PNC Reports Third Quarter 2021 Net Income Of $1.5 Billion, $3.30 Diluted EPS Or $3.75 As Adjusted

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today reported:

BBVA USA

• As of October 12, 2021, PNC has converted approximately 2.6 million customers, 9,000 employees and nearly 600 branches across seven states, merging BBVA USA into PNC Bank. PNC acquired BBVA USA on June 1, 2021.
• Third quarter financial results reflect the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA. Second quarter financial results include the impact of BBVA USA operations for the month of June 2021.
• Net interest income attributable to BBVA USA was $532 million in the third quarter of 2021 and included a significant increase in premium amortization expense related to certain BBVA USA investment securities. In the second quarter of 2021, net interest income attributable to BBVA USA was $236 million and included a $30 million benefit from purchase accounting accretion.
• Noninterest income attributable to BBVA USA was $213 million in the third quarter of 2021, increasing $133 million compared with the second quarter of 2021.
• Noninterest expense attributable to BBVA USA was $506 million in the third quarter of 2021, increasing $327 million compared with the second quarter of 2021.
• Merger and integration costs in the third quarter of 2021 were $243 million, increasing $132 million compared with the second quarter of 2021. Since the announcement of the acquisition, PNC has incurred approximately half of the $980 million of expected merger and integration costs.
• PNC remains on track to realize $900 million in cost saves.

Income Statement Highlights

Third quarter 2021 compared with second quarter 2021

• Net income of $1.5 billion increased $387 million, or 35%.
• Total revenue of $5.2 billion increased $530 million, or 11%, reflecting the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA and higher noninterest income.
• Net interest income of $2.9 billion increased $275 million, or 11%, driven by higher interest earning asset balances reflecting the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA, partially offset by lower yields.
• Net interest margin of 2.27% decreased 2 basis points.
• Noninterest income of $2.3 billion increased $255 million, or 12%.
• Fee income of $1.9 billion increased $274 million, or 17%, driven by the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA, record merger and acquisition advisory fees and higher residential mortgage revenue.
• Other noninterest income of $449 million declined $19 million, or 4%, and included higher private equity revenue as well as a negative Visa Class B derivative fair value adjustment of $169 million primarily related to the extension of anticipated litigation resolution timing.
• Noninterest expense of $3.6 billion increased $537 million, or 18%, and included a full quarter of BBVA USA operating expenses, increased integration expenses, higher incentive compensation related to increased business activity and increased marketing.
• The third quarter of 2021 included a provision recapture of $203 million, reflecting continued improvements in credit quality and changes in portfolio composition. The second quarter included a provision for credit losses of $302 million, primarily driven by the establishment of an initial provision for credit losses related to the BBVA USA acquisition.
• The effective tax rate was 17.8% for the third quarter and 16.1% for the second quarter.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Third quarter 2021 compared with second quarter 2021 or September 30, 2021 compared with June 30, 2021

