8-KLeadership ChangesShareholder Matters

PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. 8-K Report, Executive Changes (May 1, 2020)

Filed May 1, 2020For Securities:PNC

Summary

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. filed an 8-K report detailing the outcomes of its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 28, 2020. Key information for investors includes the overwhelming approval of all proposals presented, demonstrating strong shareholder confidence in the company's direction and leadership. The report confirms the election of all 12 director nominees, the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor for 2020, and the advisory approval of executive compensation. Additionally, an amended and restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved. The filing also noted the departure of Richard B. Kelson from the Board of Directors due to reaching mandatory retirement age, a standard governance practice. The voting results indicate significant shareholder support across all resolutions, with high percentages of 'For' votes and a substantial number of broker non-votes, particularly on director elections, which is typical for such meetings.

Key Highlights

  • 1All 12 director nominees were elected to the Board of Directors with very high approval percentages (ranging from 90.13% to 99.79%).
  • 2PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was ratified as PNC's independent registered public accounting firm for 2020 with strong shareholder support (98.75% 'For').
  • 3Shareholders provided advisory approval for the compensation of named executive officers with a high 'For' vote (95.28%).
  • 4The amended and restated PNC Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved by a substantial majority (99.41% 'For').
  • 5Richard B. Kelson did not stand for re-election to the Board of Directors, having reached the mandatory retirement age.
  • 6The voting occurred with holders of common stock and voting preferred stock voting together as a single class.

Frequently Asked Questions

The annual meeting resulted in the election of all 12 director nominees, the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor, advisory approval of executive compensation, and the approval of the amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Richard B. Kelson also retired from the Board.

No, all proposals received very strong support from shareholders. The lowest approval percentage was for the election of Charles E. Bunch (90.13%), while all other directors, the auditor ratification, executive compensation advisory vote, and the stock purchase plan received over 95% approval. Abstentions and against votes were minimal relative to the total votes cast.

Richard B. Kelson did not stand for re-election to the Board of Directors because he had reached the mandatory retirement age as stipulated in PNC's corporate governance guidelines.

A 'broker non-vote' occurs when a shareholder does not provide voting instructions to their bank or broker, and the broker is prohibited by NYSE rules from voting those shares on certain matters, such as director elections, without instructions. The filing indicates a significant number of broker non-votes for the director elections.