NEW YORK — Following the lead of other large banks, PNC Financial Services on Tuesday announced a moratorium on new and pending mortgage foreclosures.

The moratorium on mortgage loans owned and serviced by PNC and the recently acquired National City Mortgage is effective immediately through March 13, or upon the start of the government's anticipated loan modification program, the company said.

The move comes after JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup announced last week they would expand their efforts to halt home foreclosures.

JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said the New York company plans to suspend new foreclosures on owner-occupied home loans through March 6.