• Average loans of $291.3 billion increased $35.7 billion, or 14%, reflecting the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA.
• Loans of $290.2 billion at September 30, 2021 decreased $4.5 billion, or 2%.
• Commercial loans of $195.2 billion decreased $4.4 billion, or 2%, driven by $4.8 billion of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness and a decrease in BBVA USA legacy loan portfolios, partially offset by growth in PNC legacy corporate banking, business credit and multifamily agency warehouse lending.
• Consumer loans of $95.0 billion remained relatively stable, as growth in residential mortgage loans was offset primarily by declines in home equity and auto loans.
• Credit quality performance:
• Delinquencies of $1.4 billion increased $106 million, or 8%, largely due to commercial loans past due 30 to 59 days primarily reflecting operational delays.
• Total nonperforming loans of $2.5 billion decreased $251 million, or 9%.
• Net loan charge-offs of $81 million decreased $225 million. The second quarter included net loan charge-offs of $248 million related to the purchase accounting treatment for certain loans that were previously charged-off by BBVA USA.
• The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 2.07% at September 30, 2021 compared with 2.16% at June 30, 2021.
• Average deposits of $454.4 billion increased $52.7 billion, or 13%, primarily due to the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA.
• Deposits of $448.9 billion at September 30, 2021 decreased $4.0 billion, or 1%, due to BBVA USA legacy commercial deposit outflows reflecting the impact of strategic repricing decisions, partially offset by growth in PNC legacy deposits.
• Average investment securities of $120.6 billion, increased $12.1 billion, or 11%, driven by the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA.
• Investment securities of $125.6 billion at September 30, 2021 decreased $0.9 billion, or 1%.
• Average Federal Reserve Bank balances were $80.1 billion, increasing $1.8 billion.
• Federal Reserve Bank balances at September 30, 2021 were $75.1 billion, an increase of $3.2 billion reflecting increased liquidity.
• PNC maintained strong capital and liquidity positions.
• On October 1, 2021, the PNC board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $1.25 per share payable on November 5, 2021.
• The Basel III common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was an estimated 10.2% at September 30, 2021 and 10.1% at June 30, 2021.
• The Liquidity Coverage Ratio at September 30, 2021 for PNC exceeded the regulatory minimum requirement.

Third quarter 2021 net income of $1.5 billion, or $3.30 per diluted common share, included integration costs of $243 million pretax resulting from the acquisition of BBVA USA. Excluding the impact of integration costs, adjusted diluted earnings per common share was $3.75.

The Consolidated Financial Highlights accompanying this news release include additional information regarding reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to reported (GAAP) amounts. This information supplements results as reported in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP results. Fee income, a non-GAAP financial measure, refers to noninterest income in the following categories: asset management, consumer services, corporate services, residential mortgage and service charges on deposits. Information in this news release, including the financial tables, is unaudited.

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2021 increased $530 million compared with the second quarter of 2021 and $916 million compared with the third quarter of 2020. In both comparisons, the increase was largely due to the acquisition of BBVA USA and growth in noninterest income as a result of increased business activity. For the third quarter of 2021, net interest income attributable to BBVA USA was $532 million and included a significant increase in premium amortization related to certain BBVA USA investment securities. In the second quarter of 2021, net interest income attributable to BBVA USA was $236 million and included a $30 million benefit from purchase accounting accretion. Total noninterest income attributable to BBVA USA was $213 million in the third quarter of 2021, increasing $133 million from the second quarter of 2021.

Net interest income of $2.9 billion for the third quarter of 2021 increased $275 million compared to the second quarter driven by higher interest earning assets reflecting the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA, partially offset by lower yields. In comparison with the third quarter of 2020, net interest income increased $372 million as a result of interest earning assets acquired in the BBVA USA acquisition and higher securities balances, partially offset by lower securities yields.

The net interest margin was 2.27% in the third quarter of 2021, 2.29% in the second quarter of 2021 and 2.39% in the third quarter of 2020. In both comparisons the decrease was largely due to lower securities yields.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2021 increased $255 million compared with the second quarter of 2021. Asset management revenue grew $9 million primarily as a result of the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA and higher average equity markets. Consumer services increased $39 million driven by growth in transaction volumes, primarily due to the addition of BBVA USA customers. Corporate services was $154 million higher and included record merger and acquisition advisory fees and the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA. Residential mortgage revenue increased $44 million reflecting higher loan sales revenue and servicing fees. Service charges on deposits increased $28 million and included the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA and the effect of Low Cash Mode^SM. Other noninterest income decreased $19 million and included higher private equity revenue as well as a negative Visa Class B derivative fair value adjustment of $169 million primarily related to the extension of anticipated litigation resolution timing. The second quarter included a negative Visa Class B derivative fair value adjustment of $13 million.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2021 increased $544 million compared with the third quarter of 2020. Asset management revenue grew $33 million as a result of higher average equity markets and the benefit of BBVA USA. Consumer services was $106 million higher driven by growth in transaction volumes and the addition of BBVA USA customers. Corporate services increased $363 million driven by record merger and acquisition advisory fees and higher treasury management product revenue. Service charges on deposits increased $40 million primarily driven by the addition of BBVA USA customers. Other noninterest income decreased $8 million and included a negative fair value adjustment related to the Visa Class B derivative, higher private equity revenue and the benefit of BBVA USA.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2021 increased $537 million compared with the second quarter of 2021. The third quarter of 2021 included a full quarter of operating expenses related to BBVA USA of $506 million and integration expenses of $235 million. The second quarter of 2021 included $179 million of BBVA USA operating expenses and integration expenses of $101 million. PNC legacy noninterest expense was $2,846 million and $2,770 million, respectively, for the third and second quarter of 2021, increasing primarily due to higher incentive compensation, as a result of increased business activity, and increased marketing.

