Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The third quarter reflected continued momentum in core earnings with net interest margin expanding by 11 basis points to 3.28% [4] - Customer fees, excluding net credit valuation adjustment, grew by $10 million, while adjusted expenses declined by $1 million, leading to an improved efficiency ratio of 59.6% [4] - Average loans and customer deposits increased by annualized rates of 2.1% and 3.1% respectively compared to the prior quarter [4] - Diluted earnings per share was $1.48 compared to $1.63 in the prior period and $1.37 in the year-ago period [5][6] - Adjusted non-interest income was $174 million for the quarter, representing a 6% increase versus the second quarter and an 8% increase versus the year-ago quarter [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income increased by $52 million, or 8%, relative to the third quarter of 2024, benefiting from fixed asset repricing and favorable shifts in the composition of average interest-earning assets [7][8] - Customer-related non-interest income was $163 million for the quarter, slightly down from $164 million in the prior period but up from $158 million one year ago [10] - Capital market fees, excluding net CVA, increased by 25% compared to the prior year period, driven by higher loan syndications and customer swap fee revenue [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average loans increased by 2.1% annualized over the previous quarter and 3.6% over the year-ago period [12] - Average non-interest-bearing deposits grew approximately $192 million, or 0.8% compared to the prior quarter [13] - Total borrowings declined by $1.8 billion during the quarter, with short-term FHLB advances decreasing by $2.3 billion [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company expects to continue producing positive operating leverage as revenue growth outpaces non-interest expense growth [19] - The outlook for customer-related fee income in the third quarter of 2026 is moderately increasing relative to the third quarter of 2025, driven by increased customer activity and new client acquisitions [11] - The company is focused on maintaining a strong capital position and is open to M&A opportunities, particularly smaller deals that enhance market density [50][51] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the recent credit issues are isolated incidents and emphasized the strength of their credit history [22][24] - The company anticipates continued loan growth driven by commercial loans, despite some recent paydowns and payoffs [56][59] - Management noted that the current regulatory environment is shifting towards a focus on solid regulation, which they view positively [72][74] Other Important Information - The company recorded a $49 million provision for credit loss, with net charge-offs in the quarter at $56 million, or 37 basis points of loans on an annualized basis [4][16] - The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans remains stable at 1.2% [17] - The common equity tier one ratio this quarter was 11.3%, indicating a strong capital position [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the isolated incident regarding the charge this quarter? - Management reviewed the portfolio and believes it is an isolated incident, with no similar loans found [22][23] Question: How much fixed-rate asset repricing is factored into the NII guide outlook? - The guidance includes expectations for fixed-rate loans and securities, with potential yield increases embedded [27][28] Question: What is the outlook for operating leverage? - Management expects positive operating leverage but did not provide a specific range at this time [34][35] Question: How has loan demand changed over the last 90 days? - Loan spreads have improved slightly, and production has been up in most months this year compared to 2024 [65][66] Question: What is the company's current risk appetite? - The company will continue its historical underwriting practices, and the recent credit issues will not impact loan growth [80][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $65.6 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.20, representing an 18% increase from the same quarter last year [9] - Pre-provision net revenue was $88.3 million, with a return on average assets of 1.47% and a return on common equity of 14.9% [9] - The book value grew by an annualized 14% from the previous quarter, ending at $32.37 per share [10] - Net interest income for the quarter was $133.4 million, with a normalized net interest margin of 3.19% [10][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth was below expectations, with loan paybacks increasing by $500 million over the prior two quarters [3] - The loan pipeline increased by over 10% in October compared to September and is 40% higher than a year ago [3][4] - Non-performing assets rose to $930 million, an increase of approximately $96 million during the quarter [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a reduction in high-cost municipal deposits, offset by large corporate deposit inflows [4] - All markets are now profitable, a first since the company's inception [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to manage down total deposit costs as the Federal Reserve reduces the Fed Funds rate [4] - Focus on organic loan and deposit growth while maintaining competitive pricing [14] - The company is exploring opportunities in Texas, emphasizing the importance of local relationships [43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that lending activity softened in Q3 but has been robust moving into Q4 [6] - The company expects continued margin expansion due to anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts [11][26] - Management expressed confidence in resolving non-performing loans and maintaining credit quality [8][18] Other Important Information - The company recognized a loss of $7.8 million on the sale of bonds and invested in a solar tax credit, benefiting from a reduced tax provision [9][15] - The company has a total NDFI exposure of $71 