Suitors Still Showing Interest in NatCity's Warehouse Unit

Even though PNC Financial Services has no plans to keep National City's warehouse lending division, investors are continuing to a show an interest in the group, according to executives close to the situation. According to one investment banker, there currently are three suitors for the warehouse division: two private equity groups and an off-shore bank. A PNC spokesman said the bank's plan concerning the warehouse division remains unchanged: "We plan to wind down that business." Asked whether PNC would consider a sale, he said, "We don't comment on mergers and acquisitions." He declined to provide a warehouse commitment number for National City whose warehouse operation is based in Kentucky. "Earnings come out next week," he said. The Pittsburgh bank bought the Cleveland-based NatCity a year ago.