Noninterest expense increased $1,056 million in comparison with the third quarter of 2020 primarily driven by operating and integration expenses related to the BBVA USA acquisition, and increased business and marketing activity.

The effective tax rate was 17.8% for the third quarter of 2021, 16.1% for the second quarter of 2021 and 9.8% for the third quarter of 2020. The third quarter of 2020 included tax credit benefits and the favorable resolution of certain tax matters.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

Average total assets were $559.2 billion in the third quarter of 2021 compared with $504.4 billion in the second quarter of 2021 and $462.1 billion in the third quarter of 2020. In both comparisons the increase was primarily driven by the BBVA USA acquisition.

Total assets were $553.5 billion at September 30, 2021, $554.2 billion at June 30, 2021 and $461.8 billion at September 30, 2020. Compared to the third quarter of 2020, balance sheet growth was primarily driven by the BBVA USA acquisition.

Average loans for the third quarter of 2021 were $291.3 billion, increasing $35.7 billion and $38.2 billion, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2021 and third quarter of 2020, reflecting the acquisition of BBVA USA.

Loans were $290.2 billion at September 30, 2021, decreasing $4.5 billion compared with June 30, 2021. Commercial loans decreased $4.4 billion compared with the second quarter of 2021 driven by $4.8 billion of PPP loan forgiveness and a decrease in BBVA USA legacy loan portfolios, partially offset by growth in PNC legacy corporate banking, business credit and multifamily agency warehouse lending. Consumer loans remained relatively stable from the second quarter of 2021, as growth in residential mortgage loans was offset primarily by declines in home equity and auto loans.  

Loans at September 30, 2021 increased $40.9 billion compared with September 30, 2020, reflecting the impact of the BBVA USA acquisition, partially offset by lower utilization of loan commitments by commercial customers and PPP loan forgiveness. 

PPP loans outstanding were $6.8 billion at September 30, 2021, $11.6 billion at June 30, 2021 and $12.9 billion at September 30, 2020. 

Average investment securities for the third quarter of 2021 were $120.6 billion, increasing $12.1 billion and $30.1 billion, respectively, from the second quarter of 2021 and third quarter of 2020 driven by BBVA USA. Compared to the third quarter of 2020, the increase was also attributable to increased purchase activity.

Investment securities at September 30, 2021 decreased $0.9 billion from June 30, 2021 due to sales and prepayments exceeding purchases during the quarter. Compared to September 30, 2020, investment securities increased $34.4 billion reflecting increased purchase activity and investment securities from BBVA USA. Net unrealized gains on available for sale securities were $1.7 billion at September 30, 2021, $2.0 billion at June 30, 2021 and $3.4 billion at September 30, 2020.

Average Federal Reserve Bank balances for the third quarter of 2021 were $80.1 billion, increasing $1.8 billion and $20.1 billion, respectively, from the second quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2020. The increase compared to the third quarter of 2020 was primarily due to deposit growth.

Federal Reserve Bank balances at September 30, 2021 of $75.1 billion increased $3.2 billion from $71.9 billion at June 30, 2021 primarily due to increased liquidity. Federal Reserve Bank balances increased $4.5 billion from $70.6 billion at September 30, 2020.

