EXHIBIT 16 [Ernst & Young LLP letterhead] December 19, 2001 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (Commission File Number 1-9718) We have read Item 4 of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.'s Form 8-K dated December 18, 2001, and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Yours very truly, /s/ Ernst & Young LLP -4-