Oct 15 (Reuters) - PNC Financial reported a more

than 21% rise in third-quarter profit on Wednesday, driven by

higher interest income and across-the-board jump in fees.

The results underscored borrower resilience across the U.S.

and a rebound in dealmaking from April's tariff-driven slump,

mirroring trends observed across the biggest U.S. banks this

week.

JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ) raised its full-year forecast for net

interest income on Tuesday, while Wells Fargo ( WFC ) and

Citigroup ( C/PN ) also reported higher income from interest

payments.

NII - the difference between what a bank earns as interest

on loans and pays out on deposits - jumped to $3.65 billion in

the quarter for PNC, compared with $3.41 billion a year earlier,

reflecting lower funding costs and loan growth.

Provisions for credit losses fell to $167 million in the

period, compared with $243 million a year earlier.

"Credit performed well and we continued to build on our

strong capital levels," said CEO Bill Demchak.

PNC agreed to buy privately held FirstBank Holding in a $4.1

billion cash-and-stock deal last month, providing momentum to a

long-predicted wave of regional banking consolidation.

Analysts say the deal provides the bank access to low-cost

deposits and cross-selling opportunities. They continue to view

the bank as a potential buyer as banking M&A picks up pace under

lighter regulation.

Total non-interest income for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based

PNC rose 12% to $2.23 billion, led by a 16% jump in capital

markets and advisory fees.

The lender's profit rose to $1.82 billion, or $4.35 per

share, from $1.51 billion, or $3.49 per share, a year earlier.

(Reporting by Ateev Bhandari in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj

Kalluvila)