Average deposits for the third quarter of 2021 were $454.4 billion, increasing $52.7 billion and $103.9 billion, respectively, compared with the second quarter of 2021 and third quarter of 2020 reflecting the acquisition of BBVA USA.

Deposits at September 30, 2021 decreased $4.0 billion compared with June 30, 2021 due to BBVA USA legacy commercial deposit outflows reflecting the impact of strategic repricing decisions, partially offset by growth in PNC legacy deposits. Compared to September 30, 2020, deposits increased $93.8 billion, reflecting deposits from BBVA USA and overall growth in commercial and consumer liquidity.

Average borrowed funds for the third quarter of 2021 were $34.4 billion, increasing $0.3 billion compared with the second quarter of 2021. Compared with the third quarter of 2020, average borrowed funds decreased $8.9 billion reflecting the use of excess liquidity.

Borrowed funds at September 30, 2021 decreased $1.3 billion and $8.6 billion compared with June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. In both comparisons the reduction reflected the use of excess liquidity.

PNC maintained a strong capital position. Common shareholders' equity at September 30, 2021 increased $0.2 billion from June 30, 2021 as third quarter net income was substantially offset by  dividends, share repurchases and lower accumulated other comprehensive income reflecting the impact of higher rates on net unrealized securities gains. 

In the third quarter of 2021, PNC returned $0.9 billion of capital to shareholders through $0.5 billion of dividends on common shares and $0.4 billion of common share repurchases representing 2.1 million shares. Repurchases were made under the share repurchase programs of up to $2.9 billion for the four-quarter period beginning in the third quarter of 2021.

 On October 1, 2021, the PNC board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $1.25 per share payable on November 5, 2021.

For information regarding PNC's Basel III capital ratios, see Capital Ratios in the Consolidated Financial Highlights. PNC elected a five-year transition provision effective March 31, 2020 to delay for two years the full impact of the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) standard on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period. The fully implemented ratios reflect the full impact of CECL and exclude the benefits of this transition provision.

The third quarter of 2021 included a provision recapture of $203 million, reflecting continued improvements in credit quality and changes in portfolio composition. The second quarter included a provision for credit losses of $302 million, primarily driven by the establishment of an initial provision for credit losses related to the BBVA USA acquisition.

Net loan charge-offs were $81 million in the third quarter of 2021, decreasing $225 million and $74 million from the second quarter of 2021 and third quarter of 2020, respectively. The second quarter of 2021 included net loan charge-offs of $248 million primarily related to the purchase accounting treatment for certain loans that were previously charged-off by BBVA USA. For the third quarter of 2021, commercial and consumer net loan charge-offs were $21 million and $60 million, respectively.

The allowance for credit losses was $6.0 billion at September 30, 2021 and $6.4 billion at both June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 2.07% at September 30, 2021, 2.16% at June 30, 2021 and 2.58% at September 30, 2020.

Nonperforming loans at September 30, 2021 of $2.5 billion decreased $251 million compared to June 30, 2021, primarily due to lower nonperforming loans in the commercial real estate and commercial and industrial portfolios. Nonperforming loans increased $443 million compared to September 30, 2020, primarily due to nonperforming loans acquired in the BBVA USA acquisition.

Overall delinquencies at September 30, 2021 of $1.4 billion, increased $106 million compared to June 30, 2021 and $158 million compared to September 30, 2020. In both comparisons, the increase was largely due to commercial loans past due 30 to 59 days primarily reflecting operational delays. Under the CARES Act credit reporting rules and guidance from regulatory agencies, certain loans modified due to pandemic-related hardships were considered current during their modification period and not reported as past due.