million, which is less than 1% of the loan portfolio, indicating a cautious approach to risk [16][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What pushed the borrower to non-performing status? - Management indicated that substantial additional collateral was taken, and a large payment expected did not materialize, leading to the non-accrual status [21] Question: What is the loan-to-value on the loans? - The loan-to-value is believed to be below one-to-one, with adequate security to cover the loans [23] Question: What is the expected margin improvement with upcoming Federal Reserve cuts? - Management expects a 7 to 10 basis points improvement in margin each quarter, with current normalized rates at 3.28% [25][41] Question: Are there new markets of interest for the company? - The company is particularly interested in Texas, emphasizing the need for local relationships to succeed in that market [43] Question: What is the effective tax rate going forward? - The effective tax rate is expected to remain around 18.9% for the year, with efforts to keep it below 20% [39]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a September net interest margin of 3.76% and expects it to be at or above 3.65% in the fourth quarter, indicating a positive outlook for net interest income growth [18][22][28] - Cumulative deposit beta was reported at 65% through the rate cycle, but is expected to moderate due to the reduction of brokered deposits [36][38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has focused on improving organic growth capabilities, including talent acquisition and operational excellence, to drive efficiency and growth [11][19] - The restructuring of the balance sheet has led to an increase in net interest margin, with core balance sheet NIM growing seven basis points [26][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The competitive environment remains intense, with the company maintaining discipline in pricing despite pressures from larger banks offering lower rates [62][63] - The company has seen growth in consumer accounts but faces challenges with average balances per account declining [39] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow core deposits while reducing reliance on brokered deposits, with a long-term goal of eliminating brokered deposits entirely [58] - The focus is on generating consistent, strong, risk-adjusted returns without sacrificing soundness and profitability [13][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about future growth opportunities, citing strong pipeline activity and production volumes [15][63] - The company is proactive in managing credit quality and expects to resolve existing loan issues while maintaining a sound balance sheet [46][50] Other Important Information - The company has implemented a hedging program to manage interest rate risk effectively, aiming to maintain net interest margin within a range of 3.50% to 3.75% [28][72] - The CEO announced his retirement, marking a significant transition for the company [79] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the key strategic initiatives moving forward? - Management highlighted a focus on addressing structural challenges and enhancing organic growth capabilities, including talent acquisition and operational excellence [10][11] Question: How is the company approaching loan growth in a competitive environment? - Management emphasized the importance of soundness and profitability in growth strategies, with expectations for low single-digit loan growth rates [14][15] Question: What is the outlook for net interest margin? - Management provided guidance for a net interest margin of 3.65% or higher for the fourth quarter, supported by loan repricing dynamics [22][25] Question: How have deposit betas trended with recent rate cuts? - The cumulative deposit beta was reported at 65%, but management expects it to moderate due to the reduction of brokered deposits [36][38] Question: What is the company's credit outlook? - Management reported a benign quarter for credit metrics and expressed confidence in maintaining strong reserve levels [46][50]

Financial Highlights - Reported pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) of $375.9 million[4] - Net income applicable to common was $254.1 million[4] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) reached $1.54[4] - Efficiency ratio stood at 45.8%[4] - Return on average assets (ROAA) was 1.27%[4] - Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) was 17.64%[4] Balance Sheet & Key Ratios - Total loans amounted to $55.052 billion, a 2.6% increase compared to the previous quarter[4, 6] - Total deposits reached $68.176 billion, up 2.8% quarter-over-quarter[4, 6] - Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 11.40%[4] - Tangible common equity (TCE) ratio was 7.50%[4] - Tangible book value per common share grew 3.7% to $36.42[4] Income Statement - Net interest income totaled $631.7 million, an increase of $10.5 million or 1.7% from the prior quarter[21, 27] - Non-interest income increased by $6.2 million quarter-over-quarter[21, 36] - Non-interest expense increased by $11.0 million compared to the previous quarter[21, 40] Loan & Deposit Portfolio - Total loan portfolio grew by $1.4 billion or 2.6% quarter-over-quarter[12, 14] - Total deposit portfolio increased by $1.9 billion or 2.8% quarter-over-quarter[18, 20]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $17.8 million for Q3 2025, up from $16.5 million in Q3 2024, translating to $1.56 per diluted common share compared to $1.41 a year ago [3][8] - Net interest income increased to $50.8 million, a rise of $2.8 million or 5.8% from $48 million in the same period last year [4][9] - The annualized net interest margin improved to 3.72% from 3.42% a year ago, reflecting stable loan yields and effective funding cost control [4][10] - Non-interest expense rose to $36.1 million from $33.7 million in the prior year, primarily due to higher legal and professional fees and technology upgrades [6][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross loans totaled $4.54 billion, a