The Pittsburgh-based superregional bank reported a small quarter-over-quarter advance in net interest income, and it expects loan growth to pick up in the second half of the year. PNC, which announced job cuts last year, also said that it has identified an additional $25 million in cost savings.

The Pittsburgh-based regional bank also emphasized expense control for the first quarter and throughout 2024 as it manages credit quality vulnerabilities and higher charge-offs, particularly among office loans.

Bill Demchak, in a panel hosted by Brookings on Tuesday, said that last year's bank failures wouldn't have happened if the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency had been the supervisor.

In the wake of the largest U.S. bank deal in more than 15 years, industry executives offered mixed views about the prospects for more big acquisitions. They also spoke about the deal's impact on competition in the credit card business.

The Pittsburgh company says its new president, Michael Lyons, will report to William Demchak, who will continue as chairman and chief executive. Lyons is positioned to become PNC's next CEO someday, observers said.

After focusing on cost control throughout much of 2023, including a round of job cuts, the Pittsburgh company has announced plans to expand in high-growth markets like Texas and refurbish more than 1,200 existing offices.

Financial institutions, led by the biggest U.S. banks and regional lenders, have dominated high-grade issuance, making up over 60% of the $149 billion that has priced so far this month.

Across the industry, the pace of branch shutdowns slowed this year. Still, large financial institutions continued to trim their physical footprints, with two super-regional banks taking the most aggressive actions.

West Plains Bank and Trust in Missouri, No. 11 on this year's Best Banks to Work For ranking, wins high marks for constructive training, employee development, team culture — as well as excellent benefits.

Bankers and a key government supervisor say the downfalls of multiple regional lenders reminded regulators that traditional M&A is better for the industry than failed-bank-deals.

The Pittsburgh bank had warned that business activity in its capital markets unit was slowing because of economic uncertainty stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But its fee income declined by more than the company anticipated in the first quarter, and looming rate hikes from the Fed will no doubt cut into mortgage income further.

The banks that own the peer-to-peer payment network are reportedly considering a retail launch that could fend off rival payment methods — or simply cannibalize the sizable revenue issuers get from credit and debit cards.

An uptick in commercial borrowers’ credit line utilization rates bodes well for loan growth in 2022, PNC Financial Services Group CEO William Demchak said Tuesday.

A predecessor bank, Allegiant Bancorp of St. Louis, was accused of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with a scheme run by a seller of funeral contracts.

The Pittsburgh bank's commitment covers areas that include renewable energy, clean transportation and green buildings.

PNC’s recent acquisition of BBVA's U.S. operations won quick approval from regulators, but a recent presidential directive promises more scrutiny of such deals, according to CEO Bill Demchak.

Fears of widespread credit losses have largely subsided, but demand for new commercial real estate loans remains lackluster because many companies are sitting on so much cash they don’t need to borrow. Meanwhile, competition from private equity groups and other nonbank lenders is escalating.