Retail Banking Highlights

Third quarter 2021 compared with second quarter 2021

• Earnings increased 93%, due to the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA and a provision recapture, partially offset by lower noninterest income.
• Noninterest income decreased 6%, primarily due to a negative fair value adjustment of $169 million related to the Visa Class B derivative, partially offset by the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA and higher residential mortgage revenue. The second quarter of 2021 included a negative Visa Class B derivative fair value adjustment of $13 million.
• Provision recapture of $113 million at September 30, 2021 reflected changes in portfolio composition and continued improvements in credit quality. The second quarter included a provision for credit losses of $214 million, primarily related to the acquisition of BBVA USA.
• Noninterest expense increased 13%, driven by the full quarter impact of BBVA USA related operating expenses and increased marketing activity.
• Average loans and deposits increased 18% and 12%, respectively, reflecting the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA.
• Period-end loans decreased 3%, driven by PPP loan forgiveness as well as lower home equity and auto loans, partially offset by higher residential mortgage loans.
• Period-end deposits increased modestly driven by growth in demand and savings deposits.

Third quarter 2021 compared with third quarter 2020

• Earnings decreased 16% and included the benefit of BBVA USA.
• Noninterest income declined 2%, primarily due to a negative Visa Class B derivative fair value adjustment, partially offset by higher consumer services fees and service charges on deposits, reflecting the addition of BBVA USA customers.
• Noninterest expense increased 25%, driven by operating expenses related to BBVA USA and increased marketing activity.
• Average and period-end loans both increased 21%. Average and period-end deposits both increased 32%. In all comparisons, the increase reflected the impact of the BBVA USA acquisition.

Corporate & Institutional Banking Highlights

Third quarter 2021 compared with second quarter 2021

• Earnings increased 39%, including the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA, record merger and acquisition advisory fees and a provision recapture.
• Noninterest income increased 22%, primarily due to record merger and acquisition advisory fees and increased treasury management product revenue.
• Provision recapture of $99 million at September 30, 2021 reflected continued improvements in credit quality. The second quarter included a provision for credit losses of $104 million, primarily related to the acquisition of BBVA USA.
• Noninterest expense increased 21%, due to the full quarter impact of BBVA USA operating expenses and higher variable costs as a result of elevated business activity.
• Average loans and deposits increased 11% and 12%, respectively, reflecting the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA.
• Period-end loans decreased 1%, driven by a decline in BBVA USA legacy loan portfolios and PPP loan forgiveness, partially offset by growth in PNC legacy corporate banking, business credit and multifamily agency warehouse lending.
• Period-end deposits decreased 4%, due to BBVA USA legacy deposit outflows reflecting the impact of strategic repricing decisions, partially offset by growth in PNC legacy deposits.

Third quarter 2021 compared with third quarter 2020

• Earnings increased 68%, and included record merger and acquisition advisory fees, the benefit of BBVA USA and a provision recapture.
• Noninterest income increased 46%, driven by record merger and acquisition advisory fees and increased treasury management product revenue.
• Noninterest expense increased 48%, reflecting operating expenses related to BBVA USA and higher variable costs as a result of elevated business activity.
• Average loans increased 10%, and included the acquisition of BBVA USA.
• Period-end loans increased 13%, reflecting the acquisition of BBVA USA and growth in PNC's business credit business, partially offset by PPP loan forgiveness and declines in PNC's real estate and corporate banking businesses.
• Average and period-end deposits increased 23% and 15%, respectively, primarily due to the acquisition of BBVA USA.

Asset Management Group Highlights

Third quarter 2021 compared with second quarter 2021

• Earnings increased 31%, and included the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA.
• Noninterest income increased 5%, due to the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA and higher average equity markets.
• Noninterest expense increased 16%, due to the full quarter impact of BBVA USA related operating expenses and higher operational loss reserves.
• Discretionary client assets under management remained consistent with the prior quarter.
• Average loans and deposits increased 30% and 25%, respectively, reflecting the full quarter benefit of BBVA USA.

Third quarter 2021 compared with third quarter 2020

• Earnings increased 25%, primarily due to the impact of BBVA USA and higher average equity markets.
• Noninterest income increased 16%, driven by higher average equity markets and the benefit of BBVA USA.
• Noninterest expense increased 21%, due to the impact of operating expenses related to BBVA USA and higher operational loss reserves.
• Discretionary client assets under management increased 16%, primarily driven by higher spot equity markets.
• Average loans and deposits increased 65% and 53%, respectively, reflecting the acquisition of BBVA USA.