decline of $223 million or 4.7% from December 31, 2023, mainly due to elevated commercial real estate and multifamily loan payoffs [4][15] - Construction lending showed solid momentum with total unfunded construction commitments steady at approximately $600 million [5][16] - Non-interest income totaled $7.1 million, slightly up from $7.0 million in Q3 2024, driven by improvements in commissions on annuity sales and fees on loans [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits decreased by $77.5 million or 1.7% compared to December 31, 2024, primarily due to a decrease in brokered deposits [16][17] - As of September 30, 2025, uninsured deposits totaled approximately $742 million, representing roughly 16% of total deposits [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasized disciplined cost control and operational efficiency while strategically investing in areas that enhance capabilities for sustained growth [15][19] - The Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase authorization for up to 1 million additional shares, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders [19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that credit quality remains strong, with no significant signs of weakness across the portfolio, despite some idiosyncratic issues in specific projects [24][25] - The company is well-positioned to handle potential future rate cuts, with expectations that moderate cuts will not significantly impact margins [27][28] Other Important Information - The efficiency ratio was reported at 62.45%, up from 61.34% in the prior year, indicating a slight increase in operational costs relative to income [14] - The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans stood at 1.43%, reflecting a slight increase from the previous quarter [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook and regional opportunities - Management highlighted opportunities across various regions, including Texas and Atlanta, while noting elevated payoffs [22][23] Question: Signs of weakness in the portfolio - Management stated that there are no broad signs of weakness, with any issues being specific to individual projects [24] Question: Outlook on operating expenses - Management indicated that some operating expenses are expected to stabilize, with potential decreases in legal and professional fees [35][36] Question: Commission income sustainability - Management acknowledged that commission income is at a higher level than historically but could fluctuate based on customer interest [37][38]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share of $0.41, with return on assets surpassing 1% [3] - Pre-provision net revenue increased by $33 million quarter over quarter, marking a 5% rise and the sixth consecutive quarter of improvement [3] - Revenues, adjusting for last year's securities portfolio repositioning, grew by 17% [4] - Net interest income (NII) achieved a net interest margin (NIM) of 2.75%, reaching the year-end target one quarter ahead of schedule [5][10] - The company reported a common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio approaching 12% at quarter-end, indicating strong capital ratios [5][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee income increased in the high single digits compared to 2024, contributing to overall revenue growth [4] - Commercial pipelines nearly doubled from the previous year, with investment banking pipelines also showing significant growth, particularly in M&A [7] - Assets under management in the wealth segment reached a record $68 billion, with strong sales production in the mass affluent segment [6][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average loans increased by $5 billion sequentially, driven by a 2% increase in commercial and industrial (C&I) loans [14] - Average deposits grew by 2%, with period-end deposits increasing by 3% sequentially, primarily from commercial clients [15] - Non-performing assets (NPAs) and criticized loans declined, indicating improving asset quality [5][23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve a return on tangible common equity of 15% or better by 2027, focusing on improving NIM, compounding fee advantages, maintaining expense discipline, and share repurchases [10][11] - The company plans to repurchase approximately $100 million of common stock in the fourth quarter, indicating a cautious approach to capital management [11][24] - The strategic focus remains on organic growth opportunities, with bank M&A being a lower priority unless it aligns with strategic goals [46][48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving another year of outsized revenue and earnings growth in 2026, supported by strong pipelines and market conditions [12][26] - The company maintains a positive outlook on credit quality, with net charge-offs within the target range [23] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining flexibility in capital allocation while navigating potential macroeconomic uncertainties [76][90] Other Important Information - The company received a one-notch upgrade to its long and short-term ratings from Fitch, with a positive outlook from Moody's [13][24] - Non-interest expenses increased by 2% from the prior quarter and 7% year over year, driven by higher personnel expenses and technology investments [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more detail on the drivers to achieve the 15% ROTCE target? - Management reiterated that the 15% target is a milestone, with NIM improvement and strong organic activity being key drivers [28][30] Question: How does the company view bank M&A given current stock valuation? - Management stated that bank M&A is a lower priority, focusing instead on organic growth and tuck-in deals that align with strategic goals [46][48] Question: What are the conditions for further balance sheet restructuring? - Management indicated that any restructuring would depend on favorable market conditions and the need to support client growth [88][90] Question: How does the recent Fitch upgrade impact capital distribution decisions? - Management