PNC Names New Chief Investment Strategist

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PNC Wealth Management, a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), announced today the promotion of E. William Stone as senior vice president and chief investment strategist.

Stone's duties include leading PNC's Investment Strategy Team of analysts who monitor many factors that influence the direction of domestic and international financial markets and a member of PNC's Investment Policy Committee that is responsible for defining an asset allocation and portfolio strategy used to advise all clients, individuals and institutional investors. As part of the Investment Strategy and Services group he will work closely with the investment product and investment advisor research group to provide advice and strategy around a broad array of investment solutions. PNC Wealth Management currently has $77 billion assets under management with offices in 10 states and Washington, D.C.

Stone joined PNC Wealth Management in 2000, currently serving as investment director of the Pittsburgh and Boston markets. During his tenure, he has been a valued, contributing member of PNC's Investment Policy Committee. Most recently, Stone worked closely with a team of financial advisors in guiding customers in their investment and estate planning.

"Bill has demonstrated both a keen and accurate insight into all asset classes -- even through the recent volatile markets -- helping to map out strategies for all levels of investors," said Robert Q. Reilly, executive vice president and head of PNC Wealth Management. "His interaction with high-net-worth investors will help to keep him focused on what is most important -- our clients who demand accurate and dependable investment advice."

Stone's professional experience includes several positions with Wall Street firms, most notably as a financial analyst at Salomon Brothers and institutional sales with Smith Barney. He also served as chief investment officer at First Western Trust, responsible for managing more than $750 million in assets. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a Chartered Market Technician.

Stone is a cum laude graduate of the University of Dayton with a bachelor's degree in finance. He earned a master's of business administration from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing consumer and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.

SOURCE PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Released September 13, 2007