Other

The "Other" category, for the purposes of this release, includes residual activities that do not meet the criteria for disclosure as a separate reportable business, such as asset and liability management activities including net securities gains or losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, certain trading activities, certain runoff consumer loan portfolios, private equity investments, intercompany eliminations, certain corporate overhead, tax adjustments that are not allocated to business segments, exited businesses, and differences between business segment performance reporting and financial statement reporting under generally accepted accounting principles.

CONFERENCE CALL AND SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PNC Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer William S. Demchak and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Q. Reilly will hold a conference call for investors today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time regarding the topics addressed in this news release and the related financial supplement. Dial-in numbers for the conference call are (877) 272-3568 and (312) 429-1278 (international) and Internet access to the live audio listen-only webcast of the call is available at www.pnc.com/investorevents. PNC's third quarter 2021 earnings release, related financial supplement, and presentation slides to accompany the conference call remarks will be available at www.pnc.com/investorevents prior to the beginning of the call. A telephone replay of the call will be available for one week at (800) 633-8284 and (402) 977-9140 (international), conference ID 21997580 and a replay of the audio webcast will be available on PNC's website for 30 days.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

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CAPITAL RATIOS

As of January 1, 2020, the 2019 Tailoring Rules became effective for PNC. The most significant changes involve PNC's election to exclude specific accumulated other comprehensive income items from common equity Tier 1 capital and higher thresholds used to calculate common equity Tier 1 capital deductions. Effective January 1, 2020, PNC must deduct from common equity Tier 1 capital investments in unconsolidated financial institutions, mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets (in each case, net of associated deferred tax liabilities) to the extent such items individually exceed 25% of the institution's adjusted common equity Tier 1 capital.

PNC's regulatory risk-based capital ratios in 2021 are calculated using the standardized approach for determining risk-weighted assets. Under the standardized approach for determining credit risk-weighted assets, exposures are generally assigned a pre-defined risk weight. Exposures to high volatility commercial real estate, past due exposures and equity exposures are generally subject to higher risk weights than other types of exposures.

During 2020, regulators adopted a final rule permitting banks that have adopted the CECL standard to delay for two years CECL's full impact on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology's impact on regulatory capital, followed by a three year transition period. PNC elected to adopt this optional five-year transition provision effective as of March 31, 2020.  See the table below for the June 30, 2021, September 30, 2020 and estimated September 30, 2021 ratios. For the full impact of PNC's adoption of CECL, which excludes the benefits of the five-year transition provision, see the September 30, 2021 and June 30, 2021 (Fully Implemented) estimates presented in the table below.

Our Basel III capital ratios may be impacted by changes to the regulatory capital rules and additional regulatory guidance or analysis.

Pretax pre-provision earnings is a non-GAAP measure and is based on adjusting income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests to exclude provision for (recapture of) credit losses. We believe that pretax, pre-provision earnings is a useful tool to help evaluate the ability to provide for credit costs through operations and provides an additional basis to compare results between periods by isolating the impact of provision for (recapture of) credit losses, which can vary significantly between periods.

Pretax pre-provision earnings excluding integration costs is a non-GAAP measure and is based on adjusting pretax pre-provision earnings to exclude integration costs during the period. We believe that pretax, pre-provision earnings excluding integration costs is a useful tool in understanding PNC's results by providing greater comparability between periods, as well as demonstrating the effect of significant items.

The adjusted diluted earnings per common share excluding integration costs is a non-GAAP measure and excludes the integration costs related to the BBVA USA acquisition. It is calculated based on adjusting net income attributable to diluted common shareholders by removing post-tax integration costs in the period. This non-GAAP measure was updated from the Q2 2021 earnings release to only adjust for integration costs to provide for a better quarter-over-quarter comparison as Q2 2021 included a significant initial provision for credit losses for BBVA USA that will not be taken in future quarters. We believe this non-GAAP measure serves as a useful tool in understanding PNC's results by providing greater comparability between periods, as well as demonstrating the effect of significant items.

Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated based on tangible common shareholders' equity divided by period-end common shares outstanding. We believe this non-GAAP measure serves as a useful tool to help evaluate the strength and discipline of a company's capital management strategies and as an additional, conservative measure of total company value.

The interest income earned on certain earning assets is completely or partially exempt from federal income tax. As such, these tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than taxable investments. To provide more meaningful comparisons of net interest income, we use interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis by increasing the interest income earned on tax-exempt assets to make it fully equivalent to interest income earned on taxable investments. This adjustment is not permitted under GAAP. Taxable equivalent net interest income is only used for calculating net interest margin and net interest income shown elsewhere in this presentation is GAAP net interest income.

The efficiency ratio excluding integration costs is a non-GAAP measure and excludes the integration costs related to the BBVA USA acquisition. It is calculated based on adjusting the efficiency ratio calculation by excluding integration costs during the period from noninterest expense and total revenue. We believe that this non-GAAP measure is a useful tool for the purpose of evaluating PNC's results. The exclusion of integration costs increases comparability across periods, demonstrates the impact of significant items and provides a useful measure for determining PNC's revenue and expenses that are core to our business operations and expected to recur over time.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

We make statements in this news release and related conference call, and we may from time to time make other statements, regarding our outlook for financial performance, such as earnings, revenues, expenses, tax rates, capital and liquidity levels and ratios, asset levels, asset quality, financial position, and other matters regarding or affecting us and our future business and operations that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "see," "look," "intend," "outlook," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "goal," "will," "should" and other similar words and expressions.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time.  Future events or circumstances may change our outlook and may also affect the nature of the assumptions, risks and uncertainties to which our forward-looking statements are subject.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made.  We do not assume any duty and do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.  Actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, as well as from historical performance.  As a result, we caution against placing undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

Our forward-looking statements are subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties.

• Our businesses, financial results and balance sheet values are affected by business and economic conditions, including:
• Changes in interest rates and valuations in debt, equity and other financial markets,
• Disruptions in the U.S. and global financial markets,
• Actions by the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Treasury and other government agencies, including those that impact money supply, market interest rates and inflation,
• Changes in customer behavior due to changing business and economic conditions or legislative or regulatory initiatives,
• Changes in customers', suppliers' and other counterparties' performance and creditworthiness,
• Impacts of tariffs and other trade policies of the U.S. and its global trading partners,
• The length and extent of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,
• The impact of the results of the 2020 U.S. elections, including on the regulatory landscape, capital markets, tax policy, infrastructure spending and social programs, and
• Commodity price volatility.

• Our forward-looking financial statements are subject to the risk that economic and financial market conditions will be substantially different than those we are currently expecting and do not take into account potential legal and regulatory contingencies. These statements are based on our view that:
• The U.S. economy is in an economic recovery, following a very severe but very short economic contraction in the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures to contain it.
• With the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and continued vaccine distribution, economic growth picked up in the first half of 2021, and real GDP returned to its pre-pandemic level in the second quarter of 2021. The Delta variant and supply chain difficulties have been drags on growth in the second half of 2021, although the economy continues to expand. Growth will pick up at the end of 2021 as the impact of the Delta variant fades and supply chains normalize and will remain solid into 2022. Employment in September 2021 was still down by almost 5 million from before the pandemic; PNC expects employment to return to its pre-pandemic level in mid-2022.
• Compared to the spring of 2020 (when prices were falling), inflation accelerated in mid-2021 due to strong demand in specific segments and supply chain disruptions. Inflation has started to slow on a month-over-month basis but will remain elevated in the near term.
• PNC expects the Federal Open Market Committee to keep the fed funds rate in its current range of 0.00 to 0.25 percent until mid-2023.
• PNC's ability to take certain capital actions, including returning capital to shareholders, is subject to PNC meeting or exceeding a stress capital buffer established by the Federal Reserve Board in connection with the Federal Reserve Board's Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) process.
• PNC's regulatory capital ratios in the future will depend on, among other things, the company's financial performance, the scope and terms of final capital regulations then in effect and management actions affecting the composition of PNC's balance sheet. In addition, PNC's ability to determine, evaluate and forecast regulatory capital ratios, and to take actions (such as capital distributions) based on actual or forecasted capital ratios, will be dependent at least in part on the development, validation and regulatory review of related models.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information (Continued) 

