Short Takes: PNC to Expand Team Of Licensed Brokers

PNC Bank Corp., Pittsburgh, is aiming to more than double the number of bank employees licensed to sell investment products by yearend, a senior executive said.

Roughly 70 PNC employees are licensed as series 6 brokers, said Michael Mortenson, the president of PNC Brokerage. He wants to boost the total to 200, Mr. Mortenson said in a phone interview last week.

The bank also has about 190 full-time series 7 brokers who rotate among its 700 branches, he said.

"It's a dilemma for us because three-quarters of the time there isn't anyone to talk to people about their investments," he said. Series 6 brokers can sell certain investment products, including variable annuities and cash management accounts. However, the goal is to put the customer in touch with a series 7 broker who is licensed to sell all investment products, Mr. Mortenson said.

PNC bought Hilliard-Lyons, a Louisville, Ky., brokerage, in December. That unit is run separately.

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