noted that while the upgrade is important, it would not be the primary driver for capital distribution decisions [91][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share of $1.22, an increase of 18.4% year-over-year [4] - Net revenue reached a record $7.3 billion, reflecting strong momentum across fee businesses and improved spread income [4] - Positive operating leverage of 530 basis points was generated, with a return on average assets of 1.17% and a net interest margin of 2.75% [4][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee revenue grew by 9.5% year-over-year, driven by strength in payments, institutional, and consumer businesses [5][15] - Impact Finance, bolstered by the Union Bank acquisition, grew at a 17% CAGR from 2021 to 2024, contributing to fee income [6][7] - Consumer deposits now represent over 52% of total average deposits, up nearly two points from the previous year [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total average deposits increased by 1.8% linked quarter to $512 billion, with a stable percentage of non-interest bearing deposits at approximately 16% [12] - Average loans totaled $379 billion, reflecting a 0.2% increase from the prior quarter, with underlying growth rates of 1.0% linked quarter and 2.8% year-over-year [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth through interconnected solutions, maintaining expense discipline, and executing payments transformation [4][18] - The strategic priority includes enhancing the consumer franchise and long-term deposit strategy, emphasizing growth in relationship-based deposits [8][9] - The company aims to achieve positive operating leverage of 200 basis points or more on an adjusted basis [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving net interest margin expansion towards 3% by 2027, driven by fixed asset repricing and a favorable loan mix [21][24] - The company anticipates stable net interest income in the fourth quarter, with a bias to the upside due to favorable items [22][72] - Management highlighted strong credit quality metrics, with improvements in non-performing assets and net charge-offs [15][16] Other Important Information - The company is preparing for stablecoin activities in both capital markets and payment rails, with plans to pilot transactions [81][83] - The Impact Finance business is expected to continue growing, contributing positively to the company's fee revenue [75][76] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for net interest margin trends in the fourth quarter? - Management indicated a bias to the upside for net interest income and net interest margin, citing favorable items and seasonal dynamics [21][22] Question: What are the drivers for net interest margin expansion next year? - Management sees a clear path to 3% net interest margin by 2027, driven by fixed asset repricing and a favorable loan mix [23][24] Question: Can you elaborate on the positive operating leverage and its sustainability? - Management expressed confidence in achieving over 200 basis points of operating leverage, supported by strong revenue growth and prudent expense management [31][32] Question: What are the dynamics affecting the payments business? - Management noted challenges in corporate payments but highlighted strong growth in merchant and card issuing businesses, with expectations for improvement [42][44] Question: How is the company preparing for stablecoin activities? - The company is working on stablecoin services for both capital markets and payment rails, with plans to pilot transactions soon [81][83] Question: What is the outlook for returning capital to shareholders? - Management indicated a commitment to returning 75%-80% of earnings to shareholders as capital levels improve [84][85]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported strong organic growth in both loan and deposit portfolios, contributing to solid quarterly results [4][5] - The core net interest margin (NIM) ended the quarter at 4.55%, with expectations of slight compression due to potential rate cuts [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan fee income has increased and now represents about 40 basis points of the margin, driven by successful sales efforts and a robust deal market [25][26] - The mortgage business is currently slow, but there is an expectation for improvement in 2026, with a significant increase in the pipeline compared to six months ago [39][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing pressure on the deposit side compared to the loan side, indicating competitive dynamics in the market [14][15] - There is ongoing deal activity in the market, but challenges remain due to macroeconomic factors affecting M&A transactions [44][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining strong capital levels while navigating macroeconomic volatility, which influences credit provisioning decisions [27][29] - The strategic acquisition in the mortgage sector is seen as a niche service that could grow into a more significant income provider over time [41][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current market conditions and the company's positioning, despite acknowledging potential economic challenges [5][6] - There is a cautious outlook on loan growth due to the possibility of lumpy paydowns and macroeconomic uncertainties [12][13] Other Important Information - The company is actively exploring M&A opportunities, although current market conditions present challenges for potential transactions [46][47] - Credit performance remains strong, with no significant migrations in classified loans during the quarter [51] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook for Q4 and 2026 - Management expects high single-digit year-over-year growth, with a good pipeline but acknowledges potential lumpy paydowns [13] Question: Loan pricing dynamics and competition - New loans are slightly below the previous average of 7.4%, with more pressure on deposit pricing than on loans [14][15] Question: M&A activity update - The company is actively looking at various transactions