new compensation includes an annual salary of $1,000,000 and a target incentive compensation of $7,200,000 (prorated for 2013).
  • 5PNC's 2013 Annual Shareholder Meeting saw the election of 16 directors, all receiving strong majority support.
  • 6PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was ratified as PNC's independent registered public accounting firm for 2013 with broad shareholder approval.
  • 7An advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation passed with 84% of the votes in favor.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most significant leadership change is William S. Demchak's official appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of PNC, effective April 23, 2013. Concurrently, James E. Rohr transitioned from CEO to become Executive Chairman of the Board.

The Nominating and Governance Committee approved increases to the annual retainers for non-employee directors. Specifically, the annual retainer increased to $60,000, the Presiding Director's retainer rose to $25,000, and the Nominating and Governance Committee Chair's retainer increased to $15,000. Additionally, each non-employee director received a grant of 1,934 deferred stock units on April 23, 2013, to align their interests with shareholders through equity-based compensation.

Shareholders elected all 16 nominated directors with high approval margins. They also ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor for 2013 by a wide margin. An advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation was also approved, with 84% voting in favor. A shareholder proposal requesting a report on greenhouse gas emissions of borrowers and climate change risk was rejected.

For 2013, William S. Demchak's new compensation includes an annual salary of $1,000,000 and a target incentive compensation of $7,200,000. The incentive compensation for 2013 will be prorated to reflect the portion of the year from January 1, 2013, to April 30, 2013 (based on his previous targets), and from May 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013 (based on his new target).