• Legal and regulatory developments could have an impact on our ability to operate our businesses, financial condition, results of operations, competitive position, reputation, or pursuit of attractive acquisition opportunities. Reputational impacts could affect matters such as business generation and retention, liquidity, funding, and ability to attract and retain management. These developments could include:
• Changes to laws and regulations, including changes affecting oversight of the financial services industry, consumer protection, bank capital and liquidity standards, pension, bankruptcy and other industry aspects, and changes in accounting policies and principles.
• Unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings or other claims and regulatory and other governmental investigations or other inquiries. These matters may result in monetary judgments or settlements or other remedies, including fines, penalties, restitution or alterations in our business practices, and in additional expenses and collateral costs, and may cause reputational harm to PNC.
• Results of the regulatory examination and supervision process, including our failure to satisfy requirements of agreements with governmental agencies.
• Impact on business and operating results of any costs associated with obtaining rights in intellectual property claimed by others and of adequacy of our intellectual property protection in general.
• Business and operating results are affected by our ability to identify and effectively manage risks inherent in our businesses, including, where appropriate, through effective use of systems and controls, third-party insurance, derivatives, and capital management techniques, and to meet evolving regulatory capital and liquidity standards.
• Our acquisition of BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc. presents us with risks and uncertainties related to the integration of the acquired business into PNC including:
• The business of BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., including its U.S. banking subsidiary, BBVA USA, going forward may not perform as we currently project or in a manner consistent with historical performance. As a result, the anticipated benefits, including estimated cost savings, of the transaction may be significantly more difficult or take longer to achieve than expected or may not be achieved in their entirety as a result of unexpected factors or events, including those that are outside of our control.
• The integration of BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., including its U.S. banking subsidiary, BBVA USA, with that of PNC and PNC Bank may be more difficult to achieve than anticipated or have unanticipated adverse results relating to BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., including its U.S. banking subsidiary, BBVA USA, or our existing businesses. Our ability to integrate BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., including its U.S. banking subsidiary, BBVA USA, successfully may be adversely affected by the fact that this transaction results in us entering several geographic markets where we did not previously have any meaningful presence.
• In addition to the BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc. transaction, we grow our business in part through acquisitions and new strategic initiatives. Risks and uncertainties include those presented by the nature of the business acquired and strategic initiative, including in some cases those associated with our entry into new businesses or new geographic or other markets and risks resulting from our inexperience in those new areas, as well as risks and uncertainties related to the acquisition transactions themselves, regulatory issues, and the integration of the acquired businesses into PNC after closing.
• Competition can have an impact on customer acquisition, growth and retention and on credit spreads and product pricing, which can affect market share, deposits and revenues. Our ability to anticipate and respond to technological changes can also impact our ability to respond to customer needs and meet competitive demands.
• Business and operating results can also be affected by widespread natural and other disasters, pandemics, dislocations, terrorist activities, system failures, security breaches, cyberattacks or international hostilities through impacts on the economy and financial markets generally or on us or our counterparties specifically.

We provide greater detail regarding these as well as other factors in our 2020 Form 10-K and in our subsequent Form 10-Qs, including in the Risk Factors and Risk Management sections and the Legal Proceedings and Commitments Notes of the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements in those reports, and in our other subsequent SEC filings. Our forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss elsewhere in this news release or in our SEC filings, accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on our corporate website at www.pnc.com/secfilings. We have included these web addresses as inactive textual references only. Information on these websites is not part of this document.

MEDIA:
Marcey Zwiebel
(412) 762-4550
[email protected]

INVESTORS:
Bryan Gill
(412) 768-4143
[email protected]

SOURCE The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.