and remains open to strategic combinations [16][17] Question: Net interest margin trajectory - NIM is expected to experience slight compression due to rate cuts, potentially dropping to around 4.47% [24][25] Question: Loan fee income dynamics - The increase in loan fee income is attributed to strong sales performance and a robust deal market, though it may trend back to normal levels [25][26] Question: Credit trends and reserve increases - The decision to increase reserves was based on portfolio growth and macroeconomic volatility, with a focus on maintaining credit integrity [27][29] Question: Expectations around fees and expenses - Core fee income and noninterest expenses are expected to remain stable, with oil and gas revenues being less predictable [35] Question: Mortgage business outlook - The mortgage business is currently slow, but there is hope for improvement in 2026, with a significant increase in the transaction pipeline [39][41] Question: Challenges in M&A today - The overhang of AOCI and long maturity loans are keeping some sellers hesitant, impacting M&A activity [44][46]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong quarter with solid organic growth in both loan and deposit portfolios, contributing to strong capital accumulation and robust capital ratios [3][4] - The core net interest margin for the quarter was reported at 4.55%, with expectations of slight compression to 4.50% due to deposit cost pressures and potential further rate cuts [18][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth was highlighted as a key area of strength, with expectations of high single-digit year-over-year growth continuing into 2026 [9] - Loan fee income has increased significantly, now representing about 40 basis points of the margin, driven by a robust deal market and successful sales efforts [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that the mortgage business remains slow, with expectations for improvement in 2026, although current conditions are challenging due to high fallout rates and affordability issues [30][31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is actively pursuing M&A opportunities, although challenges remain due to market conditions and seller expectations [12][33] - The strategic acquisition of a mortgage operation was emphasized as a move to enhance service offerings to high-net-worth clients, with a focus on niche markets [31][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current market conditions and the company's positioning, despite acknowledging macroeconomic uncertainties [3][4] - Concerns regarding credit trends were addressed, with management indicating a cautious approach to provisioning in light of portfolio growth and macro volatility [21][22] Other Important Information - The company highlighted the importance of maintaining strong capital levels and the prudent approach to credit risk management in a volatile environment [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook for Q4 and 2026 - Management expects high single-digit year-over-year growth in loans, with a good pipeline of activity [9] Question: Loan pricing dynamics and competition - New loans are expected to be priced slightly below 7.4%, with more pressure on deposit pricing than on loans [11] Question: M&A activity update - The company is actively exploring M&A opportunities, with a disciplined approach to potential transactions [12][33] Question: Net interest margin trajectory - A slight decline in net interest margin is anticipated due to deposit cost pressures and rate cuts [18] Question: Credit trends and reserve increases - Credit performance was strong, with a slight increase in reserves due to macroeconomic concerns [21][38] Question: Outlook for fees and expenses - Core fee income is expected to maintain a similar run rate, with oil and gas revenue being less predictable [28] Question: Mortgage business expectations - The mortgage business is currently slow, but there is hope for improvement in 2026, with a stronger pipeline than six months ago [30][31]

Core Insights - PNC Financial Services Group reported record revenue of $5.9 billion for the third quarter of 2025, marking a 4% increase from the previous quarter and a 9% increase year-over-year [9][6][4] - The company announced an agreement to acquire FirstBank for an implied consideration of $4.1 billion, expected to close in early 2026, which will significantly expand PNC's presence in Colorado and Arizona [5][2] Financial Performance - Net interest income (NII) reached $3.6 billion, up 3% from the second quarter of 2025, driven by loan growth and fixed-rate asset repricing [10][6] - Noninterest income totaled $2.3 billion, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous quarter, with strong growth across various categories [12][9] - The efficiency ratio improved to 59%, indicating better cost management despite a 2% increase in noninterest expenses [6][14] Balance Sheet Highlights - Average loans increased by $3.2 billion, or 1%, primarily due to a 2% growth in commercial and industrial loans [16][18] - Average deposits grew by $8.9 billion, or 2%, driven by commercial deposit growth [30][7] - The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio improved to 10.6%, reflecting a strong capital position [15][28] Credit Quality - Net loan charge-offs decreased to $179 million, down from $198 million in the previous quarter, indicating improved credit quality [32][29] - Total delinquencies fell by 5% to $1.2 billion, driven by lower commercial and consumer loan delinquencies [34][29] - The allowance for credit losses remained stable at $5.3 billion, representing 1.61% of total loans [33][31] Business Segment Results - Retail Banking reported net income of $1.3 billion, a slight decrease from the previous quarter, impacted by higher noninterest expenses [36][37] - Corporate & Institutional Banking showed strong performance with net income of $1.5 billion, up from $1.2 billion in the previous quarter [36] - The Asset Management Group generated $117 million in net income, reflecting a year-over-year increase [36]