BUZZ-Lyons departure a 'loss' for US bank PNC, analysts say

** PNC Financial PNC.N President Michael Lyons is set to depart the U.S. bank to assume the role of CEO-elect at payments firm Fiserv FI.N, the companies say

** Lyons is set to succeed Fiserv CEO Frank Bisignano, who has been picked by President Donald Trump to head the Social Security Administration

** Bisignano will continue in his current role until June 30, or upon an earlier confirmation by the U.S. Senate

** Piper Sandler says it was surprised to read about Lyons' departure, given he has been with PNC for 13 years and led all the lines of business

** Brokerage says that, most importantly, Lyons was considered CEO Bill Demchak’s heir-apparent upon his eventual retirement

** "While this looks like a great opportunity for Lyons, we consider it a loss for PNC" - Piper Sandler

** Brokerage Stephens echoes Piper Sandler's comment, saying that the investment community felt Lyons was the heir apparent to Demchak